Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-10-03
HARVEST FESTIVAL.
Annual Exhibition Of the Kennebec Az
ricultural Society.
A Successful Fair and a Large Attend.
ance.
On the Grounds-Ths Address-R.ees and
Premiums.

On the Grounds-The Address-Raees and
Premiums.
Every season when the corn CLEANS golden
IN the ear, when the apple bushes red in the
Iee-top, amid all the glories of a Maine
au'umn, the farmers of Kennebec cease for
whiie their labors, and with the choicest fruit.
OF the harvest and the richest products of
their farms go up to Readfield and together
participate in grand three-davs festival.
FOR years the fairs of the old Kennebec
Agricultural Society have been famous, ard
this seasons exhibition which occurred on
tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this
week, excelled them all, both as regards the
attendance, and quality and amount of articles
exhibited. Never did the weather clerk favor
a fair with more bounteous hand, or with
three more perfect days. The sun would
rise from its misty bed in the morning and
wend Its way through cloudless sky, while
dreamy haze fingered over the landscape.
The Grounds
OF the society were in prime condition. MANY
improvements having been made during the
year. Additional territory had been inclosed,
and it was suggested on the last dav that this
was very timely. as otherwise the crowd
could hardly have been accommodated within
the fence. The enlargement was made in
the rear of the exhibition building and grand
stand. several acres having been added.
long row Of new stalls for horses rested
against the fence on the north side of the
park while new pens for stock had been con-
structed
The People
who had part in the joys of the show came
from far and near, throughout the county.
Ere the sun had fairly begun to redden the
east the vanguard of the cavacade of teams
appeared, ard the end was not reached until
late in the forenoon. Vehicles there were
of every namable variety, from the modern
top buggy to the numbering chaise, weary
with age. The family wagon with paterfam-
lilies, wife and children packed in constantly
passed by. Hundreds Of city people swelled
the crowd within the gate, Augusta being well
represented. The young man with his best
girl was everywhere, and motherly ladies
with attendant daughters moved about the
enclosure. Taken as a whole the attendance
was larger than ever before in the history of
the society, it being estimated that there were
5000 people present on Thursday. The
Kent's Hill pupils were present in force on
Thursday, the school having been closed to
give them an opportunity to attend.
The scenes
about the grounds were of the usual charac-
ter. The hawker had the strongest lungs,
and his voice was ever tireless. Il. w. Soule
and John ID. Robbins of this city, each gave
their auctioneering ability trial, and Dono-
van, the fruit dealer, disposed of 100 baskets
of Concord grapes. Several eating booths
did thriving business, and a contortionst
obtained many nckels for his twisting. Two
barrels of new cider were tapped and the con-
tents dealt out to the thirsty crowd at three
cents glass. Agents of agricultural imple
ments were actively engaged demonstrating
the superiority of their goods.
The show of Horses
was not up to that of many previous years
Many fine animals were seen, however.
MIR A. c. Otis of this city, took premium
on his horse, and sold the animal few
minutes afterwards at a round price.
The Cattle Exhtbn
reflected great credit on kennebec stock
raisers Between $50 and 500 animals were
on the grounds, large number for this fair,
and the exhibit was highly praised by cattle
men, The wonder of this department.
however was a team shown by that vet
eran of the goad, Mr.. J. W.
Clough Manchester. These ponderous
oxen had been collected as stated by Mr.
Clough "to beat Libby of Oakland" There
were eight yoke, the largest girthing s fl, 8
in. and the smallest it,, in. The heaviest
yoke weighed 5.ll5 pounds lightest 40l5.
They have been shown at the New England,
State and Readfeld fairs, where they took
first premiums, and the committee of the lat
ter in making the awards referred to them as
the finest team in the world There are three
pair of twins IN the coiiecuon. Al noon
when they were yoked up and driven around
the track, hauling a carriage containing two
ladies from Manchester, the huge beasts
strobe along with elephantue tread, Clough
welding the goad with much success.
The Exhibition Building.
was constantly beseiged by crowds. Pomona's
exhibit seemed TO carry off the palm. Ii was
the largest and finest ever seen here. There
were 325 varieties of apples and pears.
County Commissioner Weston's exhibit was
So varieties of apples and 10 of pears; that
of w. Z. Anterior, IS apples, ii pears. j
O. Butm ans exhibit consisted of 80 handsome
kinds. Daniel Robbins, Winthrop, showed
some very handsome specimens. His orchard
is Young and thrifty aud he takes good care
of it. The quality of the fruit was very supe-
rior. The apples were very large and of
good color The dairy exhibit exceeded that