604 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



As liberal prpmiums, and as many In number, renchin^f to the 3(1 and 4th, as a soci- 

 ety can j)ny without loss, sliduld be oftered. F^xhibitors are encouraojed to briiiw out 

 their products etiniuhited by the prosppct of a suitable reward if their exiiibition 

 is worthy, and an interest is awakened which would otherwise have remained dor- 

 mant, liules of entry should be imi)erative. Wlien the time comes to class tliem, 

 they should be classed, let the time be when it may. 'J'oo much of the tiujo of the 

 fair proper, in mauj- sociities, is taken up in gettinj]: ready. 



A fair should not be opened to tlie public until it is complete in all its parts. The 

 public should understand that the exhibition on its first day is as complete as on any 

 other day, and instead of having one or two "lull days" as the sayinoj is, every day 

 will have a respectable number, and the aggregate of attendance will be greatly 

 augmented. 



'J he exhibition should be complete from its public opening. The inquiry is a gen- 

 eral one, what days will be the best? The answer should be, "all" days are the 

 best, then visitors would come when it suited them. 



It frequently happens that VVednesday or 'J'hursday, the days that are considered 

 best, are rainy days. If one day was as good as another, you would have received 

 some of the receipts on tiie previous days, which had ordinarily been kept for the 

 "best days." and hence be so much aiiead financiallj'. Another thing, the crowds of 

 the "best days" would be divided up more evenly througli all the days of the fair. 



What would be thought of a theatrical performance that was prepared after the 

 audience had assembled! A working in the direction above indicated, in my opin- 

 ion, is a step in the right direction. 



Without any attempt at writing what might be called an address, I have hastily 

 w^ritten what seems to me some ideas, wiiich, if put into practical use as fast as soci- 

 eties were ready to adopt them, would be an improvement in some respects upon the 

 plans now in vogue. Hoping that it may be the means of calling out discussion, I 

 will close bj' thanking you for your kind attention. 



The Secretary of the association, Mr. Frank Little, of Kalamazoo, 

 addressed the coavention ou the subject of agricultural fairs. He spoke as 

 follows : 



Agricultural societies, with their annual exhibitions, are, so far as their influence 

 extends, practically schools of education in all the various branches of farm industry. 



Wide awake, progressive, intelligent farmers, are of incalculable benefit to every 

 agricultural community. Jt should be the highest aim of all our associations to 

 increase in every way possible tlie number of tliorough-going, practical farmers. 



In this connection should be mentioned the invaluable influences of the press, and 

 agricultural literature of modern times. These are mighty engines in the work of 

 educating the people, stimulating them to higher aims and loftier attainments. 

 With an all pervading, untiring zeal that never relaxes, they visit at regular inter- 

 vals all classes of people. They wield an Influence second to none in the world of 

 thought, while they instruct and enlighten mankind in all that pertains to the 

 world's progress and development. 



As valuable auxiliaries in the rural education of the people, agricultural societies 

 occupy a prominent, honored place. 



An agricultural fair with all its magnificent aggregation of the products of the 

 field, the household, the stable, and the workshop, «.-xerts a potent influence upon all 

 who throng its gates. It affords convenient lacilities and a grand opportuuity for 

 comparing breeds of animals, general methods in farming; the exhibition of farm pro- 

 ducts, and rich and meritorious articles in all the varied departments of the fair, as 

 well as for social intercourse among neighbors and friends, and widening the field of 

 acquaintanceship. At the fair, intelligent men and women add much to their gen- 

 eral fund of knowledge, gathering practical hints and suggestions of inestimable 

 value. 



Like the kingdom of heaven, the germ of thought " is as a grain of mustard seed 

 which a man took and cast into his garden, and it grew and became a great tree so, 

 that the fowls of the air lodged in the branches thereof." We also aicn to cast 

 abroad prerious seed, which, taking root and springing up, we know not when or 

 where, shall bring forth fruit — "some forty, some sixty, and some an hundred fold." 

 We are materially aided in our work by a common bond of union, sympathy, and 

 self-interest that pervades all classes, fully illustrating the sentiment of the universal 

 brotherhood of man. 



The progressive farmer challanges comparison with his neighbors in stock-breed- 

 ing, raising of crops, and all the varied products of the dairy, the household, the 

 garden and the orchard. 



