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Show fLrvestoclc jXM'NAUOHnS 2T1 A recent report shows that the cattfe population of Texas had decreased de-creased from 7,318,000 head in 1922 to 5,007,000 head in 1927. The Value per head has increased from $22.80 in li)2(! to $40.00 per head in 1927. This looks like a case of whether any section should raise the most cattle or make the most money raising rais-ing cattle. However, conservation seems to be more the keynote in cattle cat-tle production than in years gone by and it is unlikely that production will be allowed to exceed a point where it is well gauged to meet demands. de-mands. Then, too, the practices being be-ing followed by the industry are along better economic lines with a continued contin-ued tendency toward better breeding, early maturity and the use of supplemental sup-plemental feeds and feed lot operations opera-tions to round out the range production produc-tion in the Southwest. Sheep and lamb consumption last year was only 5.4 pounds per capita. Activities are being carried on in many quarters to increase this consumption con-sumption and it is likely that the 1928 figures will show a substantial increase and this is as it should be, as the sheep industry is now producing produc-ing a highly desirable food stuff and it is only a matter of education to bring the consuming public to a better bet-ter appreciation of this fact. A Middle western editor m commenting com-menting on the hog situation and advising ad-vising producers to stock up" in the face of the present heavy receipts and lowering price levels aptly states that in connection with hog production, produc-tion, the best thing for the producer to do is to watch the crowd and then go in the opposite direction. If the present heavy marketings are con- tinued, there would seem little doubt of a stronger market with curtailed supplies during the next fall and winter. Doubtless there has never been a Presidential year when a few of the chronic pessimists haven't dug up all the reasons why a severe ' slump should not be expected in industry, agriculture and general business. However, this year the strong undertone under-tone to the whole situation seems to pretty well squelch any misgivings that might be had on the outcome of 1928. It is true that late in 1927 the steel and automotive industries suffered somewhat of a recession in their activities but according to reports re-ports a continued strong undertone to construction and agriculture, two of our most important basic factors, pretty well filled any gap which might have occured. The steel output appears now to have definitely turned to the up grade and the automotive industry is sanguine over the present outlook. As Irvin S. Cobb, puts it, "the average citizen during a Presi-tential Presi-tential year now remains perfectly calm, cool and collected and does his duty by casting his vote and if the other side wins, he may be disappointed disappoint-ed but he keeps right on doing business." busi-ness." This is certainly different from the election years of the old days and all seem agreed that it is quite an improvement. It is fortunate that agriculture, and the livestock industry in particular', parti-cular', is going into 1928 in such a strong position as it will' serve as an excellent balance wheel to equalize any industrial or business jars that may be encountered. |