The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1882-10-07
A GREAT SUgGEESSI
Our County Fair !
Third Annual Exhibition Of The Cecil
County Agricultural Society.
Great Crowds in Attendance, and a
First-CIass Line of Exhibits.

1t is not in any sense disparaging the
fair grounds of other agricultural so
cetes to say, that the location of those
of our local society is one of the most at
tractive and convenient, not only in the
State but indeed anywhere. This is the
concurrent opinion of all who ever visit
ed them. Two years ago the society was
organized, and although its first exhibit
ton was one necessarily hastily prepar-
ed, in view of the late day at which the
actual work of preparation was com
menced, yet it was an exceptionally sue
cessfnl one. The prestige of the first
years exhibition, stimulated eXertion,
and begot unusual interest in that of the
second year, resulting in such Il display
of stock, machinery, agricultural, do
nestle and mechanical products last fall,
as has been rarely equalled and possibly
never excelled III county exhibitions. In
fact it was universally conceded that the
exhibition of last year, in the variety and
extent of its exhibits, was the equal OF
the best State society's exhibitions.
The success of 1881 was heralded the
country over, at least i'll all adjacent sec
lions of Pennsylvania, Delaware and
New Jersey, and it was not disputed by
the friends of other societies that the
Elkton exhibition had taken the palm,
and borne OF the honors of the season.
1t was but natural therefore in view of
the phenomenal success Of the past two
years, that many persons friendly TO the
society, seemed disposed to predict that
the exhibition OF 1882, would in no degree
approach much less rival that of 1881.
1t is therefore with a pardonable degree
of local pride that we record the fact that
except i'll the single point of quantity
of stock displayed in the exhibition Of
1882, it not only equals, but in many re-
spects excels that OF last year. The visi-
tor who for the first time steps from the
train at the Elkton station of the p, w.
Il b. Il. r., cannot but be struck 10y the
beauty of the location of the socioty's
grounds. From the plateau on which
the depot stands, the exhibition grounds
rise gradually northward, by q gentle and
almost imperceptible grade, until reach
ing the head of the enclosure, the visitor
turning, sees he has made quite an as
cent by the time lie reaches its extreme
northern boundary. Looking eastward
and southwark, the view is really very
attractive, dense outline of wooded
land slopes, shutting in the valley in
which the town and fair grounds are To-
Gated.
Upon entering the grounds one was i'm
mediately struck by the mum Der OF improve
ments made since last year. The office OF
the main entrance, and the gates had been
very hastily painted and ornamented by
handsome caps on the posts and fancy scroll
work. The agricultural exhibit building
next claimed the attention. This is a heavy
frame work covered with canvass, 2l0 feet
by 10 feet, and is admirably adapted for eX-
hibition purposes, being far i'll advance Of
the tents used last year. For this handsome
structure the exhibitors are chiefly indebt-
ed TO Arthur w. Mitchell
The grand stand had been given :, fresh
coat of paint, and the judges stand, hereto
fore a very uuatJractive structure, had been
beautitied beyond recognition by the paint
ers and decorators.
Everywhere the spirit of improvement
had been abroad. Mr.. Geo. W. Wells. the
painter, and his assistant, by the liberal use
of the brush beauttied everything they
touched. The skillful handiwork Of Mr..
Calvin Merritt, the carpenter, and his AS
sistants was visible everywhere. And we
must not forget the whitewash brigade,
those 81 bic magicians, Il touch of hose
wand will wash away the stains of years.
In the center of the grounds, handsome
flag staff, rugged with cross trees and from
which tioated Il beautiful new United States
flag, all constructed under the skillrul di-
rection of Mr.. II. 7. Leslie, constituted an
feature of the scene.
The Society is to be congratulated upon
the appearance of TIE ground, and build
ings, which was everything that conld be
desired.
The exhibition for 1882 certainly opened
under favorable auspices.
To the right of the entrance, was located
as last year.
THE MACHINERY DISPLAY.
70 many persons this is always the
most attractive feature OF the show, as
Hall, was at the Centennial
Exhibition at Philadelphia. Imagine the
even the alarm with which the
ancient husbandman, who by Slow and
laborious use of the Sickle was wont to
fell his wheat and rye, and oats. would
view an Osborne self binding reaper, such
as our fellow townSman, Mr.. Z. &. Strlck
and sells. and which was a prominent
machine on exhibition. Or steam trac
ton engine, moving over the fields I'M
PEELED by some invisible, and mysterious
power. Or one of those immense thresh
ing machines, which are are rs far i'll adj
vance OF the old appliances for cleaning
grain, as steam is superior to donkey pow
er. We have space however. but to say
that this display was very attractive, only
leading firms being represented, viz
Hugh w. Matthews, of Baltimore, eX-
libited the celebrated Buckeye binder,
N motion. 1t was surrounded always by
!, crowd of admiring spectators. He ais"
exhibited the Monitor engine and Sweep |
stakes thresher. Geo. Wltworth, of Elk
ton Foundry, exhibited tasty piece of
ron roof cresting, the same pattern aboG:
20 be placed upou Tie Cecil Wing build
ng. Brown IL Reeder, Of Rising sun,
exhibited the Walter y. Woods self
binding harvester and mower, and the |
Penn harrow; those popular machines at
;racted unusual attention. |. L. Ceilings, |
Elkton, exhibited the celebrated Cham |
pion Automatic cord binder. Samuel ).
Rambo exhibited the Johnston binder.
Passing the machinery, the South end |
Of the
NEW AGRICULTURAL ANNEX
was the most prominent figure i'll the
This is the department to
which our Cecil farmers looked possibly |
with the most interest next to the stock |
stalls. The display here was most excel |
ent. AS we shall not in this notice uu.
1eruake to give the list of premiums
awarded, and which the society will at an
early day furnish for the public, We can |
only casually mention but a few of the |
exhibits. Upon entering this building
the first thing that caught the eye is the |
pumpkin exhibit. \ number
Of large ones were in competition for the
SO prize. The one taking it weighed
% pounds. A singular fact in connection
with this pumpkin is that companion
to it, weighing 534i pounds, grew on the
same vine, making their mbined weight
l4jf pounds. \ mammoth suntlower.
nearly twenty five feet high,
was from the garden of Miss Kate Reese
The display of grain was very large; also
of Vegetables of which there seemed to
be an endless variety. W. Arthur Nit
chell exhibited three plates of sailed
herring of the years 1SS0-Sl-S2. Those
cured in 1880 were as bright and fresh
looking az the later ones. Mr.. Mttchell's
method must be very superior to produce
such results. In this department a num-
Der Of our farmers showed most excellent
of wheat. White seed corn lst
VIM G. Mercy; best II ears
of mixed corn, Chas Walters; best sweet
corn, WIN III Booth; good exhibit. r II
Steele. Jesse Taylor, Samuel McIntire
VIM 7 Bye, VIM A Mitchell. Frank L
Pennington. VIM Armstrong took the
first premium for fine timothy, and also
premiums on two qualities of wheat.
Barney Moore, first premium for the best
bushel white wheat Jesse Taylor took
first premium for best bushel of wheat
Of any variety. For second best bushel
of Fultz Wheat w G. MerreY WAS award