NINTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART XI 519 
there were fewer birds shown than last year there were more small 
exhibits and more of the exhibits were from the farms. This is as it 
should be. Iowa exhibttors should be encouraged to bring their chickens 
as well as their horses, pigs, and cattle to the show. There are too many 
farmers breeding pure bred cattle and scrub chickens. 
The Iowa State Fair is the place to show the farmers and the townsmen 
what Iowa is doing in the poultry line. 
THE MACHINERY EXHIBIT. 
The machinery exhibt at the Iowa fair this year was the greatest that 
it has ever been, all the available space on the grounds being utilized, 
and the manufacturers reported a greater interest was taken in the ex- 
hibits than ever before. The machines in practical operation attracted 
particular attention, and crowds of interested spectators were on hand 
when the steam plows gave their demonstration, and when the grain 
drills were shown at work seeding. The Superior, Van Brunt, Hoosier, 
Kentucky, Monitor, and Peoria drills were all shown in operation, and 
many farmers availed themselves of the opportunity to study the grain 
drills at work. It is impossible to mention the various exhibits of ma- 
chinery and in detail. Suffice it to say that there was no implement that 
the farmer could be interested in but what was exhibited on the grounds, 
and the exhibit was one of benefit both to the manufacturer and the 
farmer. We hope to see more and more machines shown in actual opera- 
tion at future fairs, as it is an ideal way to show farm machinery, par- 
ticularly anything new, and it adds much interest to the fair. 
CAMPING ON GROUNDS. 
Each year an increasing number of people camp on the grounds. Many 
within driving distance of Des Moines come in covered wagons and bring 
their own tents. Many more rent tents. This year there were' a number 
of camping clubs of ten to twenty each, made up of neighbors and friends 
who rented a large tent and distributed the cost equitably. This suggests 
the idea that we are coming to the time when community bungalows 
might be erected under proper restrictions. The way to see the fair com- 
fortably is to stay on the grounds at night, thus avoiding the congested 
lines of traffic morning and evening. 
EVENING SHOWS. 
There was far better provision for the entertainment of folks at night 
than ever before.. On a stage in front of the grand stand a high class 
vaudeville entertainment was given, concluding with a magnificent display 
of fireworks. In the live stock pavilion the entertainment was of the 
