36 STATE POMOLOQICAL SOCIETY. 



essays and the discussion of topics ; and by publishing our pro- 

 ceedings for distribution over the State. Our aim is to reach the 

 people, and we know of no better methods in our present condi- 

 tion than the above named. We realized in the start some of the 

 obstacles we are finding in the way of success. The object of an 

 exhibition is to draw together the people, and by the beauty and 

 variety there displayed, educate them to a higher appreciation of 

 the impoi'tance of horticulture and awaken in them an enthusiasm 

 that will spur them on to greater and more successful efforts to 

 secure for themselves surroundings of beauty and utility, that the 

 standard of their lives may be elevated, and life itself made more 

 pleasant and useful. But in order to reach these results, the 

 people must attend the exhibitions. Human tastes and aspira- 

 tions are such, — and we must take these things as they are, — that 

 anything of a purely elevating tendency, and which does not ap- 

 peal in any way to our lower natures, does not attract the great 

 masses of the people. The nonsense of a corps of negro minstrels 

 draws fuller houses than the purest rendering of the productions 

 of the great masters. A circus with the foolishness of a noted 

 clown will be crowded while art galleries are empty. A slump 

 speaker who can tell a commonplace story in an off-hand, attrac- 

 tive manner, will chain an audience when the greatest scholarship 

 and highest culture will simply empty the seats. So an exhibition 

 of fruits and flowers, charming in its beauty and variety, will 

 have few visitors, while a horse-trot will draw together its shout- 

 ing thousands. Yet an exhibition cannot be run without receipts, 

 and exerts but little influence without visitors. 



We have held four exhibitions — two connected with the State 

 Agricultural Society, and two independent and alone. In both of 

 the cases where we have run alone we have been disappointed in 

 the attendance. Holding independent exhibitions is strictly in 

 accordance with the desires of its officers and with the character 

 of our efforts. If they cannot however be made to pay running 

 expenses, then a question of serious importance presents itself. 

 In locating our exhibitions we find we can hardly go into any 

 locality without getting in contact with a local Society. Every 

 county in the State has its agricultural fair, and some several of 

 them, so that turning our attention wheresoever we may, we in a 

 measure interfere with these local exhibitions. 



To avoid any actual or supposed injurious interference with the 

 attendance upon the North Kennebec Fair at Waterville, last 



