Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 June 1917 — LET UTILITY RULE THE FAIRS [ARTICLE]

LET UTILITY RULE THE FAIRS

In the preparations -for the various state and county fairs to be held this fall, it will be well if we all stop and consider the Question Of exhibits. ' Heretofore .exhibitors at these fairs have been inspired by one controlling ambition—to have the best possible specimen on exhibition, frequently regardless of the cost. This year the item of cost should receive careful attention. Especially is this true in the case of live stock exhibits. If there -were any means of ascertaining the amount of feed consumed in this country annually by “show” stock, with little if any return in actual market value, we would - doubtless be amazed at the quantity. Stock of all kinds—horses, cattle, sheep, hogs and poultry—are fed up, petted .and pampered, with no purpose of real efficiency or actual market value, but purely for shew. And frequently the cost of producing the specimen is out of all proportion to the real value. 1 Such a practice should be dis--couraged this year. No person should lavish feed and care upon any animal with any other object in view save to get a .bona fide return in dollars and cents—that is, in actual value that could be converted into money, and that at a profit. For instance, the average hog reaches the maximum of profitable growth at from 400 to 500 pounds. Frequently any additional weight is procured not only without profit, but at. a loss. The same holds good in other lines. The object, to be aimed at. this year is to see that every dollar’s wor/h of feed consumed shall yield more than a dollar’s worth of the animal to which it is. fed. Any other course is waste, which is inexcusable our country is at war and sorely in need of every ounce of farm production.

Lgt the prize stock pass for this year. Feed for returns in ACTUAL VALUE.