SEVENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART I. 13 



retard its progress to a certain extent, but it will continue to go on the 

 future just as it has in the past, commanding greater respect as it 

 grows older. 



The Iowa State Fair is essentially a farmers' fair. A larger per- 

 centage of the attendance comes from the farmers than at any similar 

 institution, therefore measuring up to the highest degree in its educa- 

 tional advantages. While the fair is not held for the benefit of the 

 farmers alone, they appreciate it to its fullest extent. The lessons of 

 the judging arena are studied closely by them, as are the exhibits in the 

 farm implement and other departments. They seek every opportunity 

 for gaining knowledge which will be of benefit in improving existing 

 conditions; they can see the word education written in large letters all 

 over the grounds. The State Fair has arrived at that point where it is 

 fulfilling to a large degree the purposes for which it was established, 

 and its effectiveness as an educational agency can be further strengthened 

 by adding equipment which is now lacking. 



STATE FAIR OF 1906. 



The fifty-second annual State Fair was in keeping with the times and 

 will go down in history as being the most successful, from every point 

 of view, of any of its predecessors. The exhibits in nearly all depart- 

 ments increased amazingly, and in those departments where no increase 

 was made the improvement in quality was noticeable. A very conserva- 

 tive estimate would place the number of cars of exhibits upon the fair 

 grounds this year at between five and six hundred. To prepare for 

 and install an exhibit of this immense proportion necessitated a vast 

 amount of labor, and incidentally caused the expenditure of a large sum 

 of money. The only regretable and unpleasant feature in connection with 

 the installation oi this mammoth exhibit was the lack of proper buildings 

 for its display. The building in which an exhibit is shown and the 

 manner of its arrangement add very materially to its attractiveness and 

 its educational value. Elsewhere in this report, when published in the 

 Year Book, will be found a statement showing the number of entries 

 and exhibitors in various departments. It is enough here to say that 

 the exhibitors were far more numerous than ever before, there being in 

 the neighborhood of eleven hundred of them represented at this year's fair. 



The attendance at the State Fair this year was, in round numbers, 

 188,000. This was an increase of twenty-two per cent over 1905, sixty 

 per cent over 1904, and about one hundred and ten per cent over 1901. 

 This annual increased attendance shows conclusively the stability of the 

 institution, and will undoubtedly continue to grow. There is no reason 

 why the attendance for the week should not reach 300,000, and we be- 

 lieve this number will be reached within a very few years, with favor- 

 able conditions. 



The receipts of this year's fair were $110,929.85. This is an increase 

 of twenty-six per cent over the receipts of 1905. While the receipts in 

 nearly every department showed a small increase, it is most noticeable 

 in the sale of tickets and the amount received from the sale of privileges. 

 The increased percentage from the sale of privileges is about the same 

 proportion as the percentage of increased attendance. 



