The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1905-05-15

but he did not look very laVoraoly
upon the idea of paying such enormous
prices for the pure breeds as they
were asking at that time. However, he
was the kind of father 1 wish every
farmer boy could have; one who does
not foil every original idea his boys
have, but encourages them in every
way possible. So he at once gave us
plan that just suited our requirements.
We boys had become quite proficient
in the art of raising potatoes, and just
as proficient, if not little more so, in
learning that there was always a time
between crops when potatoes brought
a good price, and we had learned the
secret of having potatoes to SELF at
that particular time, consequently
people came to us for potatoes Father
suggested that we increase our acre
age of potatoes the coming year, and
if we manifested sufficient interest in
our undertaking, he would contribute
largely to the net proceeds of the pc,
tato crop and we would have some OF
those Red Polled cattle.
At the end of the year we had laid
up good snug sum, so began to write
for prices. No pure breds without de-
feet as to essentials could be had for
less than 5000, and from that up to
$500 to 81 900 per head. l.. F. Ross, OF
Iowa City finally consented to let us
have a two-year-old bull, not over
large. for $3.50 on board the cars at
his place, by name of Zeno 25S.
We bought him by letter and sent
the draft. must acknowledge that we
we're somewhat disappointed, although
he had not been misrepresented or
course the price we paid for him made
ourselves, as we'll as the bull, objects
of curiosity. and much comment in
the neighborhood. This spurred us on
not to suffer defeat. We crossed him
on grade Shorthorn cows. Every calf
was red and hOrnless. We did not cas-
trate the males, and before those
calves were hardly old enough for
service. these same neighbors who
laughed at us for buying the bull, were
giving us $4,000 apiece for those
calves, and we did not have enough to
go around.
We had our pay for Zeno the first
year. the bull just in his prime, and
several heifer calves besides we
didn't forget the potatoes but put in
heifer that had a black nose. For her
more than ever, and the next spring
bought what would be called Gull
we only paid $1OO, and with her fine
imported heifer, Eyebright End 4Ol5,
for $3.50. Then we were in need OF
bull to use on Zeno's calves. Father
went east the following May, visited
several of the best herds and selected
a calf six months old, for which ne
maid 1925 on board cars. This cali
was strong, mellow, growing thing,
of superb form, and proved the best
investment we ever made, for this was
the worlds champion, Iowa Dawson
10th 544, in 1893
In the meantime Eyebright End had
brought fine heifer calf. The FOL
lowing September the five head look
ed well. so we took them down to the
Nebraska state fair, and their snow
ing against two of the strongest nerds
of the United States, won two second
prizes, with the bull calf just bought
and the heifer calf. That was the only
second prize Iowa Dawson ever mad
to take. always after winning first and
sweepstakes. Our Red Polls hau
proven an excellent investment.
Our success at Lincoln ENCOURAGED
us. I. the junior member OF the flrm,
then known as VIM. Miller & Sons.
went to Iowa and bought enough TO
c+ronotban orr weak points, at the