Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-10-31
GEORGIA STATE FAIR.
The Fair Greunsss at Maeon-BrsIIians
DispIay-Hew Georgia Is PrOsress-

4
rieultaral Society held at this place, closed
yesterday, making true gala week for Ma
con. The city has been, and is still crowd
ed to oyerAOwing, yet every arriving train
brings crowds of visitors prepared to sacri-
fee everything of personal comfort for the
| enjoyment, and most valuable instruction
afforded by a visit to this truly magnificent
Fair. - 4, 800 ~
The Fair is held upon the grounds of the
Macon Central Park, located Immediately
upon the west bank of the Ocmulgee river,
and upon the southern city limits--and for
the purposes of the Society, this park is not
equalled by any similar grounds upon the
continent. The park is handsome enclo-
sure of about 100 acres, and is accessible
from all parts of the city by street cars.
The grand entrance consists of structure
of imposing dimensions some 20 feet front.
The two sides are occupied by offices, con-
Meeting by finely designed arch; beneath
which are three iron gates forthe admission
of vehicles and foot passengers.
Upon entering the grounds we confess
our pleasure and surprise at beholding such
an. Oriental scene. A natural forest of oak
and pines, tall and majestic, whose ex-
banded tops were suggestive of the royal
palm, shading the entire grounds, and yet
sufficiently open to enable one to recognize
individuals in any part Of the same the
surface covered with an emerald carpet Of
the luxuriant Bermuda grass of the South;
circular drive of one half mile with a
railing upon the inner side; the interior of
the circle trayersed by tortuous walks,
statuary, vases and other evidences oftaste-
full expenditure; Premium and Floral Halls
directly opposite, quarter Of mile distant
from the entrance, and with Mechanics
Hall upon the right; the Presidents and
Executive Committee rooms and that gem
of cottage for the press upon the left.
One cannot but exclaim with all others
passing beneath the arch of entrance, how
beautiful We have heard during the week
all the terms of commentator exhausted
just within the gates of Central Park.
To gaze upon the beautiful, tits said, con-
stitutes joy forever. Passing to the left
one is struck with the pleasing effect of the
stretch of water about one mile in extent;
the aquatic course, where light shells, canoes
and even tubs, contend for the prize. The
bank is terraced to enable all to witness the
struggles between the rival contestants, and
covered with a most luXuriant crop of grass
upon which many family parties were seen
enjoying the contents of their provision
baskets. Here one often heard the anxious
enquiry of all sage, observing four year olds
whether all fairs were just like real picnics !?
Continuing our walk we were ushered
into the handsome cottage, dedicated to the
press. Here We met his Honor Mayor
Huff, and were greeted in that hearty man
ner peculiar to him; were presented to the
members of the press present, and told to
make ourselves at home; or as the Spani-
ards say it, we were informed that that
house and all it contained belonged to us.
We must admit that before the week ended,
some of the contents did belong to us; vide
licit, sundry quenching of thirst, such ice
water and, no matter, w. A. Huff, Mayor
of Macon, knows how to receive and enter
tain his guests, and may he, in the classic
language of Rip Van Wrinkle, ''live long and
prosper"
The display of stock was creditable, in
deed, and was made up almost entirely of
Georgia bred, except the horse. The Bra
nah, Durham, Jersey, Attorney, Devon
and other fine specimens of the bovine fam
i!y were there in respectable numbers. Of
sheep, the Spanish Merino, Southdowr,
COtswold and others; of swine, the prince
" Berkshire, Essex, China and once highly
priced and priced Chester whites. OF the
DUCt I1iilOuS lIlpOIlcu OtOTSld EdLOI-DdCk
hog we did not see a single specimen upon
exhibition. The display of Georgia raised
horses was truly commendable, both as to
style and speed. A few years more, with
the culture of the grasses continued here,
both Kentucky and Tennessee will have to
share their laurels with their Georgia
friends.
The trials of speed, upon the finest mile
track in the country, were somewhat
numerous during the week, where reverend
and grave segnors held some species of me-
chanical device enclosed in a small brass
circular case with a glass top in their
hands, and as the horse came opposite
them they would push Justify upon
q small buttOn-like projection upon one side,
and then watch the horse in his progress
around the course. When the horse got to the
starting point these same gentlemen would
put these little brass boxes together, look
wise, and start another horse, and so con-
tinue until some number of horses had Ia
ken their light exercise. This sort of a
thing was set down in the programme as
test of speed, or horse race-no shouting,
no excitement, no nothing-some term il a
moral race, some parsons race. 1t really
resembled an interrupted funeral, the friends
and mourners all present, and the deceased
failing to put in his appearance. Mayor
Huff proposes to run the Fair for five days
more, and give the people an opportunity Of
witnessing racing in all its varieties-bOat
racing, trotting, running, and Weston, the
great pedestrian-all in one bill, and posi-
lively for five days only-a strong bill, to
say the least.
The display in the floral hall was truly
agniicent-though in plants and flowers
from the conservatory our own has yet to be
surpassed.
In textile fabrics, both in wool and cotton,
Georgia now nearly approaches the
older manufacturing States, and that she
NAV soon surpass them is most devoutly to
be wished by every well wisher of the
South She is upon the great high way to
complete independence, and does not ap-
pear to falter. May our own Tennesseeans
emulate her in this her demonstrated sue
cessful career.
In the mechanical and workshop depart
ment we found nine steam engines at work,
five of Southern manufacture, and three
from Connecticut and Massachusetts, and
one from Ohio. The first premium was
awarded to VIM. Z. Turner, of Richmond,
Virginia. ..r .....rF -.
In this department were some ten cotton
gins, all III operation, giving every one an
opportunity of selecting that they should
consider the best, as they were all driven
from the same shaft, and therefore the
most expeditions worker could easily be de-
termined. Cotton seed mullers were also
operated here and all were presented with
an essay by Mr.. Smith of Columbus, treat
ing of the value of cotton seed to the plant
er in new light. The usual display of
cotton planters, moving machines, churns,
forage cutters, plOws, etc, were on hand
and made a very creditable display. Ten
neSSee captured her share of premiums.
! Hough & Church of Knoxville, took pre-
MUM upon one horse Sprague mower, J.
G. Minor of Nashville, premium upon sub
soil and turn pillow, and made large sales
\ upon the grounds. c. L. Howerton of
! Nashville, premium for harness, and w. w.
/ SOmers of Bedford, several premiums for
| best sheep, for mutton and other stock.
( The attendance at the Fair has been quite
satisfactory to the society, probably ayerag-
/ ing from ten to fifteen thousand per diem
! and some three to FIVE thousand at night,
/ the grounds and buildings being lighted
| with gas and kept open until 10 p. NJ, with
/ fireworks, and music furnished by the band
/ of the Second United States Infantry, which
| Sy the way, was sufficient of itselfto attract
! large audience-even of connoisseurs-as
III II Al III Il