THIRD ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VI. 393 



there are likely to be from four to ten herds in competition one can easily 

 figure about how well he must do to come out even financially. Compe- 

 tition grows sharper each year and nothing of an ordinary character can 

 now win at a state fair. It is best to begin with smaller fairs. 



The third method of advertising referred to is the purchase of some 

 noted animal at a record-breaking price and thus step suddenly into 

 prominence. This method requires large means or a great amount of 

 nerve it always seemed to us that the amount of free advertising given 

 in such cases is out of proportion to the real merits of the case. The 

 first two methods seem to us by far the best and most worthy of the true 

 lover of good stock and the first method must be practiced in connection 

 with the second to bring about best results. The man who is breeding 

 and feeding winners at the big shows is certainly entitled to all the credit 

 he receives at the hands of both the press and the public. It is in our 

 opinion a business worthy of the best efforts of an honest man. 



N. H. Gentry: In answer to the new beginner I would advise that he 

 fit his animals up well and enter them at the shows. That is the quick- 

 est way for him to find out whether he has the right kind of animals or 

 not. By comparing with others he will see at once, if he 

 is any judge, just where he is and if he has the wrong ideals in his mind 

 he will get them knocked out, and if he is disposed to learn and profit 

 from others he will soon get set right in judgment. The show yard is a 

 great educator, as it is only by comparison that we judge animals, good 

 or bad. At home we are apt to be of the opinion that we have as good 

 as any one and by entering the show ring and comparing our products 

 with those of others we may find ourselves far behind. Again, nothing 

 stimulates the development of our herds as much as the show yard. We 

 think more of our animals, too, when we see them developed right. The 

 old fogy idea that we must have animals in thin form to judge them to 

 best advantage has long been proved erroneous. Not until an animal has 

 been properly developed can anyone tell for a certainty how good it is or 

 can be made. Development proves what is in them. 



"Anything that is worth doing is worth doing well" will apply to 

 showing as well as anything else. Nothing will advertise a breeder and 

 give him an acquaintance quicker than showing, but the benefits he will 

 derive from showing will depend on his efforts — that is, the quality of 

 stoek he shows and the development of it. Some breeders spend a life 

 time almost in advertising to the world that they have a poor class of 

 live stock by never showing anything in proper condition and also by 

 showing a class of stock of low grade naturally. Such efforts are cer- 

 tainly worse than thrown away. Such breeders are simply advertising 

 to »'ie world by hard work and the spending of money, too, that they 

 have nothing anyone should buy. 



Charles E. Leonard & Son: The question has been asked by one who 

 has recently commenced breeding cattle if it pays to go into tfie show 

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