562 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



GIVE THE BOYS AND GIRLS A CHANCE TO ATTEND THE FAIR. 



Wallaces' Farmer. 



The State fair season is upon us. Notwithstanding the attractions of the 

 Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis, the State fairs are likely to be 

 well attended this year, and the exhibits will no doubt be as large, as varied, 

 and as interesting as ever. There is no reason why there should not be a full 

 attendance at the fairs all over these Western States. 



We desire to make a plea to each individual farmer who has boys 

 and girls of suitable age to encourage them to attend the State fair. The 

 farmer and his wife have often been at fairs before. There is nothing par- 

 ticularly new, striking or novel to them. They are accustomed to being 

 away from home. It is quite different with the average farm boy or girl. 

 Without going back to their childhood recollections they can scarcely realize 

 the keen desire of the farm boy and girl to escape from the seclusion of the 

 farm and see something of the great world of men and things beyond its pre- 

 cincts. 



There is no better place for them to see the world than the well conducted 

 state or county fair. We say "well conducted," for there are county and 

 district fairs which boys and girls should not attend; fairs where they will 

 get inoculated with the ' 'get-rich- quick" idea in the form of gambling; fairs 

 where lewdness is allowed to disport itself, and not always in disgusting 

 form. The young boy or girl should not be allowed or encouraged to at- 

 tend such fairs as these. 



The moral character of the State fairs has been gradually improving from 

 year to year. Their educational value has been very greatly increased. We 

 assume that the boys have worked well during the plowing and corn plant- 

 ing and corn cultivating, and have done bravely through the heat and sweat 

 of the harvest; and now that the corn is laid by, the harvest is gathered, and 

 there is a time of leisure on the farm, let them have a chance to get away 

 from home and see what is going on outside the precincts of the farm. 

 Encourage them, however, to see things with their eyes open. Let them 

 visit the stock judging and see on what grounds the judge distributes the 

 ribbons. Let them get the ideal animal firmly in their minds and thus learn 

 the defects of the live stock at home. Let them visit the dairy department 

 and note the best methods of handling milk and cream, the most modern 

 improvements. Let them visit the agricultural department and note all that 

 is best in the exhibition of the products of the farm. Let them visit especially 

 the horticultural department and note its possibilities. 



Don't be afraid the boy will become contaminated by this contact with 

 boys and girls from over the State. If he has good blood in his veins and is 

 well trained at home there is comparatively little danger. He will learn how 

 to associate with kindred spirits, and will come home tired in body but 

 refreshed in mind, and will carry with him an idea of what is going on in 

 this great world outside. He will be able to tell you more things than you 

 would probably see if you were there yourself. You have seen them before 



