SHORTHORN BREEDERS ASSOCIATION. 20S 



A telegram from Mr. I^ockridge was read by the Secretary, stating 

 that lie was unable to attend the meeting on account of illness. 



President Boweu: Professor Skinner, of Purdue, asked me to read si 

 communication to the Association. I presume it will explain itself. 



The Secretary read the following communication from Professor 

 Skinner: 



"Dear Sir— There is a movement on foot to organize a State Live 

 Stock Association which will include all breeders' asociations (yours- 

 among othei's) in Indiana. 



"I am enclosing you a statement which briefly explains the object 

 and advantages of such an organization. Will you kindly bring the 

 matter before 5'our members, and if they approve of such an organiza'- 

 tion, appoint a committee of three of your most active, wide-awake memi- 

 bers to meet with a similar committee from other breeders' associations* 

 for the purpose of organizing an association which will be State wide. 



"Very truly yours, 



"J. H. SKINNER, 

 "Animal Husbandry. 



"THE NEED OF A STATE ASSOCIATION IN INDIANA. 



"In comparing Indiana live stock organizations and interests with 

 those found in other States, one is forced to the conclusion that the 

 State is not only behind others in such matters, but "that live stock men 

 are not taking advantage of their possibilities and opportunities. 



"In many States there is a wide-awake organization known as the 

 State Improved Live Stock Breeders' Association, which brings together 

 under one constitution and one set of officers all of the ditferent repre- 

 sentative breeders' associations, thus uniting their interests and giving 

 them greater force and power in promoting live stock breeding and im- 

 provement in the State. 



"Such an organization is not the representative of any one class or 

 breed of animals, Init includes all of the breeders' associations of cattle, 

 hogs, sheep and horses in the State, and sometimes the Corn Growers' 

 Association. It does not, however, do away with these different associa- 

 tions, as they have a place and are desirable for the good of the various 

 breeds and interests. They would still exist as before and would have 

 their own officers, and some time during the annual meetings would hold 

 separate sessions. 



"Annual meetings are held sometimes at one place, sometimes at an- 

 other, liroad topics of general interest to all live stock men are taken 

 up by practical men of large experience; men like Henry, Curtis, .Jordan, 

 Muniford, Arms))y, Shaw, Kerrick and others, who discuss questions of 

 the greatest importance and interest, such as feeding, breeding and man- 



