434 



IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



great interest among the visitors and a great deal of guessing was in- 

 dulged in as to what animals would be selected as the prize winners by 

 the expert judges. The beef breeds were all strongly backed by their 

 fanciers and the best breed is still a matter of dispute with the best cattle 

 judges of the country. The show ring has never fully settled this ques- 

 tion and never will, notwithstanding its great influence in moulding 

 public opinion. 



The fine show of breeding cattle that is made at the Iowa State Fair 

 and the great number of good herds that stand to the credit of the State, 

 is again reflected in a more convincing and practical demonstration of 

 beef cattle improvement, by the superior quality of its common farm 

 herds that are to be seen by the stranger as he travels over the State. 

 State fairs are not all a key to the State improvement and State condi- 

 tions, but Iowa's State fair is. 



CATTLE AND HOGS AT IOWA FAIR. 



So that our readers may have a clear idea of the growth of the cattle 

 and hog show at the Iowa State Fair we print tables showing the number 

 exhibited for the last six years: 



* Polled Durhams were shown with Short-horns prior to 1905. 



IMPORTED MUTTON SHEEP THE FAD. 



The sheep department of this fair has been steadily improving in 

 numbers and quality of animals exhibited, until it has attained a standing 

 among the good sheep shows of the country. In the mutton breeds there 

 was an exceptionally good lot of animals, especially in the Shropshire, 

 Oxford and Hampshire classes was the show close and evenly contested 

 by half a dozen leading exhibitors of the country. The imported mutton 

 sheep is the fad now among breeders and handlers and their growth and 

 show ring preparation is hard to excel. 



