Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1920-07-28
VALUE OF FAIR
TO OUR PEOPLE
1t is an Agric 4. .1ral and Industrial
Show for Boz, the Town and
the Con g. Folk.
AN EXCHANGE Foi
MANY a. IDEAS
Besides. it Appeals to An U
Who Want to be Amused "
We're Learning-Close
r Touch With Home Lives :.
of Neighbors.

The dates ole the Winneshiek
county fair this year are Aug. 10
11-12 and 13, and only short
time remains until opening day.
The fair is an educational clear
ing house. 1t is an agricultural and
industrial institute for residents of
both town and country. 1t is short
course in better farming and better
living. 1t is a physical demonstration
OF why the man who farms with his
head instead of with his hands must
Inevitably succeed.
It is comprehensive exhibition
OF what the ambitious boy or girl
raay achieve in agriculture, livestock
raising, dairying, horticultural,
home gardening, domestic science or
household economy. 1t is an expo
7sition Of the marvellous improvement
in farm machinery and agricultural
implements. 1t is an object lesson
In the great part in which improved
machinery plays in the development
and cultivation of the farm and the
increased prosperity of the farmer.
The cheif educational value of our
fair lies in the fact that it is de-
monstrative in chracter. The eye is
a more convincing instructor than
the ear. We are slow to accept and
believe in any new method until We
have had optical proof of it's su-
periority 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 it happens
that farmers who would be most
benefited by better methods of farm
ing are not sufficiently interested to
lie present at any special meeting for
the purpose of discussing the sub.
1cct.
But the fair appeals to that trait
of mankind which demands enter
tainment and amusement and be-
comes a common forum for the dis
cussion of all matters having 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 and the
banker are and have been doing to
make his labor less arduous and his
farm more profitable and the town
residents 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-
walton Of the newest devises and i'm
provements in agricultural imple-
ments. He learns their use and bene-
hts. 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 more modern machinery
or 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 dairy product
Every man or 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.