384 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



college nas lost a devoted, ceaseless worker. The state has lost a great 

 educator. It will not be an easy task to fill the positions left vacant by 

 his sad and untimely departure. 



In conclusion I wish to add that in my opinion the money appro- 

 priated by the state for the construction of this much needed building 

 could not have been better expended; and it will, in due time, return to 

 the state treasury increased more than ten fold. 



Those of us who have been in a position to observe some of the bene- 

 ficial results of the annual meetings and the annual exhibitions, held 

 under the present state organization and its predecessor, know of parties 

 who are today exhibitors of some of the finest herds in the country, who 

 assert that they received their first inspiration to produce such herds by 

 attending the annual fair upon this ground; and who are now taking first 

 premiums at the fairs and exhibitions held in every state in this circuit. 



We also have in mind a young man who first attended our fairs as 

 an interested spectator, who has since brought honor and credit to the 

 state as an exhibitor of agricultural products at national and state expo- 

 sitions. These cases are only illustrations of the many instances that 

 may be mentioned. 



The State Board of Agriculture is deserving the gratitude of the 

 state for its energy and perseverance in securing the completion of this 

 building in a thorough and substantial manner, in so short a time and 

 at a very reasonable cost. 



It is to be hoped that the construction of this pavilion is but the be- 

 ginning, and that the people of Iowa will insist upon other permanent 

 improvements being made upon the state grounds; other improvements 

 must be and I trust that in the near future the state will pay the prem- 

 iums on exhibits, and every person will be permitted to enter the grounds 

 during the annual exposition without admission fees, and be free to leave 

 the grounds and return as may suit their convenience. 



The great Iowa State Fair has not only national renown, but it is 

 recognized by people of the leading nations of Europe. It has outgrown 

 the significance of the name "Fair," by which it has been known in the 

 past, and should henceforth be known as "Iowa's Annual Exposition." 



I have in the past been criticized by some of my friends of being 

 over-zealous in behalf of this organization. I wish to say that so long as 

 it is as carefully and economically conducted as it has been for the past 

 ten years, to my knowledge, and continues to accomplish the great 

 results that it has accomplished I will endeavor to endure the criticism, 

 and, if possible, increase my zeal with my increasing years. 



I am constrained to believe that the people of this commonwealth 

 possess today many, many millions of dollars as a result of the long con- 

 tinued efforts and labor of the State Agricultural Society, and its suc- 

 cessor the Department of Agriculture. Much has been accomplished in 

 the past; much more may be accomplished in the future. 



