The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-12-12
MARION THE "sANNER COUNTY

Marion county has fully establish
ed it's right to the title, Banner
County OF Florida"
The Marion county fair, held last
week in Ocala, the county seat, was,
undoubtedly. the best demonstration
OF the wonderful resources and capa-
bilities of Florida that can be seen in
the state this year.
Marion was among the first of the
counties in the state to hold a county
fair: in fact, it is one of the very
few counties that has genuine fair.
with extensive grounds, several exhi-
bition buildings, race track, and all
the features that make for genuine
success.
Each year new features have been
added and. as the county is develop
ing rapidly. some splendid additions
are contemplated for next year Ge-
NAL and popular Ed Carmichael is
president of the Marion County Fair
Association, and that tireless work
er, Judge Williams, is secretary, and
to their constant efforts and good
Judgment is largely due the success
OF the fair each year.
The Exhibits
Many and varied were the exhibits
this year. The long rows OF sheds
were filed with splendid specimens of
horses, mules. cattle and hogs. The
poultry building was filed to overflow
ing. The agricultural and horticultu-
raj building had many fine displays
of all kinds of fruits and vegetables.
In this large building Sumter county
also made very creditable exhibit.
The corn clubs and canning clubs
made a remarkable showing in a spe-
cial building, which was also the
scene of the baby show, in which
were entered over two hundred ba-
bies
The industrial building presented
variety of mercantile exhibits that
were highly creditable. Machinery
hall overfiowed onto the grounds and
the numerous exhibits attracted
great deal of attention. The many
exhibits in the negro building were
also very creditable.
The Races
An unusually good racing program
was presented each day. While the
harness races were not fast, they
were holly contested and proved in
tensely interesting. The running races
with local horses and riders entered.
were exciting and were thoroughly
enjoyed by the large crowds each day.
Carnival Program \
The Johnny. Jones exposition shows
occupied a part of the fair grounds
and furnished the amusing features
to the big fair, the crowds enjoying
the various attractions in the after
noon and night.
The Banner County
oAoAhO NOuuty NdS CIthISu III 1910.
1t is 80 miles north and south by 54
miles east and west and contains t.
O43,S40 acres, embraced in As town
ships. Marion county is an agricul-I
tural county and has the reputation Of
raising a greater variety of products
and a better grade of stock than al
most any county in the state. Cotton,
corn. oats. hay, alfalfa, sweet and
irish potatoes, velvet beans, peas, pea
nuts, sugar cane, rice, melons, canta-
loupes. strawberries, string beans, let
tuce, tomatoes, onions, eggplant,
cauliflower, cucumbers, beets, squash,
and many other vegetables and fruits
are grown on the rich soil of Marion
county.
Oranges and grapefruit have been
grown for many years and it is
we'll known fact that there are more
wild orange trees In Marion than in
any other county In the state. Figs.
peaches, guavas, persimmons. plums
and grapes also grow prolifically. 81
Stock raising has attained to the
highest perfection in Marion county.