REPORT OR THK COMMISSIONER. I3 



THE FAIRS. 



The weather during the autumn was unusually fine and most 

 fairs were able to do their best in the way of making exhibits 

 of live stock and farm crops, and securing a good attendance 

 at their annual exhibition. A large volume might be written 

 about the many fairs of the state. We refer readers to what 

 we said in our report for 191 3. We wish to emphasize what 

 we said there. We desire to call attention to the fact that the 

 management of many of the fairs is passing out of the hands 

 of farmers, into the hands of village or city men. Farmers 

 should strive to retain the control of all agricultural organiza- 

 tions. We wish to condemn severely the admission of cheap 

 filthy shows upon fair grounds, as well as the multitude of small 

 games of ill repute whose managers resort to every dishon- 

 orable device to get hold of the money of inexperienced and 

 unthinking people. We believe the state would do well to make 

 a distinction in the amount of stipend paid to fairs, based on 

 the presence or absence of all such shows and games. The 

 society whose exhibition is absolutely free of such objectionable 

 features is fairly entitled to a greater consideration from the 

 state. We recommend such change in the law as would bring 

 this about. Reference is had to the tables showing the actual 

 work of the various fairs in the state that seek a part of the 

 state stipend. 



LIVE STOCK INDUSTRY. 



The condition of the live stock industry of the state is prac- 

 tically the same as it was one year ago. Unquestionably there 

 is a constant improvement in the quality of the animals kept 

 upon Maine farms. The various breeders' organizations and 

 dairy test associations are doing much to show farmers the 

 economic importance of keeping only the best. There is no 

 other industry in the state so important as this. Many thou- 

 sands of our people are dependent upon it for a living. Its 

 increase or decrease in the future will be determined by the 

 fact of whether the crops of hay, com and small grains produced 

 shall be increased or diminished. Again we feel it our duty to 

 advise farmers to raise fewer potatoes and more hay, corn and 

 grain. The work of this department devoted to the improve- 



