Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-11-28
From the Northern Farmee.
Agricultural Fairs.


cultural fairs is rapidly approach
ing. Many a farmer is now do
ing his best to improve the condi-
ton Of his favorite stock; many
a farmers wife is preparing arti-
cles in her department which, IL
they do not carry of the prize
from all competitors, win at least
be creditabIe to bel. skill, and In
dustry, and taste. Many a gar
dener is taxing all his resources
TO perfect his specimens of beets,
squashes, melons, beans, potatoes,
grapes, apples, pears, peaches,
and what not. The florist is try
ing his skill-many a LADY anna
teur is trying her skill-in bring
ing out all the latest beauties Of
flowers, which will charm all be-
holders, and give the highest fin
ish and grace to the exhibitions,
even il they do not earn golden
rewards.
We rejoice in these great an
nual gatherings. They stimulate
the industry and taste Of the ru-
raj population. They afford a
pleasant holiday to hard working
men. They bring together those
who would not otherwise become
acquainted with each other, and
while new acquaintances-ar are form
ed, much information is given
and received on subjects most In
teresting to the agricultural pop
ulation.
We wish, however, to make a
suggestion or two in this place.
1t seems to us that our fairs might
be more practically useful. For
instance, there should be not on
ly exhibitions OF the finest prod
ucts Of the farm and garden, but
there should also be some arrang-
ment for giving some information
respecting these products A
few years ago, we noticed at one
Of our Fairs, a fine collection Of
grapes. But we could not find
out the owners, nor the names of
the varieties. Now, what we
should like in such case, would
be to have a card attachedto eacn
variety, giving its name, quality,
where plants could be obtained,
and at what price, sc. Or, let
the owner, or some one deputied
by him, be at hand, and give
whatever information should be
desired. And so Of all objects Of
all objects Of interest at the Fair
Many people who attend these
exhibitions go not merely to be
amused as children are with toys
but to gain valuable informa'
ton.
Since writing the last sentence
we have hesitated a while, il
doubt whether to speak Of anoth.
er mattor which has lain our mine
for a year past. We dread t
offend the ladies, but we must rur
the risk. We refer to the intro
duction Of female horsemanshiI
into our Fairs-is it on the whole
a good thing? Itattracts a Grove
into the show ground, no doubt
and helps pay expenses. But i
the curiosity thus excited Away
!audable? Is the crowd thus at
tracted, composed Of such person.
as our modest ladies would wisl
to associate with? Does not thi
practice place the lady riders al
most on the level with the femal
riders Of a circus? We are al
ways pleased to see the ladies' tn
king horseback rides at home, il
the company Of each other, or nj
tended by a gentleman. The ex
ercise promotes bodily vigor, an,
beauty, and cheerfulness. Blu
we are not pleased to see thor
exhibiting themselves at a show
surrounded by crowd OF gapinI
thousands.
Perhaps We cannot better cor
clude our article than by quotinI
a few passages from an address b
Daniel Webster, before an Ayr
cultural Fair in Massachusetts.
in tho year 1910. He said:
"The principle Of association
the practice Of bringing me
together bent on the same genel
al end, uniting their intellectus
and their physical efforts to tina
purpose is a great Improvement i
the present age. We saw it year
ago-perhaps | might say cent?
RES ago. II began in the profe.
sional associations Of the worl
---.in the legal, the medical, an
the theological. But il was lon
in that country and in this, befor
the principle Of combinatio
came to be acted upon in tn
great system Of Agriculture
before it was brought to that pul
suit Of liie--beiore Agriculturis,