Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-09-28
The New England Farmer on Fairs.

has probably attended as many agricultural |
fairs as any of us, and this is what he thinks |
about them: "In our thoughts upon agri- |
cultural fairs, in last weeks Farmer, we
said that the cattle show visitor should
return TO his home wiser, better and hap |
pier man than when he left it. No ono, we
think, can disagree with us on this point,
average attendant 2 Doubtless any well
disposed person, who, coming to see only
what is worth seeing, is so filed with char
ity as to excuse faults, and who habitually
overlooks wrongs and errors in the ways of
others, will usually find something in every
days visit to modern cattle show, that
will make him either wiser, better or hap
pier; but the average attendant, and espe-
cially the conscientious farmer, finds too
much at the fair that is annoying, if not
corrupting. He sees the exhibits of wealthy
manufacturers carrying off the premiums,
while those equally meritorious, contributed
by worthy farmers, are overlooked. He sees
committees packed by interested exhibit
ors, who have an understanding betwe en-
themselves that favors shown shall be recip
rocated He sees the officers of the associa
tion feasting and fondling, at the societys
expense, political friends or acquaintance,
from whom they hope to regain in return
some personal favor. He hears political
Office holders and aspirants for office make
fal hat frla1
don't know about farming, till he is thor
oughly disguised he sees his sons tempted
by the liquor seller and cheated by the gam :
bier, in broad day light, and directly unde r
he sees his daughters modest sensitiveness
growing dull amid the coarse slang and low
jargon of the venders of brass jewelry, and
worthless jim cracks, beer, prize soap and
candy; and he makes up his mind that next
year he will find some better way to spend
the day, and the hard earned dollars, which
have this year gone to pay Off ,ers' hack and
| liquor bills, and the interest on the society's
debt.
"This may seem like an extreme view,
but in far too many cases it is correct
one, and is most often applicable to the
larger organizations. The truth is, our
shows. First because they are compara-
lively inexpensive, rather than burdensome
to those who take part in them. The dis
tanca travelled is short. and good deal can
be accomplished in single day. Every
member already knows, or is glad to make
the acquaintance of all his townsmen. There
is friendly feeling and unanimity of action
that requires no heavy offers of premiu ms
to bring out full exhibit. The premiums
are often merely nominal, far too small to
tempt the selling of ones honor or integrity.
The competition and rivalry is friendly, as
it must be where competitors are all frien DIS
aud acquaintance. The expenses being
small, the grounds often being free TO all,
(the dinner, which is contributed, being the
only source of income), all can attend and
all enjoy. Judges and committees are ap-
pointed for known ability and integrity, and
their awards are accepted without remon.
STRANGE. The music and speaking if there
be any, is listened to in the village church
and is volunteer home talent, or, possibly
some townsman, who makes this the occa
sion for home visit, calls up old memories
in cheering, friendly mood. Such fairs
we would see in every town and district in
the country they cannot be too numerous
There is real economy in them in a social
point of view. The inhabitants of the
whole town pay each other friendly visit
show what is worth showing, take dinner
together, have sociable chat in the after
noon, cool ride home in the evening, with
the loss of but single days time, while
for each to visit every other family in town
at their homes would change the whole town
into boarders and boarding house keepers
A town fair should be made so inexpensive
that every farmer and every farmers family
in the town will feel able to attend and take
part, and it should be so good that the next
will be looked forward to with pleasant anti
cipations, aud not, as is too often the case
with dread or indifference"