The record-union., 1892-10-20
THE SIERRAVILLE FAIR.
It Was Marked Success in All Its
Departments.
y Correspondents Who Does Not Be-
Heve That "Agricultural uosS
Trotso Are Desirable.

EDS. RECoRD-UNIoN: The thirteenth
annual fair of the Eleventh District Agri-
cultural Association was held in Sierra
vile, Sierra County, commencing on
Monday, October Sd, and continuing
through the week. This district, which
formerly consisted of Plumas, Sierra,
Lassen and Modoc Counties, was a few
years ago divided, and now consists Of
but the two former. Ever since the
forming of this Agricultural Association
most of its fairs have been held in Plu-
mas County. None of them having been
held in Sierra County, she naturally felt
anxious to attain to that honor.
When it was decided that the thirteenth
annual fair of the association was to be
held in Sierraville, a thriving town in
Sierra County, the people naturally felt
that they would do their best; and the re-
suit was ample accommodations for all
and successful fair, considering the
rainy week.
The race-traclk (Which with a large
share OF the crowds in attendance, was the
central attraction) was said by some sport
ing men to be the best in this portion of
the State. The accommodations for live
!
good as could be expected in this region,
where the attention of the people in any
considerable number is but lately being
turned to the breeding OF tine stock, and
where the difficulties OF bringing stock
over mountain roads from remote por-
tlons OF the district are to be considered.
The display Of fruits and vegetables
was really fine, and to one who has
watched the development of the agricult-
ural resources Of this section, was Won
dertul. The number and quality of the
different displays OF vegetables on eXhi-
bluon was such, 1T would seem, rs to rem
der utterly futile any effort OF the judges
to decide as to which was more deserving
OF premiums.
THE PAVILION
Presented a fine appearance, there being
on exhibition great variety OF articles,
from the most useful and practical to
numberless dainty triHes, showing such
delicate skill in their workmanship that,
though the masculine mind occasionally
deplores the waste of time over things of
such slight practical value, yet the better
way to look at the matter is in admira-
ton Of the skill which so deity fashions
such delicate work.
Had the doors which are only Just now
opening to women been as wide ajar
through all the centuries as they have
been to men, her quick brain. busy i'm
gers and delicate touch might have
wrought wonders Of which she has as yet
no idea.
The display in the culinary line looked
toothsome and inviting, while there was
a good showing made in canned fruits,
honey, cheese, butter, etc. Many dairy
men present were much interested in the
testing of the numerous samples of milk
with Baocock milk-tester from the Ne
Vada Experimental Station. In the
CHILDREN's DEPARTMENT
Of the Pavilion the display was gratify-
ing in the extreme. For successful guild
ing of the fingers by the conscious or
planning will is almost more to be de-
sired than mental excellence in our chill
dren. Whether lessons in handicraft are
given by an earnest mother, or whether
local, County or District Fairs form an
incentive to cause children to shape.
match, carve, draw, paint, bake or weave.
or do any good work with their hands.
the result should meet with our hearty
approval.
The floral display at our fair was most
excellent both in the line Of growing
plants and cut flowers. Altogether those
long resident here felt natural pride in
the different exhibits at the fair; and,
looking back to the early days of pioneer
ing here, realized what marvels the years
have wrought in this northland. The fair
offered an enjoyable opportunity for
meeting old friends to those usually
closely confined by home duties Yet
many of us felt like taking issue that the
main feature of the agricultural fair was
horse-racing. The protest against
HOUSEKEEPING AT FAIRS
Is not new zone, but it is one that may
well bear repeating. Were the same
earnest effort made to rid the country of
this evil tina. has been put forth against
the Louisiana lottery, we might hope that
the name of agricultural fairs would not
continueto be misn0mer. If men must
gamble, why can it not be confined to
gam mbling-houses and Neutrality-suspicious..
and not be done in such public places
where the growing youth of our land will
imbibe its demOraliZing effects?
In our fair we did not feel that the gam
bling was in the least dignified from the
fact that one of the county officers of Plu-
mas County was engaged in selling pools.
This fact, however, should make voters
look iiJtle more into the matter Of where
they bestow their offices of trust and
honor.
The important part which horse-racing
took in the Eleventh District Fair may
be seen in the fact that the race horses
were fed free of charge, while the farmers
who took stock to exhibit were obliged to
feed them while on exhibition. This
needs no comment.
GOOD FOR FARMERS.
The farmer whose business, if it proves
successful, demands the closest attention,
needs the recreation of agricultural fairs.
We need the fairs as an incentive to bet
ter farming. We need them as a tonic
an uplitt, diversion from the life of all
work which renders Jack a dull boy"
We need them to show US the successes of
our neighbors, and the possibilities which
are in store for US, as a reward for diligent
application. NJ. 2. A.
Beckwith. Plumas County.