The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1910-10-21

around it-Leflore county must have a Fair.
Over at Greenvile the interesting Delta Fair closed last week
under grand auspices. There, in that progressive Delta city were the
best of agricultural exhibits from all parts of the adjacent country
There thousands of the best people in that district assembled to take a
a COURSE in agricultural evolution. They came, saw, and were convinced
that thew were far behind in the or modern methods of farming, and
went home delighted with the big attractions, with the realization that if
they we're to do more than to merely exist, and expected to survive with
the fttest, they must, per Sc, get next to that diversifcation idea They
saw what they formerly considered a theory successfully practced, and
there. in great abundance, were products of diversified farming.
Down at Jackson next week the great State Fair will hold a session.
Visitors will be attracted from all parts of the State. Promoters oil
county fairs will be there, with the finest Of their exhibits, to look upon
and learn of the benefits Of a bigger and better Fair. From all parts Of
the State III now being collected specimens from all the varieties of
crops that have been experimental with, and more forcibly than ever will
it be impressed upon them that a greater and better day awaits the Mis-
sissippi farmer if he will only heed the admontion heralded wide that
MissaIppians must raise their own mules and horses, corn, hay meat and
other staples.
All over the South this Fair idea has become the rage, and the
communities wherein thew have been held now pronounce them a bless
ing. Tho doubling Thomases" have been shown that tit is for their good
that they should raise these crops, and that it behooves them to follow
the examples of those who have achieved success and who have proven
with their exhibits, the practcabiity of Investigation.
At present Mississippi is right on the verge of going through her
most serious agricultural strain. Plaques in the form of outrageous
prices for staple commodities, laxiy of farming methods, and the disas-
trous boil veevil, are confronting our farmers. In a little time, and it
seems that that time is not distant, our good people will be brought face
to face with these plaques. 1t remains to be seen whether they ar going
to barrcade themselves and wage a successful. war lney ALREADY need
the help of every man in the cities, who restessly depends upon the far
mer. They need the agency of the County Fair to teach them the
proper methods which they must utiiz N making an effective resist
ance.
In sections where the boil weevi has made its invasion, the County
Fair has proven the one indispensable agency through means of which a
panic has been averted. Practical demonstrations have had their effect
upon the farmers who left their homes to visit the city, enjoy the Fair and
to absorb the great agricultural education it affords. Its bad policy to
wait until the bug comes upon US and joins hands with the high cost Of
living, to devastate our fields and bring ruin upon our commerce. This
agency should be brought into play, and start the farmers off anew, SO
that, when the plaques ar upon us,t they will have time by the fordock,
and will be enabled to wipe out its bad effects and keep the financial
situation from wroughting discomfort and probably ruin.
Iefore county must raise her own mules horses, corn, hay, meat, and
other feedstufs, whether the boil weevl comes OR not. If we expect to
attain any degree of prosperity and comfort, we must stop this reckless
spending of money to the Western and Northwestern farmers for COM
modities that W re car raise and must ra1sea at home. Think OF the large
ID1. f~. l- 4-,to +lr uo,1d 1oL hu opvopiant fhv
would appear, how remunerative they would be, if all houses, gins, fences
and all other apartments we're better kept, and there was a lesser degree
of laxity in farming methods. Would it not be inspiring to gee every
plantation speckled with freshlypanted houses, barns and fences and
neatly kept tracts Don't you know that our county would enjoy, to a
great degree, this all of prosperity, and that it would greatly enhance our
wealth?
This is not a mere fancy, but the attainment of such is right within
our grasp. The achievement of all this is not such a tremendous prop
osition, if we will only stop and see how easily it can be obtained.
What we have got to do is to organize a Leflore County Fair Associa-
ton, to organize it right, and place the proper kind of men behind it to
accomn1sb ;s, main end Vanoose the idea that it will 90 through
your pockets and hog you. 1t has been put o a paying basis sin other
counties, and it can be done in Lefore. Thousands of visitors are at
tracted to ii, and, piece by piece, a dime here and a quarter there, the
whole thing is paid for.
Last week we had something to say about the County Fair PROPOSE
ton, and feel elated over the fact that we have had expressions from
many of Jul most prominent and successful business men, that the
Fairs the thing, and that we just must have it. As specimen OF some
of the good things we have heard and have had written u.s., W g herewith
submit a letter from one of our leading citizens, who joins with us in
emphasizing the necessity of a County Fair. He says:
81 have read, with a good deal Of pleasure and interest, your edi
torial in last weeks issue OF a County Fair. Dr.. D. s Humphreys, who
was associated with me some years ago IN a small affair OF that KIND
and myself have already discussed the matter at some length, and had
t decided, at the proper time, to bring it TO the attention of our business
men. l feel pretty sure that a well organized fair and exposition would
draw regular circus crowds to our hustlng city. This being so, | feel
pretty sure that all of our good people would be interested, and would
heartily enter into an enterprise Of this kind. Later on shall have
something more to say on the subject, but in the meantime, let's keep it
jam up before the public"
The Fair season is about over for this year, but this is the right
time to organize the Fair. A Fair organized substantially between now
and January would mean something big for Lefore county next sum-
mer. Time must be given for a careful program to be appropriately
carried out, and we should Jump on this proposition with both feet be-
tween now and January, and land the thing that will be themost potent
:. factor in the full development of our resources.
SOMETHING ELSE GREENWOOD NEEDS.