THIRTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART VII 459 



The building of the "Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic 

 Arts" was the mecca of thousands of visitors to the fair, and because of 

 the diversity of exhibits and the value of the instruction given, it was 

 worth the interest it occasioned. 



The exhibits covered a wide range, from soil maps of the state, show- 

 ing the various drifts, to models of silos and lighting plants, noxious 

 weeds, engineering appliances and hog cholera preventive. On the piazza 

 of this building was a display made by the church and country life de- 

 partment of the Presbyterian board of Home Missions. The exhibit con- 

 sisted chiefly of placards which bore statistics calling attention to the 

 dying of church life in many places. 



The entries in the live stock department were of a universally high 

 order, of good quality and attracted praise from thousands upon thou- 

 sands of visitors. 



"In all that is good Iowa affords the best," for Iowa breeders are fast 

 becoming prize winners at the state fair, winning the honors over breed- 

 ers from other states, a matter over which the state may, with all due 

 humility, take great pride. Some idea of the value of the stock on ex- 

 hibition may be had from the estimate the fair association put on the 

 prize winning horses and cattle, in the grand parade on Friday which 

 they advertised as a million dollar parade. All the prominent breeds 

 of live stock were on exhibition, being exhibited by the most eminent 

 breeders of our state and of neighboring states. 



The display of poultry was large. Every popular breed of chickens, 

 ducks, geese and turkeys were on exhibition. The stern voice of the 

 chanticleer could be heard from early morn until sunset, announcing 

 from his neat little coop that he had taken first prize. 



Along the line of amusements some very interesting events took place. 

 Alfred, the monkey, and the trained bears afforded fun and amusement 

 for both old and young. Among the most interesting amusements were 

 the daily flights of the flying machines, along with the "Wild West Show." 

 Each evening a marvelous display of fireworks was given in front of 

 the amphitheater. 



It is now that I can realize the value of the "State Fair" and can ap- 

 preciate the many lessons I have learned. In briefly summing up the 

 latter I find the fair teaches us that pure bred stock is the best, and that 

 it is a loss to raise inferior stock. It teaches one to be a better farmer, 

 to practice better farming and to raise the best of everything. The 

 state fair gives a person a chance to meet new friends and to make deal- 

 ings with men face to face, instead of by correspondence. The idea of 

 the old European trading bazaar is coming back to the people and is well 

 illustrated at the state fair where both buyer and seller are brought to- 

 gether. The fair leads to a better understanding of all the different parts 

 of the state as to farm products, and opportunities. Much valuable 

 knowledge is gained that will show up some time in an increased bank 

 account. 



In closing I want to heartily thank the state fair association for mak- 

 ing possible the "boys' camp" and "stock judging contest," from which I 



