THIRD ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART II. 101 



able to materially improve them, and with a little work of this charac- 

 ter each year they can be put in excellent condition. There was an effort 

 made at one time, advocating the paving of the streets with brick, but 

 this after deliberation did not seem advisable. It would cost thousands 

 of dollars. This money could be better expended in permanent buildings, 

 which would be of much more benefit to the fair. 



BABNS. 



During the fair of 1901 a large tent had to be erected to make room 

 tor all the cattle we had on exhibition, so at the board meeting last 

 winter it was decided to put up a new barn. This action of the board 

 was carried out by the executive committee and a barn 120 by 160 feet 

 was erected. In this we put fifty-four large double stalls, which made 

 room for 108 head of cattle. The barn complete cost in round num- 

 bers. $3,200. With this additional space it was hoped to stable all the 

 cattle that would be on exhibition. In this we were agreeably disap- 

 pointed, and at the last minute another barn had to be erected to make 

 room for all that were coming. This barn was very hastily put up in one 

 day, but since the fair it has been rebuilt and is first class in every re- 

 spect. This gives us thirteen barns for use in the cattle department, but 

 if the entries keep on increasing, it will not be long before the board 

 will be forced to build new ones. 



The department purchased the Iowa Producers' Building in the fall 

 of 1901. This building was repaired and turned over to the superinten- 

 dent of the machinery department. He now informs me that it is hard to 

 rent space in the building on account of its location and recommends that 

 it be moved to a location more accessible to the public. 



About the time of the purchase of the above mentioned building, a 

 deal was made whereby the department came into possession of the build- 

 ing formerly owned by the Burlington Railway Company. This was 

 fitted up as an office for the secretary and treasurer. The old secretary's 

 and treasurer's office was remodeled to be used for police headquarters. 

 Comfortable bunks were put in, and while it does not have the appear- 

 ance of a Pullman sleeper in the interior it answers the purpose quite 

 as well. 



The dwelling on the grounds occupied by the superintendent was in 

 a very bad state of repairs and was rebuilt this season. 



The poles supporting the wires of the electric light plant were many 

 of them rotten and it was practically necessary to rebuild the line. Some 

 of the wires and lamps had to be replaced. In addition to this we pur- 

 chased a dozen arc lamps for use in lighting the stock pavilion. 



About three-quarters of a mile of brick sidewalk was laid. I think 

 the public fully appreciated this on the first day of the fair, when we 

 had one of the hardest rains of the season. This walk we slushed with 

 cement filling up the cracks which makes it as solid as a pavement. 



