Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 May 1887 — THE CATTLE INDUSTRY. [ARTICLE]

THE CATTLE INDUSTRY.

Reports from Thirteen States and Territories —The Past Winter Considered Favorable. [Boston telegram.] The Commercial Bulletin publishes a special repoit of the range ana ranch cattle industry. The reports are furnished by special correspondents from thirteen States and Territories, covering the whole field. The conclusions arrived at indicate that the early reports of winter losses have been considerably exaggerated. The only territory where cattlemen suffered severe losses was in Montana, where the mortality proves to have been from 15 to 25 per cent, on the average. The losses in Colorado, Western Kansas, and Northern Kansas were very light the past winter, running under 5 per cent, of the average. Parts of Idaho and Wyoming suffered quite severely, particularly the northwestern, but the average losses in the Territories were not excessive. L'tah, New Mexico and Arizona were particularly fortunate. New Mexico correspondents write that the loss does not exceed 3 per cent, in either of the Territories named. Texas reports some suffering because of the drought, but the winter was much more favorable to stockmen than that oi 1885-6. On the whole, the conclusion is arrived at that the past winter was a favorable one to the cattle-raising interests of the West, and that the hide and leather markets will not feel the effect noticeably of what fallen bides will come upon the market. From every section come reports of the encroachments of immigrants upon the grazing territory, and particularly from Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado, where the cattlemen are being pushed steadily westward. It is the opinion of some of the correspondents that the cattle-raising industry has reached .its height, and several stations report that it is becoming necessary to raise alfalfa and grass for feed. The interstate commerce law works to the disadvantage of most sections, but the reports vary on this point. Without exception as to a single State or Territory, the spring season has opened well, with an abundance of rain and a fine outlook for grass. Cattle-raisers in Montana feel much encouraged over the outlook, and feel that the favorable spring will go far to recuperate their losses ana prevent further mortality among weak cattle.