58 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1899, 



plainly in the survival of certain things in fair premium lists. 

 Why should the country home be encumbered with the dismal 

 hair wreath in a glass case, the cross of shells glued on to a 

 pasteboard foundation, or feather flowers dyed in bright hues? 

 In reality very few are. Yet these old-time fads are still awarded 

 money prizes in Massachusetts fairs. They are positively 

 inartistic and should be eliminated. 



Next to the things, the making ()f which is almost criminal 

 waste of time, come the things which have a use but which the 

 whim of fashion pronounces out of date. The premium lists 

 should also be pruned of these. When lace-edged table covers 

 of white linen are the exclusive fjishion don't oft'er a dollar for 

 the best table scarf embroidered with arrasene, for such went 

 out of date before some of the present exhibitors of needlework 

 were born ; yet half the premium lists in the State carry this 

 item along, conveying the idea that this work is still in favor. 

 Most lists still have large premiums for white silk embroidery 

 on flannel such as our mothers took pride in working but which 

 is a minor accomplishment today. 



Fortunately not all country women are deceived in such mat- 

 ters ; as a rule, thanks to more steam and trolley cars, they go 

 al)out more than ever before, and see what is being made and 

 used. But such antiquity causes them to lose faith and interest 

 in the hall exhibit. They get to thinking and saying, " Oh, 

 there 'II be the same old lot of crocheting and baby socks." In 

 this way some of their influence and aid to the fairs is lost. If 

 the modern fair is to be improved woman's help should be 

 secured, but it cannot be done by encouraging time-killing 

 follies, by trying to perpetuate the fads of a former generation, 

 or by recognizing the inartistic creations of more primitive 

 times. 



These are some of the errors and the result. 



What shall we substitute? 



A small proportion of premiums should be ofl'ered for the 

 trifling decorative novelties, of present but not lasting favor. 

 The greater part should be reserved to encourage work of real 

 moiit including the union of artistic and useful. 



