780 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



The beef breeds, the center of interest from the packers' and meat 

 consumers' standpoint, were regarded with a great deal of respect. The 

 big animal was not so critically scrutinized in search of minor and un- 

 important defects of where there was too much or not enough fat, but 

 estimated more from the practical common sense standpoint of value as 

 a beef producer. After all, it is quality and quantity combined that puts 

 dollars into the pocket of beef growers. 



The Short-horn and Angus breeds were complained of by some cattle 

 judges as not being quite up to the Iowa State fair standard. This was due 

 mainly to some breeders not exhibiting who have formerly helped fill up 

 the ranks. The Hereford show was strong and merited the compliment 

 it received. The Galloway class is always good in quality, but not 

 sufllciently numerous to attract the attention it deserves. The cattle 

 department as a whole was one of the shows hard to beat. 



MORE PORK IX THE SAME HIDE. 



The swine division at the Iowa State fair has always been a leading 

 attraction. It is a throng place, made so by its numerous exhibitors and 

 interested visitors. This department is holding its own. There is not 

 much variation in numbers exhibited or interest in the exhibition. This 

 year, however, there is quite a tendency toward the larger type of hog, 

 especially in some of the breeds where large and small had become a 

 distinguishing feature among breeders. Here again is the influence of 

 dollars and cents exerting its argument for more pork in the same hide. 

 The more pork that can be produced in these times of high-priced meat 

 the better it suits the farmer. It is selling hogs at so much per pound, 

 not measuring bone, that interests the common hog raising farmer. The 

 question of keeping free from hog cholera is still commanding the atten- 

 tion of hog raisers. 



The horse interests are still moving forward, notwithstanding the auto- 

 mobile and the truck are seemingly infringing on the work of the horse. 

 The big new brick barn on the Iowa State fair grounds, filled to over- 

 flowing with horses of all kinds, from the diminutive little Shetland to 

 the Percheron, would indicate that capital and business management still 

 see a bright outlook for the horse, the team on the farm. The new barn 

 is only two-fifths its contemplated size; it now accommodates 475 horses, 

 and when completed will house approximately 1,000 head. The show of 

 draft horses has been referred to as very fine, the greatest show of 

 American-bred horses ever made at this fair. Never has there been so 

 many Iowa breeders exhibiting. Draft horse importers who generally 

 make a strong show at this fair were not able to get their fresh importa- 

 tions home, consequently were not present. 



PONIES CATCH "PA AND MA." 



The pony exhibit was very fine; over 150 ponies were on exhibition, 

 occupying four long rows of stalls in the big barn. The interest in this 

 show cannot be described, so intense was the excitement and anxiety of 

 sightseers about this division. It was not only a boy and girl show in 

 interest, but a "Pa and Ma" show as well. 



