188 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



MISSOURI DRAFT HORSE BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION. 



(J. F. Roelofson, Maryville, Missouri.) 



I have been placed on the program of the even- 

 ing for a talk on the Draft Horse Breeders' Associa- 

 tion. Some of you may want to know, and you may 

 ask this question, what is the Missouri Draft Horse 

 Breeders' Association, and what is it for? I should 

 say that largely the benelits and possibilities of such 

 an association are stated in its objects as follows: 



1st — It will put the draft horse business in a 

 more prominent position by increasing interest in 

 it. 



J. F. Roelofson. 2nd — It will greatly facilitate buying and sell- 



ing by helping breeders to keep in closer touch with each other. 



3rd — It will greatly aid the cause of the draft horse at the Missouri 

 State Fair, and may be the means of securing classes for Missouri bred 

 draft horses at that show. 



4th — It will help to educate the farmers of IMissouri to the value of 

 the draft horse, thereby increasing the volume of business. 



5th — It will put the draft horse breeders on a foundation similar to 

 that of the saddle horse breeders who are now well organized. 



Lastly, it will be a potent factor in legislation which will ultimately 

 be aimed at the undoing of the poorer class of stallions now in service 

 in this State. It is a notable and serious fact that many horses which 

 do not fill the requirements of the law in other states have been sold into 

 Missouri, where the horse breeders are, as yet, unprotected by law. These 

 alone, with many other benefits, may be derived from such an organiza- 

 tion, and as is always the case, organized effort is greater in any direction 

 than individual effort. 



A little more than a year ago men interested in the breeding of 

 draft horses in this State were asked to meet here in Columbia during 

 Farmers' Week for the purpose of organizing themselves into this Mis- 

 souri Draft Horse Breeders' Association. To that call a goodly number 

 responded, and the result was that such an organization was effected, 

 by-laws adopted and officers elected, which was about all that was done 

 at that time, when we adjourned to meet at Sedalia during State Fair 

 week. 



At this meeting we had some splendid and enthusiastic talks by a 

 number present, and on motion it was ordered that the chair appoint 

 three members to act with the President and Secretary, as a committee to 



