The pioneer of short-horn cattle-raising in this county was undoubtedly John Whitsitt, of Preemption. He was a typical stockman, who added to his interest in this line a thorough business manner in conducting everything in connection with his farm. His annual sales up to the time of his death, and the large profits realized, gave him prominence all over the country as a successful breeder of this class of cattle. He was succeeded in this business by his sons, Benjamin and Richard H. Whitsitt The former has, at this time, one of the finest herds of purebreed shorthorns to be found in any breeding districts of the State.

Among others who succeeded, to some ex­ tent, in the same line, were William H. Riggs, J. E. Harroun, James Feather, John Greenwood, J. H. Lafferty, William Lafferty, Isaiah Brown, 0. A. Bridgford, A. P. Petrie and A. J. Streeter. The herds of these gentlemen were well known, and their annual sales attracted stockmen from all sections of the country. The results of their careful breeding is seen in the herds of fine blooded animals on the farms of the prosper­ ous stockmen. The successful short-horn breeders of the present day include such names as Benjamin Whitsitt, of Preemption; Porter Carnahan, of Green; William Kiddoo, of Mil­ lersburg; Brown Brothers and C. E. Bentley, of Mercer.

Among those who have taken an interest in the improvement of the Aberdeen-Angus stock are 0. A. Bridgford, of Millersburg; Laon Mc­Whorter, of Mercer; Candor Brothers, of Ohio Grove; C. A. Bopes, of Perryton; Joshua Cabeen and T. E. Cabeen. of Abington; George E. Thornton, of Millersburg; Ed. Castle, of Dun­ can; W. W. Robbins, George Aikr .n. R. C. and W. R. McClelland and Thomas Kiddoo. That success has crowned the efforts of these gentle­ men is shown by the demand for choice animals in this line from stockmen seeking the improvement of their herds. As a consequence there has come to the Aberdeen-Angus breeders of Mercer a demand for heads of herds from all sections. Mr. Laon McWhorter is probably the largest breeder in this line in the county and has been at great expense in keeping his herd up to the standard, and in order to do so has purchased the finest one and two-year old bulls to be found in the country, paying for them a higher price than has been paid by any other breeder of the Aberdeen-Angus.

Many efforts have been made to find a substitute for the magnificent robes once supplied by the now extinct buffalo, but nothing has given better satisfaction than the hide of the Aberdeen-Angus. While the hair is not so long as that of the buffalo, the specimens tanned for this purpose have proved very desirable, and they are destined to become popular.

Another farming interest that has developed in the past twenty-five years is the breeding of blooded hogs. The Poland-China seems to have the preference among breeders. Those who have given this particular breed their undivid­ed attention are: M. F. Starling, of Perryton; Henry Huffman, of Millersburg; John Dool, and J. Milton Nesbit, of Mercer, and William Val­entine., of Millersburg. This breed has not only been in great demand by the farmers of the county, but many choice animals have been sent to other States, one fine specimen having been sent to Montana by Mr. Nesbit.

The Chester-White hog has received some attention from a few breeders in the county, although not as generally raised as the Poland- China. This breed is of rapid growth, and develops for market in a short time. Those taking the greatest interest in Chester-Whites are 0. N. Phillips, of Perryton, and A. C. Greer, of Abington. From them can be secured anything needed by farmers in this line.

Without doubt Robert Holloway, of Suez Township, has been the leading breeder of Clydesdale horses in America, as attested by the many fine specimens he has imported, and which have been exhibited at our State and County Fairs. Some of his stock has been exported to Scotland. The blue ribbon always found attached to the heads of his stallions and mares have given him a world-wide reputation as the king among the breeders of Clydesdales.

Another breeder of fine horses is Albert Zwicker, of Preemption Township, his specialty being the Englishshire horse a fine specimen adapted for heavy work. He is improving this special breed and good animals can be had from him at any time. In fact, no county in the State can make a better showing in horses than Mercer.

The breeding of sheep is another occupation to which a few of our farmers have given special attention, but not on so large a scale as that of cattle, horses and hogs. C. A. Bopes, of Perryton, and C. E. Bentley, of Mercer, are the principal breeders in this line, their grade being the Shropshire, of which they have some equal to the very best. A visit to either of these gentlemen by contemplating purchasers, will satisfy them that our county can furnish the best in this line.