h
September 8, 1905.
THE OMAHA ILLUSTRATED DEE.
j i
I!
Modern Agricultural Fair Its
- - .. . I HiLV- ; v -1
- - - I
TTOPSFB ON EXHIBITION AT TirE
DALIA. Photo by Stall Artist.
riCT Koinniio hutnrv nf thn nr.
I ganlzatlon we term the agricul-
A I (.ml fair rinton hack Into the
eighteenth century, when the prl-
mary purpose of the fair was the
barter and sale of articles of merchandise fairs are found to have been almost ex- The next fair was held by the Columbian ure tne jocai agricultural school of the anshlp it has assumed in the exhibition,
and farm products. Under this system of cluslvely In the Interest of the purchase Agricultural society for the promotion of eommuntty or county In which It Is or- care of agriculture and its kindred In
observance and when the ordinary means and sale of live stock, both Improved breeds rural domestic economy at Georgetown, ganized; In the Introduction of the ele- terests and Industries,
of communication between countries were and animals to be sold to the feeder to be D. C. This was held In 1810 and large prem- mentary principles and the study of agrl- $
very limited fairs were of great use In the
exchange of commodities.
In Europe they appear to nave originated
In the rhurch festivals, which were found
. . A ... .
to afford convenient opportunities for com-
merclal transactions, the attendance of
nennla he nar aueh as tonic nlace unon no
other occasion. Some of these festivals,
from circumstances of place and season,
speedily acquired a much greater commer
cial Importance than others, and began,
therefore, to be frequented by buyers and
sellers even from remote parts of the world,
Prlnces, magistrates and governing author!-
ties of cities found It to their advantage
to encourage them and many privileges
were thus granted.
At a later date, when the convenience
for travel had Improved, when more popu
lous towns had come Into existence, with
their dealers In miscellaneous wares and
other evidences of advancement in trade.
the necessity for the ordinary class of lairs
aeemed to have passed, and In many enses
they degenerated into scenes of merriment.
uch as was found at Bartholomew fair,
London nons: since extinct), also Green-
wlch fair. Glasgow fair and Donnybrook
falr. near Dublin. The boisterous merrl-
, ment of these fairs were of the old device,
employed as most likely to attract a grester
concourse of people, hence each fair had
Entertaining Little Stories for Little People
The Chickens' Napkin.
OUR napkin, dear," reminded
mamma gently.
Bernice across the table, lifted
her little bread-and-buttery face,
and the tiniest of scowls traveled
up and down between her eyes. Napkin
were such a bother. She was always drop
ping hers.
"I wish there weren't any!" she mur
mured, getting down from her high chair
to pick hers up. "They always drop, an
they get all mixed up when you fold 'em
up."
"When you don't fold them up," corrected
Eurl laughing.
Bernice turned her dainty, beloved little
ring over and over thoughtfully In her
small hands. v
"Then I wish I was a chicken," she
announced slowly.
"Oh, chickens use napkins regularly at
every meal," said papa.
"Chickens!"
The word came In an astonished chorus
from all the children.
"Why, of course. Did you think they
haven't any manners at all? I can tell you
Mother Biddy Is bringing them up better
than that. Alter dinner you shall see. She
. teaches them to use their napkins very
l carefully."
"Only Just one to them all?
"Ye-es," papa said a little reluctantly,
"only Just one; but then It's plenty large
enough."
The twinkles In papa's eyes were playing
hide-and-seek.
It's so large they share It with their rela
, tliins, their aunts and cousins and uncles. "
"Why, the Idea!"
"Oh. my, I don't call that having good
manners." cried Bernice scornfully.
The children started out with papa to
the chicken yard, but mamma had to call
Bernice back again to fold her napkin.
That happened very often.
The chickens' meal was nearlv over hut
. they watched them take the last few dainty
gacln.
"That's the dessert. They eat it slowly
because they've eaten all their hungry up."
exclaimed Esther.
"Where's their napklnH? I don't see any,"
Bernice exclaimed In disappointment.
"Wait," said papa.
"Now watch!" he said a minute later, as
the downy little fellows finished their lust
crumbs. They walked away a few steps,
and then every single one of them wlp.'d
)i!s bill thls-a-way, that-a-way, very care
fullyon the grass.
"Oh!"
