The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1879-05-01
The FairhoIme Herd of short Horns.


Prof. Z. NJ. Shelton, of the Agricultural
College writes as follows of this famous
herd in the IndUstrialist of the 18th.
There il no one fact connected with the
rapid growth of Kansas 20 remarkable as
the very general diffusion among its farm
ers Of pure-bred animals of all the different
domesticated sorts. Heretofore the pioneer
and settler has contented himself with
scrub" stock, and animals generally of
low degree. We have looked back to the
older States, New York, New England and
kentucky for blooded stock and few of us
have known that within our own doors,
snd scattered all over the State with lib
srslity unknown in New England, were fine
herds Of the choicest breeding. The une-
qualed attractions presented by Kansas to
the breeder of pure bred stock are we'll IN
derstood by breeders in the older
States, many OF whom are turning covetous
eyes upon this stock-raiser's paradise. We
venture nothing in saying that within the
next two years Kansas will be pre-emineut
in something besides wheatgrowing. She
| will be among the fret of the States in the
production Of high-bred stock.
These thoughts were suggested ny recent
examination of the herd of Shorthorps
| named at the herd of this article. OF thi:
grand herd, ninety-three of the choicest
| animals will he sold at public auction, al
| the farm of J. {. Stone, Jr near Leaven
worth, May 9th, and, as we looked ovel
this exceedingly promising lot, We wert
forcibly impressed with the importance to
our stockmen of securing and retaining IL
| Kansas this invaluable bovine colony.
We offer the brief description Of this herd
given below solely IN the hope of being in
s,rumental, to some extent, in securing III.
re ention of this herd within the bounda
ries of our own State.
At the first glance at this herd, the Wis
ion will be forcibly struck with its gres,
uniformity. Almost the entire herd il
made up of two and three-yesr-olds. Their,
are no old worn out COWS, which have quite
outlived their usefulness. and are now sold
because OF their doubtful fertility. Again
while none are inbred in the offensive senst
yet all have been bred so steadily and per
sistently in the direction OF the best Bates
blood that a family resemblance run,
through the herd, We do not remember t.
have ever seen herd not strictly Zine.
bred" or which nicely-dished faces, Gle an
muzzles, and unleathery throats 40 generally
prevailed. With one or two exceptions
the entire herd Of ninety. three animals j,
made up Of reds. Red is not our favorite
color, but ii Is the popular one and tina
it will remain 30 for a long time there j,
bat little doubt. Certainly this will prove
an attractive feature of the herd upor
the day of sale. Finally the herd ii
thoroughly acclimated. This is point
upon which We lay great stress. We have
in large number of csses, seen valuabl,
animals which were perfectly sound in the
Eastern States, when brought to Ksnsa
become sterile, often remaining 30 fol
months. and in some cases permanently.
In regard to the pedigrees of this herd, il
is not necessary to say much. All are O
the good unquestioned sorts; albeit there is I
wide range for fancy, as between the fash
ionable bred Crsggs' and the palmer Seven
| teens. But whatever ia said in this mattel
by the catalogues or suctioneer the owner
will guarantee upon the day Of sale, and al
] Towards. From our acquaintance with the
owner OF the Fairholme herd, and from the
reputation Of Boil. Muir, the auctioneer, w
have no hesitation in saying that the inter
ests OF buyer and seller will he equsllJ
guarded upon the day Of sale. Gourg anC
inexperienced breeders may here bid with
safety, and ttel assured that he fantastic Sc
often resorted to at public sales will not b'
tolerated here.
In concluding this brief account Of 2 val,
usble herd, We csn do no better than tt
call attention to the very important fac
that this herd ha' never been psmpered
blankeed and trained" for the sale Of next
month. Its treatment has bsea such "a i.
well calculated to develop those sterling
quslities-hardhOod and good constitu
ton, which this herd possesses in an emf
nept degree.