SHORT-HOEN BREEBERs' A>SSOCIATION. 323 



them to the State Fair, thinking that he would at least stand some show 

 in this class. He will probably find company here, and will thinli after 

 being in the ring a short time tliat it is the biggest lot of calves he ever 

 saw at a show, both as to size and numbers; but his experience in that 

 show ring will be well worth the trouble, as he will figure our where his 

 calf is better than the one ahead of him, and will wonder why the judge 

 can not see it. At the same time he will lieep his eye on several below 

 him that looli good, and will be afraid that the judge will see them; and 

 right here is where the good comes in— it educates. A breeder by com- 

 parison sees where his cattle are weali, and strong, and he is enabled to 

 get an ideal to work to. He will see where he might have done better in 

 the feeding and care of his cattle; he will endeavor to find out the whys 

 and wherefores, because he is interested in that show, and not merely 

 a spectator, who, after the rings are shown, is off to see other sights. The 

 show ring is of much profit to the exhibitor and breeder. It is a great 

 educator, and I might also add a great advertisement. 



The state class benefits all in a number of ways. It encourages the 

 breeding and showing of good cattle; encourages the small breeder to 

 bring out his few, knowing that in this class every man must breed his 

 entry, and he is encouraged to breed good cattle, exhibit them, and receive 

 his reward. He will increase liis exhibit year by year, and will soon be 

 found on the circuit fighting it out with the best of them. It helps build 

 up the higher standard, every breeder trying and studying by what 

 crosses to produce the perfect animal. It creates enthusiasm, and a de- 

 mand for more good cattle, and the large and small breeder are benefited 

 alike. In fact, the show yard has become the great educator. The time 

 has come when people in buying cattle look at the individual first, and 

 then the pedigi-ee. They want good cattle, and are willing to pay for 

 them. I do not mean by this to say that good pedigrees are not essential, 

 but the good individual is more essential. 



At all the sales held during the past year good fair averages were 

 made on good cattle, while the poor individuals were sold at very low 

 prices, and in a number of cases I know the parties would have made 

 money and done the short-horn fraternity gi-eat good if they had sent the 

 whole lot to the block, instead of offering them to the public. The state 

 class is one of the best mediums of education, and I hope that this asso- 

 ciation will see fit to continue this class, and if possible extend its scope 

 and benefits by offering more money and additional classes. I should like 

 very much to see a class for calf herds, all to be bred by one exhibitor. 



I was sorry to see so few steers shown in this class. This is an 

 important feature and should be encouraged. Our breeders should exhibit 

 more steers. It has been the policy of most short-horn breeders to make 

 steers out of their cull bulls, but, while this part of it is all right, I think 

 we should make steers out of some of our good bulls, then fit and exhibit 

 them. We can not demonsti-ate to the world that we have the greatest 



