The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1884-10-18
Climbing the Hill.

When we review the history of all
progress in the improvement of farm
live stock, and examine the processes
by which the most successful stock
breeders have risen to eminence, we
must own that the poets words
The heights by great men reached and kept,
Were not attained by sudden flight
are no less applicable to achievements
instock raising than to any other line
of human action. The stock breeders
calling is one which affords scope for
the exercise of really high powers and
accomplishments, and one which needs
them for the attainment of its highest
results. Money may be realized in it
without the possession of high mental
qualities or requirements, but money
making is not mans highest ambition.
A higher object than pocket wealth is
the promotion of the interests of man
kind, and this the most successful
breeder of live stock really accom-
plishes, plus his legitimate pecuniary
reward; and the results of his labors
are often intellectually beneficial to the
world. He who would do this must
have one or two not very common char
acteristics. He must have eyes capable
of seeing, that is to say, he must be a
close and accurate observer; he must
possess a strong and sound judgment,
not lightly blown about by every
breath of opinion, yet not obstinately
set fast, shut up against new concep-
tons and new convictions; indomita-
able perseverance,, and almost incalcu-
Liable patience must be his.
All these qualifications granted, one
thing he yet may lack, and in the case
of many other wise, well-qualifed be-
ginners it is just the one thing that is
wanting-a clearly defined object. A
man hopes for success without knowing
precisely for what he is aiming. He
has a vague idea of merit in animals,
without understanding the minutie
which constitute it. or the steps by
which it is gained. or he has to alter
his standard, and consequently to un-
ravel his work. Thus many precious
months and years are passed really in
gaining the mere elements of that
knowledge which is necessary to sue
cess. Experience, indeed. is bought,
but the loss of time is a heavy price to
pay for it. We have often thought that
beginners might do much better by
looking about them a little more, en-
larging their own notions by grasping,
if not necessarily accepting, the notions
of older breeders, studying the various
types of the kind of animal they wish to
breed, and endeavoring to forecast, in
clear ideal. the type which they should
aim to produce. Many useful hints for
the details of practice msy be also
picked up at the same time, in the in
fercourse of minds here suggested.
But then comes the real climbing.
The preliminary knowledge gained by
going about with eyes and ears open, is
only provision for the ascent; the wise
application of that knowledge is the
test of the mans fitness for the task he
has set himself to perform. The ''toil-
ing upward" must be done step by
step, as day after day brings new1ues-
tons to be considered, new ground to
be passed over, and new obstacles to
progress. Those who have never en-
gagged in the task have no conception
how difficult task it is. or how richly
the successful breeder deserves his re-
ward. In all branches of farm-stock
breeding at this moment, and especially
in this country, wide fields are open for
the exercise of skill and patience, and
substantial and honorable gains will
reward success. The competition of
breeds is likely to be so keen, that he
who can produce the best for any special
purpose is sure to be amply repaid for
his time, trouble and sagacity. aud to
earn claim upon public gratitude
besides. That which is worth doing,
surely Is worth doing well. -Nasiemal
Livs Stock journal