76 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



information we have received, thousands of others who had planned on 

 coming, did not leave home after it began raining. Certainly the pros- 

 pects for a successful State fair were never as poor as on Monday even- 

 ing after the heavy wind and rain storm. With a cloudy morning on 

 Tuesday, followed by two days more of rain, the outlook was enough 

 to discourage the most optimistic. But despite this unfavorable condi- 

 tin of the weather, crowds of people thronged the grounds on Tuesday 

 and Wednesday, it having been years since as many soldiers attended 

 the fair, and the record of Wednesday has only been surpassed a few 

 times. 



The race program was interfered with more than any other depart- 

 ment. It being carried out to the letter on Monday, but on Tuesday, 

 while it was not actually raining, the day was cold and cloudy^ and the 

 condition of the track was such that it was after four o'clock before a 

 heat could be started. Only three heats could be put on before it was 

 time to clear the grand stand for the night entertainment. Wednesday 

 and Thursday no harness events could be had, and it was not until Fri- 

 day afternoon that the races could again be started. This interfered 

 ve]y materially with the grand stand receipts. 



This year's fair certainly demonstrates that a successful fair can 

 he held under the most favorable weather conditions, with the proper 

 buildings, plenty of sidewalks and drainage. Wliere would the fair 

 have been this year without the stock pavilion and sidewalks? It would 

 have been an utter impossibility to have continued throughout Wednes- 

 day and Thursday. The wisdom shown by the members of the Twenty- 

 ninth General Assembly in making the appropriation for the erection 

 of the stock pavilion, was certainly appreciated this year. For this 

 expenditure no complaints were heard from the taxpayers of Iowa who 

 attended the fair, and many expressed themselves in favor of the legis- 

 lature making further appropriations, that other permanent buildings 

 might be placed upon the grounds. 



I have always contended that the educational advantages resulting 

 from a properly conducted State fair could not be measured in dollars 

 and cents, and that the results obtained were far more beneficial than 

 most of us are prone to believe. Many an inspiration for improvement 

 in flocks and herds is received at these annual expositions which can 

 not be gathered at any other place. T,he American' farmer, like the 

 manufacturer, is never satisfied unless he is pushing forward and trying 

 to do better than his neighbor. Where can he better compare the 

 products of his own farm than with what is shown at our State fair? 



The stockman who does not keep pace with the improvements con- 

 tinually being made in the different breeds of live stock, is no better off 

 tiian the merchant who does not keep posted on the latest and most 

 improved methods of conducting his business; or the grain farmer who 

 does not take advantage of every opportunity to improve his seed and 

 cultivate his crops that he may receive a better and larger yield of 

 grain per acre. He indeed is a wise man who can not gather new ideas 

 from his neighbor. 



