In 1895 the average price of beef cattle in the principal markets of this country was $4.40 per hundredweight; in 1900, it had increased to $5.80; in 1907 the average was $7.60; in 1910, $8.85; in 1911, $9.35; in 1912, $10.25; in 1915, $11.60; and in 1916, about $11.90 per hundredweight. The foregoing market prices tell the story of the cattle industry from a financial standpoint. The following prices paid in 1901 and in 1916 for prize-winning exhibition beeves--at the International Live Stock Exposition held annually in Chicago, at the Union Stock Yards--well illustrate the trend of the cattle market: In 1901, the Grand Champion carload of fat cattle was two-year-old stock, weighing an average of 1,497 pounds, and sold in the auction ring at $12 per hundredweight. In 1916, the Grand Champion carload of fat cattle was one-year-old stock, weighing an average of 1,146 pounds, and sold in the auction ring at $28 per hundredweight. In 1901, the Grand Champion Steer was two years old, weighed 1,600 pounds, and sold in the auction ring at 50 cents per pound. In 1916, the Grand Champion Steer was one year old, weighed 1,120 pounds, and sold in the auction ring at $1.75 per pound. The following top prices were paid in the auction ring of the Exposition for "show cattle" of various weights: Cattle Weighing Price in Per Hundredweight 900 to 1050 pounds 1901 $ 8.70 900 to 1050 pounds 1916 17.75 1050 to 1200 pounds 1901 9.50 1050 to 1200 pounds 1916 28.00 1200 to 1350 pounds 1901 8.75 1200 to 1350 pounds 1916 20.00 1350 to 1500 pounds 1901 12.00 1350 to 1500 pounds 1916 18.50 1500 to 1900 pounds 1901 9.30 1500 to 1900 pounds 1916 15.75 [Illustration] Transcriber's Notes: Text in italics is enclosed with underscores: _italics_. End of Project Gutenberg's Louisiana Beef Cattle, by William Carter Stubbs