770 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



In the dairy booth was presented the up-to-date dairy machinery, hut 

 the Babcock tester and the scales were given a leading position. Three 

 suggestions were given to Iowa dairymen, as weed out poor cows, feed 

 right, breed better cows. Sanitary milk bottles, made from paraffined 

 paper, which are used once and then thrown away, were a new feature 

 to most observers. 



The Botanical Department had a display of common Iowa weeds labeled 

 and a large number of them growing in pots. Passing this booth such 

 remarks as "I always wanted to know the name of that weed; now I 

 know," were heard. Then the man in charge would give a little talk, 

 telling the best way to get rid of that particular pest. 



An Iowa silo, made of curved brick building tile, in course of con- 

 struction, attracted attention. The whole exhibit presented, in a form 

 easily to be seen and grasped, many fundamental truths which Wallaces' 

 Farmer has been hammering at for years. In charge of each booth was 

 an expert who made it his business to answer all questions concerning 

 his department. Many a man will secure sufficient financial benefit from 

 this exhibit to more than pay for the whole cost of the outing at the 

 Iowa State Fair. 



It was not expected that the fruit display would compare with that 

 of former years. The late frosts put practically all the Iowa apple trees 

 out of business this year. Considering the season, the exhibition of 

 fruit was first-class. C. E. Mincer, of Fremont county, made quite a 

 complete commercial apple display. He used smudge pots during the cold 

 snap and claims to have the only bearing commercial orchard in Iowa 

 this year. 



The State Board of Agriculture had a very complete display of the 

 grains and grasses of Iowa, and exhibited large charts which gave Iowa's 

 production in dollars of the various farm crops. This exhibit was very 

 tastefully arranged by Fred Hethershaw, of Polk county. 



THE CATTLE SHOW. 



On the whole, the cattle show did not surpass the high standard of 

 last year. The Herefords were the only breed showing marked increase, 

 both in numbers exhibited and the quality of animals shown. The Angus 

 were up to the last year's standard, but the Short-horns were weaker, 

 especially in the bull classes. In numbers, the Polled Durhams, Galloways, 

 Red Polls and the dairy breeds, with the exception of the Jerseys, all 

 were weaker than last year. Although not surpassing last year's great 

 show in numbers, this year's exhibit was especially fine in quality. 



THE SHORT-HORNS. 



The Short-horn show was remarkable for the unusually large amount 

 of prize money secured by Iowa men. Graham, Tietjen, White, Saunders, 



