The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-16

the Work of InfOrmattOu.
When intelligent men get to arguing ana
reasoning with one another on any subject,
provided they individually know or conscien-
tious.y believe they know what they are talk
ing about the listener or the reader, If the
arguments appear in print, is sure to learn
something. In this respect the controversy
between the advocates of Shorthorn and
Hereford cattle, as to merits of the respec-
tive breeds and the superiority OF one over
the other is about as wholesome and instruc-
tive a branch of exercise breeders can in
duge in 1t does not make any particular
difference which is the better Of the two.
Both may be said to be equally good for al
ordinary purposes associated with the making
of beef: and it is not at all likely that the
point Of supremacy viii ever be satisfactorily
determined. But these arguments serve to
constantly bring out points in the matter of
breeding or care or fattening, which would
otherwise remain obscured. and just now the
minds Of all thoughtful farmers turning
TO the general subject of breeding, and
consequently in a susceptible and receptive
condition.
1t is an encoura gng sign to witness the
largirg interest On the important subject OF
the Improvement of our cattle. There is no
reason why the United States should not be-
come during the next quarter of a century
the p0ssessor of as numerous and choice
herds any which exist in England or
Scotland. The constantly increasing demand
for our cattle for export should prove an in
spriation to all professional growers of beef
stock. And these should continue as they
have done in the past, to unselfishly educate
the smaller breeders in the details not only
of the upbui.ding of herds but in the initial
and progressive steps in the Improvement
of the individuality embraced in the herds
Any one familiar with breeds, their markings
and characteristics, who may visit our stock
yards cannot fail to experience a sense of
encouragement as he contempates the ma
jority of specimens which enter the sales
pens. But he will take hope when he
fleets that by a concert of action among
breeders within a period of ten years, every
frowsy scrub would be eradicated and only
thoroughbreds or high grade and crosses be-
tween different species of thoroughbreds of
beef types would be found in the markets for
beef cattle.
Certainly there does exist degree Of ig-
norance in regard to these matters which is
deplorable when comes to count the
cost to the farmers and growers who are
primarily interested in the profit side of the
industry. One is sometimes almost tempted
to suggest the enactment of laws which shall
regulate certain branches of the business
and thus compel farmers to consult more di-
rectly their own welfare by requiring them
to observe fixed principles, and to give at
tentiOn TO certain details which through in
difference and neglect are now passed over
by them unheeded. One of these minor in
cidents came to the attention of the writer
only yesterday while making observations of
lot of about 100 stockers of varying ages
which had been sold and were being pre-
pared for shipment to the interior of the
state. Three-fourths CT them were bulls OF
ages ranging from three to twelve months
and fve-sixths of these had not yet passed
through the steering process. Owing to the
advent of warm and unreasonable weather.
this operation must be deferred until
tumn, attended with the increasing vitiation
of the meat for the dressed beef market
The question was asked of the shippers why
this service was allowed to remain upper
formed. The answer was, We'll, 1t CONES
mostly from the lsz:ness of the men who
grow them. We keep drumming at them ali
the time, and Selling them that they tbs
losers because of neglecting to attend to the
matter the meat is injured, and went bring
so much as it would if the work was at
tended to at the proper time. Bat it makes
difference. They only say they didn't
have tine, or they didn't know how They
always have some excuse, and SO it goes.
to be done to regulate the natter
The exhibiting Of live stock at the agri-
cultural fairs could be made more benefc al
II organizations CT breed,rs, or indeed If the
fair managers themselves would distri ute
literature bearing especially upon impor ant
points similar to that referred to above.
Many we'll disposed farmer oft n fees like
asking somebody a question on certain
point concerning which he is in absolute ig-
torrance and would welcome enlightenment.
The printed volumes of the Farmers Institute
are valuable, but they are bulky; and, be-
sides they generaiiZa rather than par;i u arize.
Certain initial and essential points carefully
and simply indicated and prepared in the
form Of leaflet and placed in the HANDS of
every farmer in the state would bear coed
fruit in time. There can be no more valuable
service performed, looking to the improve
ment Of the live stock industry of Minnesota
than one associated with the widest distribu-
ton possible of information of this class. Let
the controversies respecting the merits of
dlHerent breeds continue. Many men pos
sessed of strong minds will thereby be led
to experiment on their own account who
otherwise might drift along possessed CT and
pursuing a single idea 1t IS experiment that
has developed valuable breeds in England and
Scotland, and some of the smaller outlying
British isles. 1t is experiment. su1pleme nted
by Intelligent care that is already giving
prestige to the farmers of the British pos
will result some day in giving the United
States an exalted place in all that pertains
TO the higher development of the live stock
Industry of every Speries