SIXTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART IX. 983 



and these with the home-bred animals contributed by Iowa flockmas- 

 ters gave this section unusual strength. The horse department was not 

 strong in entries from dealers and importers, but the display of Iowa- 

 bred horses was the best ever made at Des Moines. 



The sale business done by exhibitors during the week was record- 

 breaking, too. The record-breaking peculiarity seemed to be infectious. 

 Swine exhibitors did an especially large business, and the cattlemen 

 negotiated, many good deals. The way the people attended the fair and 

 the number and liberality of sales made at good prices indicate the 

 throbbing prosperity of Iowa farmers and expose a widespread feeling 

 of confidence in American commerce. 



Want of room in barns and pens kept away hundreds of entries in 

 the live stock section and many animals were stalled or confined under 

 tents. The exhibit in this department was immense, the largest in the 

 fair's history. And unlike most of the displays which have gone before, 

 it was composed largely of Iowa-grown stock. More than ever before, 

 it was a state fair this year. Herds, flocks and studs of other states 

 were represented to be sure, but never have we seen Iowa cattle and 

 horses out in such impressive numbers and quality. As for the hogs, 

 nearly all of the 3,100 shown were from Iowa herds. Iowa breeders 

 have the goods and exposed it this season as never before. 



State classes for Iowa stock only have proved effective in develop- 

 ing this big state display. Two chances are thus had at prizes. If a 

 Hawkeye exhibitor fails in the open class to secure a premium he may 

 have better luck in the state class. Breeders are more likely to exhibit 

 where there are two chances to secure at least enough money for expen- 

 ses than where this result depends upon their ability to beat old-time 

 showmen with herds and flocks of national reputation. Iowa has made 

 a fine success of the state class proposition in that it has drawn out 

 a big show of Iowa stock. 



In the agricultural, horticultural and dairy building were seen large 

 exhibits of superior character. We were particularly impressed with 

 the fruit and the numerous artistic displays of corn. The Iowa State 

 College at Ames was interestingly represented in this commodious 

 building by corn and corn products and other grains. Poultry made a 

 large and excellent show. The machinery exhibit was a marvel.^ the 

 western side of the grounds being a maze of implements and machines, 

 many of which were in operation demonstrating their merits. 



Every event bulletined was presented on schedule time. Order and 

 system characterized the work of every department. Judging of live 

 stock in the pavilion began promptly on Monday morning and was 

 practically finished by Thursday evening. Several breeds of cattle were 

 shown simultaneously. In draft horses the breeds alternated — a class 

 of Belgians and then a class of Percherons. Grooms and herdsmen 

 were sometimes slow in getting their charges in the arena, and in some 

 instances required to be hustled up by the ring marshal. So general 

 has this practice become at a few fairs that some method should be 

 adopted to stop it. Perhaps a rule should be fixed to this effect; unless 

 every animal is in its class within a specified time after the marshal's 

 summons it will be debarred. Such a regulation would be in line with 



