New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-09-06
THE SEASONS FAIRS.

There will be an old-fashOned Thanksgiv-
ing Day this year in town and country. The
cup of prosperity is already brmmlng. On
every side the signs OF good times may be dis
cerned In the cities there is activity in the
streets and on the " harycs business is stead
ilv increasing in flow and in volume and, what
is the surest indication of surplus wealth and
capital, the building trade is straining its ener-
gics in every centre of population to meet the
unprecedcnted demands that are made upon it.
In the agricultural belts the evidence OF won
derfu crops is uni, orsal. II is now thought
that the wheat crop will be about GOO,OOO,COO
bushels. California yields surplus Of
5000, 900 bushels, and i'll Oregon and wash
ington Territory there viii be an excess Of
1000. 900 bushels for export, the crop hay
inc exceeded the expectations even of the most
sanguine of the new settlers. The mld-c0n-
tinental praries are more fruitful than they
have been for many year. The country yleS
with the town in material gains and substantial
progress. Each is dependent upon the others
good fortune for bountlul crops like those Of
the present year not only enrich the farmers,
but add 10 the wealth of the cities by stimulat-
ing every department of trade.
While the prairie may join the town at the
annual feast after year of exceptional pros
perity, it gives expression betimes to its good
feeling and satisfaction in IA characteristic way.
One of the most significant evidences of the
welfare and progress of the falmeTs is the in
tercst manifested this season III county and
State fairs. When the times are dull and
AGRICULTURAL prospects all look as blue as the
distant hills, these rural institutions anguish.
When the farmers are exceptionally prosperous
they take an honest pride in their vocation and
make every effort to interest themselves in
county and State exhibits of farm produce and
agricultural implements. This year county
fairs are being planned East and West OF IN
Unprecedented scale. Enthusiasm Is always
infectious. Even the Southern planters have
caught the fever, and agricul .ural shows are
to be held in sections of the Cotton States
where they have never been organized before.
I'm many of the NOrthern States there will not
be a single county in which fair will not be
held. and with very few exceptions the prepare
tons exceed in animation and magnitude
those of previous years.
This Is sign of the times which we are very
glad to See American farmers do not have
many local institutions and such AZ they do
have should receive hearty and enthusiastic
support. The ability TO organize and direct
public works and enterprises Of utility is Il
Yankee talent winch should be cultivated in
villages as well as in cities An agricultural
fair should be made an annual show IN which
every farmers family in the county can take IA
genuine interest. No pains should be spared
to multiply the attractions and to give the ex-
hibit as comprehensive IA character as possible
Iorse-racing should not be made so prominent
a feature rs it usually is at these rural testify
tiles In some instances it occupies in the
hand-circulars and show-blls so large u place
that the essential character of the fair is lost
Horse-racing should not be allowed to be-
como the uppcrmost idea. The fair should
remain rural exchange, where exhibits of
farm and garden produce and farmhouse in
dustry can be compared, and farmers may be-
come acquainted with new tools, new ideas,
and new methods. A farmer who ia content
10 till his land by the sweat OF his brow will