"O-oh!"
"Oh. my!"
"Well." Bernice added triumphantly,
"they didn't fold It up. papa."
Papa laughed; "but little girl, must
And that', the difference between chicken,
ana little girls." Selected.
Greedy Toss.
Tommy was given a nice piece of plum
rake by his mother, who said. "Give some
to your .later, Tom." But greedy Tom
went away td the barn and climbed lnto
the haymow .to eat the treat himself, re
lates the Brooklyn Citizen.. 'There Isn't
enough for me and Lucy, too," he said.
A. he was thinking how good It would
taste he fell fast asleep. A rooster came
pecking near him, spied the cake and
quickly made away with It while To.n
alent on.
'When be awoke no cake was In hi.
hands, and he thought he had eaten It,
but then remembered he had not.
finally, there In the corner, he discovered
the old rooster swallowing the last morsel
of the cake. Tom ran at him. The
rooster hopped to the ground and Tom
after him. The rooster icauipered out Into
inSSOdll
STATE FAm AT SE-
lta annrt firs arnerl to be nest adamea TO ITS
attendance, foot ball, wrestling, Jumping,
sack races. soaDed Digs, wheelbarrow laces,
etc .
At a still later date many of the British
iattenea ror tne Dutcner.
.
.u o......
First Step la I'nlted States.
Ano "r"1 "leP luw otsiiimiiuu
tha anennrnirlna and forwardlna- of azrl-
the encouraging .nd
tohtVTl cl,ty
v 1
fnr th nrnmntlnn nf iiririilture in 1784 A
MVttantllJw
? taT lBj-JL and
South Carolina In 1792. At this time there -
was but little conception of how such so
cietles were to be operated. They repre-
ented a new enterprise, both In this coun
try and tn England, where at this date
they were Just begun. The first proposi
tion was to place the boards under govern
ment management and assist them by
government aid.
Washington was greatly Interested In the
subject and was a member of the Phila
delphia society. He, John Qulncy Adams
nd Thomas Jefferson were practical farm-
r On a large scale. Arthur Young and
Sir John Sinclair of England were active
participants In agricultural organiaatton at
this time and In matter of Information
'were esteemed authority. These gentlemen
suggested the value of a national board
fostered by government appropriation.
Washington's Idea was the formation of
smaller societies which, would be auxiliary
the yard and Tom too. Here he was met
by Lucy, who held In her hand a piece of
plum cake. "Tom, Tom, stop a minute,"
she called. "Well, what Is it?" said Tom.
"I want to give you a piece of my cake.
Mamma gave It to me a minute ago and
I want you to have some."
Then was not greedy Tom ashamed of
himself? Ah, yes, Indeed.
Mistress Merry face.
Little Mistress Merryface
Dances down the way
With a fairy's airy grace,
Cheerful all the day.
In the little songs she sings
Sweet the note of gladness lings.
Love looks from her eyes;
Gentle, Joyful, Jubilant,
Kvery sunbeam seems to slant
Her way from the skies.
Is the world a dismal place
Hedged about by woe?
Little Mistress Merryface
Does not find It so.
Every day that follows night
Brings new joys she has the right
To possess or see;
When she laughs all things appear
Glad to know that she is near
Blessing with her glee.
Sadness may not linger where
Her sweet song Is heard;
Hatred hurries off with care,
By her laughter spurred;
Grateful, Joyful, Jubilant,
All the sunbeams seem to slant
Downward but to let
IJttle Mistress Merryface
Keep the world the fairest place
God has made as yet.
3. E. Klser.
Indian Babies.
Little Indian babies are very dear and
cunning, and have Just as many admirers
In ,1.. .4 4. - l.
tor. and all the relative, and friend, as
little white babies have. .
.... . , , . . , . .
".I0 'V
iuiv h- .,.ii. . i i
"' in, .funis, . .1 ' I iiuv im iiauv,
ire spread out on the floor or ground, and
the baby Is laid on them, her head at one
corner, her feet at the one diagonally op-
P"u- Tn,,n the folded over and
P,nnea; n'n thlrk cord or small rope 1.
tied several times around the pack. The
co""'r ' h" J"t at the head Is left
so that It can be thrown over baby's face
to protect It.
t'ntll Indian babies are four or five
months old they are not carried on their
mother's back, but In the arms like other
babies. When wrapped in the pack they
are an armful, although the baby Itself
may be small. But later, what a good
time the baby has on its mother's back,
playing horse with her braids of hair.
