972 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



been done previously, that Des Moines is a "safe" city. As for the 

 fair management, it simply surpassed itself; which is equivalent ta 

 saying that nothing was left to be left to be desired in that direction. 

 Especially commendable was the exclusion of fakirs and objectionable 

 side shows, the exhibition as a whole being absolutely clean. President 

 Morrow, Secretary Simpson and their coadjutors have great reason to 

 congratulate themselves on the results achieved. 



The entertainment furnished this year was acknowledged to be 

 superior to any past events of this character. The records made on 

 the race track were remarkably good, considering the fact that the 

 speed-way is but a half mile, while the vaudeville talent engaged prove* 

 to be far above the average. In this connection, however, it may he 

 stated that the amphitheater is entirely too small to accommodate the- 

 people. While large additions are necessary, yet it would not be wise 

 to add structures of the same character as the old one. The state 

 legislature should at once make an appropriation sufficient to erect a 

 large, steel-framed, fire-proof amphitheater. It almost fills one with 

 horror to think of what might happen in case fire should break out 

 when 8,000 or 10,000 people are seated in an inflammable structure of 

 this kind. Unless this matter is given attention during the next ses- 

 sion of the legislature, there is no telling but that an indelible blot 

 may be placed on the state's escutcheon. The Missouri fair, though 

 young in years, has set the pace in the character of the equipment 

 being placed on its fair grounds; and while Iowa has made a magnifi- 

 cent start in the erection of permanent equipment, yet it is our opinion 

 that there should be no more dela.v in following Missouri's precedent to- 

 the fullest extent. 



The plan of cataloguing animals as carried out last week was one 

 of the most commendable features of the fair, adding as it did 

 immensely to its value to those interested in live stock. The judging 

 pavilion proved to be a center of attraction during the entire week, 

 and with the assistance of the catalogues each visitor could secure alF 

 the necessary information about individual animals. It is unfortunate 

 that there is not room in the present judging pavilion to handle both 

 horses and cattle, and this simply points to the necessity of erecting 

 another in the immediate future. If this were done judging could be 

 finished up earlier in the week and parades made daily with the prize- 

 winning stock. 



Creditable exhibits were made by Clayton and Cherokee counties in 

 the northern district: Polk and Delaware in the central; and Cass, 

 Lucas, Warren and Marion in the southern, premiums being awarded 

 in the order in which the counties are mentioned above. This feature 

 of the fair should be extended to many other counties and more novelty 

 and variety imparted to the exhibits. It is unfortunate that the coun- 

 ties do not make appropriations for exhibits of this kind. At present it is 

 done by individual effort, the only remuneration received being the prem- 

 iums awarded by the fair association. There is no reason why each 

 county cannot put a few hundred dollars into a respectable exhibit. 

 If this were done the field crop department could be made one of the^ 



