Show SOME FAIR SUGGESTIONS Give Us Swine How the Useful Porker is Neglected at the Fair Through the courtesy of President Winder Win-der of the D A 1 society we are per mittcd to publish the following letter from our enterprising townsman whose name is appended Understanding that it is the intention of the board of directors of the D A 1 association to Goon issue the premium prem-ium list for the next fail I thought now would be a good time to make a few suggestions sugges-tions and inasmuch as some of the supervisors super-visors of the various departments have solicited sol-icited suggestions from those that are interested inter-ested I trust my communication will not bethought be-thought illtimed or out of place What I wish particularly to mention is the class for swine At our last fair there was but one breed represented and this by a single exhibitor Considering the important impor-tant position which swine produce holds among our importation there certainly was evidence at our fair of a great lack of interest in-terest in the improvement of our hogs which are in many instances the most profitable pro-fitable amimals on the farm and they certainly cer-tainly yield the best returns for a little extra feeding and attention in breeding than any other of our domestic animals liz view of the lack of interest at our last fair would it not be well for the association to offer some special cash premiums in this particular class l I understand that the a sociation has not a great amount of means to expend in this manner but cannot a little pruning in other directions be made to justify more liberality where so much needed I And cannot those who have this department in charge wake up an interest among a few of our welltodo citizens and leading farmers and get some private specials to this end I have before me the premium list for 1SS3 and notice there is no division for grades while iu the classes for cattle and horses are complete divisions for cross grades and natives of different dif-ferent ages There is also no sweepstakes offered for the best boar and some of our leading breeds arc not mentioned at all The white victorious are omitted and are a class of swine that have been tested here cas and have given good satisfaction The Yorkshire and Duroc Jerseys or Jersey Reds are also omitted and both have been introduced hero and promise good results I would suggest that a division be made for each of these breeds as well as any others that may be brought to your notice Another thing which I consider of importance im-portance is to make a distinction between fat animals or those ready for the butcher and those that are aul KEPT AND EXIIIUITUD AS BRCKDING ANIMALS This is done in the classes for cattle and certainly should be done in the class for swine I is hardly just to allow a fatsow that has never been bred to be entered for competition with sows that have a litter of pigs by their sides or that are kept solely with a view of keeping them in their best breeding condition nor yet is it justto allow barrows and yelts to compete with each other any more than it is just for steers and heifers to compete for the same premium For other things being equal the preference is always given to the barrow bar-row or steer Another matter that should receive attention at-tention from the board of directors is in regard re-gard to the rule which prohibits horses and cattle from being entered that have not been o med in the territory for one year This is a difficult matter to handle as we should protect our home breeders as much as possible Yet there exists in the above rule that which will discourage to a certain extent what we most wish to foster I know of several taxpaying residents our territory who own good horses that were impor cd early last spring and that made the season of 1SS3 in Salt Lake and Utah counties which were barred from entry at the fair on account of having been owned in the territory for less thau one year This was also the case with a number horned stock which with the above horse would have added considerable to the exhibition During Dur-ing this month and April there will be other stock imported by men whose interest is bound up in our local welfare and whose prosperity is identical with that of the community at large I have heard a wish expressed by these men that the rule mentioned men-tioned above should be modified so that their stock might be admitted Now the question is cannot the rule be modified so a 1 to admit stock owned by the local residents resi-dents and bar those that are held here for sale and speculation and owned by breeders breed-ers outside of this territory The society could make its own definition of a bona fide resident then formulate a rule admitting all stock owned bj them and imported before be-fore Juno in 1SS9 provided all stock imported im-ported inside of a year are entered for exhibition by the 1st of August by paying a special entrance fee which would be forfeited for-feited to the association if the stock was not shown Importations of stock are genera gen-era ly made in the spring and this would give penty of time for peopleto make their entries and yet would shut out those who send stock here to be advertised and sold Now no one understands much better than I do that our last fair was gotten up I under great disadvantages and no one more willingly makes allowances for consequent short comings nor is there anyone who is I more interested in our coming fair or that Jd would do more to make eftn success than L Hoping you will tar these suggestions in the spirit they arc intended and trusting that the fqr of the fail of 13S9 will eclipse everything of the kind ever attempted by any of our sister territories I am yours respectfully BEN R ELDREDGE SALT LAKE CIT March llth 18SO |