AGRTCULTUKAL SOCIETIES. 67 



skill, with ordinary means, should be encouraged. Because 

 an imported animal costs $1,000, which his owner is well able 

 to pay, this does not form prima facie evidence of desert of the 

 first premium, although it may have all the accepted points. 

 An animal costing one-fourth of that sum may have an 

 equal practical value ; may net a larger profit on cost, and, of 

 consequence, have a superior claim to consideration. 



There are, of course, difiicnlties in the way of equalizing 

 things so diverse and complicated. But once get the great 

 body of intelligent agriculturists together, each with sam- 

 ples of his best skill ; let the tables groan under their weight 

 of autumnal bounties, and the pens be crowded with speci- 

 mens of stock which has intrinsic worth and (;omeliness ; let 

 a common interest and purpose actuate all, and the esjjrit de 

 corps be awakened, and the apparent difficulties will vanish. 

 A generous, honest rivalry is quick to break through techni- 

 calities. If every farmer and gardener connected with any 

 one of our societies would bring to the fair the best product 

 of his summer's work, — and every fiirmer gets every year 

 something which he knows to be excellent of its kind, — 

 the aggregate would surprise and gratify^ all. Each would be 

 proud of his own contribution, and proud of the aggregate. 

 Such a fair would need no extra attraction. 



With such a collection of products and facts before him — 

 largely the result of ordinary culture — the young ftirmer finds 

 encouragement. It means, him. He feels that he can do all 

 this ; he will compare his methods with his fortunate neigh- 

 bor ; he will determine to excel his fortunate neighbor ; he 

 takes a step in the path of progress and improvement. And 

 when the spirit of inquiry is awakened, and the hope of bet- 

 ter things inspired within him, his success is assured. 



To repeat : The main dependence for success in the man- 

 agement of our societies and fairs is, agriculture and its proper 

 adjuncts. The legitimate results of wisely applied industry 

 is what uplifts and refines and benefits the masses. 



These legitimate results of wisely applied industry are not 

 restricted and common-place and unattractive. They are 

 valuable enough to command attention ; various enough to 

 awaken interest; curious enough to allure; beautiful enough 

 to please ; complicated enough to make people think ; and sub- 



