TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART II 59 



that values are rarely appreciated until they have slipped out of one's 

 possession. 



Iowa has seldom been fatter and finer than it is now. This is the 

 big, obvious fact illustrated and advertised by its sixty-sixth annual fair. 

 The fair grounds, buildings and equipment proclaim the state's affluence. 

 Since 1885, when the fair was permanently located in Des Moines, the 

 state has invested $530,611 in improvements. The real estate, compris- 

 ing a 360-acre tract, is valued at $582,000; it is worth a million. The 

 buildings are appraised at $687,764, to which must now be added $200,000, 

 invested during the past year in the largest and best appointed cattle 

 barn on an exhibition grounds in America or elsewhere. The present 

 grand total assets of the fixture approximate $2,500,000, and for every 

 dollar that the state has- spent on the grounds it has several dollars' worth 

 of first-class property. 



The new cattle barn, of brick and steel construction, cost $200,000; it 

 will accommodate 1,600 head; 1,400 occupied it last week. When com- 

 pleted, according to the architects' plans, a large sale ring, costing 

 $27,000, will be one of its unique and valuable features. Beef cattle were 

 stalled in one section of the imposing structure, and dairy cattle in an- 

 other. The building is admirably lighted and ventilated, conveniently lo- 

 cated in relation to the big coliseum, and cattle exhibitors appreciated 

 and praised it as meeting every practical requirement. 



Iowa's dairy industry rapidly is expanding, due to the growth of the 

 state's cities and towns, and the remarkable development of its manu- 

 facturing industries. The gradual urbanization of the nation's chief agri- 

 cultural state is inevitable. Hence the increasing demand for local dairy 

 products; hence the urgent need on the fair grounds of an exhibition 

 building worthy, in size, appointments and appearance, of that essential 

 industry in Iowa. The building, according to tentative plans, will house 

 a dairy machinery show, in addition to a model creamery and an ice cream 

 factory, which will demonstrate the commercial processes of producing 

 butter and cream. 



A commodious building for fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers also 

 is required for the profuse and excellent displays which growers of these 

 edible and decorative bounties of the soil are eager to make at the fair. 

 A 50 per cent increase in the capacity of the grandstand would pay for 

 itself within a few years. All the seats in the present grandstand were 

 sold every day or evening during the week at 50 and 75 cents each and 

 $1 each (for boxes). Eventually a big general exposition hall will be 

 built. If the grandstand is moved, as it is likely to be when enlarged, 

 8 to 10 acres of needed open space for exhibits and parking will be added. 

 The existing arrangements of the grounds make this valuable land prac- 

 tically useless to the fair. 



Live stock thrives and is raised most extensively and profitably where 

 feeds are regularly and abundantly grown. Iowa is therefore a leader 

 in meat production. For the same reason its show of home-raised live 

 stock at the fair is more extensive than that seen at any other state fair. 

 This year 1,400 beef, dairy and dual-purpose cattle, 4,500 hogs, 1,000 sheep 

 and 900 draft and light horses, ponies, jacks and mules were exhibited, 



