Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-07-11
naming the variety, the conditions un.
der which it was grown, etc. This will
involve extra time and expense but we
believe the value of the exhibition will
be enhanced sufficiently to warrant it.

be enhanced sufficiently to warrant it.
PRIZES.
Prizes should be offered in such way
as to encourage better methods OF pro-
duction; for instance, a prize should
not be offered for the finest bushel of
potatoes, so that farmer can pick out
from his potato bin bushel of very
fine ones, but for the acre Of potatoes
yielding the most at the least expense.
Prizes should not be awarded on abnor-
NAL specimens, but on the product
which is nearest the true type OF that
variety. A premium for the cow that
makes the most butter during the year,
instead of the COW that produces the
most butter fat in twenty-fOur hours,
would be more beneficial, as it would
encourage the farmers to keep daily
record of the production of their cows.
In the arrangement of prizes the
children should be considered, and
special pains taken to interest them In
farm life. Prizes for the naming OF
miscellaneous assortments OF apples, for
the best collection of weeds, insects,
etc., would awaken interest and pro-
mote education in these lines.
A special class, known as the Blue
Ribbon Glass, should be made for those
animals that have won the blue ribbon
and whose reputation has been great and
their service long. They should con-
tend against each other, thus giving the
breeder a better opportunity for pre-
senting his young animal and those or
less reputation. 1t would certainly De
discouraging to place an animal that had
never been exhibited against these ami
mails that have won many premiums and
gained great regulations. This would
not give the young animal fair chance
The awarding of the prizes, it the
Judging is done by thoroughly compe-
tent Judge who is ready to impart in
formation, can be made a very instruc-
tive feature.
COMMENTS FROM CONTRIBUTORS.
DENMARK-Our agricultural fairs
should be a good school for our young
people, but there seems to be the idea
that a colt and horse, the trotttng horse,
should have all the big premiums and
neat stock and crops should take what
there is left. Our premiums for crops
will not pay the extra expense OF getting
them ready, entering, etc., and while
the premiums are so small on young
stock. but few will take it to the fair.
Now if our young people are to be en-
to take an interest IN aSri.
culture let us pay premiums ior al
kinds of young stock, crops, poultry,
swine, ETC., that will make II an OBJECT
for them to try, and cut down the pre-
miums on horse trotting to pay the
extra amount. Then let the plows, har-
rows and all kinds of tools be worked
so that farmers can see which is best.
AS for Judging. l would have it done
honestly by good, experienced farmers
who know a good animal when they see
il CHARLES B. SMITH.
BErHEL-I think we have too many
fairs, and in many cases it would be quite
proper to omit the word agricultural
as the horse trotting is the main thing
and receives the lions share of the pre-
miums. Take the horse in and have
him Judged according to his merits,
along with the other stock of the farm.
What benefit can be derived from
seeing fine specimens selected from large
crops unless we can learn something OF
the conditions under which the crop was
produced? IL. F. MANN
PARIs-Keep the fair buildings and
grounds in as good repair as the FUNDS
will hermit. Make all exhibits as at
tractive as possible. Always look for
Improvement. Offer as large premiums
as the receipts will allow. Employ the
best of Judges, men of high standing.
Rule out ali Objectionable features.
H. d. HAMMOND.
DExTER-Agricultura fairs are not
what they should be in this enlightened
day. How to bring out the undevelop-
ed possibilities of our fairs is the ques-
tion. | have followed up the fairs for
wears past. The exhibits are always
light. for some reason. The premiums
are too small to encourage the farmers
to make an exhibit. 1t is great deal
of hard work to make display at the
fairs, and to have fine shows they must
offer large premiums. The judges
should be men who are competent and
understand the rules of judging stock
and farm crops, and they should not
show partiality to friend. Some ex-
hibitois do not understand how to fix
up an exhibit. If they would take more
pains and study this work and ask
questions of the judges they might learn
some valuable points to help out on the
next fairs. 1t is mistake to think
that fair can be run without any fakirs
or horse trotS. We must have those
things to help make up a good fair, but
| do not believe in any immoral fakirs or
rum traffic. Such things should be kept
out of the grounds and good order
maintained. A. "A. EASTMAN.
CROPS IN OXFORD COUNTY.
Condition of grass fields, "a per cent.
Condition of fruit trees, so per cent.
Varieties of apples that have blossomed
most fully, Northern Spy, Greening and
Baldwin. There was small increase OF
loss in apple trees last season in some
localities. Acreage of potatoes, 50 per
cent. Acreage of corn, 1O3 per cent.
The dairy herds will not be increased to
auy extent. Farmers are enlarging their
operations somewhat in several locall-
ties.-Maine Bulletin of Agriculture.
Progress of Agriculture.
s-o,,, a nanar road AT the last meet