New-York tribune., 1908-02-14
THE COUNTY FAIRS.
Need of Agricultural Amakening-
Politics in Appropriations.

participation in its receipts Is much needed re-
form that will call out discussion and an examina
tion of the agricultural conditions OF the state
that will prove OF great value.
The original purpose Of state appropriations for
agricultural fairs was to encourage local improve
,nent in livestock and general farm productions
For several years very active interest was mani
tested and much good resulted TO the farming in
dustry from these appropriations. but In the later
conduct OF county fairs there has been wide de-
parture from their original purpose
In recent years largely has the money appro-
prated, for the county fairs been used In the IN
terest OF racing associations that local horse breed
Ing has not been properly encouraged For more
than quarter of century the majority OF the
farmers of New York State have not raised the
horses needed In their business.
Over hundred thousand horses sold n
nualy in New York City alone. and these raised
mostly IN the growing states OF the West
New York Pennsylvania raised horse has an
acknowledged higher value OF 30 per cent over
Western horses. because OF the better water and
more nutritious grasses of the limestone soils of
Eastern farms which produce nrmer bone. better
muscle and sounder feet.
During the last ten years horses have advanced
in value 80 per cent, and New York farmers. in
stead OF being in position to benefit by the higher
value, are large buyers rather than sellers OF this
STOCK The county fairs OF the present time are
given over too much to horseracing and shows
and entertainments, most OF which are of doubtful
character and OF little value to agricultural com
munitles. while the cattle shows conducted
or little interest to farmers the public which
attend them. The few farmers who have attenpted
to breed the trotttng horse have not improved the
breed, while most Of them have lost their farms
oy the mortgages put upon them to meet the ex
penses and losses In business for which they had
neither capital nor adequate knowledge
The great needs of the fairs are more educational
1eatures The managers should hold directors
meetings in the winter, invite farmers to at
tend Them to consider fully their interests.
of hove
shoud be offered for driving quality other than
speed One Of the most valuable qualities in a
morse Is his walking gait Another feature OF
great value would be exhibition OF horses
trained to meet automobiles, thrashing or trac-
tion engines and other objects frequently met on
country roads.
The pleasure and safety OF country driving are
seriously affected because few horses have had
intelligent training such as gives them confidence
IN meeting unexpected objects In the public high
ways Any agricultural society will Introduce
such features and advertise them would find a new
Interest on the part of large buying public and
every horse or pair OF horses SO trained or edu
Gated shown in class by themselves would De
quickly in demand at premium.
Other educational lines Of work should be taken
up by fair associations for the Improvement OF all
kinds Of livestock IN practical ways. The
standard OF the dairy cows Of the state is ruin
Ously low. II model stable were erected on
every fair ground with the sanitary conditions and
OlHeE improvements PROVIDED tnat are so greatly
needed on most farms It would be invaluable in
many ways. and particularly in the efforts that are
being made TO reduce the tuberculOus conditions
so general and widespread among dairy
New York needs awakening and revival in
agricultural spirit this will not come until It's
great farming interests made less subject
and removed from much OF political domination.
There is state in the union that has greater ad
vantages for a highly prosperous agriculture with
markets and transportation facilities uneQualled
1t has Department of Agriculture that is ex-
pending large sums Of money appropriated by the
state annually: in the estimation OF some OF the
best agricultural thinkers too largely IN the direc
tion of political fence mendng rather than in Civ
ing to the state strong. leading and progressive
a agricultural policy While for years the Legis-
lature has appropriated large for nursery and
orchard inspection and for protective measures
against orchard insect pests, New York State ap-
pies from their generally poor quality and poorer
packing have steadily grown in disfavor with the
best trade OF cities. which receives its sup
plies from the orchards OF states three thousand
miles away. From the apples are
suffering in reputation in foreign markets
Being the of New York orchard Of ten
thousand apple trees and knowing that fine
apples produced in this state in any part
of the world. I speak with some authority on
this point.
There two institutions in the state to which l
farmers should give more thought and attention
Cornell Agricultural College and the New York |
shoIii have the direction Of all agricultural edu-
cationaI work in the state including the farmers
Institutes and educational features to be estab-
lished at the state and county fairs. The expert
ment station should have further equipment needed
for scientific investigation, which would enable it
to keep the agriculture OF the to the front
In every line OF its best development.
The farmers OF New York are heIpessly and |
hopelessIy without leaders. and until they bring
into tine work more o. educational aid scien- !
rifc methods their sons and daughters will con- |
tinue TO desert the and the valua Bile markets
of our state will continue get from other states
horses. good fruit poultry. eggs and other prod
nets that should be produced from New York soil |
Governor Hughes in his message has done far |
more for the agriculture OF New York than to ap
neal 10 farmers 10 cease from being the recipients
NJ the gambling receipts of racetracks He has /
-ased the question OF direct appropriations for /
grict1ture and this should give rise 70 vigorous
rouirv into the general condition and needs Of the
agriculture of the state-an inquiry not only into
he expenditure OF money appropriated for county /
-airs but into all expenditures for agriculture.
Farmers have large power and influence in public
rairs 1t is their opportunity, with a Governor
Interested in having the best service rendered in
.verv branch of government. to rise the
,ccasiou and cooperate and aid In progressive
,ericuIturaI movement that shall put New York
state with its splendid advantages to the front.
md demand that in the expenditure OF the money
appropriated for agriculture more business and
ass politics be put into IL.
GEORGE T. POWELL.
President Agricultural Experts Association
New York, Feb. 10. 1905.