The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1862-08-21
Gor the 1arulrr.
AgriculturnI Fairs.


How shall they be conducted so as to
be sustained? Have we the beet sys-
tenn for the times? Can any mode be
devised to sustain them with interest and
profit withou. so much money, during
the coming years ofheayy national AK
esq There is reason to doubt their be-
ine sustained under the present method
of premiums. And probably most per
sons win say Of Gr8t thought they can
not be sustainec ,eitioH premiums.
= Let US Look al the matter moment
But small number Of those who attend
Fairs erpect to receive premiums. They
either have nothing worth entering, or
what they have they esteem too ordinary
to be worthy of one: And fewer still
actually receive anything. Only very
limited number receive any adequate
compensation for their effort. Then oc-
tually by for The largest portion Of the
stmulant is in the name ofrepulation Of
having premium article. Now to
pay premiums We have to rely Member
ship Fees, Tickets, Licences, to enter
grounds, &c. The cost Of fitting up a
Fair Ground by fencing, stalls, halls,
&c, is quite an item to begin with; bot
when once done, it will not cost .. very
large sum TO keep the same in repair
for years-not more than might beruised
by small membership fee. five dis
pense with tickets the cost of fence will
be greatly reduced. In order 10 sell
tickets well we must resort to something
near akin to horse racing, which, 10 use
liberal charity, is of doubtful undlity
and in no sense positive boneftto the
brow.sweating farmer or mechanic. 1t
is not certain but that ,ralkiag ground
would be Of more real benefit to the
community Mt large than a trot'ing
ground. Missionaries in Persia and
Palestine tell us that horses there are
trained to walk incredibly fast. We
have our Tightening" telegruphs and
express trains; very few of the actual la
borers arc ambitious for $40 horse to
keep for use. But enough said on thai
point. 1t will doubtless be argued that
our Fairs will be small affairs if we do
not have some such attractions as bands
Of music, trotting grounds, &C., 1t may
be so in respect to the presence of Ger
tain class, and what if it is Are they
any real benefit aside from the monkey
we get for their tickets And if we
can dispense with the money we surely
can with them. Besides, ii it happens
10 rain we shall not have them as it is
But the class who go there to see i'm
proved stock, cattle, horses, sleep, or
swine, or lucious fruit, vegetables grain,
quilts, pictures, hairwork, improved
tools, machines, carriages, c,c,--just the
people whom the Fair will most benefit
and whom mrn will most benefit the
community by what they learn at the
Fair-will be there, wet or dry.
Now if we can make our Fair days
market days, or deys for exchange of
stock or commodities, ct tie same an.
nouncing by committees, as now, what
is most worthy Of premium, shall we moi
make as much real progress and enjoy
the holiday as much as under the pres
ent mode ? These remarks arc made
hoping to call attention to the subject
IlthO views above cxpressedare obvious.
ly practical, let them be sustained. III
not, will some good friend of improve
mems erplods them, .s.a.
WI D.
Ney Tneu,;cb 1900 L,,,- Of A.,