OBSERVATIONS ON EASTERN FARMERS AND EASTERN FAIRS. O 



and the farmers were quitting the institution entirely. The Legislature, 

 at this time, in deference to a growing public sentiment, abolished all 

 pools and other gambling devices and cut out other objectionable con- 

 cessions and .so-called attractions. The year following 1895, they had 

 a better fair in the industrial and live-stock departments and their 

 total receipts rose to $49,000. The doubting directors became convinced 

 that they could sustain a fair without the aid of the pool-box, and all 

 bent their efforts for better fairs on industrial lines. The~next year, 

 1896, their receipts rose to $55,500. They have been jumping up ever 

 since. In 1900 the receipts were $90,000, in 1901 they passed the 

 hundred-thousand-dollar mark, with a total of $113,800. They have 

 continued to climb with the growth and improvement of the State and 

 the growing confidence and interest of the people, and this year, 1906. 

 the receipts from all sources aggregated the magnificent sum of $279,647. 

 In 1904 a bill was introduced in the Minnesota Legislature to permit 

 the selling of pools again on the State Fair grounds. Such a successful 

 fair as this had become offered too rich a harvest for the pool people 

 to let it alone. Then it was that the Breeder and Sportsman of San 

 Francisco made this comment : ' ' There were four times as many paid 

 admissions in 1904 as in 1894. The increase was largely from the 

 farmers. With the farm papers and other leading papers opposed to 

 the fair, as they will be if gambling is introduced on the grounds at 

 any time, the fair will be ruined again." 



I have referred more in detail to this feature of Minnesota's experience 

 because of its significant application to the present situation in 

 California. 



It may be said here that the conditions for the running races at the 

 Minnesota State Fair are the same as those for the harness races. The 

 Society guarantees a certain purse and makes the conditions so much 

 to enter and the payment of a certain per cent of the winnings. 



Two buildings on the Minnesota grounds might be taken as models, 

 the live-stock amphitheater, heretofore referred to, and the fish and game 

 building. The latter is finished inside as a grotto, the walls and arched 

 ceiling being of cobblestones laid in cement, while along each side are 

 seven aquariums facing wide aisles, and between the aisles a center 

 court for the installation and display of game. At either side of the 

 entrances at each end the walls afford space for maps, charts and 

 pictures. 



In Minnesota the Fair management in years gone by campaigned for 

 exhibits, but now their greatest trouble is how to accommodate all who 

 apply for space. 



While the regular State appropriation to the Minnesota Agricultural 

 Society is only $4,000 a year, the Legislature has been very liberal in 

 special appropriations to assist in the erection of new buildings and 

 other permanent improvements. 



