216 AT THE SIGN OF THE STOCK YARD INN 



In this connection a personal incident may not be 

 amiss. 



The writer hereof in the early eighties endeavored 

 to introduce into American agricultural journalism 

 the English system of critical comment upon the 

 work of the judges at the great national competi- 

 tions. This was an untried field in this country, 

 and an early abandonment was freely predicted. 

 In the face of the bitter rivalry, then becoming 

 acute, as between the old and the new showyard 

 Shorthorn types, the effort was peculiarly difficult 

 and indeed at times impossible of successful accom- 

 plishment. Upon one notable occasion a decision of 

 Mr. GIBSON'S came in for sharp criticism, to which 

 he replied through the press with vigor and the 

 free use of sarcasm. We had up to that time been 

 the best of friends, but this incident seemed to 

 foreshadow an estrangement. In the meantime, 

 however, work had been commenced on the " His- 

 tory of Shorthorn Cattle," brought out in the spring 

 of 1900, and in the course of the preparation of 

 the manuscript occasion arose for consulting Mr. 

 GIBSON in reference to certain facts resting spe- 

 cially within his personal knowledge; so, swallowing 

 a bit of pride and ignoring the friction that had 

 arisen, a letter of inquiry was duly posted. For 



