The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1879-06-27
Reforming the Fairs.

Alexander Hyde, who writes sensible and
practical articles for the Country Gentleman,
looks with regret upon the degenerate con-
ditiOn of our fairs, which have fallen from the
original design of agricultural exhibitions to
the level of money-making shows and spec
tacles for gamblers. We quote
This idea of fair as an educational insti-
tuition is not sufficiently appreciated either by
the managers or exhibitors. The former are
wont TO give too much consideration to
pecuniary results, and the latter to premiums.
These things are not to be wholly ignored,
but fairs We're never intended to be specuat-
ing institutions, or as a medium for the dis
tributing of prizes. What is Il premium of
five or ten dollars or silver cup, in compar-
ison with Il new idea in agriculture which
may enhance the value of the farm products
hundreds ofdollars yearly, or even in compare
son with new implement which may save
much hard labor? The success of a fair has
come to be measured too much by the re-
ceipts at the gate. When Elkanah Watson
instituted, in 1910, the model county fair of
the country, under the shade of the big elm
in Pittsfeld, Mass, the exhibition was not
made in an enclosure, and there were no
gate fees. All were welcome to see the stock,
and | doubt whether any county fair held
since that time has proved so great n success.
1t is not too late to save these institutions
from utter debasement. Some of our State
and county fairs-notably that of the New
York State Society-havc maintained their
integrity, and are managed on strictly ag-
ricultural and industrial basis There is not
in the country more educational institution
than the New York State Agricultural So
cicty, and at its fairs there is an assembly of
the most intelligent yeomanry and cultured
gentlemen from all parts of the country, who
are drawn together by the magnificent display
OF stock, and the products of all kinds of in
dustrics. What one society does, another
may do. Farmers should attend the annual
meetings of their respective societies, and see
to it that only true men are elected to the
management. If the election is left by de-
fault to go into the hands of jockeys and
dcmagogucs, farmers have no one to blame but
themselves. Cattle shows and fairs are u
peculiarly agricultural institution and should
be run by yeOmcn, and for the benefit of ag-
riculture, not to send this man to Congress,
put that one into the gubernatorial chair and
aid another in his gambling pool.
That there is need of reform in some of our
agricultural societies, there is no doubt
When few hundred dollars are offered as
premiums for the best cattle, sheep and swine,
and for the best farm products, while thous-
ands are paid out in prizes to fast horses,
"there is something rotten in Denmark. y
AT one famous fair the prizes for horses were
paid in full and only so per cent. allowed on
| the premiums for cattle and other stock
This was neither just nor generous and
should not be tolerated. With farmers as
managers of our fairs, no such doings may be
expected. The principle that Americans
| should govern America" may be thus para.
Observation-Disclosures should manage ag.
| ricultural fairs"