SIXTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART IX. 981 



was awarded the blue ribbon. Col. F. F. Luther judged the Durocs, and 

 he showed himself to be one of our best Duroc judges. He had a diffi- 

 cult task to perform, but it may be said that he satisfied every breeder 

 on the ground. The Berkshire class was considerably larger than usual, 

 and the quality was much better. W. Z. Swallow was the judge. He 

 had considerable difficulty in placing the ribbon on best sow, any age. 

 There was some criticism among breeders on his judgment on this point, 

 but after due consideration there was general satisfaction. General 

 Starlight carried off the first prize in the aged boar class. He was also 

 sweepstakes boar, and, in lact, he was an easy winner wherever he com- 

 peted. This boar has a great reputation and the lovers of Berkshire 

 took great pleasure in carefully studying him. The Chester Whites were 

 well represented. This breed was also present in larger numbers than 

 last year. 



There were some notable hog sales made on the fair grounds during 

 the week. Jamison, of Oneida, 111., and J. W. Hanna, of Burlington, 111., 

 bought a $2,000 boar; each bought a half interest in the boar. Mr. 

 Sweeney of Webster City, sold a quarter interest in a Poland-China aged 

 boar to a neighbcr for S750, and it is said that he refused to take $3,000 

 in cash for the animal, this price having been offered by a company 

 which was formed on the grounds for the purpose of buying the hog. 

 These sales are considered by breeders to be bona fide, and they indi- 

 cate the great interest that is being taken in the hog industry at this 

 time. 



GOOD WEATHER AND RECORD-BREAKING LIVE STOCK SHOW AT 



DES MOINES. 



BREEDERS GAZETTE, CHICAGO, IIX. 



Agriculture was in magnificent flower at Des Moines last week: 

 Iowa's fifty-first annual state fair revealed as never before the health 

 and wealth of this basic industry. The best fruits of a marvelously 

 fat year were offered in bewildering abundance, and nearly 150,000 visi- 

 tors complimented with their enthusiastic presense and verbal encomiums. 



If favorable weather should prevail during the week it was evident to 

 the most blundering prophet that the fair would score the biggest success 

 in its splendid history. And thai is what came to pass, for climatic 

 conditions v/hile not flawless were about as satisfactory as Iowa affords 

 In August. The temperature was disagreeably high on several days, 

 but there was comfort in the ample shade which well distributed trees 

 conferred in all parts of the grounds. Visitors thronged the live stock 

 pavilion but they were warranted in leaving it in the heat of the day 

 for the breezy outdoors, for this seemingly well ventilated structure at 

 times was strangely the hottest box into which they were lured. Its 

 motionless atmosphere, laden with tanbark dust and moisture, could 

 not long be endured except by the fortitudinous or those provided with 

 fans. It was different in the grandstand, where the seated (and stand- 

 ing) multitude could get full benefit of wind gusts while enjoying the 

 speed ring performances. But the majority of the people were constantly 

 shifting, as seems proper, only the hardy few sitting through any 



