The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-10-05
FIFTH ANNNUA L IA R
OF THE
MINNESOTA STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
HELD AT FORT SMELLING ON
Wednesday, Thursday and friday
Sept. 26-7-s, 1860.
IR S T DA Y .

Business opened lively at the Fair yes
terday morning. The entries were quite
numerous, but the rain coming on prevented
large attendance of spectators. The halls
were pretty we'll filled with the products of
the soil, but there was not much stock en-
tered.
In the afternoon, the Great Western Band
arrived, which served to enliven the scene.
Gov. Ramsey, and Hon. Cassius M. Clay
of Kentucky, were on the grounds IN the
afternoon.
We had intended to give the complete
list of entries this morning; but the time
having been extended, we are obliged to
defer this until another occasion, and shall
only briefly notice the principal attractions
of the Fair.
The Commandments Office, facing the en-
trance gate, is the Picture Gallery and Art
Department. Here is very fine exhibit
ton of the botany of Minnesota, by DIR.
Anderson, of Minneapolis. 1t is in large
number of books, and each species accu.
rately defined.
Adjoining this, is room devoted to Min
nesota minerals, of which there is large
number of specimens. There is another
large room in the building, we'll filled by
Messrs. Whitney and Kelly with paintings,
daguerreotypes, photographs, stereoscopic
views, &c. This department is very full,
and embraces all those pictures of Minnesota
scenery that have become known throughout
the country. There are also, in this room,
some splendid architectural drawings, by
Mr.. Griffith, of St. Anthony, architect OF
the Suspension bridge.
To the right of the headquarters, is the
hall for farm products, which is decidedly
the most prominent and interesting feature
of the exhibition. In this are many speci-
mems of Minnesota wheat, among which we
noticed the Scotch Fife, Scotch Club, Rio
Grande, Black Sea, Canada Club. &c.--also
specimens of grass seed.
The vegetable department is that in which
Minnesota fears no competition. The
squashes were of enormous size, but the
weight of the largest not being stated, we
can only use our prerogative of guessing that
it was not far from five hundred pounds,
"more or less" The potatoes were of every
variety, and of the largest size. We give
the names of some of them: Prince Albert,
Peach Blow Mountain June, Adams, Bot
tineau, State of Maine, Jackson Whites,
Golden Medal, Long Island Blues, White
Boxer. Garter, Black Neshanocks, Califor-
MIA, Common Neshanocks, and number OF
others, whose names we do not recollect.
The room devoted to melons, cabbages,
beets, carrots, onions. egg plants, turnips,
butter, cheese, &C., is we'll filled, and well
worthy of visit.
The exhibition of Domestic Manufactures
does not embrace large variety, but sue
as are presented are of excellent workman
ship. In the stove department, Mr.. Q. L.
Grant, of St. Paul, has contributed cook
ing stove all its furniture of his own man.
utacture, and;of quality that will excite
the envy of all housewives. The parlor
stove, also exhibited by him, is splendid
| piece of workmanship.
Messrs. Barrett & Fitzpatrick, of Mime
apolis, exhibit large variety of wooden
ware, superior to any imported into the
| State.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick, of St. Paul, has case
of fine boots and shoes.
There are also some specimens of Mime
sofa -four, of excellent quality. There
should have been larger show in this de-
partment.
There is, also in this department, a min
iature model saw mill and engine. 1t was
made by little boy, only twelve years Of
age, at St. Anthony, named Garty Boil.
man. The little fellow has shown wonder
full ingenuity in the construction of his en-.
CINE and mill, and he is kept at work all the
time saving miniature logs for the amuse-
ment of the visitors.
There are several tanning mills, made in
Minnesota, and also plows, and large
number of agricultural implements on ex-
hibition, of oreign manufacture.
The stock department numbers about one
hundred entries, and is considered by the
Judges to be very fine, particularly in hor>
SEES, sheep and swine. We are Informed
that to-day there will be many arrivals OF
those which have been detained on account
of the weather. We noticed stock hog
from Minneapolis, entered by W. Elliott,
which weighed 100 pounds.
Messrs. Star and Gaylord, of Lake City,
exhibited some White Spring Wheat, of
remarkable excellence and prolific yield. 1t
is said to equal the best White Winter
Wheat. 1t has double the number Of grains
to the head of other kinds of wheat. Mr..
Gaylord informs US that seventy bushels to
the acre were raised this year at Lake City.
If it is what it is represented to be, and we
have no reason to doubt it, farmers will do
we'll to cultivate it in preference to other
kinds.
SECOND DAY.
The morning opened bright and beauti-
full, with clear, bracing autumnal air, and
from an early hour the Fort road was
thronged with all sorts of carriages wend-
ing their way to the Fair. Those who
started early, got over the river without
any difficulty, but at later hour, more car
riages arrived than could possibly be &C.
commodated at the ferry. At one time we
counted on the eastern side over fifty car
riages in waiting while many persons, tired
of the delay, hitched their horses, and came
over on foot. This pressure on the ferry
accommodations continued until late hour
at night, while many went home to St.
Paul, by way of Minneapolis.
At halfpast eight o'clock, the Jeanette
Roberts, Capt. Nelson Roberts, started
from St. Paul, loaded to the guards with
passengers. The Hope Engine Company
came on board with their splendid machine
The Great Western Band was on board,