DEVELOPMENT OF OHIO VALLEY HERDS. 213 



Kentucky herds had been attained, and in 

 that fact the enterprising men who made these 

 memorable importations found ample compen- 

 sation. Speaking of the first importation, in a 

 letter written July 26, 1834, Felix Renick said: 



"We have already had a number of applications to purchase 

 some of them and have been offered 1500 for the youngest, a calf 

 less than five months old. But we, as a company, have higher 

 views than that of immediately realizing a little profit, provided 

 it could be done. The object was first conceived and has so far 

 been carried out for the good of the country, whether it has been 

 well or illy executed is not for us to say." 



It is indeed difficult to overestimate the value 

 of the Ohio Co.'s work. It gave to the West 

 not only the Rose of Sharons, Young Marys, 

 Young Phyllises and Josephines, but supplied 

 crosses of fresh blood that proved powerful in- 

 fluences for good upon the herds derived from 

 earlier importations. The entire industry in 

 Ohio and Kentucky felt the quickening touch, 

 and in later years the full fruition of the fond- 

 est hopes of the company were more than real- 

 ized. 



Thomas Bates to Felix Renick. The Ohio 

 Co. had meditated a continuation of its impor- 

 tations, but the financial drift of the times was 

 not favorable. In December, 1837, Felix Ren- 

 { ick had written to Mr. Bates in reference to 

 further purchases, inquiring particularly about 

 the Duke of Northumberland (1940). While 

 nothing came of these negotiations, the ap- 

 pended reply of Mr. Bates is given in full as 



