The Rural Voice, 1981-04, Page 10didn't think it was good enough , so 1 did
another one," - the mark of a pro. Beyond
the rookie's admirable industriousness
then, there had already developed a
wary, self-critical and not -easily -
pleased eye. The clear vision, however,
was not come by accidently.
Bolton was raised in the area and was
farming with his father before striking
out on his own in 1922. His son Art now
operates the home farm in McKillop
township. And if over half a century of
farming isn't enough experience to make
him well -schooled in his specialty, then
over 20 years in the pedigree seed
business should round out respect for his
expertise. He operates the business with
Art.
Norman Alexander. who became
friends with Bolton through their work
together on the Huron Soil and Crop
Improvement Association, acknowledged
hard work and experience are paying
dividends for the hay champ. "Any man
who has prepared these samples
knows," explained Alexander, Hullett
township drainage commissioner and an
years of involvement with farm and other
organizations.
His acti0ity began in full force with the
Huron County Federatin of Agriculture. a
group with which he has been associated
for close to 40 years. Bolton was, in fact.
one of the first presidents of the
organization. established in 1940. holding
the top post for two years in 1946-47.
In the 50s, with the help of the Huron
Federation, he helped set up a Wheat
Marketing Board for Huron, Perth, Grey,
Bruce. Wellington and Waterloo count -
ties, then went on to represent the region
as a provincial director for 14 years. "It
was the transition between the threshing
machine and the combine," recalls
Bolton as the reason the wheat board was
formed. "When we were with the thresh-
er the wheat was brought into the barn
and threshed any time be-
fore snowfall. but when the combine
came. people wanted to sell right from
the field." He was president of that
Board from 1964 to 1966.
He is also a longtime member of the
Seaforth Agricultural Society, and chair -
his environmentally -oriented talks. "A
group of seed growers were on a bus tour
around Saskatchewan, and they referred
to the province as the treeless prairie,"
explains Alexander. "Russell said 'the
first thing you know, we're going to have
more trees in Saskatchwan than we have
in Ontario.' That was 20 years ago and
you can see it happening now. It was his
perception. He was telling us something
then that we're only realizing now."
That perceptive eye gives special
treatment to the hay he enters every
year, and while he doesn't deal in
specifics, he does dangle a few general
tips on what contributes to his success.
"It's not easy. It takes quite a bit of
work, and you have to do things at the
right time. There's only about three days
in the hay season 1 figure when the hay is
ready to cut. If it's too early. it's green. If
it's too late, it's hard. But there's really
no secret." he adds. "It's just a matter of
harvesting it at the right time."
Bolton says the quality of his hay has
gotten a "little better" since he first
entered the fair. which reflects a
20 years ago, Russell Bolton said "we're going to have
more trees in Saskatchewan than we have in Ontario"
activist in support of erosion control
measures. "You learn these things by
doing them over and over again. by
experience."
Alexander, of Londesboro, has seen
Bolton's hay in competition at the Royal.
"There was no doubt about it,"
explained the friend. "You see the other
exhibits, then you see his with the other
ones and, well, you know his is the best.
No doubt about it. The others were good.
but you knew which would win right
away. It's just expertise and manage-
ment. The results show it."
But Bolton, a quiet, easily likable
gentleman, explains it a little differently.
"Last year (1979) the competition wasn't
so stiff, but this year (1980) it was much
stiffer," he said shortly after his win. "It
must have been pretty close. There
weren't as many entries as last year, but
the quality was better."
This reluctance to down play the
efforts of his opponents is as much a mark
of the winner's modesty (compared to
Alexander's assessment) as it is of his
diplomacy. a skill developed through
PG. 8 THE RURAL VOICE/APRIL 1981
ed the group for three years. Rounding
out his farm -related activity. Bolton has
served 14 years as secretary -treasurer of
the Huron County Plowman's Asso-
ciation, only the third person to assume
that duty since the organization was
formed in 1924.
His concerns. though, weren't solely
focused on agriculture. and he aimed his
desire for involvement at education by
serving as a member of the Seaforth area
high school board. He was chairman for
two years.
"The federation, I guess, is where it
started. The other ones just seemed to
fall into place."
It all adds up to a man who
understands the importance of change
combined with a willingness to be
involved in bringing those changes about.
Russell Bolton also has a special kind of
perception of future developments, es-
pecially in agriculture, which allowed
him, on at least one occasion, to predict
from evidence others couldn't see. The
insight of one of his comments, in the
early '60s, still astounds Alexander, who
recycles the statement often in many of
persistent desire to improve. One thing
which has developed since he began
international competition is his outlook.
"I suppose he has more confidence
than first time," says son Mac. "After
all. it's a world's championship."
There is, undoubtedly. a certain
amount of pride which accompanies the
victory. In fact. pride must form a large
part of the reward because you certainly
won't become rich by competing. The
latest win netted Bolton $100.
One of the important reasons he and
his wife Edna attend the yearly event is
social. "We enjoy going to the fair,"
explains Bolton. "We have a great time.
We've been there nine years now and
we've got to know many people." One
character, Alex Blackhall of Aberdeen-
shire. Scotland is a friend developed
through the Royal. "He wasn't there this
year, (1980) but last year 1 met hint up
where the exhibits were and he threw his
arms around me. You'd think we were
long lost brothers."
Both Bolton and his Scottish pal, who
competes in the barley class, have won
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