Various - Prairie Farmer, Vol. 56: No. 1, January 5, 1884.
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Various >> Prairie Farmer, Vol. 56: No. 1, January 5, 1884.
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Last week we briefly noted the fact that Hon. J.B. Grinnell, of Iowa,
Secretary of the Committee of the National Cattle-Growers' Convention,
appointed to secure legislation for the protection of live stock from
contagious diseases, had issued a circular letter to the public. In this
letter he discusses with his usual intelligence and ability the
important question in hand. As it will form the basis of Congressional
discussion and prove an important factor in shaping legislation, we give
the letter space in our columns. Mr. Grinnell says:
To find a legitimate market for our surplus products is a
question of grave concern. After meeting home demands the
magnitude of foreign consumption determines in a large degree
the net profits of production. It thus becomes the especial
concern of the American agriculturist and statesman to find
the best market for meat products. The profits in
grain-raising for exportation, which impoverishes the soil,
are exceptional, while our animal industries enrich it,
augmenting the rural population in the line of true economy,
the promotion of good morals, and the independence and
elevation of the citizen. Under the laws of domestic animal
life gross farm products and rich, indigenous grasses are
condensed into values adapted to transportation across oceans
and to various climes with little waste or deterioration;
thus the brute a servant, becomes an auxiliary to the cunning
hand of his master, blending the factors which determine our
facilities for acquisition in rural life, and attractions
which stimulate enterprise, adventure, individual
independence, and contribute to National wealth.
THE MEAT PRODUCTS.
No nation has so large a relative portion of its wealth in
domestic animals, and none can show such strides in material
advancement during the present century. But what is our
foreign trade? The exports of provisions from the United
States during the last fiscal year were in value about
$107,000,000. Those in 1882 amounted to $120,000,000, equal
to a falling off in a single year of $13,000,000. Our exports
of manufactured articles for the last year aggregate
$211,000,000, against $103,000,000, a gain of $108,000,000 in
a single year. It was a reasonable expectation that our
animal exports would have increased in like ratio as the
manufactures, which would have enhanced the value of all
domestic animals and furnished, instead of a mortifying fact,
a proud exhibit.
The causes of a decline are not found in high prices at home
nor in inferior product; rather in suspicions of diseases,
and the clamor of interested parties which led to arbitrary
restrictions, oppressive quarantine regulations, and
forbidding beeves which were ripened for the highest markets
to pass beyond the shambles; and the egress of young immature
cattle on the English pastures. Pork products up to the
Chicago meeting were prohibited by France, and they are
inhibited now from Germany, our long-time valuable customer.
It was their whims, caprices, jealousies, commercial
restrictions and bans which decreased our exports and led the
Commissioner of Agriculture to call the Chicago meeting of
November.
The convention developed facts and was fruitful in results:
That there were solitary cases of pleuro-pneumonia, and
limited to the eastern border States; that Western herdsmen
had just cause of alarm on account of the shipment of young
stock West from the narrow pastures and dairy districts of
the East. It was shown that across the ocean there was a
morbid appetite for suspicions and facts which would justify
severe restrictions and an absolute inhibition of our
products.
The Cattle Commission formed by the Treasury Department gave
decided opinions and imparted valuable information, but they
were constrained to admit that they were powerless in an
emergency to stop the spread of contagious diseases, and that
it was a vain hope that there would be an increased foreign
demand for our cattle and meat without radical Congressional
enactment.
Skilled veterinarians, fancy breeders, political economists,
and savants from the East met the alarmed ranchmen,
enterprising breeders, and delegations and officials from
many agricultural and State associations, representing
millions of cattle and hundreds of millions of dollars,
resolved that a meeting should be held at Washington, and a
committee was appointed to secure appropriate legislation.
In the discharge of duties assigned to the Secretary I at
once repaired to Washington for consultation and to gather
pertinent facts. The heads of the State Treasury and
Agricultural Departments were awake to the necessity of early
and radical legislation. President Arthur evinced great
cordiality, and gave good proof of his interest by calling
attention in the annual message to the approaching meeting in
Washington, which I have called the 10th of January.
FACTS.
