^EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Vol. XXII. January, 1910. No. 1. 



The last International Stock Exposition, reported on another page 

 of this issue, brought to a close the first decade of a notable enterprise 

 for the encouragement of animal industry. As an educational event 

 it has been fully appreciated b}^ the progressive stockmen of the 

 country, especially by those who live in the Central States, and as a 

 great show it has stimulated interest in this industry far beyond 

 expectation. It has increased in size from year to year, and its 

 effect on quality has been shown in the higher standards of succeed- 

 ing exhibits. 



The primary object of this exposition is to encourage and improve 

 the breeding and feeding of live stock for well-defined practical pur- 

 poses, and up to the present time it has met with extraordinary suc- 

 cess in accomplishing this object. To take a comprehensive view of 

 the large collection of animals is an inspiration; the opportunity to 

 inspect the superior types at close range is a temptation to all lovers 

 of stock to go and do likewise. Year by year the various classes of 

 stock have steadily improved. The International has undoubtedly 

 been an important factor in this country in raising the standard of 

 breeding, feeding, and methods of judging. 



It was an important step in advance when the exhibitors in the fat 

 cattle division and short-fed specials were required to furnish a 

 statement of the feeds used and method of feeding emploj^ed in the 

 production of their exhibits. From the standpoint of the managers 

 of the show it may not be advisable to require more data on feeding 

 and breeding from the exhibitors, but the educational value of the 

 show would be increased by such a showing. It is a fine art to pro- 

 duce finished animals in the form and condition of many of the prize 

 animals, but the finish should be made economically. The attainment 

 of the perfect type by feeding cream and eggs contributes little to 

 science and nothing to the economics of agriculture. 



In addition to the special exhibition of animals, the student of 

 animal husbandry has an excellent opportunity to increase his store 

 of knowledge by observing the customar}^ business activities of stock 

 yards and meat-packing plants in the vicinity, which occupy a square 

 mile of ground and give employment to over half a million of 



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