PROCEEDINGS STATE AGRICULTURAL CONVENTION 101 



The total cost of the 1921 fair was $294,124.27, leaving a profit on 

 the operation of the fair of $3,570.98. There was paid in cash pre- 

 miums, $120,427.64. This was an increase of $7,807.49 over the 

 amount paid in 1920. The other operating expenses, including cost 

 of attractions, advertising, payrolls in all the various departments, in 

 fact all the expense in putting on the fair with the exception of pre- 

 miums, amounted to $173,696.63. This was a reduction of $12,- 

 970.91 in similar expenses of the 1920 fair. In other words, the 

 management was able to reduce the total expense of the fair 

 $5,163.02, and at the same time increase the premiums $7,807.49 

 over the amount paid at the 1920 fair. 



The items listed under expense other than fair, improvements or 

 maintenance, cover the expenditure of the Department of Agricul- 

 ture and items not chargeable under the above headings. The prin- 

 cipal items are as follows : Expense of Stallion Registration Divi- 

 sion, $3,752.77; PubHcity Department, $2,097.79; expense of 1920 

 fair paid during 1921, $2,077.19; paving assessment against state 

 fair grounds, $11,779.94; bills payable, $3,000; and numerous small 

 items fully set out in the itemized statement. The total expenditure 

 under this heading was $26,609.51. 



Maintenance of Grounds and Buildings 



The item of maintenance of grounds and buildings has become of 

 considerable importance and a heavy drain upon the receipts of the 

 fair. The value of the buildings alone amounts to over $900,000. 

 Figuring a depreciation or maintenance charge of 3%, would amount 

 to $27,000 annually, and this does not take into consideration main- 

 tenance of the light system, sewer system, water system, fences, 

 streets and walks, all of which are charged to real estate. 



The Board expended during the past year, under this heading, 

 $20,037.01 and the average expenditure for maintenance during the 

 past three years has been a little over $21,000 per year. The Thirty- 

 ninth General Assembly appropriated $12,500 for the two-year pe- 

 riod for this purpose. The appropriation for this purpose should 

 be increased to about $25,000 annuallv to take care of some large 

 items that should have attention at an early date. These items in- 

 clude a new roof on the swine barn and the grandstand, porch roof 

 on the adminstration building, and re-coating the roof on machinery 

 hall. 



