The billboard (July-Dec 1898)

u The Billboard .1 * fair * Department *l $Oe$0OOe0QOOOOOO9OO<>Oe0OOOeO*»«64>^OOOO$6OO0O6O6^O64O TAXES The ^^^ State Fair. ON FAIR ASSOCIATIONS. A Year's License Compulsory for a Four Days' Show. Ruling Made by the Commissioner of In- ternal Revenue—Washington Notes. The following ruling of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, with respect to special show taxes, in reply to a letter of inquiry frore Collector Franks, of Owensboro, will be found of interest to all county fair asso- ciations: This rule was issued Aug. 11 and compels fairs that only give two. three, four or five day shows to pay a yearly license, or nearly so. Fairs held in the month of September will be mulcted in the sum of $83.33; that is, ten months, until July 1, 1S99. October fairs catch It for $75. This shows the necessity of a national or- ganization of fairs. If fairs were organized, provision would have been made to tax them fairly. We give the ruling in full: "In reply to your letter of the 26th, you are hereby advised that county fairs, under whose management and control .tests of speed of horses are exhibited, but (as you state) no 'feats of horsemanship and no acro- batic performances,' are' not required to pay special tax for circuses, under Paragraph 7 of Section 2 of the act of June 13, 1898: but, as it appears, they should pay special tax under Paragraph 8 of that section. "In every case'where a county fair has under its complete control and management various shows in which acrobatic perform- ances, together with theatrical performances, a.-* exhibited, a special ,tax of S100 for the year beginning July 1. or at that rate, reck- oned from the first day of the month in which the liability began to the first day of July following, is sufficient, in the opinion of this office, to cover all these shows within the inclosure of the fair grounds. "Where, however, the fair association has no such control or management of these ex- ' hibitions, and does "not hold the special tax stamp under Paragraph 7 of the act. each of the separate exhibitions must be required to pay a separate special tax, either under Par- agraph 8 of the section, (where the exhibi- tion does not include feats of horsemanship or acrobatic sports), or under Paragraph 7 of that section, where the exhibition is such as to clearly come under the head of a circus. "A mere theatrical performance, not con- nected with any exhibition of feats of horse- manship or acrobatic sports, it is held, does not come within the meaning of the seventh paragraph, and, therefore, the $100 special tax is not required to be paid for such theat- rical performance. "N. B. SCOTT. Commissioner." Elsewhere in this issue will be found an advertisement calling upon each and every fair association in the United States and Canada to send a delegate to the annual con- vention of the American Association of Fairs and Expositions, at Omaha, Neb., Oct. 26 next. The association, ■which is now com- posed of State fairs only, is to be enlarged in scope. All fairs are to be admitted. It is proposed to make the organization open at first, and franchises mav be had for a nominal sum. Ultimately, however, it is bound to merge into a close corporation, and franchises will become as valuable as those of the Asso ciated Press. It behooves all fair associations to send a delegate. The convention means the dawn of a new era for the exposition and fair. i A Vigorous Campaign. I'- ll! if The Omaha Bee thus tells how Montgom- ery Ward & Co., of Chicago, have helped the Omaha Exposition: They have advertised it in 300.COO large cat- alogues issued last March. It will be adver- tised in 300.000 more issued the first of Sep- tember. They have advertised it in nearly 200,000 small catalogues, in 310,000 almanacs. In over 1.000.000 circulars, and are reaching daily fully 10.000 people by special circulars, requesting the people everywhere to visit the exposition. Their advertising cars. "Suc- cess" and "Progress," together with one of their electric horseless carriages, are being sent through the State of Iowa, and at every town they reach along the line of the road they are distributing advertising matter, ad- vocating that everybody visit the exposition and take their wives and children with them. When their advertising cars reach a town the fact of their coming has been advertised days ahead, and invariably there are from 500. to 2,500 people in town to see the cars and enjoy the free entertainment Montgom- ery Ward & Co. gives. At such time their manager, who has charge of the cars, ad- dresses the people, states the object of the trip, tells what it is so tne consumer can become better acquainted with the methods of doing business of Montgomery Ward r & Co. To Make the Fair a Success. 2 be * f°I Iow inS suggestions were recently ?£?"£ Ule .f?, lr mana 6ers in an article under the above title by.the American Agricultur- isc it says: Some hints that will help exhibitors, man- agers and all who attend the coming fairs this fall, are presented below. They are based on much experience, wide observation and close familiarity with the conduct of-ag- ricultural fairs in all parts of the country. Testing farm machines on the fair ground gives an idea of how they will work in the w;;.