Missouri Sheep Breeders' and Feeders' Association. 469 

 EVERY CLOUD HAS ITS SILVER LINING. 



(L. A. "Webster.) 



Fellow Breeders and Shepherds of Missouri: I regret that 

 I cannot well be with you. I wanted to bring you a message of 

 good cheer in regard to the outlook. Furthermore, I wanted 

 to endeavor to convince you that our success in the production 

 of wool and mutton (which I believe is the general topic as- 

 signed me) will depend very largely upon the measure of our 

 ability and effort. With all due respect to the breeders and 

 feeders of Missouri and of every other state, I must say we are 

 not masters either of our vocation or the situation — at least, 

 the most of us are not. Very few of us have a national reputa- 

 tion as great sheep breeders, simply because we have not de- 

 termined to find and breed the best breeding animals in the 

 United States instead of the best in our neighborhood. Per- 

 haps we are not thoroughly posted in regard to the best type 

 and character of our breed and we are not willing to pay the price 

 for the best. Again, we cannot build up our flocks and sell the 

 best individuals, but the buyer usually gets the best. 



There are about 625 members of this association — the 

 American and Delaine Record Association — and the world 

 never heard of 600 of them, and never will. Our ideals are 

 not high enough and our purpose not strong enough to attain 

 the highest standards, and only the highest type and standard 

 as recognized by the world's best breeders is worthy a true 

 Missourian or of the breeder in any state. 



Missouri has great advantages and opportunities, and I 

 am sure the patriotic young men of your college will demonstrate 

 her possibilities. Some of our present-day breeders have lost 

 faith in present conditions, but quality and merit will sell today 

 for good money. I know a breeder today who will pay $300 — 

 yes, $500 — for a $500 ram, but he cannot find one. The young 

 breeder, or older breeder, who developes quality and merit will 

 sell at profitable prices at any time. Second or third class 

 stock should be beneath our ambition. Let your standard 

 be the highest and best, weed out all inferior stock, refuse to 

 sell the best ram and the best ewes and you will succeed. We 

 believe in the attainment of a wool and mutton standard with 

 a hundred million people to feed and clothe. With a wool 

 shortage in this country the past year of seventy million pounds 

 the law of supply and demand will help us out. 



