SECRETARY'S REPORT. 127 



ground for every showman who takes advantage of the market. 

 Let him furnish pens, of the common post and rail, around the 

 inclosure, the fence forming one side of each pen, and a clerk 

 with whom all articles and stock should be entered, and who 

 will take the entrance fee. 



In this manner any farmers' club or committee may start a 

 market, which will pay for itself and all expenses of adver- 

 tising. 



In England the local farmers' clubs hold fairs or exhibitions 

 on market days, and in connection with the market; and we 

 doubt not but that some of the farmers' clubs now forming 

 over the State, would find pleasure as well as profit, in villages 

 suitable to the institution of a market, in getting up a " mar- 

 ket." To this market they might give the aid of an exhibition 

 of their farmers' club in spring and fall, or once a year, as they 

 see fit, and reports of the club upon the stock and produce at 

 the market would furnish valuable information and increased 

 interest in agricultural pursuits. 



We have been thus particular about the details of the 

 manner of getting up a market, because we believe that, after 

 all, the difficulty is not to satisfy the people of Massachusetts 

 that markets would be a blessing, but in prevailing upon them 

 to undertake the task. " It is the first step which costs," is the 

 familiar proverb. But here there is no cost but the effort of 

 the will. Let a few enterprising and public spirited individ- 

 uals in each county, an agricultural society, or a farmers' club, 

 resolve that they will " plant " a market within ten or twelve 

 miles of every farmer in their county, and they will do a work 

 which will be worthy of the highest honor. With a little effort 

 it can be surely accomplished, and what will be the results ? 



1. Greater convenience in buying and selling than we now 

 enjoy. 



2. A great saving of time. 



3. Cash for all things sold. 



4. The removal of middle men, thus bringing the consumer 

 and producer face to face. 



5. As a consequence of this removal, better prices to the 

 farmer, and cheaper purchases to the consumer. 



6. The abolition of the peddling system. 



