128 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



which calls the attention of the world to the agricultural resources of the 

 fertile heart of America. It is given to Iowa to open the grain-belt series 

 of state fairs. No other state holds an exposition which can equal the 

 Iowa one in the quality and quantity of live stock and farm products 

 displayed. 



"The 1914 Iowa State Fair, held in Des Moines this year, will go down 

 in history as the biggest and best, from an exhibit standpoint, in the 

 long, honorable list. For sixty years Iowa has been inviting the world 

 to its doors, bidding it to come, enjoy itself and be instructed. The 

 world did not respond in as large numbers this year as last, but the fair 

 was worthy of a bigger attendance than has ever yet been accorded to it. 



"Considering the fact that there was one-fifth more horses and cattle 

 shown this year than ever before, it becomes apparent that the 1914 Iowa 

 State Fair breaks all records and is entitled to the grand champion 

 sweepstakes. Never before was there such an exhibit of live stock as 

 was to be seen in Des Moines this year, testifying to the high plane which 

 the live stock industry has reached in this state. (With the foreign supply 

 cut down almost to the vanishing point, by the seizure of pure bred 

 mares and stallions for army service, the door of opportunity for Iowa 

 and the grain belt breeders is opened as never before. Even a casual 

 glimpse in any of the stables in Des Moines this year would convince 

 the most doubtful that here is one state, at least, which has the stock 

 and the breeders for the crisis. Many of the horsemen declared it will 

 be twenty years before Belgium can export any pure bred horses. France 

 will cut down its exports for at least half that time. In the meantime, it 

 will be to America that the horse industry of the world must look." 



The following from Wallaces' Farmer, Des Moines, Iowa: 



"The fair season is on, and, if the future can be predicted from the 

 opening at Des Moines, it will be even more successful than usual. Never 

 before has the Iowa fair offered so much and such a variety of entertain- 

 ment and instruction. The regular fair exhibits were superior, both in 

 quality and arrangement and convenience of access. Courses of lectures 

 on all sorts of topics of interest to farm folk are given each day in the 

 different buildings, and the amusement features, some excellent, and 

 some not so good, are sufficient to provide entertainment and relaxation. 



"Being the first of the larger fairs, Iowa has always been fortunate in 

 her live stock exhibit. All of the Western show herds meet here for a 

 preliminary tryout and then separate, some going to Nebraska and some 

 to Minnesota, to come together again later in the season. 



"The stock show this year has probably never been surpassed, and, as 

 stated by our live stock expert, was of distinctly international character. 

 Both the cattle and horse shows were wonderful exhibitions of the art 

 and skill of the breeder and feeder. Barn accommodations were quickly 

 found to be inadequate, and it was necessary to house many of the valuable 

 animals in large tents erected for the purpose. A very gratifying feature 

 of the live stock exhibit is the large number of Iowa breeders who are 

 showing herds fully able to compete with the best that have been brought 

 in from other states. There can be no better evidence of the healthfulness 

 of the live stock industry than is afforded by the show this year." 



