SHORTHORN BREEDERS. 339 



money in market, teml to make the Shorthorns pre-eminently the best early matur- 

 ing beef cattle of the country. For some years I have been breeding Shorthorns 

 and grade Shorthorns, rearing and feeding them with the common steers of 

 the country, all grazed and fed together. I have invariable found the Shorthorns 

 and grades far more profitable than the common cattle. More profitable to the 

 breeder, the feeder, the shipper and the butcher. To the breeder in having an an- 

 imal susceptible of being converted into much more money in much shorter time ; 

 to the feeder in having an animal of more rapid growth, greater weight on same 

 feed, and an animal that will fatten and mature at a much earlier age than any 

 other breed of the country, and when ready for the shipper (at the same age and 

 feed as other breeds) will weigh from 30 to f per cent, more and sell in the best 

 markets of the country 25 to 30 per cent, higher than the common cattle of the 

 country. The shipper having an animal more docile to handle it can be shipped 

 more cheaply, being able to put more tons in a car, there is much less shrinkage 

 in shipping, and. when in market, the Shorthorn always sells more rapidly and 

 brings better profits to the shipper. For the butcher and consumer we have an 

 animal better matured at an early age, one that will dress 65 to 75 per cent, net 

 beef to live weight, the beef being far superior in every respect to that of the com- 

 mon stock ; a nice, well fatted, juicy, tender marbled beef, selling more readily and 

 bringing more money. 



My experience in breeding and feeding Shorthorns is, that at thirty months 

 old a fairly good Shorthorn steer reasonably well reared, with one season good 

 feeding, will weigh from 1,500 to 2,0u0 pounds, while the common stock steer at 

 same age with same rearing, and same feeding, will weigh some 1,200 to 1,500 

 pounds (and perhaps less), a difference of at least 300 pounds in weight; and when 

 you sell you will get at least $1 per 100 pounds more in price in favor of the Short- 

 horn, giving you a profit of $30 to $35 against the common stock steer, a very fair 

 showing for the early maturing Shorthorn over the common stock of the country. 



I can .see nothing the Shorthorns have to fear from their rivals, other improved 

 cattle breeds of the country, to-wit: Angus- Aberdeens, Herefords, Galloways, or 

 Holsteins, for where equally well kept the Shorthorns are superior to all other 

 breeds; all recognize the fact (and the fat stock show at Chicago has fully con- 

 firmed this fact) of the superb beef productiveness at any age of the Shorthorn. 

 The claim that he puts in is, "The best beef beasts in the world." This claim is 

 based on " early maturity, rapid growth, great weight, small shrinkage, and superb 

 carcass." I am fully satisfied that the several fat-stock shows at Chicago, where 

 the rival beef breeds of the world have all come in competition (and the very best 

 have been there), that I am fully justified in the claim made for the early matur- 

 ity of the Shorthorn over all other beef breeds of the countrv. Compare, if you 

 please, the Shorthorns with the Angus-Aberdeens and^the Herefords at the fat-stock 

 show at Chicago. Take Black Prince, probably the very best Angus-Aberdeen 

 bullock ever shown at any fat-stock show, he having been imported from Europe 

 at a great expense for the express purpose of competing against the Shorthorns at 

 Kansas City and Chicago. When shown at Chicago, in the grand sweepstakes 

 ring, in company with Netherwood Jock, and other Polls, with Artless, Prince, 

 and Rosy Duke, and other Hereford.--, with Clarence Kirklevington, Charles Ross, 



