Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-08-31
THE MECHANICS, FAIR.
Letter from Visitor-SOme Mention of
Mechanical and County Exhibits.
San FR.YcIsco, August 3. I8s6.


SAN Francisco, August IS, 1886.
| EDs. RECORD UNION: We are never hap
pier here than when we have some new at
traction, and it becomes mania with us
and we look for new departure before we
] have done with the old. The G. A. r. was
/ one of the best we ever had, and many of
| the veterans are still with us. State and
| local politics are now at fever heat. With
the Republican Convention just over and
| the Democratic at hand, we are all on the
anxious seat 10 compare candidates and
prophesy conclusions.
| Then we have also the fair of the Me-
chanics' Institute in which to spend our
evenings pleasantly and profitably. The
music is good and the attendance large.
and crowds come to see and be seen. |
| spent three evenings there, and so many
novel sights follow each other or occupy
places side by side you could scarce decide
which to study. So many small but useful
inventions, reminding you of the ever
present genius of the original, thinking,
practical, working Yankee. Late ideas in
mechanics, neat designs, beautiful views,
etc.
In the machinery department, in full OPP
Grafton, is an immense pump, throwing a
constant stream of water as large as
young riveI-must be up among the thou
sands of inches per minute. New-styled
buggies and carts; all sorts of mineral
waters, not TO mention non-mineral
liquids, all more or less literally dispensed
as samples OF moistened happiness and
luxury; soda and mineral water popping,
bitters for any, beer on draught and wine
galore. Why not attend the fair? Down
town dealers are showing their imports,
up-country winters displaying their produc
lions, city cellars contributing immense
vine cooperage and fancy branded bottles
to tempt the unwary and make the crowd
thirsty. Sonoma county makes the largest
display of California wine, also most
complete collection of seeds, grasses and
vegetables, but for fine fruit county their
collection here is a disappointment, and
not a sample of grapes is shown. They
promise, however, the third week to exhibit
over hundred varieties from the cele-
brated Drummond vineyard and others.
But grand old Sonoma needs to be astir,
as her comparatively new rival, Placer, is
side by side with the finest fruits and
grapes ever seen here. They have. in fact,
created quite a sensation. The fruit in
cludes peaches, plums and prunes, such as
we never see in the markets, and, for rich
color, immense size and fine flavor, never
saw their equal. The grapes, too are a COM
plete surprise, the berry of the table grapes
are as large as ordinary plums, and such
large punches and lovely clusters Mus
cats thin-sklnned, large and sweet; Zinfan-
deis that judges say must produce very
heavy wine; apples from the mountains,
all sizes and colors, some of them grown
at near mile altitude, where it has been
thought it was land of nearly perpetual
snow. In fact the exhibit of Placer county
is a great showing. 1t is the topic of the
Z. Il 81
draws a continual crowd of admirers every
evening.
San Diego has fine collection of lines
and oranges hard to excel, especially at
this season. Outside of these the coun-
ties are not generally represented. The
fair will continue an attraction for three
weeks more. Yours, LEN.