102 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



plants and flowers had been planted around the building, making a very- 

 attractive corner of the grounds. Special attention should be given 

 by the management to landscape gardening. This can be carried on 

 at a nominal expense, and would certainly add much to the attrac- 

 tiveness of the grounds. 



The camping feature of the State Fair is becoming quite popular 

 again. During the fair hundreds of tents were put up on the camp 

 grounds and were occupied by several thousand people. It is the most 

 pleasant and enjoyable way to see the fair, and the expense is much 

 less than to stay at the hotels in the city. Tents can be rented of the 

 tent and awning companies, who are located on the grounds during the 

 fair, at a small expense, and if ordered ahead, will be pitched and 

 ready to occupy upon arrival. 



The finances of the department are today in the most satisfactory 

 condition they have ever been. About four years ago the board passed 

 a resolution to the effect that a part of the cash in the treasury be set 

 aside, to be used only as an emergency fund. This action was taken as 

 a precaution, that they might have available funds to be used in case 

 of misfortune to any of the fair ground buildings and to insure the 

 prompt payment of all permiums. At each annual meeting since that 

 time, similar action has been taken. The money on hand, after deduct- 

 ing the amount of the emergency fund, has been appropriated and 

 used in the improvement of the fair grounds, increasing the amount of 

 premiums, the contingent expenses preceding the State Fair. This 

 precaution of the board in thus creating an emergency fund, and the 

 promptness in the payment of premiums, has given stability to the 

 Iowa State Fair that has been of untold benefit in Increasing the num- 

 ber of exhibits. 



The past season §12,000, in round numbers, was expended for 

 improvements upon the fair grounds. Registering turn-stiles were 

 installed at all entrances; additional improvements were added to the 

 agricultural building; a new barn was erected for the fnrage depart- 

 ment; the* streets were improved by placing upon them hundreds of 

 loads of cinders; additional walks were put down; several hundred 

 rods of seven foot woven wire fence were built; a start was made in 

 curbing and guttering the streets; changes were made in the entrances 

 to the grand stand and arrangement of the aisles; several barns were 

 re-shingled; and a large number of buildings painted. The old dairy 

 building was converted into a first class dining hall, and the old poul- 

 try building into a cattle barn. An imposing entrance was built at 

 Grand Avenue, and a number of other improvemets of minor nature 

 constructed, as will be shown in the detailed statement later. 



As to receipts, our statement will show that there was a cash 

 balance on December 1, 1904, of $29,657.23, and on Noverember 30, 1905, 

 the close of the fiscal year, $39,976.34, with unpaid warrants of $196.- 

 17, leaving us a profit and loss balance of $39,780.17 or a net increase for 

 the year in the profit and loss account of $10,179.30. Our 

 statement will further show total receipts from all sources during the 



