Vermilion School of Agriculture - Yearbook (Vermilion, Alberta Canada)

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VERMILION SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE □ □ The Cattle Shou; By DEAN E. A. HOWES HILE there is no intention of writing at length about the genesis of the agricultural society, a few items of an histori¬ cal nature should prove of interest, and will also serve to lead up to the subject proper. If we consider the agricultural society in a rather broad general way, we shall have to confess that the story will lead back to a period about which history is rather silent. Following the general break-up of the manorial system in England, and the development of a system of enclosure, as it was called, people began to think in what might pass for scientific terms of the various problems of agriculture, and to discuss ways and means for the improvement of practice. We may be fairly sure that they met in groups for the purpose of these discussions, and that in all probability they formed clubs, or societies, in the interest of agricultural progress. This assumption is not wholly based upon conjecture, but is so far removed from the immediate purpose of our story that it is only mentioned by way of intro¬ duction. The history of formal agricultural societies in English-speak¬ ing countries begins with the incorporation of the Dublin Society in 1749, for the avowed purpose of “improving husbandry and other arts”; this society had the honor of being among the earliest in Europe. The Highland Society of Scotland was incorporated in 1787, while in England a Board of Agriculture was established in 1793. There were agricultural societies organized in some of the Atlantic states quite early in their history. Nova Scotia claims the first agricultural society for Canada, the one organized in 1789, but Quebec also registers a claim upon the same year, an old record being brought forward as evi¬ dence to show that a society was formed under the patronage of Lord Dorchester, on January 6th of that year. Ontario comes along shortly after with its earliest record of organization, in 1792. There is, however, no purpose here of preparing any blue- book of Canadian societies, it is enough to register the statement that these societies were the earliest manifestations of organized agriculture in Canada, and that to them we owe all that we have in the present system of technical agriculture in the Dominion, that is to say, we regard them as foundational. There is a great temptation to delve more deeply into the history of agricultural societies and to make comment thereon, but only one comment must be allowed; that the early societies stressed the need for newer and better agricultural implements and offered prizes for inventions. Times have changed it would appear, for in this day people are not lacking who would favor a closed season on new things, until they could consolidate their gains. The foregoing is offered as a sketchy story of what led up to our local exhibition as staged by the local agricultural society. The agricultural society for our county had been organized in 1844 and the first fair had been held the following year. A history of our county contains a full list of executives, and gives the names of the crop viewers, judges for plowing matches and judges for “horses, horned cattle, sheep and hogs, butter, cheese, and cloth.” This history contains the following note: “In 1874 only five classes of articles were exhibited in the ladies’ depart¬ ment; coverlets, woollen counterpanes, two pairs wool mitts, two pairs wool socks, and woollen shawl. In 1894, forty-five classes of articles were exhibited, and in the other classes there was a corresponding increase. In 1883 there were but 82 members; in 1894 there were 236.” It is doubtful is many of the farmers knew much about this history, even if they were interested in the fair, or, as we called it, the “Cattle Show.” This term, now almost obsolete in Canada, was brought over from the old land, it was quite patent as one looks back that while the county fair was always well patronized by exhibitors and visitors, little thought was given to the few directing minds that made the annual event possible. This con¬ dition is familiar in most undertakings that involve the enrolment of a fairly large membership; there is an unequal diwision o’ labor,” a cleavage that reminds us of the farmer’s willing team of horses—one willing to do the work, and the other willing to let him do it. There truly is something to be said for the import¬ ance of minorities in most events of public enterprise. Our fair-ground once occupied a piece of land well within the local town limits, and was by way of being surrounded by town dwellings, when it was decided to dispose of the property, and to move to a larger area at the outskirts of the town. The old fair-ground was no doubt looked upon as quite commodious and ambitious in conception, when the society staged its first fair. It once seemed sufficiently imposing and decidedly impressive to a country lad, who had looked forward longingly to the trip to the Cattle Show, and who wandered about somewhat dazed by the crowd, and by the accumulation of noises, familiar as to detail but not as to volume. Should this cryptic comment not be clear to those who are not initiate, it may be explained that while the boy was quite familiar with horses whinnying, cattle lowing, sheep bleating, hogs squealing and cocks crowing, having lived within reach of these sounds all his days, yet the grand chorus furnished by the large aggregation of farm animals at the show carried the thrill of the unfamiliar. The animals on exhibi¬ tion were ranged along the board fence that was built to keep out non-paying guests, and there they would remain during the day, with the exception of the horses that were called to judg¬ ment in a ring formed by a one-rail fence. According to a custom that still prevails, the soil products and the home exhibits were housed in what we called by the comprehensive name of the Main Building. Sometimes the poultry rose to exclusiveness by occupying a corner of this building, but if other exhibits