Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-03-28
Fair Morals.

so much space in the agricultural jour-
mails relative to the reforms needed in
the management of fairs are very time.
~. and in every way worthy the atten-
ton OF intelligent men, aud it is to be
hoped that they may result in practical
benefits in the directions proposed.
That the reforms are needed; that the
moral tone of these annual exhibitions
has been greatly lowered by the concom-
itafits to which special attention has
been called, there can be no question::
but while these are being so strictly
considered there are other sins which,
II not so heiIious, are source of much
loss to those Immediately interested,
both in a pecuniary way and in the di-
rection OF the principal objects for
which these exhibitions were organized.
The sins to which reference is made are
those of omission rather than of COM
mission, and they are prevalent in all
countries and sections alike.
In p report of one of the State Boards
of Agriculture.the list of premiums shows
an excellent classification of the objects
OF the exhibition represented, and an
evidence that there must have been y
reasonable number IF exhibits in each
class. But this Is about all that may
be learned from the open page. 1t may
tell that MIR. K was awarded first
premium for the best COW of a given
breed and age; but the record furnishes
no information as to the really practical
reasons for such an award. 1t may be
said that she had all the points of ex-
cellence, causing her to surpass in her
way other animals of like character ex-
hibited; but what was the standard at
tanned and how was it reached? Did
she mature early? If so, where is the
evidence of the fact in this record?
Did she give more milk, or better milk,
more or better butter, than her COM
petitor during the period of year or
more? If so, the record does not show
it, and is therefore wofully lacking to
that extent. In some cases statements
sions of fat animals, but the reader may
learn nothing of the means employed to
develop these dimensions.
These fairs were established for q
twofold object: First, to stimulate en-
deavor in the production of the best of
every kind in which agriculturalists
may have an interest; and, second, to
give farmers an opportunity to COM
pare their products. and to confer as to
the means TO be employed to secure
them. For the first object generous
premiums are offered and paid; the
fortunate exhibitor is gloritied to that
extent, and the money or prize becomes
premium that should encourage him
to Withhold the means for promoting the
second object of the fair, all description
of the methods employed, and the cost
involved in securing the product for
which the prize is given. In this way
are the worthier objects completely de-
feated, and the greatest benefits that are
possible and should be expected are
wholly lost
What should be impressed upon the
attention of fair authorities and of all
intelligent agriculturalists interested in
the progress of the branches in which
they are severally engaged is this: Each
farmer in this country, in whatever line
he may be working, is largely governed
by his own views, and he follows to no
slight extent methods of his own devils
ing. Different methods prevail upon
different farms. Animals are bred diff
ferently. fed differently, treated differ
emily; and. though these methods may
be more or less empirical, they lead to
favorable results as the splendid show
rings so common in autumn make strik-
ingly manifest. Grains are grown, and
when exhibited present fine appear
ance, arc attractive to the eye, and are as
valuable as they are attractive. But the
methods of production, though largely
in the same trend, differ in important
particulars upon which the differences
that may be noted in the products I'M
doubtedly depend. Such differences
should be made prominent upon the
exhibitors card if the farmers are to
be educated by the object lessons thus
presented, and they should be account
ed important elements in the deter
mination Of the recipients of the prizes.
Furthermore, they should form i'm
portant features in the reports of the
awarding committees, so that by COM
parison and by careful consideration
the progressive farmers may be able to
improve upon past experiences, remedy
past deficiencies. and see through them
encouragement for the future
1t may be urged, even by writers of
some prominence in the agricultural
press, that the American farmers are
not prepared for such details; that they
care nothing for the facts that would
thus be elected from year to year, and
if they did care could not fully under
stand or appreciate them. But it may
be doubted if the farmers of the great
corn and wheat belts will appreciate
the compliment; on the other hand,
they would highly appreciate and are
ready to support any effort such as has
been suggested above looking to the
improvement of their methods and
progress in their results. If managers
of fairs. both county and State, con-
slider these points carefully, they will
see in them the changes needed to
stimulate interest in the exhibitions,
and to drive out by their influence the
evils that have aroused the discussions
referred to in the beginning of these re-
marks. Chicago Tribune.