SEVENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK-PART IX. 437 



hog department held its own with all others in maintaining throughout 

 the week the interest of the fair visitors. Superintendent Johnston of 

 that department had an exceedingly difficult task on his hands, be- 

 cause there were hundreds of pens applied for that could not possibly 

 be supplied. Almost every hole and corner where a pen could be 

 erected were utilized, and necssarily some exhibitors were disappointed 

 in the quarters furnished them. This is the fault of neither Mr. 

 Johnston or the board of directors of the fair, because the State of 

 Iowa has refused up to date to appropriate funds for the erection of 

 suitable quarters for the swine exhibit. The fact that the weather 

 was perfect throughout the week contributed much to the comfort of 

 the exhibitors. A similar fair in bad weather would be unendurable, 

 and we sincerely hope that the next legislature will be liberal-handed 

 enough to supply the needed improvements for this department. The 

 swine industry of the State is so large that anything but the best 

 equipment at the State Fair for this class is false economy. The 

 opportunity which is afforded visitors for seeing the prize animals in 

 the ring at present is abominable, and when the weather is hot it is 

 dangerous to show the heavy fat hogs in the sun. We doubt if a 

 single argument can be advanced for neglecting this department any 

 longer. 



DUROC JEESEYS. 



The Duroc hog show at the Iowa State Fair this year, as was ex- 

 pected, was a very large one. Possibly there were not quite as many num- 

 bers entered as last year, but it was generally conceded by all who 

 looked them over that the offering was better in every respect. Messrs. 

 L. H. Roberts of Paton, Iowa, and W. Z. Swallow of Booneville, Iowa, 

 both experienced swine breeders were the judges. They did their 

 work in a conscientious manner and pleased practically all the ex- 

 hibitors, so far as possible. Something over 1,000 durocs were on the 

 grounds. The number of exhibitors from surrounding states amounted 

 to some 85. An exceptionally strong class was the two-year-old boar 

 offering, there being twenty shown. Messrs. Johnson Bros. & Newkirk 

 and C. W. and Wni. Reed of Rose Hill, Iowa, owners of the boar 

 Advancer, won first in this class, while Manley & Co. of Lyons, Neb., 

 took second on Junior Jim by Chitwood. It was no easy matter to 

 judge this class, as was noted by the time being taken by the judges 

 in placing the ribbons, practically two hours being devoted to this class 

 alone. In the under six months boar class there were not as many 

 shown this year as last, there being 110 head last year, while this 

 year only 61 head were entered. Breeders, however, were satisfied that 

 this was enough to afford strong competition. First prize was also 

 won by Johnson Bros. & Newkirk and C. W. and Wm. Reed on pig 

 by Model Chief out of dam, known as Bessie D. The champion sweep- 

 stakes boar of any age was awarded to H. S. Allen of Russell, Iowa, on 

 Crimson Wonder Again. This again shows that good blood tells, 

 as the sire of Crimson Wonder Again, Crimson Wonder I Am, won 

 sweepstakes at the Iowa State Fair of 1905. The champion boar 

 bred by exhibitor was awarded to Johnson Bros. & Newkirk and C. W. 



