The Grange advance., 1874-09-16
MINNESOTA STATE FAIR.
The .sixteee,ath Annual e Exhtbitio~.

&3NUcSUJA. .SiAJc ram. ="
TAe sixteenth Annul1al e Exhibitio..
The Sixteenth Annual Minnesota State
Fair which commenced on the grounds Of
the Driving Park Association, this city,
Tuesday. came to IN end.Saturday, having
been continued over one day longer than
originally advertised, owing to the disa-
greeable weather prevailing Thursday and
Friday.
This Fair, though unfortunately result
ing in financial loss to the Society, was in
nearly all respects the most creditable as
representation of the productions of Min
nesota ever held in the State. A refer.
ence to the books of the Secretary, show
that when the entries were closed Wed.
nesday morning, an aggregate of 2.277
had been reached, a number largely in ex-
cess of any previous year. The articles
thus entered embraced almost every thing
grown or manufactured in Minnesota, and
as good taste had been shown in arranging
the different articles intended for exhibi-
ton within the different buildings, the
prospect on Wednesday was good for a
hattering success.
One of the features of the
inside departments, was the show Of
poultry, which though made by but few
exhibitors, was by far the largest ever
before made by Minnesota State Fair, if
not the largest ever made in the State.
They were exhibited from St. Paul, Min
ne~polis, North6eld, WiAona, LIE Sueur
and other places.
The display Of farm products was large
and varied, and spoke we'll for the soil and
the thorough and educated system of agri-
culture followed by tho larger portion of
our farming community. Especially is this
true Of the display raade OF the products
grown along the line of the Lake Super
ior railroad, Of which more in another
place.
The fruit display, though, perhaps, not
quite as large as on one or two year previous
years, was very fue, and presented con-
vincing refutation of the idea that fruits
cannot be successfully raised in Minneso-
ia. In this exhibition, Ramsey, Hennepin,
Winona and Houston Counties had the
best, though other counties did exceeding
~ we'll.
In flowers a most bewildering display
was made, James Wick, the celebrated
florist Of Rochester, N. Y, exhibiting
alongside our own people. A comparison
between the two did no diseredit to Min
nes0ta.
In fancy needle work, hair work, quilt.
ing knitting, ETC., by the ladies, oil paint
ings by home talent, penmanship from dif-
ferent schools and business COL
eges, etc., there was more
than the usual variety scattered about in
the different buildings, giving them very
cheerful and attractive look. Detailed
notices Of some of the most creditable Of
the articles within the buildings are given
below.
Outside on the grounds the number and
variety Of farm machinery on exhibition
was very much larger than at any previous
Fair, and was the centre Of attraction with
the practical farmers present during the
continuance Of the Pair.
The exhibition Of cattle and horses was
also very fine, demonstrating that Mime
sofa is making rapid strides in this direc-
ton toward ''par excellence" In sheep
and swine the display was not so large,
but what there was was good.
In addition to the above, the Society
had provided an additional attraction in
the way oftwo balloon ascensions, and had
also admitted to the grounds. tent show,
with small variety of animals, the "fat
woman and other curiosities.
The above is brief mention of the ar
ticles onexhibition At the Pair, and as be-
fore said. the prospect on Wednesday was
most promising for complete success.
But on Thursday morning, enc Of the se-
verest storms Of the season set in, contin-
uing during the day and night of Thurs
day and Frsday with only brief intermis-
sions. During portion of the time
Thursday the rain came down in tor
reats, and soon the grounds were
great mass Of mud and water. Notwith-
standing this, several hundred people
visited the grounds, wading through the
mud and water to see what was to be
seen. A more cheerless time could not
we'll be imagined. The, result could not
we'll be otherwise than it was, loss. Peo-
PIE from the State at large who had
been intending to visit the Fair; the two
last days, always the; best, were kept
away BY the storm, while only q few of
the residents Of the two cities Of St. Paul,
1Hsr->>.~1s.