NINTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART XI 507 
well rounded out, finished show, with quality a conspicuous feature. It 
opened most auspiciously the show season of the year and surprised 
even the most optimistic by its strength and quality. Not only were 
the exhibits a record breaker, but no exposition ever had a more ap- 
preciative or intelligent audience, farmers from all over Iowa, and 
from other states as well, being interested students of the judging, 
the attendance being greater than in any previous year. Both the ex- 
hibits and the interest they created were a fitting tribute to Iowa's rank 
as a live stock state, and what more fitting than that Iowa, the greatest 
live stock state in the union, should have the greatest show? Nothing is 
too good for the Iowa farmer, and gratifying it is to note that much of 
the excellence of the exhibit was due to the Iowa farmer's skill and 
intelligence in breeding and feeding. 
Iowa exhibtors were more strongly in evidence than they have ever 
been before, and made an excellent showing. Our predictions in com- 
menting upon the show last year "That the breeders will arise to the 
emergency and that future shows may even yet surpass the great show 
of 1907" was fulfilled this year, and. this prediction will probably hold 
good for another year, as there seems to be no limit to the growth of 
the Iowa State Pair. Iowa breeders have done well, but they can do 
better. 
THE HORSE SHOW. 
This year's horse show was a big one, surpassing anything that has 
been seen at Des Moines for many years. From many viewpoints its 
general appearance was not unlike the International horse show with 
horses from the very best studs of Europe and America on exhibtion, 
and they were presented in their very best form and furnished a great 
opportunity for the student to make comparisons and study. The aged 
classes of stallions and mares were well filled, but the younger classes 
were light, with only a few entries in each ring. It was evident, 
however, that the show had outgrown the space provided for it in the 
pavilion, as it was nearly impossible to find space to move the horses 
for the inspection of the judges. Iowa furnished at least half of the 
draft horses, with Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota contributing the 
balance. 
The light harness classes were lightly filled, as v/ere the saddle 
classes, but there were a fev/ very stylish fancy pairs that were high 
class and very attractive, and the high school saddlers made a fine 
show and did much to entertain the crowds. 
THE PERCHEEOXS. 
In numbers this breed surpassed all other draft breeds. It was 
truly a fine display of the French horse through all the classes. Some 
excellent mares and fillies were shown and many of them Vv^ere home- 
grown, being products of Iowa, and is very suggestive of what might 
be accomplished if farmers would pay more attention to the horse 
breeding industry. The exhibitors in this class well deserve the plaudits 
