The Ocala evening star., 1905-11-25
MARION At THE FAIR
A Brief But Comprehensive and Ae-
curate Description of Our County's
Exhibits at Tampa
(By Albert H. Roberts.)

(By Albert H. Roberts)
BY far the most extensive exhibit
Of farm products at the fair is from
Marion county. the fifth largest in
population in Florida, and one OF the
largest in area in the northern part
Of the peninsular. 1t is one of the
old settled counties. and long before
the war" its people were devoting
themselves to agricultural pursuits.
which is still the mainstay Of the
great majority of the people Of Ma
rion. Favored by Nature with a rich
soil, the people have labored long and
put their county in the forefront of in
dustry.
The contrast between the old Ma
rion county and the new is we'll pre-
sented in two miniature corn cribs
that occupy positions side by side in
the exhibit spaces. The first is the
old rail crib, half rail and half space,
with as much corn outside the crib as
inside. while the other is a smart,
up-to-date structure Of Marion coun-
ty pine. resembling far more a nice
farmhouse than a corn crib. Corn is
one Of the county's principal products,
and is presented at the Fair in all
sizes and conditions-in the husk, on
the cob and shelled. the display Of
seed corn being as fine as can be pur-
chased from the best seedsmen in
the land. The corn on the ears makes
a splendid show, the ears being big,
and the grains large and firm. In
connection with the corn exhibit,
there is a display of fine corn meal,
made in the county.
Other Grains.
Numerous other grains are shown.
among others rye, oats and rice.
rough and shelled. The exhibit Of
hay is exceptionally fine, and is per-
haps the largest on the grounds. Nu-
Guiding crab grass. pea vine, beggar
weed. oat hay and peanut vine. All
are excellent for stock. and this is one
reason that as a stock-raising county
Marion is in the front rank Cassava
and velvet beans are prominent eX-
hibits. and so is teocinte, one of the
best forage plants. A big bunch of
this. with stalks grown from one seed
and standing sixteen feet high. was
sent by c. ]. Jewell. of Ocala. From
so to 100 stalks will grow from one
seed. which makes it superflous to
remark that the plant is very prolific.
While not a foraging plant. broom
corn is an interesting exhibit properly
treated in this department.
Sugar Cane.
Five varieties of sugar cane are on
exhibition, the quintette being the
blue. red. green. ribbon and japanese
cane, with samples of syrup made from
each variety. Among the syrup ex-
hibit. is a number of two-quart cans
put up at S. r. Pyles' Glenhurst farm
near Ocala. There is alsa a small ex-
hibit Of sorghum.
a fine display of vegetables is shown
consisting of pumpkins. kershaws. a
fine lot of Boston Marrowfat squash
from W. NJ. Gists farm. cOwpeas. red
and sweet peppers. Okra, turnips
sweet potatoes. tomS toes, snap beans
egg plants. and English peas. Other
| interesting exhibits are pecans. black
walnuts and hickory nuts. The pea
nuts. COOLERS and chufas are given a
prominent place. and so is the eX-
hibit of seeds, including cowpeas. Kolh
Gem. Glossier and Eden watermelon
seeds. cotton. canteloupe and Jerusa-
lem oak seeds.
| Being in a comparatively northern
altitude. Marion county raises a good
deal Of cotton. both upland and Sea
Island. Several bales are displayed
being sent by c. X. Robinson and
George Giles & Co. of OcaIa. George
Giles is a thrifty colored man. who
also sends a bale af mattress moss.
Hog and Hominy
Hog and hominy" are old standbys
in the state and Marion county has {
fine line Of lards. bacons. middling and
homemade lards. the meats having
!been treated to a cold storage process:
and thoroughly cured. The best crit.
icism Of the meats was passed by &
rural visitor who saCely inquired. Say
how did You get Swift's name OF
them hams?"
Although not the least in the grow.
ing Of citrus fruits. Marion county Ia.
made its agriculture its chief exhibit
The citrus display is small but de
cideily creiitable Il consists O