The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1921-07-08
Are We Progressing
BY CAPT. T. F. PECK
Commissioner of Agriculture


At the time of nv first connection
with the Tennessee State Fair, ten
years ago, we found it necessary, in
order to make q creditable exhibit Of
agricultural products, to go on the
market and buy material to round out
our displays. We bad q fair showing
Of livestock, but it was practically all
from other States. Farmers and live
stock producers were seemingly indiffer-
ent.
While we had within the States some
we'll bred livestock, our breeders did
not care to compete with the profes-
sional exhibitors. We also had some
professional exhibitors of farm and
garden products, grown in plots solely
for exhibit purposes, We realized that
If we were to make the State Fair
serve as stimulus to better sgricul
ture and better live stock, we must en-
list the active interest and cooperation
of our own producers in the State.
We offered premiums for community
exhibits of agricultural producers Th
State Department OF Agricultural de
legates the work of stimulating com
munity cooperative effort in RgrIcul
ture and live stock to the AssistaD,
Commissioner Of Agriculture for eaci,
division of the State. At first Two Be-
cured two community exhibits, W,
found where we had one or two from
those counties during the fair before
featuring the community exhibits eye
after we had every one interested il.
Those exhibits present every day study
ing rival exhibits, comparing and taking
notes and planning for the next yea
And visitors from communities wher
no cooperative effort has been man
tested, were studying the exhibits.
asking questions, and showing grea
interest. Each year our communit
exhibits have increased in number ul.-
til now we are taxed for space for IT,
displays made by the County Councl>
of Agriculture, q developement of IT,
community exhibit, From an insignii
cant beginning in 1911, our commune, +.
exhibits, County Council of Agricultu c
exhibits and corn exhibits have grow.
until they cannot be surpassed a.,
where in the United States. Last ye4
an apple exhibit at the State Fair
all Tennessee grown apples was conce,
ed to be the best shown in the entlp
country.
Applying the same policy or commue
ity cooperation effort in live sto,A
premium were offered for exhibits. Tl.r
Caldwell Special was an unqualifi i
success. The second year of this fea
turs more than 900 animals compets1
for one premium.
The livestock people realized thai
they could, as community. make ~
exhibit Of their livestock and compe
with other counties which were prodl
ing high grade livestock. and not ha,
to compete with professional showmv.
who collected their exhibit stock froe
wide areas. and in many cases wer
not livestock producers, but dealer
From the fact that Tennessee Is or,
iucing in livestock as good az the be-
any where. the live stock people of
State have gained confidence in then
selves and learned valuable lessons
their animals for the she !,
ing. They have been induced to CO.
est in the National Fat Stock Show
Chicago, where Tennessee livestock frr
he past two years has taken the laret
portion of the Grand Championship'pr
NUNS coming TO the South.
We are making progress. We g.
our great possibilities in sgi
ulture and livestock production. 7,
est of the country is realizing our q,
'antages and the quality Of our pr
Iucts. and are seeking them. The Te
lessee State Fair for l92l-Septembs
9-24--will more clearly demonstrs
ur progress when any event of Il
'sst. The State Fair has grown in Us
illness and educational value tecau
ts policy has been and will continne +
'e progressive. IL is the clearing hou .
or Tennessee's progress in agricultu,