Dear Dr. Purdy: There are a number of questions I have wanted to ask you and now I put them down on paper with the request that when you get the opportunity, you give me such answers as you can. I know this is an imposition, but in the past you have been so extremely kind in helping me out that I am presuming further on your friendship.
The questions are:
1. You remarked to me that when your bull was returned from Michigan State, you could probably breed one or two of our best heifers. I have tentatively hoped to select the Moles Hill Kirstie and the Mallardine heifer when the time comes. My question is: When do you expect the bull to come back to Penn State?1
2. You also mentioned that occasionally you sell off from your herd some of your good heifers, bred to your own bull. You said that when next you had any available to dispose of this way, you would make to me some kind of an offer. Under this heading I am curious about two points.
a. When do you think that you may have one or two that you will consider selling?
b. To what families will they probably belong?2
3. My next question involves exclusively the matter of families. Mr. Allen is setting about accumulating some fifteen or twenty more very good heifers to bring to the farm. The question is as to what are the best families to try to get hold of. In some instances, I am unsure from examination of our registration papers the exact name of the families to which our present cows belong.3
a. For example, is "Jilt" a family name or, as actually carried on one set of papers I have, is the family name a particular "Jilt"--for example, "Whitney Jilt?"
b. Is there a book that contains all family names?4
c. Can an individual start a family name just from the progeny of some particularly good producing cow?
d. If so, does he register that family name with the Angus Association?5
4. I told Mr. Allen that if any of the heifers he now plans to purchase are to be bred before being brought to the farm, he should look for a bull that features the Eileenmere, Bandolier and Bardolier blood lines, or any combination of these. At the moment I wouldn't know anything else to suggest. So my question is: What other blood lines would fit in well with this kind of combination?6
When you have read this far, you will be reminded of how little I really know about this whole Angus business, but at least I am trying to learn enough to be classed as a rank amateur.7
A week ago I visited the farm and of course the regular spring transformation has taken place. Everything looked splendid. The cattle seemed to be in particularly good condition. I am sincerely appreciative of your offer to be helpful and I apologize again for asking you to undertake the burden of answering all these questions.8
With warm personal regard, Sincerely