~ a " re ., p,ots ., rea,iy for testing plows, harrows, road graders, etc. These tests al- ways attract a crowd, as well as the best class of exhibitors. Disinfect stock-pens and stalls before ani- Zfill a I!,'?! a S e ? In tnem - Ne 8«ect of this has diseases * gI " eat l0SS from con taei°iis ,.™ ve *? e sbow . anin >al the best possible n? ™. f tne a J>Pearance is concerned. Do not expect a rough-haired, ungroomed an- uria I to take premiums. .^ M f k ^ the fa £ grounds attractive. Plant shade trees so that visitors can rest in com- £ . Small lakes and flower beds are verv 4n?n b i?•. h Pr .'? Vid t p, f. nty ° f drinking water .« tn f "barker." If peddlers or shows are allowed upon the grounds, make them ci e r%ms^n-ces They "» * DUlSanCe » Dder «T Have well-defined ideas of what a good fair should be. Then go to work and follow these out In spite of discouragement. Tbe grounds must be large enough to ade- quately accommodate all exhibitors. House all exhibitors so far as possible :Induce the agricultural college to make a showing-not for competition, but as a sam- ple of what the college can do. This ought the fafr 116 beSt educational features of Special days, such as old soldiers' day grange day. Christian Endeavor day etc are popular in some States Advertise the fair liberally. No amount of work will overcome a neglect in this direc- Every man on the fair board cust be will- i=? t j!L Worl L ha 7 1 a * anything to which he is assigned. People who imagine they are ap- pointed merely for ornament or to "do the Honors are worse than useless. Pay premiums promptly and In full Secure reduced transportation rates for exmoitors and excursion rates for passen- • Give particular attention to the selection of judges. Plan to make the exhibit comprehensive Every department must receive evenly bal- anced attention. ^■Sf lat W" 1 an "turtle arrangement of ex- hibits. Carelessness on the part of one or two will detract seriously from the entire A collection of noxious weeds, properly h ? bit! labeled, makes an interesting ex- Have a full exhibit of insect pests at dif- ferent stages of development. Tests of draft teams are not always satis- factory to the owners,, but they are interest- ing to visitors. A small exhibit of standard ai*. work is appreciated. Classify poultry, rabbits, pigeons and the like, according to breeds and families. A coop of bantams between turkeys is entirely out of place. See to it that there is some place where a really good meal can be obtained. Have plenty of good drinking water on the ground, but no intoxicating liquors. Let the toilet facilities for both men and women be neat and clean. The successful fair is the one that edu- cates. • The fall meeting of the Illinois State Fair will be held at Springfield, Sept. 26 to Oct. 1. 1898. This association was organized in 1S53, and during the forty-five years of its existence has enjoyed a most successful ca- reer and gained the reputation of being one of the very greatest State fairs in America. The new grounds are situated a little more than two miles from Springfield, on a beauti- ful tract of 156 acres, which are improved with all the modern conveniences, and one of the fastest and best trotting tracks in the world—on which Star Pointer placed the world's race record at 2:0014. The grounds are connected with the city by two lines of steam railways, electric street car lines and a magnificent brick-paved boulevard, render- ing them of easy access for both visitors and shippers of all kinds of. exhibits. The new buildings are all of the most modern style, constructed of steel, stone, brick, glass and concrete, and finished with Southern pine. The stables are models of beauty and perfec- tion, in fact, everything Is just as it should be. and the accommodations have always been the subject of favorable comment from all horsemen that have visited the great Springfield fair. The association will give $40,000 in prem- iums, with an additional $10,000 as purses for Harness and running races, of which there will be three to harness and two running races each day. The purses for the harness races will be worth $400, $500. $600 and $700, while those for the runners will be $200 each The program, containing a complete list of the classes and purses therefor is printed in the announcement, to which we call the care- ful attention of all horsemen, and a glance at tie list should be sufficient to impress all SL??£. ^^rtanee of making entries at Springfield. The conditions, which are very liberal, are also printed in the same connec- tion, and it is not necessary, therefore, to enumerate them here. The entries to all harness races will close on Tuesday. Sept. 13 at 11 p. m.. and records made that day will not be a bar For the runners, the entries . 7^L 1 ^ 1 ° Se St 4 oc >°<* P- m. the day before ™L™ 6 - T , here . W , U1 be a separate track for w^?"k An entries should be addressed to W. C. Garrard, Springfield. 111. Ci.