SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART IV 297 



than in past years and the competition closer. Oftentimes a few out- 

 standing individuals are shown in a class and the rest of the animals 

 are only mediocre. Such was decidedly not the case with the Guern- 

 sey show this year. There were outstanding individuals, but they were 

 backed by many strong animals who took the ribbons for second, third 

 and fourth places. Hayes' Cherub II, owned by W. W. Marsh, Water- 

 loo, Iowa, took the prize for grand champion bull. He is a clean-cut, 

 alert animal that has carried away many trophies before and now 

 heads a herd of Guernseys of which Mr. Marsh has every reason to be 

 proud. The grand champion cow, Hayes' "Wena IV, is also owned by 

 the Waterloo breeder, who, in addition, carried away the blue ribbons 

 for graded herd, breeder's calf herd, get of sire and produce of dam. 

 In these classes the other exhibitors furnished close competition, which 

 made the interest in them very keen. Flora's Memento, owned by 

 W. W. Marsh, was junior champion bull and Grees' May Rose, owned 

 by Jean Duluth Farm, Duluth, Minn., was champion heifer. Both 

 these animals showed good size and quality and excellent Guernsey 

 type. Those who were competent to compare the Guernsey show this 

 year with that of last year stated that it was superior in every respect 

 — the interest was keener, the animals showed more size and quality, 

 and classes were better filled. This progess over last year is certainly 

 encouraging to lovers of the Channel Island cattle. 



AYRSHIRES. 



A keener interest was shown in the Ayrshire cattle last week than in 

 any previous year at the Iowa State Fair. The entries were in fine 

 fix, making the entire exhibit a very attractive one. The quality of 

 the Ayrshires has improved much of late and in no year has this im- 

 provement been more marked than in the past one. All classes shown 

 were well filled and there were a number of individuals of special 

 merit. Mr. James Watson, Kansas City, Mo., judge of this breed, de-" 

 Glared that this section of the country was taking a greater interest 

 in Ayrshires and good herds were being built up. The result of this 

 development was plainly shown in the ring at Des Moines. 



BROWN SWISS. 



H. W. Ayers, of Honey Creek, Wis., and S. B. Hefty & Son, Ren- 

 wick, Iowa, furnished the complete showing of Brown Swiss cattle. 

 Ayers won all but two blues and one purple and the diploma as premier 

 exhibitor. 



HORSES. 



In spite of the 200,000 automobiles owned in Iowa, a large share 

 of which are owned by farmers, horses still hold their own in the 

 Hawkeye state. Anyone who is pessimistic about the future of the 

 horse business would certainly have received an inspiration at Des 

 Moines this fall. The show of horses was well balanced and fully up 

 to standard and in many places it showed above par. In the Amerl- 

 can-bred classes especially improvement was shown and the group 



