348 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



After the cow demonstration was completed, the ring was made 

 larger or when the weather would permit all of the animals were 

 led into the streets, and the judging of the various classes begun. 

 The animals were then placed by the judge with regard to their 

 dairy qualities after which each was gone over carefully and its 

 desirable and undesirable points explained. 



The Community Dairy Shows made it possible to reach the man 

 milking a few cows and point out to him by the use of a member of 

 his own herd the difference between the profitable and the unprof- 

 itable cow. It was explained to him on his own basis, and he was 

 encouraged to determine further the real, value of his herd by 

 weighing and testing the milk. Considerable friendly rivalry was 

 created among the exhibitors which will undoubtedly lead in many 

 instances to better fed and care in the average herd of milk cows. 



SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND CONTESTS. 



At all the meetings promoted by the Association itself school 

 programs were held. In many instances the rural schools were 

 dismissed and the students attended the assembly meetings which 

 vvere held in the largest town school house. At these, general lec- 

 tures on the importance of agricultural training with special refer- 

 ence to dairying were given. 



At the completion of the lectures at the high school, the students 

 accompanied by the instructors, were taken to the barn where 

 the cattle for the community dairy shows were kept, and instruction 

 given in judging. The cow demonstration was given first to ex- 

 plain the characteristics of the correct type of dairy cow. Then 

 the boys and girls were supplied with directions and all required 

 to compare the class of animals brought before them. After in- 

 specting the animals for twenty minutes, the students wrote their 

 placing together with the reasons for same on the direction sheet 

 and these were handed to the lecturer in charge. Discussions were 

 then held and all questions answered. 



The business men at the various towns gave prizes for the boys 

 and girls who excelled in judging. The students generally were 

 very much interested in the work and expressed a desire to study 

 their agricultural work in school in a similar way. During the 

 winter of 1915-16 nearly 5,000 boys and girls were reached in this 

 manner. 



