INTRODUCTION. cxxxiii 



But it was not until about 1832 to 1836 that a general interest for the improvement of the stock 

 of cattle began to be manifested by the farmers and cattle men at large. Hitherto it had been con 

 fined chiefly to a few individuals in different localities in Kentucky, Ohio, and other western States, 

 though more general in the former. But the beautiful display at the county lairs (then recently revived) 

 and elsewhere of the many beautiful animals of the English improved Durhams, imported by the dif 

 ferent associations into Kentucky and Ohio about that period, combined with the almost fabulous prices 

 which they would command, contributed in no small degree towards creating the general interest on 

 the subject that followed, and which resulted within a few years thereafter in a great improvement in 

 the quality of the stock throughout the whole west, greater, perhaps, than would have otherwise taken 

 place within a quarter of a century. Nor were the people misled by appearances this time; for, alter 

 thirty years trial, this breed, when well cared for, still maintains its English reputation of posscssing i 

 in a greater degree than any other stock, all the essential qualities, such as size, neatness of form, early 

 maturity, aptitude to fatten, and the marbled admixture of fat with the lean in the beef requisite to make 

 both the raising and feeding more profitable, as well as furnishing to the consumer a superior quality 

 of beef. But the present management of these cattle, and their crosses, called &quot; grades,&quot; is nowise cal 

 culated to sustain the hitherto high character of their beef among consumers. Apparently both feeders 

 and drovers, not willing to be behindhand with the railroads, nor any other fast thing in this fast age, 

 make haste to realize and hurry off their half-fatted stock to market at the early age of three years, 

 thereby involving an absolute waste of &quot; raw material ;&quot; whereas, if those same cattle were kept one 

 year longer, and made ripe for the shambles, there would not only be a gain of full one-third in weight, 

 but they would produce a quality of beef not excelled in any country or clime. 



The wonderful increase of late years both in the production and consumption of beef cattle in the 

 United States, the one obviously keeping pace with the rapid strides of the other, has developed in 

 part the capabilities of the vast western prairies, providentially provided beforehand to meet the wants 

 of a great nation increasing in population and advancing in wealth and power with a rapidity wholly 

 unprecedented in history. 



The original or common cattle of the west were introduced into the country from various quarters, 

 the earlier immigrants from Pennsylvania, Virginia, and other States bringing a greater or less number 

 of cows with them, and the Indians furnished a part. Of course they were a heterogeneous collection; 

 yet, in the process of time, in each considerable district of country of similar formation and resources; 

 where there was no effort made at improvement, the stock assimilated or acquired characteristic quali 

 ties peculiar to itself, and so dissimilar from other sections as to enable the experienced cattle dealer to 

 readily determine, by the general appearance of the stock, the region of country in which the cattle 

 were raised. In the more hilly and timbered localities the cattle were smaller, of compact build, hardy, 

 healthy, and easily fatted; whereas, in the more open portions of the country, where the feed was 

 abundant, the stock became larger, looser made, coarser, more subject to disease, and harder to fatten ; 

 but the general effort made of late years to improve the stock by the introduction of improved breeds 

 has rendered these local characteristics less distinguishable than formerly. 



The manner of raising or breeding of cattle has undergone considerable change of late years. 

 Formerly, when the price of land was very low, and the range extensive, it was the general custom of 

 farmers and cattle men to keep more cows than were actually necessary to supply the wants of the 

 family ; indeed, many of them kept large herds of cows for the sole purpose of raising cattle. But that 

 business has now, at least so far as Ohio and Kentucky are concerned, almost entirely ceased, though 

 it is still carried on to a limited extent further west and south, more particularly in Texas, where, before 

 the war, many individuals could count their herds by the thousand. Yet, even in Ohio and Kentucky, 

 the number of cows has not decreased, but, on the contrary, doubtless has largely increased, more es 

 pecially in Ohio, where, in addition to the largely increased home consumption, the extensive cheese 

 manufactories and large export of butter of late years have rendered a largely increased number of cows 

 necessary. The calves of these cows are, to a considerable extent, bought up by dealers in the fall 



