Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-01-19

let us, as agriculturists, start RICH
nd then go ahead. for in all ages till
g the soil has been regarded as tn,
nost honorable occupation, aud in en-
ghtened countries agriculture has beer
stored often favored and always con
idered to he ut the foundation o
Iational prosperity.
AGRICULTURAL FAIRS - THEIR VALUE
TO THE FARMER.
~ JOHN CAREY, President OF the Blakes Prari,
Agricultural Society, Bloomington.
1t has been said of the farmer thal
Iere is lack of enterprise on his par
nd that he has not kept pace in PROV
-ss with the mechanic, the artisan an.
theirs in their productive achievements
ir President, itthat were ever tru
(fnd | will not say that it was nol) afte,
stening to the discussions of this meet
~, and observing the interest man,
estrd by each and everyone on tn
various topics, am forced. sir. To the
inclusion that the day is not far dis
mt Gf, indeed. it is not already hert.)
hen the farmers will understand heir
BUSINESS as thonrnughly and go abou
as intelligently AS any other class
Aud this advancement and enlarged in
lligence will be due. in n great meas
re. lin my opininn) To the farmers in
situte and the agricultural fair Aud
low comes the question of what benefit
the fair to the farmer. In the first
lace it is farmer institution and con.
rquenily ought to be we'll pttrnnize,l
y the ,rmer. The live stock inter eSl
perhaps the most important for the
Jason that we have found there is
rift in the correct breeding and feed
ny of animals on the farm. Ii furnishes
- place where we may go and SCI
What men are doing with the imprOved
'reedS of cattle, sheep and swine.
What the improved breeds Of horses
eally are and make profitable co ~
jarisons with what we see at the fair
and we have at home. IT. is The mn
Who pay close attention TO the breed
ng and feeding of live stock who will
make success of farming i'm the future.
In this section inferior stock cannot BE-
made To pay fair profit where land j.
IS valuable a. it is here. For thu pro II
Il this statement / would resp clfully
"efer you To the daily mrrket reports.
Now a farmer ar breeder can attend q
I fair and observe the difference ba
wern scrub grades aud pure bredS, and
70 s. To thinking in such way as
would lead him TO replace the scrub
with something better. | cannot IN.
ierstani. upon general principles then.
he fair teaches the superiority Of full
hlOnds and grades over scrubs.
Often times we hear farmers say. II
believe would buy some IF the i'm
proved breeds of stock if knew
which was he best. The fair furnishes
the parties grand opportunity for com
parsons. The who breed and exhibit
line stock do not hesitate 10 compete
with each other They are yilling to
prove their faith BY placing their stock
side nv side in the diff ,rent show rings,
tud the public ought To appreciate the
opportunity to arrive at It's own con-
cIu7ions. And now right here allow me
q call your attention TO n somewhat
popular tailacy A great many are apt
to think of the fair As an institution got
ten up and run in the interest of the.
lin stock This is an unqualified mis-
take. The few d liars they carry away
IN premiums is as nothing in compaF-
ISon to the benefit the public derives by
lhrSe practical lessons showing what
careful and intelligent handling can do
with stock.
The fair also furnishes place where
the farmer may examine the different
kinds nf improved machinery necessary
for use on the farm He can then and
there Judge of the merits aud drmerts
of the different kinds on exhibition and
call to his aid if necessary the exper-
fence of hrs, and wnen the time
comes when he wishes to buy he can
make his seduction with intelligence
Ii has been said that reforms 10 be
lasting must be based on the intell-
gence nf the people. think it would
be- equally true to say success on the
farm to he perm tnent must b. based
on the ability aud intelligence of the.
farmer The influences OF tho fair then
is certainly IN The right direction for it
furnish - grand school of instruction
aHd entertainment.
that alone ought TO make it invaluable
to the farmer and his family. Few who
have not been residents of the county
can rightly understand the monOtony
ane samenrss Of the farmers life. Vis-
ting is rare. He lives comparatively a
secluded life. Is there any wonder
that the Youth of the country, as they
grow to manhood aud WON inhnod.
should look about for other fields of
labor? Nav this secluded and tread
mill life is all wrong. M human being
can exist and develop the q ,dglven
faculties without u certain am luuL ui
change and recreation. II there b.
denied the whole M nal and moral
nature must snff y. Farmers are loo
much alone We need Ia meet aud
compare methods, Exchange views and
above all learn To think. Now if thi,
be- true. know of no way that would
better reach the desired result than TO,
each and every farmer and his famlI,
10 attend the agricultural fair Youl
home fair ceriain and as many more a.
you think proper.