When the Indian baby Is old enough
for playthings, bits of bone, little string
and the quaint necklace is hung around
baby's neck.
The babies accompany their parent, to
churcji, and often try to Join In the sing
ing. The other day I saw a dear little baby
girl wrapped In a coyote skin, and I
thought of Baby Bunting.
f
gome of the Thloars I no.
When I rlay that I'm a bird.
Then I try to fly;
Lifting up mv pinafore
High. high. hlKh;
Spreading out my pinafore
Wide, wide wide;
Ton might think It was wings,
U you truly tried.
Whsr, I play that I'm a horse.
Then I wear a tail.
Eat my luncheon from a bag
Irlnk It from a pall.
Smashed the cart up t'other day
Hal.y in It. too!
When he's scared and run. away
What', a horse to do?
When I play that I'm a wolf.
Then I howl and roar.
Sniffing here, sniffing there.
Bound the nursery dour.
Daddy says he'll spank me soon.
If I still annoy.
Thing perhaps this afternoon,
l il be a Utile boy I
Laura E. Rlcharda,
1
If
TTDGTN'a CATTLE TJT TTIE KEW LIVE
to the greater one. Upon this basis so
cieties were organized and continued to bo
organized In the states with varying re
siUts. Held at W'sahinKton ia 1804.
The first agricultural fair held in this
country was at Washington in 1804, at that
lime aescriDea as a ray m wis wuuua.
The premium Incentive at this fair for the
exhibition of choice produce and live stock
was 1100, which was apportioned In the
various departments.
lums were offered, especially on sneep ana
wool. Bezeleel Wells of Stubenville, O..
wag a prominent exhibitor at tnis lair 01
the Rlack-ton Delaine Merino sheen, a well-
. . , . . .
known type of Bneep at our present day
... , . h m
Tn irir tho Maannchimettfl socletv Held a
.
fa,r at Br,ghton- where Premluin ere
offered 'lr a P,?Wlng matCl ' tralnfA,0X
team8 - .e8e "C,I. ,mUC" ' 1"7
ana a spim ui cumoi iaiuij uc.cinu,
as well as the advantage of acquiring hints
for improvement In methods of work. They
were also commented upon as good adver-
tlBlng mediums for the breeder of good
stock, resulting often In a rich harvest In
sales.
At many of the fairs addresses were
made by prominent agriculturists on topics
calculated to Interest ard Instruct the
people; also papers were read which were
collected and afterwards printed for the
benefit of the public.
For the first forty years of the nineteenth
century the organization of county and
atata fairs was not marked with much
. nut tha nerind he.
. . .,, ,, .. i,a
numerously formed over the country,
'me Bcarcely an agricultural
trt t ythin out national llm'ts has been
. h . th rountv or Btate fair until at
the present time no less than 2,000 active
agricultural fairs are In. organization In
the United States -
q
Offsprlas; of Kdneatlon.
The agricultural fair of the present day
may very prudently be termed the legltl-
Pampered Cow
ARIOUB degrees of luxury prevail
in Omaha but It Is safe to say
v
that none of the leading citizens
ma
regale themselves on more ex-
pensive milk that William A.
Paxton, wholesale grocer, builder of the
office structure that bears his name,
and one of the men who established tho
stock yards at South Omaha. Mr. Pax
ton's supply of milk, served on the table
of his handsome residence at Twenty-fifth
avenue and Douglas street, costs anywheres
from 72 to 17 cents a quart, whichever way
you calculate It. The larger figure would
hit the price of the Paxton lacteal fluid
about right, however, and the Jersey cow
that produces It has a right to be the
proudest bovine that ever chewed her cud
In Omaha. This because she revels, uay,
literally wallows in the most expensive
eow pasture In these parts.
The cow pasture is on the north side of
Farnam street, extending from Twenty
fifth to Twenty-sixth avenue, and the west
half of It clear through to Douglas street.
