354 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. / 



Mr. Lockridge. Judge Buckles has spoken well as to the necessity of o^v show- 

 ing more activity in pushing our own interests. I am not quite sure to wHat extent 

 the plan he proposes is feasible, but I know we are moving along in afut, and we 

 must get out of it. It is all very well for us to meet once a year and hear a few 

 papers read, interesting and instructive though they may be, discuss them a little, 

 and then go home again. That may be pleasant enough for us, but it does not 

 help our cause among outsiders. This society is the oldest Shorthorn Association 

 in the country ; it is actually the parent of the National Association ; but we 

 must do some work for the cause or we might as well cease to exist. 



Mr. Mitchell. We want to do like the .Jersey men are doing. If any of you have 

 a cow that will give forty one pounds of butter a week, put her up ; this is one 

 important thing which is too much overlooked by the Shorthorn men. They breed 

 for color and beef altogether, and neglect the milking qualities. We want to get to 

 work, and let people know that the Shorthorn is the best breed of cattle in the- 

 world, and induce them to bring their cattle out to fairs. The generality of farm- 

 ers believe these cattle are taken care of at home, and blanketed, and they can not 

 do this. We want to get the steers taken to the county fairs, and show the farmers 

 what can be done with the steera. If the members of this Association would take 

 an active part at the fairs, all the calves they may grow will find ready sale. 



Mr. Lockridge. Perhaps the members of the Association are not aware that this 

 one was the first one ever organized. The National Association sprung from this 

 one. After the call, perhaps by Dr. Stevenson, we met here and organized a State 

 Association, and out of that call came a call for a National Association, which met 

 in this city. That lead the way for others; butafter we have done this, we seem to 

 have rather gone back. Our discussions are interesting, but don't grow. We re- 

 peat too much, and don't investigate something that is new, by reaching out; and 

 the reason is, we are not on the right basis ; we should have something more to do. 

 The National Association got in the same rut, and did not know what to do until 

 they got hold of the National Herd Book. After that they bought up the Ameri- 

 can Herd Books, and consolidated them into one. They have now a live work. 

 This Association might, in a less degree, accomplish much more in the boundaries 

 of our own State. This Association should have a history of the Shorthorns of this 

 State; when first introduced, and who were the first breeders, and have this history 

 filed away in the archives of this Association. 



Mr. Mitchell. Every Shorthorn breeder should report his nauie and address to 

 this Association. Then let the Secretary notify him of the meeting. I hope some 

 one will make a resolution to that effect. 



Mr. Goodwin. It seems to me that Mr. Lockridge has struck the key-note re- 

 garding the facts of the case. I suggest that a committee be appointed, to which 

 this whole subject may be referred, to carefully consider and place it on some specific 

 basis, and do work a little more official. In gathering facts, make them palpable, 

 that they may be referred to the next annual meeting. 



Mr. Buckles presented the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. 

 Lockridge, and carried unanimously : 



Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed, one of whom shall be the presi- 

 dent elected for the ensuing year, who shall be ex-officio chairman of said committee. 



