266 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



THE CATTLE SECTION. 

 THE SHORTHORNS. 



Whether the exhibit of the red, white and roans excelled the climax- 

 capping show of last year on these grounds we decline to guess. 

 Numerically it rose to unheard of heights, and with its entries of 

 more than half a hundred in the senior bull and the senior heifer 

 classes, it set new marks in the exhibition of the beef cattle breeds. 

 Readily enough the breed carried the honors for average excellence — 

 a position it has not always held in Des Moines. Interest ran high, 

 as the futurity contests had enlarged entries materially, totalling 

 about one-third more than in the same calf classes last year. Barring 

 the inevitably ragged condition of the cow class, with calves at foot — 

 rather a high price to pay for insurance that a non-breeder does not 

 now and again win honors — few stones could be thrown with accurate 

 aim at the average character of the classes. A very few young bulls 

 of inferior merit gave variety to the exhibit, but on the whole it was 

 a smashing presentation of the excellencies of the breed, and for the 

 largest part submitted with finished herdsman skill. Exhibitors num- 

 bered 40 and the cattle in the stalls totaled 345. 



Five states besides Iowa contributed the pick of their herds, while 

 out in a big tent 3 Milking Shorthorns from The Otis Herd, Wil- 

 loughby, O., gave greater geographical scope to the display, although 

 they did not appear in competition. The American Shorthorn Breed- 

 ers' Association offered to duplicate any prizes offered for Milking 

 Shorthorns by state fairs. Iowa did not respond to the offer, but 

 Minnesota did, and these Ohio dairy Shorthorns stopped over at Des 

 Moines on their way to Hamline, and were subjected to no little ap- 

 proving inspection in a state which is prominent in the production of 

 both butter and milk, and which has ample room for a cow of dual 

 production. A. J. Ryden, Galesburg, 111., arranged the list in dis- 

 criminating fashion, and was quite willing that the usual differences 

 of estimate should prevail where merit was so palpably well-balanced 

 as in many classes. 



BULL CLASSES. 



The aged bull class had at its head the white Silver Knight, from 

 Illinois, which faced down 13 competitors. We say faced down be- 

 cause his fore-end excellence, particularly his spread and thick cover 

 of fore ribs, won him title. Marr's Avon has more scale and is a 

 bigger-middled bull and heavier ended, but his middle is a trifle too 

 big in its lower lines. Perhaps Sultan's Last verged somewhat on the 

 type more rugged than the average of the lot, but his wide and level 

 top were noticeable, if his rounds were less acceptable. The fine 

 character of Royal Silver won him recognition. On the average it 

 may be said that the two-year-olds were more notable than the aged 

 bulls.. A double quartette was handily enough headed by the roan 

 Choice Cumberland, son of Hopeful Cumberland. This Missouri bull 

 is of real championship stuff, end for end, meeting critical require- 

 (rier),tf5 in type, ^ni_ finish.. He had a wealthy fleshed bull to beat in. 



