The Portland daily press., 1883-09-27
CUMBERLAND FARMERS
FAIR.
A Very Successful Opening had
Yesterday.
Description Of Stock-The Races
Awards.

Yesterdays weather was nearly perfection
for the opening day of fair and the animated
appearance of the grounds at the Cumberland
Farmers Club at WestCumberl and evidenced
that it was gene rally appreciated as such.
A walk through the hall and about the
grounds convinced US that the exhibition in
all departments was much ahead of that Of
previous years, ,tand in some departments
stock, woman's work and fruit, seldom ex-
ceeded in general excellence anywhere.
The exhibit of pears and apples is large and
very fine and the same may be said of vege-
tables. In particular the display of apples
sustains the reputation OF the region for pro-
ducing nice fruit. A creditable display is
made of grapes for an unfavorabIe season.
Space permits but brief reference to even
prominent features of this department A. f.
Winslow, North Falmouth, has handsome
exhibit of 20 varieties of apples and 16 of pears,
among the former such favorably known
varieties as Hightop Sweets, Wine apples,
Golden Ball. Steele's Winter Red, etc. Percy
Rideout, New Gloucester, exhibits fine speci-
mems of Gravensteins, Porters and winter
variety. Amos True has the excellent varie-
ties of Black Oxford and Hubbard Nonesuch.
Herbert Shaw has a notable collection of
Rhode Island GreenAgs, Golden Russet,
Alexandra, some dozen varieties altogether
e. D. Loring, North Yarmouth, in his colec-
ton of 36 varieties of apples and three of
pears offers an exhibit that compares very
favorably with any others, and some specimens
are superior.
In vegetables the display is a credit to the
farmers of the vicinity, as showing the results
of careful selection of seed and unremitting
care in cultivation.
The exhibit of potatoes merits special men
tion; it seems impossible to improve upon the
specimens shown. Howard Hicks, Fred d.
Merrill, E. G. Prince, Frank N. Greedy, VIM.
L. Prince, A. F. Winslow, Hezekiah Eaton
and others have contributed admirable varie-
ties, as Beauty of Hebron, Early Rose, White
Star, Clark No. and others too numerous for
mention. In the fine exhibition of squashes,
cabbages and turnips, ETC., place of honor
is accorded two mammoth Hubbard squash
weighing respectively 96 and "a pounds. These
squashes are exhibited by Eddie Merrill, Cum
berland. G Porter shows fine Hubbard squashes
VIM L. Prince exhibits half bushel of choice
CrAuu6ETicS, ". Lis clOIIllly N6lSOn M ouaW,
John Hulit, Leonard Leighton and others,
trace corn. The exhibition both of vegetables
and fruit is the subject of very favorable COM
ment, one visitor remarking that he had no
idea, considering the drouth, that such an
amount of nice fruit could be got together
anywhere in the State this season. An exhib'
it of much interest is that of cut flowers, pot
ted plants and bouquets. Mrs. VIM. Morton
has a large collection. so varieties, and Wm
Morton shows 2S varieties of cut flowers. Many
a lady visitor covetously eyed an enormous
mass of English ivy, exhibited by Mrs. A. H.
Farris. the broad frame supporting itreaching
from floor to ceiling. Mrs. Lois P. Eaton,
Mrs. John Hult, Mrs. N. B. Wilson, and 9TH
ers in potted plants have added much to the
attractiveness of this ever pleasing depart
ment. An appetizing exhibit of canned fruits
and berries is made by Mrs. Hattie e. Clough,
Mrs. Roland II. Blanchard, Mrs. f. s. Blan-
chard and others.
AS in all previous history of the Cumber-
land Farmers Club fair, the department of do
mestc manufactures and ladies' needle-work
is one of its best features. Overhead wave
numerous quilts and rugs of kaleidoscope pat
tern, and what masculine pen shall essay de-
scription Of the wealth of tidies lamp-mats,
hapd-embroiderea table.cloths, and general
fancy work that brightens the shelves below.
We must content ourselves with reference to
the few that first struck the attention, premis-
ing that the merit of nearly every separate ar
ticle calls for special mention. A hand-em-
broidered table cloth, by Mrs. Maria Knight is
| ty) excite much attention, and the profuson of
sofa pillows, tides aud lamp-mats prolopg the
| stay of visitors in this department Among
the curious exhibits here, is garter loom, 1877
years old, exhibited by Mrs. Edward Cobb OF
| Gray.
Joseph Batchelder displays some specimens
of his skill as taxidermist. His stuffed gros.
beaks pigeons squirrels and other creatures
have an alert and life-like appearance. His
exhibit of a cage of gray squirrels, just with.
ont the hail. proves very attractive to the chill
| dren.
Mrs.Albert Rideout shows an elegant screen
Mrs. Eliza l.. Cribb has beautiful wreath in
worsted. Mrs. w. B. Skillin North Yarmouth
exhibits wicked looking relics of the late war,
Maria S. Cobb exhibits handsome knit skirt
During the day fresh aceessions were made
to this department, which is already much
more complete and creditable than that of the
recent State Fair at Lewiston.
The merits of the Household Sewing Ma
chine are demonstrated in the centre of the
hall.
A creditable display of their stoves and
ranges is made by Chase & Leavitt of GRAY