Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1883-04-12
NUMBER 25.
AGRICULTURAL FAIR TALK.

as RNl0 eXhIblt0TS st agricultural
fairs begin their preparatory work en-
Sfrely too late. The officers of the va
rious societies hold their business meet
fngs Snd decide upon the dates of exht-
billions, at the beginning Of the year.
The papers make the announcements
premium lists are soon distributed and
then follows lapse of months before
exhibition time arrives. The producer
enters upon the duties of the busy sea-
son, and all thought of the years fair
has passed away to be revived only at
the last mORseAt. Animals are not in
form, no special crops have been culti-
waited with reference to helping on the
show, or extending the knowledge
gained by the experience Of the year,
thereby disseminating information
concerning new varieties and processes.
So with the inventors and manufacture
ers of new implements and machinery.
Z" / intended to have a working ma
chine on exhibition, but l began too
late and can only show my models or
drawings" is d common remark heard
at all exhibitions. Similar excuses are
heard through the whole range of ex-
hibitors. There Is but one way to avoid
this trouble. 1t is to earnestly resolve
to have something at the annual show
and to set to work Systematically to
carry out the resolve. 1t will not do
to lose sight of the date and the place Of
the various fairs one desires to attend.
The agricultural fair is not alone q
place of amusement and recreation after
a season of severe labor. 1t is a school
where object lessons take the place of
books, and where living, speaking in
struction thrusts ITSELF forward on ev-
ry hand. 1t is a business arena where
men trade in ideas as well as material
substances. No farmer within reason
able distance of fair ground can afford
to stay from his local show, or from the
great central exhibitions where are con-
centrated in splendid array the new
and improved labor saving implements
and devices, the representative speci-
mems of the improved and popular
breeds. of live stock, the new varieties
of vegetables and grain grown, perhaps
by new processes of culture and fertili-
zation-in brief, the latest and best of
all things that interest and instructs the
farmer, and that tends to improve his
condition and prospects.
We are led to these reflections by
glance at the various efforts of the Illinois
State of Board Agriculture to draw atten-
ton to its proposed great fair at Chica-
go next autumn. The Board has begun
nobly, and in all respects that we can
see, laid the foundation for the largest
and choicest state exhibit, as whole,
yet seen in the West or in America.
The secretary of the Board will see to it
that there shall be no laXity in his part
of the work. VIII the people heartily
join hands with the fair management
and do their partP We believeSthey will.
Except geographically, Chicago is mall
respects the great central point of the
state. Every IllinOisan is proud of this
monumental city. Its greatness has
been wrung from the broad prairies by
the stalwart farmer who have coltivat-
ed them. Through its markets and its
mercantile distributions it has benefited
and will continue to benefit every pro-
Queer in the State. It is in one. sense
their own city and they delight ia visiting
it at any time. The attractions 10 them
will be doubled by the proposed great
industrial exhibit. They win come to
the fair.
It has been said that Chicago people
have never yet shown decent interest
on any occasion of the kind. The
charge is true. But times have changed.
Thousands of the most active aid prom
inent business men of the place are the
owners of farms, and their areans are
adding to rural wealth and adornment,
as well as to the development of i'm
proved culture and improved stock.
The increasing local interest in the Fat
Stock Show and the attendance Of bust
ness men at public stock sales are proof
/ of this rapidly changing sentiment to-
wards agriculture and its followers. We
have faith that Chicago citizens will pat
ronize this fair by their attendance as
they are doing by their money in the
way of special premiums. We look for
a grand exhibition, and full treasury
for the State Board at its close. Let as
all work for the success of the great
fair Of the Northwest, to be held near
this city in September next
4 At the last session of tho Legislature
an act was passed reducing tbs rate OF