*cus Advertising. Fair managers who have failed to interest exhibitors and have concluded that the for- eign exhibitor is not interested in fairs should visit the great Wallace Shows should opportunity afford. This big circus carries a regular exhibit of agricultural implements. It occupies a prominent portion of the menagerie tent, and attracts quite as much attention as any of the rare animals. All day long farmers and folks from the country examine the various implements and discuss their merits. The Deering Reaper, Studebaker Wagon, Oliver Chilled Plow, etc., are all in evidence, and they pay enor- mous prices for space. Of course a circus gives better exhibiting value than a fair, because it appeals to an entirely new concourse of people every day, showing as it does in a different town daily. A fair is attended by the same people twice, three times, and even every day. But the prices obtained by the show people for these privileges are very alluring. In no instance is it less than $1,000 for the season. (150 days), and when the Implement or tool requires a demonstrator, or is hauled about town in the daily parade, the price ranges to as high as $1,500. White's Yucatan Chewing Gum has a hand- some sign on the houdah and blanket of one of the elephants in parade, and all the bal- loons that the riders jump through bear their advertisement. They pay $500 per sea- son therefor. The Crown Perfumery Co. of London, Eng- land, has built a costly parade chariot, equip- ped with a complete set of bells or chimes, and bearing their advertisement. They pay $1,250 per season for the parade privilege and space in the menagerie tent. The Wallace Shows play to an average of 4,500 people a performance, or 9.000 daily. Thtir total admissions in 1S97 were 1,413,210. Of this, practically none was duplicated. Fitting and Showing Dairy Cattle at Fairs. In showing our herd of cattle at the.fair? our aim is to show them in the same condi- tion as to flesh, that we believe is best for their development at home. The condition of the skin and hair goes a great ways toward the general appearance of an animal. It is wise for all cattle to be shown, to be kept from heat, sunshine and flies as much as possible. When flies begin to bother, the cattle paw dust all over themselves: it sifts into the hair and makes it grow longer and look rough. If kept during the day in a dark stable or if not dark, a blanket, on the animal, the hair and hide will rapidly improve. All horse- men know what effect continuous blanketing will do for a horse, and it will put a cow or heifer in the same fine condition. Feed plenty of foods that are nitrogenous instead of fattening. Old bulls, when shown, often have long feet and crooked legs. Plenty of work in a tread will straighten out the legs if you will first pare the toes. About the easiest way to do this is with a small saw. Have it sharp and plenty of set in it. If the cattle are taken off from grass en- tirely, at least a week before going from home, they will not get nearly as thin and gaunt when shipped. Aim to be early, on the grounds and get the cattle well rested before show days or buyers come around. Lastly, be sure and stick to the Wisconsin idea, and don't fatten dairy show animals. Rosendale, Wis. CHAS. L. HILL. In Hoard's Dairyman. Disinfecting Pens at Fairs. As the fs.ir season is opening it is Im- portant to observe all the measures that cau be taken to prevent the spread of disease among stock. People do not exhibit infested Etock purposely, but unknowingly, and at times cause serious loss. At the last session of the State Legislature, a law passed re- quiring the disinfection of swine pens, the disinfection of .exhibit crates and swine be- fore unloading, and a statement that no chol- era had been upon the premises within two months prior to exhibiting. The law Is de- fective in some respects, but has a very ben- eficial effect, and has met with little oppo- sition. Last fall fifty-seven fairs were held in the State at which hogs were exhibited, and all but five disinfected thir pens. In 1896, losses aggregating more than $8,000 Wfre directly traceable to contagion on fair grounds. Last year only two reports were made of contagion, and the loss was small. Indiana breeders exhibiting In adjoining States where such precautions were not taken brought back disease and suffered con- siderable loss. The disinfecting of fair grounds should be done a week or more in advance. Remove all litter, allow the sun to do as much as pos- sible, and give everything a coat of white- wash, or apply a solution of chloride of lime, four ounces to the gallon of water. The State law specifies that a ten per cent, solu- tion of carbolic acid should be used. Use the acid as a spray twice a day during the exhibition. A spray pump is the easiest means for applying a disinfectant. „ , „ A. W. BITTING, Veterinarian. Purdue Univ. Ag. Exp., Sta. Lafayette. Ind.. Aug. 10, 1898, In The Farmer's Call. Agricultural- Fairs and the Grange. By Aaron Jones. Master National Grange South Bend, Ind. ' Editor. Grange Department, Ohio Farmer.