The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1909-06-29
THE PARISH FAIR.

The committee on Parish Fair has
received most gratifying and substan-
tial encouragement, and the holding of
a parish fair in this parish in the fall
is practically assured. How elabo-
rate the fair will be can not now be
determined, that being dependent
upon the amount of funds raised. But
how large or how small the fair may
be the principal thing is that it may be
an object lesson Of value in demon
strating what may be raised here,
what is most possible to raise and the
best and most economical methods OF
cultivation.
A fair should not be simply a show
place, but q school where demonstra-
lions are given that will result in prac-
teal value. This is to be accomplish
ed by exhibits of the best results in
the cultivation of the various products
which have been produced here, and
with each exhibit Information should
be available as to its cultivation.
And exhibits should not be confined
to fine corn, cotton, cane, rice and 9TH
er farm products, but should include
the fruits, berries and vegetables, to-
gether with results in preserving and
canning these articles. II it is practi-
cal for instance, to put up in jars
beans, corn. peas, tomatoes, berries,
and fruits, in a way that will keep
them fresh for use, such information
will be Of great value by enabling
families to save buying canned yege-
tables, thus retaining money in circu-
lation here that now goes elsewhere.
Good times are measured by the
amount Of money in circulation. and
until we learn to live at home, we will
perforce see our parish short OF mon
ey and business therefore dull a large
part of the year. For which reason
cycry demonstration that be given
at the fair showing how we can use
orr own products, should be given
AS the matter Of preserving ahd can
ming IS USUALLY the part Of the ladies.
It is for them to begin now to prepare
all the exhibits in their province posi-
bio. ami especially all those tha. a.e
OF q helpful nature, and furnish q de
scr:ption Of The process they have
used in preparing the exhibit. And
these exhibits by the ladies sho,::d
lead to the development of one or more
important industries here. For in
stance this great fig country, why
shouldn't an exhibit of fig preserves
be SO fine and delicious that the re
cipe should not be used to mAnufac
ture such preserves for the market
A fine delicious article of fig preserves
would command a ready sale at 9
good price.
We also have a fine country fol
blackberries; and an exhibit o.
blackberry preserves and jam OF deli
cious quality ought to suggest and re
suit in establishment Of a factory fol
putting it up for the market. 1t does
not necessarily follow that to put VI
preserves needs a great plant; in fact
beginning on a small scale, q very
small scale, and turning out a yer,
high grade article is most likely tt
prove ! ice and grow to large pro
portions. The blackberry receives
but scant attention now. and yet /
hs great possibilities which viii som
day be appreciated.
We often overlook valuable pro
ducts and resources passing them b,
without Thought. In holding this fail
and subsequent fairs, 1t should be tn,
aim not only to develop what VI
already recognize. but to hunt for ant
md other resources.
The parish fair has great value an,
produces great results, when 1t is car
rted out properly and appreciated b,
the people. We are inexperienced II
fairs, never having had one in thi
parish, but by taking interest and al
sisting. the coming fair should be yer
helpful and each succeeding one still