204 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



cess or failure of these institutions and not the least of these has been 

 the attitude and ideals of the board of directors and the patronizing 

 public. 



"That many county fairs have been successful, and see yet before them 

 new fields of opportunity, forcibly tells that there is a duty and a promi- 

 nent place for the county fair properly managed and supported. It may 

 be said here that the managing board in most cases labors long and in- 

 cessantly to build up a creditable exhibit of a county, its ideals, re- 

 sources, wealth, and prosperity. In far too many cases the support 

 which they receive from citizens of the county is half hearted and lacks 

 enthusiasm. 



"What then are the objects of a county fair? Why does it exist? What 

 should be its ideals? What should be the attitude of the public toward it? 

 What good can it do the public? What good can it do the individual? 



"The first object of a county fair is education. It furnishes a place for 

 exploitation of public and individual achievement and public resources. 

 It exists because of a public demand for such an institution. Its ideals 

 should be to set high moral and industrial standards. Its attitude toward 

 the public should be: To educate; to raise ideals and standards, to a 

 higher level; to point out natural wealth; to emphasize opportunities for 

 increased prosperity. It can do the public good just in proportion to the 

 support which it receives from the public. The good which it can do 

 the individual depends largely upon his support. The county fair can- 

 not be benefited by, and is better off without, the presence or participa- 

 tion of the individual or set of individuals who have, in their own opin- 

 ion, nothing to learn and only boisterous and ungentlemanly criticism to 

 give. To the individual who attends or exhibits in a public spirited way, 

 the county fair furnishes an opportunity to study the best results of pro- 

 duction and skill and, thereby set new standards toward which he may 

 work. It gives him new ideas for development of his special line of 

 work; points out new fields of opportunity for profit and pleasure; fur- 

 nishes a means of good, healthy and friendly competition. Lastly it should 

 furnish much enthusiasm to future attainment. 



"Many have watched the new exhibitor take defeat and have seen him 

 come back next year and win the prizes of competition. This type of 

 man is a living example of the great benefits derived from county fairs." 



We submit, herewith, a list of fairs paying out over $1,000.00 for 

 premiums the past year. They are twenty in number and are given in 

 the order in which they rank: 



