Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-08-17
lessons at the Fairs for Farmers. .


Our annual fairs have, perhaps. been
second only to the agricultural press of
the country in bringing about a better
understanding in the minds of farmers
as to what improvements in live stock
really consist in, and as to what particu-
lar models of the various breeds are best
calculated for implanting desired changes
upon the ordinary stock of the country.
The fairs bring to view the possibilities
to which the improved sorts may attain,
though, of course, many specimens
brought out for public exhibition repre-
sent in an extrayagant degree, the pecu-
liarities of the several breeds. This
statement has reference to great size, ex-
cessive fairness, and such exquisite sym
metry as can be brought out only in ex-
ceptional cases in the herd, These les
sons, however, point to the possibilities,
and afford material of the very highest
value for study.
But for the constant weekly reminders
through the press, as stated, and the in
ducements held out by advertisers
through the same mediums, backed up by
annual exhibitions, we hardly see how
the half of what has occurred in the way
of disseminating domestic animals of
the highest types could have occurred.
The fairs have proved of great value in
disseminating the smaller classes of farm
stock, such as sheep, swine and poultry,
and indirectly in bringing the several
breeds of cattle to the attention of farm
ers. 1t is not safe to take all you see at
fairs as meaning just what outside APP
pearances indicatate. Obscure parties
and traders sometimes put in an appear
ance with very striking specimens of
pigs, but the representations of these
men cannot be safely taken, and in the
majority of such cases, if purchases be
made, the buyers will be bitten.
In the first place, you cannot safely
| take the representations made as to the
pedigree. Grades often take on very
| comely exterior, quite cleverly initiating
the higher type from which they have
| sprung, but when used with the expecta-
ton that they will reproduce their kind,
the effort ends in failure. If you are a
reader of the "Prairie Farmer" look over
its advertising columns, and if you do not
see what you want offered over the sigma
ture of reliable, well-known breeder,
write to the Office for information. While
many Of the most reputable breeders ex-
hibft at fairs, so, likewise, do traders and
spectators take advantage of the SEEM
ing character obtained by showing in re-
spectacle company, and they thereby,
many times, get position before visit
ors to which they have no legitimate
| claim. AS rule, the proper place to
| buy any kind of stock is at the home of
the breeder. where you can see the gen.
eral character of his stock, not as repre-
sented by the few head he may have fit
ted with oil cake and new milk, for
exhibition, but on their everyday feed,
which is supposed to be similar to what
you feed upon your own premises 1t is
not advantageous to the breeder to sell
highly fitted exhibition stock to other
than professional breeder, who fully
understands the process used in the fit
ting, and the necessity of following this
up, II appearances are to be maintained.
Many men who have taken their likin q
| for improved farm animals from speci-
mems seen at the fairs, have had their ar
| dor cooled down by becoming more init
mately acquainted with these, or others
of similar characteristics, after they had
put aside the Sunday rig, assuming the
everyday farm apparel Taking i'm
proved stock to your farm should be, to
certain degree, likened to taking to
yourself wife. AS this is not usually
on any temporary basis, and is often a
matter of business, a prudent man will
plan to see the lady in her every day
garb, as the arts of the dressmaker are
equal to those of the expert herdsman,
and polish and adornment are found to
be so embellishing that our admiration is
greatly modified when these are taken
| off.