Report of Missouri Farmers' Week. 441 



bred mares, and many more are very eager to secure them. The 

 fact is, gentlemen, that a general sentiment has developed in our 

 favor, and we are receiving encouragement on every hand in the 

 good work we are doing. 



People are beginning to realize to some extent what it means 

 to Missouri to produce plenty of good draft horses. The com- 

 mercial clubs, the progressive banker and business man, in our 

 agricultural districts throughout the State have seen the "hand- 

 writing on the wall" and realize that from a commercial stand- 

 point this State should go forward in the production of the good 

 draft horse, and these men are now invariably encouraging their 

 farmer friends in this direction. Now such men are generally good 

 financiers and good business men, and they are looking after their 

 own interests as well as ours, like the railroads that are so willing 

 to spend their money to interest the farmer in the development of 

 lands adjacent to their lines, so these men may reasonably expect 

 the proceeds of our business to flow into the channels of trade, but 

 as we get the first profit out of this business, we should consult 

 our own interests, rather than wait to be rallied to it by any busi- 

 ness or professional man, even though he be more farsighted in 

 some things than, ourselves. We as a people of Missouri, while 

 largely agricultural, have our varied industries and necessarily 

 must rely to a very great extent on the support of our neighbors in 

 business, and while we are doing our part to help the business men 

 around us, would it not be well for each of us who are farmers to 

 raise a few draft colts each year and thereby help ourselves. What 

 could the Missouri farmer send to market that would bring better 

 returns than a bunch of well-bred, well-grown and well-finished 

 drafters, especially while they bring the prices they do now, and 

 have for many years, and are bound to continue indefinitely? 



The extreme demand for mares, grades as well as pure-breds, 

 proves to me that there is a great shortage of them. The prices 

 offered and paid for them certainly prove this on, the theory of 

 supply and demand. Even these grade mares are not bought 

 merely for the production of market geldings, or mules alone, but, 

 in many instances, to reproduce themselves as well. This is the con- 

 dition of the draft-horse business today, not only in Missouri, but 

 everywhere; and it is a self-evident fact that good draft horses 

 will continue to bring high prices for years to come, because we 

 must raise or buy mares to produce mares before there can be 

 much evidence of a "let up" in prevailing prices. Our country is 



