The Florida star., 1901-02-01
SuggestlOns lOr 8 state Falr.


Suggestions Tor 6 State Fair.
In lea recent times there have been
many influences which tended to cheaper
and gulgarize agricultural fairs. Horse
jockeys, speed associations, venders of
nostEums, proprietos Of questionable
spectacles have often predominated, max
ing the whole reproach TO any COM
munity, the meritorious and solid ex-
bibits being crowded into the back
ground. Prudent parents declined 20
allow their children 70 sttend q fair
where the chief attractions were racing.
betting and claptrap exhibitions. There
were professional exhibitors who travelled
from fair to fair all through the season,
with specially prepared stock or machine
~, carrying OF all the premiums over
the heads of worthy local exhibitors.
There are evidences that the day of
such demoralizing exhibitions is passing
away. In many of the older states the
elements Of rural society haye taken hold
OF the fairs, have secured protective legis-
lation excluding swindles and meretri-
cious displays and limiting competition TO
county or state exhibitors 70 rule out the
greedy professionals.
If We are TO have a state fair, we want
something different from Jacksonville
gala week. True, there are some harm
less exhibits such as the Venetian gon-
dolas, the merTy-go-rounds, ETC., that
might be admitted for the amusement of
the young people; but the line should be
rigidly drawn against demoralizing and
swindling spectacles.
We would suggest that the system of
premiums be changed, and something
like the plan of the Centennial awards
be adopted. Have decorations given for
meritorious exhibits and diplomas be-
slowed on exhibitors of articles of merit,
with written certificates of competent and
expert judges, setting forth the particular
merits of the articles presented. In this
way there would be no specific list, but
every article of any degree of merit would
receive attention and a large variety
would be brought forward. The mere
value of premium in money should not
be the leading incentive TO the people;
it should be the honor. The certificate,
the diploma are more valued by the
cultivated and thoughtful patrons of fairs
than the money. Another and very i'm
portant consideration is, in the begin
ming, with considerable expense con-
fronting the managers to enable them to
set the fair on its feet at all, the premiums
would be a burden. Above all things,
let US have none of that poor and cheap
spectacular glory of some of the early ex-
positions of Florida, which secured gen
erous displays by the promise of liberal
premiums and then paid none.
We have no doubt that for the purpose
of inviting competition in special articles
special premiums would be offered by in
diyiduals, firms or corporations interest
ed, either commercially or as matter of
taste. For instance, merchants might
offer premiums for long-staple or upland
cotton, sugar, syrup, grains; builders
could offer premiums for plans for Florida
homes; benevolent persons could encour-
age by premiums the industry of the
young in the production of useful art
icles, etc.
Before dismisslng this subject We will
mention that the State Horticultural So
ciety will be represented by q. L. Taber,
q. P. Healy and NJ. +. Gillett; the State
Agricultural society i.y K. Z. Rose, G. A.
Danley and Il. z. tlealy; the Press as
socialion by - (nol yet named), to
meet in Jacksonville, in March, to take
steps to organize q slate fair.