TENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK -PART X 479 



and learns how he can make still greater improvement. Do not let your 

 mind dwell upon what the other fellow is doing, but always do your 

 level best to make your flock and yourself better from year to year. To 

 be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the 

 only end of life. 



Too many exhibitors center their thoughts and plans upon winning 

 over some certain competitor, but that is the very lowest class of show- 

 ring spirit, and when continued it not only upsets those breeders, but 

 it does harm .to sheep-raising in the section where they are. The ex- 

 hibitor must say to himself, "I will do the best I possibly can and take 

 care of my own business." The world is always ready to welcome such 

 men, and they invariably gain the best standing and prove to be the 

 foundation for all real improvement. Those who splutter out and say 

 they will beat a certain man, no matter what it costs, are just some 

 specie of human hyena, and of course if they have plenty of money they 

 can remain in the business and keep right on doing harm and upsetting 

 young men's ideas. We suppose the Creator placed a few of them among 

 us so when we viewed things correctly we could fully appreciate what is 

 right, just and uplifting. The unassuming, steady, push-forward young ex- 

 hibitor can gain a foothold and an enviable standing anywhere. Truly 

 the show-ring brings more or less excitement, and it is good that we are 

 filled with the spirit to win, but it also is high time to bring into full play 

 the good old Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do 

 unto you," and give it front position at all times in your principles which 

 guide your words and actions toward others. Your desire to win should 

 be based upon your purpose to make your flock as near perfection as pos- 

 sible, and then when your sheep are placed at the top of the class you 

 have great and pleasing satisfaction. Would it really satisfy to win as a 

 result of some mean act, or to make a sale by saying degrading things 

 about another firm? Would that which seemed gain at the moment be a 

 lasting gain, and would it make your life's work better and more satis- 

 factory to yourself? When you start with a high-class pure-bred flock you 

 have begun the foundation for a life-work and your desire is to make 

 a great success. If you were to start a stone foundation for a large 

 building and wanted it when completed to be a standing monument for 

 your purpose and work, would you some day in a hurry put in some 

 mud or other material which would soon crumble or rot away? The fairs 

 and your work there are only but a stone in your foundation of a life's 

 work in breeding, and it certainly will be best in the end to have left no 

 weak places. Judge things with consideration of the future, and if you 

 do right at all times when it comes sharply to you to do one thing or 

 the other it makes you stronger in the estimation of both yourself and 

 the public. Endeavor to be that kind of a showman that the good men 

 enjoy showing against, and live such a strong and straight show-yard life 

 that even your competitors will admire and respect you and your prin- 

 ciples. There is more to consider than just yourself and today. Young 

 farmers and breeders who pass the show-yard and pens and notice the 

 high quality of your sheep and your personal manner may be buyers in 

 future years. At the start it must not be the only desire to win; in fact, 

 that is what leads many astray. Decide that you will do business 



