siioRTnoRN breeders' association. 231 



Captain Welcli: Yfs. I have had some experience in tliis direction, 

 but perhaps you would Icnow just as mucii if I would not say anything 

 al)ont it. One's mistakes are worth lots to tliem. I wish, especially, 

 that the yomi.i; men here knew of the mistakes that I have made tiiat 

 have cost mo lots of money, and if I could tell these like Professor Skin- 

 ner, or the gentleman over there. I Avoidd gladly stand here and tell yon 

 about them. I have l)een coming to these meetings for a long time. l»nt 

 I have never enjoyed a meeting as I have this one tliis morning. When it 

 comes to selecting a herd bull Ave have troubles of our own. As the young 

 man mentioned, we must select an animal witli a pedigree. If yon get 

 one of tliese animals and don't lik<' him what arc you going to do? You 

 can't sell him. for you woidd not recommend him to any one else. What 

 will you do? Some of us can go and buy another. Right here I want to 

 ask a question. AVhat proportion of a herd is a herd bull when tliere are 

 five cowsV I would like for some gentleman to answer that (inestim. 



President Christian: Mr. Robhins should be able to answer tliat ques- 

 tion as intelligently as any one in the room. 



Mr. Roliliins: I think that matter should be left with t!ie judge. I 

 should consider him half tlie herd at least. What proi)ortion d(j you think 

 he should be considered? 



President Christian: If lie is a good one. 1 am like you. 1 think he 

 should be considered a half, at least. He is at the liead of the four. 



Mr. Strange: I would like to mention one point. If I see that the 

 disposition of the bull is not right I will turn liini down at once. 1 don't 

 care what his pedigree, his individualit.v, or l)reed is. I don't want a bull 

 with a bad disposition mixed in my herd of cattle. 1 saw a bull that a 

 man paid .$T..1uO for; he was imi)orted, as a high standard bidl. He was 

 paraded all over this countr.v. but that l)ull t(M)k two men. one on either 

 side of him with a strong pole and a chain to lead him out so that peojile 

 could see him. I would not want a calf of this disposition: 1 wnuld not 

 want him in my herd. I want a quiet disposition in tlie bull I breed into 

 my herd. I thiid< this is very essential. I always look for individuality 

 first. I want a strong constitution. I do not want a bull with too heavy 

 a J)one, but a neat bone, and a good constittition. Calves from this bull 

 will be good calves. If his calves are not good, there is something l.-ick- 

 ing in the bull. He is not strong enough bred. I want a \n\U to caii-y 

 his individuality down into the herd of 'his offspring .so that I can see 

 them marked plainly through the herd. I do not believe it is wise, gentle- 

 men, to get oin> bull to breed all of our females to. We can not do it. 

 I <-aii'l tlo it: I never i-oukl. The same way with sheiji breeding. Some 

 fellows will select a sin- and lireed the entire Hock to iiim I iiive never 

 done this. I thiidc there is such a thing as ing»'nuity in mating the cattle. 

 I started in this waj' with my draff li4»rses. It is n«)t tlie liorse that is 



