266 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



The Iowa State Fair offered the first comprehensive classification for 

 market draft horses of different ages with a view of encouraging the 

 farmer who Iceeps good grade mares and patronizes pure bred sires. Mr. 

 Robert Ogilvie, the judge who passed on this exhibit at the last fair, pro- 

 nounced it the best exhibit of young stock from the farms that he had 

 ever seen in that kind of a class. With some changes that are contem- 

 plated in this class during the coming year I am confident that this ex- 

 hibit can be improved one hundred per cent at the next show. I am a firm 

 believer in the value of a class that appeals to the practical farmer and 

 that encourages the farmer of moderate means to produce better stock, 

 and bring it out in good form. 



Our classification for heavy harness or carriage horses has been rather 

 light. We have not had suitable stable room to accommodate this kind 

 of an exhibit. The stabling is far from adequate yet, though the addi- 

 tion of the two new brick barns with the enclosure of the space between 

 for harness and carriage and hitching room, will afford a great improve- 

 ment that will strengthen this feature of the show. The completion of 

 the barn which has been begun by the erection of the brick buildings 

 referred to, will provide a magnificent building with stabling for one 

 thousand horses under one roof. Such an exhibit will have an aggregate 

 value of more than $1,000,000. 



There has been great congestion in the horse department during the 

 past two years. It has been a difficult problem to find stabling for all 

 of the exhibits and almost equally difficult to find room for judging the 

 numerous large classes. The ponies and mules are judged on Saturday, 

 and during the show week proper it has been found necessary to work 

 four rings in the pavilion and two in front of the grand stand continuously 

 every forenoon in order to complete the work in the allotted time. 



The evening shows in the pavilion have constituted a new feature of 

 marked success. The attendance has reached the limit of both seating 

 capacity and standing room nearly every night, and on some nights double 

 the number of tickets could have been sold. At no fair that I have ever 

 attended has there been such marked interest shown in the judging and 

 exhibition of live stock as is manifest at both the daily and evening ex- 

 hibitions in the coliseum at the Iowa State Fair. 



An important feature of any successful live stock exposition is com- 

 petent and impartial judging. The Iowa State Fair has set high standards 

 in this respect. It has been the purpose of the management to secure 

 men of recognized ability and integrity. Men of this kind command re- 

 spect and confidence, and contribute largely to the success and educa- 

 tional standards of a modern fair There must be absolute integrity 

 and fair dealing with everyone. 



In closing this report I wish to express my hearty appreciation of 

 the interest and co-operation and generous support of officers and mem- 

 bers of this board, and my associates in the department, and the exhibitors 

 and patrons who have made the show possible. 



(Note — For complete classification for horse department, see premium 

 list for 1910.) 



