The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1911-12-26
SHOULD STIMULATE FARMER
County Fair Association versus the
Farmer.


Is the farmer deriving the benefit
from the fairs that should be due him
for his labors?
The primary object of an agricultur-
al fair is to encourage the farmer, to
stimulate him that he may grow
larger, better and more marketable
crops. 1t is the time when the farmer
and his products should always hold
sway. 1t only happens once a year
and a farmer is entitled to at least that
much recognition. The farmer is there
to learn wherein he has made his mis-
takes, and how and where he can and
should rectify them
Racing Features Too Prominent.
The premium list originally intro
duced to attract the farmer to compen-
safe in part at least for the time, labor
and money spent in growing, selecting
and preparing his articles for exhibit
tion have SO deteriorated that at many
fairs they have become farce. This
is especially true in the crop depart
ment of many of the fairs. However,
the racing end of the fairs has had it's
premiums increased until at some of
the larger fairs, single premiums as
high as five hundred dollars have been
listed This would not be serious if
the farmer had his premium lists in
creased in proportion. But instead his
premiums have been decreased in or
der that the racing premiums might
be enlarged. At some of the fairs the
agricultural side has in a measure
been practically disregarded.
Premium Lists Need Revision.
Premiums have been Jumped off in
punches without any regard as to the
crops grown in the community nor the
value of same to the community The
same premiums are paid for freaks
and curiosities that have no CONNER
| cial value, as are paid for crops that
are widely grown in the state and
recognized all over the United States
as the best of their kind produced
The fair association should know
| which crops are most profitably grown
in their respective communities and
then encourage the commercial pro-
duction of that crop by Offering larger
premiums for same.
! Show Business Expensive to Farmer
Who Shows.
The fair association depend upon
the farmer to make their fair attrac-
| wv oIIu W SCI tuc SuppolG vi Tie
farmer they should make it worth
while for him to show. The exhibit
ton business is expensive and takes
considerable time, and as a rule u.s.
ually come during the farmers busiest
season. He cannot afford to put his
valuable time and labor into a propo-
sition when he receives no compensa-
ton for his time and effort. A dollar
or two as premium for first place for
a product that has taken from a day
to whole seasons labor In the selec-
ton and preparation for show, is nc
| compensation, and in large measure
explains why only few farmers show
their products at most fairs,
Special Crops Deserving of Higher
Premiums.
In selecting the crops that should
receive the highest awards in prem
lums, 1t is necessary to select those
crops that can be shipped in large
quantities, and especially crops thai
are not too perishable Some of Ida.
nos best crops are wheat, oats, barley
Dotstoes, alfalfa, onions, navy beans
aifalfa seed, and where factories are
mandy, the sugar beet. These crops
are all commercial crops that can b,
sold In car lot quantities. The east
crn markets recognize their value ant
In great many instances are begin
ming to demand them. A couple hun
bred dollars expended for premium
OH these few crops would soon be
source of encouragement to the farm
er and it would certainly stimulat
the production of these marketabl
crops. A. C, AICHER.
Supt. Aberdeen Cooperative Station
Aberdeen Idaho