The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-12-21
MIDDLE FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL AND
MECHANICAL ASSOCIATION.

This institution, organized about two years ago
and Incorporated April 1si, 1879, has attained
such a measure Of success in the objects to which
it is devoted that the people of Middle Florida
generally, and of Leon county especially, where
most Of its stockholders reside, may well be
proud of it.
II is no close corporation" intended only for
local benefit, but embraces in its purposes the
welfare and progress of the entire section known
as Middle Florida, district comprising the very
cream of the agricultural interests of The State,
and composed of the ten counties of Gadsden,
Liberty, Franklin, Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson,
Madison, Taylor, Lafayette and Hamilton.
Only one of these ten counties, Gadsden, has
an agricultural fair association with grounds and
buildings, and it is therefore the more important
that the work Of the Association should be fully
known and its efforts sustained hereafter In every
county in tile district
The Articles of Incorporation declare the pur-
poses Of incorporation to be " the exhibition OF
the agricultural and mechanical productions of
Middle Florida, as well as the products of all
other industries Of this section by The holding Of
fairs and such other exhibitions as may be deemed
proper and advisable having in view the reward
Of thrift and enterprise, the stimulation Of the
development of the resources Of the aforesaid
section OF the State, and the encouragement of
immigration" And the Sixth Article provides
that " when The citizens Of any other county Of
Middle Florida shall have subscribed to the stock
of the Association to an amount for which the
payment shall be three hundred dollars, such
county shall be entitled to one Director additional
TO the number hereinbefore provided, to be cleo
ted by the Board Of Directors, subject to the APP
prevail of meeting Of stockholders" The nnm-
Der of Directors previously provided for in the
Articles is nine, and the Third Article provides
that all subscribers to stock will be required 10
pay 6fly per cent. of the amount of stock sub
scribed for at the time Of such subscription and
the balance upon the call OF the President and
Directors of the Association"
Under these Articles the people of Leon county
subscribed for stock In the Association to the
amount Of nearly $4,000, upon all of which the
required fry per cent was paid In, and On some
OF il one hundred per cent. A beautiful tract Of
land, lying exactly one mile north Of the city
limits, was purchased, enclosed with substantial
high, tight board fence. and suitable buildings
were erected, consisting Of ticket Office, secre.
tarys ofce, stables grand stand, toilet rooms for
ladies and q main building two stories high and
80 by 90 feet In size. A wide avenue leading
from the city limits to the fair grounds was con
structed, and the Association held its first fair,
beginning on Tuesday, the 21st day of January,
1879, and continuing until the following Saturday.
The fair was a success financially. the receipts
paying all expenses and, with the payments on
stock subscriptions, The entire cost Of the land,
buildings aud other improvements, and leaving
small surplus. II
The Leon county exhibits shown atIthis fair
were collected aud transported to Gainesville 70
the Stale Fair, beginning there on the 10th day
day of February following and entered a.
county exhibit TO contend Tor the premium Of
$500 and u silk banner offered for the best county
exhibit. Only one other county, Nassau, entered
an exhibit, and the cash premium was divided
between them, while the elegant and costly silk
banner, the material Of which was presented BY
the ladies Of Gainesville and the banner made By
the ladies Of FernandinA, Was awarded 10 Leon.
and 10 now In the possession OF thu etacem Of The
Association, there being 10 county agricultural
Organization In Leon. ~ II .tsF ~ ,isas.stas
The second fair Of the AsscclAtion was held
beginning ON Monday. the tbsh al pecember
1879, and continuing during the entire week. In
order 70 accommodate some thirty head Of racing
stock, (all more ~ less Dossd 'tcf sspees Ind
among which were several celehrisies. atiFeetSd
BY the handsome paiSsl pasred and Tie Associa-
tion's superior Track, which had beoome Noted
forits excellent qusllties) large numhsEof add;