992 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



in different sections of the country. The first fair was held at Wash- 

 ington, D. C. in 1804. The premiums distributed for the exhibit of live 

 stock and farm products were $100, which was apportioned to the several 

 departments of the exposition. The Columbian Agricultural society held 

 a fair in 1810 for the promotion of rural and domestic economy at George- 

 town, D. C. There were large exhibits of fine wool sheep at this fair. 



In 1816 the Massachusetts Agricultural society gave a meeting at 

 Brighton at which one of the leading attractions was plowing matches 

 by ox teams. These contests proved of great advantage to farmers, aa 

 better cultivation of the land was stimulated. At subsequent fairs it be- 

 came a feature to have leading agriculturists address the farmers on 

 husbandrj'. 



County fairs were slow of development until about 1840, after which 

 their organization was characterized by much energy and frequency. At 

 the present time upwards of 2,000 agricultural fairs maintain organiza- 

 tion in the United States. 



The fairs of to-day are the evolution of agricultural education. When 

 properly conducted they become important mediums for the dissemina- 

 tion of agricultural knowledge. The tendency of farmers is to seek in- 

 formation that leads to the betterment of agriculture. The aspiration 

 for increased knowledge of husbandry is evidenced in the enlargement 

 of the number of agricultural schools and experiment stations. The 

 tillers of the soil are looking for practical information on the science 

 of improved husbandry. 



The state fairs measure a high standard of excellence in agricultural 

 and are of vast educational importance to the farmer in the prosecution 

 of his work. It is the ambition of the managers af state fairs to meet 

 the expectation of farmers in arranging and exhibits of the best stock and 

 products of the state, and in the sweepstake classes to secure an exhibit 

 of the best live stock in the country. 



The helpful educational features of fairs should be the paramount 

 desideratum. All that appertains to scientific agricultural in machinery, 

 land cultivation and agricultural products should be made prominent at 

 fairs. 



WHAT THE STATE FAIR MEANS TO THE FARMER. 



ALSON SECOR, IN TWENTIETH CENTURY FARMER, 1904, 



In giving a brief review of the Iowa State fair all detailed descrip- 

 tion of exhibits will necessarily be omitted. Just as well, anyway. The 

 readers who saw the great fair need no such description, and those who 

 did not attend the fair would not be benefited thereby. 



It is our purpose to tell what the state fairs mean to the farmer, and 

 If possible arouse enough interest in the nonattending readers that they 

 may attend the next fair, or show the unobserving readers who did at- 

 tend what they should see when they go. 



