Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-10-01
THE STATE FAIR,

The following article from the Maine
Farmer is sufficient answer to the dis
paraging remarks made by some of the
Portland papers to the late State Fair,
The article is founded on official figures
and facts, and prepared by gentleman
who is as good authority as there is in the
State.
Altogether, the show was one of the mos
satisfactory ever held by the Society; wheth
er considered in regard to the elements max
ing up the exhibition, the attendance, or 1t!
financial results-thereby demonstrating the
wisdom of the Trustees in deciding to hold a
show the present season, and in selecting this
city as the location of the scene. 1t was
larger in almost every respect than the state
Fair at Portland two years ago, as comparl-
son of the entries will prove. OF course it
would be unjust to place it in comparison with
the New England Fair held in Portland last
year, although parties of good judgment who
attended both our fair and that of the New
England Society at Manchester, week before
last, all unite in saying that the State Fair of
the present year far exceeded that held at
Manchester in all the elements of good ex-
hibition. The Secretary's books show that
we had this year 344 entries of horses-in-
Guiding a number of matched pars-but not
including those entered for the independent
trials of speed. At the State Fair held in
Portland in 1868, there were but 1913 entries of
horses. There were at the Fair, 365 entries
of neat stock, sheep, swine and poultry,
against 450 in the same department at the late
exhibition. This number was classed as
follows; Short Horns, 81; Devons, 80; Ayr
shires, IL; Herefords, Al; Jerseys, 81;
Grades, 65; working oxen, co. working
steers, 20; sheep, AZ, embracing l27 animals,
and swine 90. In the single department of
agricultural implements alone, did the fair at
Portland exceed that held here, the entries
being 1923 against 81. At the State House
the exhibition exceeded that at the City Hall
in Portland two years ago, the entries at the
latter numbering 1922, while in the former in
stance they reached 757 and the display was
the result of no solicitation, which was not
the case at Portland. There the merchants
and manufacturers were invited to contribute
to the Fair; here the exhibition was made up
of the articles of actual contributors and pro-
ducers, without special solicitation. And
we venture the assertion that no more attrac-
tive or well arranged Fair has ever been held
in Maine, in connection with the exhibitions
OF the State Agricultural Society, than that
Of the present year. Every department was
wen Iepiesenteui tndl OF fruits anu vegetables
being unusually full and interesting.
We confess to shade of penitence as we
reflect over all the heartrending Jokes we
have made at the expense of Gov Sprague
and our Augusta neighbors, upon what was
termed the ''Sprague Sell" (there it comes
again , as we see things in the light OF
events which have since TRANSFERRED. In the
first place, as we now understand it, Spragut
paid all that property was worth, and more
too, and the money the city paid him wen
to pay the rise in real estate while the trad
was in progress, and therefore was so mucl
clear gain to the pockets Of those who ownet
the real estate. We are told during the ne
gotiations one piece of real estate rose from
$1,000 to 1872 900.
Be that as it may, it is pretty certain nov
that A. & w. Sprague have been the savior
of Augusta, and she should adopt them a
patron saints--Amasa and William--for ba'
they not rebuilt the dam 1t never would have
been built; and had not the river been dam
med. the city would have Internationally
We believe that to-day the future OF August
looks brighter than at any previous time
The dam and bridge may now be considere
fixtures, and the business OF the city estat
lished on a permanent basis, with every pros
pect of an encouraging growth. Ga'a'"'
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