Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-09-25
POTO6AcJAIa.
Exhibition of ths/Farmsrs' Fair
Association.
BRIEF ou1LINEoF THE PROCEEDINGS.
Something About the Ground and the As
sociatiOn---A General Outline
Of the Exhibts'
ooOATTtNOANcEAsDAaOO TIME

A drive Of four Ailes from West Alsxan-
der, the modern Gratna Green, amid farms
dotted with orchards asd with fields loaded
with corn, brings one to Potsmac, the place
of meeting for the third annAal exhibition
Of the Farmers Fair Association. The
fair ground consists Of sou.e eigLt os-sen
acres and the land is mostly rolling. The
situation, with the hills rising up on every
ha-i j. 2 picturesque Ope, and the grounds
with lirtle more Improvement can be made
q very attractive Snd convenient fair
ground for the people in all this section OF
country. As it is arranged now, there is
not O suitable place for race course, but
that doesn' matter much. This is intended
ss fair
For the Especial Benefit of Farmers,
and they are generally more interested in
raising good working horses, big cattle, tat
hogs, fine sheep, luscious fruits, mammoth
suuashes and long ears Of corn, and also to
get the most improved farm machinery,
than they are in races. 1t doesn't matter
for the ladies, either, for they are interested
in how to can the finest fruit and make the
incest ellies and preserves, how to bake the
best bread, how to raise the prettiest flowers
and perform the most artistic needle'work.
The farmers and their families, when they
leave their work for day or two, want to
70 where they can have real social, jolly
GOOD old fashioned time. Everything at
Potomac goes to make it such, and the Peo-
lie feel at home and try TO make everyone
else feel 80. The present association Is the
ou growth Of the farmers gathering known
as
Harvest Home,
he first of which was held in 1880. Ar
raneements have been perfected and the
grounds have been leased for five years. A
Horticultural Hall and Floral Hall have
been built and stock pens have been erected
suitable for displaying the exhibits. The
crowd present and the displays on Wednes,
day were not large, owing partly TO the dis
agreeable coldness of the weather. The lsst
day of the fair ia always expected TO be the
oie day, and many of the people did not
n axe their entries and place their exhibits
TIL Thursday morning. But up to Wednes
day evening over 1000 entries had been
made BY 1875 individuals The Dallas Sill
YER Cornet Band, led by Prof. Burke, was
N hands 10 furnish entertaining music for
he people.
Thursday morning people began to pour
into the grounds from every direction.
The Day
Eas bright and warm and by noon it seem
ed that everybody from the country rounc
about was present, bringing with him hi
family il he had one, his sisters, his cousins
aid sll his other relatives, and AL seemed
pelt on having q good time. The neigh
oorirg towns in West Virginia, Ohio anC
Pennsylvania we're represented. The schools
the vicinity were closed that the sho'
might be enjoyed by the little tolks. ltwa
-sumated thst something in the neighbor
bood of 5000 people were present large
number than in ary previous years. Ih'
membership Of the association before tn,
close OF the day reached over one hundred
The exhibits had been arranged in gooC
order by the time tie crowd arrived. Th
display was very good one. In the hall
we're 10 be seen
| The Best OF Every Thing
he land and the work OF the people coulC
produce The mammoth squash Of cours
wes on hand as usual, but it had TO take |
back seat, owing TO the large and choic,
| Iarden products that eclipsed it. All th'
cereals indigenous TO this region were there
The different kinds of corn we're particularly
| Noticeable. There were some varieties with
ears 70 large that they were almost danger
aus Tor a II an 10 handle. The apples anc
peaches and pears and grapes and ounce!
and other fruits we're in abundance, snc
were as fac as can De ieer
anywhere. Tie floral display though
not very large, was choceIy nice,
especially severa! Of the varieties Of houst
plants. The ladies had on exhibition seVe
rsl kinds Ct very fns needleWork. Many o
heir patterns and designs we're indeed ar
| us ic. But the best Of all was the many
different ways in which fruit bad been pre-
cared. There were jeliies Of 50 many kind,
bat they could scarcely be counted, snC
buffers and Jams and preserves and canned
md dried fruits in endless proiusion. II
!, Judges who decide for the premiums
could only get TO taste ell these good things
her positions Nohld certainly be envi
| able obes. In one Of the halls Rss noticed
q clock that showed great ingenuity o.
workmsuship. 1t was made By Wes
Alexander msu. The wood work contested
of over 400 pieces aud is carved
and worked into highly artistic shapes, and
the works are srch that six pieces Of music
are played every half hour. The farm ma
chiDery on exhibition sttrscieds good des
OF st,eniion from the farmers apd all other
| interested in that direction. Among
The Stock
SisrIsyed we're some very fine hogs, some
Of which had taken premiums at the Wheel
ing Fair. Several improved breeds o.
boIses, cattle and sheep we're in the pens
Some had been awarded premiums in
| other places. The pens were pretty vel
filed With stock Of different
sces and sizes from the Jersey or Ayrshir'
csif to the largest Sherthorn, and from ths
colt to the 1000 pound Percheron Nor
men. The stock showed to good eifect
when marched out in the afternoon. There
were lots Of other things that should b
mentioned. Taking all in all, the exhibits
EeIe
Very CreditabIe.
The Judges did not finish making the awards
ill evening. The receipts Of the tEo day
weie enough to defrsy all expenses aud per
hsps pay all the Indebtedness Of the Asso
cis-ion caused by the leasing Of the grounds
SID the erection of buildings. The best d
order prevailed throughout and everyons
seemed pleased and was looking forward u
nsny more fAirs just IS enjoyable, Success
| ful end beneficial