128 



Missouri Agricultural Report. 



First, second and third prize iiams. 



held in Columbia, Mo., under the auspices of the Missouri State 

 Board of Agriculture during Farmers' Week, January 12-16, 

 1914, beg leave to report as follows: 



"After carefully inquiring into the merits of the various 

 entries, making careful examination of same following the 

 cutting of the rneat, and, in some instances, the cooking of 

 parts, and passing upon these entries as to shape, size, flavor, 

 texture, taste, odor and general desirability to meet the demands 

 of the purchasing public, we made the awards as follows: On 

 hams, No. 5 was awarded first place and the premium of $25; 

 No. 4, second place, $15; No. 22, third place, $10. After the 

 awards had been made and the decisions finally reached refer- 

 ence was made to the books, when it was ascertained that ham 

 No. 5 was owned by W. H. Thomson, R. F. D. 10, Columbia; 

 No. 4 by J. E. Ballenger, R. F. D. 4, Columbia, and No. 22 by 

 H. G. Windsor, Boonville. 



"It was a very difficult task to judge the many excellent 

 hams exhibited at the show. Many were so nearly alike in 

 flavor that it was almost impossible to detect a difference. In 

 order to decide we had to reject many excellent hams, some on 

 account of being improperly trimmed, some on account of being 

 too fat, others for not being cured enough. We especially desire 

 to commend ham No. 18, entered by James Bachler, Frederick- 

 tovv^n, for the amount of good meat, good color, nice trimming 



