Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-05-30
FAIRS ARE VALUABLE EDUCATORS
Educ ational Benefits Received There All
Important to Exhibitors.

John NJ. True, of the college of agli-
| culture tells of the benefit derived by
farmers.
The educational benefits of a first
class fair are all important to the ex-
hibltor. All things are good or had by
comparison. That which seems in the
eye of interested ownership to approach
perfection rs seen by itself, when
brought into competition with superior
quality in the show ring frequently he
comes plain and unsatisfactory, and
the defeated exhibitor is brought To see
what constitutes necessary character
istics for winner.
The great object lesson at our best
live stock exhibits do more TO tiS high
and correct ideals in the minds Of in
terested observers, than all other means
in use. The written or verbal descrip-
ton of perfection in animal form; the
pictured excellencies of famous prize
winners, as shown in our Illustrated
stock journals, fell so far short of the
satisfaction of actual critical inspec-
tion of some living moving type Of hi.
breed.
To the novice. the great fair brings
the best of opportunities to become
familiar with breed characteristics.
The peculiar color, form and other dis
tinctlve traits or markings of the diff
ferent breeds of horses, &C sheep,
swine and poultry, can beat studied
from representative selectid and ny
watching the work of tha - 1ge in
charge, he may also learn W Z consti-
tutes points of excellence in d . lrlpus
breeds under consideration. 4
| have met people who could " little
or no good in fairs. They co cred
them simply places of amuseme, Z { &
questionable character. Horse Z ng,
balloon ascensions, acrobatic pc z IN
ances and the like seemed to be al Q ey
saw, and these they condemned. Z Ill
i don't consider horse racing, / \ N
ascensions and feats OF human str, h
or ability, the most important things to
be seen at a fair, and still very much
worse things might be be witnessed by
almost anyone without visiting a fair,
and this too, under the protection of
we'll regulated city governments An
honest horse race, conducted under
Wisconsin laws, is in no sense disre-
putable or demoralizing The same
may be said for many other special at
fractions popular at leading fairs. There
is class of shows sometimes seen at
fairs, though now ruled out by all well
regulated associations, which have no
moral right to existence anywhere, and
cannot be too strongly condemned.
wish to urge you to interest your
selves in your fairs, both local and state.
Under the present state law there is
little chance for demoralizing influences
without endangering the procuring of
state aid. Fairs are made successful
only by the active and loyal support Of
the people they represent,
Show me asuccessful county fair and
will call your attention TO the fact
that the people of that county or dis
trict lose no chance to speak we'll Of
their fair. Their criticisms are not
given to the public. When one thous-
and people come to their grounds ] am
quite sure they will claim there aIs two
thousand present. If anything is not
| first class they don't call attention to it,
but steer you around to something
better. This is loyalty that is infec
tious, and it means popular support
hence larger premiums and a better
| fair