The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-09-28
The State Fair.

The officers of the State Agricultural and
Mechanical Society have not been idle during
the summer, and it is confidently expected
that The third Annual Fair OF the society will
show large increase in the number OF eX-
hibitors from the South and West, as well as
this State. Copies Of the premium lists have
been sent to the principal newspapers in
every State, from Maine to California, and
their comments have, no doubt, excited an
interest in the subject which will manifest
itself practically in November. In this State
the preparations for the Fair have been made
quietly and privately, but we have reason 10
hope that they are both extensive and thor
ough.
We have always been OF the opinion that
the State Fair should be held alternately in
Charleston and Columbia, in order that there
might be no waste Of force. 1t is difficult Tor
South Carolina to organize two State Fairs,
worthy OF the name, in one season, and the
State Agricultural Society of Columbia and
the South Carolina Institute of Charleston
ought to accomplish more, if W~iking to-
gether in one exhibition, than the two can
expect to do when each is striving to attract
to itself the larger part OF the common stock
OF exhibitive material. This, however,
should be an incentive to greater exertien.
Hard work will secure the success OF one;
harder work will make both successful. And
it must be remembered that we owe the Off
Scers OF the State Agricultural and Mechani-
cal Society heavy debt OF gratitude. They
began their labors more than two years ago,
when it was difficult to reawaken the people
to the importance Of these Annual Fairs. A
voluntary association OF gentlemen, having
no other object than the industrial improve
ment of the State, they faced and overcame
q host OF difficulties, and made their very
first exhibition attractive beyond all reason
able expectation. AS consequence oi their
action, new life was given to the planting
and farming communities. Agricultural 30
cieties sprang up on oil sides. This fall there
will be county fairs in Anderson, Abbeville,
Barnwell, Darlington and Orangeburg; and
other counties, which have not organized,
express their determination Lot to be lag
CARDS in the race. These Fairs will bring
men together, will show them what their
neiShbors are doing, will make them ac-
.quainted with the latest discoveries in agri-
cultural chemistry, and will give them an
opportunity OF testing the latest improve
ments in implements and labor-saving ma
chinery Empirical knowledge is not sutti-
Gent for the progressive planter, and, as q
thorough school, teaching the lessons OF ex-
perience and science, every community
should, for It's own sake strive 10 build up
and enlarge its annual Agricultural Fair.
And what we have said Of the county exhi-
billions applies with still greater force 10 the
State Fairs, which, having larger means and
q more central position, draw exhibitors from
a wider field, and possess in higher degree
the qualities upon which their usefulness de.
pends. In its sphere, nevertheless, the County
Fair is as important as that OF the State.
The Fair OF the Agricultural and Mechan'
ical Society will be held at Columbia, begin
ming on the 9th and closing on the llth No
vember. We print the rules and regulations
in another column, and the secretary, Col
onel D. Wyatt Aiken, Cokesbnry, S. c., viii
be pleased to give intending exhibitors any
further information they may desi:e. Pre-
miums are given for field crops; cattle
horses and mules; wines, honey and pre-
serves; fruits and vegetables; manufactured
goods; needle and fancy work; machinery
and manufactures in wood and iron; Oh
jects of art There are, also, special premi
ums; including one of three hundred dollar;
for the best steam plough successfully ope
rated one hour each day during the Fair
All that is needed now is determination or
the part of the public to make the Fair equa
to its rivals in our sister States, and worthy
of our own ante-bellum reputation. This CAT
be done.