210 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



reception and express our high appreciation of the royal entertainment 

 afforded the members of this association. 



The conference committee's report defined a breeding animal 



as follows, and their report was adopted : 



At one of the early sessions the question of what constitutes a breed- 

 ing animal and the disputes that arise between buyer and seller was dis- 

 cussed quite fully. A committee was appointed consisting of Messrs. 

 Frank Flynn of Des Moines, E. S. Donahey of Newton, Geo. S. Forest of 

 Miles and H. D. Parsons of Newton, to draft and prepare a statement 

 denning a breeding animal. This committee reported as follows: 



"A bull 12 months old or over during the years of ordinary useful- 

 ness shall be considered a breeder when, not being allowed to run at 

 large with the breeding herd, he will get with calf at least 70 per cent of 

 all the regular breeding females he may serve during the breeding season. 

 In cases of disagreement between buyer and seller a trial of six months 

 shall be given a bull and during the period of such trial both parties must 

 agree that the bull is receiving proper care, both as to fed, ration, water 

 and exercise. Shall be kept isolated from the breeding herd except at 

 such times as a cow is in heat. Such cow shall be left only until she has 

 been properly served, then removed from the bull. 



"A cow shall be considered a breeder; first, if she has at foot a calf 

 that was carried full period of gestation (about 280 days) and (in the 

 hands of the seller) not served by a bull since the date of birth of such 

 calf. Second, a cow that has remained quiet for four full periods from 

 the date of last service; provided tnat she has carried her last previous 

 calf to full period of gestation (about 280 days) and that she has never 

 been a habitual aborter, and that the last previous calf was not more 

 than seven months old at time of last service. 



"A heifer that has never produced a calf shall be considered a breeder, 

 if after coming in heat regulany has not been served more than four 

 times and has remained quiet for four full periods from date of last 

 service." 



This is a matter of considerable importance and we advise our read- 

 ers, both breeders and farmers, to preserve this resolution, which was 

 adopted by the association. It will serve as a guide in determining dis- 

 puted questions in the future. 



IS IT PROFITABLE TO KEEP SHEEP ON OUR IOWA FARMS? 



A. J. Blakely, Grinnell, Iowa. 



This is a very practical question. Keeping live stock, especially fine 

 stock, may be done by some people to a limited extent, not chiefly for the 

 money there is in it, but for the love of the beautiful animals, just as one 

 keeps a flower garden. But the practical, money-loving American farmer 



