6 PROFITABLE STOCK RAISING 



course, is highly satisfactory, to the producer. This, 

 however, does not tell the whole story. Such a 

 comparison would not be complete without a cor- 

 responding showing of the variance of the present 

 situation, as shown by the comparison of present 

 prices with the lowest prices ever recorded at the 

 bottom of periods of live stock or financial depres- 

 sion. 



Indeed, such a showing probably best pictures 

 the present highly satisfactory condition of the live 

 stock industry. An examination of the table pre- 

 sented below will show that milch cows touched 

 their lowest value in 1892, and since that time there 

 has been an increase in the average price per head 

 amounting to 64.7 per cent. In 1895 beef cattle 

 touched their lowest point, since which time there 

 has been an advance of 46.7 per cent. 



Sheep touched the bottom in 1896 with the aver- 

 age value per head of $1.60, as compared with an 

 average of $4.07 at present, while hogs reached their 

 greatest depression in 1897, when they were worth 

 $4-13 per head as against $9.15 at present. 

 Horses and mules reached the bottom in 1897-98, 

 since which time they have increased in value by 

 201 per cent in the case of horses and 173 per cent 

 in the case of mules. 



The accompanying statement shows the present 

 value of the different classes of live stock, together 

 with the lowest value ever previously recorded. 

 It will be noted that with the exception of milch 

 cows the increase from the bottom to the present 

 range of values has taken place in practically one 

 decade, and the increase in this decade is so great 

 that it would seem almost incredible if it were not 

 a matter of statistical record. 



