The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-11-02
WINSTON, N. O., Oct. 16. 1897.

Mr. n. a. Whiting, President N. O.
State Ddirymen's Association, VII
mingtOn, N. O.:
DEAR SIR:-In your favor of June Ssh
you appointed me as a committee for
Forsythe county Ito work up a plan
for and to induce the county commits.
sioners to offer premiums for dairy
stock and dairy products, the prizes to
be awarded on tests made in county
contests, these committees to reports
as the annual meeting in Ocgober as
fully as possible" I now have the
honor OF submitting to you a report OF
my work in this direction, and take
much pleasure in stating, as shown
nor fully in the accompanying report,
that l have been in great measure sue
cesstul with prospects of securing q
largely increased appropriation for an
other year.
Ny work was greatly facilitated By
the fact that a county fair had already
been held in 1896, in the western part
of this county, at a place called Oak
Grove, 80 that when the request for an
appropriation for the benefit of the
dairy interests at the fair was made,
the objections raised were that thia
appropriation was asked for the banefit
of the county fair, yet the proceeds
were to be applied for the encourage
ment of branch of agricultural in
dustry only, and the two members
from the eastern part of the county OBJ
j3oted on the ground of the fair being
sectional, on account of itS location in
1.-The extreme western end, but all, I be-
lieve, conceded in the view that the
establishment of a county fair would
tend TO greatly encourage the develop
ment of our agricultural interests, and
thatit was the duty of the commission
e's TO extend both moral and financial
suppors to it.
The amou at asked for was fifty dol
lars, but as action in the matter, owing
to a number of causes, was not taken
until a week before the date of holding
the fGir, / suggested that as it was too
late 70 allow many, that would no
doubt shave been competitors, to pre-
pare and as a precedent was the main
point | was interested in establishing,
that the amount be reduced to twenty.
five dollars. This Was done, one mem
Der stating that if the fair was removed
to a more central location on railroad,
that he wa in favor of giving hun
dred dollars, at least. I wish in this
connection to express my appreciation
of the kind interest shown In this mat,
ter by our Lieutenant Governor, Ohas.
A. Rnolds, who is greatly interested in
all matters that tend to the develop
ment Of our now somewhat dormant
agricultural resources, and the eleva,
ton of the mental and financial status
of our farmers. I believe he could be
depended upon for active support, and
cooperation In any like movement in
the future.
Iteel especially gratifOd at the sue
cess of u work, so far, In FOrSythe
county, and particularly our bright
prospects for the future.
The action of our county committee
is fAttering because similar ~appropria.
tions previously asked for had been re
fused.
would suggest that it would be we'll
If each county In the State should,
through its county commissioners, ap-
propriate q moderate SUN, to be
awarded in premiums on exhibits made
by residents Of their respective coun-
ties, at county fairs, whether held in
their own o. some adjoining county.
Then the best Of each county exhibit
could be selected for exhibition at our
State Fair. To meet which a special
appropriation might be made by the
State Agricultural Society and State
Dairymen's Association. Thus while
each county would receive it's due
share of creditin both price and money,