I have sent out in a circular to the committee the following
"head-land" facts of startling import, which should be well
considered:
1. That there is an investment of $1,008,000,000 in cattle as
estimated by the Department of Agriculture, representing
41,171,000 animals. That of swine is $291,000,000,
representing over 43,000,000 animals.
2. That losses annually on exportation of cattle and beef,
consequent upon restrictive regulations and the decreased
relative consumption of our beef, aggregates many millions of
dollars. We reach an approximate estimate by these facts
relative to our foreign trade as follows:
The exports of 1880-81 were 368,463 animals. Those of 1882-83
were 212,554--a loss of 155,009 animals, and in value a loss
of $11,506,000 in two years.
The exports of fresh beef for two years were less by
40,071,167 pounds, and by a value of $2,191,190. The value of
pork products decreased in the same time to the extent of
$35,679,093.
This shows a falling off of about $25,000,000 per annum for
two years, as compared with the receipts for the two
preceding years.
CONTAGION TO BE AVERTED.
It should be known that the pleuro-pneumonia often mentioned
as a scare or a myth by the thoughtless and optimist is a
stern reality. Its journeys and track of destruction among
cattle have been as marked as that of small pox and
cholera--contagious diseases which have so tearfully
decimated the human family. Lung diseases of the modern type
were known before the Christian era, and were considered by
Columella and other Latin writers. Australia resigned her
great herds to flocks of sheep, as did South Africa, never
yet recovered from the blow to her cattle industries.
England has been tardy in the publication of her losses by
lung-fever, yet it is a fact which forbids secrecy that
calamity has reached the enterprising breeders, and colossal
fortunes have been swept away by the cattle-plague. In our
own country it has been no more the policy of secretive
owners to publish facts than that of city authorities to
proclaim the prevalence of small-pox in the town. Still,
startling facts have sprung from original sources of inquiry.
A town meeting is called in the State of Connecticut,
terror-stricken owners in New Jersey, Maryland, and
Pennsylvania meet for council. Massachusetts had a Governor
twenty years ago bold in telling truth, which led to
searching investigations by experts and officers of the
State. With autocratic power they made a diagnosis of
diseases, which led to the stamping out of the infection by
law, and a truthful proclamation that the plague was stayed.
The sacrifice of 1,000 brutes at a cost to the Commonwealth
of about $70,000 was a trivial sum compared to the perils
that beset a State valuation of $7,000,000, for bovines, and
the cattle of the Nation, numbering 40,000,000, and worth
nearly $1,100,000,000.
The monarchies of the Old World have set us an example; even
Denmark, Norway, and Sweden have pioneered for the world by
sagacious acts and the stern enforcement of law in
prevention.
AN AMERICAN POLICY
worthy of us is not secrecy, but boldness--sacrifice
commensurate with exposure. This will lead to the formulation
of a bill by the Washington Convention, which Congress will
enact in the interest of individuals, the State, and for the
National protection. If State-Rights theorists bring
objections, the law may be so equitable to the States that
its ratification may be asked on the ground of a just
National policy and a right which inheres to the General
Government under the Constitution in the regulation of
commerce between the States. This implies a power to destroy
a contagious disease which if allowed to spread would arrest
all commerce in bovines between the States. A State may and
ought to waive the question of damage if it is fixed by a
neutral Commissioner, and the General Government and not the
State meets the losses to which unfortunate cattle owners
maybe subject. This will be the touchstone--trust by the
State and statesmanlike generosity by the Nation--that means
courage for the now fearful ranchman of the unfenced domain,
and the furnishing of a "clean bill of health" for our
products seeking a foreign market. Having evinced zeal in
doing justice, it can ask for justice--that the rights of our
meat-producers be respected under our
COMMERCIAL TREATIES.
Commerce means a mutual exchange, and having performed our
home duty will be in no mood to tolerate a whim or a caprice.
Non-intercourse has been proposed in Congress. That may be a
final resort when a conference, practical discussion, and
even arbitration have failed. A graver subject measured by
dollars may yet engage the statesman diplomat than the Geneva
arbitration, and we shall have no fair status in discussion
or arbitration until our meat and cattle are made healthy by
prevention and the best sanitary laws known to civilized
countries.
