St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1869-08-13
Our Fdir.---IHe Stock Questi on.

Mr.. EDITOR: As do not propose
to get into newspaper discussion, per-
nit me this once more to say few words
for the farmers and friends of agriculture.
In my first communication | suggested
the plan mot new one) TO have stock
on exhibition two days for these reasons ::
First. as stock does not get on to the
ground until late the first day, not until
nearly noon, committee men do not have
time TO examine and give that attention
to their duties they would have if stock
could remain over the second day. Sec
ond. if suitable accommodations were
made (and there is no reason why the
most extensive arrangements should not
be made for that purpose) stock would
be in better condition to return home at
the close of the second day than to re-
turn at the end of the first day, after be-
inc driven ten or fifteen miles in the
morning, as much of 1t Is.
The Messrs. Hall of Burke have al
ways kept their stock on exhibition the
second day, and have their pets suffered
10y it? On the contrary they favor the
plan. Hundreds, yes, thousands, have
gazcd upon and admired the cattle and
sheep that have been filled by them.
Who are the men that have been full in
their praise of the exhibition of stock the
second day? Are they, as the editor of
the Times remarks, ''book-keepers and
grocery men, who have clamorcd for
second show'-who. as he claims, are
qualified to fill their position in life, but
are rs ignorant Of the various qualities
that 90 TO make up an animal, rs the
ordinary farmer is of book keeping
Why did he not include, to make editors
l. it fair to suppose, just because Il man
may he employed in other duties of life,
separate from 4 farm, that he does not
know anything about farming Do We
no; have farmers here from all parts OF
the county and state. TO sce the cXhbi-
ton ut our fairs. and us it has been said
before, perhaps the first day has been
rainy and prevented them from visiting
our fair grounds, but the second day be-
in pleasant they turn out 10y the thouS-
andS They come with the expectation
OF seeing the stock OF the farmers of Cal
clona county. Are not these men who
come the second day the men who keep
our institution alive. and do We not make
grcat calculations on Il largc crowd to
pay our premiums and expenses Look
ut our y. +. fair, our State fair, and C.
r. Valley fair. Their rules are these:
al, stock put ON exhibition must re-
main upon the fair grounds until the
close of the fair. and if withdrawn he
fore, forfeit their premiums.
WHY this rule For the very reason
that they rely upon the exhibition of
stock for their success. Look at our
premium list and see the amount that i
otiered-not 80 much a. it ought to be,
but it is double the amount that is re-
ccivcd 10y the sale of membership tickets
Ard how are the premiums and expen-
ses TO be paid if we do not make our
fairs interesting for the second day
Who can refer back to the first dav of
fairs when enough was received to pay
premiums! Aud if the first day was re-
lied upon, would not our fair, rove a
failure pecuniarily! Certainly; and
hence let US have the exhibition two days
and try and make il popular feature in
our programme, and if il is not a success
then fall back upon old customs. c.