EIGHTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART IX. 439 



and, with the exception of the aged cows, the classes were small and usu- 

 ally ragged. 



HORSE DEPARTMENT. 



PERCHERONS. 



There was a splendid showing in the Percheron classes. There was a 

 falling off in numbers from last year's entries, but nevertheless there 

 was quality in abundance. Several importers that are in the habit of 

 showing at the Iowa fair did not appear on this occasion. Conse- 

 quently some of the stallion classes were scarcely as strong as they have 

 been on previous occasions. The splendid exhibit of mares and Ameri- 

 can-bred horses is worthy of comment here. There were indications of 

 increasing interest in the horse-breeding industry and the product of 

 some of the breeding farms in several instances proved to be superior 

 to their imported competitors. 



BELGIANS. 



The aged Belgian stallions and the three-year-olds, as well, were an 

 extraordinary bunch of heavy drafters. Powerful horses stood in line, 

 with great bone and muscular development that could not fail to attract 

 the visitor interested in draft horses. Beyond the two classes mentioned 

 only a few individuals were entered. The awards were made in an able 

 manner by W. E. Pritchard of Ottawa, 111. 



CLYDESDALES. 



The character of the rather small Clydesdale exhibit was unusually 

 good. A few specimens represented almost the highest type of the breed 

 and there were few of the ordinary sort. It was a show that made a good 

 impression by virtue of its quality rather than magnitude. Some ex- 

 cellent American-bred horses were shown. 



There were only five exhibitors of Shires, with a total of thirty-three 

 head. It was a fairly good show, in spite of these facts. There was 

 . plenty of competition in the stallion classes and it took a good horse to 

 win a blue ribbon or even a red. It was frequently observed that several 

 of the winning horses showed much more quality than is usually found 

 in horses of such weight. Certainly some of the leading stallions did not 

 lack in cleanness of bone. 



SWINE DEPARTMENT. 



The hearts of swine breeders were made glad at sight of the new swine 

 pens and judging pnvilion. Last year they were obliged to house their 

 magnificent stock in poorly constructed sheds and flimsy pens and in or- 

 der to have room for it were compelled in many instances to place five 

 times as many hogs In a pen as should be placed there for the comfort 

 and good of the hogs. 



