The Somerset reporter., 1894-04-26
Mid-Winter Fair.
(NO. B.

fair, it has very materially increased in
interest and attractiveness in many
ways. There have been many new con-
cessions, some of them very interesting,
and many additions to the general ex-
hibits, both foreign and local 1t would
be hard to imagine more pleasant day
,than one can spend within the gates of
our mid-winter fair grounds. 1t took
some little time after the inauguration
fer the lawns, flowers and shrubbery to
be sufficiently developed to add their
share TO the beauty of the grounds.
The several large buildings are located
around the Grand Court. The Manu-
/ facture and Liberal Arts building on the
left OF the main entrance from the north
side the Art Gallery Immediately to the
right. Passing the Art Gallery. the
next main building is the Horticultural
and Agricultural building. At the head
of the Court stands the Administration
building, which is considered very hand
some in its architecture, and very beauli-
full in its decoration. Immediately in
+ front the Allegorical Fountain. which
Is kept playing greater portion of the
time, adds its chaI m and attractyeness
to that portion of the grounds.
As we pass on around TO the opposite
side of the Horticultural and Agriculture
al building, we find the Mechanic Arts
building, where the machinery and min-
eral display are located. Each of these
several large buildings would require
some time in special article to give a
correct idea of the exhibits that are par
it,f..
Of visitors. who are always to be found
enjoying the beauties, and learning
what may be derived from this grand
collection.
In the center of this Grand Court is
located tower, modelled after the not ed
Eitiel tower of Paris, and Is 30 feet
high. At one landing there is cafe for
/ the convenience and comfort of those
who may wish to refresh themselves.
There il. also, an elevator which carries
the sight-scers 240 feet above ground,
aifording a most beautiful view of the
surrounding country, the bay, the city
and the Golden Gate.
At the end of the Court next to the
Manufacture and Liberal Arts building,
is the beautiful Electric Fountain. SINH
lar to the one ut the Columbian Exhibit
ton. This fountain and the tower well
pay for IA visit in the evening to the
fair. The tower itself far exceeds any
thing of the kind at the white city last
season.
Outside of the Grand Court, and the
buildings of which have already spok-
en-, are to be found "A large number of
concessions that are attractive, enter
tanning and interesting to visitors who
may favor them with their patronage.
These embrace great variety of enter
tainment. Among the number may be
I found Dan1 Boone's exhibition of train
ed animals, embracing as ii does, a num-
her of lions. bears, wolves, goats. dogs,
hogs and monkeys, all of them trained
to do certain tricks, showing the won
dcrful power of man over animals of all
kinds, and the surprising feature. that
so many seem to possess sufficient
amount of brains to be dictated to, I'M
derstanding, apparently. bya word of
command, to do what they are hidden.
One remarkable feature was to see the
cockatoos go through with so many of
their tricks that it was perfectly sur
/ prising to think they could be trained to
such extent. To Illustrate: Several
little flags of different nations were
stuck up on one side of the stage, and
the band was to play the different ma
tonal airs. One bird was called out and
told to hoist the flag of the nation for
which the band was playing the tune.
The band Immediately began to play
The wearing of green directly the
little fellow grabbed the rope and hoist.
ed the green flag: then the French. the
English, and lastly the American flag,
the band playing national airs to the
respective flags that were run up in the
same manner by the cockatoo.
Next to the large buildings of which
have spoken, are to be found the
Northern and Central alifornia build
Ing, AS it is called, embracing the eleven
northern and central county exhibits.
The southern California building, rep
resenting five counties IN the southern
part of the State. Then several coun-
ties have their individual buildings of
which some are very creditable indeed
Their individual county exhibits are par
ticuarly interesting, showing the extent
of their products in variety, quality.
and their relative values in comparison
with others.
Among the counties that have theil
own building might be mentioned Santa
Clara, containing San Jose, noted for its
productiveness, and great quantities OF
excellent prunes and apricots; Alameda
Co, Ncross the Bay from San Francisco
containing the town of Alemeda, anC
Oakland City, embracing large section
of valuable farming land in close prox
unity to the city, and the variety OF
their cereals as well as fruits. are, il
their estimation, equalled by no county
in the State; San Joaquin, containing
Stockton, which is nc ted throughout tn,
State AS being the headquarters fol
manufacturing any farming implements
the largest threshiug machines in tn,
country, cutting, threshing and sackins
their grain at the same time. Most o
them run by steam power, although
some Of them, believe, use horse pow
! er requiring about twenty four horse
to machine. Their wooden mills, also
turn out some very fine blankets, an,
wooden goods, which will compare
favorably with any OF eastern manufact
ures.
No doubt, any of YOUR readers woul'
be surprised upon visiting this exposi
ton, to find such variety of product
in quality and quantity that are TO b
seen on these grounds.
Like the Centennial and the Colum
! bian Expositions. it has to be seen to b
| appreciated and to fully realiz4 what
grand exposition California has.
CORRESPONDENT.
IN n =ARA