dents. While farmers exhibit their best 
animals, grains, s^eds, etc., horticulturists 
and gardeners who cultivate small plats 
should show the choicest of their fruits, 
flowers and vegetables. And the ladies of 
both country and village max well vie with 
each other in exhibiting|the useful and at¬ 
tractive results of their taste, skill and in¬ 
dustry. Indeed, everybody should go to the 
Local Rural Fair, help make it a success in 
the right direction, and use their influence 
against any and everything objectionable, 
for if no demoralizing features are allowed, 
•and all corrupting innovations strict^ pro¬ 
hibited. the occasion may be made one of 
profitable instruction and pleasant sensa¬ 
tion, as well as of social reunion and enjoy¬ 
ment. There are grave objections to the 
manner in which some fairs are managed, 
but that is a question we have not space to 
discuss at present. In a future issue we 
may have something to say about fairs, 
where-at horse-racing, gambling and liquor¬ 
selling are permitted, and possibly suggest 
how radical reform can'bejinstituted. 
In addition to preparing articles and ani¬ 
mals for exhibition, intending competitors 
should remember to make their entries 
early, especially if the entry book of their 
fair closes in advance, as do of late years 
those of several prominent associations. The 
first thing to decide is as to what articles 
and animals shall be exhibited, the next to 
arrange to have them in good order and 
condition, and finally to see that proper 
entries are made of the same in due season. 
Whenever the entry books are closed some 
days or even weeks before the opening of 
an exhibition (as is the case with our own 
State and a number of other large fairs), it 
is imperatively necessary to act promptly and 
not dally with that proverbial thief of time, 
procrastination. In fact, those who aim 
to make good displays and become success¬ 
ful competitors must take time by the fore¬ 
lock and not neglect any of the necessary 
preliminaries. Mr. Slack Slowgo rarely if 
ever takes a premium at a fair, whereas 
Mr. Prompt Progressive usually scores a 
triumph on every favorable occasion. 
Throughout this great Rural Republic, 
whose prosperity depends upon its agricul¬ 
ture, the farmers and their families have 
too few holidays or vacations, and should 
embrace every available opportunity to 
meet and compare views and products, as 
well as to celebrate their peaceful triumphs; 
and surely every well-managed rural fair 
and festival may be made an occasion of 
useful instruction, recreation and enjoy¬ 
ment. Hence, we urge all our readers en¬ 
gaged in rural or kindred pursuits to at¬ 
tend at least one of the coming fairs, and 
contribute what they consistently can 
toward making it creditable. Let each not 
only aid in making a fine and large display 
of choice products mid manufactures, but 
use his influence to inaugurate and enforce 
exemplary management, and the result 
will prove beneficial alike to participants 
and the community. Such action by those 
of our half million readers who are inter¬ 
ested would add greatly to the extent and 
excellence of the Agricultural Fairs to be 
held the ensuing autumn, and thus materi¬ 
ally increase their value and usefulness to 
the people and the country .—American 
Rural Home. 
Cultivating tlie Orchard. 
It must be remembered that the roots of 
the apple tree are nourished by the lower 
strata of soil to a great extent, and the tops 
derive sustenance from the ocean of atmos¬ 
phere that surrounds them. While I would 
cultivate the orchards during the early 
growth, I am satisfied that continued plow¬ 
ing is not essential to the best results; and 
in fact, the keeping qualities are found to 
be bettered where grown in soil not often 
plowed but enriched. I am not able to sat¬ 
isfactorily account lor this, ^ut from con¬ 
tinued observation I am of this opinion. 
In my own experience I find this to be the 
case. I have some trees grown in cultivated 
ground for 40 years, and I find that the ap¬ 
ples mature quicker than the same variety 
grown in grass laiid.— 0. B. Haclwen, Wor¬ 
cester, Mass. 
-- 
Mr. Yail, the ‘‘cattle king” of Nevada, 
began business twenty years ago with a 
capital of $500. He paid the $500 for a 
Durham cow, and from that cow he has 
sold $40,000 worth of high-bred calves. 
