The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-02-08

COlumDia state.
All roads in South Carolina yester-
day led to the National Corn expo
sition. There were thousands Of yisi-
tors from every county in the State
and from many States Of the North,
West and Middle West. The day was
Ideal. Not one of the exhibits will
be removed before the exposition is
officially closed. Officials of the ex
position said last night that the crowd
yesterday was the largest that had at
tended since the show opened. The
exercises incident to the exposition for
the remainder Of the week will be de-
voted to discussion Of problems for
the betterment Of rural life in Ameri-
ca.
A well-known farmer of South Car
olina who attended the exposition
yesterday was SO impressed with the
Importance of the show from an edu-
cational standpoint that he imme-
diately wired the overseers Of his two
plantations to come to Columbia for
the next two days. This illustrates
the educational advantages offered by
what is considered the greatest agri-
cultural exposition that has ever been
held in the United States.
All trains entering Columbia yes
terday were crowded. The Pee Dee
counties sent strong delegations and
several hundred were present from
Spartanburg and Union and other
counties Of the Piedmont section of
the State. The railway officials said
that over 1000 persons came in dur
ing the day. A large number arrived
last night to attend the exposition to-
day. There are several thousand visi-
tors in Columbia who have secured
accommodations through the informa-
tion bureau that is located at 1928
Main street. Accommodations are as
sured for all who attend as there are
hundreds OF rooms in the city unoc-
cupied.
The agricultural experts In charge
OF the various State exhibits were kept
busy all day yesterday answering
questions Many of the visitors were
farmers and they were present to learn
to see what the other fellow is do
ing along agricultural lines. The
demonstrators were piled with many
questions. Many attending had
brought along note books to secure in
formation for future use. 1t was said
yesterday that there never had been
a greater gathering Of farmers at any
one time in the history of the State.
An interesting programme Of exer-
cises has been prepared for the re-
mander of the week and it is expect
ed that all attendance records will be
broken during the next three days.
The National Corn exposition Is ed
ucational and instructive. 1t tells the
story OF the progress that has been
made in agriculture in practically
every State in the United States during
the last 80 years. Many think that
the exposition contains nothing other
than corn. While corn plays an i'm
portant part-yet it Is small as COM
pared with the exhibits that have been
sent by 2i states. The exhibit by the
United States department OF agricul-
turc is the most complete ever sent
out by the department to any expo
sition in the United states. This state
ment was made by James Wilson,
ago while on a visit to the exposition.
All visitors yesterday were impress
ed with the magnitude Of the expo
sition. They were surprised. They
were amazed. Many expressions of
approval were heard.
Every visitor during the week has
gone away a booster. Some Of the
students Of the prize winners school,
conducted during the exposition last
week. are returning this week with
their parents to again look over the
buildings and scenes where they spent
a week in such pleasurable ways. The
boys who attended the school last
week, and who are now back again at
home. have done lots to advertise the
exposition in their various sections
and 1t is TO their personal Endorsement
~ well as that of the visitors Of last
week. that the crowds this week are
IN measure due. Yesterday the eN-
position management stated that there
Was a large number OF farmers on
the grounds than ON any of the pre-
ccdins days. The management takes
this as an indication of Il growing in
tcrcst in the exposition among the