The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-08-26
The Use Of an Agricultural Fair

The principal object OF an agri-
cultural fair should be to aid and
give encouragement to the industries
aud pursuits in stock breeding in
terests adapted to the climate and
soil In the locality where the exhibits
arc to be made. Subordinated to
the main purpose OF the display in
agriculture, horticulture, machanic
arts, domestic animals, rural and
domestic economy, they should be
made sort Of holiday, that our
young people may enj y themselves
as we'll as learn useful lessons, thus
mixing pleasure as far as possible
with the stubborn facts OF farm life.
As initiative beings men rank
first, the child showing evidence Of
its capacity in that direction almost
from birth. A gardener passing
through an agricultural hall looking
at vegetables OF extraordinary size
and quality will seek to know all
the important facts concerning
them, where was the seed obtain
ed, the variety, the time Of planting.
the cultivation given them, together
with every important fact concern
ing their production. The lessons
thus learned will make deep and
lasting impressions and will be util-
lied in the desire success -nlly to imi-
tate in the production Of like choice
varieties and qualities. The same
principle Is true in every other de-
partment. The farmers wives and
daughters will see much In the
ladies department to admire, to pat
tern after, and II possible to excel.
Thus every class may be interested,
improved, and encouraged In the
pursuit Of the work before them.
This il an age Of progress. New
methods, new results, new breeds of
stock, new vegetables, trees and
farm products crowd each other In
quick succession, all clamOring for
public favor. To determine the
relative merits OF each the public
fair where all may be seen together
affords the best opportunity. Here
placed side by side they may be ex-
amined, compared and tested to the
end that "the flttest may survive"
Through this means inestimable
blessings have come to mankind. A
public fair also affords an excellent
opportunity for the farmers and their
wives to exchange views and exper.
fences with others engaged in
the same pursuits relating to tho
labors and duties connected with
the vocation. and by this interchange
Of thought, observations. and exper-
fences, the knowledge observation
and experiences Of each may become
the property Of all.
Farm life Is OF necessity az isola-
ted one. Each farmer and his fami-
~ constitutes little community
occupied usually by urgent duties
and pressing cares; they labor from
early morning till late Mt night for
weeks together having but little
time for recreation or social enjoy
ment. To such persons aud their
families. an agricultural fair affords
an opportunity Of great value for
rest, enjoyment, observation, In
estrnction and social Intercourse,
thereby enlarging their field for
thought. feeling and sympathy.
Since agriculture lies ut the foam.
dation OF the unparalleled progress
and development that has attended
our national existe nee, warming
into life many other pursuits and
industries, since it furnishe employ
ment for millions Of our people and
food for them all, it Is eminently
fitting that stated periods should be
set apart when they may assemble
and do honor to the iillers Of the soil,
and since all are made debtors to
them through the products Of their
lahors, all should come and pay
tribute. Such an opportunity will
be given to the people OF this county
In the seventeenth annual fair OF the
Howard County Agricultural Soci.
ETY., to be held at Cresco Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday,
September Is. Il, Is and Is, 1886.
And all should take advantage Of
1t.