Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-09-09
The Fall Fairs and Cattle Shows.

These are likely to be held IN undinin-
ished numbers this season. Two years
ago the cattle disease prevented the hold
ing OF many IF these fairs, and last year
the alarms Of war either postponed them,
or accustomed a thin attendance. But this
year. Notwithstanding tie disturbed state
Of the country, and the muliitudes that
have joined the army, the usual number Of
fairs III the loyal States is likely to DO held,
judging iiom the premium lists and the
announcements We have seen. This is as
It should be. There is no good reason why
the fairs should not be opened with their
usual attractions. Our crop reports, en-
bracing all the loyal States, show very con-
clusiyely that larger breadth has been
planted than in any former year, and per
haps We are justified in saying, that not an
acre the less has been planted on account
Of the war. The demand for our bread
stutfs in Europe, as well as the war, has
stimulated production. Some probably
have been influenced by the tradition that
thigh prices rule in war;" Horses and
machines have so far taken The place Of
human muscles in the field, that we miss
the labor taken by the army far less
than we should have done ten years ago.
Farm crops, on the whole, were never
BETTER and the materials for fine show
are abundant on every hand. 1t is con
ceded that the wheat crop is a good deal
better than the average; hay, with rare
exceptions, is good, md grass abundant,
which ought to put cattle in good condi-
lion. Fruit is plenty, which should make
the horticulture department of the fairs
unusually god. Manufactures in some
branches are depressed, but there is the
material for a good show in almost every
county. Fairs which once might have
been advocated Us n farmers holiday, have
now become a necessity. They give
few days Of recreation after the pressing
labors Of the Summer are over, and for
this purpose they are worth all they cost
Il does men Of common pursuit good to
get together and have celebration. 1t
begets enthusiasm, and lightens the bur
dens of toll But fairs are no longer
mere holidays. They are schools Of in
strucJion, and no farmer can afford to stay
away from them, and lose their benefits.
He can hardly fail to learn something that
will make his capita. and labor more avail
able for the next year. Here all the i'm
proved seeds, and tools for tightening the
labors Of the husbandman, arc on exhibit
ton. Here are the model animals that
will turn the vegetable products Of his
farm into the most animal products for
SUE. So hong as one COW will make more
max, butter, and cheese, from the same
pasture than another, it will be matter Of
great importance to visit cattle shows, and
sluly the models. These fairs have al
ready done a great work for the farming
interests Of the country, and, we doubt
not, are destined to do still greater. The
shrewdest and most successful farmers are
the steady patrons Of tliese institutions,
always present in person as careful obser-
vers. and sending in samples Of thei stock
and crops.
The shows should lose nothing Of their
Interest in a time Of war. The ability Of
the country to sustain its burdens, will de-
pend very much upon the prosperity Of
our Horticulture. With our granaHes full
Of wheat and corn, and our fields covered
with hoeks and herds, we shall be able to
continue this war for years to come, if it
be necessary. Let US 90 up to the fairs
then in full force, old and young, and take
with US the best samples Of our handi-
work-the products Of the field, garden,
and orchard, and the best specimens OF our
hocks and herds. There Is pleasure and
profit at the fair american Agricultu
raiist.