The Ocala banner., 1913-09-12
FLORIDA, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1913
FARMERS SHOULD BE THE LIFE
AND BACKBONE OF THE FAIR

| The best index to the farming situ-
alton in any community or county is
the amount and quality of the exhib-
| it's found at their county and state
fairs. Agricultural fairs were pri-
marily intended for the development
of agricultural interest, and when
carried out from this standpoint they
always prove of benefit. Many of our
! southern fairs do not carry out this
| idea as well as they might, which is
| one else is making an effort to win
| the prize. On the contrary, it should
| be stimulus which would mean
| higher class products, all of which
| win place our fairs on a much better
standing with the public,s and call at
tention to Florida's agricultural possi-
bilities.
| 1t is the everyday article on the
farm that the fair association would
4 like to see in abundance. A few nov
elites always prove an attraction,
/ but there is nothing at fair that
proves of more interest than an excel
lent exhibit of corn or sweet potatoes.
Those who win prizes in those things
/ are among the class of farmers whom
we cali ~progressives."
The United States government is
making liberal appropriations to i'm
| prove farming conditions in Florida.
The state of Florida has appropriated
| money to encourage better methods
of corn growing among our boys, and
the fair associations are doing all in
their power to improve the agricul-
tural conditions. Is there not there
due to a lack of interest among the
general farmers, and this l think
should be corrected as rapidly as pos
sible. 1t is striking fact that very
large percentage of the farmers do
not feel called upon to make any ef-
fort to bring their exhibits to the fair.
Each fair association offers as liberal
premiums as they can well afford, and
for as many different products as are
grown in the community. This is
done with view of giving everyone
an opportunity to compete for one or
more prizes. 1t may not be a matter
of negligence on the part of the farm
ers but the prevailing opinion that his
stuff is not as good as his neighbor's,
and therefore he has no opportunity
to win prize, has something to do
with it. No greater mistake exists,
for with but little effort any farmer
can have products superior or as good
as those of his neighbors. 1t may
not be large collection, but there
is no reason why he should refrain
from exhibiting simply because some
fore an opportunity for every farmer?
And with opportunity comes respon-
sibility, so that those who fail to make
an effort to make his county fair a
good one falls short of his opportunity
and responsibility.
At this season of the year, when
the fair association is planning for
attractions and for the management,
complete arrangements are made for
everything excepting farm exhibits. |
This they cannot plan for absolutely, !
because they have no information as
to what will be exhibited A little |
more interest on the part of the farm
ers will correct this condition. 1t is
too late to prepare exhibits for the
fair week before it takes place. |
Farmers who have not already made |
preparation to exhibit at the fairs |
this fall should begin now and if so |
they will produce exhibits that will be |
creditable to their communities and
to the fair association.
A. p. SPENCER.