The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-11-15
County and State Fairs-A Suggestion.


not consent to insert communications unless we know
the writer.
County and State Fairs-A Suggestion.
Now that the election is over, our Demo
cratic representative, Mr. Talbot, elected by
an overwhelming majority, and everything
snug and comfortable, we propose to turn
our attention to Il subject which we can all
discuss without party politics intruding-
What we propose is TO throw out II sugges.
ton in reference to our Agricultural and
Mechanical Fairs or Exhibitions in the State
In the first place. the success of the county
societies in this line is now everywhere cstab.
lished Every exhibition held in every coun-
" in the State, where there is an organized
society, has been marked this year with more
than ordinary success. The interest of the
people in these fairs seems, we are happy to
note, on the increase, Now is the time, there
fore, to suggest anything in reference to them
that will tend to perpetuate that interest and
subserve their continued prosperity.
Whilst it is true of the county societies
that they are in full tide of success, such is
very far from being the case with the State
Agricultural Society, as its exhibition this
year at Pimlico fully demonstrated. In point
of attendance of visitors it was far behind
any of the county fairs, and the character of
its exhibits, whilst creditable to all engaged,
was yet far short of what our State at large
could show, were sufficient interest generally
manifested. The reason for the comparative
failure of the State fairs of late years, is truly
alleged, we believe, TO be found in the fact
that the local fairs of the different counties
absorb the attention of their citizens, to the
exclusion of the State fair. So that the sue.
cess of the one is the destruction of the other.
In other words, county fairs are destined to
supersede our State exhibitions, under pres
ent arrangements. This is a state of things
that In our judgment ought not TO be; because
our agriculturists, mechanics and all others
interested, ought to be brought together from
the State at large, in friendly competition and
exchange of views, &c, at certain intervals,
or we are in danger of growing more con-
tracted, instead of more expanded in our
ideas.
Now for our suggestion of remedy that
will add to the interest of both county and
State fairs in thefuturc. 1t is this Let the
State Society suspend its exhibitions, except
upon every .ftM year Upon that fifth year
let every county society ntermit its exhbi.
tion and join in the State exhibition. BY so
Jo;nn tho Stotn fair &c ncouroJ of nuoooce bo
cause it is not in rivalry with the local coun-
ty fairs; and the county exhibitors, for the
credit of their home exhibits, will take more
interest because of being brought every fifth
year into competition with neighboring coun.
ties. The four preceding years will be more
largely used to perfect their exhibits at their
home fairs, as preliminary TO the fifth.
The plan, also, ofthe State exhibition could
be altered with benefit, in our Judgment
Let the buildings and grounds at Pmlico be
adapted for the exhibition every fifth year,
somewhat upon the plan Of the late Centen-
NAL exposition, on Il smaller scale. For in.
stance, let space be allotted to each county,
upon its application, in main building
Also, to the city of Baltimore for her artisans
aud mechanics. Those of the county socie-
ties which see proper to do 50, might even
have county buildings, where their peculiar
products of husbandry, mining or other in
lerests could be displayed, as the States were
represented by their buildings upon more
extended scale, of course at the Centennial
This style of exhibition is the modern one,
and there is no reason why it should not be
adopted, upon limited scale, in pursuance
of the general plan we have indicated above
1t would add pleasing feature of novelty of
arrangement to exhibitors from the counties
and the city. Being held at intervals of five
years it would attract largely upon each re-
currence
We have thrown out these suggestions,
simply as first hint toward what we consd
er would be for the improvement and benefit
of all concerned. We do not now discuss
what changes would be required to be made
in the State organization, or if legislation
would be necessary to perfect the plan. If
such were required we presume there would
be no difficulty in obtaining it
If there is any merit in our suggestion, we
trust we shall hear it discussed more in prac-
teal detail by the press and the intelligent
mechanics and agriculturisls of the State
1t seems to us worthy of consideration, at
least.