The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-10-11

he Elk ION agricultural rail-
opened on Tuesday with cutting
wind from the northwest sweeping
the grounds. The attendance, not
outstanding, was fairly good
Wednesday was q choice day, will
clear sunshine and balmy air and
visitors enjoyed the exhibits, the
races and the various catch penny
devices of the takers.
There was fairly good display Of
grain and vegetables considering the
unfavorable season which farmers
haye had to contend with. There
was some quite nice baskets of ap.
piles and pears, also few grapes, but
this department fell far behind what
it has presented in former years, the
fruit crop the present season being
among the poorest ever witnessed in
this county. There were some good
potatoes, both white and sweet, and
other vegetables such as beets, car
rots, pumpkins, etc. The corn ex-
hibit was the best among the display
of grain. The display of agricultural
machinery and implements was
small. There was a good variety of
we'll bred fowls though not nearly
approaching the numbers on exhibit
ton at some former Fairs.
The horned stock was all of i'm
proved breeds among which the
Island cattle greatly predominated.
The stock display was not as large as
in some former years. but this was in
part at least owing to grades and
common stock being ruled out and
none but registered animals and
those entitled to register admitted to
compete; very proper action on the
part Of the managers.
There were a number of fine brood
and colts exhibited. The
sheep were mostly Southdowns and
the display not large but quality very
good.
There we're a large number of hogs
on the ground, mostly of the black
breeds. All the exhibits in this de-
pertinent were very good. The great
Hall where the fancy articles, cakes,
pies, jellies, ETC., etc., are placed was
far behind other years in almost
every respect, SO also was the flower
annex, though the display of flowers
and plants was fine and rare. Some
floral designs which competed for
premiums displayed considerable
artistic skill. The collections were
chiefly those of amateurs, there being
an absence of professionals in this
department.
At the Orchilla Guano tent under
the care of Mr. Travers there was a
good display of big ears of corn, sew,
eral samples of fine wheat, oats and
potatoes, raised on land where the
Orchilla and Kangaroo fertilizers had
been used Among the contesters
FOR special .Orchilla Gusno prizes
Mr.. VIM. A. Brickley of Pennington
was one who had samples of Pride Of
,he Valley Potatoes and oats and
corn.
The Maryland Agricultural Station
had an interesting exhibit of grain,
of 80 varieties of corn,
IS varieties each of wheat and oats
and 5 varieties of sorghum. An in
teresting exhibit of milk was made
by the station, the per centage of
water and of solids contained in a
gallon of milk. They had been sep
arated and placed in bottles. each
constituent by itself. There wer e
three grades, first, medium and low
grade. 1t is needless to add that
when the constituents were separated
that about IS per cent was pure
water, the solids showing about half
a pint, the balance of the gallon be
ing clear water.
The great feature-the 'leading
question" as the politicians express
it, was the "hoss trot.' The brass
band, the coursing circle and the
great ampitheatre called the grand
stand" paid homage to the horse and
his rider. Beside this feature agri-
culture was nowhere. The outfit for
this exhibit was never before so com
plete. The white ribbons were com
pletely out.witted by the jockey
The word had got abroad that the
pool privilege had not and would
not be sold and that the w. c. T. US.
could venture to take part in provid-
ing meat for the hungry, but when
the show opened the pool man was