ELEVENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART XII 783 



stowed upon the Short-horns at Des Moines. When he had finished his 

 work he was presented with a memorial signed hy the Short-horn exhib- 

 itors expressing the heartiest appreciation of his services. 



Since the open classes for Short-horns and Herefords carry seven to 

 eight prizes, we have omitted publication of the awards in the classes 

 open to Iowa entries only, most of the winners in the state rings being 

 also included in the open prize list. It is understood, of course, that the 

 judging of the state classes proceeded in connection with the regular 

 order, occasioning, however, more or less annoyance. In the state classes 

 the first-prize entries are the same animals which stood highest of the 

 Iowa contestants in the open rings. For example, the fifth-prize senior 

 yearling bull in the open class might be first in the Iowa class. 



Each recent year has shown a growing percentage of white Short- 

 horns at the leading shows. White is now so common in exhibits of this 

 breed that it is losing the glamour of newness. As white bulls travel, 

 after the example of an ancient heifer, the "white plague" grows in be- 

 neficent fury. There are enough reds to keep the showyards rich in the 

 breed's old-time color combinations and purities, but just now the whites 

 are marshaling ominous forces into the strongholds of the reds. Happily 

 there are no signs of the development of another color fad on this side 

 of the water; a good Short-horn may have any color. If a South Amer- 

 ican buyer could be induced to look this way for breeding stock he 

 could find dark reds in bewildering numbers. We make the foregoing ob- 

 servations by way of involuntary recognition of the abundance of white 

 in the coats of the dozen aged bulls which met in competition for the 

 first time this season. It would be unfair to our Short-horn breeding 

 industry if Mr. Willis had gained from this class a permanent impros- 

 sion, for many better rings of aged Short-horn bulls have been judged 

 at Des Moines. He concluded no doubt after he had judged the females 

 that this happens to be an "off-year" as to bulls. White Star, head of 

 the lot, stood fifth in a class of 25 entries at the Royal show at Liverpool 

 in June. White he is, of a pattern resembling in some respects the noted 

 deceased sire Whitehall Sultan, and was brought over this summer by 

 Mr. Harding to follow in the footsteps of that celebrated champion. 

 White Star, Scotch-topped in breeding, coming four years old, has not 

 quite the length, and, in his present form, not the weight of his prede- 

 cessor in the Anoka herd, but he shows a deal of character, and when he 

 reaches the condition toward which he is working he should be more 

 formidable in the best of company. Straight Marshall, presented in first- 

 rate fix, was strong in his position, and Gallant Knight's Heir, fashioned 

 accurately after his noted sire, pleased with his symmetry and compact- 

 ness. Carpenter & Ross, who exhibited only three head at this fair, headed 

 the two-year-olds with The Captain, one of Avendale's best-modeled sons. 

 Sultan Mine stood so close as to suggest his kinship. Proud Robin led 

 a first-rate lot of senior yearlings. A low-set, trimly-built bull he is, with 

 well-developed quarters. Gay Knight, of Meadow Lawn ancestry, is a 

 popular type among breeders. Several acceptable junior yearlings were 

 a compliment to their breeding and feeding. Fond Memory, which fresh- 



