The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-10-31
THE COUNTY FAIR.


year, though, taking everything into consid-
Grafton, it was by no means discouraging.
In some of the departments there was q
considerable falling off in the quantity on
exhibition, while the greater variety and
superior quality probably more than made
up for this deficit, and certainly rendered
the departments equally interesting and at
tractive with former years. The small at
tendance was not surprise to the mana
gers, inasmuch as the weather was fine, and
our farmers were known to be busily en-
gagged in gathering their cotton, which has
opened more rapidly this Fall than usual,
coupled with the fact that they have lost a
great deal of time from their farms in the
course of the political campaign, which is
now nearing its close. While we recognize
the fact that the success of the individual
farmer and mechanic is paramount in the
development of the resources Of country,
at the same time we can conceive of no way
or means by which the two combined can
better secure and advance their respective
interests than by encouraging and suppor-
ting an institution the prime object of
which is to create and excite competition on
the part of our people in striving to excel
in the pursuit in which they are engaged,
however humble it may be, thereby serving
the two-fold purpose Of encouraging indus
try and adding to the comforts, conven-
fences and pleasures of life. We do not
take it that the slim attendance and the
falling off in the number of articles on
exhibition is an argument that our people
are growing tired Of our annual fairs, but
simply is an evidence that they are carrying
ont the first great law OF nature in looking
after and advancing their individual and
personal interests, which is in itself both
praiseworthy and pleasing.
A short notice of the various departments
in the order in which they come may not
prove uninteresting. The first of these is
the
FIELD CROP DEPARTMENT,
which occupies small shed independent of
the main building, and on its north side,
in which nearly every crop and vegetable
grown in this climate was represented, and
that, too, by the very best OF species, show
ing high and superior state of cultivation
by the exhibition. Fine samples of cotton,
corn, wheat, oats, barley, potatoes, turnips,
rice, and in fact almost everything else
known to the farmers of this section, were
there, and reflected great credit on the farm
ers of our County, and gave substantial
and unmistaksble evidence of progress in
tLe science Of farming. The very fine
specimens of potatoes, both sweet and
Irish, deserve especial mention, as does
also the bales of hay and the superior SAM
Piles of wheat and other small grain. This
department can and should be made still
more interesting by our farmers and gar
deners. 1t is the chief of all the industries,
and upon its development depends the
prosperity and progress of country. Let
US hope for more general exhibition Of
the products of the farm and garden in the
future. Every farmer in Anderson County
can add something to tie attractions of this
department.
STOCK DEfARrMENT-cATTLE AND SHEEP
The exhibitions in this department were
fully equal in number, and certainly far
superior in quality, to any ever made in
this County before, especially as to cattle.
All of the improved breeds were we'll rep
resented, besides several specimens of native
stock that were equally as fine, and alto
gether gave evidence OF increased interest
on the part of our people in improving
their stock of cattle. Only small! num-
Der of sheep were on exhibition, but they
were very fire.
HORSES AND MULES.
AS usual, the display here was good,
and elected the attention of visitors. The
number of entries made was not so large as
on former occasions, but was sufficient to
make this especial feature of the Fair the
most attractive of al others. Nearly all
the premiums in this department this year
were taken by citizens of our own County,
which is, to say the least, favorable and
gratifying indication. There is no reason
why Anderson County cannot have as fine
horses as her neighbors, and wehopein the
future more attention will be paid to this
department by our citizens. The mules
were also very fine, though few in number.
HOGS.
There was small number of entries in
this department, though in point of quality
the exhibition was very satisfactory. Itwas
not equal to past years, either in variety or
numbers, but in proportion to everything
else may be considered very creditable ex-
hibition.
THE POULTRY DEPARTMENT
was the next inspected, the exhibitions in
which, we are pleased to say, will compare
favorably with any of former years. Espe-
cial credit is due the proprietors of the Ash
tabula Stock Farm, Messrs. Warren e. Strib-
ling, of Pendleton, for very large proper
ton of tie interest and attractiveness of
this department, who had on exhibition not
only large lot of fowls, but also collec-
tion of domestic rabbits of rare beauty and
excellent grade. A pair of white mice also
attracted considerable attention. Their
chickens and turkeys were certainly as fine
as any we ever saw, and if the grades en-
hibited corld be introduced into our County
they would surely improve the quality Of
our fowls, which. as general thing, is not
very good. In addition to the splendid
exhibit of Messrs. Warren e. Stribling,
other persons had fine specimens of barn
yard fowls on exhibition, which rendered
this department especially attractive. The
outdoor departments having been examined
we now enter the building, where the inge-
nuity, skill and taste of the ladies are espe-
cially displayed.
THE HOUSEHOLD DEPARTMENT
is the first to arrest our attention Us we en-
ter the building at the east end, and behold
the splendid array of bottles, lars, tumblers,