FIFTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART I 23 



and when fruit is placed a draping around the tables should be added. 

 The room in the gallery is not suitable for the fruit and still less for 

 plants. Exhibits not injured by heat and -wind will do there, and if 

 the quantity of fruit continues to come it will require half of the build- 

 ing to give the artistic effect that such a department is entitled to. Of 

 course we can get along with what seems best but to keep up with the 

 advance of the times the additional room will be needed. 



Liberal premiums on pears have brought out a good showing of this 

 choice fruit and taught growers that some of the best fruits can be 

 grown as well as the standard — the apple. 



As to additional premiums, I would suggest the following to be offered 

 at the next fair, about half of which is likely to be called for in any one 

 year: 



Make two districts for peaches, the same as plums. 



Add $50 on ornamental baskets, making the entire amount $150. 



Make the premiums on boxes of apples $5, $3, $2 and $1 on each, 

 variety, thus adding $240 to this class, of which perhaps $100 will be 

 claimed. 



Make a class of crabs in each of the four districts, which will add 

 about $70 to the offerings. 



Make one on class of apples stored for one year, offering, about $9. 



Additional plates should be provided as we have been constantly hin- 

 dered in placing the fruit by this lack. 



These in brief are the principal wants of the department for the next 

 campaign, but be it understood, we will grin and be happy with what- 

 ever seems best as is the habit of the small boy at Christmas time. 



Respectfully, 



E. M. Reeves, 

 Superintendent. 



Mr. Sheldon moved that the recommendations in the above re- 

 port be referred to the executive committee and the superintendent 

 of the department with power to act. Seconded by Mr. Curtin. 

 Motion carried. 



Report of M. G. Thornburg, superintendent of the sheep de- 

 partment, was read as follows : 



REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SHEEP DEPARTMENT. 



I respectfully submit the report of the sheep department for the Iowa 

 state fair with recommendations for the 1914 show. The sheep exhibit 

 at the Iowa state fair is making a steady increase both in number and 

 in quality. The 1913 show numbered over 500 head with a total value 

 of over $30,000. The three most notable features that helped to make 

 this year's show a success were: 



First. The exhibitors were all pleased with the judging and every- 

 body was well satisfied. 



Second. The large increase of Iowa flocks, and the improvement in 

 the quality of the Iowa sheep. Mr. McKerrow, who has exhibited sheep 

 at the Iowa state fair longer than any other shepherd, said that the Iowa 

 sheep had increased over eighty per cent in the last three years. 



