310 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



significant fact. Almost every acceptable type of silo now finds illustra- 

 tion on the grounds of this fair. Big machinery displays were present, 

 and tractors were numerous. The auto exhibit was a little short, but 

 trucks filled the gap somewhat. For the first time in the experience of a 

 third of a century of this reviewer of big fairs the exhibits contained not 

 one single buggy or carriage. Truck and auto accessories bulked large. 

 •So magnificent a Machinery Hall -should not afford a single vacant space. 



Swine and sheep filled the remarkably large expanse of departmental 

 equipment. If all entries had reported tents would have been required to 

 accommodate the overflow. Sheep commanded high compliment in nearly 

 all sections, and swine presented some memorable exhibits, with marked 

 deficiencies in other breeds. Cattle and horses shrank in numbers notably. 

 This was needless in cattle. The stiffneckedness of the managers of the 

 Illinois and Iowa state fairs cost both fairs an appreciable number of 

 desirable stock exhibits. Illinois celebrated its centennial of admission 

 into the Union and in order to observe punctiliously the chronological date, 

 set its two weeks fair far ahead in the season, but required its live stock 

 to attend only five day.s. Iowa, without warrant in the equities, demands 

 ten days of its exhibitors. Illinois would not release its stock a day earlier 

 than usual, and Iowa would not accept entries that were not in their 

 stalls on E'riday preceding the chief judging week, although in other years 

 stock had been admitted to the grounds on Sunday and Monday. Neither 

 fair would give an inch, and a lot of exhibitors, under heavier expense 

 than ever before, were obliged to lose a week's earnings. It is not a 

 creditable chapter in fair management. 



THE BEEF CATTLE. 



The Shorthorns, Herefords and Angus filled the arena with attractive 

 exhibits and drew crowds of enthusiastic cattlemen each afternoon that 

 they were on view. Splendid uniformity of type prevailed throughout 

 most of these classes. Fitting had been masterfully done and breeders 

 evidently figured that the prizes and honors were worth the cost of feed. 

 Culling had been done at home, for all of the cattle brought before the 

 •judges were worth careful consideration. Smooth even covering was the 

 rule, rump patches and rib rolls were scarce. In these respects the show 

 marks progress. As usual the futurity calf classes were large and attrac- 

 tive. Some good show animals were uncovei'ed in these events fur the 

 first time. 



THK SHORTHORNS. 



The Shorthorns suffered by reason of inability of some exhibitors to ship 

 theij- cattle from Springfield, 111. The number at the fair was 115 — a con- 

 siderable falling off — atid the distribution among twenty breeders gave the 

 show plenty of competition to balance the deficiency in numbers. The work 

 of ribbon tying was entrusted to Leslie Smith, St. Paul, Minn., and he dis- 

 charged the duty capably. His well-known insistence upon masculinity in 

 bulls and femininity in cows accounted for a few decisions which some 

 onlookers did not understand. He picked the winners with a breeder's 

 eye to their usefulness. The ready winner among the three white aged 

 bulls was the much-admired Knight Avon by Count Avon from Rockwood 

 Farm. He has a clean-cut masculine head, strong crest and very straight 

 topline without a depression anywhere. »He has an exceedingly deep 

 chest, smooth even covering, quality everywhere and very stylish bearing. 

 He shows himself — a very notable stamp of an impressive sire. This bull 

 carries his flesh more smoothly than the larger, wider Herkelmann eptry 



