FOURTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART IV. 325 



that a sufficient supply of serum was not available to satisfy all ex- 

 hibitors. In the second place there were too many cases where serum 

 purchased from outside sources failed to render immunity. This meant 

 dissatisfaction all around and in some cases disgust. Now that the effect 

 of the sanitary board's ruling is known it is plainly apparent that the 

 year 1913 did not furnish the psychological occasion for action so 

 drastic, though it cannot be denied that where there is sufficient good 

 serum available to answer all needs the general plan of rendering hogs 

 immune before being exhibited is sound. It is hoped that a sufficient 

 supply of good serum will be available for use next year and we would 

 at this time suggest that breeders be allowed to choose whether to 

 immume their hogs before leaving home or to have them treated under 

 proper state fair authorities after they reach the fair grounds. 



The hogs treated with serum at the Iowa State Fair in 1912 passed 

 through tne ordeal without missing a feed and not a single case has 

 been reported where the treated hogs transmitted the disease after their 

 removal from the fair. The object of the sanitary board, as well as the 

 state veterinarian's desire is to check disease and to this end the state 

 fair authorities and swine breeders generally can afford to work in the 

 closest kind of co-operation. 



SHEEP. 



Most of the sheep classes at the Iowa State Fair were well filled. 

 Importers were on hand this year with their flocks in the pink of con- 

 dition, but they found stiff competition among exhibitors of American- 

 bred sheep. The Shropshire classes were especially strong and the judg- 

 ing of this breed was watched with much interest by large numbers of 

 state fair visitors. 



WALLACES' FARMER, DE8 MOINES. 



The fifty-ninth annual Iowa State Fair opened at Des Moines last Wed- 

 nesday, with every condition apparently favorable for a record-breaking 

 exposition. The oppressive heat of the first half of the week changed as 

 if by magic into a cool, bracing temperature that made ideal fair weather, 

 and exhibitors went about their preparatory work with enthusiasm. 



This year the fair opened on Thursday, a day earlier than hereto- 

 before, and will close a day earlier, thus giving exhibitors who go to 

 St. Paul and Lincoln an opportunity to move and be ready in the new- 

 location by the following Monday. Just what effect this will have upon 

 the attendance at Des Moines can not be foretold at this writing. The 

 attendance Friday and Saturday was in excess of a year ago, but not 

 enough larger to indicate a largely increased crowd from out of the 

 city. It is likely, therefore, that the crowds the second week will be 

 greater than heretofore, the weather being favorable. 



