No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 795 



dantly supplied. The custom of the feeders aud the condition of the 

 markets of that day called for a far different class of beeves from 

 what is required now. In ISSo Mr. B. F. Harris, of Champaign, Il- 

 linois, sold on the Chicago market 100 grade Shorthorn steers that 

 averaged 2,377 pounds and brought |7 per cwt. 



Injury by Crazes. 



During more than 60 years Shorthorn breeders had the American 

 continent as a field of operation, untrammeled by fear of successful 

 rivalry. And had they only pursued the conservative, helpful policy 

 toward each other that has been observed in receut years, Short- 

 horns would to-daj 7 have fewer and less successful rivals. At the 

 time when the importation of rival breeds was being started, many 

 Shorthorn breeders were intensifying the blood of their herds to a 

 dangerous degree by in-breeding and too close line breeding, and 

 were depreciating many valuable herds by the creation and circula- 

 tion of reports about objectionable and unfashionable crosses, and 

 in some instances manifested more zeal in tearing down the herds 

 of fellow breeders than in building up their own. During this period 

 much bitterness between breeders was engendered and prejudices 

 against several families of Shorthorns were started that have done 

 incalculable harm to the breed. Tribes that had produced noted 

 prize winners and most excellent sires were driven from positions 

 of great popularity by objections which, in many cases, had no real 

 foundation. The effect of this senseless crusade against so-called 

 "unfashionable crosses" was to greatly restrict breeders in 

 the selection of herd bu'ls, and some of the very best 

 bulls of the breed were not used because of this prejudice. 

 This was followed by a "color craze" during which no 

 breeder dared to use a Avhite bull in his herd, and very few had the 

 courage to use roans. The prejudice sent many white and roan bulls 

 of outstanding merit to the feed lots, and so restricted breeders in 

 the choice of herd bulls. It was during this period when the Short- 

 horn breed was assailed from within by jealousies of its advocates, 

 the color craze and unfashionable crosses, that it met the first or- 

 ganized opposition from without by the importation of rival breeds. 



Owing to their early importation to this country their wide dis- 

 tribution and great popularity, Shorthorns have moulded the char- 

 acter of the cattle of our country as no other breed has been able 

 to do. And this splendid foundation, laid in thousands of graded 

 herds, was built upon by the Herefords or Angus, and some of the 

 cross-bred champions that have brought renowm to rival breeds, 

 would in an untimate analysis, show considerable Shorthorn blood. 



During the fat stock shows held some years ago. Shorthorn steers 

 were champions in nearly all contests. During the International 

 Shows for five years the champion steers have been from other 

 breeds. This, however, must not be taken to indicate a retrograde 

 in Shorthorns. At the shows of breeding stock, Shorthorns have 

 grown stronger year by year, but very few breeders have given at- 

 tention to the preparation and exhibition of steers, and particularly 

 of the better class of steers. This work has been undertaken with 

 judgment and great zeal by the other breeds, and success has crowned 

 their efforts. 



