Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1863-09-10
The Autumn Exhibitions.

The time is just at hand for our great
annual agricultural shows. We hail
their return-not because we think them
unmixed with evils, or beyond improve
ment but because of the many good IN
Auences attending them. Their social
influence is not to be undervalued.-
They bring together old friends, and
lead to the forming of new acqualntan-
ces; they call out all classes and ages
from different communities, and bring
them together on terms of equality and
good feeling. We, Woodworking, care
worn Americans, give none too much
time to such social gatherings. And
then they appeal happily to the pubic
taste. One can hardly spend day more
proftably and enjoyably than by attend
ing a well-conducted Fair. 1t would be
strange if he did not see or hear some
thing new No gardener possesses all
knowledge respecting vegetable, fruits
and flowers. No one farmer knows all
possible things concerning stock, grains,
grasses, farm implements, and the nu-
merous processes Of husbandry Then,
, too, the ingenuity Of the ladies is always
bringing out some new display of handy
work which attracts large admiration.
And, besides these, there are numerous
articles of the fancy sort, which please
and instruct beholders: We are not al
together inexperienced in Fairs, yet we
never attend one withoutlearning some
thing new. And always see young and
uniformed persons fairly filled with
surprise at what they behold. Many a
gardener, wise in his own conceit, has
had his eyes opened to the difference
between poor vegetables, apples, pears,
plums, cherries, ETC., and good ones.
Many man, who had thought the Fox
grape the best of all grapes, or at least
good enough, has got new idea or two
on tasting the Delaware, Diana, etc.
And these men go home with new i'm
pulses, resolved to adopt and realize
their new ideas in their own practice
There is, however, room for improve
ment in our Fairs. Would it not be
we'll to discourage more and more the
accompanying shows of three legged
calves, double headed sheep, learned
bears and monkeys, and manifold mons
trosities and humbugs? Female eques-
trianism is no proper part Of an agricul-
tural exhibition. Might not some fur
Their means be used to convey useful in
formation to those seeking it? If fine
looking fruit garnishes the tables, Why
not let US know something of its quality
And if any one wishes, why not let him
know something as to the mode of prun
ing and training, the fertilizers used,
etc, etc. ? Perhaps an afternoon or
evening might be set apart for answer
ing all such questions and giving other
information. This would send the PEG
pie home instructed and pleased The
practice sometimes adopted of deyoting
an evening to discussion Of practical
topics, is highly commendable. We
should have some simple plan for COM
municating information to the uninform
ed The practice of awarding premiums
for the best managed farm or garden, or
fruit orchard, for the best written essays
on practical topics, for the best new seed
ling Of any fruit, are all movements in
the right direction, and might well be
adopted by all such societies. -Agricuz-
turiSt.