ELEVENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART XII 781 



being marked in most cases over corresponding displays last year. A 

 nasty mess of side-shows was on hand to excite low appetites. 



One of the most effective and interesting features was the Iowa 

 State College's exhibit, occupying one of the old buildings on the crest 

 of the hill at the east side of the grounds. Labels, illustrations and 

 sundry specimens of material were arranged to produce a quick and 

 emphatic effect, the departments of agronomy, animal husbandry, civil 

 engineering and domestic science offering many helpful suggestions. In 

 the agricultural building a new and vital idea was discovered. Secretary 

 Simpson has eliminated county exhibits, which for some years have been 

 perfunctorily maintained in this department, and substituted individual 

 farm exhibits. "We counted 21 entries. More than $1,200 is offered 

 in prizes, and the class is divided into three sections, as follows: Er- 

 hibits from farms of 80 acres or less, exhibits from farms of more 

 than SO acres, and exhibits from farms in Polk county (in which Des 

 Moines is situated) of any size. A scale of points by which the entries 

 were judged gives 50 points out of 100 on the "quality of products," and 

 the variety of products includes those from field, garden and orchard, 

 with 30 points for field products, showing that practical rather than 

 special or truck-farming is to be encouraged. We believe that this new 

 Iowa idea when in full effect will do more to stimulate interest in inten- 

 sive farming than anything that the fair has ever done. 



Another valuable idea was in tangible form in the agricultural build- 

 ing. Fred Hethershaw, on authority of the Iowa State Board of Agricul- 

 ture, had executed in corn of the standard colors, a large conibelt "map" 

 of the "United States, resting upon a platform sloping gently at the Flor- 

 ida side. Grains of wheat represented the oceans, and white corn the 

 states in which that cereal is an inconsequential crop. As the edge of 

 the belt was approached yellow kernels appeared on their white founda- 

 tion and increased as the inward advance proceeded, until, at the heart 

 of the region red kernels were in exclusive occupancy. A more graphic 

 method than this of illustrating the boundaries of the corn'belt has never 

 been devised. With the displayed crop and stock statistics accompanying 

 it this feature was worth many times its cost. 



Since last year $18,000 has been spent for improvements. These in- 

 clude 50,000 feet of concrete walks, several new speed barns, an exten- 

 sion of the water main system and the construction of four unique san- 

 itary drinking fountains. We cannot here describe these admirable 

 fountains further than to say that they are the most satisfactory that we 

 have ever seen. 



Some of the special needs of the fair include an implement building, 

 a sheep barn, five or six additional sections to the cattle and horse 

 barns, connection with a Des Moines electric lighting plant so as to insure 

 proper lighting of the popular night programmes at the fair, and san- 

 itary toilet accommodations. These additions to the state fair's equip- 

 ment should be amply provided for by the legislature answering the 

 request of the people. 



