The Fairs 131 



mal, they exhibit the prodigies, they encour- 

 age a class of professional exhibitors, they 

 attract the gaudy and the doubtful ; they are, 

 in fact, largely exclamational. There is per- 

 manent discussion as to the allowing of racing 

 and betting and of mere performing; but 

 these things are really symptoms after all, and 

 the real solution is to redirect the whole 

 enterprise. 



County and local fairs might well be part 

 of a thoroughly organized state system, and 

 be taken out of the influence of showmen and 

 race-track gamblers. The fair should be a 

 kind of school, and its work and influence 

 should exist continuously throughout the year. 

 The fair ground itself should not be idle fifty- 

 one weeks every year. Its facilities could be 

 used for many exhibits and schools at other 

 times ; and a good part of the grounds could 

 be utilized by school children or others to 

 grow plants that should stand in exhibition 

 and teach a lesson when the fair comes'round. 

 It is not too much to hope that fair grounds 

 may some day contain school-gardens. Such 



