FIFTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART II 85 



to allow no attraction in the forenoon that would in any way detract 

 from the educational features of the fair. Hence the reason that sev- 

 enty-five per cent ot the attendance of the Iowa State Fair is on the 

 grounds by ten o'clock a. m. I know of state fairs where the attend- 

 ance of seventy-five per cent comes after twelve o'clock, and then, 

 mostly for the amusement features. If we expect our fairs to con- 

 tinue to be a success we must lay great stress upon the educational 

 features. 



One of the greatest improvements that has been made on the Iowa 

 State Fair grounds is the new Women and Children's Building, com- 

 pleted and used for the first time this year. This building is a model 

 of completeness and the first of its kind on any fair ground in the 

 United States, and to say that it was appreciated is putting it mildly. 

 You had only to stand for a few moments in the rotunda of the build- 

 ing and see the thousands of people come and go and hear the favor- 

 able remarks they made as they passed by. 



The new cattle barn used by the dairy cattle was also appreciated 

 by the dairy interests of this state. The subway under the track was 

 one of the improvements that has long been needed, not only in lessen- 

 ing the danger of crossing the track when the races were on, but in 

 allowing a great many of the classes in the light harness and saddle 

 horse department to be shown in front of the grand stand where the 

 people could sit and see the judging being done. This certainly added 

 a new and interesting feature to the afternoon program. The build- 

 ing of the cooling out paddock for the racing horses has entirely elimi- 

 nated the long waits between heats, as all horses to be raced in the af- 

 ternoon must come to the paddock and cannot go back to the barns 

 until after their races are finished. Everything in this department 

 works like clockwork. The new addition to the street car station was 

 most needed, as by the extension of the platform four cars can be 

 loaded at once where before only two cars were loaded at one time. 

 In fact, every permanent improvement that was made on the grounds 

 this year has added to the comfort and convenience of the patrons of 

 the fair. 



With a few more permanent buildings on the grounds, the Iowa 

 State Fair grounds will be a model of completeness for fair work. 

 There should be built this coming year a sheep barn and exhibition 

 ring. We have some permanent buildings for every stock department 

 except the sheep exhibit. We have been putting them off from year to 

 year and certainly something should be done this coming year for this 

 department. 



Another essential thing that will have to be taken care of this com- 

 ing year is the sewer system. Our toilet rooms are in fine shape and 

 there are no better on any fair ground, but the sewerage has always 

 been a great problem with the management. We have been waiting 

 anxiously for the completion of the Thirtieth street sewer. I under- 

 stand they expect to complete that this winter, and if they do I am 

 sure the coming legislature will make an appropriation to install a 

 complete sewer system on the grounds to connect with the Thirtieth 



