The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-09-20
The Bay State Fair.


THE second exhibition of the Bay State Agri-
i cultural Society, which is to be held Spring
| field October All, promises to be the grandest
affair Of the kind ever attempted in New England.
| This society was organized two years ago last
winter, by few Of the leading farmers of the state,
for the sake Of securing series of first class
agricultural and industrial exhibitions, which
shall be independent OF the numberless side
shows which have been considered necessary to
draw crowds TO the average cattle fair. The first
exhibition in the building of the Mechanics Asso
| citation at Boston, in October, 1856, proved a
wonderful success. and was hardly over before
the people in the western end of the state began
TO talk about securing the second one for them
selves.
guarantee fund of $40, 900 was eventually Sc
cured from the citizens of Springfield for the
season of 1883, and the preparations for the fair
have already been under way for some months.
The display Of cattle, horses, sheep, swine poultry
and implements will be made on Hampden Park,
adjoining the Connecticut River Railroad, and
connected with 1t by spur track. The city eX-
hibit will be located on Bridge Street, under
cover of the skating rink, large horticultural
hall adjoining ii and one or two annexes,
Cattle, sheep and swine will DO paced in build
ings erected on the park, within the half mile
track, and opposite the grand stand There will
be central structure for the Offices of the secre
taTy, treasurer and superintendent, from which
the sheds for the cattle, sheep and swine will ra
date like the SpOkes of a wheel. These sheds
will be 10 feet wide, but their length will depend
on the number Of entries in the different classes
The cattle will be placed in double row, facing
AN alley-way in the center, through which visit.
ors can pass at will The sides Of these sheds
will be Topped up during the day, so as to form
a part of the roof, while at night they will be
fastened down that the animals may haYe the
protection of close barn.
The four hundred horses which are expected
will occupy the north end Of the park,-two per.
manent stables, each cOntaing twenty box stalls,
being provided for their accommodation, as well
as three or more sheds, each 400 feet long. The
mile track will be used for the exhibition Of the
ANIMALS in their various classes, but there will be
no races Of any kind.
A large tent will be pitched at the south end of
the park for the poultry. Considerable part Of
this section will also be given to the implements
aud machines, for which each exhibitor will pro-
vide snch shelter us he sees fit. A horse shoeing
contest will be one Of the special attractions on
the park. The gates will be open at nine in the
morning and close at six in the evening. Water
will be supplied from the city service. A band
of music will be In attendance during the day,
and the admission will be fifty cents. Hampden
Park is beautifully located, has an area Of 90
acres, and with good weather will prove AN ideal
exhibition field.
The Skating Rink on Bridge Street. which is
100 feet long and so feet wide, will be devoted to
the isplay Of domestic manufactures. Opening
out of il at right angles Is the horticultural hall
which runs along Hillman Street 800 feet, and is
~ feet wide. Here will be found flowers fruits,
plants, vegetables, grains and seeds in great pro-
fusion. Fronting on Bridge Street, parallel to the
rink, is an annex ~ by 20 feet, for butter making
an luuuSlllul tAululllOu WHICH small luCluuc
some of the prominent Springfield manufact.
urers. 1t is quite probable that other buildings
connected with these three will be erected on the
vacant space by individuals who may wish to
make displays of their own. These buildings
will be kept open till 10 p. NJ, music being pro.
vided during the evening. The admission to all
Of them vii be twenty-five cents.
All the railroads running into Springfield will
sell tickets at special rates during the fair, which
will include admission to the grounds. On some
Of these roads excursions will probably be run OH
certain days at still lower rates. so that the city
expects 10 entertain more visitors than have ever
before enjoyed its hospitality during any lsingle
week Of its history.
The officers of the Bay State Agricultural So
ciety are as follows: President, Congressman
Edward Burnett of Southboro; Secretary. Wins
low 5. Lincoln of Worcester; Treasurer. j. d. W.
French of North Andover; Chemist, Prof. c. A.
GOessmann Of Amherst; Veterinary Surgeon, DR..
Austin Peters of Boston; Supt. of Grounds, Ethan
Brooks Of West Springfield; Advertising and Elk.
cursiuns, Charles II. Thayer of Boston; Cattle,
Edward s. Brewer Of Springlied; Horses, l.. j.
Powers of Springfield; Sheep, e Minot Weld Of
Boston; Poultry, w, +. Bacon of Cambridge,
Implements and Machines, +. ii, Appleton OF
Peabody; Grain and Vegetables, Il l.. Bragg Of
Springfield; Dairy, n. d. Douglass of Sherburne;
Plants ana Flowers, j. ii. DemOnd, of North
hampton; Domestic Manufactures, W. l.. War
ner of Sunderland.
The entries for the hall exhibits close Wednes.
day evening, October 3, Application blanks and
premium lists will he furnished by the Secretary,
Wnslow s. Lincoln 81 Main ST., Springfield.