132 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



Mr. Rigby: I would like to speak a word along this line. I have 

 taken some interest in this matter myself and those present who read 

 the Ladies' Home Journal in their homes recall that some time ago it 

 published some very fine photographs and also got out a set of plans for 

 bird houses, which you could secure for a nominal sum to cover postage. 

 In connection with giving premiums to make it a success, somebody must 

 be interested and give it attention. Appoint some one to take an interest 

 in matters of that kind; give him personal supervision and then offer 

 suitable premiums. Get these sets of plans or designs so that they have 

 something definite to work from and you can make it quite a success. 

 My suggestion would be that the teacher in the manual training depart- 

 ment of the public schools would be the one to cooperate with us in it. 



The Chairman: Did you have any idea, Mr. Rigby, as to the right 

 way to dispose of this matter at this time, as to commending to each 

 member of the association some plan? Do you think a committee should 

 formulate sorre plans and then mail it to the members? 



Mr. Rigby: Mr. Cliairman, I make a motion that this matter be given 

 to the executive committee with power to act, and I think it should be 

 taken care of by that committee. 



Motion seconded and unanimously adopted. 



The Chairman: The next number on the program is the address en- 

 titled Benefits of Fair to Community and State by Mr. Floyd Douglas of 

 Mason City. 



BENEFITS OF FAIR TO COMMUNITY AND STATE. 

 FLOYD DOUGLAS, MASON CITY. 



Recent years have brought many changes in all lines of work, but 

 especially have we progressed in the agricultural field. The beaten tracks 

 have been forsaken and we as a state have met these changes half way, 

 embracing the opportunities they presented. The possibilities of Iowa and 

 old Mother Necessity have made it essential that we gain more knowledge 

 as to our acquaintance with soil and its production, familiarity with 

 our possessions, and facts concerning results that might be obtained. To 

 this end agricultural schools, short courses and splendid instructive farm 

 papers have been placed at the disposal of every producer in the state. 

 As a result of this education the trained man has pursued paths of 

 development and their learning has not been wasted. For out of this 

 knowledge and establishing of facts has developed results surpassing all 

 expectations. 



By encouraging the applying of this learning and the comparison of 

 excellence of products the county fair has been of unlimited value to 

 the various sections and to the state in general. Here we bring the fin- 

 ished product or the best we have been able to produce during the past 

 year and its merit is adjudged. We compare not only the different ob- 

 jects presented, but producers meet and gather much information con- 

 cerning the methods applied. New channels are opened and interest is 

 awakened. To many farmers it is the annual event where all the resi- 

 dents of the county meet and present subjects which have held their 



