90 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



bulls and cows, but it Indicates confidence in the money-making future of 

 pedigree horses. 



The horse show gained something In numbers no doubt as well as in ex- 

 cellence and popular interest as compared with other fairs by reason of the 

 eight futurity classes for yearlings. Year by year it seems that these 

 groups are composed of just a little stronger material as compared with 

 earlier shows. Great progress has been made since the first futurity event 

 several years ago. The whole of Tuesday morning was given over' to 

 judging the two futurities of each breed. 



The custom of recent origin here was followed in judging all of the 

 classes as scheduled in a published program giving the hour for each event. 

 No class callers scoured the barns. Leaders brought in their animals at 

 the hour indicated. The plan also proves a great convenience to fair 

 visitors, because one can see just the classes he is most Interested in 

 without waiting around for fear they will be judged unexpectedly while 

 he is looking at something else. 



Another idea which some of the other large fairs might copy with 

 benefit is that of having a separate judge for each of the four draft 

 breeds. The confidence of exhibitors is secured thereby and the awards 

 are likely to be made more consistently. It is impossible for a single judge 

 to do such good work upon all four of the breeds as he does upon the one 

 with which he is especially familiar. 



A conspicuous condition In the horse classes was the superior shape and 

 quality of legs and feet and the mechanical correctness of action. These 

 features are fast becoming established as staple characteristics of Amer- 

 ican draft horses of whatever breed. This fact is a credit to the prompt- 

 ness with which breeders have grasped the showring lessons of recent 

 years. 



THE SWINE SHOW. 



The fair reached a new climax in a series of hog exhibitions extending 

 over the sixty-five years of its history. Never before have the pens been 

 so crowded and tent space so well utilized. Approximately 3,200 head 

 were on the grounds The numerical strength of the younger ages of the 

 more popular breeds completely overtaxed the space available in the judg- 

 ing pavilion. Added to this was a capacity crowd each day, absorbed in 

 the judging, and overflowing the alleys. The judges worked under adverse 

 conditions, which, in justice to future adjudicators, should be corrected. 

 The exhibitors, largely from within the boundaries of Iowa, had competition 

 with a few herds from neighboring states, but it was chiefly an Iowa show. 

 Public Interest in the breeds has never been so keen. High pork prices 

 have had much to do in adding new men to the purebred ranks. Sales 

 were numerous, and in some cases at exceptionally long prices. Ten 

 thousand dollar hogs have ceased to create sensations, and at least one 

 sale at that price was reported. While the consumer is cc^mplaining of 

 the cost of breakfast bacon, this factor is working constantly to improve 

 the kind of hogs produced. Good barrows are more profitable than 

 mediocre boars. Feed and labor are not cheap; accordingly the growing 



