The Dawn of a New Constructive Era 121 



Methods of finishing cattle for market have been well worked 

 out in certain sections of the South, and the possible profit by 

 some of these methods was definitely shown, while the land on 

 which the work was done was still under quarantine. We must 

 admit, however, that a large portion of the area below the original 

 quarantine line is not yet ready for the fattening of cattle. Until South Can 

 corn is produced in quantity and cheaply, or until other finishing 1° "!?^ . 

 feeds equally cheap and equally efficient, are produced, the raising Cattle 

 of beef cattle for finishing elsewhere must be the chief feature of 

 the beef business of the South. This is particularly true of the 

 k;ut-over timber lands, and it is this territory which I have in 

 mind in making the foregoing remarks concerning the econom- 

 ical production of beef cattle in quarantined territory. 



What do we really know about the cattle raising possibilities 

 of these cut-over timber lands? The fact that piney-woods cattle 

 range over them with little or no charge for the range, proves 

 nothing from a business standpoint, except that the climatic con- 

 ditions do not inhibit the growth of cattle. I might also say that 

 the fact that men have reached a considerable degree of success in 

 the production of pure-bred cattle in the South on cut-over timber 

 lands proves only one thing, and that is that the South can pro- 

 duce just as good pure-bred beef cattle as any other section of 

 the country, but it sheds very little light on the question of the 

 utilization of 76 million acres of these lands. This is a ranching 

 problem, a grazing problem. 



If I may digress a moment, I venture the opinion that the 

 presence of these native cattle in considerable numbers will be 

 found to be an advantage when conditions are ready for the 

 systematic development of an economic cattle raising industry, j^ative Cattle 

 These native cows are hardy, acclimated, and will become a an Asset 

 splendid foundation on which to build the cattle industry of the 

 future. This native blood responds quickly to crossing with well- 

 bred bulls, and in the course of a few systematic crosses, high 

 grades will result which will be quite valuable as feeders. 



This much we know, but before we can advise capital to 

 invest extensively in the cattle business on cut-over timber lands, 

 we must be sure that the cost of niaking these lands suitable for 

 cattle production will not be so great as to prevent the enterprise 

 from being profitable under proper management. I understand 

 that the cost of ridding the land of stumps has been pretty well 