re¬ quired more space, the birds were relegated to a corner of the grounds. Sometimes another corner of the grounds would be occupied by machinery, but this was not accorded the prominence it once held because of need, nor the prominence it now holds because of active business competition. At first the fair extended over but one day, the exhibits being brought along by the whole family in the morning, and taken home at the close of the crowded day. When the period was lengthened to two days, it was for the purpose of assembling a large proportion of the exhibits during the first day, even to the extent of bringing in some of the live stock, although this was not generally favored when shelter was lacking. The smaller exhibits were brought in the farm wagon, and along with butter, preserves, apples, and fancy work, might be included the company of a couple of sheep and a crate or two of poultry in the rear of the vehicle box; sheep and swine were always hauled to the grounds even if a second wagon had to be pressed into service, or a second trip made. The horses and cattle came on foot and while the former could be led behind the wagon or buggy, thp [ 24 1

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VERMILION SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE □ visit to the School in November. During the course of his visit he addressed a large gathering of students and district people and was entertained at a reception in the girls’ wing at the conclusion of the evening. In connection with his address, a splendid pro¬ gramme of musical numbers was arranged and the programme was released over the air by members of the University Radio Broadcasting Station Staff. Listeners-in from many points in the province have since written in to tell of the enjoyment received from the broadcast. Dr. Robert Wallace and Dean E. A. Howes, of the University of Alberta, paid a visit to V.S.A. early in March and spoke to the students in the interests of the University. It is a matter of considerable satisfaction to know that a good many of our stu¬ dents plan on attendance at Varsity and it is expected that they will give a good account of themselves. The masquerade, stunt night and entertainments to the High School students featured the social enterprises of the year, all being much enjoyed. Large public dances, as we are usually familiar with them, were not often held during the session, owing to the unfortunate mumps epidemic which somewhat disturbed the life of the School in the early weeks of the term. THE MATRICULATION CLASS IN 1945 (Continued from Page 8) 1929-1930 HOCKEY TEAM Standing—T. Becket, R. Johnston (Capt.), C. Cranston, J. E. Edgar (Mgr.) R. Therrien, G. Ogston, A. Stanton. Seated—J. Sulima, H. Hamilton, L. Frederking. six hours, and, needless to say, tongues clicked merrily in rehash¬ ing the old days and their most notable occurrences. After the newcomers had greeted the former members of the class who had arrived by train, the suggestion of lunch caused a dash up the road toward the dormitory. Outside the main en¬ trance stood a dusty Ford and with some difficulty the driver was extricating himself from under a pile of bags, bales and parcels which appeared to contain something in the nature of plant life. Sure enough, the driver of the tired-looking bus was Ed. Barber, Weed Inspector for the Vermilion district, who, passing through Vermilion, had learned of the re- union and had decided to drop in and say “Hello” to the boys, and the girls, of the old brigade. Dinner being announced, there began a great tramping and surging towards the food emporium, when all were startled by the sound of an approaching aeroplane which was circling the grounds as if in search of a suitable landing-place. The foot¬ ball field being the best in sight, the ’plane swooped down with a roar and after taxi-ing across towards the new shops, came to a stop. Out popped Vince Durda, who had chartered the ’plane and the driver, Bill Campbell, to hurry from Clairmont to join in the get-together at old V.S.A. The crowd was now complete; joyously old doings and old sayings were brought up, discussed with much laughter and tossed aside for some new topic. Geometry, algebra, literature, the col¬ lege dances, the happenings of the years in between ... all re¬ ceived their share of comment ... as also did the most excellent repast that had been provided by the same old kitchen of fifteen years ago, Percy Cross still being the commander-in-chief. tendent of the Dominion Experimental Farm, had stopped long enough at Westlock to dig up the M.L.A. for the district, who was none other than Arnold Platt, of debating fame at V.S.A. The road from Westlock to Vermilion had been covered in less than HOUSE LEAGUE CAPTAINS—(Standing) E. W. Cormack, Staff Rep. on Committee; L. Murray, W. Durda, Miss O. Howe, H. Hamilton, B. Robertson, R. Bacon. (Seated) R. Bendixon, Miss A. Walker, C. Cranston, Misc E. Rowswell, C. Mitchell. (On Floor) Miss H. Triska, Miss E. Wilson. [ 23 ]

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□ VERMILION SCHOOL O F AGRICULTURE cattle could not be handled so easily, unless broken to lead, and for this there was little time or inclination on the farm. Upon arrival, the cattle were tied along one side of the fence, the sheep and swine penned along another, while the horses, with the exception of stallions, formed a line of their own. When the wagons had discharged their contents, they were often forced outside the grounds for yard space, lest they should take up room that was badly needed. The arrangements of exhibits in the main building was about the same as that observed today, only now there is generally more room and better light. The crowd was distinctly rural in its composition, although there was always a fair sprinkling of town people; the business men of the towns have always recognized the value of the fair in their own interests, but also have established a fine record of financial assistance and moral support, that cannot be wholly explained on a basis of cold¬ blooded business interest. As for the people of the farming com¬ munity, they came because they had something to exhibit, because