ELEVENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART XII 823 



in general strength of conformation. Mrs. Adam Sterling, of Des Moines, 

 won first in the three-year-old class on Wagga Wagga, a typey little fellow 

 with lots of quality. The contest for the ribbons was a close one 

 throughout. This was especially true in the class for stallion or mare 

 foal, where thirty-two were shown. John Donhowe, Story City, Iowa, 

 won the blue on a filly pony that certainly was a beauty. She was neat 

 and trim and had all the form of the matured ponies. In the mare classes 

 Messrs. Geo. Heyl and Chas. E. Bunn won most of the blues and reds. In 

 the class for pony in harness, eighteen were shown. Mr. Heyl was award- 

 ed first on a fine acting, typey fellow. The second ribbon went to Bunn 

 on Grandee, his three-year-old black stallion. The ponies in harness, four- 

 in-hands and tandems, all were strong classes. The amphitheater was 

 crowded with children and the older ones, who applauded time after 

 time. W. J. Kennedy was the judge. 



SWINE. 



There were in all 2,044 hogs in the pens of the swine division of the 

 Iowa State Fair this year. That number is less than the exhibit for sev- 

 eral years past, but it is yet sufficiently large to permit the show to re- 

 main the greatest hog show on earth. The relative numbers of the different 

 breeds remain about the same, with the single exception of the Hamp- 

 shires, which have made a remarkable increase in numbers, as well as a 

 decided betterment in quality. 



A conservative statement with reference to the merits exhibited would 

 be that, while the show was a good one, and doubtless represented the 

 best of the various breeds, the tone was not strong enough to justify 

 a belief in an advancement in those points which go to make for univer- 

 sal improvement. This is supported by the fact, as given in the atten- 

 dant list of awards, that too many of the principal prizes were captured 

 in bunches by a comparatively limited number of exhibitors. This is no 

 reflection on those herds which won, but rather an indication that too 

 few breeders are workng in real earnest with the purpose of producing 

 and showing animals that closely approach the breed ideals. It would 

 seem that with the passing of those veterans who are responsible for 

 the higher forms as represented by the best specimens of the breeds most 

 popular today, there is a lack of unity of ideals, as well as methods of 

 production. This is evident in the divergence from accepted types of other 

 years. The condition refers especially to the Poland China and Duroc 

 Jersey breeds. Other breeds, remaining in the hands of fewer men, show 

 a trueness to type that is generally remarked upon. 



IiUROC JERSEYS. 



The show of Duroc Jerseys opened up with a very large class of aged 

 boars, and one which possessed on the average a great deal of size. There 

 was perhaps in this lot a greater variation of conformation than existed 

 in any other ring of the show. The judges showed a preference for a 



