The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-09-08
A GREAT OBJECT LESSON - THE
FAIR.

The State Fair opens auspiciously.
The stock showing, horse, horned and
other, promises to eclipse any aggrega-
ton of the kind yet brought together
at a State Fair. 1t is possible that
there have been larger displays, but
we are not sure of that, but in quail
ity and object lesson values we have
had no exposition so significant as this
of the advance the State is making in
the growing of the highest and best
grades of stock of ali kinds.
Whereas a few years ago a speed
programme could not be made up at
any California fair without the intro
duction of Eastern horses. which pre-
dominated largely, now the reverse is
the rule, and the speed and draught
animals shown at the State Fair are
almost exclusively of California pro-
duction, while the number has vastly
increased. So it is in fine cattle; the
exhibits arc now practically all Cali
fornian. We are proving that stock
interests in California stand abreast
with the greater concerns and hopes
of the State, and nowhere is the proof
of this truth more compactly present.
ed than at the State Fair. Speed, en-
durance and general capacity in horses
are essentials of breeding that cannot
be ignored, and will not be. Call the
contests at the park a State horse race
if you choose, the fact remains that
not dollar Of State money is used
in promoting these contests; that they
are self-supporting, and that they are
most important factors in the eXpan-
sion of the business OF producing de-
sirable horses of all classes for all
markets.
If there were no other features at the
fair than the exhibit of speed, breeding,
draught. driving, riding and general
utility horses, to say nothing Of jacks,
jennets and mules, the fair is worth
every cent it costs, and all the energy
and brains put into its promotion. But
these fine exhibitions of the capacity of
CALIFORNIA; blue grass" regions are
supplemented by equally as important
contesting exhibits of sheep, swine and
poultry, and those who fail to in
spect such exhibits miss much of the
teaching value of the fair.
In addition, there is a creditable dis
play at the Pavilion, though We incline
to the belief that in all States and dis
tricts pavilion displays are declining
as agricultural shows, and that social
features are becoming stronger in
them. Nevertheless, there is a great
deal to command attention and in
struct at the Pavilion. 1t may be that
a good part of the display is familiar:
that it is such as could be examined in
shops. factories and stores. But the
fact is that we do not examine there
in detail. Presented at a fair in close
contrast with competing exhibits. and
in convenient order for observation,
they engage attention they would not
otherwise have, and thus serve in a
very large sense to inform and edu-
cate the public mind concerning such
products and merchandise
But there are many novelties in the
Pavilion-enough to command the full
respect Of the thoughtful who go
through the great structure with their
eyes open. and a desire TO learn and
store their minds with business knowl-
edge In addition, the Agricultural
Society does notable work in the
encourag cement of art and art tastes
in California. In fact, it is the only
institution outside of art schools. with
q single exception, that does as much
in exhibits, and it is the only cne that
sets aside large sum for equitable
distribution among artists to repay
them, in some part. for exhibiting. II
is by no means a small thing TO gather
hundreds of art works from all over
the State from artists and amateurs
for the purposes OF such an exhibition.
Supplemental to this commendable
work is the encouragement given 10
mechanical and architectural drawing.
penmanship and pen and pencil work
in the schools of the State.
There are educational exhibits at the