some of the neighbors were exhibitors, or because they loved to see, to criticize and to learn, although they would not readily admit the last motive. It would take the brush of a painter to produce a worthy picture of this interesting concourse of people, always moving and crowding, as they exchanged technical comment mixed with neighborly greetings. It is true that could we behold such a pic¬ ture now we would be moved to amusement, as we are moved when we examine photographs of an ancient vintage. The ladies wore hats that tended to be flat, and that seemed to be perched somewhat precariously on the top of the head, unless one under¬ stood the array of deadly hat-pins; these hats also leaned toward colorful floral display. The dresses, too, were somewhat pro¬ nounced, with skirts that swept the ground and sleeves that bal¬ looned in a manner truly formidable. To even matters, it should be said that while the men did not dress in a manner that would look so much out of place today, it was simply because men always have suffered from lack of imagination; nevertheless, they scored when it came to facial decoration, with generous whiskers to tease the wind, or at least a noble mustache, that was of rams-horn or walrus type according to the weather—one writer has said that the mustache of that day was the original cream separator. Despite all the handicaps mentioned, it must be remembered that we are looking through smoked glasses, just as people are going to look some day at the snaps we now take so pridefully and so frequently, the snaps that we send to our friends presum¬ ably as samples of the ultimate. No doubt, the men and women of the ’80s were just as conceited as the people of today; in any case, they did not suffer from any inferiority complex, so amuse¬ ment is after all out of place and pity uncalled for—take this from one who knows, one who as a lad went around taking notice, if not notes. They had a really good time at that old Cattle Show, and so far as the young men and young ladies were concerned, they behaved as they do today—were just as ridiculous and just as happy. The show was tacitly recognized as a stage for courtship, and so there was displayed to public gaze, all the age-honored “ways of a man with a maid,’’ and if the man spent 50 cents instead of $5.00, the campaign funds were expended for the same purpose and to the same effect as present-day disburse¬ ments. Should some frugal soul wish to know the reason for the lower cost of courting at that time, it may be explained that the youth did not bring the maiden to the fair, and so saved entry money; that there were no midway performances to attract the girl’s fancy; and that if she did finally steer him to a booth, the copper or the 5-cent piece were the units of barter instead of the 10-cent piece or the quarter. Many a gallant put in a perfectly jolly day with the lady of his choice without buying more than a glass of lemonade, a bag of peanuts, and six sticks of “latire,” which was the French name for molasses candy—gum was not sold over the counter because it could be obtained only from the spruce tree and was used only at home or at school. The lovers of today need feel no sense of superiority; they are seeking and probably obtaining just the same old amount of pleasure, but paying more for it, even when present money values and condi¬ tions are considered. The exhibits in the main building were just as interesting as those to be seen at present-day fairs, but some points of differ¬ ence may be noted as the following imperfect list is submitted. In the soil products, it must be admitted that quality was often sacrificed for size. The present dinky little table pumpkins would have been laughed to scorn, for one of the most popular exhibits would be a mammoth pumpkin or a gigantic squash, either almost too big to shake hands across. The same predilection for size was to be seen in the potatoes, and in the beets, carrots, parsnips, and onions; while today we associate quality with that which is medium in the matter of size, and coarseness with that which appears overgrown, the exhibits were then often judged accord¬ ing to displacement of show space. In seeds, the main exhibits were wheat, oats, buckwheat, and timothy, and for the most part there was small knowledge of the technique that would now be made in the case of one man, of whom it was said that he spent deemed necessary to a successful showing. Exception must be all of one winter hand-picking, seed by seed, to procure a sack of wheat for show, and that he showed the same wheat for five years at least, a sure-fire repeater that might well have been named Old Faithful. Sheaf grain was not much in evidence, but yellow, eight-rowed Indian corn was given a place commensurate with its importance as a field crop. As to fruit, the apple occupied most of the area allotted, and the varieties most common were St. Lawrence, Fameuse, Wealthy, Du-hess and Russett; part of this exhibit seemed to be a grim upholder of the law, who paced slowly, forward and back, before the apple bench. Among the display of farm-home products, bread in loaves and “pans,” along with biscuits and buns, occupied no mean posi¬ tion, and this collection or rather the detailed judgments con¬ nected with it, furnished material for ardent, not to say heated, discussion for many weeks afterwards. Butter and home-made cheeses also called for rather serious judgment; the factory cheeses were judged in a separate class. As to preserves and pickles, it always seemed to some of us that it must have been easy to get judges for this class—any of us would have been willing to serve. Leaving the exhibits that were eating possibilitie s, we come to the realm of what was called, curiously enough, the “fancy work.” There was always a great display of knitted goods, not scarfs and pullovers, but thick and serviceable mittens, often striped red and black, or red and white, or sturdy socks that could almost had stood alone; pity it is that so much that is flimsy and fleeting in the shape of machine-made goods could put the old home-made mittens and socks almost into the discard. (Continued on Page 42) [ 25 1