— AH good farmers desire to keep in touch with the work of the State Boards of Agriculture and Horticulture, and also the National de- partment of agriculture. Great advantage to the farming population will result by co-op- eration with the various departments of the nation and States in their efforts in promot- ing the leading and basic industry of the nation. The season of the year is approaching for holding county and State fairs. As a rule the directors and managers of fair associa- tions desire to so manage them as to promote agriculture. I know in some cases just crit- icism has been made-that the speed ring has monopolized more than its share of atten- tion, and that other attractions, some ques- tionable, have been introduced to amuse the people, rather than to educate and Improve the general agricultural intersts of the coun- try. If there has been any mismanagement in the past, let farmers see to it, now, that county and State fairs are managed for the legitimate ends for which appropriations are made from county and State treasuries. An increasing interest shoe Id be taken in ail the fair associations of the Country by the actual tillers of the soil, men who know about farming and stock-raising from expe- riftrce. Patrons of husbandry should take an active interest in all matters that have a tendency to the improvement of the agricul- tural interests of the nation. Such active interest would Boon eliminate all objection- able features from fair associations and make them as originally intended, means of stlm<- ulating to greater efforts in agriculture, hor» ticulture. stock growing—In short, all that pertains to improvement of the country and the building up of pleasant, attractive coun- try homes. A Western Watermelon Feast. H. S. Collins. Colorado. Though much excellent fruit is grown in the district about Rocky Ford, especially ap- ples, pears and plums, first-class vegetables and No. 1 farm produce generally, it is the watermelon that takes first place when sneaking of the products of the valley At the 1897 Arkansas Valley Fair, twelve cr. I loads, about 15.000 melons, were stacked in a big pile. 126 feet long. 18 feet wide and 5 feet in height, surrounded by a margin of cantaloupes for gratuitous distribution to the assembled multitude. This pile was inclosed by a table three feet wide and about three feet high. Inside this inclosure were men arrayed in white duck uniforms, armed with long butcher knivos. and at 10 o'clock when the signal was given for the onslaught on the melons to be- gin, each man seized a victim from the pile and laying it on the table, with one stroke of his weapon disclosed its blushing heart which was speedily dissected by the hungry throng, who, armed with big spoons, ate their fill. If they preferred, they could carry them away to eat under the trees in the shady grove. This "watermelon day" is a regular event every fall. It has so advertised the fame of Colorado melons that they are now favorites in most of the cities of the middle and east- ern States, being shipped as far east as Bos- ton. It would be well if other communities devoted to some special crop would try this or similar means to get up a reputation for their stuff. It will pay. . T5? .manager of the Electrical Exposition In Philadelphia asked Mr. Edison to send on a phonographic cylinder setting forth some of his latest ideas of electrical interest. Mr. Edison complied in his own way. The mes- sage was as follows: "My Dear Marks.— rou ask me to send you a phonographic cyl- inder for your lecture this evening and to say a few words to the audience. I do not think the audience would take any interest in dry scientific subjects, but perhaps they might be interested in a little story that a man sent me on a puonographic cylinder the other day from San Francisco. In the year 18i3. a man from Massachusetts came to Cal- ifornia with a chronic liver complaint. He searched all over the coast for a mineral spring to cure the disease, and finally he found down In the San Jioquin Valley a spring, the waters of which almost instantly cured him. He thereupon started a sanitar- ium, and people all over the world came and were quickly cured. Last year this man died, and so powerful had been the action of the ■waters that they had to take his liver out and kill it with a club. Yours truly, Edison." "Umbrella BUI" McGulgan is attempting to organize the horsemen racing on the Chi- cago tracks into a sort of "protective" asso- ciation, and to that end he has issued a cir- cular letter to owners, breeders, trainers ami Jockeys, urging them to unite for their pro- tection. He ealls attention to the fact that the continued existence of racing, especially in the West, is now seriously threatened, and declares that if those who are moBt di- rectly interested, namely, the owners, breed- ers, trainers and jockeys, will but unite to that end they will be able to prevent tho threatened destruction of the sport and to ob- tain legislation In Illinois. Ohio and other States that will inure to its benefit. The horsemen, he says, should bo fully organ- ized before the next meeting of the American Turf Congress, so as to ask the co-operation of that body In their efforts, declaring that the horsemen are certainly entitled to a lot of consideration from the Western governing body. Inasmuch as about nine-tenths of Its big revenue comes from the license fees for trainers and jockeys, and the fines collected against them. The turf. Harness Racing Finding: Increasing: Favor Every Year—Demand for Running: Horses Falling; Off, Especially in the West. In a talk with "The Billboard's" represent- ative at Lexington the other