THE TIME IS AUSPICIOUS.
Cattle-raising as an attractive and profitable vocation is
now exciting a deep interest. A lull in politics forbids the
wants of our agriculturists, numbering 60 per cent of the
population, being waived out of notice and their voiced
demands drowned by partisan clamor. The treasury has hundreds
of millions in its vaults and a fraction of 1 per cent of our
surplus will only be required, under a just disbursement, to
isolate and destroy the diseases which fetter our commerce
and repress home enterprise.
A full and able convention at Washington is assured by the
responsive letters received. The State of Iowa will make her
requests to Congress by fine-stock meeting and other
associations, as becomes the State with $100,000,000 invested
in domestic animals.
Who can be indifferent in the face of our great perils, and
recounting the losses by foreign restrictions and inhibition?
We are emphatically a Nation of beef-eaters, and by the
extent of our domain and healthful climate are justly
entitled to the honored designation of the first producer
among civilized nations.
It is the question of healthful food for the masses, of
profitable tonnage for the railways, and of deep concern in
cultivating fraternal relations abroad, not less than a
question for the political economist in maintaining a good
trade balance-sheet. If we can impress our Congressional
delegations with the necessity of early and decisive
legislation, we shall have accomplished a noble work and have
earned the warm commendation of millions of citizens whose
interests have been neglected and whose vocation and property
have been imperiled.
For the committee by request of the Chicago Convention.
J.B. GRINNELL.
* * * * *
During the first eleven months of 1883, no less than 411,992 animals in
Great Britain were attacked by by foot-and-mouth disease. December
opened with a greater number of ailing animals than did November.
* * * * *
An Iowa farmer is experimenting with steamed clover hay for feeding
hogs.
PRICES OF 1883.
The average price of Short-horns at the public sales in this country in
1883, as reported by the auctioneers, was $205.56. The Breeder's Gazette
figures up the number of cattle of the different breeds disposed of at
public sales as follows:
Breeds. | Number. | Totals. | Average.
Short-horns | 3,284 | $ 675,057 | $205.56
Herefords | 112 | 53,330 | 476.61
Aberdeen-Angus | 300 | 154,885 | 516.28
Galloways | 263 | 111,200 | 422.81
Angus and Galloways | 44 | 16,865 | 383.13
Holsteins | 239 | 89,290 | 373.60
Jerseys | 1,688 | 690,405 | 409.01
Guernseys | 52 | 12,090 | 232.50
Red Polled | 15 | 4,435 | 295.70
-------------------------------------
Totals | 5,997 |$1,807,557 | $301.41
Of the above Short-horns, 1,609 were sold in Illinois, 541 in Kentucky,
and 1,134 in other States. In Illinois the average price received was
$222.23; in Kentucky, $271.01, and in other States, $149.73. Of the beef
breeds there were sold $4,018, the total receipts were $1,015,772,
making the general average $253.80. Of the dairy breeds 1,979 were sold
at an average of $400.10.
It will be seen that the average for Short-horns is less than that for
either of the other breeds though, of course, the number sold is greatly
in excess of the others. In 1882 the average for Short-horns was but
$192.10, and in 1881 but $158, so that on the whole the breeders are
perfectly satisfied with the way the business is running.
The dairy breeds did remarkably well in 1883, the Holsteins coming up
well to the Jerseys, but the latter leads greatly in point of numbers.
The pure bred cattle business of the country as indicated by these sales
is exceedingly prosperous.
In Great Britain the Short-horn sales were less numerous than last year,
or, in fact, any year since 1869, but the average was better than since
1879. In 1880 the average for 1,738 head was $225, while in 1881 and
1882 the average further declined to $175. In 1883 the average was close
upon $230, but, upon the other hand, the number of animals sold fell to
1,400. The highest price paid was 1,505 guineas, for a four-year-old cow
of the fashionable Duchess blood, which was purchased by the earl of
Bective at the sale of Mr. Holford's herd in Dorsetshire. The
Australians purchased largely at the Duke of Devonshire's annual sale in
1878, and this year American and Canadian buyers bid briskly for animals
of the Oxford blood. These were the only two sales at which the average
reached three figures, the next best being that of a selection from Mr.