It is this pasture that makes the Paxton
milk so costly for the sole and only revenue
which this three-quarters of a city block
bears to the owner, is the pasturage of said
'c ""J? c,ow- w'thln easy walk of the
........... .
and west tnorougnxare ui iuwn, nun "unu.ru
on every hand by stately dwellings,
on every
... . ,.. ,
churches ana scnoo . ana "
streets and cement sidewalks commanding
Its approaches. It is not remarkable that
the Paxton property is listed by the tax
commissioner at $60,000.
This Is for the whole block, which ha.
f-v V
lT?i i. ' V .
Origin, Development and Possibilities
H4
1$ tJ.r'-
! F
STOCK PAVTLTON AT THE IOWA BTAT E
mate offspring of agricultural education,
The tendency Is to seek Information for
a bettering of farm conditions everywhere,
throughout all districts where agriculture
forms a part of the business Interests of
the Deonle. This desire for agricultural
knowledge and training may be seen In
the Increased number of agricultural
.hnni. in th rtiinmiiini, nf mir Mt ona
for jncreagea appropriations for the main-
..4 hatter enuinment nf these
schools; In the .-apld growth of the farm-
institute, which has become In a meas-
cuiture In the public schools. The ten-
dency throughout seems to be for more
practical knowledge on scientific and prac-
,ii oth. In n nther nernnatlnn nr
B. -
prf)fe88lon , there BO much ,nteregt m.nl.
fMt frm m"nK Cmmn The8"
in. rant in irriniil-
c,,ucuw:o ...v.. v.. v
ture stimulate a disposition to rlvalship
Producers, and the agricultural fair
18 tne r:00'1. med ,nr"SnWn
lnc amDuious uuer 01 mi sun mm mo
Btock grower finds consolation In publicly
demonstrating the merits of their , pro-
duction and fruits of their work. Thus
we find the agricultural fair has become
a necessity before the pressing demands
of the breeder and producer in his efforts
to fill the requirements that agricultural
education has, and Is making, for these
object lessons that the agricultural fair
so perfectly and satisfactorily supplies.
fy
Scope of the State Fair.
The state fair of the twentieth cem-
tury measures a higher standard of ex-
cellence In moral Influence and educa-
tlonal ambition than has ever been pre
vlouslv obtained under agricultural orranl-
aation.
The agricultural fair of today Is as
distinctly a part of the agricultural edu-
cation of the country as are the Influ-
ences which make It possible for a fair
to be held and meet the Indorsement of
PUD" sentiment. It Is the ambition of
the managers of the modern state fair
to meet the expectations of the people and
satisfy the demands of a higher class of
exhibition and entertainment on the fair
on Most Expensive Pasture
the fine Paxton residence on the northeast
corner; also a barn and outbuildings. The
improvements and land upon which they
stand are chalked up at $25,000 by the com-
mlssioner, leaving the estimated value of
the cow pasture (35,000. Now a yearly re
turn at six per cent, which is low for such
valuable real estate, would amount to
J2.100. Experts on klne asseverate that the
fine, black Jersey that luxuriates In the
downtown pasture Is capable of manufac
turing on the average eight quarts of milk.
more or less enriched with cream, in
single day. Ciphering on this basis the
Paxton milk Is worth 72 cents a quart net,
exclusive of the Indoor feed, the stable
that shelters in cold ana inclement weainer
and the wages of the hired man who re
lieves her of the precious milk. Simply
calculating on the basis that Mr. Paxton
has to hand over to .the city ana county
governments about $500 taxes on the cow
pasture, annually, the price of the white
fluid drops to about 17 cents. But It must
he admitted that the latter way of regard
ing the matter Is not founded In correct
financial principles. It does not take In the
65 or more cents per quart that might be
derived. And It Is to be remembered that
the highest price ever gouged by a milk-
man In Omaha from his helpless customer.
I. cents a auart. thus putting the Paxton
, , ,
cow In a frenzied finance class which even
Lawson's subjects cannot approach. And
there Is no one .who will say that the proud
Jersey's stock Is watered either.
Cow Is Dlaconteated
It has been rumbled around portentously
tor Bom, tlme that Mr. Paxton Is bent
r""'' t
K
' v . l
.V
W. A. PAXTON" 8 JXRSBT COW Ilf HI It
'it.
