The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-10-04
Entries at Fairs.


Entries at Fairs.
We cannot fail to notice each year an in
creased expenditure of time. labor and mon
ey upon our agricultural, or rather industrial
fairs. 1t is obviously desirable that this
should be judieiously regulated, and that for
every dollar expended, suitable equivalent
should be returned. The effective and con-
trolling power is lodged in the hands of the
managers of the associations; and nearly all
of the profit and success of fairs may be said
to depend upon their proper management.
The few suggestions we have to make are
the result of our own observation and ex-
perience, and only partially cover the ground
which others can more appropriately enter.
Taking it for granted that a suitable time
and place have been selected for an exhibit
tion, we remark that it is essential for their
proper recognition and estimation, that every
thing 10 be exhibited should be entered.
The most earnest and industrious agricul-
culturist will find that it avails him nothing
to deposit an animal or an article within the
limits of an association without committing
it to their care and inspection. In order that
proper jurisdiction may be exercised over it
by the officers and examining committee, it
is necessary that the names of the owner,
locality and variety should be given, and
made known to the public On the other
hand, the neglect to attend to this most i'm
portant duty on the part of the proper Off
Ger, can rarely be unconstitutional fire.
quently overlooked. The exhibitor who has
personally or by letter described the entry
which he wishes to have made on the books
OF the society, is not in fault if it fails to
appear there, or on the list of the judges of
that department; and in that event his full
conformity to the usual regulations should
entitle him to all his rights. In almost every
exhibition something may be seen that has
received no recognition from the society,
and from the public, simply from not being
entered; either through the ignorance or in
attention of the exhibitor.
In accordance with our theory that every
exhibition is valuable only as it is school of
instruction, we assert that it is the duty of a
society not only to enter properly the articles
presented, but also to attach to each one a
descriptive card containing all the informa-
ton respecting it which an intelligent in
quirer would wish to obtain. This matter
should never be left to the exhibitor; for fire.
quently the whole object is defeated by his
bad or incorrect writing, or his defective
knowledge of names and varieties. We re-
Gently attended an exhibition where much of
its usefulness was abridged from failure to
communicate any information concerning
many valuable things, either by the written
or spoken word.
Our estimate of the quality of such asso-
Citations, would be based largly upon the mi.
nuteness of their attention to details; and
more than all the rest, to the one we have
just mentioned. To insure thorough work
here, we should recommend that the secre-
tary of every society, give his personal inspec-
tion to its exhibition as finally arranged; and
their DEFICIENCIES of information. And we do
not hesitate to say, that even in such small
things as selecting the kind of card to be
used, the style of the record made, the place
and mode of its attachment; the recording Of
ficer can do much to demonstrate fitness for
his position. Ordinarily the name of
the owner or exhibitor should ap-
pear in connection with his property; in the
case of dairy products however, we think it
is well to make an exception: as where the
samples are of very even quality, it is almost
impossible to prevent the general reputation
of the exhibitor, from aiding insensibly the
merit of his articles. As to the general sub
ject of entries, it is manifestly proper as we'll
as necessary, that limit should be assigned
to their reception; nevertheless we should
recommend the exercise of large liberalty
in the matter, and grant generally as favor
to all reasonable applications, what ought not
to be conceded as right.
For that part of an exhibition which is U.s.
ually displayed in tent or building, some
officer should be devoted. Much taste, skill
and judgment, will be required in the outset
on his part, in securing an effective arrange
meet of his department. To secure safety,
economy of space, accessibility and general
good appearance to the several articles, re-
quires talent rarely found in possession or
exercise. Then there is the additional duty
of guardian or policeman to be constantly dis
charged; many goods of fragile material or
delicate fabric are injured or destroyed by the
rough contact or jostle of the crowd, which
might easily have been saved; and many val
liable articles preserved, which always hold
out temptations to petty thievery. But mere
than all, the value of such man is found in
making him in some sort public demonstra-
tor; ready to explain the office, qualities, and
general merits of everything under his care.
Everybody loses some part of an exhibition
from haste, inattention or lack of perception,
which would all have been made right by a
few words of demonstration or explanation
from the man in charge. Owners of appara-
tus and implements, understand the value of
condensed information, and contrive to COM
municate it in a few moments to the passer-
by-they explainsby some practical operation
the uses of their wares, announce the price,
and make sale to many listener. Frequent
ly the only thlng one learns at such gather
inns, is what he extracts from these brief in
structions Of the hour.
The contents of an exhibition after being
entered, and properly arranged, receive the
examination and judgment of the multitude
of spectators; and also are awarded their DO
sition on a scale of merit, by the examining
committee, or judges. The proper persons to
discharge this duty, and the right method Of
doing it, are subjects of considerable impor-
tauce, and deserving further consideration.
In Ohio the contest wakes hot as election
day approaches. All other questions but the
currency have nearly disappeared simply be-
cause toe people will not listen patiently to
the usual campaign talk. The school ques-