264 IOWA depart:\text of agriculture 



The r.tate college is in its oducalional almosphere with its exhiljits. 

 A series of lessons in agriculture are arranged around the walls of 

 its special building, teaching by miniature model and by plainly printed 

 text lessons that may be learned by those who run. Significant indeed 

 is the fact that the visitor is first greeted by a very impressive display 

 of a plan for electrically lighting the farm home and barn. This is a 

 keynote of the fair — the effort to aid the Iowa farmer in his ambitions 

 for an equipment which will ensure the economical service and the 

 comfortable life so generally the lot of the city dweller. 



Machinery hall afforded ample evidence of this fact. The modern 

 home equipment, whereby labor is lessened and comfort increased, 

 made appeal in all its manifold manifestations. Lighting, heating, 

 running water plants, ventilating systems, building materials, and 

 kitchen and laundry equipments had no less conspicuous a display than 

 did the equipment which made for the welfare of the cattle and swine. 

 Manufacturers have evidently appraised properly the ambitions of the 

 Iowa farmer. The poultry industry received prominent demonstration 

 and dairy equipment, which should be grouped in one special building 

 along with products of the cow, occupied much space. The buggy ex- 

 hibit continues to shrink, but it is replaced by trailers and truck bodies 

 for motor cars. The consolidated school omnibus, designed to be 

 heated on cold days, indicates how insistently farmers of the state are 

 demanding facilities and comforts in the education of their children 

 commensurate with those enjoyed by city children. 



The big machinery men were present in numbers that afforded oppor- 

 tunity for study of the latest types and improvements. A little vacant 

 space was available, as some of the big outfits either withdrew from 

 fair exhibits or curtailed their shows. So far as this fair is concerned, 

 the loss is theirs. A tractor demonstration was given by a number of 

 manufacturers, against the protest of others who pointed to the agree- 

 ment that only one tractor demonstration should be made each year 

 in one state. But the opportunity was too good to be lost. The ex- 

 hibit, and silo town alongside of it, where a score of silos of different 

 types have been built and filling machinery was in operation, furnished 

 field for study which was carefully cultivated by visiting farmers. 



Forty-five varieties of autos were grouped under the grandstand with 

 its canvas-covered annex, and lack of space shut out a half-dozen others 

 who applied. The automobile dealers' association and the fair officials 

 ase in full accord in this exhibit and the display engrossed the attention 

 of men and women from the farm the week long. If any doubt as to 

 the hold of the motor car on Iowa farmei-s were indulged, it would be 

 resolved in the light of the eager interest in this exhibit. 



The need of a dairy building is not the only one. In the expensive 

 task of rebuilding these grounds the managers have had much clearer 

 vision than the means with which to materialize that vision. The cattle 

 section is very insistent on more room and better protection. Cattle 

 were scattered about in tents, as the overflow was pronounced. Plans 

 have been drawn which will provide sufficient quarters for all cattle, 

 beef and dairy, which knock for admission to these grounds, and a 



