The Opelousas courier., 1888-11-10

N. o. Picayune, NoSf A.

IN. W. L iS1yuuOt 2SVhT 1'
The increasing Epirit of enterprise in
the people of Louisiana is very fairly
indicated by the increasing interest in
parish fairs, of which unusually large
numbers have been held this year. The
parish fair is, so to speak, n compare
lively new institution to our people. 1t
never meant so much as it does now
when it has come TO mean something
more than grand staud, ii betting
book, and mild trotting race. The
fair has acquired somewhat othe value
of an exchange, where corn and cotton
change parishes, and where thoughts
and experiences change brains Lit re.
presents new and welcome infusion
of enterprise. II is ihr effort Of II spirit
of rightful speculation and of whole |
come desire to benefit the home people,
to advertise home products and inten-
! sify home interests.
A good parish fair held at % seasona
BILE time appeals to the citizenship of
every land owner and does u consider
: able work in developing the resources
of locality After successful fair
parish property Clocks up ard things
generally gently boom. The farmers
/ turn with added zest of ambition tothe
raising of bigger, better and n'nre va
ried crops. A cotton pleAter sees at
his parish fair Arty varieties of cotton,
representing every style and method OF
culture. Such an exhibit goes through
his brain like broom sweeping out
old fogy ideas, and the deplorable habit
of clinging to old ways simply and
solely for the old ways sake. He goes
home wiser man, aud By next year be
will be better farmer.
! Each parish in The state should have
it's fair association, and an annual fair
IA sort of fall plowing of wits-should
regularly occur. Such an association
would bring progressive people to-
gethcr and stimulate the energies of the
unprngressive ones. No man is prooi
against the beguiling fiattery of seeing
the blue ribbon tied on to his pumpkin
or the same token f1uttering from the
ear of his two year-old colt. Next veal
il the same baft be- cast at him he vii
rise to it like greedy trout to a gaudy
fly. We want nothing finer from onl
people tl,an the peaceful desire to raise
the most cotton and corn tothe acre, to
get the biggest yields of sugar and tt
grow the biggest pumpkins.
The parish fair with its blue ribbons
and money prizes, it's diplomas ant
awards, is a dispenser of just precisel.
the right snrt of decorations. They i'm
ply an increased acreage in cultivation
next year, u more careful attention t
stock and fruit, aud healthy ambitio
showing itself in the right waS.
Fine fairs have been held this yea
at Jennings, at Bayou Sara, Clinton
Baton Rouge, in Plaquemines parish
and great State fair begins to-morro'
ut Shreveport. The seeds of these fail
are scattered broadcast over The State
literally as we'll as figuratively.
A fair with farmers buzzing aboI
over prize potatoes and crops, wit
housewives exhibiting plump pats
yellow butter and prize loaves of cak
with Phyllis lounging lovingly
speechless admiration over some ne
embroidery stitch or crocheted loop,
rich Id suggestion. 1t encourages a
] and fosters improved stock raising ar
9 widens the scope and raises the stan'
ard of woman's work. It is mo
direct aid TO immigration and benefl
y the community no less than the ind
vidual. Now is the time for the organ
cation of fair associations to i0tere
II home people for them next fall.