250 THE PORTRAIT GALLERY 



second volume. In the autumn of 1855 the book appeared with 

 approximately 3,000 pedigrees. In many cases the information 

 was fragmentary and more than once errors and even forgeries 

 were discovered. But the proper foundation had been laid and 

 Mr. Allen was recognized throughout the Shorthorn fraternity 

 as the authorized custodian of the records. 



The growth of the breed interests was most pronounced in the 

 Mississippi valley in the 70's, and gradually the geographic limits 

 led to dissensions among the breeders. The western and southern 

 men soon felt that the location of pedigree autocracy in New York 

 gave numerous possibilities of minority control, and in the early 

 70's two new registers appeared, the American Shorthorn Record 

 in Kentucky and the Ohio Shorthorn Record in that state. The 

 only solution guaranteeing a strong and permanent future was the 

 unification of the three interests, so in the autumn of 1882 the first 

 step was taken through the acquirement of Mr. Allen's records 

 for $25,000, by the newly organized American Shorthorn 

 Breeders' Association. Immediately thereafter the other two 

 registers were purchased and since 1883 there has been but one 

 book. Headquarters of the records were removed to Chicago, 

 and have remained either there or at Springfield ever since. 



One very great service which Mr. Allen rendered was in the 

 publication of his volume on "American Cattle." This first 

 appeared in 1868, and summarized the knowledge at that time 

 available on the improved cattle in America, as well as giving 

 considerable of the early lore on feeding and breeding. His 

 death, less than a decade after relinquishing his position of author- 

 ity in the breed, removed one of the most notable servants of 

 improved stock of the early days. 



