Arizona republican., 1913-08-26
HOW ID PREPARE
 FAIR EXHIBITS
Prof. A. NJ. McOmie, Agri- cultural Expert Makes Some Valuable Sugges- tions on Preparing Dis play for State Fair.

play for State Fair.
 The success of a fair depends as much on the ability of the exhibitor to make a proper display of his pro- duce as on the quality of the pro- ducts themselves. The importance of this fact is usually underestimated by the average farmer and as a re- suit We see so commonly the poorly prepared exhibit receiving very little attention and few ribbons, while an exhibit low in quality but well pre- pared gets the prizes.
 In the first case the exhibitor goes home discouraged and vows not to try again. while in the second case the winner goes home with increased energy to produce better stuff and prepare it more attractively for the next fair. So much indeed depends on the care exercised in preparing the material to be shown, that it is scarcely worth while entering a con test unless proper preparation has been given
 The selection of the crop to be eXhi- bited requies careful thought, the care and preparation of it before being shown must receive careful consider ation; and the arrangement of it in the booth certainly requires the use of at least some artistic taste and neatness.
 Select Exhibit While Growing
 Tn speaking on the selection of ma terial it is important to note that the time to select any crop for exhibition purposes is while it is growing. It's superior qualities are most readily discernabIe as it stands in the field in competition with it's fellows. Here desirable individuals can be marked and given special attention so that the greatest possible development may be had. Fairs are places to display the very best that you can produce and not the medium.
 Cold Storage for PerishabIes
 The care after the crop is matured must be in accordance with the eli matic conditions the length of time before the exhibition, and the variety of the crop. In this climate it will be necessary to place any perishable stuff in cold storage and all produce as alfalfa, grain, etc, should be kept in a dry cool place such as a well ventilated cellar A little causes mould. while the direct sunlight causes bleaching.
 Sheaf Exhibits
 In the preparation of sheaf exhibits the following points should be taken l into account.
 Grain-Choose well filled heads that l are representative of the variety to be 1 exhibited: cut the straw as close to | the ground as possible in order to 1 show full length of plant or if the 1 grain has been cut then select the | best heads with as long stems as possible.
 Make up samples of not to exceed l 200 heads. Tie with some soft cloth or ribbon just under the heads, at butts and in the center of the bundle and place in a darkencd room to cure or ripen off. Go in little later, un- tie the bundle sprinkle little water on straw and strip off any adhering leaves.
 With a soft cloth polish each straw. Now neatly tie up the bundle with baby ribbon of appropriate color in at least three places, better four, see ing that all heads are evenly placed one compact circular bush. The shape and compactncss of the bundle is very important. Do not use sharp string in tying sheaf grain, as the straws are easily broken. See hat each sample is neatly labeled, wrap in some thin, soft cloth and put where it will be suspended in a rec current of air with heads down. put in a dry place and not exposed O the bleaching sun.
 Forage Exhibits Directions Forage pIants-Sclect leafy types n the field Get most erect individ- laI specimens obtainable Cut close O ground Put in a loose bundle of
 ,,I,C liameter, loosely wrapped in newspa- ger, or better still in thin porus cloth, nd hang in the dark to cure To re- ain it's color it must be cured in he dark. DO not lose a single leaf s it is foliage we want here and lot stalks. Tie in neat manner as n the case of the grain sheaf Threshed Grain and Seed Sample ,I seed should be run through a fan k ing mill to blow out all chaff dirty ,eed seed and light weight kernels. small samples put up in small eXhibi- ion jars are desirable for their at ractivencss even though not eligible or any prizes. The amount of the E eed you should exhibit in each sam lie will be governed by the cOndi ion of the premium list. If possible the ear corn, maize, etc. ampleS should DC SeIecled rom lle field and not from the crib after usking. Make up sample of F ars as nearly uniform in size, shape nd color as possible. See that eX- ibit ears are well cured and dried nd of course a clean bright white, E ellow or whatever the variety color k night be. Select 10 of the best ears rom the F ears for the exhibit. Any milo, or other members of the orghum family should be exhibited n the stock as well as head and eed samples. Any plants showing phenomenal vigor or great stooiing qualities always attract attention and dd much to the general display. Save ny stalks of corn with three ears.
 Choosing Vegetables Vegetables-The greatest care should ,e exercised in selecting vegetables
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