Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-08-06
THE FARM.
The Agricultural Fair.

Attendance upon the agricultural fans
IS one of the important, and to great
extent unappreciated, means by which
farmers can easily obtain both pleasure
and profit 1t is true, as is often as
serted that too many of our fairs have
made horse-trots aud side shows OF vari-
Gus kinds altogether too prominent. But
even where the legitimate purpose OF an
agricultural fair seems to have been al
most wholly forgotten, and the adver-
tising ATTRACTIONS" are foreign to the
proper spirit of the occasion, the intelli-
gent and thoughtful farmer can find
much that will be pleasant and useful
Tnens TOO, Oy hits prUSvrrvo ~usa iufiuouoos
and by his contributions as an exhibitor,
he can do much to improve the character
of the fair and to bring about better
state Of things for the future.
Even at fair which, from an agricul-
tural point of view, is far from first
class, the farmer will find many things
that he does not have at home, and will
be able to obtain a good deal.of informa-
tion. He will find different breeds of the
various classes of live stock and can
Judge much better of their relative mer-
its, and of their adaptation to his cir
cumstances and conditions, by looking
them over than he can by merely read
ing about them. Different varieties OF
corn and other grain will be exhibited,
and he can form a pretty correct opinion
as to whether any of the sorts are supe-
rior TO the ones which he has under cul-
tivation. He will also find specimens OF
the new varieties OF potatoes, and can
decide whether 1t will be best TO give any
of them a trial the next season. The
same is true of the numerous kinds OF
garden vegetables
In regard TO fruits great deal OF in
1<0ssst.~
every farmer will find specimens OF
varieties which he does not grow, but
about which he has read. He can note
their special characterisIics and compare
their qualities with those OF the sorts
which he produces. Farm implements
an6 machines will also be on exhibition,
and, by looking them over, the visitor
may get many excellent ideas about
labor-saving implements. Even IL he
does not find anything that he needs to
purchase, he will get much useful infor'
nation in comparing the machines OF
different makers
Not the least OF the benefits which the
farmer will receive from attending the
fair will be gained by meeting friends
and acquaintances who are In the same
line of business, and in talking with
hem about the various methods OF doing
farm work and the relative value of diff
ferent crops and varieties. Then, too
aside from all direct business interests
he change from tho avervdav Nvnrk az
fng with other people, VIII be OF greal
and lasting benefit both to body and
mind.
Not only should the farmer go to the
fair but he should take his family witt
him. Even more than himself the boys
and girls need the change from ordinar!
duties and the information that Is to o.
obtained at the fair. They will ther'
find much to interest them in, and max
them contented with, farm life. An
far more than any other member OF Tn
family the wife needs the change whlc
attendance at the fair will give 10 th
routine of daily life. She will see nun
berless things In which she will be inter
ested. meet many old friends, get nun
erous helpful hints, and be greatly ell
couraged for faithful work In the future
BY all means go to the fair. Ii poss
ble enter something for exhibition an
thus gain a personal interest in its SUI
cess. Take the family along and mai
a day of it," II wisely improved IL w
be a day OF many benefits and VIII
long and pleasantly remembered oy q
-PTdcticdL Farmer.