The record-union., 1899-09-13

the Fair, at request of the board, its
chemists and experts to freely test
sugar beets for saccharine quality, and
to illustrate the processes of ascer-
tainment, as well as for testing milk,
cheese and butter.
We recall that a few years ago, as a
novel and certainly as an educational
feature at the State Fair that it en-
couraged a California historical exhibi-
tion, which was pronounced success,
and proved of first value in very many
ways, besides being a notable specta-
Gle. 1t has been dilligent in encourag-
ing all exhibits of viticulture, and the
display of California wines and bran
dies, syrups and cordials. 1t has not
even neglected the mineral waters in
terests. It has annually entered the
realm Of house-wifery and sought to
encourage its arts by offering premi-
ums for bread making, fruit preserv-
ing, etc, and has likewise done what it
might to induce exhibits Of the bee in
dustry, and with considerable success.
1t has filled the function of a State
Fair by most liberal invitation and pre-
MUM inducement to commercial inter-
ests, and hence has always had liberal
display Of merchandise, which likewise
serves to entertain and to please the
eye. The State Board has not neglect
ly recognized, however some people
may regard it, the taste for embroidery,
fine needle work, etc., and likewise in
the realm of fine arts it has encour-
aged and greatly stimulated work in
varied repousse, ceramics and the like.
1t has invariably 1abored to stimulate
work Of the school room that may take
the form of exhibition, and it has been
an educational factor in securing es-
pecially valuable displays of practical
application of electricity.
And yet we have not gone over the
entire list by any means of directions
in which the State Fair has conserved
worthy interests. It has added to its
expositions, as is done at all fairs in
these days, features of attraction mere
ly, as music and song, athletic exhi
bitions, ETC., at one time model chill
dren's play ground, at another an ex-
ample of revival of Greek games, etc.
In addition to these things the State
Board Of Agriculture has annually Sc
cured the contribution of valuable pa
pers relating to the chief resources of
the State, and has widely disseminated
them in printed reports. the value of
which has been freely confessed in ev-
cry State in the Union, and not infre-
quently in foreign parts.
Under the law the State Board Of
Agriculture is a State Statistical Bu-
reau and conserves community good
in that direction, though it is freely
confessed not so extendedly as might
be were the board more literally en-
dowed by the State for the purpose.
Under the law gaming is forbidden
upon the grounds or in the buildings of
the State Board of Agriculture, but
pool selling is permitted, a condition,
however, which does not attach alone
to speed contests at the State Fair,
but is in evidence generally wherever
racing is encouraged.
We are confident that whenever an
unbiased mind undertakes to examine
into the work of the State Board of Ag-
riculture and to review the annual ex-
positions. holding the balances with an
even hand and placing all credits
against any possible debts, it must
reach the conclusion that the most
slandered misrepresented and grossly
abused institution in the State is the
State Fair, which nevertheless has held
it's own for forty-six years, and by it's
extended life has established it's right
to live. If not all the communities of
the State take part in its expositions,
surely II Is not BECAUSE ol want OF IN
ducement nor opportunity. That a
growth in the right direction is however
going on is unquestioned. and presently
the interests which do not avail of the
State Fair as a. medium for their ad-
vancement will be exceptional
Mr.. Alfred Holman a. Well-known and
| experienced Journalist, has become edi-