Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-11-24
The Value of Shorthorns.
Farmers Home Journal.

At ShorthOrn sale last week the
average made by the different fam
lilies were: q PhylliseS, $500; %
Young Marys, Sl9S; 16 Galateas,
S133 10 Josephines, $3.50; 8 Roses
of Sharon, $lS9; 8 Golden Pippins,
Sis; 20 Jessamines, 1914; 2 Minnas
$500; 6 DesdemOnas, $i03; 2 Ma
zurkai, 1882; q ROsemarys, $l15.
OF course these averages are not
to be taken as fully rejecting the
values of each strain. One or two
choice animals of a good family,
such as the MaZuTka, would bring
much above the average that would
be made on mixed herd of twenty
to thirty head. So the 1892 aver
age, made by this family was beat
en- by animals picked from the Ma
rvs and Phyllises. But the average
with these included all sorts and
conditions. The average, where
score or more were sold, represent
something like the value the Short
horn places upon the families. Thus
we have 155 head in eleven lots stri-
king the general average of 1914.
What are known as the fancy strains
do not appear in these sales, but the
average should not be taken as tair-
ly representing the families named,
for one or two of them by reason of
very small offerings shows above.
Leaving out these we may arrive
at a tolerably fair average by taking
the Marys, Phyllises, Galateas, JO-
sephines, Jessamines, Golden Pip
pins and Rosemarys. Then we have
enough of each family to fairly rep
resent it. The 136 head make the
general average in round numbers
1916. So we have some data to get
at the value of a Shorthorn. The
figure is perhaps some lower than
would have been last year, but it
may be taken as pointer by both
buyers and sellers. The next ques-
ton is, what is an average animal ?
Ofcourse the highest type is young
COW or heifer of fine size, form and
color stInted. to a highly bred bull
of a fancy strain and nearly APP
preaching the period of parturitiOn.
Such an animal is valued considera-
bly, above the average, from 5000 to
$500 say.
The lowest type is a small bull
calf or yearIing in poor condition,
spotted and not very well shaped,
having for dam, not very good
specimen of one of the lowest priced
families. Put him down at $50 to
$65. Choice specimens will go
above, and real scalawags below
these figures.
But after all the individual and
family must both be considered.
An animal with Young Mary or
Phyllis pedigree, properly topped,
will bring more than like one
from the DesdOmOna or Galatea
tribe. 1t must be remembered that,
in this calculation, all the fancy
families are left out of consideration.
One other question should be
taken up by those who are about to
start herd. Will it pay better to
found the herd on Marys and Phyl-
Uses at the average of 5000, or on
the lower priced families at 800 to
$3.50? If the present difference in
value is to rule in future, unqueS-
tionably, the answer would be in
the affirmative. For the progeny
will make up the difference paid, il
sold accordingly. But has this diff
ference a foundation and will it be
maintained
Observation impresseS us with the
idea that it is founded on superior
merit and will be held. There is a
limit to this, however, and it de-
ponds upon just how much better
individually the Marys and Phylli-
ses are than the others. In the
lower class are reckoned what are
termed Seventeens, the descendants
of Imp. Mrs. Motto. We often hear
of the excellence of this family for
producing heavy shipping steers.
Admit this, and yet the argument
is weakened by the fact that very
few males of this family are kept
for breeding purposes. The best
are turned into steers. Not so with
the Young Marys, etc. Then when
we praise a lot of fine steers from
Seventeen cows. it is almost certain
to turn out that the sireS are from
what are clasSed as the better fami-
lies: We are not now arguing
down the much-abuSed Seventeens.
They make good foundation. But
it must be admitted that since the
iuSC lOI ldlSy pCdlSACS iSoS CdIS HIS
been taken to make judiciOus crosses
in the lower classes. Hence the
general type of the higher classes
has been more rapidly improved.
This has gone to such extent that it
is commonly agreed that a greater
number of good ANIMALS may be
counted upon from a herd of Marys
and Phyllises than from those that
sell at smaller figures at the public
sales. This may be taken, as a
rule, with liberal construction of
the clause which admits of excep-
tions.
How TO GET STcK.-Expose your
self day and night, eat too much with
out exercise, work too hard without
rest, doctor all the time, take all the
vile nostrums advertised, and then
YOU will want to know
How TO GET WELL-Which is an