31 



The great live-stock markets have shown this year, despite the 

 allurement of exceedingly high prices (§8,40 per 100 pounds live 

 weight having been reached in Chicago), a marked decrease in 

 receipts over last year and over preceding j'cars for nearly a 

 decade. Low prices, averaging for the country for cattle other 

 than cows at the lowest point for a decade in 1895 but S14.06 per 

 head, no doubt discouraged breeders and in part explains a decline 

 of 9,667,014 cattle in the seven years from 1892 to 1899 ; but the 

 constant rise from 1895 to 1899, from §14.06 to §22.79, failed to 

 induce an increase in total numbers, or even to check the phenom- 

 enal decrease of stock. The present higher prices, nearly double 

 those of 1895, make it evident that this further rise in prices has 

 not given a sufficiently upward turn in the numbers of beef ani- 

 mals to meet growing demands for them, 



T have not quoted from the last census as the basis of enumer- 

 ation was changed and the proper basis of comparison destroyed. 

 The statistician, however, regards it as probable that a loss of 

 neat cattle of from 7 to 9 per cent occurred during the decade 

 from 1890 to 1900. This decrease was accompanied by an in- 

 crease of population of 21 per cent. The most significant feature 

 of this probable decrease of neat cattle from 1890 to 1900 is in 

 the location of the loss. It was found to be greatest in the great 

 free-range section from whence has come the severest strain upon 

 our beef producers. Is this loss due to the unprofitable character 

 of the range beef production? No, but from the decreasing 

 capacity of ranges. Settlers have withdrawn large areas and are 

 constantly making inroads into the grazing section. Further 

 trouble awaits ranchmen. Government is ordering fences down 

 and rental rates are impending. 



The chief cause of the decline of cattle is found in the character 

 of the grass and atmospheric conditions. In this rainless area 

 grass may accumulate and hold its quality and palatableness, as 

 rains do not deteriorate it. Once the surplus is grazed off only 

 the annual production can be had. 



The insufficiency of moisture by the law of the survival of the 

 fittest gives first place to the bunch grass, as a close mat of grass 

 has a heavy vaporizing power. Once grazed off, vaporization 

 from the soil direct occurs. Grazing cattle pull at the roots, and 

 injure by trampling this bunched grass as they do not over close 

 matted grazing areas. These and other causes account for the 

 fact that on ground where cattle can be grazed the year round 

 free of rental expense the numbers have been greatly reduced. 



It is to be especially noted that during the brief period occupied 

 in stocking the ranges their breeding stock and young things were 



