The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1905-08-05

The Baltimore County Fair-Farmers
Should Take More Interest In It.--There is
every reason why the Hmonium fair should
be one of the best in the State. Its location
near Baltimore insures good attendance,
provided. of course, there Is suitable attrac-
tions to interest city people. What is it that
is interesting to city people? Not the racing
events alone, as too many seem to conclude.
The agricultural features are more interesting
to city people than the races, for the racing
events are in sense c0mm0n-there are so
many OF them. Farmers are heard complain.
ing that the agricultural features of the county
fairs are yearly growing less in quantity and
quality and that the events are gradually
evolving into what Josh Billings once termed
them, agricultural boss trots."
The resources of Baltimore county, if the
farmers would do their duty, are such that
there could be displays of grains. fruits. vegeta
bles-in fact general farm products-made at
Timonium that would be forceful and very
pleasing object lesson. The varied exhibits
would to many be revelation, as would also
the quality. When it is known that Mary
land corn has won the highest honors at our
own worlds fairs and also abroad (Paris) does
1t not seem a shame that farmers who in Bal
timore county raise as fine corn as can be pro-
duced in the State, do not send exhibits to the
county fair. The Timonium fair should be
an advertisement that would make very
favorable impression on strangers as to the
arouse themselves to sense of the importance
of having their calling properly represented in
general farm products.
Theexhibits of live stock have been generally
good. although the home (State) breeders have
invariably bad to compete with professional
exhibitors. 1t is a question in the mind of
the writer whether these professional exhibit
tors who make it business of visiting the
circuit of fairs with their specially groomed
and conditioned herds, should be allowed to
compete with Maryland breeders. Records OF
utility, and farm animals in the condition that
good health and good care insures profitable
results, should be as much winning factors as
animals both over fat and groomed.
Years ago the oranges made at Timonium
some remarkably fine exhibits. There was
very lively and friendly spirit of rivalry and
the result was the oranges came with wagons
decorated in the most attractive manner with
farm products. These exhibits intensely in
terested city visitors and the writer on many
occasions noted that the establishment was
very pleasing and that, as educational features,
city and country people alike were benefited.
City people visit agricultural fairs because
they love to look at farm products and live
stock and are anxious to learn all they posi-
bly, can about the farm. Possibly, if not
majority of them. good many, at least, have
a "hankering" and are looking ahead to the
time when they shall come nearer to Natures
god and engage in farming.
Ii eaCn farmer OF the county WOulu 10 his
part as well as the farmers wives do in send
ing exhibits, what rousing fair Timonium
would have. The officers, I am sure, would
meet them more than half way. Throw aside
the one idea of winning premiums and be
generous as well as have pride enough to show
that the old farm is yielding something cred
table. That should be the spirit of Baltimore
county farmers.
Now that there is a new poultry house COM
pleted it is to be hoped that the poultry exhibit
will be greatly improved and continue to grow
so that in time it may compete with Hagers-
towns famous poultry show.
Country people visit agricultural fairs for
diversion. They see enough of the farm and
ever. to always take in all the exhibits as they
are sure to discover object lessons of value.
Then the balance of the time is devoted to
social features and seeing the sights or attrac-
tions the officials have provided. In these
days of progress the attractions are numerous
and varied and there are some who still are
possessed of stage-coach day whims who de.
cry all attractions other than Legitimate"
ones. They never aid any by sending "legiti-
mate" farm products; they just content them
selves by fault-fnding. No agricultural fair
lous as many of them are. Country and city
people alike enjoy them and are unceremo-
niously taken in" without distinction. The
officials always aim to secure clean attractions
but are sometimes deceived.
This article is not written to discuss the side
show features as it is well known such things,
sooner or later when they are found objection
able, are promptly righted. The object of this
is to stir up our Baltimore county farmers-to
revive their ambition, pride and loyalty to
their county fair. g. 0. B.