St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1919-08-23

through its cooperative state agencies,
is preparing to supply livestock raisers
with printed information that tells in
popular language the best animal
breeding methods and the advantages
to be derived from their use. In adj
dition, the Department of Agriculture
is to furnish an official emblems, suit
able for display, to every farmer agree
ing to use only pure-bred sires and in
other ways to cooperate in the better
! livestock effort. To obtain the en-
! b1em a farmer or breeder will be ask
ed to fill out a simple blank showing
the number and kind of live stock he
possesses and also to declare that all
his male breeding animals are pure
breds. From the number and nature
of the blanks received the department
will be able to measure the progress
of the crusade, and at the same time
obtain vauable statistical information
which will be made public at suitable
intervals.
The betterment of the Nations live
stock is by no e a new idea. The
topic has been discussed at length
from public platforms and in the agri-
cultural press for many years. Agri-
cultural colleges, breeders associa-
tions, various livestock organizations,
banking and business interests, live
stock judges and experts-these and
other forces are responsible chiefly
for the progress already made and the
sentiment for further development.
Organization Of Campaign
A general coordination of the work
however, now seems desirable with a
minimum of red tape and a maximum
Of red blood. So far as the activities
of the Department Of Agriculture in
the crusade are concerned, the Bureau
of Animal Industry, in cooperation
with the state colleges Of agriculture,
will be responsible for livestock poll
cies, especially the breeding work and
scientific problems. The States Rela-
lions Service of the department will
work in cooperation with the colleges
of agriculture for carrying the plan of
action through the extension division
to every livestock wne who can be
reached. County agents and other
field workers of the department and
the colleges will be local sources of
information and assistance.
While it is believed that stockmen
of the country naturally look to agri-
cultural officials to i~naugurate a cru
SADIE of this kind, the problem prim-
arily is n of adequate production
and effective distribution. Respon-
sibility for success depends according
on breeders and all livestock owners.
Response to Will of People
For several months the department
has been making an analysis of i've
stock sentiment as expressed in the
farm press and in correspondence re-
ceived in its various offices. OF all
the topics discussed the need for a bet
ter quality of domestic animals has
been preeminent.
To make the crusade against scrub
live stock most elective the depart
ment welcomes constructive ideas and
suggestions from all sources. The
following classes of live stock are to
be included In the campaign for i'm
provement: Cattle, horses, asses,
swine, sheep, goats, and poultry.
Many ProbIems-None InsurmontabIe
In spite of the conspicuous merits of
the task about to be undertaken, there
are also a number of obstacles. 1t is
recognized that sentiment in favor of
pure-bred sires, while strong, is by no
means unanimous. To win the support
of those who, through lack of interest
OF opposition, fail to take their part in
the crusade against scrub live stock is
one of the problems to be met.
The cost of desirable pEre-bred sires
is another important factor which has
long been an obstacle to livestock i'm
provement. Cooperative ownership d.
vides the expense considerably, and
the increased value of the young stock
raised also helps to overcome that OBJ
lection, In addition the campaign is
expected to stimulate a greater pro-
duction of pure-bred breeding stock
of good quality.
The question of controlling the