68 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 



definitely. Located as before in the center of the Agricultural 

 Building it towered majestically over all other exhibits. It was 

 the first object to catch the attention of visitors entering the build- 

 ing, and the impression of Iowa's supremacy in corn growing 

 was fixed instantly and for all time to com^e. 



It was interesting to watch the attitude of the endless throng of 

 visitors passing through the building. All stopped to gaze upon 

 the great outpouring tide of yellow corn. Some gazed in wonder, 

 others in speculative mood. Out of state fair visitors overwhelmed 

 attendants with questions, while thousands of native lowans lin- 

 gered lovingly before it, passed on, and returned for a second 

 and third feasting of the eyes upon its beauty. 



BOYS AND BEEF 



Probably the average fair visitor failed to fully grasp the real 

 significance of the Boys' Baby Beef Contest. This movement, pro- 

 moted jointly by the extension department of the Iowa College of 

 Agriculture, the Iowa Beef Producers' Association, and the State 

 Board of Agriculture, has stirred the keenest kind of interest 

 among the farm boys of the state, and most of the fairs, great and 

 small, have been favored with exhibits in the way of fine calves 

 fed by the members of the club. 



The Baby Beef class at the state fair received sixty-four entries 

 and no less than fifty-nine lads actually showed up in the ring 

 with the tangible results of their labors. It was an unusual sight, 

 and the spectator given to looking beyond the present hour found 

 abundant food for thought and saw much that was not visible on 

 the surface of things. The calves were an excellent lot. Some of 

 them were manifestly of the choicest breeding and gave unmistak- 

 able evidence of unusual skill and judgment in fitting. Professor 

 Pew, of Ames, sifted out the winners and was liberal in praise of 

 the good work done by the boys. 



Several that gained high places in the contest were reserved for 

 other fairs and shows and finished the campaign at the Interna- 

 tional Stock Show in Chicago. Forty-six head of the fifty-nine 

 shown were sold at auction Thursday afternoon. A big crowd 

 gathered in the Stock Pavilion to watch the sale. Several Chicago 

 buyers were present, but showed little disposition to bid above 

 ordinary market values. An enthusiastic representative of the 

 Iowa Packing Company at Des Moines outbid the Chicago men on 

 everything of high class and actually lamented the fact that they 



