The Press., 1889-10-10
The Annual Fair of the Stafford
 Springs ARrkcmltmraI SOcieAY

day was better, but not oyerwarm.
 The attendance was not quite up to the largest known at the fair on these grounds, but it was immense, and highly satisfac- tory. Wednesdays trains were of old time length and fullness, and the roads leading to the grounds were traversed by an end less procession of vehicles. In nearly ev- cry feature the fair was the usual suc- cess. The balloon was the most notable failure, and though the society strove by every means to neutralize the effects of rum and incompetency, and would gladly have sacrificed 5000 to have saved their patrons this disappointment, it was evi- dent on both days that the parties under contract were 10th to undertake the ascent, and on each day came accidents which, with 8 man like Hogan, who filled the engage ment last year, and if living would also have been engaged this year, would not have happened. The next weak point in the fair was the apparent slimness of the main building show, in part resulting from division, the Stafford grange exhibit be- ing rich in articles of class usually found in the fancy article, fine art and domestic departments. The third and last thin place was Q falling off in the exhibit of farming tools and dairy implements This is in part attributable to the unfortunate season which has spoiled 50 many fairs and discouraged so many large distant exhibit ors But to offset these drawbacks were successes everywhere else. The races were never better or more interesting. The pro- gram went on finely and everything was finished up at the close of the second day, sending the thousands of people away sat isfied that the Stafford fair had been worth visiting, and that the association had taken all possible p tins to give them good and satisfactory show.
 Horticultural Hall was we'll worthy ot it's name. The fruits of field, orchard and vineyard were abundantly displayed. Across one end was the show of Stafford grange, dependant only on tasteful arrange. ment and valuable exhibits. Here were relics of the revolution and other periods, side by side with exhibits of styles of mil. linery of past ages. products of the dairy, of the garden and farm, as well as of the housewife in moments of artistic impulse. fancy work of every kind hanked the table devoted to Ceres, and Pomona, and Flora, This exhibit got liberal share of atten tion from visitors. A fine floral exhibit was made by Arthur Howard, the well known florist and fruit grower of Belcher- town, Mass, who also exhibited a large variety of pears. His verbenas, pansies, and marigolds, many of them varieties ot his own introduction, were much admired. Philander Holmes of West Brookfeld, Mass, formerly of West Stafford, contrib. uted basket of Iona grapes, of delicious flavor and beautiful clusters. Mrs. Holmes also made fine contributionto the fancy article exhibit in the main building. Two Union lads, Fred Ladd and M. H. Marcy had neatly arranged tray of vegetables in imitation of garden with cottage and peo pie. A 115 pound squash barely out weighed one beside it. The exhibit was attractive in every way, only the dairy en tries being fewer in nnmber than usual.
 But the peculiarly strong point of a Staf. ford fair is it's poultry show. This is rec. ognized by every prominent poultry fanciel in New England, most of whom came eith CT as exhibitors or to see the exhibit. This year it was sort of poultry s'market fair, , an unusually large number of those wish. ing to buy or sell being present, showing the recognition given to this department by well versed poultry men. Employing one of the ablest poultry men in the eoun try as judge, the awards of this fair have a value among breeders as guarantee o1 superiority, such as few fairs or even spec. ial poultry shows can give, and we are proud that so successful department is managed by our own people, save the judging, and that Staford's poultry men always come in for good share of the honors.
 A model of Bradway's water wheel was shown in the main building. The Gen tral Clothing House made beautiful and tasty show in that building also. The Singer sewing machines had neat booth for exhibition of machines and work, as did also Eldredge & Adams, the Rockville monument makers, and Shoninger's pianos and organs, and R. s. Converse, Stafford Springs, of furniture. s. B. Nye had a nice little show of grapes and canned fruits from Brown Bros. nursery.
 Part of the poultry building was occu pied by stove exhibits, etc. Jacob Glover made fine exhibit of stoves, among them those of the Wier Stove Co.,, noticeable for beauty of castings as we'll as conven fence, also a bucket pump and small work ing model of the same, which looked te De all that was ClalnoQ TOT It. EXQl D1tE were made also by stove manufacturers ot Troy and other places. Anthony Adams stove store was represented by 8 display oi fine enamelled hollow ware.
 The wild west exhibits, put on in de tached parts as the course was clear for if was novel and interesting have been more so if shown at greater length but this was impossible in the limited time and with the otherwise extended program of the two days.
 Tuesdays cattle show was excellent There were nearly 200 pairs of oxen and { nice line of blood and grade stock. W.D Holman of Holland and w. D. Pomeroy oi Somers showed Devons, J. s. Keep o Monson and w. D. Holman and others Durhams. Julius Converse had fine rey of Holstein COWS, also his Holstein bull Aagie.. Leonard Aldrich of Three Rivers showed good Jersey bull. These are only a few of the noticeable animals. The premium list will be given later when re vised. Nice pens of sheep were exhibited also. &
 There was sharp competition and good exhibits in different classes of horses ano colts.
 The premium lists will be printed as