344 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



youngsters ever seen in the United States. The great lesson which this 

 futurity show taught, a lesson well worth remembering, was that American 

 breeders can produce as good draft stock, if not better, than can be pro- 

 duced in Europe. When the futurity show was first suggested many breed- 

 ers doubted that anything could be done along that line in this country, 

 first because it was thought that breeders would not fit their youngsters 

 for such a show, and second because prize money would be difficult to raise 

 in sufficient amounts to interest breeders. These conjectures have proved 

 to be erroneous. The prizes this year aggregated $4,630, of which $700 was 

 invested in eight silver trophies, while the remainder represented cash. 

 The breeders, small as well as large, have never taken hold of anything in 

 the show line with more enthusiasm than they have of these futurity 

 exhibitions. 



All four draft breeds were represented in the ring: the Percherons, as 

 stated before, by 48 head, the Shires by 24, the Clydesdales by 10, and the 

 Belgians by 6 head. As a whole the futurity show was the best that has 

 ever been held in this country. In regard to the quality of the entries, it 

 may be said that the first prize Percheron filly, owned by J. A. Buswell, 

 was sold to Senator E. B. White, of Virginia, for $2,000. This was the 

 highest price that has ever been paid for a yearling filly, either in France 

 or in this country. A yearling stallion sold for $1,000, and several other 

 sales were made at close to the latter price. 



The Short-horns fell considerably behind in numbers as compared with 

 last year. There were only three aged bulls, five two-year-olds, four senior 

 yearlings, and seven junior yearlings to compete for honors and some of 

 them were not in the best show condition. The calf classes were consid- 

 erably better than the older classes, still they were not up to former stand- 

 ards. The Hereford show was fully up to any in former years;, in fact, 

 it was considered a very strong show, one indicating a rapid growth in 

 popularity of the White Faces. Most of the classes were well filled and 

 there was a marked absence of tail-enders. The J. P. Cudahy herd, con- 

 sisting of 425 head, was sold to Warren T. McCray, of Kentland, Ind. 

 While it was impossible to ascertain how much money the transaction in- 

 volved, the chances are that the herd brought not far from $100,000, making 

 the deal one of the largest of its kind in recent years. The Angus breed 

 was well represented by some of the choicest specimens, all in excellent 

 show conditions. The Doddies always give a good account of themselves 

 wherever they go, and they did fully as well this year as last. 



One of the notable features in the live stock show was the great increase 

 in the dairy cattle on exhibition. All the dairy breeds made such a strong 

 showing, particularly the Holsteins, as to excite much comment about the 

 growth of the dairy industry in Iowa. As the price of Iowa land continues 

 to advance, the special-purpose dairy cow is rapidly gaining in favor. She 

 is not only capable of producing a fine calf every year, but also a large 

 amount of milk and butter fat in addition. Judging from the interest that 

 was manifested in the placing of the awards of tliese great cattle, it Is 

 evident that they are rapidly coming into favor among Iowa farmers. 



