680 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Was it worth the strain — was it worth while? Yes. The live stock ex- 

 hibit was fine. The cattle show best yet. The horse show was not up to 

 par because of the horse show now on at St. Louis. 



It is good for a man to go and see the magnificent specimens of livestock 

 shown at a fair. He goes home with a determination to grade his scrubs up 

 a little. It's a fine place to see what breeders have for sale and a good place 

 to buy a thoroughbred to start with. 



The display of fruits, grains and vegetables was good, though neces- 

 sarily some specimens were immature because of the lateness of the season 

 and the earliness of the fair. It's a good place to learn something. The 

 farmer looks at the big fruit and asks the grower how he gets such big 

 apples. He can't raise them— same kind, too. Well, he learns that the 

 exhibitor takes care of his orchard. He learns why his orchard is a failure 

 and goes home with a new inspiration. 



BEST DAIRY EXHIBIT EVER SHOWN. 



The dairy display was the best ever shown. State Dairy Commissioner 

 Wright said the State was getting aroused along dairy lines. A system of 

 district buttermakers' conventions and dairymen's picnics is having its eflfect 

 upon the quality and quantity of Iowa products. In spite of the fact that 

 Iowa is a corn State, a great beef State, a State that does not show more 

 than a handful of dairy cattle at the fair, "Iowa, my Iowa!" is the greatest 

 butter State in the Union by far. Iowa, with its scrubby, beefy, dual pur- 

 pose cows, can make butter just the same. What it will do when Mr. 

 Wright and his able assistants gets the State thoroughly aroused along dairy 

 lines can only be surmised. 



Over in the old Agricultural hall the roosters were crowing in solos, 

 duets and choruses, and the hens sang on the refrains. Why shouldn't they 

 crow! Iowa is the greatest poultry state in the Union. 



At the poultry show the farmers' wives have their say. They tell you 

 what's what about chickens. They have that job on the farm. How they 

 would praise a fine specimen, and how scornful was their comment upon a 

 poor sample. Really, some were very poor samples. Scabby legs, pale 

 combs, bleary eyes, lousy heads and general debility indicated that they 

 should not be allowed in a show. But that's where the farmer has a chance 

 to see what breeders have good, clean, healthy stock, and he should place 

 his orders accordingly, 



THERE ARE LESSONS GALORE. 



Down in the machinery quarters there were lessons galore. This is an 

 age of machinery. The farmer no longer uses his brawn to any great 

 extent There are implements, machines and contrivances whereby he may 

 save time, labor and money in his work. But the farmer who stays away 

 from the State Fair is not aware of the new and helpful things that await 

 his purchase. Gasoline engines of many makes were there in great num- 

 bers. These engines are found on all up-to-date farms. The windmill 

 swings idly on its bearings while the gasoline engine pumps water, grinds 

 feed, etc. The merits of the different engines can be compared on the fair 



