The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1891-05-15

premiums as large in value as possible, and
not too many of them, and make all GsoGrds
contingent on free and fall competition in
every line"
The diminishing display CT agricultural
implements, in past years, is deplored. Mere
diplomas, as general thing, have but little
value, and the club suggests that liberal mon
ey premiums be offered for the display of ag-
ricultural implements and the erection of
line shafting, to enable exhibitors to show
their machines in operation. The engines on
exhibition would furnish the motive power.
The expense to the society would not be
great while the attractiveness of the display
would be much increased.
The letter also suggests temporary skeleton
frames, to be covered with canvas during the
fair, to protect exhibits from rain and sun.
The necessity for better arrangements for
the display of poulty is also suggested.
As to the public school exhibits the letter
says:
sin the department of public school exhib-
its we think the work shown merits increased
reward. If the teachers of the county would
contribute q small sum each, very attractive
premiums might be offered, which would GER
tainly stimulate effort and do much toward
developing the skill, ingenuity and taste of
the children"
One of the most severely criticized features
of the fair is the racing. On this point the
following is said:
"In regard to the racing features of the
fair, we doubt much whether either the visit
In, fho fol he aiofv alF
fitted in proportion to the amount appropri-
ated TO this feature. If one or two good goers
in the 2.15 to 2.20 class could be secured we
incline to the opinion that they would do
more to attract attendance than the present
or past plans"
The club suggests that the cattle raisers
and feeders. the butchers, the merchants, law
yers. m illers, doctors. manufacturers, Gamers
ministers, banks, newspapers, dairymen,
dealers in fertilizers, ladies, farmers, children
"each and all, in their separate capacity, COM
bine to offer special premium of such liberal
amount for some product of the county as
will insure such display of its resources as
has never yet been shown, and to publish to
the world what the real thrift, energy and
capacity of our people can do. A Gamer has
already suggested to US that each Gamer in
the county contribute one dollar toward a
grand sweepstakes premium for the best and
most artistically arranged display of canned
goods. Such display would be magnif-
cent advertisement of their goods and would
undoubtedly prove an excellentlinvestment"
The wilma Farmers Club backs up its ad-
vice with the offer of special premium of
$25 for the best display of print but
ter made in the county. Four prints of one
half pound each in each entry; no coloring
matter to be used and not less than fifteen en-
tries to compete. Twelve dollars for the
first, eight dollars for the second and five dol
lars for the third best LOT. The Fair Society
to furnish glass case supplied with ice in
which to keep the exhibits. The winning
lots to be donated to, and sold at auction on
the grounds for the benefit of the Society.
The other farmers clubs of the county are
exhorted to offer, likewise, special premiums
for say fruit, vegetables potatoes especially
grain, &c.
The letter concludes:
"All these special premiums would relieve
the Society to that extent, thus allowing them
to expend more in increasing the facilities Of
fered exhibitors, and then if the rule is passed
and enforced that every one, save the officers
of the Society, and perhaps few of the lar
fee at the gates, we believe there would be a
show for bringing the Society out of its pre-
sent embarrassed position and make it cred
it and source of satisfaction to the entire peo-
pie of the county. All this to do. One
thing not to do. Do not admit to the
grounds the miserable flim-fam, wheel of for
tune and skin games, that rob and demoralize
the unwary and are a disgrace to the grounds"
Messrs. VIM. III. Edelin, and w. T. L. Tai
iaferro, representing the Falston Farmers
Club, presented the views of that organiza-
ton, in letter to the directors, and explain
ed their suggestions. These were, in SUBJ
stance, as follows:
LIST. That all second premiums be done
away with, except in the Children's and the
Public School departments.
ID. That the number of sub-classes in the
Household department be reduced.
Sd. That an expert judge be employed in
each department.
4th. That mounted police be employed,
breaking through 1t.
9Th. That the aggregate amount of race
premiums be reduced, and that a portion of
it be devoted to the encouragement of county
horses not driven by professionals.
9th. That no person be allowed to stand
between the outer and inner fences of the
quarter-stretch, while races or amusements
are in progress.
9TH. That the rule of the society be en-
forced requiring exhibitors to show their du-
plicate tickets before removing articles which
have been exhibited in the main building.
9Th. That ticket admitting one person
and team to the fair grounds for the first two
days of the fair be issued to each share of
stock-all persons paying for admission after
the first two days.
The communication endorses the sugges-
ton made by the wilma Club that all articles
winning special premiums be donated to the
society, to be sold on the last day of the Fair.
and that where offers of such special premi-
ums are secured of greater value than those
now offered by the society the latter be with
drawn and finally, that the directors appoint
some active, energetic person as agent to So
licit special premiums, both within and out,
side of this county.
The suggestions made are in the main
good, but all will avail nothing if the people
of the county do not put their shoulders to
the wheel and help the fair along. They can
do this not only by freely exhibiting the pro.
duce OF their farms, in the way of stock, field
crops, vegetables and fruits, the results of the
industry, ingenuity and skill of the ladies and
children of each household, but by their per.
soual influence in inducing persons to come
TO the fair, and generally by sustaining the
directors in their arduous and often thankless
labor for the good of the county. Our
annual fairs have been of great value to
the county by stimulating individual enter.
prise and showing to outsiders the resources
and capabilities Of Hartford. 1t would be q
miafortune and loss If the society were dis