The Meeker herald., 1919-09-06

to be derived from their use. In addi-
ton the department of agriculture Is
to furnish an official emblem. suitable
for display, to every farmer agreeing
to use only purebred sires and In other
ways to cooperate In the better live
stock effort. To obtain the emblem
farmer or breeder will be asked to
fill out simple blank showing the
number and kind Of live stock he pos
sesses and also to declare that NIL his
male breeding animals are purebreds.
From the number and nature Of the
blanks received the department will be
able to measure the progress OF the
crusade. and Mt the same time obtain
valuable statistical information which
will be made public Mt suitable inter
walls.
The betterment Of the nations live
stock Is by no means a new idea. The
topic has been discussed ut length
from public platforms and In the ag-
ricultural press for many years. As-
ricultural colleges, breeders associa-
lions, various live stock 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
q minimum Of red tape and maxi
mum Of red blood. SO far as the ac-
tivities Of the department of agricul-
turc In the crusade ara concerned. the
bureau Of animal industry. In co-opera-
tion with the state colleges Of agricul-
ture, win be responsible for live stock
policies, especially the breeding work
and scientific problems. The states
relations service Of the department
viii work in cooperation with the col.
leges Of agriculture for carrying the
plan of action through the extension
divisions to every live stock owner
who can be reached. County agents
and other field workers Of the depart
ment and the colleges will he local
sources Of information and assistance.
| While 1t Is believed that stockmen
Of the country naturally look to agrt-
cultural oficiais to inaugurate = cru
SADIE Of this kind. the problem pri-
marily IL one Of adequate production
and effective distribution. Responsi-
bility for success depends accordingly
on breeders and all live stock owners.
Rsspenss - VIII Of People.
For several months the department
has been making an analysis Of live
stock sentiment as expressed In the
farm press and In correspondence re-
ceiyed in It's various olices. OF all
the topics discussed the need for .
better quality Of domestic animals has
been pre-eminent.
To make the crusade against scrub
live stock most effective the depart
mept welcomes constructive Ideas and
suggestions from all sources. The fol-
lowing classes Of live stock are to be
Included in the campaign for improve
ment: Cattle. horses. asses. swine.
sheep. goats, and poultry.
In spite Of the conspicuous merits
Of the task about to be undertaken.
there are also q number Of obstacles.
It il recognized that sentiment In IA
vor Of purebred sires, while strong. IL
By NO means unanimous. To win the
support Of those who. through lack OF
Interest or opposition. fall to take
their part In the crusade against scrub
live stock IL one Of the problems to
be met.
The cost Of desirable. purebred sires
Is another important factor which has
long been an obstacle to live stock Inn
provement. Cooperative ownership
divides the expense considerably, and
the increased value Of the young stock
raised also helps to overcome that OBJ
lection. In addition the campaign II
expected to stimulate greater pro-
ductton Of purebred breeding stock Of
good quality.
|