6
, FAIR. Photo by Staff Artist
grounds. The successful management of a
state fair Is too frequently estimated upon
Its ability to make money, regardless of
the protection it offers Its patrons,
The present tendency among state fairs
Is to permanency of location, the beautl-
fylng of the grounds by nature's adorn-
ments and landscape gardening, the bulld-
Ins rnr (tin ruturn and trio kppnln? nf
these grounds free from the contaminating
Influence of vicious and Immoral shows and
concessions. The high moral standing of
the state fair makes it worthy the guardi-
Amusement Feature Hlsh Clans.
The contemplated introduction of a
higher class of entertaining features In the
.. . . . ... .. .
nne or amusements ror state lairs resuitea
organIzatlon of a we8tern Btate falr
c,rcult last 'lnter at D" Moln"- This
... .....
association, B.B soon as It K?tS into working
condltlon, 'Wlll be able to arrange for
,a, f8 attractlons of a hlKhlyBenter.
talning character that could not be had
for
a Bingje engagement
The day has KOneby for the cheap Blae
Bn0WB at the gtate fa,r The ppople dg.
mnnd more In advantages for recreation
and amusement and this calls for the state
fair auditorium and theater, where the
tired visitor may rest under the Influence
of good music and Instructive talent.
With the fair visitor the great central at
traction Is what he is most interested In. It
may be live stock, farm products, fruits,
machinery, dairy, bees and honey, mercan
tile display, fine arts or the race horses on
the track.
The race horse has been the means of
creating more contention In the agrlcul-
turaI 'al thtn .&U other Influences oom-
blned- and et h 's a legitimate factor In
agriculture, when properly credited and
Klven bis natural and Inherited rights as a
e and yntrammeled animal.
Ttje strictly agricultural fair Is s&vocated
by a class of fair patrons as being the only
legitimate exhibition, and therefore the
only feature that should receive encourage-
ment from the fair management. The
horse race Is condemned as vicious and
damaging in its -influence on the fair visi
upon having a greal, modern apartment
house erected upon the erstwhile cow pas-
ture, and its lone occupant banished to
cheaper (though they could not be greener)
fields. To date, however, rumor hath not
borne fruit. The proud cow, like many
other creatures, does not seem at all satis
fied In Its gilded cage, which, truth to tell.
Is surrounded by an iron fence of the
cheapest pattern. One day during the sum-
mer she almost strangled herself and Irre
parably damaged the fence by trying to
get at some rank weeds outside. The
tender clover and the green growth from
the golden ground were spurned bv this
cow, x she wanted was a few common
weedBi Bucn as the rangiest maverick of
the plains can gobble at will. But no; she
was forced to go back to her 11,000 grass
or eat nothlng. she went back, but since
that dav Bne ha no, shown her old inter-
tBt , fe Many hours find her stretched
, melancholy posture under the trees that
frlns tho KorgPOUB domain. In such ab
ject unhapplness she chiws her tasteless
cud and contempiates the noisome weeds
tha can never be nerg 0ne day BhA near(,
a passing high school cadet mumbling his
r,nHh ,.,,. ,h- ,. to hi.
,. . Orav's Klcev. and that dav
tha mUk thflt tn, prmld vine gave was
... .1 , i..ih .v,.
duvh is uc nuaai v.i -,,,.,,,, w.-i
pomp of etc,. Meanwhll(, tne lron
fence Is rusting away, but as fast as It
does it Is reinforced with heavy wooden
pieces. And for the proud cow there Is no
hope. Like Mary Mcljine, she surveys her
$35,000 pasture and cries. "Oh. what a noth-
lngness.'1
t 'w " . , .
r
. 'I ' 'V r I
' ' ' ,: : till '""
C06TLT PASTURE).
ANGUS SHOW HERD AT THE NEBRASKA STATE FAIR. Photo by Staff Artist.
tors. The encouragement for betting and
gambling Is urged as a reason why this
source of amusement should be excluded
from the fair. Cruelty to dumb brutes Is
sometimes set forth In the attempt to make
a case against the encouragement of the
speed attraction on the fair grounds.
