THIRD ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VI. 39 I 



associations, breeding associations, stock yard companies and occasion- 

 ally private individuals are very liberal in recognition of the interests of 

 the show men. Thousands of dollars are annually showered upon them 

 in addition to the advertising gained. These two sources of revenue, 

 together with glory gained — the value of which is problematical — give a 

 preponderance or argument in favor of showing one's cattle and yet the 

 fact that my practice does not conform to the above conclusion wL'i 

 doubtless lead to the thought that I consider the subject a debatable one 

 — and I cannot deny the allegation. 



In a few years after embarking in the pure-bred cattle business I had 

 out a successful show herd at district fairs, but discontinued showing and 

 relied on the merit of my cattle and the advertising columns of the 

 Gazette to sell my surplus. I have never shown cattle at a state fair, 

 never sold cattle in a public sale, and never failed to move my surplus 

 at prices that afforded reasonable profit. I have confined my advertising 

 to one high class paper only. If your enquirer will buy and breed really 

 top cattle, will give his customers fair and conscientious treatment, will 

 place his cattle before the public in a proper manner through high class 

 papers he can sell cattle without showing. Really good cattle generally 

 find good buyers. 



J. G. Robbins & Sons: We think any breeder who has the usual facil- 

 ities for putting out a show herd should do so. One of the greatest 

 secrets of success in any business venture is properly advertising that 

 business, and no more effective way of advertising the cattle business 

 can be found than through the medium of the show herd. We would not 

 say that this way alone would be advisable, but used in connection with 

 advertising in the live stock journals it makes sure work of it. No mat- 

 ter how small the herd, a few things should be fitted and exhibited at some 

 of the many live stock shows of the country. If you are not able to go 

 to state fairs at first go to the county fair. Get acquainted with the 

 breeders and their ways and compare your cattle with those of others in 

 the show yard. There is no educator equal to experience at the fairs 

 And in beginning do not get discouraged if you do not win all you think 

 you should, but see where the animal that beats you is better than yours. 

 Then go home and begin getting ready for the next year. We are of the 

 opinion that the adventages secured from the show herd in connection 

 with a breeding herd are not fully appreciated by cattle breeders. Show 

 your cattle and give the newspaper boys something to talk about and 

 they will use it. Do not get discouraged, but remember "success comes 

 to those who hustle wisely." 



D. Bradfute & Son: Many conditions enter into this question. If 

 the question was simply: Has it paid us? we can answer that fifteen 

 consecutive years on the state fair circuit have proved the show business 

 a very profitable one for us. In our opinion there are three good methods 

 of advertising. Continuous and persistent advertising in several promi- 



