684 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



were so closely mated up in excellence that it taxed the perception of the 

 judge, in many instances, to know just where he wanted to let the deci- 

 sion drop. It is but just, however, to this expert to say that he placed his 

 awards on the cattle, not the owner. 



The Shorthorns were just as meritorious in quality and just as diffi- 

 cult a class to handle in the matter of decision of the choice animal to 

 be selected as the ribbon bearer. Many of the best herds of this breed 

 in the United States were present contesting for their prizes. One of the 

 complimentary expressions frequently heard was: 



"They are all good. The breeders are learning to keep the tail ends 

 of their herds at home," etc. 



The general opinion expressed was that there is being more attention 

 paid to fitting, and a less number of cattle coming into the ring not in 

 good sound condition than formerly. In short, the disposition of the ring 

 side critic is to compliment the exhibitors in the decided step taken to 

 raise the standard of condition and quality for exhibition. What has' 

 been said of the two breeds named might with equal propriety be said of 

 those not named. 



HOBSE OF THE PRESENT. 



In the horse division there was a grand display of the big draft classes. 

 The draft horse is the horse of the present period. He is not only the 

 horse of present great demand, but the horse of future requirement, and 

 no matter what the inventive genius of man devises or plans as a substi- 

 tute for horse power, there will still be a place left for the big draft horse, 

 and the horse of all work on the farm. The action trained into this big 

 class of horses is never so pronounced or so impressively brought to 

 one's attention as when on exhibition in the show ring. Each year 

 seems to make more emphatic the development of activity, strength and 

 endurance in the draft horse. 



The evidence of increased interest in the American bred draft horse is 

 apparent in the increased number of draft mares shown at the fairs. The 

 quality is also a factor favoring the home grown draft horse. The time is 

 not far off when the American bred draft horse will be sought after with 

 as much favor and demand as the imported horse of the present day is 

 receiving in America. More attention to the quality of the horse, in 

 power of endurance, will be given and less to the forcing methods of ac- 

 quiring early maturity in the animal. All classes of horses were well 

 represented, and the usual big Iowa exhibit was recorded. 



STEONG SWINE SHOW. 



The show of swine embraced about all the breeds produced having any 

 commercial value as pork makers. The Durocs were as usual quite promi- 

 nent and elicited much comment from hog fanciers as being a remarkably 

 strong show. The aged boar class was referred to by many as being the 

 best ever witnessed at this fair. The Duroc breeders all wore a smile that 

 seemed to indicate that they were perfectly satisfied with the red hog. 

 The leading Duroc herds of the country were represented by specimens of 

 their best work in breeding skill and fitting qualities. 



