486 FARMERSMNSTITUTES. 



in the admitted quality and general excellence of their get, are sent to the 

 shambles every year, while young animals who as getters have their record 

 all to make, are selected to head our herds. It is a well accredited fact in 

 Shorthorn history that many of the bulls most highly valued have not won 

 their honors as young ones ; but in mature years when ocular proof of their 

 high quality and hereditary power was manifest in a large number of produce 

 of uniform excellence. 



"While we are not inclined to question the theory that the offspring of 

 mature animals, everything else being equal, will in the nature of things be 

 superior to those produced by immature parents, breeders do not emphasise 

 their faith in this law by their practice. 



English breeders are wiser in this respect, and aged bulls that have proved 

 merit, are retained to an advanced age with great profit to the herd. Can 

 we not learn a valuable lesson from this practice of English breeders? * * 



NEED OF FODDER CROPS. 



Our herds have been free from contagious diseases during the year; and 

 while the long continued drought has seriously affected our pastures, and 

 many herds have come to winter quarters somewhat thinner in flesh than 

 usual, this loss will be repaired if there is an abundance of good forage for 

 them in winter quarters. You will pardon me, however, if I refer again to 

 the advantage of having a supply of fodder corn, to supplement the short 

 pastures that seem quite likely to come to us every season. There can be no 

 question, I think, about the economy of keeping our breeding herds in good 

 thriving condition. There is an absolute loss when they are allowed to run 

 down in flesh, and more so in the fall of the year than at any other season. 

 The old adage that "An animal in good flesh in November is half wintered," 

 has in it more than a moiety of truth. 



ENSILAGE. 



The value of ensilage as an auxiliary winter food is coming to be more 

 and more fully appreciated by stockmen, in all parts of the country. After 

 some years of experience I have no hesitation in saying that every Shorthorn 

 breeder will do well to give attention to this economical method of preserv- 

 ing fodder. One winter's feeding of the well preserved contents of a good 

 silo — corn or clover — to your stock will convert the most doubting Thomas 

 among you into a firm believer in the system. 



MEMBERSHIPS. 



The fifth article of our constitution provides that "Any person may 

 become a member of this association by subscribing to this constitution and 

 paying the sum of one dollar into the treasury annually." 



This is construed to mean membership only for one year, I think our 

 Secretary has called your attention to this matter at some previous meeting. 

 Would it not be well to provide that the membership shall be permanent, 

 so that the annual dues might be expected from all who have ever become 

 members, until their withdrawal? I believe such a change would be of 

 advantage in replenishing our treasury and also in attaching our members 



