Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-11-28
Notes from the National Show.
(Hoard's Dairyman.)

Notes from the NATIONAL Show.
(Hoard's Dairymsn.)
The business men of Springfield, Mass,
made good their promise. The great
national dairy exhibition held at Spring.
isld, October II to 21. inclusive, was
the most complete display of the dairy
industry ever made In this country. The
people came to 1t from all parts of this
broad land, and especially from the New
England States. They came in swarms,
the men and women and the bows and
girls of the farm. They came byl auto
and by train, until their numbers filled
every part of the splendid exposition
grounds. The buildings erected for
this occasion and various kinds of expo
sitions are admirably adapted to their
needs. They are proud assets of the en-
terprising citizens of Springfield and to
the new agriculture of the northeastern
states.
On December 26th, 1915, twsnty-eight
business men of Springfield boarded q
train for Chicago. They went there to
bring this years National Dairy Show to
their city. Some of the doubling
Thomases held it was FOOLS errand but
the men of vision saw the opportunity
and had the courage to follow their
light. They met the executive commit
tee Of the National Dairy Show and laid
before them what the Dairy Show could
do for New England and what they
would do TO make 1t success. They
offered to provide the finest kind of a
plant in which this great dairy exposi.
ton might be held. This they did, and
at cost of over s6O0,OO They prom
ised more entries of live stock, and more
entries were made than at any previous
show. They promised the largest at.
tendance, and the turnstiles clicked
more rapidly and for longer period than
at any other dairy exposition. They
promised greater interest and opportu-
nifty to give larger inspiration than any
previous occasion. The citizens oil
Springfield attended this dairy exposi-
tion In large numbers, but the farmers,
the men who milk the cows, came iD
larger numbers. These twenty eight
men did not overestimate what they
could do, nor the crowds that would
come. Every promise was more than
fulfilled.
Not counting the IS youngsters which
Joined the show herds during the ten
days at Springfield, there we're S9S en-
tries at the 1916 Nstional-160 more than
have contested for prizes at previous
show. Housed in the best lighted and
most comfortable of structures, they
made an exhibit worth going long way
to see. Many did 90 long way to look
ever the final show-ring gathering of the
year-a few, clear across the continent.
Show herds were never given more at
tention than these-thousands more
came through the barns than ever visit
ed the cattle in their stalls at National
before. Farmers came, men who were
interested In the dairy COW as a part OF
efficient sgriculture-not as curiosity.
They came expecting to see wonderful
exhibition of the best cattle ever brought
together in New England. They were
not disappointed.
Farm people asked practical farm
questions concerning the cattle in the
barns and received courteous, kindly
answers. They carried their inquiries
into the arena and asked judges why
they put certain animals up and others
down. They crowded into the rings and
around the cattle, to the displeasure OF
those who could not see over them, but
to the qualification of every man who
loves cattle enough to enjoy the appre-
citation of others for tho perfection
reached in an exhibition Of prize worthy
animals. 1t is q healthy condition of
show ring affairs which leads the judges
to make the explanation of their work 3
part of the judging. They made aspe-
cial effort at this National and gave out
more real, sensible information on the
"why" of judging than is usually pos
sible. The crowds placed the classes
with them, comparing their work with
each other and with the official opinion
of the judges. Incidentally, these New
England farmers agreed In the final line
ups in many classes, which, by the way,
is no mean compliment to the judging.