Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-09-11
TIE COUNTY FAIR.

A Good Letter from che President
/ wish 10 say word 10 the farmers OF
Windham county in regard TO the Importance
Of sustaining the fair Of the Windham coun-
ty agricultural society. The time has been
when there was general interest through
out the county which made II practically and
really a county fair, and the impetus which
IL gave 10 stock raising will readily be called
10 mind by even the most careless observer
whose experience extends back TO the time
referred to. There was great improvement
in both the breeding and management OF all
our domestic animals, increased thrift In
growing all other agricultural productions,
and thousands Of dollars we're added TO the
wealth OF the farming community. OF late,
however, there has been less interest mani
tested by farmers In different parts OF the
county in meeting each other In close compe-
tition. For some reason or other they fail 10
do 30, and my own experience and observa-
tion teaches me that there has been 0 oorre-
spending falling of In the quality OF our do
nestle animals and also In other productions.
l do not say that there are not other causes
than that of want Of general interest In the
the subject that have entered In and aided In
bringing about such falling of. On the
contrary l Am persuaded that there are. Prob
ably tho one great cause Of all which will be
suggested is a general depreciation In the
lures. But whatever the causes assigned, II
does no good to sit down and grumble;
rather let every enterprising farmer In the
county come out 10 the county fair, take with
him the samples of his productions, whether
consisting OF animals or other products Of
industry, and there in close competition with
others endeavor to learn something from one
another that shall help us to increase the fer
tility of the SOIL raise better orops, better
IA
we'll "a better dairy products and products of
the sugar orchard.
Farmers OF Windham county, this is your
| fair. II it is not success, who is too blame
| Are not you youTselvesp am aware that
there il a feeling in the minds of many that
this society is managed by ring for the ring
| This Is a great mistake. There may have
been instances where there has been favorit-
lam and chcanery in awarding premiuma
But with an experience Of more than twenty
years In connection with this society do not
hesitate to say that this has been the exoep-
! ton rather than the general rule In most in
stances that have come under my observa-
! ton where this has been charged there has
| boon room for difference OF opinion In men
of good judgment as to which was the bet
| ter animal or article, aud II the judgment
had been reversed the other party might
have growled with equal reason il pestered
]
uncommon thing TO hear men say Of two
horses or two yoke Of cattle, 81 had rather
| have this, " and another 81 had rather have
! that" The fact Is men differ and must be
expected 10 differ often times in what consti-
tutes the better combination OF desirable
| points. l am glad TO say, however, that for
the most part competitors are satisfied with
their awards, which is sufficient proof OF
both the general integrity and good judgment
of committees assigned to the duty OF max
| ing awards.
Several town societies have sprung up
about the county which have detraoted some
what, Il is believed, from the interest Of the
county society. While these may be doing
! good in their several localities, they seem too
local and narrow In their scope TO afford the
| advantages Of a larger organization. say,
] therefore, let the farmers from All parts Of the
| county bring forward such animals or articles
a. they have succeeded in raising 10 good or
high standard OF perfection, and help to make
! the coming county fair grand success.
In this communication | would not forget
other departments OF industry than farming
alone. Let mechanics, artiEans, and espe-
cially the ladies', take an interest In the fair
Let the hall be well filed with those articles
which indicate not only interest, but skill
and intelligence and let us one and all re-
member that the most important exhibit Is
men and women, and let the fair be run for
| the development Of our intellectual moral
and social powers, endeavoring TO carry away
with us better knowledge Of men and things
that shall tend 10 make life itself greater
success. J. o. FoLLETT, President.