day, Francis Ware, whose position as Treasurer, manager and auctioneer of the American Horse Ex- change is calculated to make him thorougniy conversant with the rasing situation, gave it as bis opinion that harness racing is, with each recurring year, gaining a greater hold on the American public, as a direct result of which there is a steady increase in the value of trotters and pacers, while on the other hand the demand for running horses is on- the decline. Mr. Ware finds a cause for the slump In the thoroughbred market In the condition into which the running game has fallen. Out here it is the prevailing opinion that racing in the East was never in a more prosperous condition in every re- spect than at the present time. but. accord- ing to the manager of the American Horse Exchange, the situation is not so delightfully serene as it has been made to appear. There seems to be more or less friction among the racing fraternity about the metropolis. Mr. Hi]mont, who is regarded as the head of The Jockey Club. is. according to the gentleman quoted, disposed, to be dictatorial to a degree bordering on tyranny, and other members of The Jockey Club are showing an inclination to kick out of the traces. In other words, internal dissensions and discord are at work in the big Eastern turf-governing body, whether for weal or for woe remains to be seen. The tracks are in the hands of the right kind of people, but the trouble is with the governing body itself—the organization that owes its existence to the desire to elevate the sport and to keep it free from entangle- ments calculated to arouse the latent hos- tility of a very large and Influential portion of the populace that is known to be opposed to the racing game by reason of its gambling feature. In the West, though, the welfare of the sport is threatened from a different cause. It Is in the ownership of the tracks, in Mr. Ware's estimation, that the greatest danger to the continued existence of :he si>ort out bere lies. The gambling element appears to have almost complete control of riciiur. and this in the end is bound to ■.ring bad re- sults. Whether his fears as to the outcome of the situation are well founded or not, there is no question as to the correctness of the first part of his proposition. The gambling fraternity certainly are in control of Western racing. A few years ago every prominent track in the West and South was owned and operated by reputable business men of the locality in which it was situated. Latonia, which was then the only track in existence here, was owned largely by the business element cf Cincinnati, the "outsiders" among the stock- holders being a few prominent breeders of Central Kentucky. A similar condition of affairs existed with reference to the other Western' tracks. Now, however, there are only two or three among the dozen tracks of the West that are operated by the business element of the community in which they are located. Under the old regime at Latonia, the club- house and spacious grand stand were thronged nearly every afternoon of a meet- ing with the very best people of Cincinnati aud its suburbs. Inclement weather alone caused an exception to the rule. In the last two or three years, however, the reverse has been true. The better class has been as con- spicuous by its absence as in other days it was by its presence. The old chestnut about •hard times" affecting the racing business disastrourly, while it may and probably does account for the general falling oK in the at- tendance of the local tracks, cannot, of course, explain the slump In the quality of the attendance. The cause of that must be sought elsewhere. As all the other condi- • tions are exactly the same as they were in the more prosperous days of racing here, the loss of interest in the sport on the part of the better element of society must be attributed to the fact that that element has dropped out of the business itself, to the marked change in the character of the ownership of the tracks and to the overdoing of the sport in consequence thereof. What Is true of Cin- cinnati in this particular is equally true of Chicago. There has been the same falling at the Chicago tracks. The crowds at John • oodon's recent Washington Park meeting were not. according to all accounts, of the same social prestige as those that patronized the big Chicago track when the represeata- ThE billboard. Are Fairs for Fakirsor Farmers? Some Dont*s About Fairs. 17 If we were asked the above question, we would unhesitatingly answer "for both," but the Farmers' Voice sails into the matter in the following breezy style: ARE FAIRS FOR FAKIRS OR FARMERS? "The Aurora (111.) News has the folowing account of the prospects of the Kane County Fair, which muBt be pleasant reading for those who look upon the agricultural fair as an important aid to the science: " 'The coming Kane County Fair looks like a recoid breaker even from this dfstance. Secretary Pratt has been a buBy person for several weeks, and reports that entiles along the different lines are coming in very lively, and privileges are selling way ahead of last years's fair, and at a rate that shows the confidence the fakirs and refreshment dealers have In what the fair is going to be this year. • • • Balloon