The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-09-18
State and County Fairs.

We copy a somewhat lengthy, but we'll
written and valuable article upon this sub
ject, from one of our eastern agricultural
journals, trusting as it is nearing the time
of our annual fairs, that it will be read with
interest. There are few, who if they think OF
the mattor in its true light, but see the great
Importance of agricultural fairs TO the farm
ing interests OF our young, and growing
State. New thoughts, and ideas, broader
view Of life and its relative duties, different
associations, which may prove Of lasting
benefit, are all the growth of this yearly
gathering together of the tilers of the soil.
Yet almost every day we will meet those who
dscountenance fairs, condemn all agricultu-
raj books and papers, and who reply to a
suggestion of their benefit very dehantly,
"They can't teach mo anything, never
learned to farm scientifically, as you call it,
| but know all about it," ''know all about
it," rs if the mere knowledge of what time
of year to pillow, and what time in the moon
to plant potatoes, was sufficient. As if
competency to perform the manual labor Of
the farm in the way his forefathers did
it., was enough to satisfy man. An intclli.
gent physician will always claim that there
are no limits to the knowledge to be obtain.
ed in his profession. A mechanic will poin,
to the eve- increasing number Of new inven.
tions, and smile ut the fallacy of a suppose.
ton that nothing new can be produced by
mechanical skill; and in all the varion:
branches of art, in the numerous walks Of
science, none ever reach the point from
which they can say emo more beyond."-
Either farmers are wiser than all other len
or have more confidence in their power a.
''lords Of the SOIL" or whatever the reason
theirs seems to be the only calling in which
a large number have decided that they know
all that can be known. and refuse to lister
to the experience Of others, or profit by
it in any way. This is wrong, no class Of
men have so great, and grand an object in
view as thinking practical farmers to them
the earth is store house of wealth, labo.
ratory of vast chemical resources, the uni.
verse seems combined to minister to their
needs, and pleasure. And it is right tina,
they should meet together in the golden
months, and bring each his choicest offer.
ing.
There is no way by which so much com
bined experience can be brought together
as at an agricultural fair. Ono farmer
has devoted his attention to the cultivation
of grain, and his improvements and tested
varieties may decide the course of twenty
| or of fifty others, for the following season
Another brings the fruits of his climate and
is prepared to give his process of culture
&C., to the great benefit, it may be of hun
dreds. Another has for years been engaged
in raising stock cattle, and his fine sleek
Short horns, Herefords, and Durhams, may
change the appearance of many a barn yard
with its miserable looking occupants value
less except for their capacity for food.
The Improvements in grain, fruits, and
stock is not all, the easy rapid working of
some new reaper, will decide the fate OF
the old scythes, and so on through the
different labor saving agricultural nipple.
ments.
Then the social feeling it engenders, when
men come together for common purpose,
and common interest, and each knows
that he has contributed his portion, be it
great or small, to the general good, there is
a degree of harmony and good fellowship
experienced, that few other associations can
produce. All envy, all strife to excel in a
merely ambitious point of view, should be
laid aside as unworthy the calling, and the
occasion, and nothing but the most sincere
earnestness, each to do his own part we'll,
and to the fullest of his ability should pre-
vail. But our farmers must take this mat.
ter into their own hands, and not leave their
societies to be managed by few designing
individuals, without particlehof interest
in agriculture farther than the pecuuiay
benefit arising from their position as officers
of an agricultural society.
The season Of tho year is rapidly coming
on when farmers work is comparatively
done, when his leisure hours begin; how
is the time to take this matter in hand and
see what can be done for the coming Year.
Those counties where no societies have
been formed can lay good basis the
coming winter months by forming farmers
clubs, and reading societies. Let their clubs
meet weekly, or semi-monthly, to discuss
matters pertaining to their avocation,, to
give their experience, and read together ag-
ricultural works, in short to create new
interest in each others plans, and in their
general calling, and make it something better
than hard work alone.
For the present let us urge attendance
upon our County and State fairs. If the
crops are poor land there is but little to exhb.
it, let US have the best that grew. Show
willingness to do something, and despite the
hard times we feel that our farmers, and
mechanics will find much to encourage in the
exhibitions this season.-Io,ra Farmer, Des
Moines. 1T
W Jack Frost, may the devil burn him.
paid this region flying visit on the night of
the 23d. 1t is thought the display Of bed