Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-01-12
/ STATE AGRICULTURAL ram.
Gov. Stephens, IN His Message, Dis
cusses the Subject, and Mentions
Many States Which Rave
These Institutions.


ary interest to the people Of Missouri
more especially to those Of this SEQ
ten, as Hon. o. F. Clark, Of this city,
is going TO introdnce q bill In the Leg
islature along this line:
The advIsabilIty Of holding state
agricultural fair suggests itself to the
Governor and he thus discusseB the
subject:
"The question Of state agricultural
fair is being seriously and earnestly
discussed by the progressive element
Of our farmers. Many other states,
not 30 favorably situated as Missouri
for the production Of high-cla agri-
cultural products and without our
famous prize-winning herds OF live
stock, that offer successful conn
petitors In the worlds most noted
contests, and with revenue not abun-
dant, have found 1t profitable to main
tain institutions OF this character. A
state fair Will 60 far to awaken q
Numbering interest and to benefit the
industrial classes along all lines, In
stimulating q healthful rivalry in the
raising of fine stock and poultry, bet
ter and more corn, wheat, rye, oats,
barley, cotton, potatoes, etc., to the
acre; bigger and redder apples and in
the production OF improved, up-to-
date farming methode, to say nothing
of its social and business features,
"California appropriates annually
eoO, 900 to her state fair and $500 to
each district fair.
ssUonnecticut gives annually to her
state fair e2,6oo and total Of %, 800
to her county and district fairs.
HIndlana gave s5O,OOO for the estab-
lishment OF the state fair, and &c. 900
annually in payment Of agricultural
premiums.
"Iows and the city Of Des Meines
gave s1OO, 900 for the establishment,
and e1OO, 900 has been used in the Inn
provement from gate receipts. The
state, during the last twenty years,
has given $4,000 for the agricultural
premiums and pays annually $500 to
each county society.
Massachusetts gives 1000 an
nually to the State Board OF Agricul-
ture for the support Of agricultural
societies.
"Mlnnesota gave 100000 for the
establishment OF state fair and Ca
600 annually for agricultural prem
inmB.
maryland gives 5000 annually for
support Of agricultural societies.
"Maine gives annually $3.50 for
agricultural premiums.
NEW Jersey gives annually 5000
for agricultural and livestock prem
iums.
'sNew York gave 500, 900 for estab-
lishment Of the state fair, and sz2,-
600 annually for premiums for pro-
motion OF agriculture.
ssNebraska appropriates $4,000 an
nually for encouragement Of agricul-
tural products.
"ohio gave 100000 for grounds and
equipment Of q state fair, and sSS,OO0
annually for agricultural premiums.
"wisconsin gave $50, 600 for estab-
lishment of a state fair, and $4,000
annually for support.
"Rhode Island and Pennsylvania,
and other states, make annual appro-
priatisns for agriculture and live
stock premiums and the encourage
ment OF agricultural products.
81 believe IL is 100000 that Illinois
gave to establish her state fair, and
about 81, 900 annually for agricultural
premiums.
"Some of these state Institutions
have been in existence for more than
half 3 century, and It is believed they
have done great good for the states.
"Adiutant General Bell recommends
that tract Of land be purchased, to
be used as the annual camping ground
for the national guards of the state,
and that $4,000 be appropriated for
this purpose. IL is not unlikely that
there are many communities in Mis-
souri, which would gladly donate to
the state q tract Of land sufficiently
large to answer for both the encamp-
ment ground and the fair. The en-
csmpment, II held during fair week,
would prove a popular attraction and
would materially help contribute to
the success Of the fair. This matter
is well worth your most careful and
earnest consideration.