FIFTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART IV 227 



to farm work continued the dominant feature. They long since spread 

 from field to farm home, and this feature was in strong display. The 

 farm home no longer need lack all the comforts and conveniences of 

 the city home, for inventive genius has supplied them. Gasoline engines 

 and silos played stellar parts. Nearly a score of silos indicated the wide 

 choice of types at the hands of farmers in building these food preserves. 

 If any form of application of motor power to farm work, in field, barn 

 or home, failed to be illustrated, it escaped observation. The machinery 

 exhibit at the big fairs presents a peculiar fascination for the student. 

 In it he reads chapters in the advancement of farm life. 



Stock overflowed. Nearly 250 more cattle were present than last year 

 and around 150 more horses. Sheep invaded the swine pens, but the 

 porkers fell considerably short of the entries of former fairs. 



Attractions were almost too numerous to be seen and enjoyed. Possibly 

 we are reaching the climax in our efforts to amuse fair goers. If any 

 string in the gamut was untouched at Des Moines last week, we do not 

 know what it was. Before the grandstand, afternoon and evening, and in 

 the Coliseum at night, entertainment was mixed with instruction. The 

 light horses, of which a remarkably strong exhibit was assembled, played 

 a very prominent part in these features. No stage on earth presents so 

 many features of varied character as the modern state fair, and Iowa 

 appears to have assumed a lead in this respect. 



The minor chord is struck when the attendance is considered. The 

 turnstiles clicked merrily on the opening days of the first week, but Sunday 

 showed a decrease and Monday fell nearly 18,000 behind the corresponding 

 day last year. Friday has been added to the fair week, devoted to auto- 

 mobile sports, and it is hoped that the total attendance will be augmented 

 on that day. Definite information is not now at hand, but it is feared 

 that some little disappointment may be encountered when the footings 

 of attendance are made. The weather was for the most part agreeable. A 

 severe storm swept over the grounds on Monday evening, following a 

 sultry day — a real tent-leveler. No one was killed, but a number were 

 injured. The first gust of wind put the light plant out of commission 

 and panic reigned in a small way among the thousands in the grandstand 

 and coliseum. No fair ever deserved better of the people. It is to be 

 hoped that it earned reasonable rewards. 



THE CATTLE SECTION. . 



THE SHORTHORNS. 



The exhibit of Shorthorns turned out a new yard stick with which to 

 measure the state fair stature of the breed. The entry list counted up 

 258 and only a few were missing from the stalls. This is not twice as 



