The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-09-22
SUCCESSFUL OPENING.
Cumberland County and Gray Com
bine in a Three Days Fair.
Fine Gathering Of Jerseys and Cattle
Generally.
Good Horses-Farm, Garden and
Dairy Products In Profusion.

| opened at Gray Corner yesterday for three
| days exhibition, under the most encourag-
| ing auspices. The morning promised as
| bright and crisp September weather as
| could be desired. The attendance for an Op
ening day was large, Gray and all the neigh
boring towns being well represented and
goodly number were in attendance from
Portland. The excursion to the exhibition
from this city is a fine one-a pleasant twen-
ty mile trip by rail over the Maine Central
railroad and an interesting stage ride of
three miles to Gray Corner and the grounds
adjoining the village These grounds are
admirably arranged for fair purposes, with
capital half mile racing track. Twenty-one
acres are within the enclosure, with suitable
buildings for offices, exhibition and dining
halls.
The morning was spent in arranging the
stock, and at ii o'clock the Gray band
marched around the track and the exhibition
was formally opened.
CATTLE.
1t is seldom that so fine lot of Jersey cat
tie have been brought together in this part
of the State. Mr.. E. 81. Freeman of West
Gray, had herd of seven thoroughbreds
that were beauties. George Mcdonald, Gray
a herd of six thoroughbreds and one grade.
At the head of this herd is the fine two year
old bull, "Duke of Gray A. Allen, Gray,
had six head of grade Jerseys with the two
year old bull Lewiston Boy" registered
animal of right royal descent, the Jersey fam
ily with solid color and black points. Silas
Adams and ]. W. Humphrey, Gray, exhibit
good specimens of grade Jerseys. Edward
Austin of West Gray, shows thoroughbred
Jerseys and the three year old bull, be-
lieved to be the largest Jersey of his age in
Cumberland county, girthing six feet and
eight inches. He is known as "Venus," and
is a speckled gray in color. j. II. Day, Hills
dale Farm New Gloucester, herd of four
teen blooded Jerseys. In the herd is year
ling bull, '.Romeo Derejah," registered an
imal of the purest blood and an illustrious
pedigree. The same gentleman also exhibits
herd of twenty three grades. He had also
six full blooded Jersey calves Mr.. Days
display contributed much to the exhibit of
stock under the intelligent management Of
Mr. NJ. B. Hart. P. Fl. Hubbarn, New
Gloucester, had yearling thoroughbred |
Jersey bull of the American herd-a fine an
imal, with all the desirable points in Jersey
stock. E. F. Silby, Gray, has seven head OF
grade Ayrshires. A. B. Chapman q Son, OF
Poland, exhibited yearling Holstein-a fine
one.
Merrill Bros, proprietors of the Springvale
farm, Gray, made an exhibit of II head from
herd of 33 cattle. They had ten head of
full-blooded splendid Jerseys, with the IA
nous COW Beauty of Springvale." Their
yoke of cattle were Durhams, girthing feet.
They also have in their herd the fine yearling
bull 'sDuke of Springvale," registered ami
NAL of great value. Their cattle are great
credit to western Maine.
OXEN.
The exhibit of working oxen is not only
extensive, but of most superior quality in
every respect.
Ira C. Chase, New Gloucester, has a yoke
of four-year-old steers, full blooded Here
fords, that are noble young cattle, girthing
feet inches.
Gray showed a team of steers, nine yoke of
yearlings and two -year-old, that were well
trained.
The town teams of Gray, Windham and
RAYMOND were all noble oxen, girthing over
eight feet. Drawn up in line it would be hard
to decide which town did the best, but the
decision Of the judges will be found further
on.
HORSES.
The horse portion of the fair was strong in
the show of fine one and two year old colts. |
There were score or more of them under
examination at noon and il seemed as if they
had been selected to demonstrate the truth of
the adage, 'If you want to find fine horse,
go to Maine" Knox and Patehen blood was
found blended in large degree among these
promising young animals and it seems to be
a happy mixture, giving size, speed and good
disposition, the latter point highly desira-
BILE in a horse We shall learn more of horse
flesh anon.
POULTRY,
The display of poultry isIquite extensive |
and of superior order. Mr. b. F. Pickett of |
New Gloucester exhibits coup of light
Brahma chicks and buff lCochins, that are
splendid specimens; John Small of Gray, a
rare lot of ducks; a coop of geese from S. L.
Adams of West Gray; coops of superior
light Brahmas by Andrew Allen of Gray.
The sheep and swine exhibit was light, |
consisting of pen of Cotswolds and a Ches
ter sow with litter of pigs.
THE EXHIBIT BUILDING.
In the exhibit building Twas a most inter-
esting display of the products of the dairy,
orchard, garden, and needle-work by the
ladies. On the first floor were giant pump
kins squashes, beets, ETC., and pomologi-
cal exhibit that was exceedingly fine. This
fruit exhibit was most tempting, and one
could not look upon it without almost long
ing to be 'defaulter" to the extent of their
pockets. On the second floor is maze of
quilts, afghans, rugs and fancy needle-work
of many kinds. There is also potted fruit in
jars, in great variety and fine preservation.
In a building near by, the ladies, under the
auspices of the Gray Park Association, pro-
vide an excellent meal for the hungry and in
the vicinity is mammoth moose that at
tracts much attention.
The officials and their aids of the Gray As
sociation are untiring in their efforts and
have proved eminently successful. We OBJ
served President Harris and Secretary Frye
of the Cumberland County Society, veterans
in the fair BUSINESS, loaning their valuable
aid. Thus far all has moved smoothly and
promptly, especially considering the fact
that this is but the second year of the Gray
Association.
IA
+ 13O the band occupied the band stand
and discoursed excellent music.
At2 o'clock the races opened with a trial
of trotting speed by green horses: The
Judges were L. w. Dyer of East Deering, z.
l.. Rogers of Windham, and Whitman Leslie
of GRAY. There were five starters. and they
came in the following order; Maud H.. first;
Gen. Weaver, second; Harry, third; Nellie
F.. fourth: Hannah R., fifth. Time-2.52.
In the second heat there was lots OF fun,
if the speed shown was not sufficient to keep
the spectators breathless. There was
slight collision in the turn, but no damage
resulted. Maud FL. finished first, Gen. Weav-
er. second; Harry, third; Hannah r., fourth;
and Nellie F.. fifth. Time 2.5S.
Two-FIFTY CLASS.
For the purse of $125 for $50 horses there
were six contestants, and they drew posi-
tions in the following order: Shark, first;
Maud L., second; Lottie NJ, third; Katie b.,
fourth; Penobscot Boy, fifth Offa. sixth.
A good start for the first heat was effected
at the third attempt. Maud L. led to the
quarter pole, but broke, and the whole field
closed in bunch around the upper tnrn:
Down the home stretch three horses passed
under the wire almost side by side. Katie
b. soon pulled away from her contestants
and took the lead, easily holding to the end
of the heat, jogging in winner in 2.52f.
L..