248 
AGRICULTURE AT THE CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION. 
At the Centennial International Exposition, now in progress at Phil- 
adelphia, agriculture may be studied in two complementary aspects. 
In the building erected by the General Government, the National De- 
partment of Agriculture has organized a special exhibit, of which an 
account was published in our June report. In this exhibit the leading 
facts and principles of American agriculture are presented in compact 
logical generalizations. The results of production are shown in classi- 
fied specimens or fac-simile imitations showing the processes and pro- 
ducts of culture. The natural agencies, organic or inorganic, which favor 
or impede the work of the farmer, are shown by a great variety of sam- 
ples. Statistical charts on a large scale compare the latest results with 
those of former years, illustrating the annual progress of production and 
the changes which time is continually working in this oldest and most 
fundamental of all human industries. This exhibit, while constituting 
one of the most attractive features of the Exposition for the general 
public, is especially interesting to thoughtful minds seeking reliable 
general ideas of our material resources. The statistics which sum up 
and compare our annual products are of special value to commercial 
men as giving more clear and definite ideas in regard to the trade in 
farm-products, while intelligent agriculturists find new facts and prin - 
ciples of culture and new relations between the different branches of 
their varied industry developed in the statistical investigations of which 
the results are on exhibition in the Government building. 
At Agricultural Hall, on the contrary, the subject is presented from 
an antipodal stand-point. The miscellaneous collections of private ex- 
hibitors embrace a vast amount of details arranged under a previously- 
devised classification, but it is evident that in a large number of cases 
objects are brought within the programme ouly by a very liberal con- 
struction of itsrequirements. A complete and systematic exhibit could 
scarcely have been anticipated. It is not a comprehensive selection 
from the multitudinous facts of agriculture of those general features 
which accurately present the true character of the whole system, but 
rather a miscellaneous aggregation of such specimens of production as 
the private interests, public spirit, and special facilities of exhibitors 
have induced and enabled them to present in response to the invitation 
of the Centennial Commission. Hence its indications need careful in- 
terpretation, having regard not only to its excellencies, but also to its 
deficiencies. A greatredundancy of specimens is found in some branches 
and a noticeable lack in others. But the full treatment of the subject 
requires time, diligent research in gathering facts, and deep study in 
drawing conclusions. The history of the Exposition cannot be even 
commenced until after its operations shall have been concluded. All 
that can be justifiably attempted in a sketch like the present is to trace 
the leading features, to indicate something of its scope and extent, and 
to give some conception of the wonders of art and nature now pre- 
sented at this branch of the Centennial Exposition. A brief notice of 
its general organization will give some relative conception of the part 
taken in this enterprise by the agricultural interest of our own and of 
foreign countries. 
The grand exposition occupies an inclosed portion of Fairmount Park, 
embracing 236 acres. Five immense structures have been provided by 
the Centennial Commission for the exposition of the industry of all 
