Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-02-14
DELAWARE STATE FAIR.
Report Of President George a. MininEton,
Read at the Annual Meeting = Not an
Encouraging Year.

Report of President George a. MilinGton,
Read at the Annual Meeting : Not an
Encouraging Year.
AT the annual meeting of the Della
ware Agricultural Association, held in
Dover Tuesday week, the report of Presi-
dent George A. Milliagton was read, as
follows:
On the expiration of the 18th year of
the state Fair, and first year of my in
cumbency as president OF same ii becomes
necessary to render you my annual report.
The year Just passed has been IA period
of remarkable continued financial depres.
sion, and with all our combined efforts in
giving the public good agricultural show,
and with the largest fields and fastest per-
formers in the speed department (beating
all previous records and aided too by favor
able weather, | regret TO have to report
that our success, from financial stand
point, has not been what We should have
liked, or what the welfare of the associa-
ton demanded, At the beginning Of last
season IL was made necessary, by inCreas-
ing demands of exhibitors and patrons, to
go to considerable expense in building,
revising and improving buildings, which
! think has proved q great investment for
the association, and puts us in better and
more attractive shape to do business sue.
cessfully than we have ever been; but UNI
fortunately, and very much to my per-
sonal regret, IN taking proceeds of the fair
TO pay for these improvements incapaci-
tuted us from paying our exhibitors
premiums. which feel is a serious calam.
lty 10 the welfare and success of our fair,
for whilst | recognize the speed depart
ment may be the principal drawing card,
the important factor in extracting the dol
lars at the gate and as representing and pro.
noting an important interest and industry,
horse breeding, and one, too, that pays u
direct tax, 1t is certainly secondary in inn
portance to the general benefit derived
from general exhibit of things apper-
tanning to agriculture, in which nine lenths
of our people are intimately connected and
interested. feel that the importance of
our fairs are not fully or properly esti-
mated. | do not recognize u more i'm
portant or practical school for the farmer
than his annual visit to the fair where he
can have ocular demonstration and COM
parison OF what his neighbO is doing in
the way of improved stock, seeds, fruits.
implements, methods and processes, Why,
the results are lncalculable, AS we all have
evidence, If we will stop to compare our
horses. cattle, swine, poultry and products
generally, especially butter aud dairy
products. with those before our fair.
would suggest here that the agricultural
college might render us valuable assistance,
ut the same time increasing its general
usefulness, by making us Il generous dis
play. | was much Interested in similar
display at Easton, from the Agricultural
College OF Maryland. Our fruit interest
being a so general and important one,
think their researches and discoveries
concerning insect life and habits and
prevention and treatment (of which our
college has become ] believe, quite prOmi-
nent), would be especially valuable, and
the fair Il practical way of disseminating
the knowledge. | would suggest the APP
pointment of committee to confer with
the college to secure their cooperation in
above suggestions.
In connection with these views, ! am
impressed with the justice of our request
to the Legislature for State aid. and feel
that our lawmakers would be promoting
AS important and popular an interest as II
would be possible FOL them to do with
such u limited outlay as we ask. Notwith-
standing the furmer pays over so per cent
of the taxes, it is rarely ever lie is fostered
or benefited by appropriations or distribu-
ton OF the same In this case we pledge
to Immediately and directly redistributet to
the farmer in the way Ut premiums all the
ald we may receive. IL would also enable
us to increase our premium list, and guar
antee their payment, which would encOur-
age additional exhibits and increase in
terGst, thereby very much increasing our
usefulness as an aid and teacher OF the
agricultural interest of the State. With
the advantage oil tins timely and necessary
aid, think the Delaware State Fair and
Agricultural Association has long life of
usefulness and prosperity before it, and
will be enabled to keep in line with our
sister State fairs that have been SO lber-
ally endowed and fostered.
would suggest to the managers more
careful, q stricter policy in granting side
show or fakir privileges. In our necessity
or desire for revenue, we should not forget
our imperative duty to protect our patrons
from anything unfair or demoralizing.
With the benefit OF the State aid suggested
that necessity would not exist. With our
buildings and grounds now in fine condi-
ton for business, have no further sug-
gestiOns in mind,