224 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



stock pavilion was built, with seating capacity for a large number of peo- 

 ple and a roomy ring for a show ring. One fair has demonstrated flot 

 only how much this pavilion was needed, but how badly at least two 

 more are needed, one for horses and another for the hogs and sheep. I 

 am informed that the plans for one of these are already under way and 

 that no doubt the other will come soon. 



With these pavilions but one more improvement will be needed to- 

 enable visitors to derive the full educational benefit from the live stock 

 exhibit; a complete catalogue of this exhibit, giving name, breeding, age, 

 weight and owner of each animal, and placards both at the stall and show 

 ring to enable the spectator to identify the animal. I understand the 

 management contemplates the issuance of such a catalogue at the coming 

 fair. 



An equally urgent need is for a similar building for the agricultural 

 products, suitably arranged, well lighted and conveniently located where 

 people cannot get past it, instead of being compelled to hunt it up. A 

 comparison of the exhibits of grain, grasses, fruits, etc., at the Iowa and 

 Illinois state fairs is not favorable to Iowa; and while the fact that the 

 Iowa fair is held a month earlier accounts in a measure for this, most of 

 it is due to the inadequate facilities for suitably displaying the exhibit. 

 Agriculture at the Iowa state fair should obtrude itself. 



More large, covered buildings are needed to protect the visitors from 

 the inclement weather, and a thorough system of paved streets, walks, 

 etc. Such thorough provision should be made for the comfort of the 

 visitor that he will attend the fair rain or shine, and not be governed by 

 the condition of the sky at 3 o'clock in the morning of the day he expects 

 to start. I speak of these things not by way of unkind criticism, but to 

 bring them to the attention of the farmer as part of the job that belongs 

 to him in the work of making the Iowa state fair what it ought to be. 



The fair is governed by the state board of agriculture elected by dele- 

 gates from the county fair societies and from the county farmers' insti- 

 tutes. This board is made up of members elected from the congressional 

 districts, a part being elected at each annual meeting. It is therefore a 

 board that should be close to the farmer; and if it is not, it is the farm- 

 er's fault. 



Many of the troubles of the fair in the past have been due to the 

 failure of the farmer, and of the breeder, to recognize his responsibility 

 to it. The right to criticize, after the fair is over, has been exercised a 

 good deal more freely than the right to take part in its government before 

 the fair is held. The right to kick because something has not been done 

 is exercised oftener than the right to help do it. For example, for two 

 or three years both farmers and breeders complained bitterly of the in- 

 adequate facilities for showing cattle and horses, and yet I believe I can 

 count on the fingers of one hand if not on my thumbs the number of 

 farmers and breeders, aside from members of the legislature and of the 

 board, who personally lent a helping hand to get the new pavilion from 

 the legislature. 



To make such a fair as the state of Iowa ought to have, all agricul- 

 tural influences in the state must pull together. The farmer and the 



