ASSOCIATION OF FAIK MANAGERS. 207 



zation and the immense amount of work being done in the schools of our 

 State was a revelation to me. The manner in which it was presented 

 was one of the very best advertisements that our State ever had. 



I believe at all our State and founty fairs we ought to give heed to 

 the interests of the stock man, the farmer, and the horticulturist, but we 

 ought also to do something to stimulate the school system of Indiana, the 

 manufacturing interests, and, in fact, everything that will arouse the in- 

 terest of the people of the State. 



The exposition at St. Louis, from the standpoint of what it has done 

 and what it will do for the business interests of the United Sthtes, pre- 

 sents a many-sided problem. I believe the exposition marked the be- 

 ginning of an era- in American industries that is for the good of the peo- 

 ple. While the fair was not a success from a financial point of view, I 

 do not believe it is the last gi'eat exposition I will have an opportunity to 

 attend, notwithstanding the fact that I am over the hill and on the way 

 down. I believe most of us here will live to see another great exposi- 

 tion in this great country of ours. I believe the people of this country so 

 thoroughly understand the value of advertising, anci so thoroughly ap- 

 preciate what such an exposition can do for our country that similar 

 enterprises will be promoted from time to time. 



HOW SHALL WE IMPROVE THE AGRICULTURAL DEPART- 

 MENTS OF OUR DISTRICT AND COUNTY FAIRS AND 

 AWAKEN A GREATER POPULAR IN- 

 TEREST THEREIN? 



L. B. CLOKE, FBANKLIN. 



The agricultural department of not only district and county fairs, 

 but also State fairs and National expositions, should stand at the head 

 of the various departments, because it represents more wealth than any 

 other department and almost equal to the value of all other departments 

 combined. These exhibits should be made attractive, and if considered 

 correctly it is of great importance as an educator to the farmer who cares 

 to improve his crops. The week of the district or county fairs should be 

 a week of enjoyment to the farmer, collecting in a few potatoes, squashes, 

 pumpkins, corn, wheat, oats, etc., and if well selected will not only pay 

 him for his trouble, but he will have a neat sum left, which will more 

 than pay his expenses during the fair. If not successful he will en- 

 deavor to learn what has been the cause of his failure. It may be a poor 

 variety has been selected or some needed preparation of the soil has been 

 neglected, or the cultivation has been poor. There can not be a better 



