Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-08-24

anu statement OF new features eX-
pected to be introduced in each depart
ment. Following are the facts gather
ed from the replies. much of the matter
being entirely in the language of the
superintendent embodied in their re-
plies. There Is much of interest in
these reports and they afford a safe
thermometer by which to gauge the
situation. They were made with the
knowledge that they were to be used
for publication, and are therefore more
conservative in tone than would be a
private communication. The outlook
is certainly encouraging and IL every
one who reads these reports will draw
inspiration enough from them to make
them resolve to become either exhibit
ors, or attendants on the fair, the eff
fort Of the management to disseminate
all this information will not have been
in vain.
HORSES, PONIES AND MULES.
]. P. Manatrey, superintendent, p. O..
address, Fairfield, Iowa.
Renewed interest is shown in this de-
partment after some years of depres-
sion. 1t has been demonstrated by ex-
perience that there Is a good market
and good prices can be obtained for
well-bred stock.
Like everything else the raising Of
horses for market was brought to a
standstill by general business stagna-
ton, prices went below cost of produc-
ton, and many man went out Of the
business.
Things are beginning to look up
again now, and the intelligent breeder,
who seeks to raise thoroughbred ami
mails is bestirring himself once more.
This condition of things has led to our
having greater demand for stall-roomg
There will be more exhibits, believe,
than for years past, judging from in
Quiries made up to date and ! think a
greater diversity of good animals in all
classes.
Among the additions in this depart
ment is the offering of premiums
amounting to $165 ON saddle horses. A
slight change in premiums on ponies
has been also made.
Applications for stall room should be
made without delay. If you have an
animal you prize and think winner,
bring him along, put him beside the
other fellows and hear the judges ver-
dict.
C. T.. CAMERON, superintendent, p.
o. address, Alta, Iowa.
Both horsemen and public, we be-
lieve, will welcome with pleasure, the
new style of racing to be adopted at
the state fair track this year, which
consists Of what is known as the three
heat system-every heat to be race.
CATTLE.
Daniel Sheehan, superintendent, p.
o. address Usage, Iowa.
The prospect is good for a great cat
tie show. 1t looks as If 1t would excel
the show of last year. / believe the
class for fat steers and heifers will be
quite popular with the breeders as well
as with the feeders. intend to have
expert judges for all the different class
es If nothing unusual happens, you
will surely see one of the best displays
Of dairy cattle at the Iowa state fair
this year that has been witnessed since
the worlds fair at Chicago.
IL you have any doubt about the
standing of your breed of cattle bring
them out, put them alongside the other
exhibits and expert judges will be on
hand to tell you just how many good or
bad points the animals have. Trot out
the cattle, 1t helps the exhibit as a
whole, helps the fair, and helps the
state. If all should hold back, 1t would
be a poor show. The success of the
fair greatly depends up on the exhibit
ors.
r. ]. Johnston, superintendent, p. o.
address, Humboldt, Iowa.
cannot say much, only there Is a
prospect for good show.
The swine exhibit this year should
be one of the greatest drawing cards of
the fair. Every hog in sight ought to
be considered hero, for has he not es-
capped the dread pestilence Of cholera?
Every species of swine exhibited Will
be curiosities. They have proven
themselves cholera proof-but just as
a matter of precaution the state veter-
mary surgeon has had every pen thor
oughly disinfected. Come one, come
all, everything is safe and clean and
pure.
SHEEP AND POULTRY.
B. ]. Moore, superintendent, p. o. adj
dress, Missouri Valley, Iowa.
Everything indicates a great exhibit
of both sheep and poultry this year.
The premiums have been increased In
each department and new breeds have
been added, making more complete
premium list than has ever before been
offered exhibitors. Special premiums
have also been added in many classes,
and all that suggests itself has been
done to induce sheep and poultry men
to exhibit their stock. Only small
entrance fee is charged for sheep and
none at all for poultry. Any one hav-
ing anything in these classes that he
thinks is good. or better than the COM
mon run should put in an early appli
cation for space. All particulars will
be cheerfully furnished.
GRAIN, SEEDS. VEGETABLES.
A. l.. Plummer, superintendent, p. o.
address, Ivy, Iowa.
1t Is the desire Of the superintendent
of this department to make the exhib-
its as educational as possible and to
this end some improved methods are to