The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-08-07
THE CENTENNIAL.
Choice Tidbits From Our own Cor
rpspOndent-InteresiinE "e'a"s ~
the Exhibition.
PHILADELPHIA, July ~, 1870.

Editors of the Register:
Some have wondered what the
United States Government could
show that would be OF any
interest. Well, it has much to show
from the War Department are cannons'
large and small, uniforms OF the past one
hundred years displayed on lay figures;
and the process of boring rifle
bsrrel,, and preparing cartridges
for breech. leaders; an Illus,
trait, of the working of the signal
service, and also of the postohic' depart,
ment, where they turn out centennial
employees.
The Department of the Interior shows
some
INCOMPATIBLE VIEWS
of Colorado, and the Rocky Mountains,
taken in connection with the western
SURVEYS. The Smithsonian Institute
exhibits very interesting collection OF
aboriginal relics; remains ol Tic
mystic race OF Mound Builders; also, II
fine assortment of stuffed fishes, beasts
and birds, from various parts ol tue
Union.
WEST VIRGINIA
is here brought forward again, with her
coal and other minerals. In couple OF
large glass cases are many of the Wash
inglon relics, such as his camp equip
ments and some pistols, about the SIZE al
small canEons, swords, and porcelain
set presented by Lafayette, of which
the two worthless have probably dined
more than once. Besides these, are nu-
merous smaller articles, illustrative OF
the simplicity and frusality OF his ll1e.
For wonder, his little Ratchet and II
chip of the identical cherry tree ara not
on exhibition.
The following list with samples is
given rs
NAVY FARE:
Dried apples, rice, flour, pepper, sugar
vinegar pickles, pork and beef lp'ckied)
bread, roast beef (canned), and evapo-
rated potstoes--plain bat substantial.
There are cases alter cases iuil oil
models of machines used in civil en-
gineering, navigation, mining and metal
Iryv, agriculture, etc, which are really
curious but the inspection of them
would be an endless job; only,
few people would undertake it, and they
soon give it up with n hopeless sign.
These models are from the Patent once.
Agricultural Hall is fully rs interest
ing and entertaining "a any OF the build
inss. One would naturally think that 1t
would be
ATTRACTIVE TO FARMERS
only. but not so. There is plenty to IN
terest the manufacturer and middlehlah
As well rs the producer. Here may be
seen the process of silk growing IN It's
various stages: the eggs, the I'VE worm
white, and from one and a nall 10 TWO
inches long; the way it feeds, and its dill
ferent stages from day to day, and the
manner in which it spins its cocoon; and
in Machinery Hall may be seen the
weaving Of the same into handkerchleis'
etc. The cocoons are about the SIZE Oh
large bird egg. The color is indcscrloa
bly, lustrous and beautiful.
In New Hampshires department II
exhibited pillow made and used py
Daniel Webster, 1.-THE Constitutions
SOIL Expounder." The pillow IL large
and heavy, the frame is wood ana tne
shank iron. In the present day oil iigh'
Mo AZ, 1t would be considered AS quite
load by itself, but its size is IN keeping
with nil the projects Of its makes, ano
doubtless has accomplished much under
his guidance.
A New Jersey firm has an exceiien
display of canned crsnberries, ana sls'
some growing specimens of the plant
which is bushy, and from eight totwelV'
inches high; it Is very hardy and spreads
rspidly in the same way as the strs"
berry p,ant. The attendant gave us
little history OF the origin OF the cultNs
ton al tsnberries. The plant hour
ishes hest in sand. A few years az" I'M
WAS not known, and there was little or NJ
cultivation of cranberries, when An
OLD NEW Jersey GENTLEMAN,
who had lost one Of his legs, and wa:
very poor, Was compelled 10 gather ane
sell wild crsnberrieS for n subsistence
One dsy hsnoticed that they grew mor'
luxurisnt and were much larger IN the
sand. which had been washed down iron
the hills bv rains, than IN the orig'ns
top soil He accordingly tried the ex
pertinent of cultivsting them IN sand
VISA satisfied with the result and actually
for a while, csrted sand in = wheelbarrov
10 spread over his land, aud devoted al
! his time TO the cultivation of Gran berries
in tbs Way. His crops were large anC
ofeytrs size and qusiity, and rs his mesn
gradually increased, he extended hi
farm and facilities, until at the presen
dsy he il one OF the richest men snd mos
extensive cranberry growers IN New
Jersey. lie Of course soon oommuni
Gated his discovery TO others, WIT
proceeded to cultivate the berries IN
The same way; the demand for them ID
crsassd and consequently the supply
ana at the present time they Are one o