Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-07-26

local short courses usually last but one
week. The work given is much ike
that OF the college short course. al
though. of course. there is not as much
equipment TO work with Every stu
dent is obliged to bring ten ears of
corn for class work. Stock is obtain
ed from local breeders. The Iowa Agri-
cultural college last winter sent out a
car loaded with some OF the best Of
the college stock and corn 10 short
courses IN that state. The local short
courses are very popular and reach
many farmers who cannot get away
from home for more than a few days
al time
One of the oldest mesus for taking
Information TO the farmers is the
farmers institute This is exceptional
ly good in that it gives chance for
great deal of discussion ap'ong farm
ers. which creates interest and brings
out the methods which have proved
most successful Usually two or three
speakers from the college are present
to talk al these institutes.
The county fair is another rural In
stitution that is a great educator The
old type Of county fairs. that were lit
tie more than racing meets and places
for gamblers, Is almost a thing of the
past The modern county fair has its
full share of amusements. but they are
for the most part clean good horse
race is enjoyed by every red blooded
farmer. A baseball game or balloon
ascension adds to the enthusiasm An
opportunity is given to the farmer and
his family TO meet their friends from
all parts Of the country The VII
lage and town people mingle with the
farmers on an equal basis, and ali get
better acquainted Many fair associa-
tions have provided groves where pic
ME dinners can be spread
The best part of the fair, however,
is the educational feature This is fos-
tered by competition. There are corn
growing contests for the boys and corn
and stock judging contests. Often the
boys who come out ahead in these con-
tests are sent to the short course at
the college and their expenses paid by
the fair association. The farmers are
eager to see which can produce the
best colt or best steer. A man from
the agricultural college judges the
stock. After he has placed the rib
bons he explains why the prize win.
ming animals were given the prefer.
enee. The man who gets a blue ribbon
goes home encouraged to strive harder
than ever. while his neighbor who is
placed further down the line grits his
teeth and determines to have some
thing next year that cannot be beaten
The county fair is Americas most tru-
ly rural institution and is one of the
foremost factors in arouslng interest
in country life.
What the county fair does for locali-
ties the state and district fairs do for a
larger territory. Perfect cattle vie with
each other for the premier honors. and
the massive drafters divide the popu-
lar attention with the high stepping
dashily moving carriage horses.
Spreading agricultural knowledge by
special train is a new way of reaching
the farmer that Is just coming into
vogue The movement began in Iowa
six years ago. when ehe seed corn
trains were run on all the principal
railroads of the state A regular
schedule was made. the train stopping
for half an hour al each station. The
cars were Oiled with farmers. and the
college professors explained the value
of tested seed corn aud told how the
testing could be done, a comparison
of the average Yields of corn In the