No. 4.] JUDGING BY SCALE OF POINTS. 93 



been made under this plan the paramount idea has been to 

 beat somebody, not to be educated. Committees have been 

 selected on the grounds, and too often been exhibitors them- 

 selves, and the scraml)le has been to reach after and win 

 the blue ribbon, regardless of results. This much may be 

 claimed without reflecting in the least upon the honesty or 

 integrity of any individual member of any committee. The 

 criticism stands against the system, and for this reason, that 

 a ribbon or a card does not, and cannot, advance or promote 

 anything but the selfishness and self-interests of the fortu- 

 nate individuals. There can be nothing educative, and 

 education is absolutely necessary for growth everywhere. 



The comparative system of awarding premiums is punct- 

 ured with abuse on every hand. The fear of severe criti- 

 cism from exhibitors, or the public, renders the position on 

 the committee one to be avoided. In the presence of a large 

 number of exhibitors in any one class it becomes a delicate 

 and difficult matter to award all the premiums to a single 

 individual, even though satisfied of superior merit, or on the 

 other hand to pass by a wealthy and influential member, even 

 though his exhibit falls somewhat below. There is wantinsj 

 something definite, something tangible to which the com- 

 mittee may turn for complete justification. Another objec- 

 tion is the temptation to shift responsibility wdien criticisms 

 arise. 



At one of our fairs some years ago I overheard the con- 

 versation between members of the committee. When the 

 class of three-year-old colts w^as called out, it was very ap- 

 parent where the first award should go, and they gave it 

 readily. When they called the two-year-olds it seemed that 

 the man who won the prize on the three-year-olds was also 

 entitled to it in this instance ; but the remark was made by 

 one of the three, " We gave him the first prize in the other 

 class," and he did not get it in the second, because, as the 

 chairman expressed it, " it would not do to give one man a 

 first premium in two classes." The next day this gentleman, 

 being disappointed because he did not win, hunted up the 

 three members of the committee, and I went with him to 

 hear what they would say, and each one of them said to 

 him, " My dear sir, I did all I could to give you the aw^ard, 



