EDUCATIONAL FEATURES. 97 



interest and value ? The best herd of not less than six thorough- 

 bred or of an equal number of grade dairy cows, based on the 

 points of merit as seen by an examination of individuals, is a 

 matter of considerable interest, but would it not be of far greater 

 value if the premium was given on the basis of production for a 

 full year? I believe this could be made practicable by requir- 

 ing the presentation of daily milk records or daily milk and 

 monthly butter fat tests, the latter to be made under the super- 

 vision of a fair official. 



The fairs should encourage the children and stimulate their 

 interest in nature and in farm life, by offering prizes on the best 

 collection of wild flowers, of injurious insects or weeds, or on the 

 best stock or product raised by them. Only as we begin early 

 in the child's life to interest him or her in farm life, and to point 

 out the pleasures and educational advantages there to be found, 

 can we hope to stem the exodus from hill and vale to the cities 

 and towns. 



These thoughts as to how the educational features of fairs 

 may be strengthened may seem to you not to be practical, when 

 considered in detail. But be that as it may, the detail of opera- 

 tions is not what I would wish to impress, but rather that edu- 

 cation is the true function of the fair and that whenever state aid 

 is received this is the only true basis upon which it can be sought 

 and used. 



The encouragement of tests of speed or of circus-like per- 

 formances at fairs, while all right when these occupy but a sub- 

 ordinate place, is all wrong when they constitute the chief feat- 

 ure of the fair, and the use of state money to encourage such 

 performances should receive the disapproval of every loyal citi- 

 zen. 



