EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART II 47 



The reports show a reduction in the number of horses, cattle, 

 and swine and an increase in the number of sheep and poultry on 

 exhibition. The reduction in the number of horses, cattle and 

 swine is no doubt due to the high cost of feed and increased 

 expense in fitting stock for shows. 



The amount paid out in premiums on agricultural products, 

 pantry stores and in all other departments totaled about the same 

 as last year, regardless of the fact that there were six less fairs 

 held. 



Forty-four, or nearly one-half of the fairs charged 50c admis- 

 sion at the outside gate. The number charging the higher admis- 

 sion increases each year. Thirty-seven charged 50c in 1916 ; 

 twenty-five in 1915 ; twenty in 1914 ; eleven in 1913 and six in 1912. 



Forty fairs gave night sIioavs in front of the grandstand with 

 an attendance of 91,766 compared with thirty-three in 1916 with 

 an attendance of 66,600. 



. For more detailed information attention is called to the four 

 tables compiled from the county fair reports filed with the depart- 

 ment. 



Table No. 1 is a condensed financial statement showing balance 

 on hand at the close of last year's business, the total receipts of 

 fair, receipts from sources other than fair, such as borrowed 

 money, stock sold, subscriptions, etc., and the grand total receipts. 

 The disbursement side of the table shows the total cost of fair, in- 

 debtedness of previous years paid during current year, amount 

 expended for improvement during the year, and the grand total 

 disbursements ; also the cash balance on hand or overdraft No- 

 vember 1, 1916, the estimated value of grounds and buildings, and 

 the present interest bearing indebtedness. 



Table No. 2 takes into consideration the receipts and cost of 

 the 1917 fairs only. The receipts are itemized as follows : Re- 

 ceipts from outside gates, grandstand and quarter stretch, entry 

 fees, speed department, concessions and privileges, miscellaneous 

 receipts, state aid received and the total receipts. The disburse- 

 ments have been divided as follows. Premiums paid in all de- 

 partments except speed, amount paid for speed contests, cost of 

 music a:id attractions, miscellaneous expense, the total cost of 

 fair and the profit or loss on the 1917 fair. 



Table No. 3 is a tabulation showing the total number of exhibi- 

 tors at the fair, number of exhibitors in the live stock depart- 

 ments, the number of horses, cattle, swine, sheep and poultry on 



