CHAPTER I 



The Live Stock Field 



Live stock is the most important factor in farm 

 life. Without animals the fertility of the soil can- 

 not be maintained. Without maintaining soil fer- 

 tility profitable crop production is not possible. 

 True, in a few thickly settled countries it is not 

 possible to keep large numbers of farm animals, 

 but where this condition exists, mineral plant food 

 must be brought in from the outside. There is a 

 limit to the supply of this mineral plant food, con- 

 sequently the most satis'factory agriculture to work 

 for must be that system which includes the best 

 types of live stock. 



Under present conditions in the United States 

 the production of live stock is not keeping pace with 

 the population. In spite of the fact that in the 

 United States the total number of animals has in- 

 creased during the past years, the fact remains 

 that, measured by increasing population, we are in 

 a diminished period of actual production. During 

 the year 1909 there was much complaint among 

 wage workers because of the high price of meats. 

 Some of the resentment which was shown towards 

 slaughterers and retailers had a good basis in fact, 

 because both of these classes, particularly the latter, 

 are absorbing a greater part of the value of the 

 carcass than is warranted. 



Making full allowance for this, the underlying 

 reason for the increased cost of meat animals and 

 also of work animals will be found to be the relative 

 decrease in production. This reason is bound to 



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