576 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 
erecting a building for her unexcelled and seemingly unapproachable ex- 
hibit of swine. The arrangement of this building seems to be ideal in 
the way of ventilation, comfort and sanitary provisions. So gigantic is 
this structure that all pictures which may be taken of it can incorporate 
only a portion of its magnificent architectural beauty and efficiency. 
Room for over 3,000 swine and then many exhibitors had to stay av/ay. 
The fact was more in evidence this year than ever that it is not incumb- 
ent en any fair management to furnish costly quarters for sale stock. 
Enough has been done when show stock is comfortably housed. 
This year the management finished a new building almost in the center 
of the grounds for the officers of the fair, where all business can be 
transacted without inconvenience. Surrounding this building, known 
as the administration building, is a wide porch and that together w-ith the 
copious rotunda on the inside afforded friendly shelter to many thousands 
of people on Friday, when the drenching rain drove people to shelter. 
The expenditure necessary for building this structure was wisely ex- 
pended and is a much needed improvement. 
In the agricultural building was to oe found the best corn show on 
earth. Nothing like it has been seen anywhere. Several counties had 
well arranged exhibits of their products competing for a liberal prize. 
Cass county captured the first prize on a well arranged exhibit, and for 
artistic display of grains and grasses, Cass also took the prize on a most 
artistically arranged figure made wholly of grain. Other counties had 
creditable displays of grains and other products which attracted much 
attention. 
The old wooden amphitheater which was built in 1896 to replace one 
which had just been taken away by cyclone for many years has been 
inadequate and unsafe. The management is now laying plans for a steel 
structure that will fill the bill. It is contemplated that the new structure 
will hold at least 20,000 people and that it will cost not far from $1.50,000. 
The present structure will hold only about 5,000, and any number beyond 
this makes it unsafe. This year it was filled to its capacity long before 
the time for the races and many were compelled to stay out. It has 
been estimated that the loss from this source alone would have built a 
new amphitheater. 
It is to be regretted that the management did not see proper to make 
one admission cover all the inside features of the fair. Some criticism 
on this point has been made. Of course there is great need for the money 
since the matter of obtaining help from the legislature is wholly problem- 
atical. Liberati's great musical concert this year was given in front of 
the amphitheater and one had to pay another admission to hear that, and 
to attend the horse show another admission was required. These were 
not concession features, but a part of the fair. Of course the manage- 