Green's herd in Essex, when forty-one lots averaged $360 each, or less
than half secured by the Duke of Devonshire's Short-horns.
DOCKING HORSES.
An English veterinary society has lately been discussing the question of
docking the tails of horses. The President looked upon docking as an act
of cruelty. By docking, the number of accidents from the horse holding
the rein under the tail was greatly increased, for the horse has less
power of free motion over the tail. If a short dock is put over the
rein, the animal has so little control of the tail that he can not
readily liberate the rein. The "stump" is sensitive, the same as the
remaining part of an amputated finger. In the majority of cases he
considered docking entirely unnecessary.
On the contrary, Doctor Axe (rather a suggestive name for an advocate of
docking) thought the practice improved the looks of a horse, thus
rendering it more salable. His sentimentality did not allow him to argue
this question of increased value. He did not think docking increased
accidents. Statistics, not assertions, were needed to establish facts of
this kind. As to the remark of the President, that the shortened tail
could not be so easily freed from the rein, he said it would depend on
who was driving; an expert would more quickly disengage the rein from a
docked tail. It may be true, he said, that there was more flexibility in
an uncut tail because its more flexible portion had not been removed;
but the docked tail had not the same power of covering and fixing down
the rein that the long tail possessed. The long retention of a certain
degree of sensibility after amputation was a known fact, but neither
this, nor the operation itself, involved much pain. He detailed the
structures divided, and said that they possessed a low degree of
sensation. He would be glad to see horses have the free use of all their
members, if practicable, and would leave them their tails if the removal
of them could not increase the animal's comfort, value, or power of
being safely used, but he would not do anything to lessen the value of
horses without good reason.
It seems that prosecutions for docking, under
the cruelty to[***]
common in England [***]
convictions are not [***]
in the discussion [***]
vigorous prosecutions are [***]
We notice that with [***]
and docking are on the increase [***]
of this country. Fortunately [***]
beasts, public sentiment in this [***]
against the barbarous act; still [***]
is it that fashion has not yet so [***]
the taste of the majority of people [***]
convince them that docking adds to [***]
beauty of the noble animal. But the rage is now to imitate the English
in nearly all manners and customs, and it may not be long before the
miserable fashion will gain new headway with us.
* * * * *
Too much care can hardly be taken in packing pork so as to have it keep
through the season. The chief requisites are pure salt and freeing the
meat from every taint of blood. The pieces of pork should be packed as
closely as possible. After a few weeks if any scum rises on the surface
of the brine it should be cleaned out and the brine boiled so that all
impurities may be removed. If pork is to be kept all summer twice
boiling the brine may be necessary. For some reason a barrel that has
once held beef will never do for a pork barrel, though the rule may be
reversed with impunity.
* * * * *
One of the firm of Galbraith Brothers Janesville, Wis., is now in
Scotland to make selection for an early spring importation of
Clydesdales. While making mention of this we may say that Messrs.
Galbraith though disposing of twenty-one head of Clydesdales at the late
sale in Chicago, have yet on hand an ample supply of superior horses of
all ages from sucklings upward. They will be pleased to receive a visit
from intending purchasers of this class of stock, and from all
interested in the breed.
* * * * *
The first lot of Dr. W.A. Pratt's Holsteins, from quarantine, recently
arrived at Elgin. The Doctor informs us that the animals are in prime
condition and choice in every respect. He says he is preparing to open a
ranch near Manhattan, Kansas, for the breeding of high grade Holsteins
and Short-horns. He will also keep on this ranch a choice herd of
pure-bred Holsteins for supplying the growing Western demand for this
very popular dairy stock.
PUBLICATIONS.
_The Free Seed Distribution alone of the Rural New Yorker is worth at
catalogue prices more than $3.00. This journal and the Rural, including
its Seed Distribution, will be sent for $3.00. For free specimen copies,
apply to 34 Park Row, New York. The Rural New-Yorker is the Leading
National Journal of Agriculture and Horticulture._
* * * * *
_The Rural New-Yorker has over 600 contributors, among them the most
distinguished writers of America and England. It is the complete Journal
for the country home and for many city homes as well. Free specimen
copies 34 Park Row, N.Y._
* * * * *
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER
The great national farm and garden journal of America, with its
Celebrated Free Seed Distribution, and
THE PRAIRIE FARMER
one year, post-paid, all for only $3.00. It is a rare chance. Specimen
copies cheerfully sent gratis. Compare them with other rural weeklies,
and then subscribe for the best. Apply to
34 PARK ROW, NEW YORK.
* * * * *
THE DAIRY.
