The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-11-29
FARM PRODUCTS AT THE FAM
and Live Stock ExAibats
show What Can Re DoDe In Flo9ida
Gainesville SUM

Gainesville SUM
Friday closed the Marion County Fair
at Ocala after successful week. The
Marion County Fair Association, hav-
| ing determined to make the agricul-
tural exhibits the main attraction.
succeeded to a remarkable degree
| In the live stock department several
| breeds Of hogs. dairy cattle and beef
cattle were represented. all Of which
came from Marion county or very close
to its borders
On Tuesday. the opening day, the eX-
hibitors were busy, preparing for COM
/ petition in the respective classes. The
association had made ample provision
/ as to space for the animals. even more
SO than was actually needed to exhibit
4 the animals to the best advantage
Some Improvement in this line might
be made. that every visitor to the fair
! might see the animals individually,
i thereby making a fair comparison in
their own mind leading to instruction
OF the proper kind as to higher ideals
and better quality Of stock that can be
grown in Florida The entrees were
not large. but the quality was good.
4 Good Hog Exhibit
II ]. NJ. Scott, of the Florida Expert
ment Station, judged the hogs It was
gratifying to see four Of the principal
breeds represented. The Berkshires
were the strongest class. and in it were
some splendid individuals. Some sp1en-
did thick-fleshed. true-to-type animals
1 OF all ages were there for competition.
In a few classes the exhibits were such
that it required considerable thought
and close observation to place the
awards. The Duroc-Jerseys, while only
quality. This breed Of hogs is rapidly
/ becoming popular in the South. The
Poland China hogs were as good spec
linens could be found at many of
our Western shows. The Belted Hamp-
shire, sometimes called Thin Rind hog.
so seldom found in the South, was rep
resented by some excellent specimens.
The Dairy Exhibit
Prof. r. D. Maltby Of the University
of Florida. judged the dairy breeds.
and found considerable difficulty in
| placing the awards in the Jersey heifer
class. Mr.. J. B. Simonton and Mr.. G.
K. Robinson were strong competitors
for the best awards. These herds,
grown and developed in Florida. prove
conclusively that Florida can grow her
own dairy cattle equal in quality to
those raised in the dairy states Of the
North.
Reef Cattle Exhibit
Prof. Scott also judged the beef oat-
tie. The herds Of Shorthorns and one
| herd OF Angus. constituted the exhibit
While these animals were only in field
condition, and not fitted for show pur-
poses. they indicated a good deal Of
quality. The foundation stock Of these
animals was purchased outside of
Florida. but the young animals de-
veloped right here in the state showed
no lack of vitality or reduced quality.
The adaptability Of the Aberdeen An
gus to Florida conditions was in evil
dence with the herd exhibited. This
breed Of cattle. SO favorable for baby
feed production. whose native home Is
in a cold country. can be reared and
developed successfully on the forage
crops that grow in Florida.
Some Good Mules
Three exhibits Of mules, numbering
in total II head. are worthy Of special
mention. Yearlings. weighing from $50
to 500 pounds. two-year-olds. 500 to
1000 pounds. and draft mules from 1900
to 400 pounds. indicates to US that
| Florida farms can raise mules so much
needed on the Southern farms and in
I the cities. Considerable quality may
be empha sized in this exhibit. Prof.
A. p. Spencer placed the awards in
these classes. The draft mule, with
good bone. showed evidence of good
breeding. Is the kind most needed in
Florida, and are those for which large
prices are paid in the Northern states
then shipped here for use.
The Corn show
Prof. Rolfe judged the corn. His r.
port is especially gratifying. Some al
the best corn shown in the state this
year was found in this exhibit. Ow-
ing to continued rains during the rip
ening season it WAS with a great deal
Of difficulty that collective exhibits
could be secured absolutely free from
mould. In view Of this fact. Marion
county can boast o fher soils as to the
production Of corn.
Mr.. c. K. McQuarrie judged forage
and vegetable crops About his only
complaint was with the order Of ar
rangement. Exhibits coming under this
class should be carefully marked and
placed together. 1t not only facilitates
the judging. but adds a great deal to
the appearance Of the educational fea-
ture of the fair
Universtty Extension Division
The University Of Florida was rep
resented not only by the judges from
the various departments. but with the
Farmers Institute equipment OF en-
larged charts, giving information on
fertility. forage crops. feeds. dairy cat
tie. beef cattle, hogs. poultry and plant
diseases. The fair authorities placed
this exhibit in the woman's rest room
No Farmers Institute lectures were
given, and although visitors to fairs
seldom attend to discuss such matters
these charts and photographs were in
constant use by those seeking the
proper information on the various
crops and methods Of harvesting suited
to Florida. Many new corners availed
themselves of this splendid opportun-
ity to see what the university is doing
to put farming on a better basis. The
work Of the Farmers Institute staH to
bring the results of the Investigations
conducted at the Florida Experiment
Station right to the farmer at his
home. Already about forty institutes
have been held since July LIST. with a
total attendance Of over 5000. The plan
is to emphasize the greatest needs and
TO make the work most effective in ev-
cry particular. The University Of Flor
ida is anxious and ready to promote
~ hos. irSa ~, he fa~ han