The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1916-10-24
PROFIT AND 10y
IN COUNTY FAIRS
MAY GAIN NEW IDEAS.
Chance for Agriculturist to
Learn Things of Value
to Him.
A. M. Latham in Home and Farm
Louisville.

time of the year when we hold corn
shows, canning club exhibits and
general agricultural fairs. The
question may be under discussion by
many farmers now whether or not II
Will pay them to attend. Some few
farmers think there is nothing to be
gained either by showing or seeing.
This is a mistaken idea of theirs. and
cne which they will discard from
their minds if they will but stop a
lew moments and seriously consider.
1t has been said that it is by com
parison that thing is either class
ed good or bad. Everything is com
parable in the way of nature and
mans work Some specimens q:
fruit of the same variety are better
than others. There are conditions
that cause these variations, and it is
worth the growers time to study
well these differing conditions.
1t is undeniably true that the
growers who exhibit place the best
fruit they have on exhibition, which
often is not a true representation of
the fruit at home. These good spe-
cimens go to show what can be
grown under the most favorable
conditions. If a grower has choice
fruit, he is generally proud Of il. The
fair is the exhibition ground for the
best the country produces.
If a grower succeeds in getting a
prize because of his fruits superior
ity, he is encouraged to grow still
better fruit and make a better show
ing the next year, or IL his fruit fails
to get awards, he is spurred on 10
try to do better. This sort of good
natured competition brings good re-
suits. 1t has tendency to induce all
to grow better fruit Those who fail
ed will make an effort to find ont
why they failed and avoid making
the same mistake again. and try in
the future to do much better. The
ideals of the fruit growing industry
are raised, and if oy our efforts to
reach the ideal, we fail to get to the
goal. we are benefited as we are sure
to improve upon our past.
AT even a small county fair. the
products of the different sections are
and it is learned what va
rieties do best on certain soils. un-
der certain situations and conditions.
AS a consequence, the grower sees
what is best adapted to certain sec
tions and how to improve under GER
tain conditions.
wonderful array of varieties will
be present on the exhibition tables.
The old standard ones, with new ones
by their side for comparison. The
merits of all are discussed, and often
valuable ideas are put forth that will
greatly help the small fruit grower
as well as the larger ones. The poor
varieties, or unsuitable ones, are
given their show, and the grower is
given chance to avoid them. One
may have intended to plant a certain
variety, but when he sees and tastes
1t, finds it Objectionable and avoids
it.
The different methods of culture
OF the different kinds are discussed
and the most successful plans of cul-
ture, spraying, cover crops, manur-
ing, budding, thinning, etc. can be
obtained. Then there is a great So
cial advantage to be gained by these
meetings. The people of class are
brought together and often valuable
acquaintances, that otherwise would
never have existed, are made.
While there is plenty of hard work.
all right in getting ready for the
fairs and in putting on the display.
yet there is a lot of enjoyment and
fun. 1t relieves the monotony and
revives the sleepy-spirited. 1t helps
to lose some of that hated Isolation,
OF which the farmers sometimes com
plain. 1t is educational, for,one Of
ten learns how little ne actually
knows, and is revived by being per
mitted to demonstrate the little that
he does know.
sometimes one thinks that their
products are very inferior, and they
are inclined to want to sell out and
go where they can grow better stun.