Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-05-30
Preparing for County Fairs.

The time and general arrangements
for many County Fairs are now be-
ing announced. So far as practicable
those in charge of the matter should
so arrange the time that it shall not
conflict with fairs in neighboring
counties, but rather by setting the
time just before or after that of some
neighboring fair, make it convenient
for exhibitors to attend both.
The officers of many societies do
not realize the Importance of having
competent judges. So far as prac-
ticable, they should be selected in
advance, and nIy such men as may
be willing ant able to serve.
1t should be made positive rule
that all articles or AM mails be on the
ground, on or before a fixed time lin
case the fair continues three days, 10
o'clock on the morning of the second
day is as late as this time should be
fixed. Justice to exhibitors as well
as TO visitors calls for rule like this
1t also enables awarding committees
to begin their duties in time to care
fully and thoroughly perform their
work.
1t should always be borne in
mind that one great object, if not the
greatest object, of agricultural fairs
should be instruction to those in at
tendance. That this end may be
gained, attention should be paid TO
the arrangement Of articles and ami
mails by classes, so that opportunities
for comparison may be had. We
have attended fairs where no atten-
ton seemed to have been paid to this
matter, each exhibitor being allowed
to select the place and decide on the
mode of arranging his articles as best
pleased him.
We believe also that the claim Of
the exhibitors to all honorably OBJ
tanned benefits from the fair should
be considered, and-admitting there
are objections of some weight to the
plan-that they are entitled to have
their name and address displayed
with each article or animal. For the
best interest Of exhibitors, and the
best satisfaction of visitors, we should
have the entry cards state clearly,
for instance, the breed and age Of
each animal shown, and the name
and address of the owner. Such q
card posted where it could be easily
read, would do away with the neces-
sity of asking host Of questions, or
in the absence of the attendant,
would, to some extent, put an end to
the guessing" now so common.
While their value has been some
times overestimated, we believe one
or more addresses delivered on the
Fair ground as very general rule
do good, if good sense be used in Sc
lection of speakers. 1t seems to us
very appropriate that the President
OF the Society should at such time
make brief address. Whoever else
is invited to "make speech" should
be selected on the ground that, from
his business, official position or known
tastes and studies, he may fairly be
presumed to be able TO say something
on some subject connected with agri-
culture which will be worth hearing.
Common courtesy to the man asked
to deliver an address should induce
the management of the Society to so
arrange the time and place Of speak
ing and the other exercises of the
fair, that these in attendance will
feel willing and able to listen to what
may be said.
Evening meetings for addresses
and discussions can be held during
the fair, in many places, with good
results. - Western Farmer.