Winchester journal. [volume] (Winchester, Indiana) 1862-1863, 1863-07-17
IrPROy EVENT OF AGRICULTURE
AL EXHIBITIONS.
From the American Asricu'turi.,.I


Agricultural Exhibitions should be
something more than mere shows to
excite and crafty curiosity. In con
dncting them, this has been the
principal motive apparent to too
great an extent. whether or not de.
sIgned BY those having them in
charge OF what practical value is
J. 20 ? c1ltivator TO look upon n
nulloca fattenei TO unwieldy pro
portions. or a beet or pumpkin grown
20 m0us,rosity? Such displays, il
- true. call forth expressions Of
wonder, and are interesting as being
out Of the ordinary line, but for all
practical purposes there would be
equal benefit in examining Barnum
woody horse At the Exhibition OF
a County Agricultural Association
held last year, and attended BY the
writer, the most instructive feature
was q collection OF samples Of wheat,
accompanied IN each instance with q
statement o. the kind, time Of sowing,
method oftreatmcnt, period OF ripen-
ing, and yield per acre. There was
material enough IN that corner for
hours OF profitable study, and few
knowing ones were busy there taking
notes TO- future use. Without doubt
many Of their crops the present year
will show that most profitable day
was spent at the exhibition. We in.
SIT that each article exhibited should
lie in itself on opitome of some
valuable facts for cultivators, and
that it should be accompanied with
ouch written notes that the whole
story could ke readily gathered by
the observers II is comparatively
easy 10 fit up a show specimen &C
cording 20 present methods. Plant
n few hills Of pumpkins on ground
expressly prepared for the occasion.
Select the most vigorous vine, leave
only the most promising sample of
fruit, prune the rampant growth,
dose with liquid manure, and ulti-
nately n monster may be the result
But who thinks this would pay in
ordinary practice? And so of other
agricultural productions 1t may
not he so attractive, but it is far moro
worthy attention TO carefully conduct
On experiment which, if successful,
may be proltably repeated, and ex-
bibit its results, and the details by
which they were reached 1t is
pleasant and harmless amusement
now and then to produce and exhibit
articles of unusual proportions, but
II j. beneath the dignity of cultiva-
tors TO allow such displays to be the
chief attractions ut their exhibitions
To y large extent the visitors at ex
Editions are responsible for the mis-
management now objected to. They
attend the annual agricultural gath
cring more with n view to sight
seeing. than Of seeking Improvement,
End managers feel compelled to cater
20 their taste in order 10 raise the
requisite funds for the support Of
the institution. Hence, the stimulus
of prizes FOR the largest and most
'hewy articles, the patronage OF the
ace course, and the tolerance and
Introduction ofshows entirely fs.ei N
In the eLJvct OF the meeting. II Is
lIIlv in the province Of the managers
of Agricultural Associations TO in
slitute n reform in these particulars,
aud TO e1ucate the public to a just
nppreciatloa'of the appropriate work
OF such Exhibitions, viz; to show
the proceeds OF the best culture, and
the methods by which all may secure
like results. Farmers will gladly
spend a few days and dollars if they
can gather facts which shall increase
their harvests or tighten their laborS.
II is not intended by these remarks
10 entirely condemn the present
lnanogement of Agricultural Exhibi-
tions in this country, but only to call
attention 10 some growing abuses
which threaten TO bring these almost
indispensable institutions into con
tempt. Taken rs 4 whole, our An
nual Exhibitions will compare favor
sblv with those OF any other country;
il shoald be our aim not only TO
make them superior to others. but
70 raise them 10 The highest possible
standard Of excellence.