LIVE STOCK breeders' ASSOCIATION. 163 



ages are allowed to run together. If a merchant, in displaying his wares, 

 was as careless as we he would not sell as much. As far as practicable 

 run the aged cows in one, the 2-year-old heifers in another, and so on. 



They always present a better appearance and much uniformity can 

 be accomplished without much expense. And more especially would I 

 advocate that in selling bulls. 



One car load will bring enough more to pay for the cross-fencing. 

 There are many more things to be thought of in that same line of needed 

 home improvements, but rather than get wearisome, will touch on the 

 second classification under the head of "Needed Foreign Improve- 

 ments." 



Like the other, we will subdivide into classes. The first from 

 which benefit might be had would be in the visiting other so-called better 

 herds. I can speak with cQnfidence along this line, for it has been my 

 pleasure and profit to have visited at some time or another nearly all 

 of the large herds of this country and in the old, as well. I never vis- 

 ited any that I did not learn something not to do, frequently both. 

 And I wonder that more of it is not done. 



GOOD THING TO BE SOCIABLE. 



It is not from lack of sociability, I know, for the Shorthorn cattlemen 

 are a set of princely entertainers and have that feeling for each other 

 that no other breed can touch. They are pointed out and referred to 

 in every gathering, so it cannot be from that. They are not too poor 

 nor too stingy, for a man with a good herd of Shorthorn cattle, on a 

 good farm, has a kingdom unto himself. So it must be he is too busy. 

 But is he right in thinking so? Can he not find time to visit, say, one 

 good herd each year, and, by the comparison with his own methods, 

 gain twice what he would otherwise? 



The general idea of cattle breeding has been well hashed over, but 

 the detailed thought required in successful breeding presents a world 

 unconquered. 



How many are they who talk so wisely about the outcross in a 

 seemly straight pedigree, that can tell anything of the individuality of 

 the granddam or grandsire of the animal mentioned? Yet might have 

 seen both, for they were likely raised within easy riding distance. 



THE QUESTION OF SHIPPING. 



Second in importance is the question of shipping. Railroad rates 

 should be lower to encourage the breeding of good stock on shipments 

 of pure-bred animals, where pedigree is shown in evidence. Outside 



