TENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART XI 683 



fact, be dispensed with at this time. Here thousands of interested farmers 

 and stocli men and their wives, sons and daughters gather to witness the 

 judging of the horses and cattle, of all breeds. It is here the state fair 

 holds its judging school, its live stock institute, its course of instruction, 

 so to speak, in the science of stock judging, in the art of selecting the best. 

 The hog barn is the name given to the immense brick building where 

 the hogs are housed and provided with hotel accommodations during the 

 fair. This building is so large, so complete in its structure, architecture, 

 sanitation, etc., almost as large as four city blocks, that it really seems as 

 though it should be dignified with some modern title, some designation 

 more in accord with its greatness, grandeur and fitness for congregating 

 large numbers of swine to one general hostelry, one common place of ex- 

 position and entertainment. Iowa is the great hog state of the union. Its 

 swine population is so vastly in excess of any other state that there is 

 practically no comparison, almost double that of the state ranking second 

 in number of swine produced. This swine building is the largest struc- 

 ture of its kind in the world. Its capacity can provide eating and sleeping 

 accommodations for 4,000 head of swine and give the mature old sires and 

 dams each a separate bed. It is great in extent and fitness as a place for 

 congregating the show hogs of the pure bred swine of the country. 



NEW STEEL GRANDSTAND. 



The grandstand or amphitheater at the race track is a newly acquired 

 structure on the fair grounds and is one of the most complete improve- 

 ments of this character to be found on any state fair grounds in the 

 United States. Besides being permanent, lasting and entirely free from 

 any liabilities of accident or injury to fair patrons, it is a revenue producer 

 that has no equal on the grounds. 



The administration building is the place where the business of the 

 fair is transacted; where the offices are located and the officers who are 

 active in the management of affairs may be found. It is also the place 

 above all others on the fair grounds where the people of Iowa feel free 

 to go and rest, enjoy a big rocking chair on the wide veranda or porch 

 that extends on all sides around this large, magnificently planned build- 

 ing. Hundreds of tired people thus enjoy a few moments' rest in the 

 shade and go again on their errand of sight-seeing. Within this build- 

 ing, on the main floor, is a large court or lobby that is finished with 

 settees and easy chairs and will accomodate scores of visitors. 



CENTRES OF ATTBACTION. 



The live stock divisions were, as usual, centers of attraction. Great 

 crowds thronged the judging pavilion while the animals were being 

 passed upon in the awarding of premiums. 



The cattle divisions were especially strong. This was a matter of com- 

 ment by specialists on almost every class. "The best show the state has 

 ever made," was a common remark around the show ring. 



The Herefords were judged by Thomas Mortimer of Nebraska, a prom- 

 inent breeder and many years exhibitor of Hereford cattle. These classes 



