XXXYIII. 



AGEICTTLTUEAL EXHIBITIONS. 



I must have attended not less than fifty State or 

 County Fairs for the exhibition (mainly) of Agricultu- 

 ral Machines and Products. From all these, I should 

 have learned something, and presume I did ; but I 

 cannot now say what. Hence, I conclude that these 

 Fairs are not what they might and should be. In 

 other words, they should be improved. But how ? 



As the people compose much the largest and best 

 part of these shows, the reform must begin with them. 

 Two-thirds of them go to a Fair with no desire to 

 learn therefrom no belief that they can there be 

 taught anything. Of course, not seeking, they do 

 not find. If they could but realize that a Farmer's 

 Fair might and should teach farmers somewhat that 

 would serve them in their vocation, a great point 

 would be gained. But they go in quest of entertain- 

 ment, and find this mainly in horse-racing. 

 - Of all human opportunities for instruction in humili- 

 ty and self-depreciation, the average public speaker's is 

 the best. He hurries to a place where he has been 

 told that his presence and utterance are earnestly and 

 10* ("5) 



