Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-01-23
MIDDLE FLORIDA FAIR.
UnprOpitiOus Weathcr-General Charac
ter of the Display.

UnprOpitiOus Weather-GeneralC Charac-
ter of the Display.
TALLAHASSEE, FLA, Jan. 19.-The mis-
cradle weather of the present week has
initiated seriously against the success of
the Middle Florida Fair. Never before
had the board of directors made such ex-
tensive preparations. As early as in August
Of last year the premium list was published
and copies sent all over the country. This
section had been thoroughly canvassed, and
hundreds had promised to send i'll exhibits.
The people seem aroused; the impetus late
ly given to truck farming had incited
them to show to the world what Middle Flor
ida was capable of producing, Fat swine,
thoroughbred colts and choice breeds of meri-
no, and other stock races carefully nurtured,
and huge specimens of vegetables were all
carefully put aside for the coming fair. But,
oh! the weather-the eXeerable weather!
We have no turnpikes In Florida, and after
two weeks of continuous rain our roads are
terrible. Hence it was that there were but
few exhibits and slim attendance.
On Tuesday, the opening day, it rained
heavily, but as disagreeabIe as it was, there
were few visitors and some exhibits Hav-
ing had rain nearly every day since Christ
mas, it was hoped that it would yet clear up
for the balance of the week. But, alas! We'd
nesday dawned cloudy, and soon the rain
began to descend as on the previous day.
Nothing & daunted, ndsf however, few visitors or.
exhibit was, it was very creditahle, showing
what our fine lands can produce. Mr.. w. T.
Webster had some mammoth ruta hagas and
fiat Dutch turnipS that were a wonder to
many also a barrel of Jersey sweet potatoes,
(the best variety for shipment NOrth), and
three times as large as the original Jersey, and
the Old-fashiOned pumpkin of prodigious size.
Judge ID. w. J. Wynn exhibited barrel of
fine, large Irish potatoes, dug only few days
before, from seed of the crop of last spring,
thus showing that the trucker need not depend
on M IA horn 1orsI-a
year for his seed supply, which is quite eXpen-
sive. Mr.. John L. Roberts, one of our best
and most practical farmers, had also quite
fine display, consisting of six varieties Of field
peas, Florida cured hams, fine samples of lard
and butter, and a bale of cotton, classed as
middling. Mr.. Burness had a fine sample OF
white corn, we'll cared, that yielded twenty
five bushels to the acre without manuring.
There were various other exhibits in this de
partment, consisting chiefly of grain.
In the live stock department the exhibits
showed how our people have progressed since
the war. There were fine specimens of Berk-
shire, particularly those of John c.. Kemper,
Esq, who obtained several premiums. In
sheep, there were merinos, cotsWolds and
natives; in cattle, several fine Alderneys: in
horses, some fine fillies, colts and stations,
and in poultry quite variety, as large as any
previous exhi )it But it rained, and, much to
my regret, | was compelled to go in doors
again. In the ladies' department., I found that
woman was not behind. Most of the exhibits
were contributed by Mrs. Judge Douglas, the
D. ID.
Without them and few other Tallahassee
ladies, the large room would have been
bare indeed, But what an array of womans
handicraft there was There were patched
quilts of various designs, ottoman covers.
hearth rugs and various useful articles OF
comfort and luxury, wrought by the deft
hands OF gentle woman. So many were they,
that time would fail me to enumerate them
Theirs was the fullest exhibit in the build
ing and occupied the most space. / was par
ticularly struck by an elegant hearth rug
wrought in .worsted, with the figure
of Mrs. John s. Winthrop. 1t was
the admiration of every one, and The labor and
pains bestowed upon it must haye been i'm
Lewis was beautiful silk quilt Of pateh work
and elegant design. Mrs, fudge Douglas, too,
exhibited some beautiful quilts and other
handiwork, among which was specimen of
ago, and from which she made a handsome
silk dress. Mise Felker exhibited a magnif-
cent gentlemen's dressing case, beautifully
worked with beads. This Was very much aa
mired.
Mrs. Cohen, daughter Of Mr. Robert s. Will
hams, OF this city, contributed an elegant
piece OF Worsted work representing ''hoses
hid in the bulrushes." So well was it executed.
that, suspended in q handsome frame and
viewed at distance, il looked like an oil
painting, The leving features of the parent
and excited the admiration of every artist.
Small as was the display in the various de-.
partments, yet the Tallahasseeans were not
almost exclusively to this city and its imme
diate vicinity. 1t was hoped, however. that
Thursday would be better day. That was
tCISst to be the % "ChildreR's Day An the public
private schools at reduced rates The cadets
of the West Florida Seminary, In their bright
uniforms nl and fully e9ulpped, under their ac-
after forming in the Capitol square were to
march out to the grounds preceded by the
Tallahassee Brass Band The presence
of SO many OF the young would
looked forward to as the great gala day. The
sun rose bright and clear. Punctnally AT
lO:So a. m; the cadets, preceded by the band,
took up their line Of march, their soldierly
bearing and perfect step exciting the admira
ton OF our citizens. A crowd Of admiring
friends welcomed them at the grounds, But
IN tle meantime the SKY was overcast, and
ere long the rain descended. The visitors
were compelled to seek shelter in the exhibit
tlon hall, the cadets were marched in
stacked arms and allowed to dis
weather that the directors determined to close
the fair on that day, and it is well they did.
for the rain still descends. Though having to
they are not disheartened for one of their
members has informed me that they will have
another fair next winter, when they hope The
weather weather VII pc more prepitiaas. Quite a
to send in Improved agricultural implements.
but were deferred by the unpropItious skies.
There were number of visitors here from
distance who had come to attend the fair and
the hotels and boarding houses We're crowtied
AS 1t was our people showed ~ she stranger
what our fine countgY s@n Produce.
Last n!GAs 2 grand bali was given by the
Fam Association at the Leon Hotel. and a.
mine host Of that establishment enioIs aulte
reputation as caterer, have no doubt that
the feast that was gpSead for the assembled
guests was ia accordance with that renuta
ton. Though honored with an invitation, cir
cumstances prevented my attending,
One creditable exhibit at the late fair |
must not pass by The Singer Manufacturing
Company, ever on the alert for custom. had
neat space rallied of, carpeted. fitted up
nicely and filed with the different stvles Of
machines made by them. This was through
the efforts of their eDeseetie agent at this
place, Mr.: Griffsh, who deserves credit for
the neat display. LEON.