NINTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART XI 541 
excelled, this pony showed correct gaits and splendid education. While 
the representative from Mr. Bunn's stable was an unusually attractive 
pony standing or in action, yet the winner was of exceptional merit. 
IN THE SWINE PENS. 
Quality is the goal at which the swine department officials are aiming. 
They have had numbers in which quality did not measure up to a satis- 
factory standard. For years the number of entries has been overwhelm- 
ing in its magnitude and more or less disappointing in the average of its 
excellence. With no restrictions to limit them, exhibtors were in the 
habit of entering two or three pigs to show and 30 to 40 to sell. Instead 
of making the fair memorable for its competitions in the prize ring they 
converted it into a sort of clearance house. But this abuse of the swine 
department served one good purpose at least: it emphasized the necessity 
of larger and better accomodations for housing and showing hogs, and the 
result is the magnificent new pavilion, built last year. Now that some 
restrictions as to the number of entries that any one exhibitor may 
make have been imposed by the management in the interest of the show, 
a betterment in quality is sure to materialize. In fact, the exhibit this 
year showed higher average merit than any former display. A new rule 
reads that no exhibitor shall have more than ten pens in the building 
and not more than two of these can be used for pigs under six months. 
Altogether over 2,500 hogs were shown by 211 exhibtors from seven dif- 
ferent states. It was chiefly a breeder's show, and Iowa furnished the 
bulk of the entries. For the most part the hogs were in attractive fix. 
The judging was performed amid difficulties which should be eliminated. 
Since there are no seats around the pavilion onlookers stood inside the 
arena, so that when a large class was under review it was a physical 
hardship for the judge to make his way among the people, the hurdles and 
the hogs. He ougth to have more room. 
Berkshires made a thoroughly creditable show, N. H. Gentry, Sedalia, 
Mo.,making the awards. About 200 were exhibited, with only one herd 
from outside the state. Very few mediocre entries were seen. Ten 
breeders were reprsented in the showing and the ribbons were fairly well 
divided, indicating uniformity of type. Especially good were the pigs. 
It was an altogether toppy pair that received the championships. Most 
of the entries were nicely fitted. McPherson won the silver cup offered 
by the American Berkshire Association for the best young herd bred by 
an Iowa exhibitor. 
Poland-China classes were strong from start to finish. In some of the 
aged rings only a few were shown, but the quality was top-notch, and it 
took the judge, L. H. Roberts, Paton, la., two days to make the awards. 
The type selected to head the classes was generally very satisfactory to 
lovers of the medium-sized hog which showed lots of quality, width of back 
and depth of ham. It was anybody's ribbon in a good many of the classes, 
and in aged sows when the first three were finally brought side by side 
