FIFTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART X 689 



premiums. The secretaries of the different associations should so adjust 

 their specials that the bullc of the money would go to American-bred 

 horses. The object of our state fairs and the different horse associations 

 should not be to encourage the importation of horses, but rather the en- 

 couragement of the breeding in America of as good horses as we can buy 

 abroad. The prosperous conditions of our cornbelt farms have been a 

 detriment rather than a benefit to the breeding of better horses. A great 

 many of our well-to-do landowners started out bravely in establishing 

 good stock farms and stocking them with splendid horses. The rapid ad- 

 vancement in land values and a gradual realization of the fact that they 

 had enough of this world's goods caused many good farmers to sell or 

 rent their farms and pastures. "Where once grazed good registered mares, 

 corn is being grown and mules are being used to cultivate the fields. 



We cannot predict the future for the draft horse without taking into 

 consideration the tractor. Our hardest work on the farm consists in har- 

 vesting and fall-plowing. We often hear farmers make the remark, "I 

 would like to own a good team of registered mares if I thought the hired 

 man would not overheat them." Our large fields and the heavy work in 

 August and September have been the ruination of many of our best 

 horses. One hot day with a pushing driver will do the work. I think 

 too much of my good brood mares to work them during the heat of the 

 summer on the binder or on that sure horse-killer, the gang plow. There 

 is need on every farm for a power that will relieve the horse of the killing 

 strains and encourage the farmer to use the mechanical aids and thereby 

 save his good mares for the lighter work and for raising colts. We have 

 a tractor, and while we have not had the best success with it, I think it 

 is here to stay and will be perfected, as has been the automobile. The 

 horse is firmly established on the farm; he can be assisted but never 

 replaced by any other power. The tractor will be the salvation of the 

 draft horse. Instead of being the farmer's slave he will be the farmer's 

 pride, and he will have finer horses and the quality will grow better until 

 the cornbelt farm will be known as the home of the draft horse. 



A CONVENIENT FARM HOME— HOW A FAMILY SOLVED THE HOME 

 LABOR PROBLEM. 



BY MRS. R. K. BLISS IN SUCCESSFUL FARMING. 



Last summer we desired to obtain first hand information in regard to 

 certain phases of farming, and getting a knowledge of real facts would 

 necessitate visiting a large number of farms of all types — good, bad and 

 indifferent. 



After canvassing every plan that seemed feasible we decided that by 

 far the most practical and satisfactory method of doing this, and at the 

 same time having a vacation, was by traveling by auto. We also decided 

 that Mr. B. should be the chauffeur while I should accompany him in the 

 highly responsible position of private secretary and first assistant in time 

 of great need. (Everyone who drives an auto will appreciate just how 

 responsible was my position.) We therefore purchased a roadster, tent, 

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