Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-10-13
VALUE OF COUNTY FAIRS.

- ONES COUNTY IS located near the
geographical center Of Georgia. its
southern boundary line being only
about ten miles from the city of
Macon. The general character Of the soil
Is gray. with a stiff red clay subsOil un-
DERIVING. particularly through the center
Of the county running north and south.
The general surface Of the county is roll
ing and IN places broken There are in
some sections Of me county as fine dark
mulatto lands as can be found in any part
OF the state For many years. through a
lack OF proper methods Of culture. these
fine lands lost much OF their original fer
tility. but lately a more judicious system
OF diversified agriculture has been prac-
ticed which Is gradually bringing them
back to their original fertility and pro-
ductfveness The introduction Of more
modern methods by the farmers through
the central belt Of the county. the culti-
walton OF progressive ideas and diversifi-
cation. originated the first county fair IN
Jones three years agD- An annual fair has
been held since that time. the first being
held az Round Oak in the more northern
part Of the county. but the last two years
the grounds and buildings were moved
70 Bradleys. which brought the location
nearer the center OF the county. and there
fore more convenient 70 the farmers and
con and Northern railroad. a branch Of
the Central OF Georgia railway, and is
easily accessible from a large scope OF
country lying through middle Georgia
The fair held this year covered period OF
three days. the Ist, "a and Sd days Of Oc-
tober. The prominent and successful farm
ers Of Jones county. who are the moving
spirits behind the movement 20 get up
these annual county fairs. have several
objects in view. the principal motives be-
Ing % advertise the resources OF the cOun-
u 20 the general public. 20 arouse a lively
and friendly interest among the exhibit
ors and TO promote the educational fea-
lures which always attend such enter
prises-
Good Of County Fairs.
The object lessons OF a first-class coun-
u fair are. In a measure. fully equal TO
those OF a state fair. They are superior
50 far as local conditions are concerned.
County fairs arouse the highest sense Of
county pride. particularly in those coun-
ties where the business OF agriculture is
the predominating industry. Every man
IN the county on such occasions. whether
he be an exhibitor OF not. feels a high
sense OF pride IN the efforts being made
BY his neighbors. and being enthused with
the success OF the occasion becomes a
good advertising medium for whatever
merits his county may possess along the
lines OF business in which the people are
engaged. / had the pleasure OF visiting
and personally Inspecting the splendid ex-
hihits made a the Jones county fair on
Friday OF last week. October 3rd. and l
feel assured that the varied displays
which came under my observation would
have done credit 10 any county in the
state. While the farm product displays
were not massive as We sometimes see at
the state fairs. in county exhibits Offering
for large prizes. yet they were fun and
ample. In variety and quality. In one OF
the individual displays made by Mr.. Jesse
Hunt. a sturdy. progressive farmer OF
Jones. counted IS varieties Of hay. near
y every variety OF garden vegetables cul-
tivated In the state. all OF the principal
products OF the farm IN goOdly numbers OF
varieties. and large assortment OF fruits.
The principal feature OF his exhibit con-
sisted OF the figure OF a man. dressed en-
tlrely from the cereals OF his farm. bear
ing the motto. Il live at home" This 81
lent homemade figure could preach a ser
mon 20 thousands OF farmers throughout
this and other states n the south. To
live at home should be the motto OF ev-
cry man engaged in the business OF ag-
riculture IN this greatly favored country,