976 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



along Shropshire lines. His pen of lambs which wen a Shropshire spe- 

 cial were fine. Mr. George Boland, of Williamsburg, Iowa, had as fine 

 a lot of Lincoln sheep as it has been our lot to see for many a day 

 Mr. Boland is not striving to get a mammoth size, but quality, and he 

 has succeeded admirably. Chandler Bros., Kellerton, Iowa, are young 

 men and young breeders of Shropshires, but they have won a reputation 

 this year that has put them alongside of veterans. George McKerrow 

 & Son, of Pewaukee, Wis., were on hand with their World's Fair and 

 International winners in Oxfords and Southdowns. The senior member 

 of this firm scarecly needs any introduction to our readers. His rec- 

 ord has been one of marked success, his showing has become world- 

 wide in reputation and his integrity is unquestioned. His sheep were 

 shown by that genial and successful herdsman and showman, Dan Tay- 

 lor. Another veteran in Cotswolds and Rambouillets was there in the 

 person of Frank W. Harding, of Waukesha, Wis. Mr. Harding has 

 been in the show rings of state and world's fairs ever since he was 

 a mere boy and to say that he is successful does not put it strong enough. 



POULTRY. 



It was only a year or two ago that the exhibits at the Iowa State 

 Fair out grow the old poultry house which had served a good purpose 

 for so many years. Since that time the poultry exhibits have been 

 housed in the old agricultural hall, which has proven to be ample in 

 size and convenient in its arrangement. 



The exhibit this year was the largest ever shown and the quality 

 of everything is such as to show that education in this line has been 

 getting in its work. Most poultry breeders will understand the incon- 

 venience in showing well marked birds as early in the season as the 

 time at which this fair is held. Many of the breeders have learned 

 how to avoid some of these defects and the fine appearance birds pre- 

 sent the last week in August is a matter of much comment. 



THE IOWA STATE FAIR. 



farmers' tribune. 



The greatest state fair ever held in Iowa came to a most successful 

 close on Friday, September 1. Last year's fair marked the close of the first 

 fifty-year period in the state fair history of the queen of the corn belt states. 

 This year the second fifty-year period was begun under the most favorable 

 circumstances. The fair was a success from a financial standpoint as well as 

 from the standpoints of exhibitors and visitors. The total cash receipts 

 amounted to over $85,000, and, notwithstanding the feet that more and lar- 

 ger premiums were paid this year, the estimated surplus earned by the fair 



