140 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
First. An amphitheater of fire proof construction, with a capacity of 
not less than fifteen thousand. 
Second. Additional land that will permit of the removal of the race 
track, giving more room where most needed. 
Third. A building or shed for the shelter of farm implements and 
machinery. 
Fourth. A manufacturers' and liberal arts building in place of the 
old fire trap of an exposition building. 
Fifth. An appropriation for the completion of the show pavilion for 
swine, left unfinished for lack of funds from the last general assembly. 
Sixth. A dairy and horticultural building. 
Seventh. Sewer system. 
Eighth. Additional equipment and machinery for the extension of the 
electric light and power plant. 
Ninth. Sheep barn, and completion of the horse and cattle barns. 
Tenth. A large auditorium for the holding of gatherings and meetings 
of farmers, breeders, etc. 
And so I could go on indefinitely. A part of these improvements will 
be made in the future, as in the past, from the state fair receipts, but all 
of the larger buildings must be provided here, as elsewhere, with funds 
appropriated by the state legislature. At a meeting of the State Board 
of Agriculture tomorrow these matters will be taken up and some action 
taken with reference to recommendations to be made to the Thirty-third 
General Assembly. 
FINANCES. 
As will be shown by the statement following, the department had at 
the opening of the fiscal year, December 1, 1907, a cash balance of 
$35,327.90. The total receipts from all sources during the year were 
$143,027.6*1, bringing the total credits to $178,355.51. Of the receipts for 
the year $138,764.66 came from the fair, and $4,262.95 from other sources. 
The net increase of receipts from the last fair showed a gain of thirty- 
three per cent over that of 1907 — in dollars and cents amounting to ex- 
actly $34,407.91. Of this amount $24,350.00 was received from increased 
ticket sales, $6,285.00 additional revenue from concessions, $1,762.00 in- 
crease in the amount of entrance fees in the speed department, and the 
balance made up of a net increase of receipts in the various departments; 
but one department showing a decrease over 1907. Premiums aggregat- 
ing $38,744.56 were paid; an increase of $3,239.77, or about ten per cent, 
over 1907. The net expense for the 1908 State Fair was $94,539.21; the 
net profit was $44,191.45. The Board anticipated over $23,000.00 of the 
net profit, which was expended for improvements. Our statement shows 
a cash balance of $25,328.73 at the close of the fiscal year, November 30, 
1908. From this, however, must be deducted the balance still due on 
contracts for the past year, amounting to $4,715.36, plus unpaid warrants 
of $381.39, amounting in all to $5,096.75; thus leaving a net balance to 
profit of $20,231.98. 
So far as we have been able to ascertain, there is but one other state 
fair showing larger receipts than Iowa, this being ivlinnesota. The Texas 
and Michigan State Fairs show larger receipts but work under an entirely 
