536 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
IN THE HORSE SECTION. 
The impressive statistics of this division are presented in our intro- 
ductory comments. The interest of farmers in this state in the production 
of market horses has waxed with the years, until the industry has as- 
sumed large proportions. Some of the best-known importers have long 
been bringing valuable sires to this state, and it has been a remunerative 
market for many other stables. For years at this fair striking displays 
of horses, especially in the draft classes, have been made, and the exhibit 
last week awakened the keenest interest. It was noteworthy in the em- 
phasis it laid on the success which attends the production of superior 
draft horses in this country. The classes for American-bred horses were 
w^ell filled with creditable exhibits for the most part. Altogether this 
department contributed greatly to the outstanding success of the fair. 
THE PERCHEBOXS. 
Clearly dominant in the equine interest of the Iowa farmer is the 
Percheron, as repeatedly evinced by the exhibits on these grounds. The 
list of exhibitors contained numbers of lowans who are undertaking the 
production of breeding stock in a comparatively small way, laying the 
foundation for a future development which can not prove otherwise than 
remunerative in high degree. Awards were made in this breed by Alex- 
ander Galbraith, Janesville, Wis., and Prof. W. J. Kennedy, Ames, la. 
The ring of twenty-three aged stallions presented a lot of weighty ones 
of strong excellence, although not containing sensational horses. Only a 
few of the lighter sort were present, most of them dropping naturally 
into the real drafter class. So uniform were they that they gave the 
judges some little difficulty in assorting them. These experienced men 
were a little critical, especially as regards feet and legs, which accounts 
for some decisions which were not just approved on the outside. The 
winner was found among the Singmaster entries, in the black Aurele, 
quite a "classy" horse, with toppy crest and impressive presence, a level 
well ribbed black and the cleanest of legs. Much more bone was carried 
by Decime, that was placed second, and this very rugged horse promises 
to come into quite a prominent winner. At present he is the embodi- 
ment of power at draft. The gray Bonpays is a great-bodied horse, better 
in his top than in his underpinning, with a character and a presence and 
a bulk that make him very popular with farmers. Alban was another 
toppy one, a black again, as were most of them throughout the stallion 
classes, and he was able to make a fine show at the leading rein. Pros- 
perity is a level-topped gray with particularly attractive fashioning of 
hind quarter. 
Nearly a score of three-year-olds presented one of the problems of the 
week, the rub finally occurring between the black American-bred Brilliant 
D. and the imported gray Trochu. The talent called it a nip and tuck fight, 
but the all round excellence of Brilliant D., a really remarkable stallion 
in many ways, with capital legs and feet and finely turned body, carried 
the day and he eventually became champion. Trochu was the better 
horse at this time in the middle piece. His companion Abatvent made with 
him a strong pair to come from one stable. Closier is a real stocky-built 
