The true northerner., 1879-10-24

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The grsngers OF Bioomingdals and Cheshire
united under what Ii called, "Ths Patrons
Mutual Agricultural Association, held basket
picnic and Fair last week Thursday, on the
farm OF Josiah Powers, In Bloomingdale.
For some time the farmers of this vicinity
and others too-have felt that the Paw Paw
Fair was not always fair, that it was making
OF itself too much OF an advertising medium
for fast horses, sports, Beechers and Pomeroys,
and neglectlng its work OF creating healthy
competition In the production OF farm products
and domestic articles. Again, there is little
jealousy arising from the selection of so many
judges from those who live near or in Paw
Paw, who have too many "pet lambs" that
carry OF all the premiums.
And thus it has often been proven that
farmers can get more good practical ideas from
an afternoon visit with their neighbors than
they can at the Fair, and hence it comes that
the Fair is looked upon more as "a place to
spend money, and see and be seen," than as
means Of improving our quality OF farming.
From this general criticism on our Fairs, but
acting more on the idea of Field meeting"
such as the farmers near Paw Paw hold, and of
which Jas. Bale is Pres, has grown this "Pat-
ron's Fair" On examining the exhibition We
found: grain Of all kinds; green fruits; vegeta-
bles; canned and dried fruits, and honey
cheese, butter, bread, cakes, pies, ETC.; home
made yarn cloth, carpets, needle work, pictures,
etc. miscellaneous. No effort was made to
show stock, and no advertisers nor venders,
curse to modern shows, were allowed to tighten
the pockets Of the unwarry, nor ring their
harangues in your ears till you become too
nervous to know your own mother when you
meet her.
Four hundred and twenty-one articles were
On exhibition, and Of their quality we may we'll
say that as whole they were superior to the
average at Paw Paw or Allegan; which simply
shows that at this embryo FAIR they have
Dr. ought out their best, whileto the older Fairs
he best is too good to take.
We could scarcely have expected this part Of
Dur State whloh, but a few years ago, was
known for moth ing but lumber camps, saw mill,
single mills, and North woods greenies to
make SO fine show OF agricultural products
Their farms are OF rich soil, we'll watered, and
'r neat general appearance. The time WAS, but
8 NO MORE, when we were little ashamed to
ace the high colared people OF Paw Paw and
,wn that We we're from the North woods
'ut now enjoying the ownerships OF a good
arm in the North woods we rather like the
lame North th-woodsman" The fact was in
ielliably fixed upon our mind that the people
Tho have reclaimed these lands from a state
Il nature, are moro free from jealousies and
nsre social and hospitable than people who !
ave never known such hardships as they have
7itbstood' President Cooley, Vice Presidents
!. Wllmont and G.. ". Lewis, and Sec. G. w. !
iaven, we're business-lke and made every one
'elcome and satisfied. Music was furnished /
J the Cheshire Band, speeches made by Pres +
ooloy, Rev. Fisher and Geo. Z. Breck. and !
be whole voted success.
Without attempting rival fair, we hope to |
ave other and even more beneficial meetings
the same general character. PATRON.