ELEVENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART VI 297 



Des Moines, Iowa, March 5, 1910. 

 J. C. Simpson, Secretary Department of Agriculture, 



Capitol Building, Des Moines, Iowa. 



Dear Sir. — I am in receipt of your memoranda and circulars asking for 

 bids for the re-laying out of the state fair grounds. 



In the landscape development of these grounds there are two main re- 

 sults to be sought for: First, convenience in handling the crowds so as 

 to avoid confusion and to allow ready communication from one part of the 

 grounds to another; and second, the most beautiful and artistic arrange- 

 ment of the grounds and buildings consistent with the purpose of the 

 annual exhibition. At present, the fair grounds are but little used out- 

 side of a few weeks in the autumn, but under proper development and 

 management the grounds ought to be found of increasing use for other 

 purposes than the main exhibition. 



As the grounds now lie, they include a considerable extent of level 

 bottom land, lying at the base of an area of hilly, wooded land. On the 

 level ground a very formal arrangement of buildings and race course is 

 indicated. This arrangement should be divided by drives and streets, 

 radiating from one or two main centers, the whole scheme being in bal- 

 ance. The scheme should be artistic and at the same time afford conven- 

 ient short cuts for the movement of crowds of people and vehicles, and 

 so arranged that it will not be necessary to have confusion where people 

 are trying to move in opposite directions. 



This formal arrangement will have to be governed to a certain extent 

 by the permanent buildings now on the ground, but no temporary build- 

 ings should be allowed to interfere with the symmetrical plan. Neither 

 should there be a mixture of the styles of architecture used in the build- 

 ings, as has been the tendency heretofore, as such tends to destroy the 

 harmony of the grounds. 



An exceptional opportunity is afforded for a development of these 

 grounds of a blending of the formal and natural styles of landscape gar- 

 dening. The rolling ground can best be developed in the natural man- 

 ner, and one or two drives or boulevards should wind up the hill, giving 

 at many points a splendid view of the formal grounds below. The pros- 

 pect from the hill should be especially fine, as the arrangement of the 

 buildings, gardens, water displays, etc., will appear to greater advan- 

 tage when seen from an elevation. 



This rolling ground should be the proper place for resting pavilions 

 and public comfort stations. Relief can be had from the hurry and noise 

 of the grounds below, and cooling breezes can be better felt here. The 

 drives and paths here should be properly tied to the main entrances and 

 principal arteries of the traffic system. 



Some sort of water display is badly needed on these grounds. In the 

 grand court, or central plaza, which will be located at the intersection of 

 the two main axes, an architectural fountain could be placed where it 

 would add much to the dignity of the grounds, and as it would need to 

 be operated but a small part of each year it would be an inexpensive 



