The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-10-11

/ gladly accepted your invitation L
be present and make a short talk CT
local fairs. | am more than glad to b
here and to have an opportunity X
offer a few suggestions on the subject
Of local or county fairs.
1t is possible to have a successful
county fair where the farmers diversity
their crops and raise good live stock. A
fair is always a miserable failure in
an allcotton county. | think that ]
am safe in saying that the Mexican
cotton boil weevil will continue to dc
sufficient damage in this county TO com
pei the farmers to diversity their crop:
and breed good live stock.
You have selected a most excellent
place for your fair. Bay Springs is one
of your county sites and the home Of
your county agricultural high school
Your agricultural school has placed with
in the possible attainment OF farm boys
and girls an education that will increase
their power to make the necessary
money to provide the betterments which
this progressive civilization demands,
Many of our schools and colleges in,
crease the students yearning capacity
instead Of their earning capacity,
Maybe your fair will find its permanent
home in the buildings used for your agri,
cultural high school and be made a
school of agriculture of vital influence,
Maybe the acres in cultivation on the
school farm will serve as a demonstra,
ton farm for the many visitors to the
fair. Maybe corn days, live stock days,
farmers institutes, farm-woman's ba.
Eaars will be held here at various times
in the year to supplement the great
work of the school and fair.
The county fairs in Mississippi have
been very effective as educational insti,
buttons, but their most loyal supporters
must admit that as q whole, they are
not making the most of their great op-
]portGnities. We all realize the fact
hat there should be larger and more
definite returns to the agricultural pub
lie. There has been no serious sys-
tematic attempt, except in a few cases,
Co improve our county fairs along those
lines which comprehend the art and
science of agriculture. Science and prac-
tice are seldom hitched up at our fairs
for the most effective pull in the right
direction.
Steps should be taken toward a
broadened educational service. There
must be a l%ivelier sense of our great
responsibility, a keener perception of
our opportunity, and a steady tread to-
ward the educational ideal. Our fairs
must materially increase their funda-
mental usefulness to the practical farm
ers. Many of our fairs must be recon-
strueted to fit the demands of an intel
ligent, sincere minded country people.
Objectionable amusements and exhib-
its without educational value must be
cut out. Gambling devices and betting
on horses races must not be tolerated
on the fair ground. There is no aB)n
why We should put forth any effort to
fulfill the call which comes from certain
quarters for sensational side shows and
recklessness at the race course.
A sudden and radical improvement in
many of our fairs in rigid harmony with
the educational spirit would probably
bankrupt them. The most needed
changes should be gradual, but they
ought to be constant and vigorous, un-
til the ideal fair is reached.
Criticism is far more acceptable when
accompanied by a constructive program
containing practical ideas and workable
suggestions. Granting that our fairs
are not what thoughtful men would
have them be, how may their scope be
enlarged and their influence vitalized?
How may we make our fair dignitied
in its conduct, devoid Of spectacular
honeycomb and the rubbish of contain
mating concessionaires and stand solid
upon the rock of our basal industry,
its hammers striking the one red-hot
iron for educational purpose?
/. Exclude all morally Objectionable
side shows, all gambling devices, all
catch-penny swindlers, and all vendors
of worse than useless trash.
2. Provide a special department for
the use of the state A. & M. and the
I. l.. & c. Colleges, the experiment sta
tions, and the state department of agri-
culture.
3. Induce the county superintendent
to make an exhibit of drawings of model
school houses and grounds and displays
of landwork done by pupils in the pub
lie schools Of the county. He can well
afford to take one day and call it school
day. He can put on an oratorical con-
test and an essay contest, subjects to
be farm and farm life topics.
4. Provide daily lectures and demon
strations on farm and home life, eul-
minating in general discussions and ask
ing and answering Of questions.
s Have numerous drawings of model
farm equipments showing the type and
cost of construction Of all buildings and
improvements.
6. Have a special department OF
health with exhibits of sanitary ar
engagements and appliances and daily
on the principles of sanitation.
The government, the state and the coun. !