17 



schools in the territory on the day selected, and for that day 

 provide as many features as possible appealing to school 

 children. The attendance of school children on Children's 

 Day last year at the Wisconsin State Fair was 42,352. The 

 school children went home and told members of the family 

 not present of the wonderful things they saw, and i)erhaps in- 

 duced many to attend the fair who would not have attended 

 without the publicity given the fair by the children. 



What the United States Government has learned. 



I have set forth the necessity for fairs to establish co- 

 operation with departments of agriculture and colleges of 

 agriculture and other like agencies. Really, it ought not 

 be necessary for fairs to seek this co-operation, for it should 

 be forthcoming without seeking. 



Two years ago the United States Department of Agricul- 

 ture began to send exhibits to the larger fairs. Results were 

 so excellent during the first year that congress appropriated 

 $100,000 a year, one year ago, to pay the cost of these ex- 

 hibits. I understand that it is the ultimate aim of the United 

 States Department of Agriculture to add to its exhibits until 

 small fairs receive them everywhere. If the United States 

 government obtains results warranting such extensive plans, 

 why cannot State governments obtain equal results? I would 

 say to all State departments of agriculture and colleges of 

 agriculture, get into every fair of your State with an exhibit. 

 If this is not being done, a fine avenue for reaching rural 

 people is being neglected, and some one should be called to 

 account. 



Western fairs choose many of their judges from faculties of 

 agricultural colleges, and they also employ members of facul- 

 ties as departmental heads of the fairs. Some colleges of 

 agriculture are attempting to assume fair functions in pre- 

 senting annual exhibits at the colleges. The time is coming 

 when this departure will be turned over entirely to fairs of 

 the State, as it should be. 



