Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-05
HELD ALL OVER VIRGINIA;
GOOD OF COUNTY FAIRS
Why They Are Held, and the Great
Good They Are Capable of
Doing for All.
HOW THEY SHOULD BE RUN
Some Good Advice From a Man Who
Has Made a Thorough Study Of the
Subject and Knows Whereof He
Speaks.
BY JESSE VI. JONES.
Agricultural and Field Agent.

-
The county fair is, at least nominal
ly, held for the upbuilding OF agricul-
ture and to lead up TO such ideals as
Will elevate. inspire, educate and
the rural people. There is decided
tendency among the promoters OF
many county fairs to make them what
they should be--truly agricultural.
A good fair is one that entertains
and educates. 1t must do both II
should be an agricultural exhibition
essentially. also Fundamentally useful
to intelligent. practical farmers and
entertaining in the highest sense.
People will attend a fair if there is
anything interesting and beneficial
worth going to see There are many
ways to make it so, among them:
Appoint directors and supcrinten-
dents because of their Willingness to
work, ability TO accomplish results.
and not TO fill honorary positions
Exclude all morally ohjectionab bic
side shows, all gambling devices, all
catch-penny swindlers and all vendors
of worse than useless trash.
Offer liberal, well-proportioncd prizes
for the best exhibits OF farm. orchard
and garden products. also AFFORD ex-
hihitors every reasonabl facility to
make exhibits attractive.
Offer properly classified prizes for
the best live stock and poultry shown.
and arrange. as far as possible. ade-
quate means for their care. protection
and inspection by visitors.
Ofrer substantial prizes for the best
farm exhibits by farmers clubs, or
CARNATIONS or divisions in the county.
Offer liberal prizes for exhibits OF
cooking, sewing. painting, etc, by
ladies and furnish the hes, place pos
sible for their display.
Provide a special department for tho
use Of the agricultural college and
experiment station, that they may show
graphically and otherwise the different
soil types of the county, with sug
Gested fertilizers, crop rotations,
Sgrasses for hay and pastures pruning
and spraying OF orchards and gardens,
specimens OF weed seeds and insect
sspests. rations for different classes OF
4live stock, models and costs OF con-
structing silos, barns, farm and home
conveniences. domestic science and art.
Induce the county superintendent
and State Department of Education TO
make an exhibit OF model school
houses. equipment and grounds, and
display handwork done by pupils in the
public schools OF the county. Also take
one day and call 1t School Day. Ora
ton and essay contests can lie put on,
subjects TO be farm and farm life
topics. An athletic contest between
the schools OF the county could be held
Have a special exhibit OF sanitary
arrangements appliances. Tcpu~s, ia
bles and charts by the county and state
Board OF Health
Provide facilities for daily lectures
ILLUSTRATED and otherwise, on farm, and
home lie, sanitation and public Wei
fare. Demonstrations by individuals.
boys In club WORK, organizations. and
$50 on.
Ano! space for the exhibit, Of the
county man and woman agents IN farm
bird home Demonstrated. boys and
S!yls' club work
4 Conduct blowing, team pulling, corn
Judging, stock judging and other farm
contests on the grounds FOR men and
boys
Interest manufacturers or machinery.
dement,. dynamite. farm and home
T. Equipment, 10 exhibit their 7-oGuct and
demonstrate the same
Offer prizes for the laft.s, de!ega-
fion sent By the var!ou,s farmers or.
ga nizations Of the county.
y Arrange a series OF floats reures.r,-
3nG county historical events and 50 on.
Have parade OF prizc-w!nn!ng i've
took once daily.
Let there be racing. driving and I'D.
81g, but no betting. IN. horses should
far as possible. be local and b.
riven or ridden 10 show th- fastest
3r best in the country
Have plenty OF good music. such
s bands and choruses
- Locate several res, rooms. win
hairs, cots to- sickness and cn!ld.4r.
rster, toilet. etc. where tne% VIII be
asy OF access
Advertise the fai- ana news concern
4ng II widely and Cout!nua!ly ~ means
4 the public press OF me COUNTY, cat
lcgues, posters, stickers, cts
eachers. preachers. farmers. ner.
hants. bankers. lawyers. doctors ana
ther business men TO boost. populari;..
Hnl solicit the preparation of so-n.
s9nins for exhibit by ,he.r farmer
Efriends.
As2 DO everything possible To- dev.jo,
s:the friendly community sp.~l, ana
&TiNalry
"a. No institution offers the farmer ha,.
sSter means OF useful instruction. !rsD!ra.
.afion and entertainment than the cGi,-,,.
:tsfaii' IL rightly organized Any sudden
Scr radical change % methods Of crr-
ssducting some fairs would probanIy
BANKRUPT them The 'nost-reeded r4
Norm should be general de,orrir.d
sbut constant, until the idea! edura,
&fair is reached.
S n0INGS At RlIENh VISTA