NINETEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART IV 301 



The boys' judging contest in the stocVc pavilion attracted a large number 

 of entries and quite general interest. Contestants to the number of 155 

 were entered in the event this year. Each boy in the contest was required 

 to judge two rings each of horses, cattle and swine. The decisions had 

 to be written. Scholarships to the value of $800 were awarded, in addition 

 to special prizes. The individual honors were won as follows: Rex Bell, 

 of Ottumwa, first; Harold White, of Rhodes, second; Stanley Rogers, of 

 Troy, third; Roger Wilkinson, of Mason City, fourth; Vernon C. Peters, of 

 Andover, fifth; Morris Butler, of Marshalltown, sixth; George Rosenfeld, of 

 Kelley, seventh; Louis Buck of Stockton, eighth; Harold W. Brown, of 

 Woodbine, ninth: Henry Yeager, of Woodbine, tenth. In the county teams 

 the honors went to the team from Marshall county, of which W. A. Buch- 

 anan, is agricultural agent. This prize-winning county team was com- 

 posed of the following boys: Howard Ellis, of State Center; Morris Butler, 

 of Marshalltown; Raymond Bivens, of Albion; Howard Sosholtz, of Mel- 

 bourne, and Harold White, of Rhodes. The interest in the agricultural 

 work of the boys and girls of tihe state is growing steadily and these 

 contests are attracting widespread attention. 



The live stock show of the Iowa State Fair was smaller in all depart- 

 ments this year than last and in some instances very much smaller; the 

 cattle show was particularly small, but in no instance was there any lack 

 of quality. Thei'e were several reasons for this: first, scarcity of help; 

 second, the demand for live stock in all breeds being so strong that 

 breeders have no difficulty in finding an outlet for their surplus stock, in 

 many instances thougiht that as a war measure, perhaps, they could af- 

 ford to stay at home this year; third, the fact that the Illinois State Fair 

 did not close in time for breeders to get to the Iowa fair by Saturday morn- 

 ing, the day judging began, forced them to stay away. There was, how- 

 ever, no lack of interest in the fine cattle, horses and swine on exhibition 

 on the part of visitors. In fact, exhibitors were exceedingly well satisfied 

 with the inquiries received and the sales made. The cattle and horses in 

 particular were especially well fitted for the show and only in very few 

 cases was there any lack of condition. 



The swine show compared more favorably with that of last year than 

 any of the other live stock exhibits: in fact there were 2,236 hogs on the 

 grounds. The big type of hogs were much in evidence among the leading 

 breeds. There were fewer of this type among the Chester Whites than among 

 any other of the breeds, but even in this breed there was a tendency away from 

 the sliort, tliick type that has been popular in the past. 



The horse show was considerably smaller than last year and it was 

 smaller than in 1917 than in 1916. The small show was at least partially 

 due to the fact that a number of Belgian breeders did not take their horses 

 into the ring as explained elsewhere. It was evident, however, that there 

 is still a strong demand for the big drafter and it was evident also that 

 the men who are raising colts throughout the country are not interested 

 in the smaller type of stallions; they are looking for weight and substance 

 and this was much in evidence at the Iowa show. 



The exhibit made by the boys and girls was the most impressive of the 

 live stock show. When the 107 animals, fitted by these future stockmen 

 and farm women, were led into the ring, all present were agreed that It 

 was the largest and one of the best classes ever brought before a judge. 

 Great credit is due the club leaders and the fair management for the stimu- 

 lation and encouragement of an enterprise which will mean so much to the 

 future cattle and fair interests of the state. These calves were secured 

 last fall, and have been fed and cared for by their young owners through- 

 out last winter and this summer, the contest closing October 1, 1918. Only 

 steers or spayed or martin heifers, either pure-breds, cross-breeds, or grades, 

 were eligible for entry in the contest. 



