Morris tribune., 1912-11-15
INCREASE PREMIUMS.
Fair Associations to Push Spe-
cial Varieties.

O1 big SCone, traverse, Wllkln,
Stevens, Pope and Swift counties met
at the School of Agriculture. The
meeting was called for the purpose
formulating plans for more unified |
action, regarding the county fairs for
next year. 1t was thought that by |
working together the counties might |
produce more attractive exhibitions !
than ever before.
Supt Higbie, of the School of |
Agriculture presided at the Friday !
evening meeting.
Prof. P. E. Miller was the first !
speaker of the evening. He discussed |
the possibility of Encouragement of |
county fair premium lists. He sug-
gested that the number of classes for |
which small prizes are given should |
be greatly decreased and the prizes
for standard varieties which grow we'll
in this section of the state, should be
largely increased. He pointed out
the fact that frequently very inferior
grain or corn get first prize at our
county fairs for the sole reason that
it is the only variety of its sort ex-
hibited. He expressed the belief
that each community should concent-
rate its efforts on few we'll recognized
varif ties of grain rather than attempt
to raise all the known varieties and
he felt that this could be aided by a
judiciCus concentration of fair prizes
giving a marked advantage to those
which the community had decided to
unite on. 1t was pointed out as one
example that in those sections Of the
state which are noted for large yields
of potatoes, that the growers agree
to raise only one or two varieties;
that in those sections large prizes are
given for the community varieties
and more for others while in many
of the counties in this part of the
state small prizes to the number of
Is or Is are frequently given. He
also pointed out that concentration of
this sort greatly simpliied the task
of the county fair judge and made it
possible for him to make more satis-
factory judgements.
A general discussion followed Mr..
Miller's address. 1t was generally
agreed that his criticisms were fair
and should be needed. Other sug-
gestions were made. MIR. Newman,
of Wheaton. told of the "whole farm"
exhibits which were quite effective
at the Traverse county fair this year.
Prizes are offered and space given
FOR each entrant to put on an exhibit
of all the products of his farm not to
have less than fifteen different arti
cIes. This exhibit may be marked
with the name of the farm and the
owner of the exhibit.
1t was agreed that county fair pre-
MUM lists should be made up and
published early in the season to en-
able exhibitors to anticipate and pre-
pare for th' best prize. Objection
was made to this that it prevented
much of the advertising which help
pay for the premium lists but Mr..
Newman showed that such loss was
much less than might be anticipated
for the lists were much less expensive
without the advertisements.
Supt. Granger. of Wilkin county.
told of his success in securing cooper
alton in the raising of uniform varie-
ties. He made special mention of an
exhibit of corn where the quantities
required were a bushel or more by
each exhibitor. This he said was as
much more fair and more impressive
than the small ten ear exhibits.
Prof. Palmer. of Wheaton. told
briefly about "Corn Day. which he
held recently. Thirty six boys en-
tered his "Acre Yield" contest and
on Corn Day each boy drove into town
with the yield of his entire acre piled
high on single wagon. 1t was sug-
gested that similar contest might
be staged by the fair managers.
Supt. Higbie and Supt. A. D. Will
son. of the University, outlined a
tentative plan of university coopera-
ton with the county fair managers
whereby it might be possible to Sc
cure the University Glee and Dramatic
clubs to furnish some of the enter.
tajnment features at the fairs to dis
place many of the inferior shows
which the managers are compelled
to take at present. This topic was
opened in general discussion and was
heartily supported by T. H. Mcguire
MIR Jones suggested that a commit
tee be appointed to communicate will
other counties and arrange for clr'
cult of fairs which would enable thu
managers to secure these university
,,;ao&ly ond oh6An1V