324 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 



ferent counties in the state. The boys were selected cm the competitive 

 plan. Each was required to write an essay on Iowa, which was passed 

 on by a local committee, usually made up of the county superintend- 

 ent of schools, acting as chairman, the secretary of the county or 

 district fair, and the secretary of the farmers' institute making the 

 other two members of the committee. The expenses of the boys, in- 

 cluding railroad fare, board, and sleeping quarters in the two big 

 tents provided for the camp, were paid by the fair management. The 

 boys were assigned light duties, such as ushering in the grand stand 

 and stock pavilion, messenger service, and leading stock; the balance 

 of their time was spent in viewing the exhibits under the direction of 

 the camp superintendents, who were especially qualified to explain 

 the merits of all exhibits. The boys were also addressed by prom- 

 inent men of the state at their assembly tent. Judging from the es- 

 says on the subject "What I Saw and Learned at the Iowa State Fair" 

 written by the boys after the close of the fair and filed with this de- 

 partment, they spent a most enjoyable week and learned by observa- 

 tion many valuable lessons that will remain with them through life. 



Special mention should be made of the Babies' Health Contest held 

 under the auspices of the Iowa Congress of Mothers and under the di- 

 rection of Mrs. Mary T. Watts of Audubon, Two hundred and thirty 

 babies under the age of three years were examined for physical and 

 mental qualifications by a corps of skilled physicians especially quali- 

 fied for making such examinations. Prizes amounting to $280.00 of- 

 fered by the fair management were awarded to the most perfect babies 

 in the various classes. 



The bench show, conducted under the auspices of the Des Moines 

 Kennel Club and the fair management, brought out some 225 dogs, 

 representing all breeds from the poodle to the large blood-hounds. It 

 attracted the attention of a large number of visitors, and with a few 

 changes in the classification can be made a much larger show and a 

 permanent feature of the fair. 



The amusement features, without which no fair is complete, were 

 more diversified and of better quality than ever before provided for 

 the state fair visitors. Three of the best bands to be secured and two 

 orchestras furnished music in the various buildings and at convenient 

 places about the grounds. The reproduction of Cheyenne Frontier 

 Days by the original aggregation that puts on the annual show at Chey- 

 enne, Wyoming, was a deviation from the usual spectacular production 

 in front of the amphitheater each evening. The events indulged in by 

 the Indians and cowboys from the western plains proved novel and 

 entertaining and was well patronized. The racing each afternoon, 

 the free attractions, and the aeroplane flights all helped to make up 

 a pleasing and well balanced amusement program. 



The total receipts of the 193 2 fair were $185,701.21, or an increase 

 of $6,151.54 over the 1911 fair. The receipts from sources other than 

 ticket sales were $62,557.46, an increase of $4,518.29, and from ticket 

 sales $123,143.75, or an increase of $1,63 8.25 over last year's fair. 



The total disbursements on account of the 1912 fair were $143,- 

 968.89, or an increase of $6,101.38 over last year. Of this amount 



