Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1919-07-16
VALUE OF A FAIR
TO OUR PEOPLE
1t is an Agricultural and Industrial
Show for Both the Town and
Country Folk, an Exchange
for New Ideas
IT is AN AGRICULTURAL
AND INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE
Besides, 1t Appeals to all of Us Who
Want Amusement While Learn
ing-Closer Touch With
Home Lives of Neigh
bOrS

DOTS
The fair is an educational clearing
house. 1t is an agricultural and in
dustrial institute for residents OF
both town and country. 1t is a short
course in better farming and better
living. 1t is physical demonstration
of why the man who farms with his
head instead of with his hands must
succeed.
1t is comprehensive exhibition
of what the ambitious boy or girl
may achieve in agriculture, live
stock raising, dairying, horticultural,
home, gardening, domestic science
or household economy. 1t is an ex-
position of the marvellous improve
ment in farm machinery and agri-
cultural implements. 1t is an object
lesson in the great part which i'm
proved machinery plays in the de-
velopment and cultivation of the
farm and the increased prosperity
of the farmer.
The chief educational value OF our
fair lies in the fact that it is demon
strative in character. The eye is a
more convincing instructor than the
ear. We are slow to accept and be-
lieve in any new method until We
have had optical proof of its super
iority over the old.
Often it is difficult to secure the
attention of the busy man or woman
long enough to give such demon
stration. Not infrequently 1t happens
that farmers who would be most
tbanefited by better methods of farm
ing are not sufficiently interested to
be present at any special meeting
called for the purpose of discussing
the subject.
But the fair grounds appeals to
that trait of mankind which de-
mands entertainment and amuse-
ment and becomes a common forum
for the discussion of all matters hav-
ing to do with agriculture, industry,
the home and the school.
In this clearing house of educa-
tion the farmer learns what the
manufacturer, the merchant, the
banker are and have been doing to
make his labor less arduous and his
farm more profitable and the town
resident learns what rapid progress
is being made in agriculture. A bond
of common interest is created which
means much to both town and coun-
try.
The farmer learns by actual obser-
yation of the newest devices and inn
provements in agricultural imple-
ments. He learns their use and bene-
fits. He learns in what way they
assist in soil cultivation, in plant
growth, in sowing, in harvesting, in
threshing. He learns the economic
value Of the modern machinery,
of the silo, of motor power on the
farm.
The urban dweller is furnished a
vivid picture of the agricultural re-
sources of the community. He learns
about the fertility of the soil in the
vicinity; of what is being done to in
crease the farm yield; to Improve
the quality of the stock, and to
multiply the total dairy product.
Every man and woman, whether
town or country resident, is brought
into closer touch with the home life
of others. All imbibe that broader
education which means cooperation
that ideal education which is SER
vice to self and all humanity.
The great Winneshiek County Fair
will open in Decorah Aug. II and
continue for four days. A large
advertisement on another page OF
this issue will give the reader an
idea of the fine program that will be
given this year. Don't fail to read
it.