SEVENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART IX. 415 



Department exhibit was the number of long glass tubes containing soil 

 of different kinds. The tubes were about six feet long, each of them 

 filled with soil. At the bottom of each tube was a wick running from 

 the soil in the tube to a pan of water. The purpose of the exhibit was 

 to show the capillary action of different kinds of soil; that is, the ca- 

 pacity of each to draw up water from below. There was a very marked 

 difference between the different kinds of soil. These were only two of 

 the number of different exhibits made by this department. It is not 

 possible for us to name all of the interesting things in the College ex- 

 hibit. A long table covered with weeds of different kinds, to each of 

 which was attached a label bearing the name of the weed, attracted a 

 good deal of attention. A large glass case containing the roots of a 

 cornstalk gave the observer a better idea of the extent of the root sys- 

 tem of the corn plant than he could obtain in any other way. Corn of 

 different kinds was also exhibited, and trays containing sprouted grains 

 illustrating the vitality of different ears. These two departments of the 

 College are to be congratulated on the interesting exhibit made. 



Among the other exhibits in the Agricultural and Horticultural Build- 

 ing was a very fine display of fruits grown in different parts of the 

 State, bee products, county displays, etc. This building also contained 

 the exhibit of dairy machinery, practically all of the leading dairy 

 supply houses being represented by attractively decorated booths. 



Practically all of the available space was filled with agricultural ma- 

 chinery, the different buildings being completely filled, while many ex- 

 hibitors used large tents. In addition to the machinery shown under 

 cover the quadrangle between the west gate and live stock pavilion 

 practically all occupied with machinery which could be shown in the 

 open air without damage. The farmers who attend the State Fair ex- 

 amine the display of agricultural machinery with a great deal of care. 

 The increasing diflBculty of securing competent help makes it necessary 

 for the Iowa farmer to avail himself of every posible labor-saving de- 

 vice, and the manufacturer who has an improved machine of merit has 

 no difficulty in finding customers at the Iowa State Fair. It is to be 

 hoped that before a great while satisfactory buildings for the machinery 

 departments may be erected. With such weather as prevailed last week 

 the machinery exhibit can be seen in comfort, but with rainy weather, 

 such as has often been experienced, this exhibit would be neglected. 



The amusement features of the fair were superior to those of any 

 other fair which we attended. We noticed but two shows which could 

 be at all criticised, and nothing at all which tended to degrade. The 

 airship, with the exception of one day, when the wind was too high to 

 make a voyage safely, entertained the people. One advantage of an 

 exhibit of this sort is that it can be seen from any part of the grounds, 

 and the gentleman who made the ascension seemed to be able to con- 



