442 



Missouri Agricultural Report. 



fast developing in population and extending into the vast domains 

 of the American continent, hitherto almost unknown, which has 

 opened markets for us and that will be everlasting to, I dare say, 

 the most of us. Our opportunity is here and has been for some 

 time. Will we embrace this opportunity or will we sit idly by and 

 see our sister states, that form our very boundary lines, produce 

 that which we should be producing, and thereby reap the reward? 

 Nay, verily, Missouri can and does produce as good as any state, 

 but we are not, as a state, producing enough of the good ones. 

 There is no danger of Missouri producing too many good ones ; there 

 is a demand for all of them. 



Cattle men boast of their great progress from the long-horned 

 Texan to the heavy modern "baby beef," and they may well feel 

 such advancement with pride, for such has been a great work. Why 

 not we, as we go on with our improved draft families, attaining the 

 ideal finished drafter, with his great power, his massive muscular 

 development, his handsome form, his noble equine disposition and 

 intelligence? We too, then, may be proud to note the vast dif- 

 ference between him and the original "mustang pony." 



Let us then, as breeders and members of this organization, 

 resolve that with the New Year we will use our best efforts to 

 further the draft horse breeding interests in Missouri, and as time 

 rolls on, let us "show" to the horse world that we are not only 

 producing the "improved," but the best draft horses to be found in 

 any state or country. 



rercheron stallions, Phenix (gray) and Kroisuer, by Carnot. 

 Owned by J. F. Roelofson, Maryville, Mo. 



