Smyrna times., 1878-10-23
For the Smyrna Tines
Tho Agricultural Awards Mt Dover.

Mr.. EDITOR Will You allow me a small space in
your paper to make a few inquiries concerning
late State Fair held at Dover. First of all let me
ask why the different committees were dilatOry in
giving out their reports. have been exhibitor in
several fairs in other places and this is the first one
ever attended where the premiums were withheld
until ten days after the fair 1t is customary
at farS 10 nave the awards affixed to the articles of
the successful competitors the second day that vsi-
tors may know and judge for themselves whether the
awards were Just, and 1t should be the duty of the
superintendent to that this is done The thought
has suggested itself that the committees were either
very datOry in their work or else having hurriellv
passed over the articles they were afraid to completes
thelr work ana attach the premiums, for fear of a
Just criticism by the public OF course no one can
Judge as we'll after the fair is and articles re-
moved, whether the awards were lust or not cOnse-
queny there exists feeling of great dissatisfaction
among many OF the exhibitors at the SEEMING unfair
ness shown. However, | will pass this by hoping
that the committees can explain this satisfactorily
IN the second place the schedule gave list of pre
miums for 1st I'd and Sd best of different articles and
there was hardly an article named in the lists that
was not represented for which, if they did not come
up 70 the standard for premium, they should, at
least have received honorable 1petiOn For instance
the schedule offers diplomas for best wohorse farm
wagon; best display of plOws;' best farm pump
for hand power, also for wind power" best seed
planter Tor morse or hand power" and on. Now
mentS, wagons, &c, knows there were farm wagons
Wnlch, according to the schedule should have re-
celved some award, for they deserved it. There was
also c0rn-planter manufactured in FELTON, which
deserved some notice, if not a diploma There were
two wind dmis in operation neither of which were
The large display of agricultural machinery exhibi.
tea by MesSrS. Hyland IL Co, of Galena Md was not
named i'll the report. There was a display of plows
by MesSrS Evans 4 Co, of Smyrna and thev also ex
hlblted some very fine cast iron chairs. The fruit
eVaPorator exhibited by \. T. Underwood. for which
premium was offered i'll the catalogue was NOT
noticed by the committee. All of these and many
others should have had honorable mention if moth
ing more, particularly those manufactured in the
state; and especially in Kent county.
IN DIV. L. 1t was the same way. Many articles Of
needle work, &c, Were not so much as noticed which
IN the Judgment of many far exceled those receiving
the awards.
Again. in regard to musical instruments, I have
been told that the committee acted yerv unfair
spending considerable time with the Woods organs
testlhg them and giving them thorough exaniina-
tOn, ana when they came to the Diamond State" "
organs instead of giving them the same fair trial
merely glanced at them and passed on and in their
report not even giving mention of their being made
IN the state or giving preference over foreign makes
could name more instances throughout other divi
slons but forbear have already trespassed on your
space more than l intended. l speak the minds of
many exhibitors when say there was great deal Of
be long time before they will attempt to comnete for
premiums again. Trusting you will pardon me for
lilis long eplstle, am yours, &c,
AN EXHIBITOR.