412 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



possibly undertake this building, in view of indebtedness we. had already 

 incurred, and we did not see anything we could leave out and in any manner 

 satisfy our exhibitors. Finally they decided that for this year (lOOti) ihey 

 would occup}' a tent and serve notice on us unless we had a building for 

 next year, they would give us no protection. 



This is a subject, in my opinion, for the Boai'd to lake n\) specially and 

 give explicit directions. 



TURNSTILES. 



In 1905 it was said that thousands, on account of poor arrangements at 

 street car entrances, walked into the grounds without paying any admis- 

 sion, and one of the important questions decided u])on was a plan to avoid 

 this occurring this year (1906). Our arrangements were jjroperly plannetl, 

 and the exit turnstiles all that could be desired, but the contractor with the 

 entrance registering turnstiles did not fill his agreement, as turnstiles, so 

 far as registering is concerned, were a faihu-e. But while they failed in this 

 way they were properly protected, as everyone i)resented an admission 

 ticket to gain admittance to the grounds. Of course it is needless to say 

 we refused to accept and pay for these turnstiles. 



OUR CONCESSIONS, ETC. 



The exact figures for privileges, concessions, etc., will be covered fully 

 in the secretary's report, and you no doubt will be pleased to know that we 

 collected more by quite a considerable sum than any other fair in the United 

 States. 



In discussing this subject at the annual meeting of managers of fairs at 

 the association all seemed surprised at our success in this line. Hamline, 

 Springfield and Iowa are the three that are considered the largest, and se- 

 cure the most money along this line, and we are congratulated by these 

 managers on our solution of this question the past year. No other fair in 

 the country secured so nuu-h money as we did from our shows. Some fairs 

 have had so much troul)le with the show business in managing it themselves 

 that they cut it out entirely and are talking of cutting it out next year on 

 account of trouble and annoyance with such a small source of revenue as 

 they obtained. 



The reports show (all fairs considered) that our profits were greater in 

 1906 than any other fair in the country, and some had a much larger at- 

 tendance. 



CONCLUSION. 



There are many other mattei-s I might refer to, but as our president and 

 secretary have undoubtedly covered them, I will only say in conclusion 

 that, everything considered, our new grounds, condition of finances, no state 

 or outside help, we must feel proud of our success, and while it was necessary 

 to create considerable of a floating indebtedness, which is small when we 

 consider our improvements, the value of our property and the great success 

 secured, we must confess it has been the means of taking us out of the class 

 of large county fairs, as heretofore, and placing us in the front ranks with 

 the big State Fairs of the country. 



While there is much ahead to be done and from time to time a large amount 



