No. G. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 47 



exceptional opportunities. The (housands that attend them are there 

 to see and to hear anjtliing^ that may be of interest or use. Careful 

 study, therefore, should be <;iv('n to the question of the character of 

 the exhibits and entertainments. Tlie effort should be to liave all of 

 the departments of the fair interesting? and instructive. To secure 

 these ends, the first question that should be taken up is. What do the 

 agricultural people most need to know? After having discovered 

 this, then plan to meet their wants. It will soon be discovered that 

 they are not much interested in things that are inferior or of only 

 ordinary character. They desire to learn, and in order to make this 

 possible, the best should be presented and every effort be put forth 

 to secure specimens, as near perfection as possible in each class. 



State Agricultural Society. 



The interest excited by the local societies, resulted in the forma- 

 tion of a State organization in 1851, known as the State Agricultural 

 Society. The list of members of this societ}', embraces the names of 

 a large number of the most influential and capable citizens, that the 

 last half century has produced in Pennsylvania. Ever since its or- 

 ganization, this society has held exhibitions each year, most of which 

 have been remarkable for attendance and interest. Unfortunately, 

 the society some years ago, became involved, through no fault of its 

 own, in a debt which has seriously crippled it ever since. It is now, 

 however, about clear of this incumbrance, and is again ready to occupy 

 its old position of prominence and usefulness in the agriculture of the 

 State. In New York State the Legislature makes a large appropria- 

 tion, annually, to the State Fair Association, to aid in the payment of 

 the premiums offered, with the result that their yearly fairs are now 

 regarded as among the best in the United States, and large numbers 

 of farmers, from other States visit them for the purpose of securing 

 the valuable information which the exhibit provides. Pennsylvania 

 ought to do a like service for its State Society, and aid its managers 

 io their efforts to show to our own citizens and those of other States, 

 what Pennsylvania agriculture actually is, by exhibiting her best 

 products in a general collection, where, at slight expense, they can be 

 viewed and compared, by all who are interested in this great industry. 



The State Board. 



The Agricultural Society w'as organized, chiefly, for the purpose of 

 holding exhibitions or fairs. After about twenty-five years of expe- 



