Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1857-09-17
Benefits Of Agricultural Fairs.


No fact is more apparent to the reject
ing mind, than the immense benefits Agri-
cultural Fairs have contributed 10 our ma
terial prosperity. They have contributed
more 10 our vigorous growth as nation
than all the gold California can pour into
the country for ages, They have awaken
ed a spirit Of inquiry in the breasts Of thou
sands, who have elaborated and made known
their experience TO the world--through the
Agricultural Press contributing their ex-
periments TO the general stock OF informa-
ton (which at best is made up Of atoms
garnered together,--a rich legacy Of facts,
from which the principles Of Truth shall be
deduced by the hand Of the future historian.
Alilthis has been done quietly. The silent
step Of agricultural progress has not been
noticed by the world--as it should have
been-ior the simple reason that it took
time TO nurture in man the high obligation
he owed 10 his Maker, his country, and
himself, TO so use and develop that which
was entrusted TO his hand, that il might be
improved, and the true design of our Crea-
tor carried out.
And what is an Agricultural Fairp Is
il place where the most superior speci-
mems of agricultural products are exhibited
10 the view of the visitorsp Yes. What
then? is that all the object, the aim, the end
TO be accomplished? II so, let them 60 by
the board. But higher object is TO be ao-
complished--ha been, and will continue TO
be the interchange of thought among those
who have produced the articles on exhibit
ton. 1t is in this light that Agricultural
Fairs are accomplishing the grand results
which will continue to rank us as a practi-
cal, farming and progressive people. 1t is
not enough that we should see the superb
or crop OF grain, &c., but we should have
the man with us, that we may know by
what process lie produced it, so that his CO.
laborers may know and realize the facts
which are brought before them in their
most practical form. 1t is not enough that
we see fat cattle, but that we see the hus-
bandinen who produced them, that our less
fortunate husbandmen may, by inquiry and
observation, be aroused to the necessity of
doing likewise-so that the object of the
Fair may be the means Of perpetuating the
progressive spirit Of political and rural e.
economy.
Fairs, rightly conducted, are great slim
ulants to good and thorough cultivation Of
the soil. Nothing is so well calculated to
create as healthya feeling, or develop SO
thoroughly the true dignity Of Natures no.
blemen, as this theatre, where all may meet
in the exhibition Of the arts of peace and
usefulness; where those who have failed TO
realize their fond anticipations from the ex-
hibition of their products, rejoice in the
success Of their neghbors. 1t is this fea-
lure which endears them to all good men
who know the wants Of our farmers, and
who have, from the earliest stage Of their
existence, stood by them, believing they
were destined 10 accomplish as much good
in their sphere Of usefulness as Education
has in hers.
The benefits accruing from Agricultural
Fairs are Of q two-iold nature, and appar-
ent 10 all. Where the Fairs are made an
object Of attraction, you will find the great
est amount OF thritness and prosperity
prevailing in the sections which contribute
10, and take an interest in their prosperity.
The benefits flowing from them are not 10
be estimated in pecuniary sense. There
are benefits conferred on the agricultural
interest through the influence of this insti-
tuition, which command our most hearty adj
miration and respect for those public bene-
factors of our race, who have nurtured and
expanded this germ, SO that agriculture
should take once more her rank as one oil
the most homo able pursuits of man.
Genessee Farmer.