Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-07-11
Agricultural Fairs.

Agricultural Fairs.
We believe the agricultural fair, in its
true form, occupies and will continue to
occupy an important place in the de.
velOpment and Improvement of our
agriculture. An open air exhibition OF
some kind has had place in nearly all
countries and among all peoples, and
will continue to be in demand as long as
mans love of nature endures. 1t has
been of different forms and has fulfilled
different purposes. Its mission is
changing with the changes in industrial
life and the progress of the people. In
our mother country in the earlier days
the fair was primarily place to market
goods. People from the surrounding
country brought goods for comparison
and then for sale. In other countries
and at other periods the social features
have been made the most prominent,-
the fair has been made a center of fes-
tivities; again, entertainment or amuse-
meut has been the prevailing idea, until
questionable shows and games of chance
nave gained ascendency. With us, to-
lay, the most important purpose of the
fair is not as q market place; the sources
IF amusement for the farmer are more
abundant so that it no longer meets a
special want in that direction, but the
best features, the educational features,
are the essential and abiding ones. As a
supplement to agricultural schools, fur
nishing that most potent of all teaching,
object lessons, and stimulating the farm
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methods and the raising of better stock
and farm crops, we believe the fair
should have permanent place in agri-
cultural advancement.
MANAGEMENT.
We fully recognize the fact that the
problem presented to the managers of
an agricultural fair is by no means an
easy one. 4 great responsibility rests
upon them. Fairs are expensive, large
amount of money is needed 10 run them.
The bills must be paid, and the money
must come largely from the gate receipts.
The officers have the difficult proposition
TO meet of making the fair 50 attractive
as 10 draw all classes and thus ensure
a large attendance and financial success,
and at the same time of such character
rs 10 instruct and educate the people
md of such practical utility as To meet
the wants of the common people, and
especially those who are interested in
the products of the farm. We believe it
is the desire of the officers to keep with
in the limits of the statutes and to offer
premiums of sufficient size to encourage
the farmers To make large exhibits OF
stock aud farm products; and at the
same time the people must be interest
ed enough so that the patronage will be
such as To pay the bills.
There are many people who visit our
fairs who are not personally interested in
agriculture and agricultural products,
and the fair should be broad enough
10 be instructive and interesting to
these. There is certain class OF peo-
ple who want TO be amused. The man
ayers must see To it that inducements
ire offered for all, but they should never
>tCnp to anything that is debasing.
People can be amused and at the same
time instructed; all entertainments
should include the thought of educa-
ton and elevation. As the intelligence
of the people is increasing and they are
becoming more educated, ii requires
higher standard to meet the wants of
those attending fairs than il did in for
mer wears. There has been growing
feeling for some time that in order to
attract the best people in the communi-
ty there must be excluded from the
fairs all shows or exhibitions that are
Objectionable, such as those that are
vulgar or dishonest.
While we believe that entertainments
have a place and that the social benefits
should by no means be overlooked, it is
still our firm opinion that the educa-
tional features should be made the most
prominent ones, and that clean, in
structive, beneficial fair may be success
fully conducted, even from the financial
standpoint.
The purpose of the state in granting
aid to these fairs is to encourage stock
raisers by inducing them to bring the
flocks and herds and place them upon
exhibition and have them judged by
competent, expert judges, who will
point out the differences and the points
IN which the animals excel or are In
feriOr: and by comparison and present.
ing the perfect type TO encourage the
raising of better farm products. The
money is expended for educational
purposes, to lift the agriculture of the
state to higher plane.
Section II of chapter go of the Revised
Statutes provides that the societies
shall cause the prohibitory liquor law to
be enforced on all grounds over which
they have control and not allow gam
bling in any form or games of chance on
said grounds. The court has held THAT
playing any game or operating any
scheme or device for gain in which
chance has any place, is gambling; that
il is not necessary that both parties
should stand to lose as we'll as to win,
but it is enough if one party stands to
win or lose"
The officers are responsible and should
see to it that the above law is fully en-
forced. 1t is no apology for them to
say, "As far as we know it is enforced. y
The statute provides that they should
know that the law is enforced on the
entire grounds. That society that
strictly enforces it will financially sue
ceed best. The public are demanding
law abiding and clean fairs. The state
stipend has been withheiu ior 'he 'io-
lation of these laws.
THE EXHIBITION.
The markets are demanding more and
finer products, put up more attractively,
and there is no place where the standard
can be SET before the farmer better than
at the fair. While the exhibition should
be broad, the special industries of the
section should be most largely repre-
sented. The officers should be thorough
ly alive to the wants and needs of the
people in their vicinity. In addition to
the ordinary exhibits, the illustration OF
agricultural processes, as far as prac'
ticable,-exhibitions which will teach
lessons in modern economical methods,
will be of much educational value. AT
the exhibition held by the Royal Agri
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