682 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
Few people realize the wonderful progress and development that have 
been made in the brief period of half a century that has elapsed since the 
establishment of the Iowa state fair. Few realize that during that time 
there have been perfected breeds of cattle, hogs and horses previously 
unknown, or only in a crude starting form. Yet these are facts, and the 
Iowa State Fair, in connection with kindred organizations, is to a very 
large degree responsible for the rapidity of the advancement. It is true 
that Iowa soil products are, to a greater extent than those of any like ter- 
ritory, particularly adapted to this growth and improvement of domestic 
animals, but the oportunity for comparison and the spur of competition 
given by the show have been the dominating influence in the forward 
movement that produced the wonderful exhibition of last week. 
Five thousand head of the various breeds congregated for the com- 
petitions, taxing the housing facilities to the limit. The notable increases 
were in the cattle, horse and sheep departments. Some interesting facts 
concerning the numbers of cattle and swine are given in a table that ap- 
pears elsewhere on this page, and the figures are in some measure a 
barometer of the shifting popularity of the different breeds, or the exist- 
ing business conditions. 
In the cattle division there was a magnificent display. The marked 
increase brought an unusual number of more than ordinarily good speci- 
mens of the various breeds, showing the general greater excellence to 
be found in Iowa herds. There was a much smaller proportion of im- 
ported animals in competition than ever before, nor was there any out- 
standing merit in this class. The condition is a most gratifying one, in- 
dicating as it does that the necessity of dependence upon the old country 
for high class breeding stock no longer exists in any degree which would 
imperil our industry should importations be entirely discontinued. In 
particular does this situation impress itself in the class of fat cattle in- 
augurated at the lovv'a State Fair. Gentlemen who have made careful 
inspection of Scotch and English shows advise us that the little ring at 
our Iowa State Fair does not suffer by the comparison. The block being 
the objective view in all cattle operations, it would seem that this argu- 
ment in our behalf is conclusive. 
The horse department attracted a great deal of attention, particularly 
that devoted to the draft breeds. While there were many importers in 
evidence with a line-up of some of the best animals to be found in Eng- 
land, Scotland, France and Belgium, there were also a prominent bunch 
of American breeders who were able to compete in the strongest rings 
and to do credit to themselves and the breeds they represented. The 
horse business has been getting down to a more practical basis. Farmers 
have been educating themselves in this direction until today in the pur- 
chase of breeding animals they are influenced by actual merit of the stock 
rather than the old-time glitter and hurrah that made up the show rings. 
We are producing good horses, and every year the importers find it more 
difficult to find those which have merit and strong characteristics de- 
manded by our home breeders. In the sections devoted to driving, coach, 
carriage and saddle horses, there was v/arm competition and some most 
