32 



constantly being absorbed by the increased area annually occupied. 

 When it became occupied in full all at once a great increase of 

 range-fed cattle in eastern markets occurred. Prices went down, 

 down, to rates impossible to duplicate by eastern feeders at a profit. 

 This discouraged even range sales, and cattle, so far as conditions 

 would admit, were held back, spreading low rates over years of 

 time. At last the readjustment of cattle to range capacity is prac- 

 tically completed, except so far as settlers and agricultural methods 

 modify the situation. This adjustment is upon the basis of greatly 

 reduced numbers in the face of rapidly increasing population, and 

 a constant absorption of range area into tillage farms. The range 

 as a menace to beef production on farms has passed into history. 



But may we not expect a competition from the agricultural west, 

 the corn-growing west, — with its cheap grains for our markets, at 

 rates unattractive to us ? It appears that range competition re- 

 pressed beef production in these States, as in them all there was a 

 decline in cattle other than cows from 1890 to 1900. It is signifi- 

 cant that this decline was coincident with exceedingly low prices 

 of corn. Beef production in the corn States, at rates prevailing 

 from 1892 to 1900, was not satisfactory, and any material increase 

 in numbers of cattle cannot be expected under similar conditions. 

 But there are those that will maintain that the great corn area of 

 the United States, close to the supply of cheap protein foods, glu- 

 ten, bran, middlings, linseed meal and cotton-seed meal, can over- 

 ride all competition and at best make it very discouraging to New 

 England beef producers. 



The present cost of shipping a 1,500-pound steer from Chicago 

 to Boston is $4.20. The cost to ship the same from the average 

 distance of his growth to Chicago will be as much more. Com- 

 missions and other costs will bring the total up to at least $10. 

 This much for the tariff of distance in favor of the New England 

 steer. Is it enough ? 



If we regard the producer of beef as a purchaser of all the feeds 

 given it is not enough. It will require in round numbers 7^ tons 

 of food to grow 1,500 pounds of steer. More than $10 more would 

 be required to purchase this food here than in the west, the hay 

 costing here double what it will there. 



But we logically and correctly must view the feeder as the 

 farmer marketing his own products on his farm through the steers 

 in question. 



In the west the hay fed may at market rates be sold or charged 

 to the steer at a loss, while here at our rates at a profit. The 

 transaction must be regarded as a whole. 



Will the same amount of energy or expenditure here produce 



