Litchfield enquirer., 1863-09-10
From the N. Y. Independent.l The Farmers' Helidays
BY HORACE GREELEY.

rustic in the cool Western breeze when the dark green of the rank-growing Indian corn fades day by day imperceptibly into a faint but deepening yellow, and here and there maple or dogwood displays fantastically spray of crimson amid it's else green and tender foliage; when all things rural and decidueus presage the coming on of Autumn, then look out for huge posters in country taverls and impeding programmes in weekly journals announcing the attractions and solid merits of the approaching County Fair.
 And blessing that Fair is-or should be, may be-to the whole rural population of this Or any other country-nay, to the entire com. munity. Life-that is, the life of the indus trious, the preducers-is apt to be too prosac, too plodding, too sordid, too drudging. That Man should not live by bread alone is truth which has many more sides than have yet been commonly contemplated. Man should not live for bread only, nor for that which buys bread. To live merely to delve, to grub. to garner, to hoard. is neither manly nor godly. Industry is noble, is imperatively required i; he is not honest, much less Christian, who shuns work and lives indolently. uselessly, on the products of others sinews. But the life is more than meat and each should live with this truth full ly in view. If an intellectual being is to labor cheerfully, vigorously, resolutely, he must have some end in view beyond the mere physical with buoyant alacrity and steadfast persever- ence, he should have the prospect before him of calm, comfortable old age-a period of exemption from the wear and strain of daily care and exertion, season of calm retrospec- ton and placid enjoyment, whereof foretaste is afforded by the Agricultural Fair.
 visit the county or township exhibition of the happiest results of the summers and of many seasons husbandry-ther rude, impromp- tu stalls filled with choice horses or horned cat tie the pens well stocked with sheep or swine; the coops of geese, ducks, fancy hens, pigeons, etc., the pots of golden butter, rows of noble cheeses, the lavish display of giant squashes, luscious peas, fair ard ruddy apples, purple grapes, etc., etc., with a genuine delight. Yet the best feature of the exhibition is that SUD- piled by the spectators The solid, thrifty. eentepted farmer, justly proud of his years achievement and conscious of tho blessedness of his lot the sober, quiet, gentle housewife, happy in her family and her daily round of du- ties and loving cares, yet heartily enjoying her days relief from the overcoming round of household labors, and realizing the luxury of . Gods golden sunshine irrepressible hilarity and frolic of the elder boys; the stiller glee end heartfelt gadness of the madens the ea- ger curiosity and tireless locomotion of the younger cbildren-other holidays may be more piquant, more stimulating than the farmers /; yet recall no. other which is 30 uniformly pro- ductive of innocent and healthful enjoyment.
 Yes, the Farmers Festival is good one but it might and should be still better. It ought to be inexorably purged of the side shows'-often disgusting and demoralizing- which fasten upon it like unclean parasites and will not easily be shaken off. We visit the Fair to feast on spectacles of proportion, beau- ty, symmetry, success let those who have Q taste for the abnormal, the misshapen, the hid eous, the seeming defects or miscarriages of gratifying this diseased appetite. If you ,cill bearded woman, child with head like a washtub, or a man whose thimble-full of brains surmount hogshead of tallow, do it but keep your pets away from the fairground They have no business there; and the mana gers who sell them space inside the impervious fence or do not guard against their taking it outside are unfaithfal to their responsibility. Before locating Fair, they should obtain con- trol pro lem of all the ground within radius of ct least mile, and to arrange that no side show shall be allowed, asd no sale of refresh ments save by their special license. The sav- ing of time, expense, health, and morals thence resulting would be incidentally great.
 By far too little care is given to making the Fair school-a Farmers Institute akin to the Teachers. Here, flor example, is a great Pump kin or Melon, a Cabbage in size like brass kettle, or bunch of Grapes whereon to feast c family. Thousands note it, eye it, wonder at 1t, then pass on and practically forgetit. But every remarkable product should be labelled with some brief account of the specialities of Soil, position, fertilizing, culture, etc., under which it was perfected and if seeds or cuttings are attainable, that fact should also be stated, |, Vague marvel is the least profitable of all sens cations the one wholesome lesson of the Fair is Go thou, and do likewise.'
 Our farmers are quite too generally deficient in their contributions to their Fair. They att tend only as spectators and critics, when they should be exhibitors also, and often grumble ct the meagerness of the display without re- Hecting that they are directly responsible for h. What sorry show of fruit this year I could have beaten it myself" Why didn't you then It is your oau'a delinquency that you are rebuking-not that of the managers, who procured all they could, or the actual ex. hibitors, who sent the best they had. Had you SEuuuAeIc Uuv NOuO yO' uuVy, SAoAo WouiN have been nothing to grumble at.
 In truth, contemptible spirit is eyinced in this respect by many who cannot be fully aware of their own meanness. They will not send such creditable products as they have, be- cause they know or fear that some one else will send better. But the true end of exhibi- tions is not prizes, but comparison, instruction. improvement. We need the good and the bet Yer side by side with and illustrating the best. Whoever has grown hundred bushels of dry shelled corn on an acre, has done nobly, even though another has grown hundred and five. That is an euvious, paltry soul that will not let it's light shine because there is or may be g brighter.
 think our premium-lists generally deficient fin not appealing specially to the young. wish premiums were offered to the youth under eighteen who should exhibit the best acre of corn or roots wholly of his own growing the sirl of like years who should exhibit the best cheese or crock of butter or dozen loaves of bread of her own exclusive making. Our clev- crest young folks are not usually attracted to rural pursuits, even when they were those oi their parents and grandparents; and this is not only personally Q mistake it is public misfortune. There is no other pursuit which gives such assurance of comfort, thrift, compe tence, as the Farmers, prerided intelligence end capasity are combined with energy and ln