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.