The Rutland weekly globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-10-24
AGRICULTURAL FAIRS.

Within a few weeks, the twenty-third
annual fair of the Vermont state agricultu-
raj society and wool growers association,
and the twenty-eighth annual fair of the
Rutland county agricultural society have
been held in Rutland. In certain respects
both of these " fairs may be called sue
cesses. The weather was all that could
have been asked for 4; the stock, on exhibit
ton, could not be surpassed in the world
the display of agricultural implements
showed the inventive genius of the Yankee;
the fruits of the soil were above the aver
age the horses were of good breed and
displayed for the occasion, commendable
fleetness and without particularizing
farther, the attendance was large-proba-
bly, as large as was expected. Whether
these fairs resulted in pecuniary benefit
or whether, on the contrary, the expendi-
lures for premiums and other unavoidable
expenses exceeded the receipts, we will
not stop to inquire, as, in one sense, it is of
y
generally made up the next All these
matters aside, do these exhibitions or fairs
answer the object of their establishment !?
Do these societies accomplish that which
they hoped and expected to ? In the Ian
guage of the constitution of one of the
societies referred to, their object is /" the
improvement of agricultural produc-
/" tions, useful domestic manufactures and
/" mechanic arts" Is this attained After
more than two decades of years, in each
and every of which fairs and exhibitions
have been held, can a single instance be
pointed where the result has been the in
crease of production upon given quantity
OF land of an improvement in stock of
better butter and cheese being made of
large and better vegetables or fruit intro
duced, or the former product measurably
improved or increased E? We doubt not
that Vermont is, to-day, far in advance of
her position in these respects, than she
was twenty-three or twenty eight years
ago, but it has not been accomplished by
these exhibitions. The founders of these
societies had it in their minds that CON-
parison of stock and crops, as we'll as ideas,
would result in mutual improyement-both
mentally and in the products of the soil.
If we are correct in our conclusions,
where is the fault and where is the rene
dyf These are both difficult questions to
answer, especially the latter. One thing
is certain, the directors and officers of the
several societies are not in fault. Their
task, at the best, is thankless one, and
discharged not only without remuneration,
but, at many times, with actual personal,
pecuniary, loss We do not forget that the
people, at large, desire to attend these ex.
hibitions, not only to see what may there
be displayed, but, also, for the social enjoy
ment which is found upon all such occa-
sions In the display of fruits, for instance,
what is the advantage derived therefrom,
save, perhaps, pecuniary reward and ad.
vertisement to the exhibitor ? And so it is
with each article all through the list for
| WHICH lhchiiuIlo aic OiitIcO' gplIiilldI Ca
hibltions are held in other states-with not
half the self sacrificing efforts on the part
of the oificers-and an impetus is thereby
given to agriculture, wool growing and
stock raising in that particular state and
also, throughout the country. Why the
difference Simply because the state steps
in with her generous aid and makes public
the result of the combined labor ant
thought of her agriculturists. Their pub
locations consist not of mere premium
lists, and their exhibitions are not solel,
monstrosities. The why's and whereforel
accompany the article on exhibition. TIT
mode of cultivation, the seed time and har
vest, accompany the product of the soil
the care of the milk, the feed of the COW
and all the different processes pursued il
making butter or cheese accompany tina
class of articles discussions of topic
thereby raised take place, and these are al
published and distributed by the muniii
cence of the state. 1t is for this reason
that agricultural fairs are SO successful II
Maine, Massachusetts,, New York Ohio
Michigan and elsewhere. The,
commenced under no better au
spices than did Vermont, but the,
have been wisely fostered and the fruits o
their labors given to the world. In al
these states, each fair can point to the ben
efits conferred thereby. while In Vermont