26 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



special money offered by the breeding associations. This special money 

 amounted to $7,225 for 1917 and $5,615 in 1916, a gain of $1,610 for 1917. 



There was also an increase of $3,742 in receipts of the speed depart- 

 ment which must be taken into consideration when balancing the pre- 

 mium account. 



The following statement shows amount paid in cash premiums and 

 amounts received from various sources to apply on premiums for the 

 1916 and 1917 fairs: 



1917 1917 1916 1916 



Total cash premiums paid.... $ 72,442.07 $ 67,060.41 



Special premium money received : 



Assn. special money $ 7,225.79 $ 5,615.65 



Entry fees draft horse 



futurity 594.00 807.00 



State Pais Futurity, speed 



department 584.84 1,057.30 



Western Breeders' Futurity. 860.00 717.78 



Entry fees speed department 6,109.50 2,036.98 



Total received to apply on 



premiums $ 15,374.13 $ 10,234.71 



Net amount paid in pre- 

 miums by fair manage- 

 ment $ 57,067.94 $ 56,825.40 



From this statement it will be noticed the increase actually amounted 

 to $242.54. 



Forage cost $6,369 more than last ye^r, but should not be considered 

 an increase in the expense of fair for the receipts from sale of forage 

 increased in about the same proportion. 



Advertising cost $15,717.84, an increase of $1,407.84 over last year. 

 This, however, is only $217.84 in excess of the appropriation for adver- 

 tising made by the board at the spring meeting. 



Music and attractions cost $21,631 or $1,295 more than last year, and 

 $654 less than in 1915. Auto races cost $870 more on account of employ- 

 ing the services of two promoters who secured about half again as many 

 cars as took part in the races at the 1916 fair. The other increases in 

 expense of fair are small and occurred in practically all departments. 



If you have had an opportunity to go over the statement of improve- 

 ments and permanent repairs you will have noticed that all the tar and 

 gravel roofs were recoated and repaired this year. Every frame build- 

 ing and all the woodwork and metal roofs and cornices on permanent 

 buildings were given one or two coats of paint. The structural steel in 

 the grandstand, street car entrance, horse barn and about half the steel 

 in machinery hall was also painted. In fact every building on the 

 grounds is in first class state of repair and should require but very little 

 expense for maintenance and repair another year. 



There are a few suggestions I should like to make at this time. 



I do not believe it would be wise to continue the "Horn of Plenty" 

 exhibit another year as we have already featured it for two years. I 

 believe, however, we should provide a feature exhibit to take its place in 

 the center of the building. Just in the way of a suggestion I have thought 

 a pillar of fruit, vegetables and agricultural products, similar to what 

 was put on at the New York State Fair this year, might be appropriate. 



