CHAPTER XVI. 



A GOLDEN AGE. 



The Campbell sale fairly electrified the 

 breeding fraternity on both sides the Atlan- 

 tic, and although followed by a period of 

 financial disturbance, yet during the years 

 immediately succeeding an enormous business 

 was done in Short-horns at both public sale 

 and private treaty. The Central West still 

 busied itself with the fairs, and having the 

 requirements of the ring steadily in view af- 

 forded a strong market for show stock as well 

 as for animals of the prevailing fashionable 

 blood.* 



Spring sales of 1874. The great show herds 

 of the West now depended very largely on Can- 

 adian importations for their heaviest "timber." 

 Stock of the high-styled, " rangy" type could 



* Writing 1 of the situation in the fall of 1873 John Thornton said : "A 

 slight reaction in favor of not breeding 1 from ' pure ' strains was noticeable 

 during the autumn. Close in-and-in breeding is doubtless the method 

 whereby many of our finest animals are produced, as it is also the cause of 

 delicacy and decay. The judicious blending of sound tribes must naturally 

 result in the perfection of form and Quality, to which fair milking proper- 

 ties should also be added. The combination of milk with the feeding qual- 

 ities and graceful beauty of the Short-horn has been the cause of its su- 

 premacy, but if the milking properties are reduced the Short-horn is 

 brought to a level with other breeds, and its value consequently depre- 

 ciated." 



(459) 



