The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-03

Some years ago when we started to look into the conditions of home indus tries in Alabama, to venture to find out what tho women were doing toward home improvement we seemed out of order A letter of inquiry was answered. We are running our homes to suit ourselves, and Go not seek outside help" This did not discourage us and thus began a most interesting correspondence. What We needed was found, women who knew all about making home and were com petent 10 help others. Thus originated one of the most useful features of the Ala bama State Fair. the individual booths of womans work
 The purpose wa planned and made pos sible by allowing a generous premium, the smallest being sufficient to defray eX- penses if good mana cement was used. This offer to Alabama booths excluded the entries from Jefferson county, and through the cooperation of the Chamber of Commerce similar class was ar ranged for local exhibitors. This small beginning. with two entries the first year has multiplied and developed a state wide industry, a movement that will mean to the nome Nndl tue GtHoOl ihiPiCNV- ment association" has been to the school. All that is lacking to make this state wide home industrial association is tho money to increase the number of pre- miums. If the state is really interested 1n her future citizenship and the homes of the country there should be some means. some appropriation for construc- tive work, and the annual State Fair will furnish the demonstration.
 This is an original idea of the Alabama State Fair, held in Birmingham each fall, but has proven so worth while that the feature is being duplicated in other fairs, though Birmingham claims the patent.
 That the movement is worth while is proven beyond a doubt when are able to state that for the fair of 1911, already six counties, comprising Montgomery, Marshall, Madison. Greene. Pickens and DeKalb, are working for the prize. This means six homes are busy making their best in every class The awards are based upon a comprehensive exhibit. and the score is upon the following classes; Quality of work 15 points, arrangement and general display 15 points, decoration ID points, ncc0itWofh lv DOiHtS, tuilndiG products 10 points, original design 10 points. variety 10 points. home grown plants and vegetables 10 points, maximum 100 points.
 The prizes in money are given in the following amounts: First $100, second 4s5, third $75, fourth $60. fifth $50, sixth $40, making a total of $40.
 This giving of prizes is a wonder ful incentive to "get busy" nor does this end with the closing of the fair; 1t is a very beginning of most in- teresting and endless correspondence a helpful chain of suggestions and a pro- life exchange of recipes, patterns and quilt pieces
 We are often ask ed what we do be- tween fairs. There is between if one realizes the scope of the work People who are really doing things are working for the fair the year round and each mail brings some inquiry re Earding the work. It Is no unusual thing to have someone ask what kind of thread and what size piece was that pink art center piece and the money value of it. For this very req son we must keep a reference book: each exhibit must be entered with the view to being copied by some faicier. Only last week were called upon to place value on a handsome gown of duchess lace. Our references gave us the proper authority on this special class of work and the expert placed a Value of $500.
 Others want recipes for pickles like that entered by Mrs - and then Mrs. must be communicated with and a beautiful feature of it is the response is always forthcomng even though 1t is to be forwarded to competitor.
 From exhibiting at the fair many "pin money enterprises have grown. many women have learned to make a dollar and we know the work Is not In vain if it only helped one woman to be useful and thus contented. One woman writes us. Do you remember my shirt waist at the fair? Well. I can sell all I make now at good price and I never sold anything before in my life.'
 Another enterprise has been suggest ed for the fair of 1914, the outcome of go many queries for prices and mar