1891.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 323 



that they grew into a general exhibition of all sorts of farm 

 products ; and it has now become a " Fair," with the cattle 

 and the farm products in the background, and attractions to 

 amuse the people in the foreground. Last fall there were 

 thirty-five agricultural fairs held by the incorporated societies 

 drawing bounty from the State, besides fifty exhibitions by 

 town granges and farmers' clubs, or a total of eighty-five 

 shows in the State, nearly all held within six weeks. 



The Cattle-show Business Overdone. 



The agricultural show business in Massachusetts is 

 evidently overdone ; but I would not discourage the holding 

 of local town shows, for these, it seems to me, are fully as 

 valuable as the larger ones. Neither would I prevent the 

 established societies from holding exhibitions if they desired 

 them for a public holiday, but I would not make it a stipu- 

 lation that each society must hold a fair in order to draw the 

 State bounty. 



There are certain localities that are favorable for holding: 

 great shows each year, even without bounty from the State. 

 Brockton is one of them. While giving a very creditable 

 exhibition of stock and hall displays, it excels in furnishing 

 attractions for amusing the people. I confess that I like to 

 go to the Brockton show, for the same reason that I like to 

 go to Barnum's circus. It amuses and entertains me. As 

 an agricultural circus, it is a great success. If there are 

 societies favorably located for this kind of business, — for it 

 is a business requiring special talent, — I am not sure but that 

 it is perfectly legitimate ; but the State should contribute no 

 bounty directly or indirectly to such societies. 



The Bounty Controlled by this Board. 



As to the bounties, I believe the amount in the ao'^resrate 

 which is now given to the different agricultural societies 

 should be continued, but that the expenditure of it should 

 be under the direct control of this Board. This will be 

 bitterly opposed ; but you will admit that some change 

 should be made, for much of the money given to the socie- 

 ties at the present time is worse than squandered. In some 



