The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1918-11-27
WHY SCOTCH sHoRTHoRNs?

the Iowa Homestead and, while it con-
Germs the selection of Shorthorn foun-
dation stock mostly, there is much in
the article that will apply with equal
force to all livestock. 1t is we'll worth
your time to read it. -. ........ ..
1. When the average farmer decides
to buy a few pure bred females and a
registered sire, with view Of found
ing pure bred herd of cattle, hogs,
or sheep, he usually knows very little
about the breed he selects, and as a
result often makes q mistake in the
selection of his foundation animals.
I In the case of cattle, it is a good idea
for the inexperienced breeder to start
with two or three females, SO that he
may learn how to feed and handle
them before his herd becomes large.
Then any mistakes that he may make
in the beginning will be relatively in
expensive. Our attention has again
been called to this matter by the fol-
lowing letter, received from a Wood
ford county, Illinois, subscriber: .
II have decided to buy some regis
tered Shorthorns in the near future
and wish you would tell me something
about the value of Scotch breeding
concerning which l hear so much talk
How many top crosses OF pure Scotch
blood on a plain Shorthorn COW are
required to get a pure Scotch animal?
why are the Scotch families consider
ed better than the so-called American
bred families?" s Is
AS a general proposition, pure
Scotch Shorthorns are better beef
cattle than those of so-called plain
breeding. However, one can find many
plain breds that are individually just
as good as pure Scotch animals. Up
to 1880, the Bates Shorthorns were
the most popular strains in this coun-
try, but since then, the Cruickshank
or Scotch families have been gaining
in popularity, and are now more pop
! ular than ever. Given two animals
Of equal merit, one with a Scotch and
the other with plain pedigree, and
the former will bring from two to
three times as much in the sale ring
as the latter, for the simple reason
that Scotch cattle are more in favor.
A plain Shorthorn may be just as
good beast from the butchers
standpoint, as one with a Scotch ped
igree, but it, will not bring as much
for breeding purposes. 4g
Y, The man who wishes to start
Shorthorn herd should first get ac-
auainted with the various families OF
the breed, as we'll as the leading bulls
of the past five or ten years, by talk
ing with men who have been in the
Y business for some time, and are well
posted on the differectt lines OF breed
ing. He. should attend d. livestock
shows and study the cattle on exhibit
ton, in connection with their pedigree.
& He should send for catalogues OF
breeders who are holding sales, and
I note the prices the different animals
sell for, and thus thoroughly familiar
1 fze himself with the business.
II it is impracticable to obtain this
information before purchasing foun-
dalton animals, then go to reliable
! breeder and ask his advice about
what line Of breeding to begin with.
I Better buy two animals OF popular
families than twice that many OF ram
lilies for which there is a poor demand:
A. Under present conditions. you will
never get a pure Scotch herd of Short
horns by starting with plain bred
cows, no matter how many top cross
es Of Scotch blood you may use. This
method of breeding will give you
nothing but a Scotch topped herd. TO
get pure Scotch herd, you must
start with pure Scotch females and
Scotch sire.
.f Scotch families are more popular,
J because as rule the animals more
! nearly approach what is now consid'
cred as the ideal Shorthorn type.
They are short legged, broad, thick
fleshed, with a well sprung rib and a
good middle.
Storm Lake Pilot-Tribune: George
! M Wagner had twenty acres of pop
corn this year and he got fine yield.
1T is believed that under present mar
net conditions he could get better
( than S125 per acre for his crop and
he proposes to hold it for d higher
market. Another nearby farmer who
has popcorn is Fred linn who has
eighteen acres and he believes he will
beat $3.50 per acre with it. 1t is be-
lieyed that there will be considerable
popcorn raised in this county next
season and if it is to be this profitable
there is certainly no good reason for
not raising it. W. E. Gaffey is mighty
proud of the fine Chester White boar
which he bought at the Hans Smith
sale last week. Will paid $50 for
the pig and believes that he got one
of the best bargains of his life as he
believes the animal has few equals
and no superiors in the breed, He
(. has about everything one looks for
when he wants herd header and Will
lis convinced that he will be a wonder
worker. Mr.. Smith had refused to
sell the pig at private sale several
times In fact Mr.. Gaffey tried to buy
him at the time of the Alta fair.
81 Right now, it is claimed, there
less of hog cholera in Iowa
and the United States than for thirty
five years. 1t is not often that the
well hog is victim to the trouble. A
hog afflicted with worms, lice( have
its constitution run down by contine-
ment in dirty pens, etc, is then
s q shining mark for the cholera germ.
With hogs selling at price they have
the past year, or much cheaper for
that matter, no farmer can afford to