The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-08-18
Redwood County Fair.

ne cnaTacter OF the proceedings ~ the
court house last Saturday, relative to the
annual county fair, was such Is to inspire
those who attended with the belief that
the next one can be made at least as in
teresting rs any former fair, with some
marked improvements, particularly as re-
CARDS displays of fine stock.
In reviewing the work done last year,
it was manifest that the society finances
had been admirably administered. mas
much rs substantial Improvements had
been made and paid for, and small sur
Plus left beside, over and above the un-
usually large purses given for racing. If
the socicty is able to make as good show
Ing financially at the end of this year, it
mast he the result of hard work ..and real
enthusiasm among the officers and pa
irons. and this we hope will not be lack
Ing.
In preparing the premium list, the first
thing agreed upon was that all possible
effort should be made to bring out good
display of live stock. The average pre-
minms for alt young animals. in psfticu-
lar, were raised about 100 per cent. from
last year, and that of breeding animals
nearly as much. As these changes were
urged by representative farmers like
Messrs. Archie Stewart. Duncan, Rev.
Thurston. T. II. King. Homer, o. G. Mar
tin, as well as by the President, it may be
taken As evidence that our system of
farming is to undergo a change in the
near future. There is no longer any need
for setting forth the importance of di-
versiicd farming through the newspaper.
The last few seasons have given our home
producers series of object lessons teach
ing this truth more forcibly than the most
powerful editorials could teach it,. The
men of ink may pipe ever so loudly, but
the hard working granger don't care to
dance to their music until their own ex-
perience teaches them the better way.
When it came to fixing premiums for
wheat, it was resolved to offer the prizes
for hard wheat only. Farmers who have
other varieties of hard wheat than the
standard Fife can add to the interest and
profit of the occasion by bringing them
in and comparing yields and quality.
The matter of racing purses to be. offer.
ed was referred to competent committee,
consisting Messrs. Powell. Mcmillan ant
Laird, and lovers of horsefesh will have
an opportunity to increase the funds at
the disposal of the society, SO that
speedy horses from abroad can be attract
ed to our show. 1t was pretty plainlv
the sense of the meeting that fair with
out horse-racing could not be made to
pay.
The classification of articles for Floral
Hall, and fixing of premiums for the same,
was also referred to committee, so that
the wise counsels of the ladies could be
invoked. 1t was, however, decided upon
to offer small premiums for the best dis
plays of dry goods, groceries and hard
ware, in order that the merchants might
be persuaded to advertise their stocks
and add to the interest Iof Floral Hall at
the same time. The two or three firms
who made small exhibits last year were
well repaid for their trouble, without any
premiums being offered.
Instead of the usual agricultural ad-
dress, Mr.. Thurston advocated that the
experiment be tried of sort of farmers
experience meeting, in which number
of practical men should have topics as
signed to them, to be treated briefly aud
subject to free discussion afterwards.
This suggestion was very favorably re-
ccivcd, and a committee consisting of
Mcssrs. Thurston and Homer appointed
to select subjects and arrange pro-
gramne. The time for this meeting will
he announced hereafter.
The highest premiums which the so
cicty can afford to offer may not. in all
instances. make it profitable for exhibit
ors to bring their animals or products up
on the grounds, but the truly public spir-
tied ought see the advantage of develop
ing spirit of emulation and enterprise
among our citizens. Try now and get
sonnet hing ready for exhibition at the
next fair. which will be held Sept. 28th
and 2 9th.