The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-12-12
SUMTER couNTYs EXCELLENT.
SHOWING AT THE FAIR


pronounced success. While held un-
der the name of the Marion County
Fair, and under the direction of the
Marion County Fair Association,
three other counties had been invit-
ed to participate. Sumter county had
not decided to accept the invitation
until few days before the opening
of the fair. and practically all our
exhibit was gotten together, ar
ranged for and secured within one
week. Most of it was really done
within three days.
To the Bushnell board of trade
belongs the credit of securing the
exhibit which proved to be splen-
did advertisement for the county.
Of course. no one desires TO create
the impression that the Bushnell
board of trade accomplished the sue
cess of the Sumter county part of
the fair, but had ii not been for the
interest taken in the enterprise by
this body and the starting of the
ball to rolling we would have had no
exhibit at all. After the matter was
commenced the various towns and
communities of the county took ac-
tive interest. and we have every rea-
son to feel proud of old Sumter in
her first efforts at this kind of BUSH
ness. We want it to- be remembered
that in a lage measure we acted
without experience, and the whole
exhibit was hurriedly Jumped up,"
evidenced what we can do if we go
at the matter in systematic way.
Many Sumter countians attended
the fair, all returning we'll pleased.
We have not space to give account
of the entire fair. and will merely
give some of Sumter's exhibit.
Entering the agricultural building
cAe found Sumter occupying the
space on the right side Excepting a
portion of table devoted to pota-
toes from Marion county,. A large
sign greeted the eye and invitation
IN plain letters: Come to Sumter
County"
First upon the display benches
enc observed the splendid ribbon
cane sent to the fair by w. C. Park
er of ST. Catherine. This was an ev-
dence of the sweetness of Sumter to
begin with, and this bundle of cane
took. second premium. Al premiums
were for first or second best over all
exhibits of same articles or classes
In the entire fair, blue ribon repre-
senting first prize and red ribbon
representing second prize.
Close to the fine bundle of cane
was watermelon, to show that not
withstanding the lateness of the
year we can have watermelons in
Sumter. The melon got blue rib
bon.
Next down the aisle was a fine
display of oranges, arranged in tri-
angle piles, consisting of several va
rieties, including tangerines, and
1ine limb from kumquat tree heav-
lily laden with fruit. Then followed
an exhibit of corn in ears and other
smaller plants. Displayed upon the
table near by was a choice selection
of elephants, and these latter got
blue ribbon for W. F. Mobiles, of
Bushnell. Passing on down the line
we saw a handsome box of grape
fruit exhibited by w. A. King, of
the Outlet and fine box of oranges.
Here also was a good sample of tan
gerines and other oranges sent in by
Mr.. Crow of Coleman.
A big sign, mo Frost" attracted
much attention, and as evidence of
the fact there were large, full-grown
leaves of banana plants, and sus-
pended nearby handsome bunch of
native bananas grown by o. S.
Bogue, of Oxford, some of the fruit
ripe and some green. A card on this
bunch told that it was grown at Ok
ford on high pine land. A box of
extra large lemons and new va
riety of oranges destined to become
noted when brought to the attention
of the public, was exhibited by Mr.
Predgen, of Linden. Perhaps the
large handsome cluster of grapefruit
hanging nearby, and for which j.
NJ. Archibald, of Center Hill, carried
away red ribbon, was one of the
most admired exhibits at the fair.
There was also near this point a
pretty cluster of oranges hanging
against the wall. The entire walls
were tastefully decorated with Sum-
ter county palm leaves and palmetto
fans, festooned with bamboo and
sprays of moss.
nr Chattou of Rucbran dod -