822 A HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



should regard as bloom. We respectfully refer 

 those who hold to the contrary to the history of 

 Warlaby. The annals of cattle-breeding afford no 

 more striking example of the deadly effects of ex- 

 cessive fat to breeding stock than is afforded by the 

 decline of merit and fertility of the celebrated Booth 

 Shorthorn herd that once dominated the showyards 

 of all Britain. To those who have given this matter 

 special study there could be but little question that 

 Mr. Sotham's Herefords were forwarded in a more 

 practical working condition. We are aware that 

 there is some difference of opinion, and a lot of mis- 

 understanding as to what really constitutes bloom 

 in the showring. There is evidently a considerable 

 lack of information upon that subject in cattle- 

 breeding circles. If, therefore, the offering of these 

 prizes by 'The Gazette' at this show shall have 

 served to call attention to this highly important sub- 

 ject, and shall direct the thoughts of breeders and 

 exhibitors towards a study of the matter of putting 

 a reasonable limit upon feeding for breeding shows, 

 they will have served the purpose for which they 

 were provided. The. question of who won and who 

 lost in this particular case is wholly swallowed up 

 in the broader considerations involved in the main 

 proposition/' 



More Money for Shows. At the annual meeting 

 of the Hereford association at Chicago on Nov. 21, 

 1899, Mr. Sotham presided in the absence of Presi- 

 dent K. B. Armour and was elected President for 

 the succeeding year. The report of the executive 

 committee was a glowing one. The tide of prosper- 

 ity was flowing high. The sum of $15,000 was ap- 

 propriated to be offered as prizes for Herefords at 

 the shows of 1900. The Kansas City event was to 



