324 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



beef cattle on oartli with a lot of culls. Our Angus, Hereford and Gallo- 

 way competitors are making steers of some of their best calves and are 

 fitting and showing them, much to our detriment. However, I am glad to 

 note that the short-horn breeders are beginning to realize the importance 

 of this matter, as at the last international show there was a very credit- 

 able display of pure-bred steers, but there is ample room for improvement, 

 and I hope next year to see a much larger exhibit and a short-horn 

 champion steer, and from Indiana, at that. 



I am in hopes that the Indiana breeders will make a stronger show 

 of steers in our state class. It is of great importance, and I hope that 

 you will see the wisdom of it and will fit one or two steers; but fit good 

 ones. It will be of great benefit to you, and to the breed, and if possible 

 would like for this association to offer more money for steers and encour- 

 age this feature of the show as much as possible. 



In conclusion, will say that the Indiana state class has been a great 

 benefit to the breeders and exhibitors of this state, and can be made a 

 strong feature and a great advertisement for Indiana breeders, and I hope 

 this association will see to it that this class is continued, and if possible 

 enlarge its scope, and I am sure that the result will prove the wisdom 

 thereof. 



Mr. David Wallace, Indianapolis: I can tell you what I think about 

 this state class. It is simply great! That expresses it. In having these 

 classes you encourage the young breeders and the boys. I believe these 

 state classes are doing more good, not only in the encouragement of the 

 young breeder, but in the encouragement of the breeder who can not go 

 out and compete with the regular show men. If we have these state 

 classes such breeders pick out the best they have, and, while they are 

 often disappointed in the result, they learn a great deal about the animals. 

 They will probably learn that their animals were not properly fed and 

 fitted, and they go home resolved to do better next time— and usually they 

 succeed. In many cases they become show men and exhibit herds of 

 cattle. I believe in state classes. Our state fair and county fair man- 

 agers ought to encourage tliem. 



I also believe in the steer classes. I think there is as wide a field there 

 as in fitting a show herd. You can show what a short-horn is as well 

 with a steer as you can witli a bull or a cow. One of the first proposi- 

 tions I had to deal with after becoming a member of the State Board 

 of Agriculture was the State Fair, which was then being discussed, and 

 I used my influence in favor of the state classes. I believe we ought 

 to make the state classes as interesting as possible. We can do it by 

 giving more money and encouraging the young breeders and the older 

 breeders who may not have herds to show, but who can show others what 

 they are doing. 



Senator Harris: Apropos of wliat Mr. Christian has said, 1 wish to 

 speak of something that has been a sort of grievance of mine for many 



