PART VII. 



THE IOWA STATE FAIR, ITS EARLY HISTORY 



AND PRESS REPORTS OF THE FAIRS 



OF 1854 AND 1904. 



EVOLUTION OF THE STATE FAIR. 



Breeders' Gazette. 



Time is an essential element in the creation and the attainment of ideals. 

 Rarely does an ideal spring full-fledged from the brain of man. Whether 

 of the material or immaterial, whether of matter or morals, study and ex- 

 perience are apt to enlarge or alter ideals that are conceived of the brain of 

 man and gain expression in his handiwork. The law of evolution find ex- 

 emplification in all the avenues of life. Ever the effort is forward, upward. 

 Betterment is eagerly sought, progress is unceasingly pursued. The times 

 change and if we do not change with them the primal law of improvement is 

 broken. 



Time works changes as to the viewpoint of things. Many a creation has 

 been called into being for a supposed specific purpose only to find develop- 

 ment into a fairly new character, into lines so broadened as to be almost 

 different from those originally in contemplation. This is the evolution of 

 ideals. The student of things agricultural sees capital illustration of this 

 fact in its application to the State fair. The country fair was in its original 

 conception and establishment a place or an occasion for the marketing of 

 products and wares. Education inheres in comparison and attrition. The 

 side-by-side comparison of products arouses pride, stimulates effort at 

 improvement. The brushing against people, the touching of elbows with 

 the world, is the most impressive, the most effective education for the human 

 mind. Although fairs are of almost prehistoric age the evolution of the 

 educational idea has been surprisingly slow. As a matter of fact resolved 

 into its ultimate analysis the modern State fair or agricultural exhibition has 

 as its fundamental principle the education of the people. It matters not that 

 many people to this day fail of appreciation of this fact. Many an exhibitor 



