TWENTIETH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART II 99 



herds were out for the first time. This is one of the most gratifying 

 of the many gratifying things about this year's show, for the newcomers 

 gave the veterans stiff competition all the way, and even won some grand 

 championships. 



The swine show, with a record list of entries, attracted large crowds 

 at all times, making such a large overflow into the ring as to make the 

 judging extremely difficult. The ringside crowds in the big live stock 

 pavilion were also large, and would have hindered the work of the judges 

 were it not for the precautions taken by the fair officials. Seats in the 

 pavilion were at a premium, this being an excellent demonstration of the 

 widespread general interest taken in the live stock business at this time. 

 Interest seemed to be quite evenly divided among the various breeds, the 

 cattle drawing perhaps the largest crowd, even though they were placed in 

 the afternoons when they had to compete with the races. 



The spectators were agreeably surprised by the excellence of the horse 

 show, it being generally excepted by many people that this department 

 would be weak. Although there have been larger horse shows at this fair, 

 there has never been a better one. The big Iowa breeders were out in 

 force, and in addition there were lowans who are new in the show ring, and 

 some strong studs from Illinois. The strength of the Belgian exhibit was 

 the feature of the show, and showed the increasing popularity of this 

 breed. 



Everything combined to make the show a success. The rapidity with 

 which the judges made their decisions is shown by the fact that the judg- 

 ing was completed by Thursday evening. Satisfaction with the work of 

 the judges was practically universal. They knew the type desired and ad- 

 hered to it. The prize money was well distributed, the competition being 

 so keen that no one firm had a monopoly on the ribbons, and every com- 

 petitor received some incentive to return. And, lastly, the interest of the 

 public in the work of the breeders was so great that one could not but 

 realize that the farmers of the state know of the imiprovement being 

 wrought thru the efforts of the breeders and are grateful. 



THE BEEF CATTLE SHOW. 



The show of beef breeds was particu^larly strong, drawing good crowds 

 and having a considerably greater number of entries than the dairy 

 breeds. The Shorthorns made the strongest showing in numbers, having 

 200 cattle on the grounds, as compared with 153 for the Herefords and 92 

 for the Angus. The Angus and Herefords had more really outstanding 

 animals in the show than the Shorthorns, however, and in this respect 

 were stronger. The Herefords made a flashy show, with many of the 

 most noted herds in the country represented. It was not as strong an 

 Iowa show as the other breeds made, however, and for this reason did 

 not attract as much general Interest. 



IOWA AMATEUR STOCK SHOW. 



In order to increase the interest in the breeding and showing of pure- 

 bred live stock, the fair association this year instituted the amateur 

 classes. These classes were open only to those men who have never shown 

 before, either at the Iowa fair or a national show. The results showed 



