as
there was half a century ago. A gang has recently been operating in
Kent, Essex, and Surrey quite extensively. The thieves are no respecters
of breeds, taking hunters, cart horses and carriage horses with equal
boldness. Arrests are becoming frequent, and it seems likely the gang
will soon be broken up.

HERD BOOKS AND RECORDS.

The following addresses may be of use to many readers of THE PRAIRIE
FARMER who may wish to record stock or purchase books:

American Short-horn Herd Book--W. T. Bailey, Secretary, 27 Montauk
block, Chicago, Ill.

National Register of Norman Horses--T. Butterworth, Secretary, Quincy,
Ill.

American Clydesdale Stud Book--Charles F. Mills, Secretary, Springfield,
Ill.

American Hereford Record--Breeders' Live Stock Association, Beecher,
Ill.

Holstein Herd Book--Thos. B. Wales, Secretary, Iowa City, Iowa.

Herd Register--American Jersey Cattle Club, Geo. E. Waring, Secretary,
Newport, R. I.

American Poland-China Record--John Gilmore, Secretary, Vinton, Iowa.

Central Poland-China Record, Mr. Morris, Secretary, Indianapolis, Ind.

COMPETING FOR SWEEPSTAKE PRIZES.

Our readers will remember that we last week made mention of a change in
the sweepstakes rings at the next Illinois State Fair. This was a slight
error. The change was made with reference to the Fat Stock Show. In this
connection we present the argument of Hon. John P. Reynolds, on the
subject before the board and which governed the board in its action.

THE ARGUMENT.

_To the State Board of Agriculture._

GENTLEMEN.--The undersigned, Superintendent of class A., respectfully
submits the following report for the past year, including the fair in
September, and the Fat Stock Show in November.

THE FAIR.

It was perfectly apparent to any one familiar with the displays of
previous years in this department, that the breeding of fine cattle in
this country is, at the present time, attracting the attention and
commanding the best and most intelligent care of not alone the farmers
who have been bred to their avocation, but of capitalists, who
comprehend the great money values involved, and who either of themselves
or through their sons have set out to identify themselves with this
great interest. As the result of the fact the display of cattle was more
varied as to breeds and greater as to number, if not superior as to
quality, than at any fair, while the visitors in attendance seeking to
purchase and st