THE LAMP OF EXPERIENCE. 867 



more to grow a Short-horn worth from $300 to 

 1500 than it does to mature one worth $100. 

 We are speaking, of course, of the mere ex- 

 pense of feeding and handling. As a general 

 proposition, therefore, quality rather thar: 

 quantity should be the aim. 



The public sale system as a means of dispos- 

 ing of surplus stock has been popular among 

 stock-breeders from the earliest periods. In- 

 deed, it has many advantages both for the 

 buyer and seller. It enables a breeder in one 

 day to make a complete clearance of his sur- 

 plus for the entire year, relieving him of the 

 burden of much correspondence necessarily en- 

 tailed by a system of private sales. It is an 

 advantage to the buyer because he is given the 

 choice of a large number of animals of different 

 ages and sexes at a price representing the judg- 

 ment of his fellow breeders present. A fairly- 

 conducted auction is on this latter account a safe 

 place for a new beginner to make investments. 

 He has the satisfaction of knowing that he is 

 making his purchases at prices which are vir- 

 tually fixed by the breeders in attendance. As 

 a rule these auction sales of Short-horns are 

 conducted in absolute good faith. By-bidding, 

 the protection of the price of animals through 

 manipulation by the seller, has been effect- 

 ually discountenanced by the adoption of a 

 high standard of business morality and prin 



