Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-09-20
THE NE " ENGLAND FAIR.
LOWELL. Sept. 10, 1871.

To the Editor of the Journal:
The eighth Show and Fair of the N. E. Ag-
r;cultursl Society was holden here Sept. 5-S,
and few notes upon what we saw ana ex-
perienced may be interesting to your readers.
TuEsDAY-FIRsT DAY.
Extensive preparations have been in pro
vress for some months for the Eighth Annual
Exhibition of the New England Agricultural
Society, which it was determin ed in January
last, should be held in the thriving Getty of
Spindles," on the Merrmac. The people of
Lowell have been jealous and liberal in their
efforts and contributions, that nothing might
be lacking on their part to make the exhibit
ton complete success, and the appearance
of the grounds bears ample testimony to the
care and foresight which have been exercised
in their preparation. Some SIS 200 have been
expended, the contributions, mainly, of the
citizens of Lowell, and everything has been
done for the comfort of man and beast, that
experience has shown to be needful, and the
Society, we venture to say, has never found
grounds better appointed, than those which
they now occupy.
LOOK AT THE GROUNDS.
They are located on the Billerica road,
something over mile from the centre of the
city, and comprise the grounds of the Middle
sex North Agricultural Society, fifteen acres,
with the addition of about twentysix, making
the whole territory set apart for the Exhibi-
ton forty-one acres. The original track has
been altered in shape and slightly enlarged,
so as to make the distance exactly half
mile, and the building which formerly stood
inside the track has been removed one side
and enlarged, so that it covers a space of ll6
feet by so. At the entrance, a suitable build
ing has been erected for the accommodation
of the officers having in charge the sale of
tickets, etc, and opposite the Judges Stand,
on the west side of the track, seats have been
constructed TO accommodate :, 400 persons,
with a covering to protect the spectators from
the too ardent blaze of the September sun.
This is gaily decorated with flags. and when
filled with spectators will no doubt present an
animated spectacle. By the side of the
Judges stand, small building has been
placed for the accommodation of the press,
and amply furnished with all the appliances
necessary for their convenience.
Beyond the track are the open pens and
stalls for the accommodation of the horses
and cattle, the stalls indeed extending almost
the whole length of the track on one side.
The horse stalls number 260, and there are
four double rows of cattle pens, sufficient to
accommodate about 700 head. The pens for
sheep number 20, and there al e So pens for
swine. Chanticleer and his family, with 9TH
er feathered tribes of tine farm yard, are pro-
vided with accommodations in "a large tent.
In the southeast corner of the grounds is a
capacious granary, from whence the horses
and cattle are supplied with grain. and Mr..
Yale's large tent, capable of accommodating
thousand people at table, is pitched in the
southwest part of the grounds, and there the
dinner and the speeches are to come off on
Friday.
The supply of water is obtained from the
hydrants of Locks and Canals Company, and
is abundant and convenient. Large tanks
have been sunk in the ground between the
rows of cattle stalls, and at various points
casks filled with iced water are provided for
the refreshment of the sghtseers.
The exhibition building, to which we have
referred, furnishes excellent accommodations
for the display of machinery, agricultural I'M
plements, articles of domestic manufacture,
etc., and this part of the show, judging from
the entire, bids fair to be more attractive than
in previous years.
THE CITY Of LOWELL.
Lowell is city of forty thousand inhabi-
tants, and the seat of immense manufacturing
industries. 1t is continually extending, build
ing up, adding on, adopting improvements,
and developing its marvellous resources. Its
public drives are unsurpassed for their beauty.
That one, in particular, which takes one along
the course of Belvidere, on which the elegant
residence of Gen. Butler is situated, is the
praise of all visitors. Lowell has done her
self unbounded credit for enterprise and liber
atty, by the manner in which she took hole
of the New England Fair, and did her part /,
make it proud and long to- be- remembered
success.
CITIZENS OF LOWELL.
1t it with real gratitude that the friends o
the New England Agricultural Society tbinl
of what they owe for its very successful exhi
bition to the public spirited citizens of Low
ell. They were determined from the first or
the most splendid success ever achieved b,
the Society, and they more than realized thu
most enthusiastic anticipations.
THE ENTRIES.
The fulness of the entire list at the Fair was
amply borne out by its superior quality.
Such fine specimens of live stock were neve,
put on exhibition in New England, in such
quantities, before. They were the theme OF
universal praise. The tens of thousands O,
visitors freely testified to their delight in wha
they saw on the ground. People present
from distance declare they never Witnessed
nobler exhibition of horses and general
farm stock. In these points New England
cannot be outdone.
THE FINE WEATHER.
1t was accepted as a kind Providence that
the weather opened and continued so pro-
pitiously for the weeks work at Lowell. The
season seemed to vie with the people in an
effort - make the triumph of Agriculture
complete.
THE LADIES.
The very large proportion of ladies present
at the Fair, speaks favorably for the charac-
ter and prospects of the New England Agri-
cultural Society. 1t will flourish with their
favor and personal assistance.
THE SOCIETY OFFICERS.
President Loring was greatly indebted for
the triumphant management of the Fair to the
prompt and enthusiastic cooperation OF Sec
rotary Needham, Superintendent Ladd, Treas
urer Riddle, Chief Marshall Harwood, and
their very efficient Aids and Assistants. They
formed the active machinery of the splendid
operations of the week, and fairly won the
held by their inestimable efforts and exer-
sions.
FRUIT AND FLOWERS.
Fruit is well represented--too well for tb;s