TWENTIETH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART II 103 



try. Aside from paying all running expenses, it has put as much money 

 into permanent improvements as the state has provided — an achievement 

 which no other state fair, that has developed as rapidly as the Iowa fair, 

 has accomplished. The investment in buildings and other improvements 

 on the fair grounds is now so great that the time has come when the 

 state should set aside a permanent fund for up-keep of the whole plant. 



For the last 15 years the Iowa State Fair has earned an average annual 

 net profit over and above all running expenses of $33,000 and this money 

 has been used for permanent improvements. This year there will up- 

 doubtedly be a net profit of over $50,000. 



The keen demand that exists for live stock was clearly reflected at the 

 fair this year. In the first place there were about 300 more cattle on 

 exhibition than last year. The Shorthorns led with 200 head; they were 

 followed by the Herefords with 153 head. The Holsteins far outnumbered 

 former records with a total of 134 head. The cattle were all in excellent 

 show condition and it was noticeable that more interest was manifested 

 in the judging than usual, and also that men studied the cattle in their 

 stalls with greater earnestness than ever. Many a farmer who has never 

 used a registered bull in his herd before is now sriously debating the 

 question of buying one to improve his herd. High priced land and ex- 

 pensive feed are forcing improvement in live stock, so to speak. 



The outstanding feature of the cattle show was the baby beef feeding 

 contest for which 174 calves were entered. Of these 156 appeared in the 

 show ring. The judging of these calves by Prof. J. W. Kennedy, of Sioux 

 City, Iowa, on Saturday was a notable event. The calves filled the entire 

 judging ring, each accompanied by the boy who had done the feeding and 

 kept a close record of the amount of feed consumed and the cost thereof. 

 Each boy was able to tell when he came to the fair what it had cost him 

 to produce 100 pounds of beef. The boys were therefore in position to 

 compare notes and study the work of each other. The lesson which those 

 who entered calves in this test learned was one that cannot be measured 

 in dollars and cents. Every boy who did not get as high a prize as he 

 thought he ought to have had, and all those who did not get within the 

 money went home with a determination to do better next year. Some 

 learned that they had not selected the right kind of calves to get to the 

 top; others that they had not fed the best and most economical rations to 

 make beef economically; and still others realized that they had not paid 

 enough attention to regularity in feeding. When they talked with some 

 of the boys who had been moi'e successful and who had paid very close 

 attention to the points which some had considered negligible they realized 

 in a way that they will never forget how to do better next year. The sur- 

 est way to learn anything is to learn by doing. When practical work is 

 supplemented by reading and talking with other people, progress is sure 

 to be made. The boys and girls of today will be the farmers and farmero' 

 wives of tomorrow and the club work that is progressing so splendidly 

 all over the state will result in an immense amount of good in years to 

 come. 



As President Cameron of the State Board of Agriculture saw the 156 boys 

 in the judging ring holding their calves he remarked, "These are the boys 



