SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART IV 311 



stock shown, but that real excellence was only to be found amongst 

 the prize winners, while a great mass of mediocrity was present to 

 swell the numbers to braggart proportions. In point of size, the num- 

 bers have not lessened, but the poorer stuff has gradually been elimi- 

 nated, until this year we are quite willing to risk the statement that 

 not ten per cent of the cattle shown could really be classed as other 

 than of excellent type and quality. America has afforded in the past 

 many bovine shows of remarkableness, but the opinion of all breeders 

 who were consulted concerning the 1916 Iowa State Fair exhibit, was 

 that no greater show ever has been known. This opinion applies par- 

 ticularly to the well-rounded character of the show throughout, but, 

 of course, does not apply specifically to the exhibit of every particular 

 breed. Bearing the above statement in mind, the highly gratifying 

 fact to lowans is that after all is said and done, the bulk of the show 

 was made up of Iowa cattle. 



SHORTHORNS. 



The last six months have been fraught with great interest to the 

 Shorthorn fraternity. History that will be of interest for generations 

 to come has been written in a brief space of months. One climax after 

 another has been recorded in the interest that has been taken in and 

 the prices that have been paid for Shorthorn cattle. But it seems that 

 the end is not yet. No greater event in Shorthorn circles has happened 

 during 1916 than the wonderful display of the great cosmopolitan breed 

 in Des Moines during the past week. The show v.'-as marvelous, both 

 in quality and in numbers as well. In the senior bull calf class, fifty- 

 two head were lined up for inspection, the largest class of Shorthorns 

 ever shown, so say the deans of the show ring. Scarce behind it was 

 the clas<5 of the same age for heifers, where forty-five were on hand. 

 Numbers, however, were not confined merely to the classes of young 

 things. Even in the aged bull class, thirteen head were out. It might 

 have seemed an unlucky omen that this number war. drawn for the 

 first class, but if lack of luck was thus ordained, luck itself is incom- 

 prehensible. The aged bull class was one that will long be remem- 

 bered, and its quality is suggested best not by an attempt to describe 

 or compare the winners, but by the simple statement that some of the 

 best bulls in the country, which hav-e hitherto been accounted great, 

 failed placing at all. Silver Knight, the winner, same to the top only 

 with difficulty, fending off Marr's Avon by the barest margin. Only 

 eight head were found in each of the two classes following, but the 

 senior yearlings were an especially toppy lot, with not a bad one in the 

 bunch. Village Supreme, the winner, is a youngster of magnificient 

 type, size and covering, with all his quality not to be denied. Violet's 

 Dale, the second bull, wants for little, but was lacking just a trifle in 

 the handling that v/as r.hown by the Bellows entry. The real fireworks 

 began with the junior yearlings, with Chief Champion finally coming 

 to the fore in a well-deserving fashion. Three bulls contended stren- 

 uously for the second honors, and Silver Brown finally secured the 

 position, but only in a questionable manner. Doth the Rapp and Hill 



