Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-08-19
agricultural,
For the oxford Democrat.


ing their preparations.
Perhaps few words may not be amiss
rs n reminder of what may be expected.
II is a fact very evident To all who have
observed the signs of the times. that the
competitive exhibition of our County
shows is an advantage, yet some will
ALWAYS be found who viii doubt their uiil-
ity. This class, however. is small, CON-
prisiug those who see only the present.
and neither glance back to tho lessons Of
the past nor forward TO the promises of
the future.
II requires but little reflection to con.
vince any one OF the beneficial results
flowing from our exhibitions. These ben
Gifts are not TO be rcckoned by the dollars
and cents of the premiums awarded. II
these were the only benefits attained they
would indeed be magnificent failures.
In very many instances, and perhaps 1
might say in most instances, the man
who tails in securing the frs, premium
derives more benefit from the exhibition
than his successful competitor. He finds
himself outlonc in something wherein he
hoped TO excel. His ambition is stimula-
ted. and he begins 10 make inquiries. He
gathers in the experience of his rival.
compares notes with others whom he may
chance to.meel, and reaps FAR richer pre-
MUM in increased information than the
pecuniary reward OF his successful oppo
nent. The increased information which
he has gained is, in process of social in
tercourse, diffused among his neighbors;
n marked improvement is observable !;
new and improved methods are adopted,
and better results are obtained.
did not intend TO write an essay. nor
4 disquisition upon the subject, but to
come at a few practical truths for practi-
cal men. IL does not require 1.-The oldest
inhabitants" to realize the great improve
ment which has been made in our live
stock. Ii is true no one can realize the
whole extent of the Improvement. II has
been gradual. growing steadily upon us
year by year. with but little change from
one year TO another, but the aggregate
result is startling.
This has been the result, directly and
indirectly. of cattle shows" They have
been rightly named; they are simply
Cattle Shows" are nothing more. No
interes, is taken in any other branch; no
effort is made toward the Improvement OF
any other industry; no premium worth
competing for is offered for any thing but
cattle and horses.
Perhaps few facts may illustrate my
meaning. For every dollar given in pre-
miums for agricultural products OF the
farm. 500 are given for live stock. |
would not by any means undcrvaluc the
great interests of the stock raisers oil
Maine, but other interests and other in
dustries flourish within our borders and
should 30 represented. Thirly-three dol
lars are paid for stock to every dollar paid
for fruit and flowers; and yet fruit i one
of The great staple productions Of our
State
No premiums are offered for Informal
ton upon the management and improve
mcnt of iams, for the application OF ms
uures and for the hundreds OF questions
that arc coming up in the every day lie
of the farmer. How often il is that we
hear some ore say OF Il successful farmer,
IL should like 10 know how he manages"
Now if we wish 10 know how he manages,
i'm the name OF common sense why not
offer premium for his information ?
something that will induce him to come
forward and give his experience The
practical experience of one successful
Turner is worth more than halla-lozen
essays upon agriculture by men who never
saw anything green but their own spec
taclcs.
We cannot expect Maine 10 take her
true position rs an agricultural State,
when her agricultural fairs arc merely
cattle shows" and all agricultural pro-
auctions are closely tucked away in one
corner. Magnificent premiums Of fifty
cents AMI one dollar are offered for the
best sample OF wheat and oats, while il
costs more time, more patience. more
study and information TO raise them than
it does 10 rear, or buy. fat OK or Il fast
trolting horse, which will receive Il pre-
MUM Of from five 10 one hundred dollars.
While this policy is followed our Fairs
will be Cattle Shows.
Any man of money may buy fal cattle
or fat horses and exhibit them for premi
ums. but il requires labor. skill and intel
ligence to raise an agricultural crop that
shall be worthy premium. 1t is not,
however. entirely the fault of the officers
OF the societies. IL is useless 10 offer
premiums if there are no exhibitors to
claim them. The people must come for
ward with their productions and show
that they have an interest in the matter.
Then ii will he the duty OF the officers to
offer the encouragement of premiums and
gratuities. But let them recollect that
premiums of twenty-five and fifty cents
will never bring out good exhibition
Let the premium offered be commensur-
ate with the difficulty OF its production
and the trouble OF its exhibition. When