NINTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART XI 571 
corn belt. The only herds (two in number) from outside the state came 
from Illinois, while the home representation comprised a quarter of a 
hundred herds. Awards were made by the pioneer swine breeder, Mr. W. 
Z. Swallow, of Waukee, Iowa, who gave careful attention to the task. 
BERKSHIRES. 
The show of Berkshires was a live one. It was highly complimentary 
to the breed. Mr. N. H. Gentry, of Sedalia, Mo., made the ratings in a 
manner that left no doubt as to their consistency. Outside of a single 
exhibitor from Nebraska, it was a home show, and a good demonstration 
of the high excellence w^hich is being attained in corn-belt herds. There 
should be, and there is a place for herds of this, the oldest breed in ex- 
istence, in every corn belt community. The championship on boar was 
won by an loua breeder, Mr. Ogle, on a very promising senior yearling, 
Premier Belle's Duke, while the champion sow was the aged one, Tilda's 
Model, in the Nebraska herd owiied by Mr. Holt. 
HAMPSHIRES. 
Tire popularly called thin-rined or white-belted breed, but officially 
known as Hampshire, made their initial show at the fair this year. Seven 
well-fitted herds numbering 1.50 head constituted the display and aroused 
much interest and attention. Had pens been available, fully double the 
number would have been on the ground. As it is, a start has been made 
which promises much for future exhibitions. And it is pretty certain 
that the efforts of breeders in this direction will be attended with the best 
results. The rapid advancement of this breed in favor among farmers and 
packers is being made on good grounds. Professor Ferguson, of Chicago, 
made the awards and stuck close to the long, smooth-sided hog, of size and 
quality. A tendency "to the lard" w^as too much in evidence in some 
cases, and this is liable of course to occur W'hen pigs are reared with too 
free access to corn. 
TAMWORTHS. 
Awards in this breed were made by Mr. J. J. Ferguson in his usual care- 
ful and precise manner. 
YORKSHIRES. 
The showing in this breed was considerably reduced this year owing 
to the absence of several of the herds which regularly show, but one herd 
being in the pens. This was owned by Mr. B. F. Davidson, of Menlo, 
Iowa, w'ho brought thirty-two head. Mr. J. J. Ferguson, the judge, granted 
full honors to the exhibit, which was a highly creditable one. 
SHEEP. 
A very excellent showing of sheep was made at the Iowa State Fair 
last week, and this department attracted more than its usual share of at- 
tention. The auction sale held on Thursday by George McKerrow & Sons, 
of Wisconsin, was a new^ thing for Iowa breeders, and the promptness with 
w^hich the McKerrow sheep were picked up certainly indicated a revival 
