EEPORTS FROM COUNTY SOCIETIES. 457 



sliow in various departments — to see what the mass of tlie people were doing. They 

 were enjjagod in various amusements, such as ridlnoj on swinj^s, shooting at a target 

 at 30 feet distant, with a miserable, cheap, and defective sort of pop-gun. They were 

 trj'ing ttieir strength by a lifting macliine, gathered around a machine to test the 

 blowing capacity of their lungs, etc. Among tiie amusements at some fairs I have 

 seen a lloor with music and dancing, races by fat men, foot-ball, or climbing a greased 

 pole. At a fair wheie a lot of these cheap amusements were in full blast, the small 

 hall containing the fruits, grains, and vegetables was thinly attended, and there were 

 very good reasons for this. There was no taste sliown in arranging the exhibit, the 

 shelves were not all filled, things were jumbled together in confusion. The insiiJe of 

 the hall was dingy and forlorn. The light was deficient. Fruit was shown on tiie 

 shelves without plates and witiiout labels which could be seen by the visitors. Veg- 

 etables were siiown in all sorts of vessels, some much resembling swill pails brushed 

 up for the occasion. 



How was it about the judges and the awards? At the eleventh hour the speaker 

 was asked to act as third man on a committee to judge apples. In the printed rules 

 for the class under consideration 12 apples were required for competition. One man 

 had only six si)eclmens. These were good. The chairman and the second man knew 

 the exhibitor of these specimens and knew that he had plenty of good fruit of the 

 same variety at home. It was only an oversight of the rules that he neglected to 

 bring the 12 samples required; besides the exhibitor was a good man and he ought 

 to have the first prize. Finally the exhibitor came around and said that he liad 

 plenty of apples at home. The majority of the committee awarded the first prize to 

 the man who exhibited six apples when the printed premium list demanded 12. The 

 third man on the committee was disgusted. This is only one instance, but even one 

 is enough to disgrace any fair. 



In too many cases the ''biggest" squash, potato, beet, cabbage, radish, apple receives 

 the first prize regardless of quality or defects. 



Tlie arrangement of objects is too broad a theme to go over in detail, and I could 

 not do it justice if I should try. The objects in all departments should be arranged 

 with room enough and light enough. 



In the exhibits of fruits at our State fairs, managed bj^ the officers of the State 

 Pomological Society, there lias within a few years been a marked improvement in 

 the arrangement, labels, etc. These plans are worth reading, and can be found in 

 several of the late reports. I will only refer to them. We now have plates to hold 

 the specimens, and a clip fastens to each i)late to hold the card in position where the 

 name can be read, with no prospect of being removed. 



It would be a great accommodation if owners of horses would, in fair weather at 

 fairs, bring, out their animals near the stalls and let people see them for an hour at 

 a time at two diflerent times each day. Let the time be stated on all the pro- 

 grammes. 



In the abundant use of ne;vt and plainly printed labels there is a chance for some 

 society to distinguish itself. 



A fine placard near an animal or pen of animals is the exception, and not the rule. 

 These placards should contain the name of the animals, ages, breed, weight, name 

 and residence of owner, with any other item suggested by the frequent (piestions 

 asked by hundreds of spectators. Too much care cannot be taken to see that suita- 

 ble labels are printed. Let them be large and conspicuous. Suppose the society 

 provide a man with suitable cards, brush and paint. He goes from one pen to an- 

 other, marks the cards, and they are posted in proper places. 



We often hear great complaint about incompetent judges at fairs. Some of the 

 complaints are well founded; some are not. 



It will generally give best satisfaction to employ some well known expert who lives 

 beyond the county or State which conducts tlie fair. This expert may act as chair- 

 man, and one or two others, perhaps, may be selected near home. 



In case of vegetables on exhibition many of our managers of fairs yet have much 

 to learn. There should be some well defined plan for testing them besids a mere look 

 at the shape and size. 



Any written report of a committee besides a mere mention of the awards is the 

 exception and not tlie rule. The expert chairman can make a report which will be 

 instructive and valuable to all exhii/itors. Tiiese reports might teach the people as 

 much as a hasty view of the exhibition. 



For what shall we ofler premiums? Of com-se we should give premiums to most 

 or all of tiie objects of merit usually on exhibition. We ought to interest every 

 class of peo|)le. 1 wish something coidd be done to call more attention to the value 

 of a good vegetable garden for the farmer. Ofier rewards for the best-kept fruit 



