Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-09-15
Our County Fairs.

on the above subject, in the Scptcmber
issue Of the american Agricultuyist. We
copy the following on how Cattle Show
and Fair should%e managed, ard on the
privileges which belong to visitors. Tho
suggestions are commended to the atten.
ton OF those to whom they are particu.
larly addrcssed.-fEds. Farmer.
The list Of premiums and order Of
exercises should be published and distri.
buted free, or in some form easily accessi.
bic to all. The committees and Judges
should be instructed to act promptly, and
it they 90 not, a new committee should
be at once appointed who will act. Some
indication OF awards should be placed on
prize animals and articles as soon as nos
slblc, after they are made, to give addi-
tional interest and instruction to visitors.
1t is most important that:
No unworthy article should receive any
prize.
No prize should ever be given to "en-
courage, worthy exhibitor, who has
taken pains to bring an inferior article.
and will pc disappointed if he does not
get prize.
No prize should ever be given to "pro.
Fpltlate" an influential patron, who will be-
offended il his articles are not noticed.
No prize should ever be withheld from
an exhibitor, because he is taking tod
many prizes. No matter if one man
sweeps every prize offered by the society
(uness there is some rule to the contra
ry) IN every respect the good faith Of
the society should be considered sacred,
and in the keeping of every committee
man.
The executive committee of u society
should be constantly OH the lookout, to
secure honest reports; and should judge
be known to violate rules, in passing
judgment on his own article, and warping
the Judgment Of his associates, or allow
ing himself to be biased. his place should
be a: once supplied by another person.
The committee should spend part Of
each day in listening to complaints, and
in doing what they can to ri int wrongs.
The animals and articles exhibited,
should not be crowded, but we'll exposed
to view and careful inspection. And ex-
hibitors should have the fullest opportu-
nifty consistent with the rights of others
to explain and show off their articles. Ii
an exhibitor can not be present in person;
or by an agent, it is most important, lot
only for himself, but for the qualification
of visitors, for him to have cards or cir.
culars, to be taken by every one. In
cases where the show lasts for several
days, conyocations in the evenings of all
interested in participating in an agricul-
tura', or ponological talk, will be found
quite we'll attended. These meetings arc
usually very interesting, if they are only
made tree aud conversational, and some
common sense menshas charge of them.
They must be seen to, and seen through,
by some officer Of the society. The mu.
tual admiration often run into, may be
healthfully varied by introducing subjects
which will call out active, but cot acri-
monlous argument and nobody should
speak much or more than five minutes at
time, and to the point.
We consider it our right, when we vis-
it an agricultural fair, to ask questions,
and to see every thing Ii the people
are not there to show off their machines,
VIC are very apt TO set a bad example and
work them ourselves. Why not 1t is
exactly what we pay the entrance fee
for; and no board of managers ought to
consent to have show of the mere boxed
outsides OF things, which can only be ap-
prcciated when i'll operation. Exhibitors
often refrain from showing their articles
at work, because they will not compare
taTorably with others. The visitor ought
to know what he wants to see most, be.
fore he enters then when he first goes in
he should make business of finding out
where the things are without stopping to
look at them much thea selecting tho
most important, take each one of them
in rotation. and study each subject thor
oughly. The way to DO this and come to
quick and correct conclusions, is a real
gift One man will see every good point
in BULL or take the fine lines of plow
into his eye at glance almost; or with
one or two pointed questions, test both
the weakness, or strength Of the cxhbi-
tor and OF his machine at the same time.
Such man is most desirable compan-
ion to one going TIN ough show in tho
way we speak of, but the best company
one can have is an intelligent boy, and
ii one has none Of his own, he can gen.
orally borrow one. A man will meet
many acquaintance, and his whole day be
wasted. or rather the object he has cspcc-
iaaly in view will be lost, unless he is
ready to excuse himself and make ap.
pointments for some future time. The
club meeting if there is to be one in the
evening, is an excellent rendezvous, and
a man may take dozen social appoint-
mehts for the hour before it begins.
When one has seen what is most i'm.
portant, and his wife and young children
have made survey of the knitting work
aud have seen the outside of things by
themselves, then let the good husband
and father take them, and see that they
see all that is worth seeing. 1t is very
pleasant before the set trots and matches
come of, to go to the seats, or from any
good position, watch the promscuous
driving upon trotting course. There
will always be some very beautiful turn
outs"-Gue horses, showing elegant style
and brilliant action, which is very well TO
see. And if it can be done without
wasting half day, it is quite worth
while to see well contested trO:ting