17 



paratively large number of cattle are converted into beef by local 

 butchers, and the influence of this factor in the aggregate is consid- 

 erable. It was estimated by the United States Bureau of Corpora- 

 tions 1 that the cattle slaughtered in 1903 were divided thus : 



No. of cattle 

 slaughtered 



At large central markets 6,570,000 



In other cities over 50,000 population 930,000 



In cities and villages under 50,000 population 3,500,000 



On farms and ranges . 1,500,000 



Total slaughtered 12,500,000 



Exported alive 520,000 



Total 13,020,000 



Nearly 6,000,000 cattle, or about 45 percent of those marketed 

 for slaughter (which includes those exported alive), were therefore 

 slaughtered at points other than the large stockyard centers; and 

 of this number 5,000,000, or 40 percent of the total number 

 slaughtered, were slaughtered in small cities and villages and in 

 the country. In other words, about two-fifths of all cattle killed 

 for beef in 1903 were handled by local butchers and farmers. The 

 Bureau of Corporations also ascertained that about 5,500,000, or 

 45 percent, of the cattle killed for beef were slaughtered by six 

 companies known as the "big packers." 



THE; PASSING OF THE RANGE; 



A large part of the agricultural progress of the past has meant 

 the extension of soil cultivation at the expense of the grazing in- 

 dustry that preceded it. Home-seeking emigrants, leaving behind 

 farms that have been devastated by poor management, have 

 pushed forward continually toward the most fertile western graz- 

 ing areas, absorbing or driving the cattle and sheep to new terri- 

 tory, until now the limits of the United States have been reached. 

 Large ranches which formerly sent train loads of fat and feed- 

 ing cattle to the central markets and to corn-belt feeders have been 

 completely absorbed by settlers. Formerly, such a condition meant 

 the establishment of ranches in new, unclaimed lands, but further 

 extension of this kind is impossible. 



The effect of western emigration upon future beef produc- 

 tion is a disputed question. Some regard a marked shortage of 

 cattle as the inevitable result; others claim that the cultivation of 

 new lands will ultimately increase the production of cattle in such 

 sections. However, a gradual increase in cattle will not neces- 

 sarily mean a greater shipment of beef animals from these regions 

 eastward, for the meat consumption of these newer western states 

 will increase along with the increase of population. Neither will 



iReport of the Commissioner of Corporations on the Beef Industry, 1905, 

 PP. 55-57. 



