Cattle, Sheep and Swine Feeders' Association. 



423 



not pay one farthing of our taxes, nor support our institutions 

 or perform any of the duties of citizenship. 



The live stock industry will not fall into decay although it 

 may suffer temporary discouragements by reason of unfair 

 preference. The natural instinct of the human family is self- 

 preservation and the pursuits of the farmer and stockman must 

 not be minimized, for the primal needs of mankind is daily 

 growing greater and the teeming, hungry millions at the centers 

 of population must know that at best the world is but thirty 

 days betwixt feast and famine. 



And thus our romance ends. In the experience of a present 

 reality we are impressed with the uncertainty of conditions 

 which make for gain or loss. A scant rainfall and short crops 

 should impel us to study the art of conservation, both of the 

 soil and the products of the soil. Greater efficiency should be 

 our aim, more economical production and less waste, while 

 common prudence ought to teach us that the storing up of the 

 surplus feedstuffs during a fat year against an evil day is the 

 only sinking fund that will tide us over the lean years or beat 

 money in the bank. 



If the problems which confront us look ominous and for- 

 bidding, let us not grow weary and fall by the wayside; rather 

 let us face them with a buoyant spirit. Chastened though we 

 may be, let us be more prudent and self-reliant, cheerfully 

 awaiting the dawn of another and a better day. 



In a Missouri feed lot. 



