Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-09-07
THE POULTRY YARD
EXHIBITS At FAIRS
BY ED WEBER
BY ED WEBER

1915 ninety three county and district
fairs In Iowa, Nearly all have poultry
exhibits, yet comparatively few OF tins
large number give this department III
their talr the attention 1t deserves OF
should have. What is true IN TINS re-
spect in Iowa is also true in other
states, Iowa is having an awakening
that, without doubt, will result with
good effect to the state, its breeders
and fanciers, then radlate py MS srsa'
results INTO other states
The fall fairs begin the last OF jury
and wind up the middle of October Al
these fairs the earlier and best deVeA-
oped birds are brought together, COM
pared and where an expert poultry
Judge is employed the awards are
made in accordance to size, quality
and merit. Here the first lessons 10
MANY amateur breeders are given thnt
lead him to read poultry journals, puy
a Standard and study, and make OF
himself a thorough fancier and breed
er of some one or more variety OF
standard fowls. Later these work to
organize local associations for the pur-
pose of holding winter shows, where
they may exhibit their best for prizes
and comparison with the stock OF EEL
low breeders.
The poultry men who are given
charge of county fairs should make
an effort to have every man. woman
and child who has any recognized
standard breed or variety to exhibit.
They should also induce the fair man
agement to have cards printed giving
the names of the varieties; such cards,
if printed on good cardboard, could oe
gathered up by the superintendent ano
used several years if properly taken
care Of. The first cost is all an asso-
citation would be out and the ,duca-
tional value would be If greater good
than any investment that such a b >ard
could make.
Public Unfamiliar With Breeds.
Last year, while standing in the
aisle Of the poultry department and
listening to the remarks Of the onlook-
ing public, I was impressed with tbs
fact that but comparatively small
per cent of our farming community
are familiar on sight with standard
poultry. A Buff Plymouth Rock Is
called Buff Cochin, and but few seen
to know the difference. Light Brahmas
are White Brahmas, etc. A card or
coops would cause them more readii,
to learn the difference and make ther
more observing. The young poop {
would quickly remember the differ
ence. The coping at most fall cairs
is much better than in former years
The Iowa State Agricultural Society
board sold all it's out of date coops tc
different county associations and re
placed them with newer and up-to.
date coops. And as a result the low:
State Poultry Association annually
gets the use of them for their state
show.
Committee Judging Unsatisfactory.
County fair associations have learned
that committee Judging of exhibits /:
a most unsatisfactory method Of hav.
ing awards made. A great many have
learned that the employing of a recog
nized expert saves them often NOR,
than their pay, by declaring disquali
| fed specimens, or by not awarding {
| first or second prize to unworth!
| specimens. The opportunity givel
| breeders to exhibit early specimen
and learn from the judge what is bes
and most promising Is a great advan
tage that Is and can be made use o
for winter exhibits. The encouraging
comments to the amateur exhibito
| often leads them to exhibit at white
shows and become enrolled as mem
bers of their own county or state as
ISOLATION.
| The educational advantages ar,
many at county fairs, and everyon,
who lays claim to breeding standard
| bred poultry should take advantage o.
the opportunity to exhibit at theil
county or state fair. .-.-.