Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-08-21
The Fair an Important Factor.

A well.conducted state, county or
district fair is strong factor In the
formation of agricultural ideals and
rural community upbuilding. In urg-
ing people to support these fairs, 8. T.
Sim pson of the University of Missouri
College of Agriculture says: mo rural
community can hope to make advance
ment or to remain progressive without
some means of bringing before its people
the products OF that community.
Furthermore, no man can hope to con.
tinue to make advancement 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 impor-
tance of mingling with their neigbbors,
exchanging ideas, making criticisms,
and gathering new information.
"Fairs afford untold opportunities for
those who will attend. There they meet
as exhibitors in competition and as
spectators. All learn to look at the
fairs from the educational viewpoint as
we'll as from the viewpoint of entertain
ment or what they win In money prizes
as exhibitors. True, the money offered
is a great inducement In the way OF de-
fraying expenses, but many exhibitors
might we'll have as much money In their
pockets at the end of the week by leav-
ing their exhibits at home. On the
other lband, those who exhibit take
home q new opinion Of their own prod
ucts. and have had established in their
own minds revised standards which will
aid them In selecting and preparing ex-
hibits for the following year. In addi-
tion, every exhibitor, whether a winner
or loser, takes home more or less ad-
ysrtising. Advertising secured at fairs
ia considered of the best, as evidenced
by the many exhibitors and by the In.
creased business which has come to
those who exhibit. No breeder OF pure
bred stock should neglect 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
country. Much Improvement in breeds
has come as result of these public ex-
hibitions and ratings. Many have been
encouraged in the production OF better
stock, simply through the incentive
gathered at the live stock shows. No
man who hopes to continue as pro.
ducer of high. class live stock can afford
to miss q single opportunity to attend
live stock shows. Unless he attends
sucb shows, he loses sight of the correct
standards and gets behind the times.
The fair circuit is the school OF the con-
structive breeder. Few men have attain
sd success as breeders who have not
besn close students of show ring stand.
ards and awards. These men must
necessarily become fewer because OF
the rapid strides in breeding and the In.
creased competition.
"He who neglects to make use OF his
state. county or district fair, not only
wsaSens bis own position, but neglects
to support q movement which is vital 70
ths state or community in which he
lives. On the other hand, the public
sbould realize that nothing can DO more
to encourage better breeding, feeding
and management Of live stock than 2
successful fair. The fair is just what
the psopls make 1t. By their attendance
and support, 1t can be made . grea'
factor in state and community better.
msnt. without their support it mus
tell to those few who do attend toe
story of . non-progressive, inactive
commonwealth"