Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-11-30
Agricultural Fairs.

AGRICULTURAL I dlPSt
There seems to be a feeling of I'M
rest among the farmers Of this county
because there is no agricultural Fair
or Cattle Show within its limits. The
number who attend fairs out of the
county shows that a large portion Of
community are interested in them, and
the experience Of former years show
that they were well attended when
held here.
There is a suggestion aAoat that it
might be well for this county to unite
with Stansteal county, G. E., in this
matter; but such a course would an
doubtedly meet with some opposition
from those who desire to uphold the
honor Of our own county, and appre-
ciate its extent, productions, popula-
ton and its business men.
In regard to this subject there are
a few points which need a careful con-
sideration. Among these are the fol-
lowing: Shall it be near the railroad
Shall it be managed by q company
who shall be so selfish as to look on
ly to their own interest, or by a board
Of managers chosen by it, and who
shall endeayOr to promote the good
of all parts Of the county? Further
shall it he free, and its premiums paid
by voluntary subscriptions; or shall
it be paid by an entrance fee from
those who exhibit and attend the fair
Shall it be local? Shall it be the
chief object to cultivate great speed il
horses, or to favor Improvement il
every department of industry, includ
ing manufactures, the mechanical anC
fine arts? In answer to these cues
tons we cannot 90 far wrong by imi
tating the most successful fairs il
other counties of the State.
We are confident the matter coulC
be started easily by having farmers
or their delegates meet together fol-
this purpose. Would it not be wei
to have such a meeting in Irasburgb
some time during the ensuing session
= Of the County Court, the first of Jan
uary? We think it would.
But, for one, we utterly protest
against making the fair an arena for
the display Of fast horses. We con
slider them the curse of all agricul.
tural fairs wherever held, and damag-
ing alike TO the proprietors and peo-
pie. The tendency Of the present
day is to become .(ust. Fast horses,
fast men, fast women, fast girls, and
fast boys. In short, everything hay
ing a tendency to annihilate time
space and conscience meets the gener-
GUS patronage Of the powers that
be-" but it is an era we hope to see
ended, and ended well.
We 90 in for all improvements in
every department, whether it be the
horse or the dunghilI fowl, national
politics or the race Of men. But tc
offer premiums for fast driving, and
to congregate hundreds of men and
women to such unseemly exhibitions
as we too often see in the trottino
course, we are in no way inclined.-
Orleans county has already one trot
ting park, specially set apart for the
amusement and benefit of the sport
ing fraternity and the "roughs" that
"most do cOngregatc" there. Let thai
suffice; and let the county fair, If We
have one, be set apart for the i'm
proyement Of the farmers, the man
uiacturcrs, the mechanics, the ladies
and the general public. We wish tc
see a fair that will do honor to ou
county, and conduce to the welfare Of
the whole people. In agricultural
and horticultural products, as we'll as
In mechanical manufactures, we are
confident Orleans county can equal
If not surpass the annual exhibitions
of many Of her sister counties.