ADVANTAGES OF SHOWING 



61 



This was followed up several years before getting much above 

 the white and yellow ribbons. The only blue thing I found in 

 those days was my feelings in not being able to win. This is where 

 I made a mistake by attempting, ignorant as I was, to show at the 

 great state fairs, rather than starting at county fairs. But the 

 determination was in me and the show ring was followed, as large 

 as it was and as great as the shows were, from 1877 until 1893, 

 when the climax was reached at the Chicago World's Fair. As 

 I grew in knowledge and experience each year, I was able to win 

 a few of the better prizes and as the years came and went, won 

 more prizes, until it was a pretty sure thing when I started out 

 on an eight weeks' trip to the big state fairs, that I would win 

 money enough to pay all expenses and more and be benefited 

 greatly by building a substantial acquaintance among breeders 

 in our line. 



The trade grew annually and after winning the grand champion- 

 ship at the World's Fair in Chicago for the best herd, consisting 

 of one boar and four sows, over one year old, my name was finally 

 placed on the map and my son and I have practically discontinued 

 showing since that time. 



I strongly urge the show ring as a means, not only of education 

 for the breeder, but of building up a substantial business. 



