EIGHTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART IX. 399 



years, seemed to perfectly meet the needs of exhibitors as well as visitors. 

 It is light, roomy, well ventilated and convenient and, without question, it 

 stands in a class by itself among pavilions of its kind. To say that 

 applications were made for every pen in this mammoth structure four 

 weeks in advance of the show gives some indication as to the size and im- 

 portance of Iowa's swine industry. Another pavilion of its size could be 

 filled and there were not a few who expressed themselves during the 

 week as believing that the State eventually should make provision for all 

 those who desire to enter. For the present we take it upon ourselves to 

 express for the swine men of the corn belt the fullest and keenest appre- 

 ciation for what the State has done during the last year for this depart- 

 ment. We heard not a single criticism of the new building, so that the 

 State for its liberality, as v/ell as to the architect and to the builder, 

 swine exhibitors are truly grateful. It is hoped that out of the receipts 

 of the 1907 fair there will be found an amount sufficient to place seats 

 in the swine judging pavilion. This will add immensely to the comfort 

 of those who are interested in this department and it will make it more 

 convenient for exhibitors. According to the present arrangement there is 

 necessarily a little confusion in the judging ring on account of the pres- 

 ence of too many visitors. The opportunity for seeing from the sides is 

 naturally so poor in the absence of raised seats as to make it difficult to 

 keep exhibitors and interested parties from the ring. With the instal- 

 ment of seats, however, a new rule should be put in force whereby only 

 those who are actually showing hogs, as well as properly credentialed 

 newspaper men, should be allowed in. Only in this way can the judging 

 of the swine be made educational to the greatest possible extent. 



The state fair grounds were never in better shape than they were this 

 year and they were never better kept during the week. On account of 

 the storm the entertainment features of the fair were interfered with con- 

 siderably, but sightseers, as a body, were not knockers this year. The 

 burning of the airship by coming in contact with a live wire, put an end 

 to one of the much-advertised features of the fair, but no one is es- 

 pecially to blame, as the disaster was due entirely to the storm. The 

 races also were interfered with and yet the race program was practically 

 carried out, though scarcely in order as to the day indicated on the pro- 

 gram. The entertaining features in general were up-to-date and whole- 

 some and in this regard Iowa's example might well be followed by other 

 states. The elimination of fakes and fakers has not detracted from the 

 fair's revenue, but their absence has contributed immensely to the whole- 

 someness of the fair. 



In county exhibits Iowa, from the standpoint of numbers, has never 

 made the display that is usually made in sister states. This year the 

 number of entries was less than usual, there being only one county exhibit 

 from the northern section of the State. This was made by Mr. F. S. 

 Ross, who brought a fine collection of farm and garden products. Mr. 

 Ross has been a faithful exhibitor and it is singular that not another 

 county in northern Iowa should take up this matter and compete for the 

 liberal prizes that are offered in this class. In the central district there 



