588 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 



questions that are being asked frequently at this time. Manufacturers 

 and dealers are especially interested in these matters, fully comprehending 

 that they cannot prosper unless the farmer is also prosperous. If crops 

 are below normal this fact was not reflected at the fair this year. If the 

 farmers are expecting to curtail expenses or postpone previously planned 

 improvement this, too, was not in evidence judging from the attendance 

 and interest manifested in the exhibits. On the contrary, the farmers 

 seemed to be more alive than ever and more interested in the show as a 

 whole. It seemed as though they were redoubling their efforts in hunting 

 for suggestions as they went about asking questions. 



What a magnificent exhibition the Iowa State Pair has become! What 

 a strong influence it wields in the development of our agricultural re- 

 sources! It is by far the greatest agricultural educational factor in the 

 state, for it reaches so many people. It exerts its influence not only on 

 those who annually or occasionally attend its exhibitions, but also indi- 

 rectly upon those who stay at home. The state has expended many thou- 

 sands of dollars in building up this fair, but it can spend many thou- 

 sands more to advantage, and this it will undoubtedly do. 



The attendance this year broke all previous records. The total attend- 

 ance was 270,000, as compared with 220,000 last year. Cash receipts 

 totaled $190,000 as compared with $157,000 a year ago. At the close on 

 Wednesday receipts had already been large enough to cover all ex- 

 penses of the show. On the last two days receipts totaled $40,000, and 

 this was net profit. The weather was ideal throughout the week; this 

 undoubtedly had much to do with the record crowds that poured through 

 the gates from day to day. On Tuesday the attendance amounted to 

 over 62,000; this was 3,000 above the record day in 1909. 



The board of directors and the officers of the fair, including Acting 

 Secretary Corey are to be congratulated upon the splendid management of 

 the fair this year. Exhibitors and visitors alike spoke of the uniform 

 courtesy everywhere extended. When well-built machinery is properly 

 oiled and taken care of it runs smoothly, and then it appears as though 

 anyone could manage it; but let something get out of repair and an ex- 

 pert is required to put it in order. The Iowa fair is evidently managed 

 by experts or the machinery could not continue to run so smoothly. 

 Mothers remarked that the fair was clean; they rejoiced. Many brought 

 their children and were grateful for seeing no gambling or games of 

 chance. A distinct improvement was seen in the character of the side 

 shows; more attention was being directed toward matters having educa- 

 tional value. The ladies, for example, listened to daily lectures on do- 

 mestic science given by members of the Iowa State College in the college 

 building. Several meetings were also held for the purpose of interesting 

 men and women in organizing country clubs for the purpose of promot- 

 ing better rural social conditions. For the most part these meetings were 

 well attended. 



One notable meeting was held for the purpose of organizing a crop im- 

 provement association. This meeting was called by Mr. Wells, secretary 

 of the Western Grain Dealers' Association. Representatives from sev- 

 eral city commercial clubs, bankers associations, various manufacturing 



