Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-10-10

1 Hnded Tor this department 10 HxNRr ID. HA
nosp. Agricultural Editor oxford Democr'
Paris. Me-
| sHoaTHOaNS IN AMERICA.
Pager read by Alvin II. Sanders, prepare
by request for the National Live Stock Associi
ton.
The foundations Of the American cat
tie trade were laid more than centur
ago in the blood of the Shorthorn, an
at every stage Of the development Of th
cattle-feeding industry, from its incep
ton in the valley Of the South Brancl
OF the Potomac down to the presen
time, resort has steadily been had to tn
blood OF this wi6ely-celebrated Englisl
type. More than a century sgo tn
business OF making beef for central mar
kets was originated In Virginia, ant
when after the close Of the war OF tn,
Revolution the tide Of emigration poure,
over the Blue Ridge into the rich corr
and blue grass regions OF Southern Ohit
and Central Kentucky IL was the Short
horn blood that provided the extensive
feeders Of that day with their stock cat
tie. IL was with Shorthorn blood tina
George Repick made In 1906 the firsl
experiment In driving steers across tho
mountains from the Ohio Valley to
Baltimore and Philadelphia markets
thus blazing the way for the subsequent
development Of trade which has since
assumed magnificent proportions and
become one Of our leading American
industries. Other breeds were tried 10
the early DAYS In Ohio and Kentucky
Herefords, Longhorns and Devons were
introduced, but did not seem 10 give nj
that time results comparable with those
obtained from the use OF Shorthoru
bulls. Hence those great herds Of prime
bullocks that were for years driven over.
land to seSboard markets represented
only the blood Of the ''red, white and
rosns."
As the rich corn lands OF the Central
West were occupied, the Shorthorn fol.
lowed. In the development Of the states
OF Illinois, Iowa and Missouri, this blood
was, for long series Of years, the one
great factor In the improvement OF cattle
stock, supplying such men as the late
John ID. Gillett with the beeves that
were most keeply sought at the Chicago
Nntds. aS luc SOutsC VI SuC C8taic tAouV
wended its way still further west, the
value OF the Shorthorns for crossing pur-
poses throughout the entire range coun-
try, WAS universally conceded. Within =
comparatively recent period, other and
undeniably excellent types have been
successfully used, not only In the corn
states, but upon the range. No intelli-
gent breeder OF Shorthorns pretends to
deny the merit that certainly belongs TO
the contemporary breeds. At the same
time the history Of the cattle business In
Great Britain. the United States, South
Americs and Australia, points to the one
indisputable fact that Shorthorn bulls OF
good character constitute factor In the
maintenance Of adequate size and general
conformation, which may never safely be
entirely eliminated. The success with
which the Shorthorn bull crosses upon
even the smallest and least improved
cows Is universally admitted. Not only
Is weight secured, but shspely outline
straight backs and level Qusrters--as
well. The Shorthorp, or the good Short
horn grade, In store condition, Il, In all
leveler In his lines than any
other known type Of cattle. The grade
females furnish the best Of all
for the first use OF good
bulls Of the other beef breeds.
The history Of the Shorthorn may be
briefly outlined. The ancestral home OF
the breed WAS the pleasant little valley
Of the river Tees, between the counties
Of York and Durham, In Northeastern
England. The first great improvement
In the breed WAS wrought by the brothers
whose operations covered n
period extending from about l1S0 to
1878. They were followed by such men
as Thomas Bates, the elder (Thomas)
Booth, Mason, Whitaker, wetherell,
Earl Spencer and others, who reduced
the size and improved the finish and
feeding qualities OF the old Teeswater
type. During this early period Of i'm
provement In England, importstions were
made into the United States, chiefly into
Virginia, Kentucky and New England.
The great steer-breeding operations car
ried on BY the Renicks and their con-
in Ohio and Kentucky were
the result OF the use Of the blood OF an
importation made into Virginia by
Messrs. Cough and Miller just after the
close of the Revolutionary War. This
stock was taken 10 kentucky by the
Pst,ons, and for long time afterward
the descendants OF the ssme-widely
on both sides Of the Ohio
known as Patton stock"
Then followed the Sanders importation
Of lsl7 into Kentucky, the descendants
Of " hich are still known AS the "Seven-
teens" IL WAS the Patton and Sanders
blood that gave the first great impetus
10 cattle breeding and feeding west Of
the Allegheny mountains. From 1880 to
1910 large numbers Of high-elass, i'm
proved Shorthorns were imported into
Ohio and Kentucky by various importing
and enterprising individuals.
In these operations the Messrs. Renick
nd the late X. A. Alexander Of Wood
burn were prominent. Large numbers
OF Shorthorns were also imported into
New York and New England, but the
farmers Of that region maintained cattle
mainly for dairy and "work" purposes;
hence when the newer West began to
stock with Shorthorns the material for
the foundation Of herds was drawn
largely from Kentucky and Ohio, the
breeders Of those states having from the
first been practical men who studiously
size, form, finish and beef
making qualities In their cattle. Prior
TO our great civil war there had been
no speculation In "pedigrees"
or the so-called fashionable Shorthorn
families. About 1870, however, q great
wave OF speculation overlook the Short
horn trade on both sides the Atlantic, 10
the course Of which values for certain
strains attained most astounding heights.
At New York Mills the bidding on one
Duchess COW did not stop till the enor-
nous price Of $4,000 was reached.
Fourteen head of cattle Of that family
averaged ls,742.S6 each. This was in
1873. The ''boom" lasted until late In
the seventies, when It collapsed utterly,
greatly TO the advantage Of the breed.
Then came the introduction Of the Here
fords and Aberdeen-Angus, together
with the establishment Of the fst-stock
shows. This recalled the breeders Of
Shorthorns at once to the necessity OF
breeding cattle for practical purposes,
and they set about with q firm deter
mination to correct the evils wrought by
the period OF inflated values and extrava-
CANT speculations. For the past fif-
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