The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-11-17
TIE COUNTY FAIR.

During the last two months we have
visited Il number of fairs in Virginia and
the fair ut II ayerstOwn, Md We do not
think that any fair held in Virginia can
compare with IIagerstown's fair. People
say fairs nave played out, but we saw our
fails are not managed so rs to he of any
real value TO the visitor When we saw
fair we do not mean simply few horse
races, gambling dens, living pictures,
etc, but II good exhibit of the country's
products for the purpose of showing what
we produce, and to encourage the differ.
ent branches of farming and home indus
tries
The main object of the present fairs in
Virginia seems 10 be horse racing and
gambling, and the exhibition of agricul-
t,lral products is made only for an excuse
to have the races and gambling.
The truest spirit of any fair seen in
Virginia was that of the horticultural
Society at Bedford City. This fair was
small but well ordered, and was arranged
with true patriotism. 1t was we'll nat
ronized, though no horse rlces and gam
bling tables were presented to attract
people.
The business people who live ut a place
where fair Is held the property owners.
the street cars, the railroads, the farming
community, and the visitors are the per-
sons mostly benefited by fairs. The first
class prcfit by fairs because the people
who attend spend money freely when at
tending these exhibitions, and the visit.
ors derive benefit by getting new ideas
from the exhibits.
Where there are no fair grounds. OF
course the expense will be heavier. But
take Il city like Roanoke for example.
There is surely one land company that
would allow the Use of necessary ground
and temporary buildings should be erect
ed ut Il cost of not more than $4,000. To
this must be added say $1,000 for prem
iums.
Every fair should provide for such ex-
hibits rs form the maiE products OF its
neighDoring territory and of such pro
ducts rs may be introduced in the same
territory.
Ours is country where fruit raising
should be encouraged Is much as posi-
BILE, because this is II fruit country
The commission merchant is interested
because his trade will be increased. the
land owner because his surplus land is
more salable when it is practically de.
monstrated what kind of fruit can be
grown TO best advantage.
In the stock departments rs well as
that OF fruit, the best premiums are not
money but articles exhibited. 1t seems
to us that the best means by which to get
fine stock from the exhibitors is tc der
as premiums Il number of fruit trees
suited to the location in which the fair i
held.
We claim that our mountains and hills
abound in minerals, coal, clay, etc We
deplorc that our timber is cut and turned
into useful articles ut other places, but
why TO we not make an effort to bring
the manufacturer To us; 1t is just be-
cause we make no effort in this line.
Show your mineral, YOUR timber your
raw material Of any kind TO the manufac-
turer, and he will consider whether it
pays him TO move his factory, but by all
means give the investigator "A reasonable
opportunity To show what YOU have, and
the best way to do it is through your fair,
Il: q If you are not successful in interest
ing anybody this year you may he next
year.
We do not believe that the people are
tired of fairs, but we think we have lost
sight Of the true purpose of the fair.
We must use the occasion to cncour-
age. TO wake up the ambition OF the pro
Queer and the buyer; we must make the
fair the means of establishing a home
market We have endeavored 20 show
that it can be done if the proper means
are employed to arouse interest, and if
proper judgment is used
To raise five or six thousand dollars for
such purpose may look like hard wrok,
but if everybody Interested in the success
Of the enterprise would contribute Il rea-
sonable sum one-half Of the expense
would be subscribed, and if properly adj
vertised the fees Tor entry of articles, the
side shows and the admissions, will cover
more than the other half and will leave Il
surplus.
But, as VIC said in the beginning of this
article, fairs must be organized to show
what we produce and to encourage the
different branches of farming and home
industry. -Farm, Furnace and Factory.
SILNER NOT DEAL NOR 81 .rEDING