34 



FARM ANIMALS IN THE UNITED STATES. 



A review of the live stock of the United States during the 

 past twenty years, as enumerated by the government of that 

 republic on the ist January of each year, shows that, while 

 the number of farm animals exhibited an increase, more or 

 less rapid, until, in most cases, about 1892-4, there has set in 

 since that period a decline, affecting all classes. The average 

 value of the animals, as estimated at the same date, on the 

 other hand, exhibited a marked rise during the first five 

 years, followed by a more or less steady decline, the mini- 

 mum being reached at various dates between 1892 and 1897, 

 since when there has been an appreciable, and in some cases 

 striking, improvements Speaking very roughly, therefore, 

 and with due regard to exceptions, it may be said that, apart 

 from the first five years, 1880-84, the price has exhibited 

 some tendency to move inversely to the number of the 

 animals in existence. 



The changes in the number of oxen and cattle other than 

 milch cows, and the probable significance to be attached 

 thereto, have been dealt with at length in two consular 

 reports by Mr. O'Beirne, of her Majesty's Embassy at 

 Washington, which have already been summarised in this 

 Journal.* It will therefore suffice to recall here that the number 

 of cattle other than milch cows, after a rapid increase in the 

 early eighties, attained a maximum of 37,65 1,000 head in 

 1892, when a decline, continuous since 1894, set in, which 

 decline has proceeded at so rapid a rate that the number on 

 ist January, 1899, was on ly 2 7>994>ooo, representing a loss of 

 9,657,000 head, or over 25 per cent., in eight years. The 



*Vol. III., Dec, 1S96, p. 257, and Vol. V., Dec, 1S9S, p. 343. 



