FAEMEK'S INSTITUTES. 149 



Mr. Gillitte wanted to know in regard to plowing blue grass sod for corn ; 

 also in res^ard to late cultivating. 



Mr. Clark believed in plowing blue grass sod in the fall, and in late culti- 

 vating. 



Mr. Sparks did not intend to convey the impression that five grains should 

 be grown in a hill ; three kernels in a hill is, under all circumstances, sufficient. 

 He believed in planting five kernels and in thinning out to three kernels. He 

 knew that some soil would not grow three stalks in each hill, some not two, 

 and some not one. He would plant his corn in relation to the capacity of his 

 soil. 



TUESDAY EVENING SESSION 

 was devoted to a discussion of the methods of operating 



AGRICULTURAL FAIRS. 



On motion, Mr. Wm. Chamberlain of Three Oakes Avas called to the chair. 



He believed that fairs were in general of much benefit, bringing the people 

 into connection with each other, and giving them an opportunity of seeing 

 improved stock. I believe, however, that of late years we have fallen into ruts, 

 and I think that our practice can be improved. I believe in having the fairs move 

 from one locality to another, as giving a greater attendance, and an improved 

 state of finances. He did not think it necessary to have an expensive horse 

 track and large fair ground. Horse races and horse fairs can be separate. 

 The State fair has adopted the policy of moving from one locality to another, 

 and with good effect. I believe it would be good policy to allow sales of 

 animals, and let it be understood that these animals shall be sold. 



Mr. Davis of Niles, President of the Berrien Co. Agricultural Society. — 

 Having had some experience with conducting of fairs, I feel that the keynote 

 was struck in the previous remarks. Now it is to be understood that the fair 

 is what the people make it. The officers of the agricultural society want to 

 carry out the wishes of the people. Our society is badly in debt, having pur- 

 chased a ground at Niles. Before these grounds were purchased it was our 

 policy to change the localities. 



Mr. Higbee of Benton Harbor, President of the Northern Agricultural 

 Society. — A number of years ago a fair was started at St. Joseph, which soon 

 got into difficulty, and it was finally given up. The members were individually 

 liable, and I had to pay about $150. A fair was next started at Benton Har- 

 bor and I became connected with it. "We have a ground with a half mile track. 

 I believe in fast horses ; it is not they that hurt us, but it is the men that 

 attend to the races. I believe that fast horses are durable horses, and grand 

 horses. "We could not possibly run a fair without horse trotting. "We could 

 not possibly get an audience. 



Mr. Davis. — Said that although there were many fairs in the vicinity, there 

 should be no feeling that there is any closing. We are all working together. 



Thomas Mars. — I have a plan for a successful fair. I had hoped to have 

 heard from others. I have been connected with the Niles fair for over 17 

 years. In spite of good management the idea is made current by dissatisfied 

 parties, that the individual, not the article, gets the premium. If every indi- 



