The Republican journal., 1917-08-09
The Coming Fairs.

A well-conducted State, county or dis
trict fair is strong factor in the forma-
ton of agricultural ideals and rural COM
munity upbuilding. In urging people to
support these fairs, S. T. Simpson of the
University of Missouri College of Agti-
culture, says: No rural community can
hope to make advancement or to remain
progressive without some means of
bringing before its people the products of
that community Furthermore, no man
can hope to continue to make advance
ment in his chosen industry unless he
learns from some other men interested in
the same field of operation. Farmers
recognize now, more than ever before,
the Importance of mingling with their
neighbors, exchanging ideas, making
criticisms, and gathering new informa-
ton.
''Fairs afford untold opportunities for
those who will attend. There they meet
as exhibitors in competition and as spec
tators. All learn to look at the fairs
from the educational viewpoint as well
as from the viewpoint of entertainment,
or what they win in money prizes as ex-
hibitors. True, the money offered is a
great inducement in the way of defray-
ing expenses, but many exhibitors might
well have as much money in their pock-
cts at the end of the week by leaving
their exhibits at home. On the other
hand, those who exhibit, take home
new opinion of their own products, and
have had established in their own minds
revised standards which will aid them in
selecting and preparing exhibits for the
following year. In addition, every ex-
hibitor, whether winner or loser, takes
home more or less advertising. Adver-
Using secured at fairs is considered of the
best, as evidenced by the many exhibit
tors and by the increased business which
has come to those who exhibit. No
breeder of purebred stock should neglect
a single opportunity to place it before
the public. The county fair is good
place to begin.
''The live stock industry owes much to
the many fairs held throughout the coun-
try. Much improvement in breeds has
come as result of these public exhibit
tons and ratings. Many have been en-
couraged in the production of better
stock, simply through the incentive gath
cred at the live stock shows. No man
who hopes to continue as producer of
high-class live stock can afford to miss a
single opportunity to attend live stock
SuOWS. OulcSS Ht dlteHuS SuCu SllOWS,
he loses sight of the correct standards
and gets behind the times. The tair cir
cult is the school of the constructive
breeder. Few men have attained success
as breeders who have not been close stu
dents of show ring standards and awards.
These men must necessarily become few
er because of the rapid strides in breeding
and the increased competition.
He who neglects to make use of his
State, county or district fair, not only
weakens his own position, but neglects to
support movement which is vital to the
State or community in which he lives.
On the other hand, the public should
realize that nothing can do more to en-
courage better breeding, feeding and man.
agement of live stock than successful
fair. The fair is Just what the people
make it. By their attendance and sup
port, it can be made a great factor in
State and community betterment. With
out their support it must tell to those few
who do attend the story of non-pro-
gressive, inactive commonwealth. -
Maine Farmer.