270 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



as they once were, and their hair was of a whiter color, but they put their 

 old time spirit into the music as they marched up and down the roads 

 within the fair grounds. 



Live stock entries this year exceeded those of last year and of every 

 other year in the history of the fair association. This year there were 

 137 horse exhibitors, with 1,143 entries, as compared with 145 exhibitors 

 and 993 entries in 1913. In the cattle show this year 104 exhibitors 

 had 1,188 entries, while last year there were only 77 exhibitors with 945 

 entries. The hog show was larger also, and the sheep were fully up 

 to last year in numbers. 



Professor L. H. Pammel, botanist of the Iowa experiment station, took 

 occasion to tell about the work he is undertaking to gather information 

 on the honey plants of Iowa. This lecture was given at the bee keepers' 

 headquarters. Professor Pammel pointed out the importance of the honey 

 bee both as a producer of honey and as a benefit to the horticultural 

 interests of the community. He is going to make a detailed study of the 

 honey plants of the state, the investigation to cover three or four years, 

 and he wants the cooperation of the residents of the state. He especially 

 desires to get specimens of honey plants and information stating their 

 abundance and value. A special question sheet has been prepared for 

 distribution, and all willing to assist in the work should write to him 

 for a copy. His address is Ames, Iowa. 



The fruit exhibit, while perhaps not up to the usual standard, was 

 creditable in view of the unfavorable season for fruit in this state. The 

 entries were mostly made by orchardists who spray and take care of 

 their orchards. Their splendid exhibits had been possible on account of 

 this extra work given the orchards. All predicted that apples would be 

 high this fall, and few exhibitors had much fruit to offer for sale. The 

 display of boxed apples was good, and a demonstration in boxing showed 

 how to do the packing and sorting properly. One box of apples packed 

 from last season's crop was in fair condition, but had begun to show 

 signs of its age. 



The parade of prize winning live stock was one of the biggest features 

 of the fair. It was held Thursday evening, and was scheduled to start 

 at 6:30. Unfortunately, it was delayed until nearly dark, and the crowd 

 did not get the full benefit of it. It was a magnificent display and was 

 properly called the "million-dollar parade." It was, without a doubt, the 

 best parade of live stock ever seen in Iowa or at any other fair in the 

 central states. 



One of the best improvements on the fair grounds this year was the 

 building of a double subway under the race track. This permitted the 

 free passage of vehicles to and from the center of the race track with- 



