710 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



was represented in a bottle opposite tlie sample of soil. From this exhibit 

 we gathered that a field that had been fallow last summer contained, 

 during the middle of August, 19.6 per cent of water; a cornfield, 15.2 per 

 cent; a clover meadow, 16.2 per cent; oat stubble and clover, 11.3 per 

 cent. Oat stubble that had been disced and harrowed before it was 

 plowed contained 16.6 per cent, and a similar piece that had not been 

 disced prior to plowing contained 14.1 per cent. This exhibit alone, in 

 which the farmers seemed to take a great deal of interest, proved to be 

 of immense value. It opened the eyes of many to the importance of 

 conserving soil moisture by surface cultivation, and especially in the fall 

 of the year in preparation for winter grains or for plowing. A difference 

 of from two to four per cent of moisture in a soil in the fall of the year 

 may mean the difference between success and failure in the raising of win- 

 ter or spring grains. Ground that is plowed under favorable conditions 

 in the fall is certain to produce a better crop of grain the following 

 season than ground that is broken up when in a lumpy condition. 



In recent years the phrase "better than ever" has almost without excep- 

 tion been applied to each succeeding state fair throughout the Northwest. 

 So common has this expression become that it actually fails to convey 

 any real meaning to the majority of people. As a matter of fact, this 

 phrase has told the truth each year, and applied to the 1909 Iowa State 

 Fair, it still tells a true story of progress. Last year there were 785 

 horses on the grounds; this year 940; and breeders were confident that 

 from a standpoint of quality there was a still greater difference in favor of 

 this years' show. Horses that had to take second place this year would 

 easily have taken first a year ago. 



In the cattle department the show was also much larger and better 

 than last year. There were 887 head of cattle at this year's fair as com- 

 pared with 627 a year ago. The Short-horn show was perhaps no larger 

 than that of last year, but the quality was without a question better. The 

 l)rogress which the leading breeders have made in recent years in develop- 

 ing this breed is wonderful. The Herefords outnumbered those of last 

 year and for quality fully held their own. The White Faces are evidently 

 becoming more popular, and back of this growing popularity is their many 

 good qualities v/hich are becoming intensified as a reward for their faith- 

 ful keepers. The Angus show was made almost entirely by Iowa men. 

 The show was no larger than that of last year, due to the fact that 

 several big breeders did not make an exhibit this year. The Galloways 

 ranked in number and quality about the same as they did a year ago. 



The show of dairy cattle was by far the largest that has ever been made 

 at Des Moines. There were no less than 203 head on exhibition, com- 

 prising 74 Guernseys, 56 Jerseys, 45 Holsteins and 28 Ayrshires. It was 

 evident, judging from the interest taken by visitors in these cattle, that 

 Iowa farmers are taking more interest in dairying. The continued rise 

 in the value of farm land and the growing demand for dairy products is 

 certain to make dairying a factor of greater importance in years to come. 

 Not dairying as it has been conducted in the past — mere cow keeping — but 

 dairying in a businesslike manner. Those interested in dairying say 



