416 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



in the trade. Especially is this true of implements designed for farm 

 work. A canvass of the exhibitors at Des Moines reveals the fact that 

 greater interest than ever was taken last week by the farmer visitor 

 in the display of implements and farm machinery at the fair. 



It is early in any year for an impressive display of corn at this fair, 

 and only "roasting ears" would have been available this time. The 

 display in the fine new horticultural and agricultural building was rather 

 meagre, but the products of last year's fields were available for ex- 

 hibition and for decorative purposes. Much of the fruit was nipped by the 

 late frosts, but the long tables of attractive apples indicated that green 

 apple pie has not entirely passed out of the bill of fare of the Iowa 

 farmer. A significant feature that demands comment was the number 

 of advertising displays of grains and grasses from various sections 

 west and north, appealing to the Iowa farmer. He has no one but 

 himself to blame for this "proselyting." He has spent so many millions 

 of dollars the past ten years in western or northwestern lands, either 

 for speculative purposes or future homes, that the land boomers of 

 those regions have learned thoroughly his opulence and seem to have im- 

 bibed an idea that he is dissatisfied with his conditions. Canada, the 

 Dakotas, Colorado and Nebraska were among the sections which sought 

 to draw the Iowa farmer by their displays of products, while down 

 under a tent, amid the sideshows, was a tempting display of farm 

 products from the Texas Panhandle, erstwhile producer of horns and 

 hides! Verily, westward the star of agriculture takes its way. 



Live stock is the main theme of the Iowa State Fair. Around this 

 exhibit the enterprise revolves. The interest in pedigree stock breeding 

 sprang quickly to the front in this State early upon the introduction of 

 improved blood to this country, and its herds, flocks and studs have 

 been brought to a commanding position of importance. Added to this 

 fact is the fondness which many prominent exhibitors in other states 

 have for this fair. They like the country, they like the classification 

 and prizes, they like the conduct of the fair, and inasmuch as it opens 

 the circuit for the season, it is not strange that accommodations 

 have for many years overflowed. At Des Moines the circuit divides, 

 and part of the showmen take up their journey toward Hamline and 

 part toward Lincoln, while a number of the home exhibitors either begin 

 their rounds at the local fairs or retire with their taste of State fair 

 experience. 



The cattle exhibit was large and excellent on the whole. Short-horns 

 readily took the lead in numbers, outranking in that respect any ex- 

 hibition of the breed that this country has seen, but the average quality 

 suffered somewhat from this very fact. Herefords were in comparatively 

 small numbers but of admirable quality for the most part, and the 

 Aberdeen-Angus sustained in the female classes the traditions of the 

 breed on these grounds, albeit bulls were nothing to brag of as a lot. 

 In the minor breeds some interesting exhibits were presented, and 

 taken altogether the cattle section was quite satisfactory. 



Draft horses made impressive display, especially in the female classes. 

 Nothing is more gratifying than this indubitable evidence of expanding 



