TENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK PART XI (iofl 



space. Even Uncle Sam, with his thoroughly staged bid for settlers 

 on land under his reclamation act, rented spare under a tent. This 

 is as it should be. 



A change in administration of the agricultural building, the increased 

 space afforded by the new balcony, and the very material help of the 

 agricultural college, transformed the exhibits building, and it was 

 eloquent with arguments that proved the fertility of Iowa soils and 

 the progressiveness of its farmers. County exhibits were multiplied, 

 and the attractiveness of this feature is sure to expand it materially at 

 coming fairs. Alfalfa was emphasized in right royal fashion. It 

 was needed. Some farmers passed the exhibit who were minded to 

 quarrel with the attentive young men who were there to answer 

 questions, and denied' that Iowa could raise alfalfa. But the ocular 

 demonstrator was unanswerable. Along with it went the facts from 

 each farm which had contributed a part of the exhibit. The varied 

 production of the state was plainly shown throughout this building, 

 and it is certain that demands for room will require all floor space for 

 exhibits which classify as strictly agricultural. 



The Iowa State College at Ames was assigned a special building, up 

 on the hill, and one of the most comprehensive exhibits of an institu- 

 tion's scope was presented. Each division of the college work was 

 allotted a section and exhibits were set fortli in orderly and instructive 

 array. It was possible to grasp an idea of the work through an inspec- 

 tion of the exhibits in the various sections. The domestic science 

 department kept open house and made almost continuous demonstra- 

 tion of the character of the instruction given farmers' daughters at 

 the college. Over in the poultry building, Ames submitted one of the 

 most attractive exhibits, detailing the process of incubation, and 

 illustrating model henneries and appurtances of the poultry yard. It 

 is hoped next year to expand this college exhibit to include live stock 

 and judging instruction, although the fair has made such liberal drafts 

 on the college force in executive positions that it would seem diflBcult 

 to conduct a special exhibit of this character. 



Ever the effort is tov>'ard the conservation of labor on the American 

 farm. Inventive genius has been taxed to its limit to make machinery 

 do the work of men. On such an exhibition ground this fact is driven 

 home. It is reported that the big thresher outfits have agreed to remain 

 away from the fairs for a certain number of years, and their absence from 

 Des Moines robbed the machinery section of much of its spectacular feat- 

 ure, but a few separators were nevertheless on the ground, and the multi- 

 plicity of farm implements of smaller size v>'as altogether bewildering. 

 In pavilions and exhibition halls built by private enterprise, under can- 

 vass that spread its generous expanse of protection, and out in the open, 

 the sections given over to farm implements were fairly congested. It 

 would be impossible to list them. Novelties were not numerous, but im- 

 provements were presented in some of the older forms of implements, and 

 the field was broadened to include all kinds of fencing, tiling and road 

 making machinery as well as the implements that the individual farmer 

 uses. It is worthy of note that a road drag made on the principle of the 



