MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 397 



Look at our displays of manufactures ; it costs ten dollars where 

 one is taken in at the gates. Look at our merchants' displays ; they 

 never pay. Look at our stock shows ; they never are a financial suc- 

 cess. 



I say now that a good fruit and flower show will go nearer paying 

 its own expenses than any other single enterprise. 



But what we need to do is not to judge any one of the departments 

 of our " fairs " or expositions as the only one which pays. As a whole 

 we need all these to make up a good fair or exposition, and it would be a 

 poor show at any of our places if all horticultural aud agricultural pro- 

 ducts arc to be left out. 



I say then that our horticultural displays are as attractive a feature 

 as there is in the whole range of specialities, and that it draws the finer 

 thoughts of our people out. 



How, then, can our fairs afford to offer any premiums at all ? Why 

 should not our horticultural exhibits be made just as are all other dis- 

 plays, for the purpose of advertising. Our merchants, our manufacturers, 

 our business men, make their displays without any pay or premiums, why 

 should not the horticulturists .-' 



The answer to all these is plain. In our fairs and expositions it is 

 well, and is necessary to show all our manufactured articles as also all 

 our products. Now, one is the complement of the other, one is needful 

 to the other and both are rrecessary to make a complete exhibit. 



Our merchants and manufactures make their exhibit, and reap their 

 reward in increased sales and extensive advertising. 



In all exhibits of the products of the soil, no one man or set of men 

 reap any real benefit. But all the benefit acrues to the county or dis- 

 trict as a whole ; the expense is borne by certain individuals, and they 

 are satisfied if, in the end, they receive enough premiums to pay 

 expenses. 



I believe that the whole plan of our horticultural displays and the 

 premiums offered should be revised. I think that, besides the money 

 given by the fair association, we should have a liberal sum appropriated 

 by each of our counties to some good, live men to use in making the dis- 

 plays and to pay the necessary expenses. 



For all individual effort of what each one grows himself, I think the 

 correct plan is to offer premiums, but only so far as their own growing is 

 concerned. 



I believe in the line of our fruits these premiums should be offered, 

 not wholly by our fair associations, but that each county should use some 



