if possible. Cooperation with. the county live-stock association, if 

 such an organization exists, and with the county agricultural agent 

 is essential. If the live-stock association advocates a certain kind 

 of breed of live stock, then the officials should provide liberal prizes 

 for such classes. In a great many cases it will be advisable for the 

 county fair officials to meet with the county live-stock association 

 before the premium list and classification are announced. In most 

 instances it would be well to allow the association the privilege of 

 offering suggestions in making up the premium list and classifica- 

 tion. In this way their interests will be represented and their support 

 consequently will be stronger. 



UNIFORMITY OF CLASSIFICATION. 



The county fair classification should be uniform from year to year 

 and, as far as possible, the classifications of different county fairs 

 in the same State or section should be uniform. County fair secre- 

 taries should be careful that their show dates do not conflict with 

 those of neighboring counties. To provide for uniformity in classi- 

 fications, to arrange fair dates, and for other purposes an associa- 

 tion composed of the county fair officials in the State is very helpful. 

 Such organizations generally meet once a year for discussion. A 

 good place and time for this meeting is at the State agricultural col- 

 lege during some farmers' meeting. 



SPECIAL FEATURES. 



The county fair secretary can introduce many features which will 

 tend to make the live-stock exhibit better each year. He should by all 

 means endeavor to have some special feature with a good-sized purse 

 so as to stimulate discussion and create enthusiasm. , The following 

 brief mention of two such features may be useful. 



FUTURITY CONTESTS. 



One very effective feature which may be adopted is the futurity 

 contest. In this the breeder names the animal which he will exhibit 

 soon after or even before it is born ; in case it is not yet born, the dam 

 of the animal is named. In this contest, each breeder entering should 

 be required to put up a sum of money which is to go into the general 

 purse. He may be required to put up another sum just before the 

 date of the fair, and at some shows the exhibitor is required to pay 

 still another fee at the time of the actual contest. The amount re- 

 quired from each exhibitor should not be too great; but the nomina- 

 tion fee, even though it be small, is essential for the success of the 

 futurity contest. All the money received through the nomination of 

 animals is put into the general purse, which may be divided into 

 three or more prizes. Generally the fair association adds additional 



