Rocky Ford enterprise., 1912-08-23
Melon day
and The POET
Too Bad Eugene Field Left
Colorado When He Did
WOULD HAVE IMMORTAL.
lied ROCKY FORD MELON
Somehow the Subject Seems to De-
mand Him, and None Other, to
do 1t Justice In Print.

before Melon Day at Rocky Ford became
feature of life in this state every fall.
One can imagine the chuckles of delight
with which Field would receive the idea
of building rampant Of high-priced can
taloupes and turning a hungry army to
the attack. sans fee. No doubt he would
have wrought an imperishable poem from
the subject which would have immortaliz-
ed the Rocky Ford melon-if that exqui-
site product had not pretty thoroughly
succeeded in immortalizing itself, says
the Denver Republican.
Other agricultural communities have
for years endeavored to equal the Rocky
Ford cantaloup. Nobody has ever tried
to surpass it. for it is recognized that sur
passing perfection is impossible. Every
once in while some California commun-
ity, or some outfit of melon raisers in
Arizona, claims to have accomplished the
feat-but their melons are never heard Of
on the market. while the Rocky Ford
goes on setting the record price and
bringing joy to epioures in this country
and abroad.
Melon Day at Rocky Ford. which Is
approaching. and which no doubt will
attract the usual crowds of Coloradoans
from all over the state. is typical of the
generous spirit Of Western agriculture.
Here are all the melons one wants, ready
for the eating. Here are crates and crates
of the pearls Of the melon market. piled
"mountain high" and here are knives and
forks. so let your appetite do the rest.
The soil is always responsive in the big.
free, generous West. Man always raises
more than he needs in an irrigated land.
A nige ardly farmer one cannot find in
days travel. The horn O. plenty seems
always down-tilted over the broad acres.
and just here it is overflowing with
melons of the finest quality. So step up.
neighbor or stranger. and help yourself.
It's Western hospitality and Western
generosity speaking. Melon Day is just
another name for it, that's all.
Truly, it's too bad Gene Field couldn't
have been one of the attacking army
when Rocky Ford melon fortress was
stormed. Somehow the subject seems to
demand him. and none other. to do it just
ice in print.
Fair Notes
MEET ME AT THE MELON
PILE"
Season tickets and reserved seats
in the grand stand now on sale At
Hauck and McKelvy's; secure them
early as choice locations are snapped
up quickly.
Special exhibition from the State
Agricultural College, consisting of
domestic science and art. animal hus-
bandry, soils and crops, horticulture
and home improvement.
Progress is the watchword of this
Fair in every department. The ex-
hibit of the Otero Agricultural Club.
represents much labor, thought and
expense. 1t is something you must
not miss.
Fast, exciting and honest racing is
promised in the numerous events
daily. We have never had SO many
entries as we have this yeai. All the
best hofses in the West ale coming.
You will be proud of your stock
show, III this department of horses,
cattle, sheep. swine and poultry are
many blue ribbons. Don't fail to see
the live stock parade in front OF
the grand stands Watermelon Day at
P. m. sharp.
Everybody come. We would like
to have every man, woman and child
attend the Fair, as it is your own Fair
YOU can be proud of, the more the
merrier; don't be afraid of day or
two. A veritable home exposition
furnishing pure and simple recrea-
ton and instruction. Special attrac-
tions in addition to the regular exhi-
bitions have been provided for all
A first class brass band will be in
attendance all four days.
Fairs are the best means of recrea-
ton and education, and all should at
tend as many Fairs as possible, but
above all do not miss your own Fair
Come to the Fair early in the
morning and stay all day. Bring
your lunch if you want to enjoy, an
outing. Meet your friends and neigh
bors. look up Fair director, shake
his hand and tell him how well yor
are enjoying yourself and that he ha.
helped make you a great Fair. Ihi;
is all the salary you pay him, and he
has worked these many years faith
fully for you. Every effort has been