No. 6. DEPARTMI<]NT OF AGRICUJ/rURE. b'J 



Date. Place. County. Additional Lecturers. 



Feb. 11-12. Boyerstown Berks Dr. M. E. Conrud and Jasijcr 



T. Jennings. 



Feb. 13-14 Geiger's Mills Berks Dr. M. K. Conard and Jasper 



T. Jennings. 



Feb. 15-16 Blandon Berks Dr. M. K. Conard and Jasper 



T. Jennings. 



Feb. 20 Kempton Berks L.. W. Lighty. 



Feb. 21-22 Jacksonville I.ehigh. L. W. Lighty. 



Feb. 23 East Texas Lehigh L. W. Lighty. 



Feb. 2.';-26 Cedarville, Lohigh. L. W. Lighty. 



Feb. 27-2S Craig's Meadows Monroe, H. W. Northup. 



March 1 New Mahoning Carbon H. \V. Northup. 



Marth 2 Weatherly. Carbon H. \V. Northup. 



March 4 Carvcrton Luzerne Jason Sexton. 



March 5 Lehman Luzerne Jason Sexton. 



March 6-7 Conyngham Luzerne Jason Sexton. 



Tlie gcneijil pi ospciity attending farm operations the past year has 

 stimulated and encouraged the country' agricultural societies of the 

 State in holding their annual fairs, complete reports from which show 

 a great increase in the exhibit of all kinds of live stock, fruits, vege- 

 tables and cereals. The attendance at these exhibitions in lUUt) were 

 over 1,143,071; and premiums paid, $110,830.60. Thirty-nine of the 

 societies holding fairs in 1901 offered a total in premiums of $133,- 

 350.00. Forty-seven of these societies have one-half mile race track 

 and seven one-third mile track. 



Whilst visiting many of these associations, at the time of their 

 exhibitions, in order to gain such information as would be of advant- 

 age to the agricultural interests of the State, I noted some of the con- 

 ditions and management of these fairs. A great improvement has 

 taken place in the way of offering better premiums for all lines of 

 live stock, which is commendable; also in the appointment of judges 

 for stock. Many of these societies are striving to secure one expert 

 judge who is qualified and capable to decide upon the merits of com- 

 peting animals, or articles, in conformity with established rules and 

 regulations governing the same. This action is to be commended, 

 by thus relieving the awarding of premiums from the odium of favor- 

 itism which might some times be charged against persons serving, 

 who are acquainted with the exhibitors. Tests of speed on race 

 courses is to be commended; yet we note that at some of these fairs, 

 pool-selling and other modes of gambling occupy a prominent place 

 near the judges' stand. This action cannot be condemned in language 

 too strong or forcible. In order that these agricultural societies may 

 fill the place in agriculture that they are intended, the standard of 

 morality and the principles of obeying the laws of the State, ought, of 

 necessity, to be strictly complied with. We speak for the agricul- 

 tural societies of the State a prosperous future, conditioned a[)on 

 the principle of conducting these exhibitions in such a maniie;- as 

 to give the greatest encouragement to every line of agricultural ex- 

 hibit, and discouraging what would seem to be a preponderance of 

 side shows, games of chance, etc., which tend to lead the minds of 

 the voung awav from habits of industrv and sobrietv. 



