APRIL — JUNE, 1857.] Observations on Frovincial Exhibitions. 65 
of 1851, as it was wished that this being the first of the kind, should 
contain a complete collection of all the Raw products, which were 
known as Articles of Commerce, In representing the objects con- 
templated and requesting different parties to contribute, so far from 
alacrity, I found, with certainly some striking exceptions, disincli- 
nation in many to whonl:' I applied, to contribute. They alleged that 
it was useless to exhibit things that were so common and known to 
all the world, and which each and all in the same business might 
contribute equally well. Difficulties were, however, overcome, and 
will be so elsev;here with perseverance, especially as it is propos- 
ed to continue the Madras Exhibitions for two or three years. It 
seems desirable as suggested by some Collectors, t^t facilities 
should be afi'orded for sale and barter. The success of European. 
Exhibitions would be very limited, if it were not for the opportu- 
nity afforded to manufacturers of making known and selling, or 
taking orders for the sale of goods. 
3. Though local officers are the best judges of the times at which 
the proposed distribution of prizes should take place, as well as of 
most of the things which require to be encouraged in their own 
districts, yet there are other points which can be as well, if not 
better settled, by those at a distance who have paid attention to 
such subjects or have watched their working in foreign markets. 
4. The first point deserving consideration is, whether the pro- 
ductions of a district are intended for home consumption, or for 
export to foreign markets. In the first case, the people of the dis- 
trict are themselves the best judges of what they require, and what 
they wish to have improved, or what to have introduced as new 
cultures among themselves. In the second case, the purchasers in 
foreign markets, or their agents and brokers, are the best judges of 
what are the defects of any known product; or what are the kinds 
of substances which are most likely to meet with purcliasers, when, 
first introduced into their markets. But there are few important 
cultures which may not be noticed under both heads, and to which 
therefore the same general observations may apply. Thus there 
are few Indian products, or rather few products sent to market by 
