Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-09-12
KtGfi.AND-HERALD
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1867,
Agricultural Fairs.


The season of Agricultural Fairs has
been fully lnaueursted by the successful
exhibition OF the New England Agrlcui-
tursl Society held at Providence the past
week, which is TO be followed the pres
ent week by the Vermont State Fair at
Brattleboro and majority OF the other
States. Then will follow In rapid sue
cessiOn the various county exhibitions.
The Agricultural Fair has become az in
stitution in this country. II 1t is An
evil, II must be tolerated II II is a bless
ing, We are certain OF It's repetition. 1t
affords an opportunity Of forming sn es-
innate Of the capacity ofs section OF the
Countrywide extent and variety OF its
productions, as well as the habits and
character Of its people, which cannot be
elsewhere found. tits scarcely a quarter
OF century since they came into exist
ence, and the experience OF age has puri-
fed them and enabled them TO exhibit
the most desirable influences.
Every person who adds to the stock
OF human knowledge is useful TO his
generation and posterity. Every person
whose manual labor causes the earth to
bring forth an additional plant, in like
manner adds 20 the stock OF material
wealth, and is equally useful. Every
institution which by its action eucour-
ages investigation or promotes industry,
is of itself worthy OF encouragement.
The agricultural fair does both. 1t may
be made to do much more.
The Fair brings together the best cat,
tie, sheep and swine, the finest and
fastest horses - the products of the
dairy are exhibited, flowers, fruits, do
mestic manufactures, farming nipple
ments, carriages, works OF art, col.
lectlons in natural history, and articles
from all the departments OF industry
In all these various departments pro
gress is yearly manifested. There is
reason for this TO be found in the fact
that labor produces more abundant
return OF pleasure and profit each sue
Cessiye year in all branches OF agrl
culture and labor. These occasions are
interesting exhibitions OF what The
wives and daughters of the farmer anc
the laborer may accomplish, while they
diffuse their refining and humanizing in
fuepces throughout whole communities
But It is not our purpose TO enlarge
upon this subject. Within few year:
great improvements have been made II
cattle, horses, sheep and swine, needle
work and other household manufactures
have become art-paintings and draw
ings OF much excellence are seen--farm
ing tools require separate buildings To-
their exhibition, and we have looked
with much pleasure upon some excellen
beginnings OF collection in natural histo
~, where the skill OF the taxidermist hat
been invoked for the preservation OF in
sects, birds and animals. Oar objec
mainly is to call attention to the fact II
all the departments in which every on
in the country may be competitor
Not the farmer on'y, but the professional
man, the mechanic, the lsborer, may ex
hibit something In soma one of the dc
partments.
Every citizen has an interest in thes
exhibitions, and can contribute some
something to make the agricultural fai
interesting and useful, and should d.
something in this manner.to help tn
progress and success Of every local insti
tuition OF this character In the vicinit
OF their residence, and in this way exer
humanizing influence upon those VIA
surround them.