986 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



barns and pens, are unsafe from the standpoint of fire, too small and 

 capable of only a short-lived service at best. None of them typifies the 

 solidity and security of Iowa agriculture. 



The Gazette is not criticising but commenting; these temporary build- 

 ings had to be and they have fulfilled their mission nobly. The tent 

 precedes the frame, the latter goes before the stone mansion. Only 

 those institutions which have been established in recent years could 

 start with stone, as at Sedalia. The Iowa fair was born in the wooden 

 age and must be rebuilt of indestructible materials. This is the pro- 

 gramme which the management will carry out as rapidly as funds per- 

 mit. It will ask the next legislature for an appropriation to cover the 

 cost of erecting a steel grandstand capable of seating 20,000 people, and 

 costing about $40,000; a $50,000 swine pavilion, an administration office 

 costing $20,000 and $10,000 for covered walks and pavements. For 

 these additions to the equipment there is urgent and immediate need. 

 Iowa legislators, many of whom attended the fair and know what it 

 should have, will reverse their former treatment of the institution if 

 they do not grant, with unanimous enthusiasm, every cent solicited 

 by the management. Iowa's agricultural position requires that it shall 

 lead in matters of this kind. Of all states it is the last that should 

 pursue a cheese-paring policy with reference to the development to the 

 development of its fair, experiment station and agricultural college. 

 The campaign for a state fair appropriation is on, and if every farmer 

 will lend its support success is certain. And nothing succeeds like suc- 

 cess. 



A large degree of success was achieved by the new press bureau 

 in collecting accurately and issuing to representatives of the press the 

 awards in the live stock section. 



It is growing more and more important for each state fair to have 

 a press bureau with sufficient organization and ability to collect accu- 

 rately and report promptly and correctly the awards in all departments. 

 It is the duty of the fair thus to serve the public through the press. 



Objectionable side-shows and low-grade attractions were conspicu- 

 ously absent this year. A moral atmosphere pervaded the grounds. 

 The day of fakirs at state fairs is gone. Iowa has set an example which 

 is worthy of emulation. 



Wonderful has been the development of this mighty institution. 

 Motived by a healthy interest in the farmer's calling, environed by a 

 land of prodigious fertiliy and constantly stimulated by popular appro- 

 val, it has kept apace v/ith the nation's progress. From an obscure 

 Lilliputian it has grown to be a conspicuous Hercules, exerting his 

 strength in the interest of the world's most vital industry. 



