Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-07-03
AGRICULTURAL HORSE RACING.

As the season of fairs approaches again
we sec the annual array of inducements held
out to jockeys and gamblers to step in and
help run the machine and as a reward for
their noble services carry Of the lions share
of the prizes, as well as handsome sum
raked in through bets, pools. &c.
The question Of the morality of the race
we do not propose to discuss here, but is it
policy for the farmers societies to take a
course which tends to throw the principal
part of the profits Of their fairs into other
hands, while they sustain the principal bur-
dens2 The object of the fairs is the i'm
provement of the system Of farming Of the
country, by stimulating competition as to
quality and quantity Of products. The
premiums paid are in themselves of small
import, though it is eminontly worth while
to see that they are fairly and evenly dis
tributed, and that prizes are offered in those
classes where they will do the most good in
increasing the actual value of our products.
Every one likes to own and drive fast
horse, but for practical use on the farm, as
in almost any business, there are other quail
tiles far more essential than being able
to trot mile in $50.
Horses hold a prominent rank among the
productions Of Vermont, but they are of no
more Importance than the dairy, beef cattle,
or wool interests, and should receive no
larger share of the premiums at agricultural
fairs. If city sports who can afford it wish
to support sporting clubs, we have no OBJ.
jectiOns, but we do hope and believe that
the good example set by the grangers in
California recently in exposing the manifest
injustice of the distribution Of prizes where
by horses received the greater part of the
state society's funds will be initiated in
Eastern states until the practical benefits
derived by the farmers from their societies
will become much greater than it now is.
Farmers as class have been too much
disposed to allow others to manage. affairs
wherein they were interested, and this is
not alone true Of politics. We sincerely
hope that the question of proper distribu-
tion of prizes at fairs win not be overlooked
in the "reform era" which appears to be
dawning: Let the best cattle, the best but
ter and cheese, and similar products have an
equal show with horses, and while giving
reasonable inducements to the development
of speed in horses, let equal attention be
paid to fast walking, (which is of far more
advantage on the farm than fast trotting,)
and to strength as draft animals, power of
endurance, &C., and the true mission Of the
agricultural fairs-the Improvement Of the
products of the farm--wil be better full
filled.
The american Raral Home, in an article
which we copied last week, speaking of the
class of persons who attend races says:
Now farmers. rs class, have their opin-
ion OF these persons, though they are not
much given TO expressing this opinion; but
when they assemble together to hold state
or county fair for the display of the products
of their industry, and for tho encourage
ment of the young, they look, MS n class,
with indignation upon the whole tribe of
sharpers who crowd themselves in, and es-
pecially upon the racing characters, who
strive to make their worthless pursuit Il
chief attraction.
1t this be true, FARMERS, as a class" will
manifest their disapproval by ceasing to Of
fer such inducements as they have been in
the habit of doing to this very class to
come to their fairs and take such a promi.
nent place there. Those who control an ag'
ricultural society are responsible for the
manner in which its affairs are administered
and if they offer more attractions to jockeys
and gamblers than to stock breeders or 9th.
or farmers they must expect results accord
ingly.