Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-12-09
Entire Reconstruction Of the
Buildings, Which Are Worn
Out, Is Recommended
THE AGRICULTURAL CONVENTION
Secretary Simpson Of State Department
Of Agriculture Recommends That an
Appropriation for Combined Agri-
cultural, horticultural. and Dairy
Building Be Asked Of Assembly.

Special to Times-Repuh'ican
Des Moines, Dec. 9.-The entire re-
construction OF the buildings owned
by the state Of Iowa for the Iowa state
fairs is policy put forth boldly by
Secretary j. C. Simpson, of the state
department of agriculture, before the
state agricultural convention, at the
session held this morning. Iowa has
one of the finest fair grounds In the
west, tract OF 270 acres, about half
level land and running back into the
Ellis: and the buildings erected there
on about twenty years ago were all
of cheap construction and they have
become so much worn that the cost of
repairs Is very important. Secretary
Simpson reported that while the
grounds were never In better condi-
ton. since two new stock pavilions
have been erected and brick and other
walks have been constructed. but this
can not be truthfully said of the build
ings. THE time Is soon coming" said
Mr.. Simpson, ''if indeed it is not al
ready here, when many of the buildings
will have to be replaced If a fair is 10
be held. The only way in which fire.
proof buildings can be erected Is by
appropriations by the legislature. 1t is
absurd to think that sufficient money
can be secured from gate receipts
for this purpose, when the burden Of
keeping the old buildings now on the
grounds in a safe and habitable cor
dition Is increasing yearly. Does the
state expect its. other educational in
stitutions to erect and maintain their
buildings? And are not the educational
features OF the state fair worthy of
support of our great state ?'
At the last session Of the legislature
the board got an appropriation Of s3L-
500 for the erection of a livestock
pavilion. During the past two years
thsre had been expended for permanent
improvements and repairs out of gate
receipts total OF $S4,312.51. seri-
Gus problem now confronts the board
as to how to proceed to make other
permanent improvements. or the 81
stock barns at least 80 are in need Of
new roofs and thousands Of dollars will
be needed for other repairs, new fences.
drains. walks gates, entrances paint
ing, etc. Secretary Simpson recon-
mended that an appropriation should
be asked Of the next general assembly
for combined agricultural, horticul-
tural and dairy building, and for ut
least three additional hog barns. With
the erection of the first mentioned
building room will be had for other
departments. The agricultural hail
could be converted into a poultry build
ing and the poultry and dairy buildings
could be remodeled into sheep barns.
The horticultural building should he
converted into woman's building.
Many Improvements were made the
past season, including the laying ot
more than 100000 paving brick, erec-
ton of a greenhouse and swine pa
vilion, and street car station and 400
more hog pens. Unless new build
ings are erected 1t will take all the
surplus for several years to keep up
repairs.
The secretary reported that the ex-
hibit OF horses at the last state fair
was the best In years, this being es-
pecially true OF the draft and coach
breeds While the number of entries
in the cattle classes was no larger than
year ago the herd showing was
stronger. There were 2,570 hogs on
exhibition, this being the greatest num-
her ever shown at any fair, and ex-
ceeds the combined number shown at
the Minnesota, Wisconsin Internation-
al and American Royal shows. It was
impossible to provide coop room for
all the poultry brought to the fair. At
no state fair was there ever larger
and more diversified showing of farm
implements, buggles. carriages. fences,
etc, than this year. The corn judg-
Ing contest was a great success. Owing
to bad weather the gate receipts and
general income of the fair was not what
1t should have been. Secretary Simn-
son estimates that with good weather
the total receipts would have been from
$4,000 to $4,000 greater. The bad
weather interferred with most of the
county and district fairs. There were
rs per cent of them reported suffering
from the bad weather. The reports
show. however, that the interest in
these local fairs Is increasing.
The total of premiums paid in 1908
was $23,s13.13.
Secretary Simpson makes the follow
ing observations In general on the
purpose and results of state fairs and
other fairs:
II have always contended that the
educational advantages resulting from
properly conducted state fair could
not be measured in dollars and cents.
and that the results obtained We're far
more beneficial than most of us are
prone to believe. Many an inspiration
for Improvement In flocks and herds
Is received at these annual expositions
which cannot be gathered at any other
place. The American farmer, like the
manufacturer, is never satisfied unless
he is pushing forward and trying to do
better than his neighbor Where can
he better compare the products of his
own farm than with what Is shown at
our state fair? The stock man who
does not keep pace with the improve
ments continually being made in the
different breeds of live stock. is no bet
ter off than the merchant who does not