The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-10-06
STATE FAIR is OWNED
BY VIRGINIA FARMERS

one of the old farmers from one
of the mountain counties-this being
evidently his first far-thoroughly
summed up the matter after making a
close and careful examination OF the
freaw, by turning away in disgust and
eXClaiminH:
There amt no sieh anlmule!"
And SO they go down the Midway,
seeing and enjoying everything, and
storing up subjects which III months
to come will he argued and discussed
whlel al work in the field and around
the hreside at night.
Whistles and horns and tasseled
canes are popular. the youngsters
making the air hideeus with their tin
screamers, and plaguing each other
With the fuzzy, tcklish tassels on their
canes. There is not the slightest trace
of real disorder, however. for they are
merely having a good time such as
they look forward to from one year
to the next, thoupgh the police are
ever on the watch To take a hand il
necessary.
Many Lectures.
In t. exhibit buildings, particularly
around these booths where agricuitu-
rat products are shown. the farmers
are present en- masse. The judges are
answering questions. pointing out the
peculiar merits aud advantages of err
tain prize winning exhibits, and ire
quenth giving lectures and demon
STATIONS on judging and selecting
The exhibit in the big exposition
building containing the display of the
State Department of Agriculture is
packed with farmers from all over
Virginia listening to lectures which are
being given on the merits and posi-
bilities of alfalfa.
Bales Of this hay are shown repre-
! senting the first. second and third
! consecutive crops, and regular insti-
! tutes are given by some of the most
| successful alfalfa growers, full expla
! nation being made as To how the pro-
duet should be planted. cared for, cut
and cured.
These lectures in progress in the
agricultural building and likewise. as
noted, in the big exposition building
/ are considered by many farmers as
among the most interesting things to
be found at the fair for whenever
they have a chance to learn from
these experts they take advantage of
| the opportunity. the remarkable in
crease in the value of the general
crops in the State over former values
showing As nothing else can how the
farmers have profited by the instruc-
tion.
Interest in Corn,
More interest. perhaps, Is shown In
corn than in ANYTHING else. as corn
Is the big Virginia crop, the soil and
climate seemingly conspiring to make
Virginia corn of the finest quality and
ample in yield. Along. the rail OF the
exhibits where corn is shown the
farmers are consequently crowded,
asking questions. and many oil them
making notes of especially interest
ing and valuable information given
by the judges,
In the womans building the farm
er's wife Is queen. What she doesn't
know about pies and cakes and bread
had best he forgotten az undesirable
and worthless knowledge. while skill
full with the needle she ie more than
good judge of all kinds Of embroid-
cry and drawn work
Many of the exhibits in this build
ing are decorated with their ribbons
ana the judges are kept busy answer
ing questions as to the ingredients OF
some OF the appetizinx freaks which
OF strange shape and color grace the
booths.
or course. the farmers will see the
aeroplane flight, Since the accident
OF Wednesday evening the big flyer
has been practically repaired until 1t
Is almost as good az new, and will.
unless very unusual weather condi-
tons prevail, make its regular flight,
gliding and dipping and diving-and
all this for the especial benefit OF the
farmers. who for the day own the
grounds and for whom the fair is
given.