FIFTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART IV 247 



the parcel post, were exhibited, attracting much attention. If the average 

 farmer needed any proof that the parcel post presents far-reaching oppor- 

 tunity, both for the sale of small produce and the purchase of small sup- 

 plies, the striking exhibit made at Des Moines this week should convince 

 him. 



BREEDING CATTLE. 



The observant fair visitor this year quickly noticed that a marked 

 change has occurred in the show of cattle in the live stock pavilion. 

 fWbere in previous years there has been but comparatively few dairy 

 cattle and the ring was filled with beef cattle, there has grown to be a 

 dairy show almost equal in character and importance to the beef cattle. 

 A state fair is a mirror for the industries of the state, and the Iowa fair 

 of 1914 indicates that a high degree of development has obtained in the 

 dairy industry of this commonwealth. It does not show, however, that the 

 beef industry is suffering to any extent as yet. In fact, one of the big 

 features of the beef cattle show was the wonderful development of the 

 exhibit of one of the breeds. No Iowa Short-horn show has ever sur- 

 passed the one made this year, either in numbers or high quality of the 

 animals brought out. In the barns, which were crowded to their capacity, 

 the interest of the farmers of the state is even greater than before, and 

 there are more men asking about better stock. In the dairy side of this 

 show, nothing attracted as much attention as the exceptional classes of 

 Guernsey cattle that were placed there. Judging in the cattle began on 

 Saturday, which is a new departure for this fair, and from the results 

 this year has proved a good one. Iowa set a good record in the cattle 

 department for her neighboring states to follow this year. The judging 

 was highly satisfactory in all the breeds and the classes, which were 

 scheduled in advance, were placed rapidly, efficiently and without any 

 confusion whatever. 



SHORT-HOENS. 



No Iowa show has ever surpassed the record made by the Short-horns 

 this year in the high class of the exhibits or in the numbers shown. Com- 

 ment to this effect that this showing will take rank as one of the best 

 that has ever been brought out anywhere in this country was made by 

 those who have followed the state fairs and the stock shows of this coun- 

 try for years. Beginning with a class of aged bulls, which was said by 

 competent authorities to be the best, from first to last place, that has 

 been led into a ring for a long time, the rings were, with the exception 

 of the two-year-old bulls, even and close. The side of the arena devoted 

 to the beef breeds had barely enough room for the display of Short- 

 horns alone. One of the prettiest sights of the entire fair was the big 

 ring of aged herds, the whole beef cattle side of the pavilion being prac- 

 tically filled with the entries. Rees & Son won first in the aged bull class, 

 with Whitehall Rosedale, a big roan that is of a most rugged type and 

 carries an exceptionally thick covering. He was defeated for the cham- 

 pionship by Cumberland's Type, a bull with wonderful style and quality. 

 The Saunders' herd made a very strong showing throughout the competi- 

 tion. Thirty-three senior calves, came out for the money, a bunch showing 



