Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1891-08-06
THE FARM.


Attendance upon the agricultural fairs
is one of the important, and to great
extent unappreciatcd, 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 and 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-
Using 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.
Then, too, by his presence and influence,
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 a 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 q good deal of infOrma-
ton. 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 60 pretty correct opinion
as to whether any of the sorts are Supe-
rior to the ones which he has under Gull
tvation. He will also find specimens of
the new varieties of potatoes, and can
decide whether it will be best to give any
of them trial the next season. The
same is true of the numerous kinds Of
garden vegetables.
In regard to fruits great deal of in
formation can be obtained. Nearly
every farmer will find specimens of
varieties which he does not grow, but
about which he has read He can note
their special characteristics and compare
their qualities with those of the sorts
which he produces. Farm implements
anC machines will also be on exhibition,
and, by looking them over, the visitor
may get many excellent ideas about
tabOr-saVing implements. Even if he
does not find anything that ne needs to
purchase, he will get much useful infor
mation 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
line of business and in talking with
them 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,
the change from the everyday work of
the farm, aud the meeting and conyers-
ing with other people, will be of great
and lasting benefit both to body and
rmind.
Not only should the farmer go to the
fair but he should take his family with
him. Even more than himself the boys
and girls need the change from ordinary
duties and the information that is to be
t. obtained at the fair. They will there
find much to interest them in, and make
them contented with, farm life. And
far more than any other member of the
family the wife needs the change which
attendance at the fair will give to the
routine of daily life. She will see num-
beress things in which she will be inter-
ested, meet many old friends, get num-
erous helpful hints, and be greatly en-
couraged for faithful work in the future.
BY all means go to the fair. If posi-
ble enter something for exhibition and
thus gain a personal interest in its sue
cess. Take the family along and make
a day of it" ii wisely improved it will
be day of many benefits and will be
long and pleasantly remembered by all.
Practical Farmer.