TWELFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART XI 651 



Progress has been made toward redeeming the fine agricultural building 

 from commercial exhibits, but much yet remains to be done. The in- 

 dividual farm exhibits are growing, and assuredly afford a fine example 

 of enterprise. A large proportion of this valuable space is filled with 

 concessions, ranging from cheap jewelry to tanned hides. No state is 

 better able to present a convincing exhibit of its production, if it were 

 only brought out and grouped in this building. 



The Iowa State College made an attractive display of the work in a 

 number of its departments. It was not burdened with details, but set 

 forth striking features. The public school exhibit was significant of the 

 modern trend toward the education of the hand. The Des Moines schools 

 made astonishing display of handcraft, and some of the country schools 

 claimed compliment for the character of the work done in the manual 

 training and domestic departments. Students' judging contests in corn 

 and stock enlivened the week. Such fairs afford unexcelled opportunities 

 for this work. 



The attractions, barring a lot of cheap side shows, were of an excellent 

 order. The racing was fair, and between the heats specialty features 

 were introduced that afforded entertainment. Chief among them were 

 the trials of sheep dogs, a new feature. James Scott, Thorniehill, Ancrim, 

 Roxburyshire, Scotland, and William Robertson, Balakin, Pirn Mill. Arren, 

 brought over six Border Collies, the party being in charge of John John- 

 stone, Glasgow. Engagements were made at Des Moines, Hamline, Sioux 

 Falls and Sioux City. This is a feature which has been long wanting 

 from American fairs, and it is to be hoped that the interest manifested 

 by the public in these trials will result in the establishment of com- 

 petitions of this character at leading fairs. The dogs worked with rare 

 intelligence, revealing marked instinct for driving and an education that 

 reflected much credit on their handlers. 



Fireworks at night packed the grandstand during the week, and the 

 hippodrome exhibitions at the Coliseum also drew full houses. It has 

 been definitely determined that fair-goers will patronize night exhibitions 

 with profit to the management, thus adding much-needed revenues. 



Numerically the stock exhibit totaled high, although revealing weak 

 spots both in numbers and character. Exhibitors have been loyal to this 

 fair, and its commanding position at the opening of the circuit has aided 

 in bringing out notable displays. The unapproached accommodations for 

 swine and the new cattle and horse barns indicated the ambitions of 

 the management, and exhibitors will hail with pleasure all progress in 

 this line. The setting for the sheep and dairy cattle is rather incongruous 

 for such a fair. 



