Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-09-02
FAT CATTLE SHOW.

Cattle shows originated in Scotland.
1t Is nearly eight years since a
number of Scotch farmers, over a glass
Of mountain dew, were disputing about
the beauty, the fatness, and the weight
Of their cattle, diminutive specimens OF
what is now the splendid polled Angus
breed, when to settle all differences,
they agreed to bring the pick Of their
herds all to one place, and select judges
who should determine the whole ques-
ton.
This little gathering was the COM
mencement of q great movement, and
in the history of economic progress,
perhaps no tap meeting ever did
or ever will produce such great results.
Stock shows were from that time a
liked fact. Men learned more of the
excellencies and defects of their herds
by comparison with other herds than
by any other means, and then there
were the awards of intelligent judges 10
help them arrive at correct conclusions.
Many a breeder who, in his own estima-
ton, possesses the best cattle in the
country, is very liable to have his eyes
opened,
When self the trembling balance shakes,
It's rarely right adjusted"
THOMAS BATES, Of Kirkleamington,
England, eighty years ago took up the
breeding of shOrthOrns where BAKE
WE'LL had left it off. BATES was per-
'ecting his Duchess herd of ]shorthOrns
when agricultural shows were imported
from Scotland to England. AT once
the superiority of his animals were ap.
parent. He carried away the prizes
from all competitors, and this celebrated
herd graCes the fairCst pages OF the Eng
fish herd book, aud without it the
American herd book would not be what
It Is.
1t is enough that any man can trace
The descent OF an animal to this herd.
II insures him first.cIaSS prices, even
after the la..e Of many years. With
out these shows there would not have
been sue, great Improvement in cattle.
The world produces but few men like
FAREWELL and BATES, the one laying
the foundation ola breed of cattle broad
and strong on physiological principles,
and the other patiently building on this
foundation.
Ii is now more than thirty.iive years
since Mr.. HENRY COLEMAN was sent
by the agricultural societies of the East
ern States TO examine the agriculture
of Europe, and particularly of England,
to report on the condition of the stock
Of which there had been already several
impOrtations, particularly in the neigh
LCrhoOd of Albany, y. Y. His report
gave a great impetus 10 stock raising,
and the production of beef. The infu'-
ion ofthe shOrthOrn blood in our hardy
native stock produced al animal far SUI
perior 10 anything we ever had before,
and now our herds OF high grades show
the best beef producing animals in the
world, and our herds Of pure bred short
horns will compete eve with what We
know of MIR. BATES famous herd.
The approaching fat cattle show at
Kansas City will doubtless show some
Of the finest fed animals that can be
exhibited anywhere. Kansas City is
really as great a beef market as the
world renowned Smithlteld Of London,
and the show that is to take place will
probably bring together as fine stock as
is exhibited there. There is no reason
why it should not be 80. As well bred
cattle are now in our pastures as are in
England. The climate cannot be eX-
ctlled. There is TODD in a undance be-
yOnd their dreams in the little island,
and the skill Of our breeders is equal to
the emergency.