266 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



Naturally, the war and the new conditions it is creating, was one of the 

 chief topics of conversation among the state fair visitors. The farmer is 

 intensely interested in the operation of the draft law. There is already 

 a serious shortage of farm labor. If farm boys generally are called to 

 the colors, this shortage will be very serious, indeed, before the crops are 

 gathered, and even more serious next spring, when it is time to put in 

 the new crops. Many farmers feel that the boys who have had special 

 training on the farm, and especially those who are actively managing 

 farms, or, as it sometimes happens, are the owners of farms themselves, 

 arc more valuable to the nation raising live stock and grain than they 

 would be in the trenches. It is uncertain as yet just what steps the gov- 

 ernment will take, but the tendency so far has been not to excuse farm 

 boys from military service except in some cases until the crops are 

 gathered this fall. Other industries are also complaining because their 

 workmen are being taken, and it seems likely now that the government 

 will not excuse the farm boys from military service except possibly in 

 very unusual cases. 



The presence of some 5,000 soldiers on the fair grounds gave to it a 

 distinctly military atmosphere. Patriotism was pronounced, but not noisy. 

 TVhen the splendid troops of the IGSth infantry passed in review before 

 Ciovernor Harding and some 70,000 lowans on Wednesday, there was plenty 

 of enthusiasm, but of a quiet and determined kind. This indicated to the 

 careful observer that Iowa people idealize that we have a serious job on 

 hand — one that will require intelligent cooperation on the part of all, and 

 possibly great sacrifice on the part of many; but it is a job that is neces- 

 sary, one that we can not honorably avoid, and lowans are practically 

 unanimous and quietly determined to see it through. 



The hotels and restaurants of Des Moines were heavily taxed to accom- 

 modate the tremendous crowds of visitors. Many private homes were 

 opened for the accommodation of those w^ho wished rooms in the resi- 

 dence section, and the Commercial Club, through its information bureau, 

 in that way took care of many thousands of visitors. There were accom- 

 modations on the fair grounds to feed the multitudes, who came without 

 pif.nic baskets, and who looked with enviovis eyes at their more thoughtful 

 neighbors who did provide such baskets, and enjoyed the appetizing con- 

 tents while seated on the thick grass beneath the trees. 



Boys' and girls' club work during the past year has been centralized 

 largely in the production and preservation of food products. An idea of 

 w^hat has been accomplished by club activities could be had by visiting 

 the club building on the hill. There were canned products of all kinds 

 and descriptions. During the summer, members have been sent literature 

 urging them to keep up their work. That many of them responded to 

 these appeals from the government for more food was evident. While the 

 quantity which individuals were able to produce and preserve was small, 

 the aggregate is large, and the total value would be astonishing. There 

 are more than 50,000 members in Iowa alone, and their work includes 

 twelve branches. At the club building, latest improved methods for can- 

 ning, drying and other methods of saving food products were demon- 

 strated by the extension department of Iowa State College. "Wednesday 

 was special club day, every member of a club being admitted free. Prizes 

 were awarded the clubs that made the best exhibits. 



The boys' judging contest always is an event of interest. Some of the 

 fair's best cattle, horses, swine and corn were brought before the boys to 

 be judged. Each boy had to pass on two classes of each kind of stock 

 and on two varieties of corn. The time allowed to look over each class and 

 to write reasons for the placing was fifteen minutes for each member. 

 Prizes for those whose judgment corresponded most closely to that of the 

 expert Judses wp.re scholarships in the regular agricultural CBUrses at 



