The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-10-10
Our Local Fairs.

Every citizen takes more or less pride in To-
cal fairs. 1t is well that he should do so, it is
evident that their influences are of the most
beneficial character. That they will be con-
tinued indefinitely, now that the system has
become SO thoroughly inaugurated, there can
be but little doubt OF all the various meth
ods of instruction, none are so popular with the
masses as combination of the ocular and oral
methods. There is great deal of substantial
truth in the trite old saying, Seeing is beiev-
ing" The masses of the people prefer these
methods of instruction which appeal most d.
rectly to the eye and the ear. By seeing BEAU
tiful things we long to possess them, and if we
have the genius or the power, We desire to Gre
ate them. Hence it is, at our annual fairs, that
disposition is awakened, by witnessing the
various products on exhibition, to excel in the
production of something which seems to come
within the sphere of our ability. Thus the
fair becomes not only useful as an object teach
ing institution, but as holiday, of which there
are too few in our American social organiza-
taxation, kills two birds with one stone," and
combines a quality of good with the unity OF
purpose.
Every citizen in each county should take q
laudable pride in the annual local or district
fair. They should be interested in its contin-
ued prosperity, and should put forth every ef-
fort to surpass the exhibitions in the adjoining
counties in the excellence of everything exhib.
tied, and in the variety of the products. Of
the various premiums that have been or may
be offered, those for field crops should head
the list. The recipient of the premium, how
ever, should give, in writing, detailed account
of the various methods by which the result
was attained. Such for instance, as the nature
and formation of the soil, method of cultiva-
ton, preparation of seed-in fact everything
pertaining to the production OF the soil, includ-
ing what might be considered by the superficial
observer trifling and unimportant details.
If, however, twice as much money has been
expended in producing ,iis crop as the crop in
the half bushel is worth, then We see no real
merit in awarding premium. Why should
not the previous condition of the land and the
money expended in producing this premiun
crop be awarded not to the one who has the
largest crop, but to him who, taking field of
average fertility, so economized labor and ex-
pense that the crop was profitable one?
Then why not say in the premium list, for the
most profitable acre of grain on land which
ordinarily produced certain number of BUSH
els per acre?
1t is BY this means only that the negligent
and careless farmer will be able to comprehend
the method by which success was attained, and
be induced to attempt reform in his farming
operations. This principle will also hold good
in awarding premiums on farms of not less
than 40 or 100 acres; for while great credit is
due farmer who has unlimited means at his
command to make model farm, much more is
it due to him who, standing on an equality
with his competitors and neghbors so far as
land and means are concerned, does, by q bet
ter, more economical and paying system of cul-
tivation, excel them in producing actual pay
ing results. Such a farmer, above all others,
should be entitled to a liberal premium, and if
the farmers themselves could vote upon it, he
would receive it by large majority. The ad-
yantages that would result to the farming COM
munity by awakening competition, which
would inevitably result from the offer of 4
premium by our county associations for the
best conducted farm, would result in much
good One point would be gained. The farm
receiving the premium being within the county
limits, it would be easily accessible to all the
farmers during some portion of the year so
that they could 60 and see for themselves. An
agricultural barbecue or general pic mic to be
given by the recipient of the premium, would
afford fine opportunity for the farmers 10
compare notes and discuss various agricultural
subjects.
1t would be still better for the farming COM
munity if premium for the best farm in each
township could he offered and awarded. The
influence which this competition would create,
would he of the most beneficial character, and
the aggregate results would be of great practi-
cal value, and largely increase the agricultural
prosperity of the country.-Rurdt World.