PROCEEDINGS STATE AGRICULTURAL CONVENTION 123 



her I wasn't going next year. And I don't believe I'd dare to even hint 

 such a thing before the youngsters, for they enjoyed everything there, 

 from the time we got inside the gate to the time we came away. I almost 

 forgot to tell you how interested they were in boys' and girls' work over 

 the state as exhibited at the fair. 

 Give my love to all the folks. 



YOUR COUSIN JOSHUA. 



THE CATTLE SHOW 



Iowa may well be proud of her 1922 cattle show. Unfavorable traffic 

 conditions failed to deter the exhibitors who had made entries, and 

 although many herds arrived late, the opening of the judging on Monday 

 found the largest and best balanced display of bovine excellence that has 

 ever graced the Iowa State Fair barns. Shorthorns, Herefords and 

 Aberdeen Angus were out in numbers equal or superior to previous high 

 marks. Polled Shorthorns and Red Polls made as creditable a show of 

 these breeds as has ever been seen at Des Moines. Especially gratifying 

 was the increased numbers and improved quality of the 1922 dairy cattle 

 exhibit, as contrasted with that of last year. Holsteins, Jerseys and 

 Guernseys each helped to raise the standard where it belongs. The 

 show of Ayrshires, Milking Shorthorns and Galloways was lighter than 

 has been seen in some years. A notable feature of the cattle competition 

 was that the animals, as a whole, were more skillfully fitted than has fre- 

 quently been the case in past years. There were but few animals that 

 lacked noticeably in condition and at the same time there were hardly 

 any that had been overfitted. Prom the standpoint of the state the most 

 satisfactory feature of the show was that it was predominantly Iowan in 

 make-up. 



THE HORSE SHOW 



Iowa may justly be proud of the draft horse exhibition at the 1922 fair, 

 since there were but two exhibitors from without the state. A few of the 

 larger breeders were represented, but the show in the main was provided 

 by breeders who showed from one to five or six animals. The actual 

 number of exhibitors showing draft horses was 106, which exceeds the 

 numbers for recent years, while the number of horses present was less 

 than last year. A number of new breeders figured prominently in the 

 prize lists. From almost every angle, the 1922 show was considered as 

 the most significant yet held with respect to the advancement of horse 

 breeding in Iowa. Draft horse exhibits were reduced to some extent 

 by the failure of certain entries to arrive, due to bad railroad conditions. 

 The show of light horses was exceptionally good. Experts declared that 

 a better collection of saddle horses was never assembled at Des Moines. 

 The night horse shows delighted every admirer of horseflesh. Exhibits 

 in the pony section were also highly satisfactory. 



THE SWINE SHOW 



It would hardly seem like the Iowa State Fair, unless a big show of 

 hogs was in evidence. This year, despite unfavorable shipping conditions, 



