MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 377 



farmer knows but little about. If horse racing is demoralizing, if bet- 

 ting and gambling are evil practices, then must our Fairs be evil teach- 

 ers. If you would know where our children and youth spend their time, 

 and what lessons they learn at Fairs, just listen at their conversation 

 when returned home. They know all about the racing, and are familiar 

 with the betting, and every word and phrase connected with this, the 

 most prominent department of the grounds. And here nearly all the 

 attracions of the Fair ground are thrown, here is where the money is ex- 

 pended, here is where the music is stationed, here is where the band 

 plays, and here are the greatest attractions, and instead of the useful 

 and beautiful getting the chief encouragement, and the large premiums 

 and the greatest attractions, they go to the worthless and the useless, 

 and hence a class of professional jockeys take in the circuit of the Fairs, 

 make large money by trickery and private arrangements, on som thing 

 absolutely worthless for all practical purposes, scooping up the heavy 

 purse, while the unsuspecting farmer, with an honest horse, is left be- 

 hind. And to carry the evil influences still further, the grounds are usu- 

 ally well supplied with all manner of games and gambling devices with all 

 the modern improvements. Now pause and ask ourselves the question, 

 who gets the greater part of all the money spent at, and in connection 

 with, the Fair ? It is no longer a question with the teachers of morals 

 and religion, that the Fairs are educating downward, and must be either 

 brought under different regulations or abandoned by christian people. 



Horticulture in all of its branches, witnessed as well from the grow- 

 ing, blooming and fruit-bearing trees, shrubs or vines, as in the displays 

 at the public gathering of the society and discussion among its mem- 

 bers, in the dissemination and exchange of seeds, as well as seed thoughts 

 and in its cultivation and strengthening of the social relations, is all ele- 

 vating. It would be difficult to cultivate, or even harbor avarice, or hate 

 or any of the baser passions 'mid a display of fruits and flowers. 



The gain is not a pecuniary one, its chief good is in its moral train- 

 ing and no one can help but be the better for having engaged in the 

 work of the society. All can take a part. Man can honor it, woman 

 can adorn it, and children can enliven it. It will return a smile to each. 

 It is a civilizer and the wild savage is drawn nearer the enlightened as 

 he is taught agriculture, and his love for gardens, orchards and flowers 

 expanded. Says Bacon: "Fine gardening marks the progress of civili- 

 zation'.' Home is made more attractive, and a love for home increases, 

 when adorned and surrounded with well cultivated gardens, rich with 

 esculents, beautified with flowers, 'mid the smilings and the greetings of 

 fruiting orchards and waiving evergreens. Such a home tends to the 



