PREFACE 



The magnitude and importance of the production 

 of beef as a factor in American agriculture are not gen- 

 erally appreciated. The presentation of a book devoted 

 solely to a discussion of the problems of the beef pro- 

 ducer is an attempt to give adequate recognition to the 

 industry. 



In "Beef Production" the attempt is made to pre- 

 sent in the most direct manner certain facts of great 

 economic importance to American beef producers. 

 Much of the information given is based upon extensive 

 feeding experiments conducted by the author at the 

 Illinois Experiment Station. The arrangement of mat- 

 ter is designed to suit the demands both of the actual 

 cattle feeder and of the student; to serve both as a 

 ready reference guide — a text adapted to the progres- 

 sive pedagogic presentation of the subject in the class- 

 room and a treatise conveniently arranged in logical 

 order for the general reader interested in the subject. 

 The writer fully appreciates that the work is not as 

 complete and comprehensive as it might be made; it is 

 presented, however, with the thought that it will con- 

 tribute to the literature, especially on the economic side, 

 of beef production. It is hoped that it will serve to 

 make beef production more profitable. The writer 

 wishes to gratefully acknowledge the valuable sugges- 

 tions and assistance given in the preparation of this 

 book by his associate, Mr. L. D. Hall. 



HERBERT W. MUMFORD. 



ITrbana, III., January, 1907. 



