The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-08-09
THE COUNTY FAIR.

Calling attention to the circular of Mr.. Hon
man elsewhere in regard to certain special at
fractions OF our coming county fair, we may
add that the board of managers OF the La Sale
County Agricultural Society deserves special
praise for the labor and careful attention which
J they have given to the premium list tor the
23d annual fair to be held the first week OF
September next. We have looked through
this list closely and having had occasion to
examine nearly every one Of its predecessors,
are therefore prepared to speak adylsedly ON
the subject We have no hesitancy in pro
Inouncing this the most comprehensive ana
perfect list ever presented to the public in this
county for a county far lis aim is to encour-
age the production of all articles and animals
that are of use or value in this region While
the premiums are not individually large, they
arc far more numerous than ever before offer
ed by the society and make respectable ag-
grcgate
The usual premiums will be given on thor
oughbrcd horses, cattle, sheep and swine, and
the poultry list embraces all known varieties.
The prizes arc equally liberal on farm pro-
ducts and vegetables, and the achievements of
the dairy kitchen and pantry are literally pro
vidcu for. The fruit and flower division Is
ample and numerously mentioned, with full
separate lists, SO as to give amateurs and pro
fcssionals different sets of premiums, thus
avoiding the untairness of competing against
each other. The same provision is made IN
many cases in The housewives department. al
lowing ladies an opportunity to present the
works of their ingenuity free from the prOcs-
lional baker or fruit preseryer's rivalry. a
fine list Of premiums Is presented tor girls I'M
der Is years, to get premiums on bread, cakes,
jcllieS, preserves, jams pickles and catSup;
also a large number of prizes for these little
amateur housekeepers to win honor and prizes,
general and special, in the fancy and plain
ncedlewOrk departments. The department of
fine arts and natural history last year was very
popular at the exhibition. lProttin@ 10y their
experience, tins year the gentleman in charge,
Judge c. H. Gilman, than whom no person in
La Sale county can better ELL the position
will leave nothing undone to make this feature
the prominent attraction next to floral hall,
which promises to far excel all its former dis
plays. Already merchants have begun to pro
vide themselves with elegant and beautiful
goods to fill the ample spaces which they have
taken, and they will make a show far exceed
ing any previous cndeavors in that department
Among these are jewellers, milliners, dress
makers, boot and shoe makers, dealers in fancy
dress goods, hats, caps and furs, druggists
merchants, custom tallors &c.
The large premiums for the best and largest
display Of machinery, farming implements,
7ehicles &c, of $50 to the first, $50 to the sec
ond and SEQ to the third best, have stimulated
he manufacturers and dealers to unusual eff.
orts in that department, and the public may
ook for a superior exhibition in their line.
Among the special features of the fair of a
valuable character are the educational and the
exhibitions by towns and by oranges.
Some of the other attractions are mentioned
elsewhere, including the special programme,
which alone should fill the fair grounds.