292 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



display of machinery as the Iowa fair, for in no other state are the 

 farmers and the citizens generally such good customers for the latest 

 improved devices and appliances. 



The days of rank overcharges, of ohscene shows on the Midway 

 and of discourtesy on the part of minor officials seems over at the 

 Iowa State Pair, for which relief much thanks. No instances of over- 

 charge were reported throughout the entire week, Des Moines res- 

 taurants and hotels maintaining their regular price scales and treat- 

 ing their state fair guests with the utmost consideration. The Mid- 

 way shows were free from all former objectionable features, and, 

 while none of them were really meritorious enough to warrant at- 

 tendance, fair crowds have come to think that such "amusement" is 

 a necessary part of the week's festivities and so separate themselves 

 from the necessary money with wonderful good nature. No Midway 

 adds a particle to the worth of any state fair, but so long as they are 

 free from smut and objectionable physical displays, they can be 

 tolerated, even if not enjoyed. 



BREEDING CATTLE. 



SHORTHORNS. 



It has become a slogan "If you are looking for Shorthorns, go to 

 Iowa." As an agricultural state Iowa is a winner. Shorthorns must 

 be good farmers' cattle if the show of Shorthorns brought out at Des 

 Moines this year is any proof of the pudding. Over 350 of the good 

 old cosmopolitan breed reported at the fair grounds and practically 

 all of them were led into the ring to be judged by Mr. A. J. Ryden, 

 of Abingdon, 111. He realized his work was cut out for him, but his 

 experience as a breeder and judge did not fail him and his decisions 

 were extremely popular in the face of the large numbers and the strong 

 competition which confronted him in many classes. The first real 

 good class brought before him was the two-year-old bulls which re- 

 vealed among its numbers a rich, dark roan bull, Choice Cumberland, 

 shown by Miller & Sons, of Missouri. The bull has an abundance of 

 Shorthorn character, is level, smooth, deep, wide and mellow and by 

 many was thought to be a fit candidate for grand championship 

 honors of the show. He had no great difficulty in capturing senior 

 championship honors, but was confronted by Bellows Bros.' senior 

 yearling bull, Village Supreme, the junior champion bull that car- 

 ried off the premier bull honors of the show. In the senior yearling 

 class this young bull was an outstander. He carries an abundance of 

 substance and thickness and looks like a wise selection for the Missouri 

 herd. The futurity classes were sensational. Fifty-one senior bull 

 calves and twenty-four junior bull calves were led into the ring and 

 the showing bore testimony to the value of the futurity stake and the 

 wisdom of the men who founded it. Naturally, in such a large num- 

 ber, quite a few tail-enders could be found, but they were vastly in 

 minority. The futurities are valuable in developing and bringing out 

 many young bulls that might never be heard from were it not for 



