438 IOWA DEPAETMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



and Wm. Reed on Advancer. Edmonds, Shade & Co. of Kingsley, Iowa, 

 took the sweepstakes on champion sow, also champion on sow bred 

 by exhibitor, Royal Blossom 5th by American Royal. There were four 

 entries in this class. P. E. Garrett of Lohrville, Iowa, has a decidedly 

 good individual in Ruberta by a half brother of Crimson Wonder. Many 

 Duroc breeders had practically decided that she would be the winning 

 champion sow any age, and it was indeed hard to decide just who would 

 secure this honor. Messrs. Roberts and Swallow in judging did not 

 act hastily, but gave every class its own good time, and general satisfac- 

 tion was accorded. 



CHESTER WHITES. 



There were twenty-two exhibitors of Chester Whites at the Iowa 

 State Fair, these showing 462 animals. Taking it all in all, there were 

 many visitors on the ground who claimed that the Chester showing 

 excelled all former records in the matter of quality. Messrs. Humbert 

 & White of Nashua, Iowa, made a showing that would stand high in 

 any company, and the number of blue ribbons, as indicated by an ex- 

 amination of the prize list, which this firm won, is a fair index as to 

 the merit of their herd. Mr. L. C. Reese of Prescott, Iowa, came in 

 for a share of the ribbons, and succeeded in capturing the champion 

 prize for the best Chester boar on the grounds, though the firm of 

 Humbert & White landed the champion premium on the best sow. Mr. 

 W^ Z. Swallow placed the ribbons and did it in his usual painstaking 

 and conscientious manner. 



BERK.SniRES. 



Although there were but 170 Berkshires on exhibition, these being 

 shown by eight exhibitors, yet this breed attracted much attention. 

 The prize-winning animals were notable for length of body and for 

 feeding qualities. The exhibit demonstrated that it is possible to get 

 the long side, the heavy ham, and at the same time keep the back 

 strong and the face reasonably short. Although less in numbers than 

 the Rolands, Durocs and Chesters, the show of Berkshires lost nothing 

 by comparison with any breed, as they were a select lot throughout. 



POLAND CHINAS. 



The Poland Chinas headed the list this year in the number of 

 animals on the grounds, there being a total of 1,150 in the pens. This 

 is a little over 100 pigs than were on the grounds last year. To say 

 that the exhibit was a grand one throughout is putting the matter 

 mildly. Even the pigs that were there for sale, but not entered for 

 exhibition, were in most instances above the average, and judging 

 from the number of sales made during the week we apprehend that a 

 large number of corn-belt farmers started off with something good, 

 while scores were made happy over the purchase of herd headers. Po- 

 land China breeders have every reason to fell gratified over the con- 

 tinued popularity of this breed, and especially concerning the excellent 

 showing made. Apparently the question of bone is being emphasized 

 more than formerly because practically all the winning hogs carried 