Race track gambling, where the horse Is
used as the medium for carrying It on, has
nothing whatever to do with the exhibition
speed attraction of the agricultural fair. It
Is proper to encourage the speed feature In
horse breeding, because there Is a legiti
mate purpose, use and demand for active,
sYnart driving horses. They are needed for
saddle and light harness use, and the
breeding of these horses is a proper and
legitimate Industry on the farm. The ra
cing feature Is an entirely different proposi
tion and has no direct connection with the
agricultural fair. Neither the horse nor
the breeder of the horse Is responsible for
the use to which he is put.
Educational Phase of the Fair.
The educational feature of the fair should
never be lost sight of by the fair manage
ment In Its attempt to amuse and entertain.
The building of a fair that will at once ap
peal to the finer sensibilities of the edu
cated and the learned In science and art Is
the demand of the times, and should be the
aim of those having this work In charge.
More refinement, more taste, more arttstlo
dl.iplay In decoration and the placing of ex
hibits Is the demand at the state fair, and
every effort to supply this refining Influence
should be exerted.
This refining Influence Is not confined to
Recent Progress Made in
Edison's Motor Battery.
iinMia A EniHfiN announces
I f that the new storage battery upon
a I wliinh ha has been working for
almost four years has been fin
ished to his satisfaction and that
he will at once build a factory for the
manufacture of the battery cells for the
trade.
At various times during the progress of
work on the latest of Edison's inventions
much has been promised respecting Its
decided advance over the storage batteries
now In use, consequently expectations have
been keyed rather high. If present prom
ises are realized in practical operation, tlie
Invention will work an epoch In electrical
storage batteries.
The battery or cell, as now perfected,
will, it Is claimed, drive a two-ton truck
at the rate of 33 miles an hour, with halt
the weight of the old method.
A smaller dealer can operate a delivery
wagon with Its power at 58 per cent of
the cost of maintaining a horse. An or
dinary automobile will run 100 miles un
der ordinary conditions without recharg
ing. Under the most favorable conditions
150 miles can be covered at a speed of 20
miles an hour.
"The troubles In the battery I have been
trying for two years to remedy have been
purely mechanical," said Mr. Edison In an
Interview. "They have been greatly due
to the swelling of the nickel element.
I have succeeded In reducing the weight
of the battery from 40 to 45 pounds per
horse-power. It has taken time to find
out what was needed for this battery, be
cause we cannot look ahead and see Just
what such a thing is going to do after we
have it sketched on paper. In the two
years I have been experimenting we have
turned out some 14,000 cells of the battery,
and have operated 160 auto-vehicles.
"I do not pretend to have solved the
problem tor touring vehicles. That can
only be possible when more charging sta
tions are spread about the country. Young
Cooper Hewitt of New York has helped
solve that problem with his mercury rec
tifier, which take, the place of the old
transformer and make. It possible to con
vert the alternating currents used In small
towns so as to make them available for
charging the batteries.
"With proper motor and wagon equip
ment we can take our cells and operate an
ordinary delivery wagon for 58 per cent,
of the cost of maintaining a horse."
Jew I'se for Kleetrtrlty.
A practical electrician who at one time
acted as selling agent for a firm manufac
turing electrical supplies, Including Incan
descent lamps, disclosed to the New York
Times "a trick of the trade" which,
though it has some slightly dubious as
pects, is oertainly interesting and entirely
novel. While "on the road'' In winter he
was often obliged to pass the night in
hotels where, though most of the "modern
Improvements" were present, the bed rooms
were usually very cold and the sheets
cften very damp. When It was a hotel
that had electric lights lie materially miti
gated these woes by extracting from bis
"grip" a thirty-two-candle lamp, equlprd
with Insulated wires long enough to run
from the bed to the nearest fixture and
ending In a "plug" that would take the
place of a lamp destined for Illuminating
purposes. When ready for retirement he
would remove the lamp, usually a small
one, attach his own big one, and, with the
latter for companion, s.k the seclusion of
the icy sheets. They never remained Icy
long, he declured. for a thlrty-t wo-candlo
lump gives out a considerable amount (f
heat, mild and continuous. In the circum
stances, this would obviously be a simple
... - ';
any department or division of the fair and
should not be. Throw out the proper en
couragement by providing neat and well ar
ranged grounds and buildings and the ex
hibition artist will bring every feature of
display up to It.
