Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-03-27
STATE AND COUNTY FAIRS.

davenport DcmOCrat.I
Newspaper editors, VINO are asked
every summer for the places and dates
Of the various agricultural fairs OF
their Part of the country, Will be glad
that Uncle Sam has come to their
help with a very complete lot Of data
on this subject. The bureau Of sta
tistios OF the department Of agricul-
ture has issued Bulletin l02, list OF
agricultural fairs and exhibitions In
the United States. So frequent are
the demands for this information,
says Vivtor II. Olmstead, chief of the
bureau, that we feel more than justi-
fed in issuing this bulletin. Those
who want to make their plans for ex-
hibiting at the county and state falrs
next summer will find an invaluable
amount Of Information in the buile-
tin, and should put In their request
for n copy. A letter simply addressed
to the Secretary OF Agriculture always
does the work.
The frs. agricultural fair that fore
shaGowed the fairs Of the present day
in this country was held in the Dis
trict Of Columbia in 1904. ut was a
decided success soathat when an
other was held the following year
premiums to the amount of 500 were
awarded TO the the best lamb, sheep,
steer. mich COW, jack, oxen, and horse
actually sold
Closely related to the inception OF
the fair movement were the annual
"sheep shearings" established and
George Washington Parke Curtis. at
writing OF these events in 1866, said
that large collections of prominent
men used to accept his hosptiable in
vitation 10 be present at these gath
crings. where he entertained his guests
beneath the marquee used thruout the
revolution by his illustrious guardian,
George Washington
In this connection the following Is
most interesting:
Premiums at Arlington on the Goth
of April 1909. sheep:
For the best tup- lamb of 1 year, a
silver cup; value, $50.
For the best pair Of ewes, Of same
age, q silver sup; value, $40.
Principle Established.
To the sheep which shall possess the
best form, and yield the most and best
wool in proportion to it's size, the prem
ium will be adjudged.
To the man Cheing native Aneri-
car) who shall clip a fleece in the
shortest time and best style. by clip
ping after the English fashion, IS.
Manufactures:
For the national military dress, OF
uniform of Morgan's rifemen with a
.ot 49, No
companving the same, 500
For the best five yards Of cloth, yard
wide. and compes ed OF cotton and silk
the silk to he derived from articles
which have been worn out, as gloves
umbrellas, etc.-s15.
For the best blanket of common size
$40.
For the best five yards Of flannel
to be all wool. SO.
For the best yard of wool yarn
| weighing one pound, which shall be
! spun to the greatest ineness on &
! wheel. to be ascertained by weighing
any ten yards in the ball, IS.
To that family, in the county Of Alex.
ondria. who shall make it appear tina
they have made the greatest quantity
of wearing apparel of domestic manu-
| features. and used the least OF foreign
| importations. the largest prize fleece.
To that family, in said county, WHIT
shall prove that to a given number o.
| female children, the most are goot
! spinners, the next largest fleece.
! To the cultivator Of the soil, In sait
county, who shall prove that he ha!
MANFRED most Land from his own re-
sources in the last twelve months, toll
! free at the Washington Mills for on
+, year.
Washington, Nov. 20. 1903.
| It is very probable that the sheer
| shearings" at Arlington were tn
germ of the first agricultural fair II
this country, organized in 1909, Whel
! it's first fair was held
/ Method Of softenins Gold.