EDLCITIOSAL Oix'a.LMZATlON 351 



The local and county fairs are in a mixed condi- 

 tion. Sometimes they have degenerated into a ques- 

 tionable sort of amusement, dominated by horse- 

 racing. The lack of affiliation with the year-round 

 agricultural interests in the community to give the 

 work permanency, and the failure of the premium 

 lists to take hold of the life interests and the eco- 

 nomic units of the farm, have been largely responsible 

 for such degeneration. It is interesting to note that 

 in the early days prizes were offered for entire crops, 

 for field and farm yields and for herds, and not merely 

 for specimens of product. As a part of the general 

 community organization and as the annual testing 

 ground for these, the fair might hope to get back to a 

 position of relative leadership. Some censorship in 

 the multiplication of such associations might well be 

 exercised by the State Division of Agriculture to se- 

 cure the most effective units. 



The State Fair at Syracuse, under State financial 

 supp(jrt, is building up a magnificent equipment in 

 grounds and buildings. This is used only one week 

 in the year, and is an unprofitable bill of expense the 

 remaining fifty-one weeks. Some method should be 

 found at least partially to use this equipment for 

 other exhibits, gatherings and agricultural sales of all 

 sorts. Under the supervision of the State Depart- 

 ment of Farms and Markets, and in cooperation 

 with the State institutions, it might be made the 

 central exchange and perpetual show ground of the 

 agricultural interests and the center of a larger edu- 

 cational service. 