The work of the artist Is not alone found
hanging on the walls of the beautiful and
finely decorated buildings on the fair
grounds, labeled "Fine Arts," "Mechanical
Arts" and "Textile Fabrics," but In the live
stock barns as well the artist has been at
work, where are found the fine, glossy
swine, finished more beautifully than the
pencil of the master painter can picture. In
the cattle stalls the same artistic work of
the caretaker and scientific feeder are ob
served, as the massive duke or prince of
the herd stands at the head, the proud pro
genltor of a long line of successful prize
winners. And the great, matronly cow, a
no less prominent figure In her relation to
the show herd, stands quietly by and un
consciously defies the picture maker In
adding one more touch of the brush or the
perfecting of a single line that will make
her more acceptable In the eye of the critlo.
The state fair Is a presentation to tha
public of the work of a great aggregation
of artists and scientists, who come from
the farm, the feed yard, the orchard, the
factory, the workshop, the home and tha
school. The best of everything Is collected
Into the showrooms and this great state ex
hibition at once becomes an Institute of
learning, a school for the eye, the ear, tha
heart. Men and women are made better In
knowledge and better In spirit by attending
a good agricultural fair, conducted upon a
basis of education and morality.
the Field of Electricity
and efficient expedient, although we have
more than a suspicion that the hotel keep
ers would not regard It with approval, and
we hav3 more than half a suspicion that
practice of the plan would be attended
with some danger of accidents of several
hinds.. Shoved well down toward the foot
of the bed, the light of the lamp would be
no annoyance, . while It would make no
trouble as long as the Insulation remained
perfect and no unguarded movement with
a bony heel shattered the fragile globe.
That once broken; however, there would
be an explosion that would at least give a
somewhat painful start to the lamp', bed
fellow, and other mishap, might follow,
possibly to the Imperiling of the whole
house. That Is a quostion for the experts
to decide, and a. the expert who made the
revelation was not afraid to try the ex
periment, presumably the peril Is not ex
cessive. At any rate, the Idea Is a queer
one and the opportunities for exploiting It,
if It is of any value, are not confined to
hotels In tho hinterland.
Owls Killed Vf Klertrtrlty
The temporary suspension of work at
thn mine and mill of the nrantte-Blmetalllo
Mining company at Phlllpsburg, Mont.,
was caused by nn owl becoming entangled
In the wires. Since the transmission line
was put Into commission, nearly four year,
ago, relates the Anaconda Standard, twenty-five
owls have been electrocuted by
coming In contact with the wires, and
since November of last year twelve fine
specimens of the owl family have gone to
owl land over this route.
The transmission line is eleven miles
In length and furnishes a current of 16.000
volt.. to the mine and mill. No. 4 copper
wire being used. The line traverses a
wild and unsettled country, the abiding
place of all kinds of wild beasts and birds.
Shortly after the line was opened there
vwas a sudden break In the current one
night. The line crew began an Investiga
tion at once.
A few miles from the power station a
monster owl was discovered dead Just be
low the pole line. The bird bore every
evidence of having been electrocuted. The
occurrence was then considered a novelty,
and the bird was stuffed by some of the
company employes and plscod on exhibi
tion. Blnce then, however, the act has
been repeated so often and with such
serious loss of time to the company's ope
rations that the freaks of the owl. have
become a serious nuisance.
As might be supposed, the break, al
way. occur at night. Just at the time they
are most difficult to find. In nearly every
Instance the wires are burned outright,
but in a few cases where the owl fall,
to land with both feet on both wires no
serious damage Is d ne to the wires, but
the bird is always a victim. George T.
MacOulre, the electrician at the power
house, has a memento of one of these
night tragedies in the. si.at of a rubhit s
fot, which was found in the talons of an
electrocuted owl.
A big owl became entangled In the wire,
one night, canning the customary sua
pension of work at the mine and mill. Mid
way between tho station and the mill next
day Ir MacCJulrc found the owl sun
pend. from the win,., the claws of one
foot clutching the wire and the 'other
holding fat a rabbit's foot. The rabbit
had evidently been killed by tht owl and
partly eaten. After making a meal of
bunny the owl had carried away the foot
for a future repast or perhaps for good
luck, and lat.r struck the high voltugt
wires with dlatroiis results. The owl
had such a death grip on the foot that
Mr. Macfiulre was coinja-llc-d to cut away
the claws to secure It. and be baa aaxrled
the amulet ever aim;.
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