TWENTIETH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART II 89 



THE CATTLE. 



More than 1,000 cattle were on exhibition. Shorthorns led, with 200 

 individuals, followed by 156 baby beeves; Herefords, 153; Holstein- 

 Friesians ,134; Aberdeen-Angus, 92; Red Polls, 66; Jerseys, 53; Guernseys, 

 51; Brown Swiss, 49; Ayrshires, 31; Milking Shorthorns, 17, and Polled 

 Shorthorns, 11. For the first time in nearly ten years no Galloways were 

 shown. More than half of the exhibitors were new to the fair, due to the 

 amateur classes and the large number of boys and girls showing in the 

 steer rings, while nearly half of the remainder were men now emerging 

 from a restricted field of operations into that of larger breeders. Although 

 we missed the faces of many old-timers, yet the challenge of the new was 

 an inspiration. 



In some respects the cattle show was an overflow. The old barns, vet- 

 erans of some quarter of a century, at last have reached their limit, and 

 some of the Red Poll entries were forced to seek temporary shelter in the 

 horse barns. But next year will see a substantial new cattle barn. Con- 

 sonant with the Iowa fair's motto of "comfort for each exhibitor," there 

 will be erected on the site of the old barns a modern structure capable of 

 housing between 1,600 and 1,700 show animals. The legislature appro- 

 priated $100,000 for it. First-class sleeping quarters for herdsmen will be 

 provided overhead, and two modern concrete wash racks and a capacious 

 salering will be included. The superintendent will be provided with new 

 and comfortable quarters, replacing the two little booths in the judging 

 pavilion that have served many years. Cattle exhibitors next year will en- 

 joy the best of accommodations. 



As an additional encouragement to Iowa breeders, the cattle depart- 

 ment this year offered cash awards in each of the major breeds for lowans 

 who had never before exhibited at the state fair — $500 in each breed. 

 Twenty-one new Shorthorn breeders exhibited, four new Hereford breeders, 

 seven new Aberdeen-Angus breeders, three new Holstein-Friesian breeders, 

 two new Jersey breeders, and one new Guernsey breeder. Some excellent 

 entries were brought out. 



THE HORSE DEPARTMENT. 



Horses made as good an all-around exhibition at the 1919 Iowa State 

 Fair as ever was seen at Des Moines. Aged classes have been larger in 

 times past but they seldom were stronger. In the younger classes num- 

 bers were generous and the merit was of a high order. It was distinctly 

 a breeders' show and accordingly attracted the best young things which 

 American talent can produce. The show proved beyond a doubt that 

 many breeders look forward with confidence to improved conditions and 

 higher prices. They are ready with animals to offer as fast as demand 

 develops. , 



Talk at the ringside dwelt upon the increasing Inquiry for good mares 

 and fillies of all four of the draft breeds as the fall season draws near. 

 Concrete evidence of this was seen in the sale at the fair of a Belgian filly 

 foal for $1,500 before the ribbons were tied. That is not an extravagant 

 figure measured by the thousands of dollars paid recently for single boars. 



