54 THE AFFAIRS OF THE FARM 



33. Agricultural Fairs. Over 1200 county fairs are held 

 in the United States yearly. At many of these the State 

 Agricultural Colleges have exhibits. Premiums are 

 offered for the best specimens of fruit, sheep, model dairy 

 barn, vegetables, preserves, beef and dairy products, 

 swine, feed and forage crops, needlework, and for numerous 

 other articles. Unfortunately, however, low-grade shows, 



AN AGRICULTURAL FAIR. 



gambling devices, and fakers offset in part the services 

 these fairs render the farmers. 



Colleges of agriculture use the fair as a means of reach- 

 ing the farmer personally, and for explaining the work of 

 the college. Demonstration work is carried on. Results 

 of investigations in fertilizing, spraying, crop rotation, and 

 feeding are explained. Names and addresses of repre- 

 sentative farmers are secured. Afterward, agricultural 

 information is sent to them, and thus many projects for 

 rural improvement are started. 



34. The Government and the Farmer. In order to pro- 

 mote better farming, Congress spends at least $ 20,000,000 

 a year. The Secretary of Agriculture is a member of the 

 President's cabinet. Every problem that concerns farm 

 work is studied by experts of the Department of Ayricvl- 



