FIFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART III. 197 



number of animals noted for the excellence of their progeny from a utility 

 standpoint, then such a pedigree is a strong indication of utility in the 

 animal in question, because the tendency is for ' 'like to produce like." Un- 

 fortunately, however, there are always some degenerate ofifspring from the 

 most illustrious parents, and to breed from a degenerate merely on account 

 of its pedigree would not be holding the proper balance between pedigree 

 and individuality. It is right here that we encounter one of the greatest 

 difficulties in breeding, and perhaps I may be pardoned for using an illus- 

 tration which is familiar to many of you for the purpose of emphasizing ray 

 argument for utility. Thomas Bates was a skillful breeder of Shorthorn 

 cattle. He was a staunch advocate of utility, and built up a herd whose 

 fame was world-wide. When he passed from the scene, certain wealthy 

 men got possession of representatives from some of his choicest families. 

 Utility was cast to the winds and pedigree became the rage. Fabulous 

 prices were paid for pedigrees and the merest excuses for Shorthorns that 

 went with them, until some of the best Bates' tribes were nearly ruined. In 

 the meantime a canny Scotch Quaker began breeding Shorthorns up in 

 Aberdeenshire. Amos Cruickshank knew how to value a pedigree, but he 

 wanted something more. He aimed to produce a quick-maturing, thick- 

 fleshed beast that would help the tenant farmer pay his rent, and he stuck 

 to his iob in spite of the ridicule heaped upon the so-called plain Scotch 

 cattle by the breeders of fashionably bred sorts. You all know the ultimate 

 result: Utility carried the day, and the despised Scotch Shorthorn climbed 

 to the topmost rung of the ladder of fame. 



Thomas Bates is dead, but his name still lives. But what of those who 

 lost sight of utility and went mad over pedigree ? Nobody knows or cares 

 what became of them or of their cattle. Amos Cruickshank's work is over, 

 but his name will endure as long as Shorthorn cattle are bred, and why ? 

 There is only one answer, he was a man who succeeded in evolving a useful 

 type of cattle 



In this great country you have the names of many men upon the breeder's 

 roll of fame, men who have bred horses, men who have bred cattle, 

 men who have bred sheep and swine. Many of these men are living 

 today, and probably some of them are before me now. I ask you to 

 delve down to the foundations of the monument they have erected by their 

 works and you will find, supporting the whole structure, the bedrock, utility. 

 Let us, as breeders, cast fads and fancies to the winds, and let our watch- 

 word be utility first, utility last, utility always. 



At the business meeting it was decided to request the State 

 Board of Agriculture to grant a suitable place, the live stock 

 pavillion preferred, for an evening programme during the week 

 of the State Fair, when a programme will be presented of special 

 interest to the breeders and exhibitors of show animals. Dean 

 Curtiss, Professor Rutherford and the president were appointed 

 a committee to consult with the State Board in regard thereto. 



On motion the meeting adjourned until Thursday of State 

 Fair week. 