ascensions, parachuts leaps and many other drawing cards are signed or about to be, and the special attrac- tion features of the fair will certainly be the best ever presented by any fair In this pa;t of the country. The grounds will be lighted by electricity every evening, and the dancing pavilion and "fakirs' row" will be ablaze ia a glory of electric lights and gasoline chan- deliers'.' "We need not go further to discover the cause of the decadence of the fair. It has become, instead of an uplift to the social and practical side of agriculture, the *enter of interest to th« fakir and cheap showman. Instead of appealing to the high-miaded. It caters to the vulgar, too often to the piuri- ent: instead of elevating agiicultuie. it is made the medium for the farmer's huml.ia- tion and loss, confidence men and cheap fakirs holding the seats of hoaor. "The time has come for this sort of thing to stop. The fanners of the land should run the agricultural fairs—not a lot of city chaps, leagued with the semi-criminal elements in a conspiracy to bleed the farmer. Let us have an agricultural fair; if the fakiis want to run a show of their own, they must find same other place for it." We would like to see such a fair as the Farmers' Voice would have. It would be the lonesome** frcst en record. A morgue would be cheerful in comparison. The fact is the fair is neither a school nor a chu-ch. It is a festival in which amuse- ment joins hand with Instructive observation, and contest rules the hour. Grafters and swindleis. or sure-thing men. are not to be defended at any time or place, but the fakir is an altogether different per-, son. The fakir is naught but a street vender— an itinerant peddler. Now. he has led and - blue toy balloons, now whistles, now Yankee notions. He is fully as legitimate as the W. C. T. U. who retail lemonade that costs. le?s than- one cent for fire cents a glass. Here is another contribution from the Farmers' Voice: TRICKSTERS AT THE FAIRS. "To the Editor:—Wherever large numbers of people gather a class of persons is usually found who make a living by deceiving the public. They have schemes and tiicks in- numerable that appear to be easy and simple, but in reality they are quite difficult and in some cases impossible to successfully per- form. They have wheels and machines that are doctored to turn as the proprietor may wish to make them. They have cocoanut- headed negro dodgers to arouse the brutality in men and boys. They have tented shows which are disgusting In coarseness and vul- garity. "Among '^e throngs at agricultural fairs these ieec" are out of place. They con- tribute noi_ ..e helpful or good. They do not add to the attraction of the fair. They do not bring desirable patrons. They do not swell the gate receipts. "They are not patronized by the inte ligent patrons of the fair. They are not win'f.d by honest farmers. They are shunned with fear by thoughtful parents. Because of their presence, even the fair Is not patronized by manv of our best citizens* famll'es. "The harm accomplished by these self-ia- vited fakirs would doubtless surprise us. were it possible to gather and trace back to their door all the results of their work. They distract the thought, they divert the attention, they destroy the interest in tho real work of the fair. The competitive exhi- bitions, the meritorious displays, the award- ing of prizes are all robbed of the undivided interest that belongs to them and which' the proprietors have labored day and night to develop. "The morals of the country suffer seri- ously, we believe, from actions and words that, without warning, are sprung upon in- quisitive audiences in the tent shows. "We are glad to see that a strong effort is being put forth this season to keep these ob- jectionable features out of the grounds, and the attitude of managers Is encourag'ng. "Boston, Mass. E. B." ve and swell wEnlnE™ PaVr^cf, ™* / AtleT a " ls fald <"* a a ° n e- the fact re- ptoTV^lu^Zrur^^T^e^ 10 ^ U,at ' «.!•».*» "ave amusements in in Chicago, Cincinnati and at other points where meetings are held realize that betting ■a n necessary evil" as far as racing is con- ccn.ed, at the same time they are disposed t-i frown down an enterprise that is entirely HI the handn Of nmhlor. na 1e al-IHanncul Ktf the bands of gamblers, as Is evidenced by their remaining away from the race tracks. Advertising the Fair. The average fair falls somewhat In the sc- cction of its posters. As a rule, they rely too much- on small posters. Most fairs de- fend entirely on one-sheet, half-sheet and iiuarter-sheet posters. a distinct advantage accrues from using i«i-Kcr Eizep. Three-sheets, six-sheets, eight- fcneets and large stands should be used. iiiey are stronger, more Imposing and ef- ■ ulve. True, they cost more. but. like tho " "dc™ B , re at guns on a battle Bhip, they do Kt eat work. >our a pa tn '* ' n m ' nd the n * Xl tlme y0U 0rder plenty you will have no attendance, ana without attendance your fair wields no Influ- ence and falls of its purpose. Plain and simple displays of stock cattle, swine, poultry, fruits, vegetables and produce will not draw flies, as the saying goes. You must have amusements. You must have shows, features and good attractions. You must