The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-03-31
WHAT Rms ARE FOR.

From Farm and Garden, In Chicago Iribune1
There are great many individuals who
have no idea that our yearly Agricultu-
raj Fairs are intended for any other pur-
pose than to amuse by mere sightseeing.
These persons attend for day, or maybe
two, and spend the principal part Of their
time in gaping about the tents where fat
women, animal monstrosities, learned
pigs, target-alleys, ball-rolling. itinerant
soap-men, etc.. etc, are bawling their
threats hoarse, and worrying the sensi-
bilities of proper-minded people. We
suppose these features of some of our
Fairs are intended to keep certain part
of the Fair-gOing multitude in good hui
NOR and out Of mischief Another class
may be found wandering aimlessly, hither
and thther, appearing to have no other
motive than to keep moving. Others,
again, are interested in examining cattle,
horses, sheep, swine, poultry, etc. Still
another class pay their especial attention
to machinery. Farm and horticultural
products, art-exhibitions, natural history,
and fine arts, are interesting to every class
of visitors.
The Horticultural Hall, and those de-
voted to fine arts, musical instruments,
textile fabrics, and household machines,
are especially thronged by ladies, for
here may be found those seeking pleasure
and profit, gossip and gratulations; and
even the finesse of fashionable Irritation
may be INDUCED. All classes, however,
flock eagerly to the amphitheatre during
the exhibitions in the cattle and horse
rings; and, during the trials of speed,
every available point from which the ex
hibition-rings can be seen is crowded with
ladies and gentlemen, eagerly intent upon
critcising the dull bovines or flying
cOuTsers.
AGRICULTURAL HORsE-TROTs,
Say what we may, are always drawing
cards and, if properly conducted, are as
innocent of harm as mammoth pumpkins,
tall corn, or any other of the extraordina-
ry exhibitions that go to make up a sue
cessful Fair.
But, says some over-sensitive individ-
uaI, horse racing is immoral in itself, and
and demoralizing to the community. We
cordially agree to this proposition, if the
inten ion be for any other purpose than
its only legitimate one-that Of testing the
speed and bottom, the muscle and wind,
of the horse
The noblest of all animals, if he be not
good to draw heavy loads, or pass quickly
over long distances, harnessed to a vehi-
Gle, or under his rider, is good for very
little. Therefore, draught and the power
of endurance at swift work, must be the
true test of value in horse.
The difference between the racing
course, and the trials of speed at our
Fairs, should therefore be, that while at
the race course proper, swindling, gam
bling, and other vile practices, have been
permitted until it has degenerated into
an arena of rascality to its utter discred-
it, at our Fairs it may be both possible
and profitable to give the blood horse his
legitimate place in the possible
to show his powers of endurance in fair
and legitimate manner; profitable to
those who admire this noble animal, and
especially so to breeders, who wish to
know the capabilities of particular ami
mails. Some straightlaced inviduals think
it wrong to do more than carefully lead
horse soberly, solemnly, and slowly, to the
disgust Of the noble animal, the NORTH
cation of his exhibitors, and the disap-
pointment Of every one present, except a
hypercritical few, who would square the
conduct ofothers by their own narrow Tires
of vision. The horse was made for speed,
the mule for labor, the OK for food
The only way to test the value of the first is
by his wind and bottom; the second, by his
power to draw heavy loads continuously
and, the last, by the proportion of good
beef points. 1t is true any animal may
be tolerably judged by experts, from its
outward appearance. Horses, however,
can less easily be judged in this way than
other animals We cannot see their
internal organs, and there are other
disabilities not apparent to the eye or
touch.
The thoroughbred horse is the type of
all that is active, speedy, or enduring, in
this noblest of the animal creation
Speed and endurance are the measure of
value in the racer, the trotting horse, the
roadster, thesaddle horse or the horse ofall |
work. All those have more or less of thor
ough blood. Now, at our Fairs, it is not
expected that great speed be made, it is |
not necessary-the tracks are not suitable |
for this; and yet satisfactory tests may
be made, and fair to all alike Is there |
any reason why it should not be done
under proper restrictions?
Every man, woman and child likes to
see a horse under swift motion. The stride |
of the saddle horse, or the action of the |
roadster or trotting horse, must be taken |
into account in the awards of premiums /;
and the condition of each animal Compel |
ing, at the end of the test, is an impor-
tant integer. Two horses of apparent |
equal powers may start: at the end, one
will be painting, dropping and distressed,
"a mere weed while the other, after a |
few long breaths, will be fresh, and ready |
and eager for another trial. 1t is only |
in this way that the judges can make a
true and correct award.
Our Fairs are the grand exhibitions of |
the industry of people. They are moi |
yet getting out of date-will not be soon. |
They are exercising a stronger moral and
intellectual power than ever before. In
decd, the West is only just beginning to
get walked up to the fact that our yearly |
oppositions are great industrial schemes, |
when object lessons are the means used
towards educating the masses. Shall we
not, in each and every State in the West,
resolve that next fall we will go to these
gatherings with an increased purpose of |
learning something new, and not for mere
Will We not ask ourselves, |
what can We contribute individually to |