214 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



the 1910 fair. This is one of the most interesting departments of the 

 fair and with a proper and suitable building in which to show, at least 

 a part of this magnificent exhibit, it will be more appreciated than ever. 

 There were many other interesting exhibit features of the fair intro- 

 duced for the first time this year, among others was one made by the 

 fish and game department of the state. The interest in the Boys' 

 Judging Contest still keeps up, more boys taking part in this year's 

 contest than ever before. There were 42 boys entered. Mr. Harley 

 Walker of Ames stood highest in the number of points scored and was 

 awarded first scholarship. I was very much pleased a few days ago 

 to learn that the Boys' Judging Team from the Nebraska Agricultural 

 College, which stood second in the judging contest at the International 

 Live Stock Show, was coached by Professor Ellis Rail, one of the first boys 

 to win a scholarship at the Iowa State Fair. 

 The number of exhibits and entries follow: 



No. of No. of No. of No. of 



Exhibitors Entries Exhibitors Entries 

 1910 1910 1909 1909 



Horses 101 1,958 96 1,589 



Cattle 72 1,203 82 1,210 



Swine 161 1,973 187 2,139 



Sheep 33 751 30 652 



Poultry 99 1,297a 79 1,119b 



Agricultural Products 141 939 131 1,077 



Farm Implements 320 .... 320 .... 



Pantry and apiary 118 1,640 112 1,235 



Dairy 74 74 125 125 



Horticulture 19 357 27 1,157 



Floriculture 13 245 13 217 



Fine arts 216 2,917 218 3,277 



Educational 106 650 48 531 



1,473 14,004 1,448 14,328 



a— 1,621 birds, 

 b— 1,539 birds. 



A word here with reference to the spirit of fault finding, which oc- 

 casionally appears at the close of the annual exhibition, may not be out 

 of place. In referring to this matter at this time we desire to make a dis- 

 tinction between fault finding and criticism. Fault finding is usually in- 

 tended to be injurious, while criticism is intended to bring about the op- 

 posite effect. The fault finder is a pessimist, and usually seeks to dis- 

 cover other's faults and can see no good in anything or anybody, while 

 a critic is an optimst and passes judgment with the view of bringing 

 about an improvement in the condition of affairs. The management of the 

 Iowa State Fair and Exposition welcomes criticism but deplores the spirit 

 of fault finding. They are not unmindful of the fact that the Iowa State 

 Fair and Exposition is a public institution, belonging wholly to the state 

 and that they, as managers, are merely serving the people who have en- 



