THIRTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART XHI 739 



horse shows. The addition covers a space of 156x224 feet and is con- 

 structed of brick and steel, with roomy aisles admirably fitted for the 

 display of the equine exhibits in their stalls. The remaining old frame 

 barns have been removed from their historic setting around the former 

 show circle and placed in line to the west of the new structure. A 

 straightaway exercising and show track and a show arena have been 

 provided south of the barns, and the department is thus admirably 

 equipped. 



Further expenditure was incurred in laying about 100,000' square feet 

 of cement floor in the machinery hall and agricultural building. Two 

 new bleachers, each 192 feet long and holding 5,500 people, answer in 

 part the demands made for seats to view the races and infield attrac- 

 tions. A total of 12,500 people can now find seats, but at times it was esti- 

 mated that from 30,000 to 40,000 people were congested about the grand- 

 stand and home stretch of the track. 



Ample facilities had early been provided for keeping the stock well 

 washed but it seems somewhat of an afterthought — none of the less wel- 

 come — to establish a dozen shower baths in the swine exhibition pavilion 

 for the use of live stock exhibitors. The herdsman's lot is hard enough, 

 and all such conveniences which minister to his comfort and self- 

 respect are hailed with marked appreciation. 



This brief story of the improvements in the staging of this exhibition 

 leads to the enumeration of novel features of the show. We should class 

 the State Fair Boys' Camp of prime importance. All but about ten 

 counties in the state were represented and the plan was followed that 

 was brought first into prominence at the Illinois State Fair. The state 

 board held supervision of the camp, which was in direct charge of 

 the Y. M. C. A. superintendent of county work. Lectures and instruc- 

 tion at the different exhibits were given by the agricultural college 

 professors. The youngsters from the vantage point of their camp on the 

 bill certainly found inspiration enough to repay the cost of this most 

 commendable feature of modern state fairs. 



The baby show drew much attention. Health and physical develop- 

 ment not beauty was the standard and the application of the accepted 

 standard of physical development in infants afforded lessons which should 

 prove beneficial. Ample basis exists for estimating the young of the 

 human species upon the same basis of physical excellence as the young 

 of other animals. We shall think and act more sensibly and less sensi- 

 tively on this subject in time. 



The fish and game exhibit grows in interest. It is the start of a 

 feature of this character which will serve as a foundation. Under 

 canvas the tanks of fish and pens of pheasants drew throngs of visitors, 

 and laid a sure basis of appeal for a legislative appropriation of $25,000 

 to place this engaging and instructive exhibit on a permanent basis. 



