The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-04
THE rATR Is THE THING,


THE FAIR - TINE THING!
In Discussing the advisabiiitv and the
feasibility Of South Texas fair At Hous-
ton. the public here end in the tributary
country should not overlook the possible
happy results Of such an enterprise toward
securing vide dtvcrsincation Of indus
tffts for this section.
The press Of the South h engaged in the
earnest effort to turn tho attention Of the
Southern farmers to other sources of row
enue ard wealth than cotton raising. From
Virginia to Texas the appeals 70 the pro-
naAcing class are many and earnest to raise
their own food products. their own stock
and to encourage factory enterprises. The
Atlanta Constitution asks: with the
record OF fii-diNcted agricultural expert
ments behind them. what do our farmers
propose to do in the future?" The Consti-
tuition then shows how the Southern farmer
has been missing his share in exports and
growing poorer by his continued devotion
to one crop. In this connection the consti-
ctition presents some significant figures. It
says:
There IL at hand the recent report OF the
chief statistitian from which IL appears that
af
Just closed the farmers have exported in
round numbers 800 900 900 worth OF products;
and taking the same average for the twelfth
month MS an estimate It would amount to
almost $500 200, 900!
This represents the work OF the men In
the field and Of those Industries which nat
OF the field. and the profit which accrues
goes wholly 10 men engaged In agricultural
production. Looking over the principal pro-
ducts which make up this grand total OF ex-
portatdon. we will have this year about SEES
100000 credited To the South In return for it's
cotton. leaving the imrnelso preponderance Of
$575. 900, 900 which reaches the men who raise
wheat and corn and meats
Facts like these have. however, been
presented time without number to our
Southern farmers with but little effect.
Jus. recently. 1t is true. and particularly
in Texas, greater attention is being paid
TO diversl1catton OF industry than hereto
fore, but tho movement stands in need OF
some kind Of practical and heroic stimrlat-
Ing.
What could possibly furnish the physical
demonstration and the rivalry necessary, 80
pointedly and impressively as great an
r1ual fair In any given section, where the
varied fruits of industry and the steps of
progress. or the capabilities of the section.
could be shown?
II South Texas fair at Houston should
have the effect OF demonstrating to all
how infinite are the resources OF South
Texas and should awaasn a new interest
IN new crops and Industries, II can be seen
BY any one how intellectually valuable II
would DO to this portion of Texas!
II IL example rather than precept that
mpresses Ocular evidence OF what can be
lone ts tho best stimulus to further exer-
ion. That large annual exhibit and f,rst.
'lass races at Houston would arouse in
crest in diversified Industries Of every
description. including the raising OF fine
Itock, no one can doubt.
To build up the section is to build UP and
lirectly bcneft every city and town in the
'ection
It is gratifying to see that the Fruit,
Flower and Vegetable association intend
ctively to canvass the Feasibility Of un-
ertaklng a South Texas fair. The move
nent ought to meet with enthusiastic
eception In Houston and adjoining coun-
les--t is the greatest and most promising
Investment this portion OF Texas could
nakel