586 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



the building gave visitors a few years ago before Secretary Wilson called 

 attention to the fact that the poultry breeders of the state were not being 

 given the exhibit the importance of the poultry interests demanded. 



Local poultry associations took this opportunity of advertising their 

 coming poultry shows. From the big cartoon in the center of the building, 

 that advised all comers of the big state show to be held in Des Moines, 

 January 12th to 17th, the eye might travel around the building, where on 

 all sides placards announced shows all over the state. 



Exhibitors were permitted to put up their advertising matter the first 

 day of the fair, thus giving them the full benefit of all the advertising a 

 state fair gives. This is a step in the right direction and we believe did 

 good work — and we understand that sales at better prices were made this 

 year than have heretofore been made. We understand that Professor 

 Lippincott purchased for the college at Ames an exceptionally fine pen of 

 Rhode Island Reds, subject to the approval of the authorities. 



We hope that the time will come when our state colleges will have the 

 best birds that money can buy, and sell eggs and stock to the farmers at 

 prices which the latter can afford to pay. 



We understand that the first prize White Wyandotte hen changed hands 

 several times during the show. 



The incubator and poultry supply companies attracted much attention 

 with their exhibit. 



The college exhibit formed an interesting feature of the poultry build- 

 ing. Illumined pictures of prize winning poultry, and poultry houses, 

 model poultry buildings and poultry appliances were among the attrac- 

 tions. The cases showing slices of hard boiled eggs from hens which had 

 been fed cardinal and gold dyes, were a center of interest. We were glad 

 to see an exhibit of dressed poultry. A chicken showing the cut for re- 

 moving the tendons, thus making the leg more delicate eating; a bird 

 with the wishbone removed, making it possible to cut the breast meat 

 to better advantage, and a boned chicken were among the interesting 

 features of this exhibit. 



F. E. Mixa, of the Iowa State College, gave a demonstration in dressing 

 and boning a chicken. Judge Russell gave a lecture on "How the New 

 Standard Affects Barred Plymouth Rocks," illustrated by live specimens. 

 Judge Shellabarger illustrated with live specimens the common defects in 

 the American breeds, and D. E. Hale, of Quincy, 111., gave a talk on 

 "Money in Standard Breeds for the Farmer." 



Another educational feature of interest was the egg-laying contest. 

 Outdoor pens fitted with trap nests were arranged. Each pen contained 

 six hens. The superintendent of the poultry building, who had charge 

 of the contest, called attention to the lesson this contest had taught 

 on the benefits J5f trap nesting. Mr. E. T. Roberts, who won first prize 

 with a pen of White Leghorns, had been trap nesting for some time; 

 every hen entered in his pen was a proved layer. In the five days his 

 birds laid nineteen eggs. Mr. R. W. Faskcn, Colfax, who took second 

 with eighteen eggs, laid by a pen of White Orpingtons, is also a trap 



