FIFTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART IV 293 



the best young prospects in the country at the present time. Hill of 

 South Dakota won in the senior bull calves with Martin, a deep-bodied 

 youngster of much promise. A splendid group of aged cows was led 

 before the judge. They looked like dual purpose for fair, with large 

 well-placed udders with tortuous veins leading forward to the expansive 

 milk wells so characteristic of the breed. They were cows with wide 

 backs, and doubtless their calves in the fattening pen would produce 

 profitable beef. 



DAIRY CATTLE. 



That dairying is a valuable adjunct to the farmer of the middle west 

 was well exemplified at the Des Moines show. Farmers from every 

 corner of the state stood by and watched carefully as the dairy cattle 

 were being placed. Breeders reported much inquiry for young stock 

 throughout the week. Many who have of recent years made a success 

 of dairying have received their first impetus to enter the business from 

 seeing the stock of the various breeds at the state fair. Guernseys seem 

 to be the popular cow in many regions. There were more of these at 

 Des Moines than of any of the dairy breeds. Some 125 head were led 

 before the judge, George P. Grout of Minnesota. Marsh of Iowa made 

 a great showing and caught most of the blues and purples. His imported 

 bull, Hayes Cherub 2d, an undefeated champion of 1913, was again 

 awarded grand championship honors. Several exhibitors were there with 

 herds from Wisconsin, while the balance were lowans. 



The Holsteins made an average show. W. J. Gillett of Wisconsin 

 pinned the ribbons. The Genoa Indian school of Nebraska made several 

 important winnings. lowana Farms of Iowa captured the bulk of the big 

 awards. Holsteins are undergoing a boom at this time and there seems 

 to be a scarcely sufficient number of them to meet the demand from the 

 western districts embarking in better milk stock. 



Jerseys were judged by Hugh Van Pelt, as were the Brown Swiss. 

 These two breeds were present in about equal numbers. Specimens of 

 each breed when seen near each other certainly form a contrast. Although 

 of about the same color, they are extremes otherwise. The Jerseys pos- 

 sess the fine bone and skin, meek little head and light horn of much 

 quality, whereas the Swiss are of extremely heavy bone and big joints. 

 The head is coarse and the horn large. They should prove of value in 

 western districts where severities and hardships are quite frequent. 

 The Jerseys were an even lot at Des Moines. Most of them were of the 

 finer, so-called "Island'' type. The judge picked for the qualified indi- 

 vidual of strong milking indications. The champion cow was an extreme 

 of the milking type. She carried no surplus fat at any point of her 

 body. Her large udder and winding veins would prove her to be a 

 milk factory of high development. 



