982 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



lengthy entertainment, and once they started, the grateful shade of the 

 trees was their usual destination. Here upon the cushion of blue-grass 

 they were revived for further explorations and sightseeing. Plenty of 

 trees, wisely cared for, are as important on fair grounds as expensive 

 buildings. Outdoor shade beats walled shelter in the hot old summer 

 time, but both have their important offices and it remains for the weather 

 gods to decide which shall render the greater service. 



Rain threatened on Thursday, but, as if in league with the forces 

 which were to make this the banner fair of a half century in Iowa, it did 

 not materialize, and the week closed without any considerable meteoro- 

 logical misbehavior. Perhaps this appreciated clemency was in the 

 nature of an atonement for the torrential inflictions of two years ago. 



Monday's attendance was record-breaking for that day in the annals 

 of the fair, about 25,000 persons passing through the turnstiles between 

 the opening and closing hours. It was a promise of subsequent busi- 

 ness. It indicated the wholesome sentiment of the people and sug- 

 gested preparation for the biggest week the fair ever knew. For the 

 opening day it was something entirely out of the ordinary, and it both 

 surprised and pleased. It was Des Moines day and the city turned out 

 v.'ith astonishing generosity. The total receipts for Monday exceeded 



$9,000. 



Tuesday was determined not to be outdone, so it also broke the 

 Tuesday record of the fair, witnessing the admission of about 50,000 

 people into the grounds and increasing the revenues by $21,165. It 

 was governor's, soldiers' and children's day. The program was strong 

 and the speed ring events were among the best ever seen at a state fair. 

 Several prominent politicians made addresses. 



Wednesday, postmasters' day, put on the cap sheaf, more than 60,000 

 people seeing the fair. This was the most successful day in the career 

 of the institution, with one exception. It was remarked that every 

 man in Iowa who sells postage stamps was there with his family. The 

 time did not drag; there was plenty of entertainment programmed and 

 it was given as promised. The total receipts amounted to $24,000 in 

 round numbers, an increase of more than $10,000 over Wednesday's 

 revenue last year. 



State day, Thursday, rolled up about $12,000 in the treasury, dis- 

 tancing last year's returns for the corresponding day. It was a thor- 

 oughly satisfactory Thursday to the management and insured a sur- 

 plus of about $30,000 in its coffers. Friday, traveling men's day, was 

 not so profitable, but it paid well. 



It was a fat week for the fair. New standards were set in receipts 

 and exhibits. It was a fine reward for fifty years of work by men liv- 

 ing and dead and a tribute to the farmer's calling. 



Beef cattle and hogs are the dominant attractions of this fair. They 

 cut a big factor in its towering success this year. Five beef breeds 

 were shown, forming the largest exhibit ever made at Des Moines. It 

 was as high-class as it was big. The same is true regarding the hog 

 show. Never have we seen such a uniformly good collection of sho^\- 

 yard swine. The substandard sorts were in the minority. The sheep 

 exhibit included many imported entries from flocks outside the state 



