April — junEj 1857.] Observations on Provincial 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 whom 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 elsewhere 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, that facilities 

 should be afforded 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 purchasers, 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 



