AUDUBON COUNTY TODAY. (CONT'D)
CATTLE RAISING.
Cattle raising has grown to be one of the most extensive and important interests in the county, and as wll be seen in the table of itemized exports, elsewhere in this pamphlet, is a source of large revenues. The interest has, fortunately for the county, been in the hands of men who have spared no pains or opportunity to improve the stock, until all of the best breeds are represented by herds, while their blood has largely contributed to the improvement of grades. The Short-horn, Holstein, Devon, Polled-Angus and Red-Polled may be found in herds, while other breeds have yet smaller representation. The number of cattle in the county by the most recent assessment was 16,937, the assessed valuation of which was $204,027, which latter, it will be remembered, is at one-third rate, and far below that proportion on thoroughbred stock. This number is highly complimentary to the wealth of the county, and according to the acreage is far in excess of the number reported in exclusive stock raising districts of the western states. The interest has assumed those proportions by reason of the many advantages the county offers for the cattle business. Almost every farmer may boast that his land is possessed of the advantages which entitle
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it to denomination as a stock farm, for the unsurpassed grass lands, with their abundant supply of water, are special advantages for this interest. Corn, too, returning an unfailing crop, contributes to the advancement of the cattle interests, as it may always be had at a price minus the cost of transportation, so that the profits are much more remunerative than where this expense must be incurred. Audubon county, the season round, furnishing as it does, feed in the winter as well as the summer, has advantages which are not surpassed, under which the interest has developed to its present fine proportions and make it pre-eminently a cattle producing country. Stock raisers from other parts of Iowa, recognizing these special advantages, ship their herds here for feeding and find it very profitable.
RESIDENCE OF REV. ED. B. COUSINS, AUDUBON.
SWINE.
Poland-China, Berkshire, Duroc and Jersey breeds have been introduced, and many fine droves are found in the county. They are found to be a most profitable auxilliary to farming, whle there are a number of gentlemen who make an almost exclusive specialty of swine raising, and to their enterprise and vigilance much credit is due for the great improvement that has taken place of late years in the quality of the grade stock in the county. Very little disease has come to molest this stock, and that has been entirely caused by local influences, such as obvious impurity of water--the result of carelessness in management, and can neither be attributed to the breed of stock or general conditions of the country. As in the case of cattle this is found very profitable and is easily andled by small operators.
RESIDENCE OF JAMES FORBES, AUDUBON.
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Transcribed February, 2025 by Cheryl Siebrass from History of Audubon and Audubon County, Iowa,
The Eden of the West., 1887, pp. 18-19.
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