FIFTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART II 167 



'WHAT I SAW AND LEARNED AT THE IOWA STATE FAIR AND 



EXPOSITION." 



BY HOWARD EVANS, WEBSTEE CITY, IOWA. 



Words cannot express my delight when I was informed that my essay 

 on "The Ideal Farm" had been awarded first prize in Hamilton county, 

 and that I would be a member of the boys' camp at the Iowa State Fair 

 of 1914. I had never visited the fair, which everyone reported a wonderful 

 institution. On August 24th I was enrolled with ninety-eight boys from 

 every part of the state. 



The first day we were given an opportunity to learn as much as 

 possible about the fair grounds, and I saw a great deal more than I could 

 remember. However, I learned to find the various buildings and exhibits, 

 which were many and varied. Of great interest to me was the building 

 of the Iowa State College, containing exhibits of the agricultural and 

 engineering departments. Models of the buildings and many other inter- 

 esting devices were shown. Wireless messages were also sent from there 

 to the city. All kinds of grains, grasses and weeds were on exhibition; 

 also models of soil types and the best rotations and fertilizers. Lectures 

 and motion pictures were given daily. 



The Agricultural Hall contained many attractive county and farm 

 exhibits, vegetables and fruits. In Floral Hall were a great many beauti- 

 ful flowers and the Exposition Building contained many attractive ex- 

 hibits. The Administration Building was used for the officers of the 

 fair and for a reading and rest room. One of the most popular and hand- 

 some buildings on the grounds was the Women and Children's Building, 

 which contained an interesting art exhibit, model school room, manual 

 training and domestic science rooms, a children's playground, the baby 

 health contest, and many other interesting features. In the Boys' and 

 Girls' Club Building I saw manual training and domestic science exhibits 

 from schools. 



Everyone was interested in the mammoth swine building and judging 

 pavilion. There were many exhibitors of the various breeds. I was 

 especially interested in the exhibits of pure bred horses and ponies, and 

 the barns full of all breeds of beef and dairy cattle. The sheep also 

 attracted attention and the poultry building was crowded with chickens, 

 ducks, geese, etc. In this building the Iowa State College put on a very 

 interesting and educational exhibit pertaining to the killing and picking 

 of fowls. 



The new cattle barn and paddock were greatly appreciated. 



Our camp life was an important part of the trip. In addition to learn- 

 ing how to camp, I became a friend of some of the best fellows in the 

 state, and was under guidance of good, friendly men. We were allowed 

 a good night's rest and arose and went to meals at a scheduled time. We 

 were privileged to hear talks by Governor Clarke, Rev. Hanson, Auditor 

 Bleakley, Mr. Parsons, Rev. Idleman, Uncle Asa Turner, and Mr. Goodrich. 

 There were also morning prayers by the leaders. 



