Middletown transcript., 1877-10-06
The Agricultural Fair.
SPLENDID EXHIBITS.
EVERY DEPARTMENT FILLED
THE FINEST EXHIBITION YET.
INTER ESTING RACES.
GOOD ATTENDANCE.

The fourth annual fair Of the Peninsula Ag'
ricultural and Pathological Association was
opened on their grounds near Middletown, on
Wednesday morning, under circumstances
which did not belle the predictions that had
been made in regard to its success. Every de-
partment was well filled with articles for exhi-
bition and competition, and everything bid
fair to make this the greatest and most success
full exhibition ever held on the Peninsula.
In the Ladies' building the display was ez-
cellent. Fancy work in endless variety
needIe-work, wax work, artificial flowers and
fruits, pies, preserves, bread, cakes, pickles,
canned fruits, etc., in abundance attracted, and
almost distracted, the attention on every side.
Immediately at the entrance of the south-side
door was handsome display of slate mantels,
stoves, hardware and guns both breech-and
muzzle-loaders from the extensive ware
rooms of Messrs. Lindley b Kemp, Of Middle
town, while in front of the building, in an adj
ditional room erected at their own expense,
Messrs. EIiason & Benson, also Of Middletown,
had fine exhibit Of stoves, mantels, heaters,
etc. This was an enterprise that was highly
commendable.
TIE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE DEPARTMENT
was also fuller than ever before showing the
cumulative zeal that the fair is awakening
among the neighboring farmers, and the inter
est that they take in producing 6ne articles for
competition for the various prizes. The arti-
cles were all of very superior grade, and we
opine that it will bother the judges, in many
instances, no little to decide where the first
premiums should 60 With his usual enter
prise and zeal Mr.. E. R. Cochran had some
fifteen or twenty different varieties Of fruits
and many more than that number Of vegetables
and cereals. Mr.. Henry S. Cochran, of Cecil
county, Nd, had some splendid Early Rose
and Peerless potatoes, which would be hard to
beat, also some splendid big ears Of corn,
while Mr. ]. T. Shallcross was no whit behind
with his big pumpkins, squashes, etc. But it
would be useless to attempt to mention all,
and it would be, perhaps, better to go no
further in fhis line The disnlaY Of grains was
very fine, the wheat, particularly, attracting
much attention.
THE MACHINERY DEPARTMENT.
The building allotted for the display Of
machinery was found to be too small to accom-
modate the large number Of manufactures that
were brought for exhibition. Every available
foot of the space was taken up, and the ground
around was also covered with reapers, mowers,
carriages, etc. Messrs. Aspril & Son, Of 0des-
sa, were on hand with splendid lot of plows,
of several patents, stump puller and farm
wagon. Messrs. Cox Bro. exhibited beau
tiful specimen Of their carriages, the superior
excellence of which is well known throughout
the peninsula. Messrs. McLear L Kendall, and
W. h. Wright, of Wilmington, also made
fine, large display Of carriages. Messrs. W.
3. Janvier b Co. exhibited the Warrior mower
and their Pulverizing wheel harrow. In the
centre of the field were stationed large wind
mill pump, number of farm engines, endless
chain and sweep horse-powers, threshers and
cleaners, grain and phosphate drills, patent
gates, and many other articles. The largest
and handsomest display was made by Col. ].
@. Townsend, Of Townsend. Among other
machines was the reaper and binder, to which |
we alluded last week, and which attracted
much attention. On the whole the display Of
machines was far superior to any heretofore