458 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



breeding and feeding? Wlio of you would not be willing to devote the 

 remainder of j'our life if you could leave as heritage the fame of a Cruick- 

 shank, and yet, have you not greater opportunities than any of those noted 

 breeders? The success you attain will depend largely upon your ability 

 and willingness to learn. 



In order to encourage the breeders of Indiana in this noble work of 

 nature this Association has for the past few years offered prizes, at oui- 

 State Fair, for the best Shorthorn bred and exhibited by the owner. We 

 voted to do this at our last annual meeting but the members failed to 

 respond with subscriptions enough to warrant the committee in making 

 the offer and so it went by the board, since the committee had no instruc- 

 tions from the Association to have the Treasiu-er to pay these awards out 

 of his own pocket, as he undoubtedly would have done had you so directed. 

 If it is the desire of this Association that it should offer premiums at 

 our next State Fair, I would recommend that subscriptions to that fund 

 be taken at this meeting so that the next committee will have sometliing 

 to work on in time. 



Of course the giving of premiums nt tlie State Fair is not the main 

 object of this organization. If it were, I should feel that the efforts of 

 your Executive Committee of the past year had I)een in vain. The; main 

 object of this and all similar organizations, as I take it, is for the im- 

 provement of the Shorthorn. As we all know and as the public in general 

 concede, the Shorthorn is the best breed of cattle for beef and milk. In 

 other words the Shorthorn cow is the best dual-purpose cow known to 

 mankind, and in order that we may maintain her in this exalted position, 

 we, as an organization, hold these meetings, so as to come into closer touch 

 with other breeders and not become narrow and contracted but broaden 

 out and expand, thereby becoming the better judges as to the best way 

 to accomplish our purpose. 



I have been a breeder of Shorthorn cattle for only a little over two 

 years, and yet I can truthfully say that those two have been the most 

 pleasant years of my life. I love the business and have formed many new 

 acquaintances among you and there are none who enjoy a genial acquaint- 

 ance more than I, and I hope that I may forever mei'it the esteem of you 

 all. 



On motion, the Association adjonrnod till 1 iDO p. m. 



The meeting was called to order by the President at 1 :30 p. m. 



A paper on "The Importance of and Preparation of Show 

 Steers," by F. W. Cotton, was read and discnssed by Mr. Norman, 

 Mr. Christian, Mr. Quick, J. E. Pobbius and E. W. Bowcn. 



