The Portland daily press., 1875-09-14
The State Agricultural Exhibition.

The State Agricultural Exhibition.
The principal object of all agricultural ex-
hibitions should be to promote the cause of
agriculture by public display of its valuable
products and operations; connecting there
with the name and methods of the producer
and operator for purposes of commendation
and instruction. The sooner they are rid al
together of everything that is sensational and
snowy, the better for the cause-and as the
tendency generally is strongly in that direc-
ton, it must ever be kept in mind that they
are mainly valuable as schools of instruction.
1t is true, however, that they furnish in
some sense the modern arenas, where patient
merit and earnest industry contend for the
prizes which are awarded to those who are
striving to promote the material prosperity of
their fellow men.
Schools of instruction we have called them,
and we may add that they only accomplish
their legitimate ends, when the multitudes
in attendance may be divided into two classes
the scholars who come to learn, and the
instructors who are there to teach by their
processes, inventions and exhibitions, some
needed improvement and the best way of Sc
curing it. All progress here is made by sue
cessive steps, and not at one bound; in this
school something must be taught and learn
ed each year, and by constant elevation of
the standard higher degree of improvement
is made. Walking in the last years round,
a mere repetition of former achievements, is
not enough; superior degree OF excellence
is to be attempted and attained, and here
there can be only the single motto "Excels-
orr.
An advantage derived from such public ex-
hibitions and not to be overlooked, is, that
they furnish the best opportunity for display
ing and advertising the merits OF an article
to the world at large. This is well under
stood by the modern inventors and shrewd
business men, and advantage is taken of it,as
well as of the com mercial benefits which
may be obtained from the diplomas and
awarded, which are bestowed upon deserving
objects on such occasions.
The advantages we have referred to are
mainly beneficial to individuals; in addition
to these, although in some degree connected
with them, we mention the supreme good of
the state. 1t must be self-evident PROPOSE
ton that an institution or agency created by
the state for its own good, must not only re-
frain from inficting injury upon it but also
specially seek every method and opportunity
for promoting its highest good. Although
agricultural societies and exhibitions are
comparatively of modern origin and therefore
somewhat untried, we conceive that there
are no other agencies so worthy of state pat
ronage, and on the ground of the benefits
which they in turn confer upon the state.
No more effective: instrumentality can be
found to reveal its strength or weakness, its
merits or deficiencies.
The state makes examination into its own
topography and ascertains its own capaci-
ties and resources aud conceals nothing from
the world, but publishes at home and abroad
its nakedness and barrenness, or its fertility
and fullness, precisely as they exist. A map
of it's territory is one of the first needs of a
civilized nation.
The state explores every nook and corner
of its domain, and counts and reports every
man, woman and child dwelling within it's
limits. The neglect to take a census of its
population on the part of state would be
regarded as a confession of weakness, and
would lower its relative rank in the national
scale.
NOW as agriculture Is Uue unuerIyIug Ioun
dation of the state, and as the prosperity of
both is inseparably connected, and as both
are alike sensitive to external evils as well as
internal neglects, why should not the welfare
of the state be regarded as sustaining inti-
mate relations with the developments of its
agricultural societies and exhibitions? We
assert that our State Agricultural Society and
its Exhibition should be such in reality, and
not in name alone-they should reflect and
Represent the state in all its completeness, in
all its material interests, so that the stranger
able to say, This is the state.
Thus far in its history, it has failed of such
accomplishment; without excusing the faults
in its management we will not, however lay
this sin to its charge; it results rather from q
defective system, than the error of individ
uals.
Under the present arrangement our State
Exhibition is usually made up from the con
tributions Of its immediate locality, or those
towns or sections which happen to be acces
sible by rail or steamer, and this must ever b(
the case. Would map of the State be toler
| ated, which omitted one or more of its coun
| ties, or a census of the State received as all
thority which contained only a part of it
population? We can see no reason why th
citizens of the State should not be exactin.
in their requirements, whenever any of it
Institutions fail to do perfect work.
In order that State exhibitions shall bt
full and complete, we imagine that no com
pulsion is necessary, nor need there be an
complicated and expensive system introduced
Let the several agricultural organizations
linked together, first the Town Club thel
the County Society, and then the State Sc