RliPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER. 19 



gambling and the sale of intoxicating liquors are diligently 

 enforced. 



In case of a complaint, and evidence showing that the law 

 against gambling, games of chance, or the sale of intoxicating 

 liquors has been violated on the grounds of any fair at its ex- 

 hibition, the managers of the fair should be in a position to 

 show that they have been diligent in trying to keep their 

 grounds clear of all such violations. They ought also to be 

 prepared to have the violators of these laws promptly arrested, 

 charges filed against them before the proper court, and evidence 

 furnished the court to secure their conviction. In this connec- 

 tion we wish to say that all fair ofificials have shown a disposi- 

 tion to keep their fairs clean. 



It might be well for the legislature to require an annual 

 meeting of the fair associations to be held in connection with 

 this Department, for the consideration of matters that are of 

 common interest, the same to be held before premium lists are 

 issued. The attendance at such meeting by a representative of 

 a society might be made a prerequisite for obtaining the sti- 

 pend, and to prevent this being a hardship upon small societies 

 the expense might be taken from the appropriation for stipends. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 



At this time we wish to acknowledge the active assistance 

 which we have received from the College of Agriculture, the 

 Maine Agricultural Experiment Station, the grange and other 

 farm organizations in the state, the press, and individuals all 

 over the state. The friendly attitude of all the people of the 

 state towards the work of the Department has been very en- 

 couraging and helpful. 



