Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1876-05-18
STOCK RAISING.
sHoRrHoRN BREEDERS ASSOCIATION

SdUhlaUnN 06bGGOG1sS
Will the public who have read our COM
ments upon the Montana Agricultural, Min
eral and Mechanical Association, read the
following address delivered by Colonel Cole
man Younger, before the Shorthorn Breed
ers' Association of California, at Sacramento,
on April IL:
The cattle interest of this State needs fos-
tering. and no one can do it to better adyan-
tage than the Stock Breeders Association.
The State Fair is intended to foster all our
indu stries, and the district and county fairs
are expected to do the same in a local point
of view, equally in proportion to their
true worth. We ask the question, do the.
managers of fairs carry out this idea? In
some cases we think they come far short OF
it, and there should be a full and free discus
sion by this convention on that subject, ana
to give an expression to your views as TO
how fairs should be conducted, and especial
" so in reference to cattle.
When any one industry has more than its
due proportion of interest given to it, in
money or time, all others suffer in proper
ton. If, tor instance, cattle were to receive
two-thirds Of all moneys appropriated for
premiums. it would be manifestly unjust to
all other interests.
Now. it is a fact that the managers of fairs
usually give two-thirds of all moneys appro-
priated for premiums to the speed pro-
gramme. Is this just Or necessary to foster
the industries of the State? And this is
especially true of the State fair. There were
over $4,000 offered for premiums by the
board of managers of the State fair for the
year 1876; and for the year 1874 there was
given for speed purposes over $4,000, less
than ten per cent. entrance fee; the cattle
premium was under $4,000 Is there any
good reason why this difference should be
made? Is the speed of so much more value
than all other stock? Well, if so, give us
the evidence. What is it in? Does that
quality of the horse feed or clothe or furnish
more of the necessaries and comforts to the
public than all other stock? Our boys would
scout such an idea. Then where does this
superior value come in? Compare the value
of the speed Of the horse with the beef ano
dairy interest, the mutton and wool interest
the farming and manufacturing interest.
Well, there is really not enough value in it
to make the comparison. Separate the thor
anghbred horses, either for trotting or run-
ming, and they would not be missed in count
ing the balance. But it is contended that
the thoroughbred horse stands at the head
of the list for speed. Grant IT but does he
fill any other station to much advantage /:
/ think not. Then what is there in him that
$4,000 can be set apart for him during a
single fair? There must be some good rea-
son for this course. Does it arise from the
vast fortunes that are madeby farmers breed
ing them for speed? If SO, who are they
When one man has done well, thousands
have been wrecked. + ask the question,
what has given the race horse the great value
that some place upon him There is but
one answer to this question: That his value
is estimated in proportion to the amount Of
money that can be made out OF him on the
course. Then, if fortunes are made by his
speed, is it the farming portion that Go it
think not. He has not the time, and but
few have the disposition to embark in this
mode of making fortunes. Then it is left al
last to a few breeders and that other class Of
gentlemen who are fond of the turf sports
to make it popular. But we are told that
the speed'of the horse is grand and exciting,
and commands the admiration of the world
Well, admit it. But, we ask, is it the speed
alone we admire, or is it the vast sums Of
money that ere staked on them. that oiuns