IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



DOES IT PAY TO SHOW? 



PROMINENT BREEDERS AND EXHIBITORS GIVE THEIR VIEWS IN ANSWER TO THIS 



QUERY. 



The Breeders' Gazette. 



To show or not to show? that is the question. A subscriber in Iowa 

 asks this journal if it will pay a young breeder of cattle to go into the 

 show business. He states that the "nub" of the whole matter is as to 

 whether the advertising secured in the show yard is worth what it costs, 

 directly and indirectly. Below are submitted replies to this question from 

 a number of the most prominent authorities in the United States: 



W. P. Harned: It certainly does pay to show at least under two con- 

 ditions: First, that the cattle possess real merit. Second, that the 

 owner possesses a cool head and a generous spirit. The cattle will go 

 through the critical test just before the ribbons are tied, and his head 

 and spirit will pass through the trying ordeal just after they are tied. At. 

 this trying moment if he has a near friend who will feel his pulse it will 

 help him to decide whether he may continue in the show business or not. 



Right here let our young breeder take a lesson from the well bred 

 animals which stand by halter under the trying scrutiny of the judge. 

 They have walked in, and quietly walked out, without a murmur, whether 

 they wear the badge of victory or not, and well bred cattle perform this 

 duty with grace, usually well bred men try to do likewise. It is a great 

 credit to a breeder, as a breeder, and a great credit to his herd to show 

 some of his best animals and win. It is a strong proof of his judgment in 

 successfully imitating blood lines which he may possess, yet he may be a 

 great breeder and successful breeder and in many hotly contested fields 

 win nothing. 



A failure to win ribbons should not discourage a beginner in his new 

 undertaking. If it is to be a life work every defeat should be a lesson. 



"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." 



Few men win at first, but they learn lessons and win later. A suc- 

 cessful show is to present before the public animals of real merit. It 

 may be a very successful show and not a trophy won. 



The inquirer wishes most to know if showing pays directly or indi- 

 rectly. To this I would say it is not likely to pay directly. If he breeds 

 successfully it is likely to pay indirectly. It is the true method to show 

 the real quality of the herd. It is fame to win. It is high honor to show, 

 and take defeat like a man without a murmur. Instances can be cited 

 where great breeders and successful exhibitors in later years have taken 

 the road home after their first show, broken hearted and bowed down in 

 spirit. I think this is told of the late lamented Col. T. S. Moberly of Ken- 

 tucky, who owned young Abbottsburn and whose herd was crowned with 

 glory when he met his sad fate. 



