LIVE STOCK breeders' ASSOCIATION. 163 



no exception to this rule. The truth of these statements points the 

 moral that there will always be a demand for pure bred breeding am 

 mals such as will insure the producer of the good kind a proiitablc 

 market. But, I fancy, some one inquires, "Where does the economy 

 in breeding pure bred stock come in?" Speaking from my own ex- 

 perience and a very wide field of observation I can say that the farmer 

 who breeds and grows pure bred animals, taking as a basis the average 

 of the sales the country over,- realizes from two to ten times as much 

 per head for th.e surplus product of the herd, the relative increased 

 amount depending upon the quality, breeding, condition, etc., of his 

 animals, than does his neighbor farmer who breeds common stock. 



Then I would ask: 'Ts it not more economical to shelter and 

 feed one animal that will do the work of from two to ten, than it is 

 to house and feed the larger number?" We say yes and can point to 

 innumerable instances to prove the assertion. Now as to the educa- 

 tional advantages to be derived from keeping pure bred stock. No 

 sooner is the first pure bred animal placed upon the farm than the 

 educational influences are set to work. The neighborhood gossip is 

 at once turned to som.ething better and which stands for improve- 

 ment. The local paper, if it does its duty, announces the advent into 

 the community of an animal of improved breed and type. As a result 

 of all this the owner and his family begin to realize a degree of pride 

 in the fact that it has been imposed upon them to be leaders instead 

 of followers in their community. In order to maintain this enviable 

 and commendable position they begin to read up and keep themselves 

 informed with reference to the history of the breed, its ancestry and 

 other matters pertaining to care, feed, management, etc., to the end 

 that their life and vision becomes broadened by being brought into 

 touch with progressive movements of the times. 



Soon the agricultural college and the courses in live stock hus- 

 bandry are learned of, finally the son or father or both takes advantage 

 of the short course in live stock judging and thus a new world is 

 opened up. After that fairs are attended and the awarding of prizes 

 is watched with awakened interest. By this time our candidate is 

 associating himself with the best class of men, whom he finds con- 

 genial company because they are sensible and willing to give informa- 

 tion, gained from the field of experience, which, to the young man or 

 beginner seeking knowledge, is invaluable. A public sale is attended 

 and here, too, a new field is found for observation and instruction. 

 By this time the breeding of pure bred stock is a subject that has 

 taken hold of the family and has not only been the means of broaden- 

 ing their views of life, but has also brought them into prominence as 