draw crowds, or no one will mak* exhibits. ■ You cannot. If you confine yourselves to dry and prosy methods and old and obsolete practices. Have good attractions and advertise them liberally. Make the fair a festival, and you will make it a success. Make it a lecture or a sermon, and It wind- fall, as It ought to fail. / The handsomest premium list of the street fairs that has reached us thus far is that of the Cadillac (Mich.) show. Owing to heavy inanclal loss Incurred during their spring meeting, the Trl-County A. and D. P. Association, of Johnstown. Pa., will hold no fair this fall. Don't willingly offend any exhibitor Don't place valuable exhibits in leaky. In- secure buildings. It a safe place cannot be provided, refuse to be responsible for them. Don't fail to start races and other amuse- ment features at the advertised time. Don't give all the premiums to fast horse- men and- compel farmers to he content with merely nominal prizes. Don't give the women some secluded cor- ner for displaying their fancy work. Pro- vide a light and pleasant place for this ex- hibit. Don't give all the prominent corners to venders of cheap jewelry and other worth- less material. Don't fail to have one or more good bands to furnish music. Don't scatter the stoek barns all over the grounds. Have them as close together as practicable, so that visitors can easily view the animals. Don't delay work on the walks and drives until a few days before the fair opens, then compel visitors to travel over unsettled paths. Don't encourage club exhibits unduly, but strive to have large individual showings. Don't neglect the apiary department. Don't allow dogs inside the grounds. Don't allow beggars or "organ men" to pass through the gates. Don't be completely discouraged if the weather is rainy. Don't cut premiums because of a poor at- tendance If you ever expect to hold another fair. Don't omit the good old-fashioned parade of premium stock, particularly where the stock barns are not easily accessible. Don't fall to have pure drinking water in adequate supply. - Don't try to have too many amusement features. Get a few first-class attractions, and insist that these be the best obtainable. Don't make exhibitors of live stock wait for their stalls, but have them all ready by the opening day, or before if possible. Don't neglect the women's department, but have a representative showing of good qual- Don't allow side shows with their bands to parade the ground, distracting the attention of visitois from legitimate exhibits. Don't have very large fair boaids, and ap- point only competent, honest, active men. Don't tolerate pool selling, gambling or betting of any kind. Don't forget to offer premiums for the largest yields of farm craps and for the largest yields raised by boys of any fixed ape, say under 16 or 18 years.—New England Homestead. Many of the leading bill posters of th« coun- try are deeply interested in Wilshire's scheme. He has received assents from Chi- cago. Albany, St. Louis, Minneapolis, St- Paul. Jersey City, Lexington, Louisville, Richmond, etc., etc. The American Advertising & Bill Posting Co., of Chicago, writes: "Think you are go- ing about the thing in the right way. In- closed please find assent signed. Let us hear from you fully." L. H. Ramsey writes: "I have for several years thought a consolidation of the large cities upon an equitable basis would be a good thing." Falls City Bill Posting Co.: "We would be willing to entertain favorably your proposi- tion.'' M. Breslauer says: "I have signed on con- dition of half stock and half cash, and I to manage." J. Ballard Carroll: "You can count on Al- bany. Rensselaer. Watervleit, Troy. Cohoes." J. F. O'Mealia: "Your prospectus to hand; plan seems feasible, and undoubtdely would be a big thing if accomplished. You have a good idea of the matter, and if it could be worked out would certainly be a success." Fakirs and gamblers who want to work the Somerset County (N. J.) Fair should address the superintendent of the grounds. George D. Tottiu, Somervllle. N. J. Fair Notes. The Mexico (Mo.) Fair Association has changed its name to the Audrain County Me- chanical and Agricultural Society of Mis- souri. It Is incorporated with a capital of $17,000. The demand for "The" Billboard" during July was very large, and necessitated our printing an extra edition of 1,500 copies, which was entirely exhausted before the August issue came out. During August the demand increased, and we were compelled to print 2.500 more copies, making our cir- culation for last month 12.500 copies. Every fair association in the United States, no matter how humble, should send its Sec- retary as a delegate to the convention of The American Association of Fairs & Expositions at Omaha. Neb.. Oct. 26 next. Items of interest for this department are solicited from Secretaries and managers of fairs. Street-men and fakirs will do well to write Q. Nervione. 66 N. Franklin st. Chicago, for rubber toy balloons, whips, whistling bal- loons and novelties. Cane-rack men can save forty per cent, by buying their canes and toy whips from J. Eisenstein, 41 Ann St.. New York City. Side-show and museum managers are noti- fied that Wm. Nelson. 