438 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 



since 1892. These results have not been obtained by accident, but bv 

 business men of experience determined to succeed even in ^e period of 

 the greatest financial distress this country has exprienced since 1837. 

 The success of this Society with its heavy indebtedness, without outside 

 aid, together witli the unusual conditions which ruined so many indus- 

 tries, is without a parallel in the management of state fairs in this coun- 

 try. The exhibitions of the Society have always been of a high order. 

 As a stimulus and an educator fairs and expositions are a necessity. 

 How they should be managed to bring out the best efforts of the hus- 

 bandman, the manufacturer, the artist and the student, and at the same 

 time secure the means necessary for their existence without aid is a 

 serious question and one that will tax the best judgment of those upon 

 whom these duties fall. The responsibility resting upon those who 

 manage fair matters are two-fold. Fairs or exhibitions must be made 

 self-sustaining and at the same time be so conducted as to receive the 

 commendations of all good citizens. So many sources of amusement and 

 pleasure exist that attractions of general interest must be secured in 

 order that people shall be induced to attend fairs in large numbers in 

 order that they may be made self-sustaining. People differ in their 

 desires and are interested in different directions. As far as possible 

 these different interests should be secured if of an instructive character 

 and not harmful to any. Premiums should be offered suflflcient in amount 

 to bring out the best productions of the farm, the manufacturer, etc. I 

 am of the opinion that the premium list of this Society should be care- 

 fully revised and as soon as circumstances will warrant increased. In 

 the interests of economy last year the premiums were reduced. It was a 

 question of policy owing to indebtedness. Does the same need prevail 

 now? Economy is necessary to success. Parsimony will ruin many 

 undertakings. 



The future prospects of this Society if well managed are brighter than 

 they have been in the last decade. Business is better, people are paying 

 debts and have more money to spend. 



Farmers are becoming more interested in the improvements in the 

 domestic animals, in manufactured goods of all kinds, and they know- 

 that the benefits secured by examination of these different productions 

 when brought together at fairs cannot be obtained so cheaply and bene- 

 ficially in any other way. Not only farmers, but those engaged in other 

 pursuits are equally benefited by fair exhibitions. Street fairs and carni- 

 vals have for a year or two been hindrances in the way of attendance. 

 The signs of the times point towards their non-existence in the near fu- 

 ture. Business people in cities and towns soon tire of putting up money 

 to secure attractions for the farmers and others to gaze upon free, when 

 they fail to be remunerated by increased trade and profits. 



A few words of a personal nature and I am done. For six years I 

 have tried as well as I know how to discharge the duties of this Society. 

 In what manner I have succeeded in filling the position you know better 

 than I. So far as I know, our relations have been pleasant and friendly. 

 I have not language to sufficiently express the gratitude I feel towards 

 every loyal member of this Board for their uniform kindness and for- 

 bearance to me through these past six years. 



The recollection of them will cheer me during the few remaining days 

 allotted me here. I am still with you and a worker in the interests of 



