NINETEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART II 107 



grown great from small beginnings, and when they compared steers with 

 each other, they began comparing the sire and the dam. Thus grew 

 up a type in cattle, an approved type, and from that grew the first Short- 

 horn registry, as I am informed. That type has proved its importance as 

 time passed, of course. The Bates and Booth types, and many other 

 breeds of the time, have been superseded by the thicker, shorter-legged 

 growths. The natural tendency of all animals is to gravitate toward their 

 natural methods of self-preservation and self-defense, while those brought 

 under domestic influences take on very different characteristics, and the 

 fair teaches us what those characteristics are. In the cattle exhibit of the 

 fair the young man or boy has an opportunity to study these types. In 

 my own case that is precisely what happened, and succeeding fairs that I 

 attended gave me an idea of type. It wasn't long until we discovered that 

 the lighter weight, longer legged, and long-horned, peaked-faced 

 steers, we were raising, was entirely wrong in type, whereas they should be 

 broad between the eyes, short between the eyes and muzzle, broad of back, 

 and thick all the way thru, and when that discovery was made it was the 

 right kind of idea and the correct principle for .a young man to carry home 

 with him. What is true of cattle is also true of every other class of live 

 stock, until we have all learned that the cheapest pound of beef produced 

 is the pound bred upon the animal; and we have also learned that the 

 cheapest pound of wool produced is that bred upon the animal. 



We are engaged in setting standards, and these methods are by compari- 

 son, and it doesn't make any difference whether you are in the art depart- 

 ment, the textile department, the farm department, the livestock depart- 

 ment, or any other department — it is all a matter of comparison. The world 

 moves and acts in a comparative way. The great American horse was de- 

 veloped by the track. It was a necessary adjunct to the fair, not only as 

 a means of entertainment, but by means of it the great American horse was 

 developed. The trials at speed developed the best. Those that had the 

 greatest speed and the most sturdy bodies were used in improving the 

 breeds and by that means better horses were produced until we have got 

 today the most remarkable horse in the world. One of the most pathetic 

 things today is the passing of the great American horse. 



The fairs afford great opportunities in every respect so far as the 

 development of the people are concerned. I have often thought that a fair 

 was worth all it costs of time and money spent as a social proposition 

 alone. We have rather few opportunities of meeting together as a state 

 organization, or even as county people, and it is worth all the time and 

 effort socially, to say nothing of the tremendous advantages In other di- 

 rections. Another thing is the entertainment features. The entertainment 

 that we have at these fairs makes it really possible for us to produce 

 great good among our people. Can you imagine any traveling show 

 carrying what may be seen at a fair? Nowhere can you see what can be seen 

 at one of these great fairs. The farmers living at distances where they 

 have only small picture shows, or something of that kind, are worthy of the 

 best. I congratulate you upon the grand entertainment you have given 

 here. You could afford almost anything. No traveling concern could 

 start to afford the g'-Wtf- things you have here. 



