210 EOARt) or AGRICULTURE. 



SOME OF THE REQUISITES OF A SUCCESSFUL FAIR, AND 

 SOME OF THE MISTAKES OF FAIR MANAGERS. 



PROFESSOR J. H. SKINNER, PURDUE UNIVERSITY. 



INIr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Fair As.sociation — With your 

 permission I wish to change the subject assigned to. me so as to read 

 "Soiiio Re(iuisites of a Successful Fair; or, Suggestions for the Improve- 

 ment of County Fairs, Especially the Live Stock Departments." 



The county fairs deserve much credit, for to them is due, in a meas- 

 ure, the improvement in corn, live stock, fruits and other farm products. 

 The history of most of them will show a varied career. Where they have 

 been properly and wisely managed they have had a telling Influence for 

 good, and may be classed among the foremost educational institutions in 

 the held of agriculture. 



These agricultural associations were originally held for the purpose 

 of educating the farmers and breeders. The exhibits made represented 

 their ideals as well as they knew how to develop them. Many times com- 

 petition" was \evy strong; in fact, I have seen single classes of animals, 

 and even departments, at county fairs, in Avhich there were just as strong 

 exhibits and where almost as many entries were made as at the State 

 fair. Farmers are always interested in stock and will support any im- 

 provement made in this direction. 



Too frequently the fair of today is made up of fakirs, jocteys and 

 cheap, undignified amusements. The local fair should furnish social en- 

 tertainment and provide recreation and amusement of a proper character, 

 but these features should not predominate. It should strive to make all 

 exhibits of interest and educational value and such as Avill appeal to the 

 i)est citizens, whether farmer or merchant. The live stock departments, 

 as well as other departments which draw from the farm, should furnish 

 ideals for breeders and farmers. The county fair is the stepping stone for 

 the inexperienced and ambitious farmer and bi'eeder. .Most of the noted 

 live stock exhibitors of today began showing at county fairs, nnd in.iny 

 of them learned their best lesson when .some competent judge saw lit to 

 leave tlu'ir animals out of the prize list, and then explain why he did so. 



Young men should be encouraged to make exhibits, as such compari- 

 sons aie prolil.ible. They inspire enthusiasm and ambition and encour- 

 age improvement in all branches of agriculture. The fair should be held 

 for the agriculture and business of the community. It should bring out 

 ideals which shoi»]d be so high that all would strive to reach them. 



JNlany of our county fairs are Avell managed and serve an excellent 

 purpose. Many of them might be improved in many features. Concern- 

 ing the larger problem of managing a county fair, I have little to say, 



