124 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



Adjourned for dinner 2 p. m., Tuesday. 



In the afternoon various papers were read, the first of which was one by 

 Luther Aasgaard of Forest City, on the topic, "Are Fairs Drifting to Amuse- 

 ments?" and without a doubt this topic met with immediate approval 

 as this fact seemed to prevail that a fair must provide liberally of the 

 amusement people to be a success and this was brought out clearly when 

 Mr. Aasgaard used the term "don't give them what you think they ought • 

 to have, give them what they want." This topic was further discussed by 

 Messrs. Mullen of Fonda, Hetwood of Brooklyn, Bennett of Janesville, 

 Wade of Marion and Stanberry of Cedar Falls. 



Various methods to build up a county fair by F. A. Gatch was the next 

 paper and the many features he presented qualified him as a veteran. His 

 method of stamping a person on the wrist in place of using the pass out 

 check was a good and new idea, also his merchant's distribution plan of 

 selling tickets and having a drawing on the grounds. Sheep as weed des- 

 troyers was also a feature of this Greenfield man and his profit of $500 

 seemed to appeal to all. Mr. Reeves of Waverly and Jones of Linn County 

 also made a few remarks. 



Mr. Neivich, an architect of Des Moines, was given a few minutes 

 at this time. 



Mr. Schofield, in the absence of Mr. Haynes of Eldora, made a few re- 

 marks pertaining to the disadvantage of allowing shows or carnivals to 

 set up in town just prior to fair dates. This topic was discussed liberally. 



The topic, "Publicity Costs and Results" was taken up as a round 

 table talk and discussed by Messrs Barber, Stanberry, Gatch and Williams. 

 Your secretary at this time brought up the matter of recognition buttons 

 which he had secured and asked if it was the opinion of the organization 

 that they were good enough, and if we should use them again for our 

 1918 meeting, and, as all seemed satisfied, a motion was made and carried 

 that we use same for 1918. 



The matter of annual dues was also discussed and a motion made and 

 carried that the chair appoint a committee to report on dues. The commit- 

 tee was Barber, Clark and Curtiss. The matter of getting legislation 

 whereby no fair could get state aid unless represented at the agricul- 

 tural meeting was discussed and met with general favor, and it was asked 

 that it be made a special topic at our 1918 meeting at which time com- 

 mittees could be appointed. 



Mrs. Flo E. Connill, of the Teachers College of Cedar Falls, spoke in 

 the interests of spelling contests at county fairs, and several expressed 

 a desire of undertaking this feature. Several topics were discussed at 

 this time after which the meeting was adjourned for lunch. 



Meeting called to order by Chair at 7:30 p. m., Tuesday. 



Address of Welcome by H. W. Byers representing Mayor MacVicar. 



A paper by Mr. L. H. Pickard, of Harlan, "Benefits of Annual Meet- 

 ings," was read by the secretary on account of the writer's absence. The 

 points included in this paper showed that at least one person derived a 

 benefit. All regretted that Mr. Pickard could not be present. 



"How to Prevent Fairs From Being the Same Old Thing," by H. H. 

 Rosebrook, once of Oskaloosa, now of Des Moines, was handled finely 



