The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-26
BREEDERS OF SHORT-HORNS
Annual Meeting of One of the Largest of
Indiana's Industrial Associations.
Why Farmers Are Giving More Attention to
Cattle Raisng-Discussion Regarding
the Merits of Short-H Horns.

was unusually well attended. An important
matter before the association this year is the
revision of the standard OF short-horns, and this
had much to do with increasing the attendance.
Noticeable among those present were Robert
Mitchell, of Princeton; Judge Buckles, of Nun
Gle; E. S. Frazee. of Orange; Elijah Clore, of
Alamo, and s. R. Quick, of Attica They are
members who have been with the association
since its organization and represent the pioneers
of the short-horn interest in Indiana.
In speaking OF the increased interest in short
horns, Robert Mitchell said that he attributed it
to practical reasons. For a number of years the
price of hogs has been SO uncertain snd the de-
vastating diseases SO prevalent among them that
farmers have been discouraged from raising
swine to any great extent. Tinkering with the
wool tariff has also made sheep raising a very
uncertain industry. AS result of the unsatis-
factory condition prevailing in both these indus
tries, farmers are turning their attention TO-
ward cattle and horse breeding. The short
horn cattle are regarded as one of the best, if
not the best beef breeders The numerous can
ming factories which the export beef trade
has called into operation, form sure market
for any surplus product.
Judge Buckles, of Muncie, stated that in Del
aware county six or seven years ago there were
hardly twenty five short-horn CATTLE but since
then, for reasons similar to those given by Mr..
Mitchell, the number had grown to over 400.
Men with small farms he said, have learned to
look toward cattle sure source OF profit.
President Mitchell, in his address to the asso-
citation. said that the stock directory shows that
there 200 breeders representing 10, 100 short
horns. Indiana has been repreSen ted as the home
of short-horn cattle-breeders, and while they
have not been noisy in demonstrations, they
have been able to compete IN the show with
all other breeders in America. He called atfen-
ton to the i'm portance of making more deter
mined effort to improve the average quality of
the short-horn breed in the State. He recon-
mended that the inferior cows be sold to the
ranchman or butcher, and that only the best
quality of bulls be purchased. and that the most
successful methods of caring for stock espe
cialiy the younger animals be adopted. He
thought Indiana breeders. as class. did not
mended that at the next American Fat
stock show the Indiana short-horn breeders
should have representative displays. In refer
TO cattle sales in this State the speaker said
that during the past year the short-horn sales
amounted to Clio. against 780 of all other
breeds. The average amount received for each
animal vas $104.5O. But OF go sales the aver
age price $238.
A committee, composed o: Messrs Frazee,
Baltz and Yandes, was appointed to report, upon
the Presidents recommendation. in regard to the
fat-stock show and the raising of the standard.
A favorable report returned.
Secretary Quick's report showed that sixty
three members had been added to the assoca-
ton. The report Of Treasurer Frazee showed
balance in the treasury of 1865 Both reports
were referred TO auditing committee
Messrs. Strange, Sankey and Moore were ap-
pointed committee upon resolutions. MeSsrs.
Frazee, Sedgwicke and Ohr were appointed to
prepare q programme for the next annual
meeting. A number of resolutions were offered
in the course of the meeting. One expressed
sympathy for W. w. Thrasher. of Groves,
whom i'll health forbade being present; another
recommended an increase of books stock and
farming subjects in the State Library and
other Endorsed resolution passed by the State
Board of Agriculture encouraging the holding
of farmers institutes throughout the State
J. w. Robe, of Greencastls, who is regarded
as the historian of the association, read his
tory of the origin and growth of short horns in
Vermlllion county. He said the first short
Stephen S. Colett. in 1925 when lie purchased
a bull and heifer from Henry Clay The num-
Der of short-horns has steadily increased from
that day.
George McCaslin of Franklin, read a paper
on the question. "Sha1l We Specialize Our Short
Forms Into Beef and Milk Families in Order to
Compete with Beef and Dairy Breedsf" The
speaker stated that the character of saorthorns
differed very materially from all other breeds
They have no superior, he thought, as beef cat
tie. and but few equals as milk producers, and
for q combination cow the short horn is
equaled. He thought the milk producing record
was higher than it is because but little atteu-
ton had been paid to it, and cows had never
been forced, as he believed the jersey breed had
been.
DR. Gaddev, of Lovett, read paper on Show
to Elevate Short-Horns to Their Standard of
True Excellence" He recommended that poor
cows and calves be sold to butchers, and thought
another herd-book. which should be
elusive, was necessary before the desired result
could be accomplished.
A historical paper on short-horns in Franklin
county. by T. A. Goodwin, of Indianapolis. was
read.
The committee on resolutions made partial
report. It presented resolution. the sense of
which was that it is not advisable at present to
change the standard of registering. w. B.
Smith spoke against the adoption Of the resolu-
ton. He thought some method of increasing
the standard aught to be adopted Judge
Buckles. in savorine the resolution. said that
the only way to secure a better class of short
horns is through the breeders When they find
it profitable to rear nothing but the choicest
calves, the difficulty of poor breeding cattle will
soon disappear. After little further talk the
resolution was adopted. The following was
also passed:
Whereas. The danger to the cattle industry of the
country from contagious pleuro pneumonia is great
to demand the most thorough means of eradication
of the disease; and
Whereas, The bill Endorsed by the Consolidated
into the Senate by Senator Palmer is the only ade-
quate measure devised for the stamping out of this
Resolved, That the Indiana Short-Horn Breeders
Association commends this measure. and earnestly
requests the Indiana delegation in Congress to give it
hearty support.
E. S Frazee. of Rushville; S. D. Buttz, of
Columbus; W. F. Christian, of Indianapolis;
William Kinsley. of Shelbyville. and Ezra
Swain, of Nobesville were appointed a COM
mittee to recommend expert judges for the
State fair.
Isham Sedgwick, of Richmond, read an inter
esting paper on winter Feeding of Shors-Horn
Cattle" He enlarged upon the necessity of
shelter from cold winds. He said there is more
real suffering to an animal in cold, driving
storm of rain snow than there ia in a temper
ature of ten degrees below with a dry coat.
In speaking of feed he was inclined to think
beets or mangels could be mingled with the reg
ular winter feed with good results An acre of
ground he said, would produce a three times
greater amount of bushels of beets than of corn.
The juicy. lively condition of the cattle on grass
in summer may be main tanned all winter by a
mixed ration of grain. fodder and beets.
MINOR CITY MATTERS.