SIXTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART IX. D')!) 



study of agriculture in the public schools. The tendency throughout 

 seems to be for more knowledge on scientific and practical grounds. In 

 no other occupation or profession is there so much interest manifest 

 from among the common people. These evidences of increased interest 

 in agriculture stimulate a disposition to rivalship among producers, and 

 the agricultural fair is the recognized medium, though which the ambi- 

 tious tiller of the soil and the stock grower finds consolation in publicly- 

 demonstrating the merits of their production and fruits of their work. 

 Thus we find the agricultural fair has become a necessity before the 

 pressing demands of the breeder and producer in his efforts to fill the 

 requirements that agricultural education has, and is making, for these 

 object lessons that the agricultural fair so perfectly and satisfactorily 

 supplies. 



The state fair of the twentieth century measures a higher standard 

 of excellence in moral influence and educational ambition than has ever 

 been previously obtained under agricultural organization. 



The agricultural fair of today is as distinctly a part of the agricul- 

 tural education of the country as are the influences which make it 

 possible for a fair to be held and meet the indorsement of public sen- 

 timent. It is the ambition of the managers of the modern state fair 

 to meet the expectations of the people and satisfy the demands for a 

 higher class of exhibition and entertainment on the fair grounds. The 

 successful management of a state fair is too frequently estimated upon 

 its ability to make money, regardless of the protection it offers its 

 patrons. 



The present tendency among state fairs is to permanency of location, 

 the beautifying of the grounds, by nature's adornments and landscape 

 gardening, the building for the future and the keeping of these grounds 

 free from the contaminating influence of vicious and immoral shows 

 and concessions. The high moral standing of the state fair makes it 

 worthy the guardianship it has assumed in the exhibition, care of agri- 

 culture and its kindred interests and industries. 



The contemplated introduction of a higher class of entertaining 

 features in the line of amusements for state fairs, resulted in the orga- 

 nization of a western state fair circuit last winter at Des Moines. This 

 association, as soon as it gets into working condition will be able to 

 arrange for special free attractions of a highly entertaining character, 

 that could not be had for a single engagement. 



HIGHER CLASS OF EXTERTAINMENTS. 



The day has gone by for the cheap side shows at the state fair. 

 The people demand more in advantages for recreation and amusement 

 and this calls for the state fair auditorium and theater, where the tired 

 visitor may rest under the influence of good music and instructive tal- 

 ent. 



With the fair visitors the great central attraction is what he is most 

 interested in. It may be live stock, farm products, fruits, machinery, 

 dairy, bees and honey, mercantile display, fine arts, or the race horses 

 on the track. 



