From these facts it is apparent that for some reason, or for many 

 reasons, the people in this fertile locality, the garden of the State, 

 are losing their interest in the practical work of the Society, are with- 

 holding their influence and support, and seriously impairing its suc- 

 cess and influence. Unless a general public interest can be secured 

 and the old enthusiasm aroused, the inevitable result of the prevail- 

 ing apathy will be financial embarrassment, the loss of the State 

 bounty, and collapse of the Society. Already there are indications of 

 improvement, and we may reasonably hope and expect, that in the 

 near future appeals to the common sense of the people will be 

 heeded, and by their united action, the desired prosperity be again 

 secured. 



The presence of the people is essential to the success of a Fair 

 for any purpose. It is useless to gather domestic animals and pro- 

 ducts of the soil for exhibition, unless the great public patronize the 

 show, and study the object-lessons there presented, with an enthus- 

 iasm that is only born of numbers. 



The policy of the State in aiding agriculture is educational. The 

 Agricultural College, the P^xperiment Station, and Agricultural 

 Societies, are established, aided and administered for the purpose of 

 securing and diffusing information that will elevate, improve and de- 

 velop the science and art of agriculture. It is left for the people to 

 reject or improve these liberal provisions for their welfare. 



