104 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



horse exhibit. The only criticism that was made on our stock exhibit 

 this year was the absence of a catalogue that would enable the people 

 occupying seats in the pavilion to identify the animals shown. The press 

 has been unanimous in expressing their opinion that a catalogue should 

 be issued for our next fair. I am well aware that the efforts along thi? 

 line in previous years were not successful, for the reason that it was rery 

 difficult to get the exhibitors to send in their pedigrees. I believe they 

 now realize that the best results cannot be obtained without a catalogue. 

 It is true we would be compelled to close the entries in these departments 

 at least two weeks before the opening day of the fair, and this would 

 probably shut out some exhibitors the first year, but the benefit the public 

 would derive from the use of the catalogue would more than make up 

 for the loss thus sustained. If a catalogue is to be issued a pair of scales 

 are needed to weigh the stock and have their weight marked on the cards 

 tacked on the stalls and used by the attendants in the show ring. 



IMPROVEMENTS FOR 1902. 



There are a number of improvements that should be made on the 

 fair grounds; far more than the finances of the department will permit. 

 The new board will have a surplus of $30,000 at their disposal. It would 

 be unwise to reduce the surplus below $12,000, which amount should be 

 set aside so as to be able to meet any emergency which may arise. A 

 large sum of money is necessary each year in 'keeping the old frame 

 buildings in repair. Most of these buildings have been on the grounds for 

 more than sixteen years, and many are now in a very bad state of repairs. 

 After this it can be readily seen that the board will not have a very large 

 sum to be expended in the erection of permanent buildings. Cold water 

 paint used judiciously on some of the buildings would add greatly to their 

 appearance especially on the sheep and swine barns and the fence around 

 the race track. Then put a few ornamental bridges across the creek in 

 place of the old ones. 



The sidewalk should be extended and more crossings put in, so that 

 in case of rain such as was experienced this year, it would be possible 

 for the people to visit the grounds without wading in mud to their shoe- 

 tops. A few hundred feet of sidewalk laid each year would soon put the 

 grounds in such a condition that it would be a pleasure to visit the 

 grounds on a rainy day. 



Trees would add greatly to the comfort of the exhibitors, and visitors 

 on the main part of the ground, and a number should be planted each 

 year. 



The hog and sheep men have long wished for suitable buildings in 

 which to judge their animals, and I believe this should be among the 

 first of the improvements to have consideration from the board. The 

 exhibit that the hog men have made the past few years certainly entitles 

 them to a better place to show their hogs than we now have. The same 

 can be said of the sheep exhibit. While not so large in numbers as the 

 hogs, nevertheless the quality has been good, and we should encourage 

 a larger exhibit by giving them a building in which to show their sheep 



