The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1916-10-13
FARMERS OBSERVATION TOUR

Following up my recent article on
the Farmers Observation Tour.-We
found that the trip had been specially
arranged for the study of dairy cattle
and the different phases of the dairy
industry We found, however, even
in the heart Of the Wisconsin dairy
district, some good herds of beef type
cattle and by taking few side trips,
those of US, particularly those from
Southwest Louisiana, who were most
interested in this type of stock, found
ample opportunity to study these
herds and get great deal of first
hand information. Further west,
through Iowa, however, we found the
percentage of beef strains increasing.
At Waterloo and Waverly where some
of the finest strains of dairy cattle in
the world are to be found, may also
be seen some splendid herds of Angus
and Shorthorns. We made several
side trips while en- route through Iowa
prominently among them being visits
to the Angus herds of Harvey Hess
of Waterloo, Fischer G. Ryan of Erwin,
the Herefords of G. W. Bates and the
Shorthorns of Gershen Bros. Two
fine young bulls were purchased by
two of our party from Mr.. Hess at
price Of $3.50 for 9 months old calves.
This younger stock was selected be-
cause of the danger to shipments of
mature stock, which rarely ever sur
wives the tick fever here. This is a
great argument in favor of tick Grad
ication and emphasizes the Importance
of expediting this work. The time is
not far distant when we shall want to
use mature sires of the best breed
ing-in fact we could use them now,
but dare not bring them down here
until the tick has been destroyed.
Some Of the best herds of both dairy
and beef type cattle of that country
have beer built up by breeding high
grade sires to the native cattle and
the use of thoroughbred sires upon the
grades, from which have come many
of the fine beef type herds of the
northwest. The livestock show at the
state fair at Des Moines was a reve-
lation to US, there being nearly 3d.
100000 worth of livestock on exhibi-
ton. This is one of the three big
state fairs Of the U. S., being in the
class with Illinois and Minnesota. One
day was not enough time to see this
| fair as it should have been seen, but as
this was all the time at our disposal
! we endeavored to get the most COM
! prehensive idea of it in the short time
allotted A fine demonstration in the
! influence of good sires was on exhi.
bition at the stock barns. Two COWS
taken from herd Of Arkansas scrubs
ten years ago had been bred to gooC
bulls--the daughters and CRANE
daughters to high class sires with thu
result that the fourth generation il
producing record stock.
This is precisely the course we vii
need to pursue here in Louisiana. Ou
native stock is a very hardy lot, be
ing the outcome Of the survival Of tn,
fittest, and with good grade sires t.
begin with, for pedigreed stock is to,
high for the average farmer to bu,
to breed onto his crude stock, then
the high class sires from the north
, west, once a herd of good grades hav
been established. In this connection
/ I expect to go to southwest Texa
, about the 18th for a car lead of full
blood beef type bulls (not registered
t for farmers who are already interest
]. ed in grading up their herds. Thi
/ car will consist of Angus, ShorthornS
Herefords and Red Polled, every ami
} NAL representing the head of her
here in JEFF. Davis parish. Thos
wanting bred bulls may get in on thi
, car by writing me at Jennings With
/ the next ten days. H. c. F0NDREN
: Ask for Automobile Votes wit
/. i - T-..-~v.s