Yesterday’s Cowpath

By Barb Lumley

The following is taken from the May 18, 1935 issue of the Holstein-Friesian World, “The Newspaper of the Breed”, Vol. XXXII No. 10. The Holstein-Friesian World was published at Lacona, New York every other Saturday, M. S. Prescott, Managing Editor and W. A. Prescott, Associate Editor.

The cover was a picture of Seattle, Washington, where the Golden Jubilee Convention would be held. This issue was called the Golden Jubilee Anniversary Number and featured information, ads, and articles for the 50th Golden Anniversary Convention to be held June 3-7, 1935 in Seattle and the Golden West. President of the Holstein-Friesian Association of America is A. J. Glover. Vice-President is Robert V. Ramussen.

An article, “The Golden Anniversary Convention” told of the forming of the Holstein-Friesian Association of America on May 25, 1885 at Buffalo, New York, following the union of two earlier organizations of the breed—the Holstein Breeders’ Association of America formed in 1872 and the Dutch Friesian Association of America formed in 1876. The program of events for the anniversary was listed. It mentioned that never before had the Association been in a position to accept the hospitality of the West Coast Breeders. Various amendments that were to be proposed and voted upon were listed and thoroughly explained.

“A Half Century of Progress” told the story of the first Holstein cow coming to America in 1872. It was a summary and stock-taking of the achievements of the breed and the events and milestones in the history of Holsteins. It told the history of the first 50 years, then continued with a short history of happenings in the breed each year. The article occupied several pages in the magazine. (I will be sharing this article with you in future Yesterday’s Cowpath columns).

An article titled “Seeing America First” said that holding the Golden Anniversary Convention in Seattle this year provides an unparalleled opportunity for Holstein breeders and their wives to see America First at reduced excursion fares and special free features during their stay at Seattle. Railroad schedules were listed and special through sleeping cars have been arranged and will carry eastern breeders to the convention. The article featured pictures and descriptions of special places to visit and sights to see. A special Yellowstone Park tour was arranged for convention go-ers who would be returning eastward. A page was devoted to the “Seattle Boat Trip” for those attending the convention, complete with a picture of the boat, the beautiful big motor ferry Chippewa of the Black Ball Line. They would be traveling from Seattle to the San Juan Islands on June 4th where an old fashioned clam bake would be held on some secluded beach.

The Annual Report of Advanced Registry Testing was given by H. W. Norton, Jr. In the beginning the records were private records of milk and churned butter. Then came the Babcock test and the present system of records supervised by the Colleges. The seven day record, which flourished for years, reached its high point in 1921 and then dropped off each year until it was discontinued in 1932. Yearly tests were approved in 1906 and the present ten months tests with calving requirements were started in 1918 and the Ten-Months and Yearly Divisions make up Advanced Registry today. During the year 2,588 Advanced Registry Certificates were issued. We find that 35,929 records of Holstein-Friesian cows and heifers of all ages tested in the Yearly Division to December 31, 1934 have averaged 16,787.1 lbs. milk, 3.41% fat and 572.1 lbs. fat. And 13,381 Ten-Months records averaged 14,030 lbs. milk, 3.39% fat and 475.7 lbs. fat. There were several top producers pictured. Femco Johanna Bess Fayne was pictured and was featured in a story about her twice producing 1,500 lbs. of fat.

A report on the Breeders’ Combination Sale held May 6, 1935 at Trenton New Jersey reported 91 head selling for an average of $218. 95. The top cow sold for $1,000 and the top bull sold for $300. Pietertje Ormsby Mercedes Ollie, a five year old cow due to freshen, sold to Harry Norris, of Wimbleton for $1,000 with Osborndale the runner-up bidder.

The page “News of The Trade” reported on numerous private sales of registered Holsteins from all over the United States. The various Holstein breeders reported on the buyers, their locations and the pedigrees, records and bloodlines of the animals sold.

The Chicago National Holstein Sale is scheduled for May 27-28, 1935 at the International Amphitheatre at Chicago, Illinois. There are numerous pages of ads and pictures of the animals consigned. The sale includes 25 herd sire prospects with several pictured. Numerous foundation female are pictured and selling. Holstein breeders were encouraged to stop at the sale on their way to the Golden Jubilee Convention.

A report on making reservations for the Yellowstone Park Tour was written by Allen N. Crissey, Eastern Extension Representative, Holstein-Friesian Association of America. He reported, “This tour has been arranged simply for the convenience of those who find it necessary to return eastward soon after the close of the convention and who wish to see this wonder spot of the world. The park, not usually open this time of year, will be opened especially for our party. Our party will leave Seattle via the Northern Pacific Railway at 8:30 p.m. on June 7th. The total cost, including lunches, will be $25.00, which should be mailed at once to Allen Crissey, Room 211, 360 Worthington St., Springfield, Mass., together with Pullman berth reservations from Seattle east to Chicago or other destinations. The cost of the berths from Seattle to Chicago are as follows: Lower berth $17.25; upper $13.80; compartments $49.00; drawing room $61.00”.

There was a full page listing of delegates to the convention from every state. Ohio was allowed five delegates: N. W. Lee, London; H. O. Fredrick, Ashtabula; W. W. Watson, Youngstown; Harry C. Smithers, Perrysburg; I. D. Hadley, Wooster. Alternates were: Clair I. Miller, Medina; Jas. A. Reynolds, Cleveland; W. L. Biddle, Wauseon; Paul McNish, Burton; Robt. M. Montgomery, Canfield.

The back cover featured the ad from Elmwood Farms, Deerfield, Illinois. They advertised “Two Outstanding Bessie Bulls”, pictured and consigned to the Chicago National Sale and showing their sires and dams pedigrees. They were also sending two great foundation cows and two beautiful heifers. They also invited people to come to the sale and their Field Day on Friday, May 31, during the convention train’s stopover.