13 Van Norden St.. North Cambridge, Mass., deals in all kinds of curiosities for exhibition purposes. The celebrated Irwin Family of acrobats will accept engagements at fairs. Their ad- dress is 53 Campbell St., Rahwajfc N. J. Prof. Stevens, aeronaut. North Adams, Mich., furnishes balloon features of all kinds to fair managers. J. F. Hatch is' booking Hatch's Big Mid- way Show at the fairs through Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. C. F. Ansell, 140 and 142 Monroe st, Chi- cago, 111., makes a specialty of tickets and badges for fairs and races. W. F. Miller & Co., 23-Duano st., New York, handle all manner of canes for cane- men and numerous fast-selling novelties for fakirs and street-men. F. Paturel & Co., an Italian firm, at 16 warren st.. New York, will send a catalogue, in English, of their balloons to fair follow- ers, street-men and fakirs. Mons. Langslow, the celebrated high- wire sharp-shooter, has a few dates open for fairs. His address is 334 E. Thirteenth St.. New York. Ellen Vetter. of "mysterious globe" fame, has two weeks unfilled. This is a splendid attraction for a fair. Her address is 334 E. Thirteenth St., New York. Ben.Cirkle. of 3224 South Park Av., Chi- cago, is meeting with great success decorat- ing booths at street fairs. He also manufac- tures bunting, flags, and deals In souvenir badges. Howell. Mich., Is to have a street fair, Sept. 27-30. The Secretary, Mr. Fred. T. Hubbell, predicts that it will be a "HoweM- ing success." The Donaldson Lltho Co., of Cincinnati, advertise in this issue tnat they can ship fair orders the day they are received. Their fair posters are very fine. If your organization is not a subscriber for "The Billboard," It ought to be. One year- one dollar. The moment the fair Is over, perfect your organization for 1899. F. Gilbert has the following exclusive priv- ileges at the Chester (Pa.) Fair, Sept. 13-17, viz.: Gypsy Fortune Camp. War Show, But- ton Photo Gallery, Cane Rack, Knife Rack, r.U Game and wheel, spindle, etc., etc. Ho vl.1 sub-let privileges. Address until Sept. 5, F. Gilbert, 9 Johnston Hotel, Coney Island, N. Y. Montford Show, Toronto. Ont., has twenty- one side*show paintings for sale, cheap. Pamahasika, 964. N. Seventh St., Philadel- phia, has a curio hall, side-show tent and five paintings for sale, cheap. C. E. Badger's Fair Grounds Shows want to hear from Bell and La Centra, Jim Che- vee and other good fair ground people. He can also place lady singers, dancers and dab swingers and a good glass-blower. Address him at New Milford, Pa. ' Premium lists should be projected in De- cember to catch the manufacturers of agri- cultural implements. Do not put it off until May. June or July. Get out your dummies, fix your rates, and then advertise them in "The Billboard" and mail a rate card to ev- ery firm in the country. The premium list is the best advertising medium that a firm making farm machinery can find, and they will pay better rates for space than local merchants. Give them a chance to advertise with you. Remember that their appropriations are made and their contracts placed in January and February. Strope. Coulter & Good's Fair Ground Show wants a strong B.-flat cornet, baritone and alto to double juggling, slack-wire, contor- tion or magic. Address, Box 327, Farming- ton, Iowa. The MasEillon Street Fair. (Sept. 21-23). wants all kinds of attractions and Midway features. Address Jacob Wise, Mayor of Massillon, O. Coldwater (Mich.) Street Fair (Sept- 6-9) wants shows, games, (all kinds), attractions, etc. Letters to H. D. Robinson, Coldwater, Mich. Mattoon (111.) Street Fair (Oct 5-8) wants out-door attractions and special features. Address Arthur Sommer. Hillsboro (III.) Street Fair wants out-door attractions. Letters to Duncan C. Best. Frank Van Camp, advertising manager of The Van Camp Packing Co., says: "We do not exhibit at food shows any more. When the first ones came out. they were good. Now they are nothing but fakes. The way we do now is to arrange -with merchants to put in our little stands in their stores: and there, with a neat and tasty display, we have our demonstrator show the public our goods, and serve them samples free of cost." Janesville, Wis. The following clipping from the Janesvllle Courier is interesting: DREAMS FOR BILL POSTERS. Manager Myers Is Erecting a Large Number of Bill Boards. "Ten thousand feet of new bill board space Is now being erected in this city by Peter L. Myers, manager of the Myers Grand Opera, House. The job Is the largest one of its kind ever attempted in this city at any one time. Manager Myers has of late leased some of the most valuable bill board space in the city, and is now making good use of it in the erection of a fine set of boards. Some of the stands will be twenty feet high, and will be able to accommodate show paper of the 111 T*gflfifr EaZG*.** Mr. Myers, In a personal letter to "The Billboard," says that before October 1 he will have the best boards in every town- in Rock County. His plans contemplate the erection of over 50.C00 feet in the county, embracing Janesvllle, Beloit, Edgerton, Clinton, Evan-- vllle. milton and Milton Junction. Mr, Myers, says ho is enabled to guarantee all advertisers a first-class protected show- ing on well-built boards, splendidly located,. oil B M? 11 I