Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-09-04
The Farmers and the Fatrs.

found under this mead
The Farmers and the Fairs.
There is no question that so far as the pro-
duetion of crops is concerned the farmers of
the State are in a better condition than they
have been for years before. The wheat crop
is better and larger than ever before. The
State is literally full of wheat. The wool
crop has been good, and prices have been
fairly satisfactory. Hops have been fair in
yield, and prices way up. Grapes have
never been better or the crop more full In
quantity and quality, and prices are re-
munerative. The general fruit crops have
not been large, but sales have been quite sat
isfactory. Taking the agricultural industries
all in all, the State, so far as production is
concerned, has seldom had so good season,
and we think we can say never better. The
hop and wool men have realized upon their
crops, and among them money is com para
lively easy but the wheat farmers are not in
so good condition, because, on account of
unsatisfactory prices, they have not sold their
crops to any extent. We would like 60 see
prices come up, bat we capnot say the
prospects are bright in this direction.
Even at present prices the'aggregate sales of
the wheat crop viii be very large, and the
wheat farmer will be in better circumstances
than in many years before. Many of the
farmers are storing grain, and making loans
on it. Whether this is good policy or not
we viii not express an opinion. However,
think twice before storing, paying storage
and insurance and interest, once. The grape
growers can sell their grapes on the vines, to
be delivered, at good rates, and in this case
the question of storage, insurance and inter-
est does not come into the account. Taking
in the whole situation, there is no reason why
money should not be in circulation plenti-
fully in a very short time-say ten days or
two weeks. The money is now in the banks
ready to be handed over to the farmers upon
a days underwriting only upon their de-
cision. The fair season will not begin till the
13th-ten days from date-when the Golden
Gate District Fair will be opened. This dis
trict will not be affected so much by the want
of money among the wheat farmers as
those more remote from the cities and
the centers OF population in the State.
The State Fair will follow the Golden Gate
Fair one week later, and by the ooh, the
opening day of the State Fair, it is now prob
able that large amount Of wheat will be
sold, larger amount stored and money adj
vanced, ard that money will be well in circu-
lation. Then when the San Joaquin. the
Chico, the Ell Dorado, the Humboldt, the
Monterey and the Los Angeles fairs are held
the farmers will be in the full realization of
the proceeds of their immense crops and
will doubtless turn out and patronize the fairs
both by exhibits and by their presence, as
they have never done before. There is one
feature in connection with the State Fair
that more especially interests the farmers
and that should receive their unqualified sup
port We refer to the camping accommods-
tions provided by the Board for all who may
desire to camp out, have a good time and save
expenses. There is no better-we will say
more-not so good and favorable climate in
any other State in the Union as we have in
camping out at the State Fair. Rich.
mond Grove, the grounds selected for
the State Fair camp, is within the
city limits, within easy distance of both
the Pavilion and the Park, the street rail-
road can communicate with it and run to
both places of exhibition. It is well shaded,
a magnificent grove covering the whole place,
is well supplied with good water and all
other conveniences necessary to render camp
ers at home and comfortable. In many
other States, where the weather is uncertain
and treacherous. the larger portion of the
people attending State Fairs come with their
teams, tents, household fixtures and kitchen
furniture and bring the whole family along,
and the expense attending the weeks enter
tainment in this way is reduced down to a
mere nominal sum. But the consideration OF
expense is one Of the least-though itself
big Observation-Disclosures to be gained to the
farmer by the adoption of the camping plan.
The camps may be so arranged that whole
neighborhoods of people may camp side by
side, and thus the female members of the
families will be brought together in
close social intercourse and enjoyment such
as they cannot enjoy at home, on &C.
count of distances that Sc parate them.
Then all male and female can meet
together and talk over house and farm man.
agemeut and general Industrial economy, the
lessons of the exhibition and all matters of
mutual interest, and thus make the occasion
a real school, to be accompanied and followed
with practical and usefulresults Old friends
and acquaintance that have not seen each
other for years are thus brought together face
to face and an opportunity afforded to live
over again the days when perhaps in their
boy or girlhood they enjoyed the feeting
hours. We might enumerate the many ad.
vantages to be realized by the farmers in
offered at tie State Fair, but beginning is
all that is wanted to illustrate it practically
and render it fashionable and popular. At
the late State Fair held in Oregon the camp
ing grounds were the most interesting and
instructive scenes in connection with the
whole exhibition. The custom has become
fully and permanently established in our
sister State, and is there recognized a,
not only an important but neces-
sary feature of the occasion. The
reason why the practice was more fully |
enjoyed and appreciated at the last fair than
heretofore is that before this season the fairs |
have been held in the fall, after the rains
have set in and the weather become uncer-
tain but this year the fair was held in July, |
when they were sure to have good weather. |
Now, we in California always have good |
weather, and are always prepared for the
best features and fruits of the camping plan. |
Why will not our farmers embrace our eli |
matte advantages socially as well as indus
trially? Pack up and come out and make
the occasion of the fair one of real enjoyment |
and pleasure, as well as one Of instruction,