194 BOAIM) OF AOlUCULTURl-:. 



lo arrive at correct conclusions as to prucedui'c in any course is lu have 

 a full discussion of the matters at hand, so Ihal tlie other fellow may 

 get the beneflt of our ideas and we get tlie l)cnelit of lils, tlins insuring 

 to iiostority the beuelit of all the knowledge gained thmugli tiie several 

 generations and assist it over the rough and i-ugged roads that have 

 already been surmounted and assure to mankind a nearer approach to 

 the ideal in the art of breeding. We all ri^member how the Lord com- 

 mended the widow, not for the money value of her offering, but for the 

 spirit in which it Avas given. Let us, therefore, each and all be ever 

 ready and willing to give such assistance as Ave can, be it great or 

 small, for the good of the cause, thus securing for ourselves the com- 

 mendations of those Avho may follow after, ever remembering that none 

 of us know it all, and that though Ave may think Ave are not suthciently 

 A''ersed to take part in these discussions, yet if we are Avilling to ac- 

 knoAvledge our ignorance and ask questions concerning that which Ave 

 are in doubt about, Ave may thereby prove a blessing in disguise by 

 simply starting a discussion Avhich may prove valuable to tl>e meeting. 

 I give these feAA' simple hints as one who is ahvays ready and Avilling 

 to learn all he can, hoping to l)e able thereby to provoke every person 

 present at this meeting into criticising and discussing every remark I 

 may make, for it is by the discussion of topics and not by the mere ac- 

 ceptance of statements as true that Ave arrive at true knoAvledge. If we 

 had all simply accepted every statement as true, instead of trying to tind 

 out the truth thereof, do you think that tl^ere Avould, have been the im- 

 provement in Shorthorns that there Avas in the last generation or so? 



True, we are all subject to the frailties of human nature, in other 

 words Ave are all human beings and consequently bound to make mis- 

 takes, so are Ave all ambitious and anxious to make all the money Ave 

 ean, honestly, but Ave should never alloAV our ambitions to lure us from 

 the well-beaten path, Avell beaten from having been trod for genera- 

 tions into Avays or businesses Avith which Ave are unacquainted. We 

 must not forget that old "saAv," "A rolling stone gathers no moss." 

 True there come times in one's life Avhen we have the blues, but no man 

 ever got OA-er the blues by sitting down and brooding over his troubles. 

 The only Avay to do is to buckle your armor on and go at it Avitli 

 reneAved vigor, determined to profit by the experiences in the past, ever 

 remembering that there is a silver lining to every cloud, and though it 

 may be dispelled from view for a little Avhile, yet just as sure as you 

 keep right on in the straight and narrow path and do nut Itecome be- 

 wildered by any mirage that may appear in the distance, but ahvays 

 in the distance, just so sure aa-III the silver lining soon shine forth with 

 reneAA^ed effulgence. Just so in the Shorthorn business. Though the 

 business may not be at as high an ebb as it Avas a feAV years ago, yet just 

 as the tide goes out and then comes back, so Avill the Shorthorn business 

 come back, for every business is governed by the same unerring laAv of 



