6 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



tire new roof, at a cost of $3.50 per square. There are approximately 1400 

 squares in the swine pavilion roof and 800 squares in the porches of the 

 Administration Building. The cost would be about .$1.75 per square, or 

 $3,850.00 to put both roofs in good repair. 



The need of toilets near the Administration Building for both men and 

 women is more apparent each year, and while it may not be possible to 

 alter this condition, another year the matter should be kept in mind. It 

 would be impossible to install two sets in the room under the main lobby 

 of the Administration Building, which is partially excavated, with en- 

 trances at each side of the steps at the south entrance to the building. 



The other improvements that have been discussed by the board are the 

 paddock for horses entered in the races and the tunnel under the track. 

 Also the cross section of the cattle barn, or one or two of the individual 

 units of the cattle barn. 



I believe the time has come when more attention should be given to 

 beautifying the grounds. Practically all of our streets and walks are lo- 

 cated and the arrangement of the permanent buildings is fixed. I am of 

 the opinion that the board could Vv'oll afford to spend a little more money 

 than we are now spending on plants and flowers, vines and shrubbery. I 

 believe it would prove profitable to employ a professional gardener four or 

 five months out of the year to supervise and carry out the work. The 

 shrubbery has had but little attention and needs cutting back. A great 

 deal could be done to beautify the buildings by planting creeping vines 

 about them similar to those along the west side of the swine pavilion. 

 With the care and attention of a gardener beautiful beds of flowers may 

 be grown from seeds or annuals. These flowers, in addition to the beds 

 grown from bulbs and roots, would greatly increase the beauty of the 

 grounds. At present we spend about $400.00 annually for roots and bulbs 

 and no attempt is made to save the roots. I see no reason why a root 

 cellar could not be constructed at a nominal cost and these roots and 

 bulbs stored therein. They could then be started in the spring in our 

 own green house. 



In addition to the recommendations made by the superintendent of 

 the agricultural department for changes in the classification I should like 

 to submit the following: 



In the class for individual farm exhibits I would recommend that 

 $125.00 be appropriated for each exhibit scoring above the minimum in 

 the classes for farms over 80 acres and for farms under 80 acres -and 

 $100.00 for each exhibit in the class for Polk county farms, to be divided 

 pro rata among the exhibitors scoring above a minimum of 50 points, in 

 place of $850.00 in each of the first two classes mentioned and $250.00 in 

 the class for Polk county. I would also recommend that a committee be 

 appointed to form.ulate a score card for these classes. The purpose of the 

 score card is for the information of the exhibitors so that they may know 

 the quantity of each sample required and the number of varieties neces- 

 sary for a perfect score in so far as quantity and variety are concerned. 



I would also like to have the board consider a plan for county exhibits 

 to be put on by county advisers. The plan has been discussed by the 



