32 BOARD OF a(;riculture. 



that the motto is a square deal, which the pul)lic have a right .to 

 demand. 



Care and judgment should be used in offering premiums. All 

 classes should receive something, even if the awards are small, 

 which is always the case in our country fairs, and no favor should 

 be shown to an}' particular person or breed of cattle. In the offer- 

 ing of premiums, we should offer all in our judgment that our receipts 

 will justify, and pay promptly. Advertise to pay immediately after 

 the fair, and never advertise to pay pro rata. It is not the amount 

 of money the exhibitor gets that inspires confidence, it is to get 

 what the society agrees to pay him if he wins it. 



Exhibitors demand that the managers use discretion in the selec- 

 tion of judges for all classes that require skill and special knowledge 

 to award premiums properly. There are always men to be found in 

 every county that are fitted by nature and education, in a greater 

 or less degree, to award premiums in tliis class or that. They should 

 be men without prejudice against any particular breed of cattle, or 

 horses as the case may be ; men that will look at the real merits of 

 the animal or products, and decide according to their honest con- 

 victions and best judgment, without fear or favor. They also 

 demand that their stock or products be properly arranged, in order 

 that they may be shown on equal advantages ; tliat notice should be 

 served on competitors, stating the time the judges are to make the 

 examination, in order that they may be present to answer to such 

 questions as the judges ma}' require. To be Mire, it is the exhibitor's 

 duty to see to il that his stock or his dairy products, or any article 

 he exhibits, is brought in proper condition, and be has a riglit to 

 expect the managers to provide him a proper space to exhibit it, 

 that is, an equal space or position with his competitors. It matters 

 not whether it is out of doors or in some corner in the hall, if the 

 chances are equal. 



There is one other complaint that I have heard mentioned by 

 exhibitors, and that is that those who go the farthest to attend the 

 fair, generally receive the least attention ; that those who are the 

 best acquainted with the managers get the best quarters, and also 

 receive the largest amounts of premiums ; that the fair is controlled 

 by a few, and that the few reap the most of the benefit. Now, my 

 friends, this may be a mistake on the part of the exhibitors. I 

 really hope it is. And yet, I think there is something in it that needs 

 the consideration of the managers, because, if it is the case, the 



