Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1870-09-29
Shenandoah Valley Agricultural. Fair

We notice from our Winchester Exchanges
that the Shenandoah Valley Agricultural
Society are making very extensive prepare
tons for the holding of the annual Fair, at
their extensive grounds mar Winchester,
Maj. BE serly Marshall of Clarke, has been
selected as Marshall for the occasion. James
II. Williams, Esq, is to deliver the Agricul-
tural Address, and, judging from our knowl
edge of his versatile genius and clever talent,
we may anticipate model grafton. Every
arrangement is being made to insure grand
success, and We would urge general atten-
dance upon the part of all our citizens. The
Fair will open on Wednesday the Goth of
October and continue for three days. The
following particulars of the preparations we
copy from the Times of the elst inst By
invitation of Gen. Callahan, contractor, we
visited on Saturday last, the Show Grounds of
the Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Society.
The entrance to the grounds are effected
through a handsomely arched gateway, on
citAeI9Sde Of which are the Preaident's and
|sSsgfetary's offices, portion of the latter to
be used also as ticket Office. On reaching
the inside, the eye is attracted by the main
exhibition building. This building is lO5
feet in length and - in width. 1t is provided
with a center table, 100 seet in length and
four feet wide, with two side tables, same
length and three feet vide. This building is
well constructed, is nicely hoorcd, has twelve
windows, apd is admirably adapted to the
purposes for which it is designed. Next in
order and in close proximity, is the amphi-
theater building, which is also l0o feet in
length. The lower portion Of this building
will be divided into two commodious apart
| ments-one to be used as restaurant, and
the other as confectionery. Entrance to the
amphilheater is gained byiwo staircases of
easy ascent. The amphitheater is provided
with six rows of benches, and will seat with
ease 600 persons. From here the prospect is
grand, commanding an uninterrupted view of
the Blue Ridge, North and Massanutten
mountains. and the eye taking in at glance
the magnificent Valley Of which we are all so
proud. About 100 yards from this the judges
stand has been erected, commanding full
view of the splendid race track which is one
half mile, in the form of circle and the
beauty of which is scarcely marred by slight
est undulaton Of the surface. This tract is
40 feet wide. and has already been ploughed
up, preparatory 10 narrowing and rolling,
when it will be ready for trial of gaits. Next
we visited the large double building designed
for sheep and hogs. This building is 1872 feet
in length, by 90 in width. His provided
with 60 stalls Oh each side some double and
others single-th9se for the swines being
hoorcd this provision is an improvement on
anything we have seen at Agricultural Fairs.
| Next comes the cattle house, which is also
162 feet in length, by Is in width. 1t is pro
vided with over SO sails, much space having
been gained in the arrangement on the ''head
and tail'' principle. Some of these stalls are
made very large, for the accommodation ofthe
large bullocks already entered on the list
from the South Branch. The cattle house is
"a model in its way, and will be admired for
| its utility. We next come to the horse stable,
which is an immense affair, $40 feet long. 1t
is - regular stable, provided with every con-
venience, and contains ninety stalls, with
space overhead for the storage of forage.
Some idea of the immensely of the buildings
may be gathered when We state that it has
required over so, 600 shingles to roof them.
The entire grounds embracing % acres, are
enclosed by substantial boars fence, seven
feet high.