TENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART XI 663 



areua was kept cleared of spectators. The favored few admitted through 

 the gates were confined closely between lines of chains stretched through 

 the center, so that at no time did the work of the judges suffer interfer- 

 ence. Even press reporters were restricted so closely to the lines that a 

 detailed report of the prize v>inners would be impossible. After the rib- 

 bons were awarded those in the arena v/ere allowed a brief examination 

 of the winners. The improvement over the former congested condition 

 while the judges are at work was marked. 



In the matter of judges, Iowa sets an example worthy of emulation. 

 The members of the board have no political debts to pay in the selection 

 of judges. Friends and neighbors are not given a free visit to the fairs. 

 The aim is to select men wholly able and experienced, and the field is not 

 limited to the borders of the state. Three of the judges this year were 

 drawn from Ontario — one in the beef cattle section, one in the sheep and 

 one in the horses. It is refreshing to find a free hand in choosing judges, 

 and a personal knowledge on the part of superintendents of men qualified 

 for the responsibilities of the position. 



THE BEEF C.VTTI.E DIVISIOX. 



Interest was unflagging in this section. Numerically strong for the 

 most part, it showed its spots of weakness in some breeds, but animals 

 of unsurpassed strength were present in nearly every breed. The arena 

 was kept full at all times; indeed, the beef cattle encroached somewhat 

 on the side allotted to the dairy cattle, and so large were the entries of 

 the "milkers" at this fair that the arena was rather crowded at times. 

 This year marks the retirement of ex-Gov. S. B. Packard from the super- 

 intendency of the beef breeds, a position he has occupied for years with 

 signal satisfaction to all parties in interest. Iowa loses Gov. Packard 

 to the Pacific coast. Last May he removed to Seattle, but returned to 

 round out his year's work at the fair. His executive ability, his breadth 

 of view, his eminent fairness and his close personal touch with his de- 

 partment have won him place among the fair superintendents whose work 

 lives in grateful memory. 



THE SIIORTIIOKXS. 



With eleven herds, lined up for adjudication at the close of the showing, 

 it cannot be said that the breed was behind its average in numerical 

 strength. The classes restricted to Iowa entries bring out a full showing-, 

 although it is not to be expected that these contributions as a whole will 

 average up in character with the specially fitted herds v.hich make the cir- 

 cuits. 



The acceptable work of Capt. T. E. Robson, London, Out., at the fair 

 of last year resulted in his return to the judge's box, and his decisions 

 as usual commanded respect as emanating from a discriminating and sea- 

 soned judgment. It cannot be said that he had the easiest of times, for 

 some classes presented the most difficult of all allotments, when outstand- 

 ing merit is not carried by any animal and types are in somewhat sharp 

 contrast. The bulls have been stronger in this arena, especially in the 

 older classes. While for some years we have had the most encouraging 



