The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1912-04-19
FIFTH NATIONAL CORN EXPOSE
TlON
Columbia, S. G.. April 5, 1912.

COLUMBIA, >. u, April D, 1917.
S. J. McCully, Berlin, Fla:
AS you have already been advised,
the fifth national corn exposition will
be held in Columbia, South Carolina,
January 9th, to February Sth, 1913,
and after carefully investigating the
boys corn club work of the southern
states as conducted by the farm
demonstration department, we have
decided to establish an exposition
| school for prize winners in the coun-
! ty contests. The two boys in each
county winning first and second place
will be the only ones eligible for
| scholarships, and it will be great
honor for any boy to be the repre-
sentative of his county, for his rec
ord will be the only basis upon which
he can get in. We want the school
to be an incentive for better work
among the boys during the coming
year.
The school, which will open on
Monday, the opening day of the expo
sition, will continue one week. The
faculty will consist of agricultural ex-
perts from all parts of the country
who will be at the exposition in
charge of the exhibits The exposl-
ton is more than a mere corn show,
and the exhibits, which are prepared
under the auspices of the leading
state agricultural colleges and expert
ment stations, and the federal de-
partment of agriculture, graphically
emphasize and illustrate nearly ev-
cry phase of agricultural advance
ment. These exhibits furnish the
background for a great national ag
ricultural university, which is really
what the national corn exposition has
grown to be.
We have arranged for an immense
building located near the main expo
sition buildings for the headquarters
of the boys while they are in COfum-
bia, and they will be put in charge of
representatives of the boys depart
ment of the farm demonstration
work. We are prepared to take care
of 1000 boys, and it now looks as
though there would be fully that
many in attendance. 1t is hoped that
| the county workers will see to the
| PC ici N IF funds n cnnd tho hnVc
not only for the boys sakes, but for
what it will mean to the county and
state to have these boys, future citi-
zens, given the inspiration which will
surely come to them from the visit to
| the exposition. The expense will
probably be little more than the act
ual railroad fare, plus 81 per day for
living expenses while at the exposi-
ton and en- route. The boys head
quarters will be provided with cots
and a good dining room will be locat-
ed on the grounds and wholesome
meals served at a minimum cost.
In the early morning the boys will
be divided into squads and will see a
certain number of the exposition fea-
lures each day through the eyes of
experts. The afternoon will be given
over to parade and special courses OF
ins truction, such as corn judging,
stock Judging, etc. Saturday, the last
day of the school, will be known as
Boys Day." and in their honor the
city of Columbia will give great
banquet-100O to 1900 plates.
Each boy will be expected to bring
with him his ten best ears of corn,
and these will be displayed by states
in a building separate from the main
exhibit hall, and where everyone Wis
iting the exposition will see them.
Handsome prizes will be awarded
the boys. Each boy will also be ex-
pected to bring corn-stalk staff, not
less than three and one-half nor more
than five feet long, and selected from
his own plot of ground. This will be
the insignia of his profession, and
will be carried in all paradeS, ana
even to the class rooms.
Prof. O. B. Martin, assistant in
charge of the boys department OF the
farm demonstration work, will be in
charge of all preliminary arrange
ments for the exposition school, and
from time to time. literature concern
ing the school and the exposition
proper will come from us direct, or
from him.
With best wishes for the splendid
work in which you are engaged, we
are yours for hearty cooperation in
the interest of the boys.
Very truly yours,
GEO. H. STEVENSON,
| Secretary and General Manager.