Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-10-19
Fair and Cattle shows.

In many OF the smaller fairs this year
there has been notable absence of
fine cattle, and the managers of some
of these fairs have doubtlessly accu-
rately explained this lamentable de-
fciency, by saying that the premiums
offered are not sufficient to attract
breeders. While the state fairs and fat
stock shows offer such premiums ~ do
constitute consideration, it is to be
feared that breeders will more and
moro decline to exhibit at those county
fairs where no inducements is held out,
and exhibit only at such places where
there is a place TO get some money.
What is 10 be the result therefore?
Clearly the destruction Of the county
fair, as it once was, unless different
policy is pursued, One journal which
is edited 10y gentleman connected with
the management of fair, in speaking
of the meager display of cattle, af,
firms that the county fair is becoming
more and more a place to exhibit inn
plements and merchandise. II this is
so, better change its name to mechan-
cnl and mercantile fair.
If q fair is no longer an agricultural
fair, call the thing by its proper name.
The simple truth is, and there ia no
use trying to wink it out of sight, that
the entirs energy of too many fair
arrangements ia expended upon the
track. They are engaged in the same
kind of business that jockey club is
engaged in, but desiring to appear re-
spectacle and secure the patronage Of
respectable people, they duo the fair
the BambooIe County Agricultural
Fair, or the Sytown Horse Fair. An
agricultural fair is for the encourage.
ment of agriculture. first, last and all
the time, and il it cannot be supported
as such, better give it up, and if it is
circus that is wanted, have y circus
and call it circus. People generally
are deeply interested in foe cattle. 1t
is very seldom that we find anybody at
fair unless he or she is clinging to
the ropes around the track, waiting for
horse race, who does not love to look
al a splendid COW; and our experience
is that the admirers Of live stock come
and stay where they can crafty their
taste, while the jockeys come and 60
rs soon as the gambling is over. The
former buy the dollar tickets and the
latter are the twenty-five cent fellows.
The former add responsibility TO "a fair,
and the latter detract from it.
II increased premiums are what is
needed to attract cattle men, let them
be provided. Take the money that is
paid out for fast horses and put it into
cattle premiums. The Fat Stock Show
at Chicago gets along very we'll without
race course. and when it becomes
necessary to make a horse trot to
make that show success, it will be
given up. Tie men who exhibit their
| cattle n this show, and the majority Of
those who attend it, are earnest pThc--
tical business men. They do not waste
their time watching some horse that is
owned perhaps thousand miles away
from the state, fly around the ring
| These men can be attracted to county
fairs, If portion Of the attention that
is given to the track is given to tho en-
couragelnent of display in the cattle de-
partment.
But breeders, who count the money
value Of display, as represented by
the premium, are not wholly wise. II
pays 10 advertise our stock, and the
average county fair n good place to
| advertise, even though there may be
no professional breeders present. Peo-
pie will attend the county fair, as q
| rule. Sometimes we ere at loss to
know what they go for, but they go;
and among them is usually large
number of farmers who will sooner or
later be induced TO enter upon the
breeding of blooded stock. 1t will pay
to attract their attention to our herds.
Men cannot resist the argument Of
fine short horn or hereford. The ami
NAL tells Of it's own superiority, and
impre.scs the fact upon the mind of
the beholder. He goes home and
thinks the matter over. His common
cattle never looked so insignificant as
upon his return from the fair, and after
awhile he will venturs to inquire Of
the owner of the cattle which set him
to thinking, what he can purchase a
male and number of COWS for. Be-
sides this breeder owes something to
his county and state. Every citizen
should be public spirited enough to try
TO do honor TO them, even if it cost him
little sacrifice. - Western Rurdi.
$500
Father Peter John Becks, the General