Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-09-02
Ottawa County Fair.

the state. The chief and most natural pro-
duction Of this region of country is lumber;
consequently the interests pertaining thereto
have been studied and promoted to the neg
lecting of agriculture. But with the clearing
off Of large tracts Of timber1-always slow
and laborious process-the attention of the
people is naturally turned toward the cultiva-
ton of the soil. 7qa aa ailml"
1t may be said Of a people who neglect
agriculture, that they are but half civilized;
and also that the more attention they pay to
the development of the soil, the more indie
pendent and secure they are in their own re-
sources. Though this can be strictly true
only when applied to a nation, still to de-
gree it indicates the condition of small settle
ments, colonies, and even the single individ-
ual. When all the wheels of nature move
on regularly; when Ceres smiles propitiously
and the earth brings forth an abundance of
fruits and grain, then may all live in plenty;
but one season of scarcity changes the con-
dition of things; then, the inconvenience of
high prices, if no greater evil, is sure to fol-
low, but the community or the individual
who has successfully paid the most attention
to farming is sure to be the last to suffer.
But how shall we ensure success in agricul-
ture? is the question of many a one whose
labors have not yet yielded him quite as large
return as he expected To ensure uniform
and perfect success is impossible, for perfec-
ton or infallibilty is not found on earth; but
a reasonable and average degree Of success is
the unvarying reward Of labor rightly direct
ed, and this is sufficient for the wants of
man. Agriculture is trade-that like 9TH
er trades becomes profitable when properly
managed, but when ignorance directs the
efforts, partial failure is inevitable.
1t is a truth in all departments of life
and business, that in union there is strength.
So with farmers; the more united their sep
arate interests the more successful their la
bors. And in the matter of bringing the
farmers together that they may learn Of each
others success and the means employed to
attain it, the gradual and general introduc-
ton of state and county fairs in Michigan as
we'll as throughout the union, has been
cause that has produced the most pleasing
effects in the past, and in the future we be-
lieve that the results will be still more valua-
bic, surprising in Importance all that we now
have reason to expect. Previous to the hold
ing of exhibitions or fairs, the farming and
mechanical interests of the country were but
partially successful But the effect of the
state and county fair, wherever held, has
been to disseminate useful knowledge and
make available the secrets heretofore darkly
hidden in the arcana of science, that all
might be made available and productive of
good to man. At the same time, as a Sec
ond result, generous spirit of rivalry has
sprung up, stimulating the most enterprising
and energetic individuals to put forth efforts
for superiority.
And now we have question to propose to
the farmers of Ottawa county. Are you
preparing for the fair which is to be held in
this place on the 22d, 29d and Oath of this
month. Remember that is is even now time
to be determining what articles you will ex-
hibit at that time. Let every one that has
crops of any kind, if he thinks they are as
good or better than his neighbor can pro-
duce, select therefrom his samples-and if he
has any superior animals, or anything for
which premium is offered, let him see to it
that when the day arrives it shall be in the
best trim, and early on the first day Of the
fair on its way to the ground.
Above all things, let not the price asked
for the entry of articles, deter any one from
entering his articles on the fair ground. The
price of membership tickets is but one dol
lar, which entities any one to enter as many
different articles as he may choose. A dol
lar is truly a small sum to spend for the pro-
motion of such an object; and for this, and
the incidental expense of travelling, attending