ANNTJAL MEETING. 2l 



What do we need? To make our plant in keeping witli our sister 

 States, and worttiy of as good a State as Indiana, our wants are many. 

 We need money and plenty of it. Tlien all tilings may be added unto 

 us. We need permanent buildings suitable for their purposes, to stop the 

 constant drain upon our resources. A complete water system for the bene- 

 fit and health of all. A park and landscape system to beautify and adorn 

 the grounds until they shall become the garden spot of Indiana. Steel 

 underpinning under our grandstand, with cement floor, that we may de- 

 rive some revenue from what is now unproductive property, and the 

 liability of destruction be diminished. We need a large coliseum for our 

 stock show, and such other purposes as buildings of that nature can be 

 used for. It is a disgrace to every citizen of the State of Indiana, and 

 we feel it keenly, to invite the best exhibitors in the world to come to 

 our State Fairs and be compelled to make their exhibits in the rain. 

 Our mile track, that has a reputation among the best, and that we know 

 to be the very best when the rains defer to our wishes, needs resoiling, 

 and it should be done in the near future with proper and careful oversight. 

 We have done everything to popularize the track. Have built a half- 

 mile track in the infield, for the many known benefits such equipments 

 bring. 



When we look around us and see what other States are doing for their 

 State Fairs, and in fact for all their agricultural societies, and knowing- 

 how those things have been brought about, we feel that the State Board 

 of Agriculture of Indiana, while it has always been free from political 

 tendencies or influences, should give the body politic just one political 

 twist now that party lines are almost obliterated, and that sixty-five 

 per cent, of the voting population of Indiana are of the farm or directly 

 interested in the farm, and should and must have recognition. 



Our friends over in Ohio are having all the good things that are going. 

 They have a very superb plant, substantial and beautiful in all its details, 

 a credit to any State. The Legislature of Ohio gave them $2<50,000 for 

 the construction of buildings. The citizens are all proud of their holdings, 

 and not a word of objection has ever been raised. 



What have they done over among our friends in Illinois? They have 

 received $510,500 for the purchase of grounds and construction of build- 

 ings, and a large annual appropriation for the maintenance of the oflice 

 and payment of premiums. They have a grand plant, and the people are 

 with them in the upbuilding of a most creditable and complete plant, 

 worthy of a great State and progressive people. In the States of Michigan, 

 Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa they are properly cared for. 



Indiana to us is the best State among the great Middle States, from 

 location, natural resources, and diversified interests; her farmers and 

 stock growers are afraid to ask for what is justly due them. 



We feel that the Legislature of Indiana should make an appropriation 

 of sufficient money to carry on and take care of Indiana's exhibit at the 



