522 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



that iu a great mauy other directions it would be possible to make 

 these fairs educational instead of fake shows, that not only benefit 

 no one, but are a disgrace to the communities in which they are 

 held. They are called agricultural fairs, but are like Josh Billings' 

 discourse on milk, which referred to everything else but milk. At 

 the so-called agricultural fair the managers put on exhibition a few 

 bushels of wheat and a few pumpkins and other products, but they 

 are not at all typical of the agriculture of this great State. I be- 

 lieve this Board could take an entire session, not only a half a day, 

 but that it could take the entire meeting of two or three days, with 

 great profit to the agriculturists of the State, and have fifteen, 

 twenty or thirty papers read and discuss this subject. There would 

 be work enough, in connection with the farmers' institutes, to keep 

 the Board busy and it would be profitable work. If the members of 

 the Board would give their attention to this subject it would be a 

 great benefit to the people all over the State. 



Then there is another thing in this connection, and that is, we 

 ought to have one great fair in Pennsylvania, annually. These sum- 

 mer fair societies in the different counties, and this Board, are in- 

 terested in this annual State fair which we should have and I do not 

 see why the State Board might not take up the subject and take 

 such action as would result in getting up a State Fair in Pennsyl- 

 vania that will be something like the kind of fair that our neighbor- 

 ing state. New York, has each year and which now has become the 

 resort of those of advanced thought in agricultural subjects and 

 an annual assembling place for agricultural people who are inter- 

 ested iu all that goes to make the farming industry a success. This 

 State Board can do a great deal to effect this. If the State Board 

 will continue its improvement of the summer exhibits by the county 

 associations and make them what they ought to be, and then to 

 crown all get up one great exhibition for the State, it would be a 

 great benefactor to the agriculture of Pennsylvania. 



I believe the Board could profitably take an entire session in the 

 discussion of the subject I am now talking about nnd in that way 

 come to some conclusion as to the practicability of carrying out the 

 suggestions that I have rather crudely stated. 



MR. HERR: I see General Beaver is in the audience. Will he 

 step forward and assume his position in the chair? 



GENERAL BEAVER: You keep the chair. I would just as soon 

 sit here. 



The report of the Committee on Credentials was read, and the fol 

 lowing persons were recommended to be admitted to membership 

 in the Board: 