Dairymen, Write for Your Paper.
LESSONS IN FINANCE FOR THE CREAMERY PATRON.[A]
Any business to be permanent must make reasonable returns for the
capital employed and give fair compensation for the labor bestowed upon
it, otherwise it will be abandoned, or if continued at all it will be
done under the protest of economic law. In addition to the ordinary
circumstances attaching to business enterprise, the creamery business is
essentially and peculiarly co-operative. It thrives with the thrift of
all concerned--owner and patrons. It fails only with loss to all. The
conditions of success, therefore, to the patrons are included in the
conditions of success to the creamery, and vice versa.
The object of this paper is to suggest some of these conditions and some
of the instances of violation of them.
It is hardly necessary to discuss the case in which peculiarity of soil
or climate, the greater profitableness of some other kind of industry,
or other reason, would so restrict the size and number of dairy herds as
to make the locality a barren dairy region. Notwithstanding the splendid
achievements of the dairy industry it is safe to say that it may not be
profitable in any and every locality. Given the soil, the climate, the
water, the people intelligent and disposed toward the exacting duties of
this business, there are still many questions to be considered and many
mistakes to be avoided.
It has been a pet idea in this country that competition is the
corrective of all industrial evils. Competition without doubt holds an
important place among the industrial forces, but may be carried so far
as to defeat the very objects it is adapted to subserve, when
intelligently encouraged. Carried to the extent of employing two persons
or more to do the work of one, of absorbing capital without the full
employment of it, it becomes destructive and expensive. We find, for
instance, in many towns, a large number of commercial establishments
doing business at an immense profit on single transactions, but the
transactions are so few and so divided up among struggling competitors,
that neither secures a profitable, nor even a respectable, business.
With choice cuts of meat from twelve to eighteen cents a pound and
butcher's stock at three and four cents, we often see butcher shops
multiply, but the price of meat usually remains the same. Indeed, the
very increase of middle man establishments beyond the employment of
these to their full capacity, and the consequent full utilization of the
capital and labor employed, is a sure loss to somebody, and if it does
not all go to the producer it is almost always shared by him.
One of the greatest burdens which the creamery business has to carry
to-day is the excessive number of its creameries beyond legitimate
demands. The co-operative idea, so far as it enters into this business,
implies the most profitable use possible of the resources employed in it
both of patron and creamery owner, and a fair and equitable distribution
of the profits. Said a large creamery owner to me recently, "I find
the comparative value of my butter steadily decreasing from year to
year. I have the same territory, the same butter-makers, the same
patrons, substantially, but my butter is not up in quality and price as
it used to be. I ascribe it to the excessive competition prevailing in
it, i.e., it is one of its results. I have lost my influence over
patrons in securing the best quality of cream. If I make any criticism
of their modes or practices they say to me, 'Mr. ----, if you do not
want my cream I will let the other creamery have it. Do just as you like
about it; take it or leave it.'" But the loss of one or two cents a
pound on the net proceeds of a season means five or ten per cent of its
value, or of the entire season's results enough difference to make any
community in a few years rich or poor, thrifty or unthrifty, according
to the circumstances in the case.
Further: the idea of co-operation implies the doing of equal and exact
justice to all included within the co-operative limits. This, an
excessive and unprincipled competition greatly interferes with. It can
properly be demanded by every fair and honest patron of a creamery that
every other patron should be as fair and honest as himself. Indeed, this
is an essential part of the implied contract. But in the case of
excessive competition no restraints can be imposed and no penalties can
be made to follow attempts to violate the principles of equity, except
the possible inconvenience of changing from one creamery to another. The
straight and honorable patron is powerless; the owner of the creamery is
powerless; and the co-operative element is rendered a nullity.
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