Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-08-09
AM. AoR,cvLTvRAL snow.

our AGRICULTURAL SHOW.
At the meeting, last Saturday, al
the officers and directors of the Wa.
polio County Agricultural Society
were present. excepting two. This
speaks well for the interest that ex.
lists in our exhibition this fall. Al
this tlnc the prospect is good for
having the best Fair we ever had.
All with whom we have spoken on
the subject express great interest in
making this Centennial exhibition
our best one thus far. We can make
it SO if we try-if all try.
Every owner Of farm, however
small, in Wapello county, should feel
a pride in the prosperity Of our Soci-
ETY., because, by its proper manage
ment it can be made an instrument
Of great good in the advancement Of
agricultural growth and intelligence.
The present managers are doing their
very best, by devoting time and en-
ergy to the work, to make it success
ful-both pecuniarily, so that it may
be able to pay premiums and expens-
es and be independent of adverse
circumstances hereafter, and also in
furnishing the best advantages for
farmers and others to mingle togeth-
err and exchange ideas ON subjects
connected with their business. In
this matter our farmers are particu-
larly slow. Other counties, especial
ly in the East, have societies or clubs,
which meet and discuss various SUBJ
jects of interest to their members.
But we know of no such club in this
county and we believe that our far
mers and others cannot spend week
even if it should require that much
time-more probably in any other
way than in bringing in their stock,
their products, their wares, their me-
chanical excellencies of any kind
each representing his own business
then by exchanging ideas, each can
learn something from others, can
learn to do his work better next year
and more probably to himself. As
will be seen by the report of the
meeting on Saturday, we have select
ed an excellent committee for Floral
Hall and a good man to take charge
of each department and see that ar
ticles and stock are arranged to the
best advantage for exhibition and
that every ones property shall be in
jured in no manner. Arrangements
will be made by our excellent Super
intendent of Grounds to have feed
sold at barely remunerative prices,
so that no one need be swindled.
Bedding will be furnished for all
stock, free.
The addition of a fine military pa
rade and drill, though not strictly
agricultural, will be free treat to
all that will be much appreciated
free, because it will cost no more to
see that in addition to everything
else.
Besides the martial music accom-
panying the military parade We hope
to have other bands on the ground.
We think the Directors have done
wisely in devoting less attention to
the inevitable "hoss-trot" and more
to other matters more essential in a
business point of view. A 2 40 horse
can raise no more corn--if as much
than another horse, nor can he draw
as heavy loads; while time is not so
precious nor our markets so fuctuat-
ing that we must have a 40 horse
with which to haul our produce to
market in order Il, be on time. We
think many Of our most sensible far
mers will agree with us in this view,
and be gratified that our society is
b eginning to make this change. A
horse is worth far more for his en-
durancc and strength and usefulness
before the plow than for his speed.
We wish to give due credit to speed
but let us not make such an ado about
it as to lose sight of other things
more uspfi1l
And lastly let us beg of you to cult
vate liberality. Don't bring in your
stock and products for the sake of
the premium money only, but bring
it to make big Centennial show.
If we can have good show people
will come out to see it. 1t is vastly
to the benefit of every one in the
county to have good prosperous
agricultural society; then don't be-
grudge few quarters for gate mon
cy which will help to. gain that end.
We have a few premiums lists left.
Amy one needing one can have it by
calling at the COURIER Office.
| SECRETARY.