CATTLE. The nineteenth century was well ad vanced before stock cattle from Europe had been imported to any considerable extent. Short horn; were for several years imported in the largest numbers, and there are more pure-blooded and grade shorthorns in the United States to day than all other breeds. The 'hustling' quali ties of the lIerefords made them favorites in the range States. The polled Angus were introduced later (1870), but have become rivals of the Ilerefords for beef purposes, especially in the North Central States. These three breeds com prise practically all the pure-blooded cattle in the United States used for breeding and for grading up native cattle for beef purposes. In feeding and breeding beef cattle it has been the aim in recent years to reduce the time necessary to prepare the animal for market. In the West• ern and South Central States the average age of range cattle decreased six months from 1890 to 1900. It was claimed that in the latter year cattle matured a year earlier than in 1880. Pure blood hulls are most common in the range States of the West.
The method of cattle-raising in the range region has greatly changed in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Formerly cattle were pas tured and driven about without hindrance over Government lands. To-day much of the range area is inclosed by wire fences. Part of the former range area has been settled by small farmers, but produces more cattle than under the old system. Instead of letting range cattle shift for them selves in winter, as formerly, it is common to pro vide food and protection for them.
The recent remarkable development in the dairying industry has exercised a decided in fluence over cattle-raising. The number of milk or dairy cows increased from 6,385,000 in 1850 to 17,139,074 in 1900, while the increase in dairy value of these cattle was proportionately much greater. See CATTLE, and DAIRYING.
Hoes. The United States has accomplished more in the development of new and superior breeds of hogs than in that of any other farm Indeed, in both the quality of the breed and in absolute number the United States stands almost alone in this branch of industry. In 1900 the United States had as many hogs as the en tire Continent of Europe.
The bog is the largest consumer of American corn, and where there is an abundance of one there are large holdings of the other. The hog is ready for the market at an early age. and is therefore a 'quick-money' animal. If it can be saved from disease it is the most profitable in vestment for the corn-grower. It has won the appellation of 'mortgage-lifter.' Until toward 1850 the most common grade was the half-wild, long-legged, thin animals known as 'razor-hacks.' They are still common in the Southern States, but before 1830 a distinct breed, the Chester White, had been developed in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and about 1810 another new breed. the Poland China, originated in southwestern Ohio. The Mimes or Jersey Peds, another native breed, first became common in New Jersey, and is now well known over the country. Through these and other improved native breeds. together with the imported Berkshires, the grade of hogs in the North Central States has been improved until it has reached a very high standard. Stock men have aimed at securing a breed that will fatten quickly and at an early age. The Poland China satisfies this condition, and its imprint is most noticeable among American hogs.