The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1894-09-26
Every Department Full!
The Weather Clerk Propitiated, after
Two Days of Cloud and Rain.
Everybody Happy!

| omitted for this year. But while it rained
during pretty much all of Wednesday, the
next day was free from the element, and on
Friday the dust was flying in the race track.
/ Owing to the unfavorable weather of the
first two days, the exhibit was continued
| through Saturday. This enabled the mana
gers to take care of all the races down for
the course, the only change being in making
| them all one day later than the dates adver-
tised.
A talk with the Superintendents of the va
rious Departments confirmed the impression
made on the average visitor at first sight of
the displays, that in total and detail, this
years exhibits exceeded those of any former
year, both in quantity and quality.
| We doubt if any such exhibit of cattle was
ever seen in Portage County. This is fea-
| ture of the Fair that has been enlarged and
improved upon each returning season.
| The various exhibitors were well pleased
at the treatment received and the superior
accommodations afforded them. Nearly all
of them carried away official recognition of
their share in the interesting aggregation, in
the shape of numerous red and blue cards,
that bedecked the exhibitors space, Friday,
suggestive of huge kaleidoscope at rest.
| An interesting item, indicating the large
variety of the exhibits, is found in the num-
Der of entries made in the various classes of
| each department.
The total number of exhibitors outside of
the Stock Department, was 135. In Domes-
tic Manufactures there were Al entries, di-
vided as follows: Silk Embroidery, 21 !;
Outline Embroidery, IA; NeedIework, Is;
| Crocheted Work, 81; Arasene Work, 3 !;
Drawn Work, II; Hand Painted Work, T.
There were 5 entries in Dairy Butter, in
Comb Honey, in Drained Sugar, and in
stirred Maple Sugar. in White, 5 in Graham
and in Corn Bread, in Biscuit, 26 in Pie,
81 in Cake, 9 in Tomato Catsup, 3 in Cucum-
ber Pickles, % in other kinds of Pickles, 10
Cider Vinegar, 3 in Soft and in Hard Soap,
3 in Dried and 1 in Evaporated Apples, 2 in
Evaporated Peaches, in Apple Butter, in
Ginger Cookies, rs in Canned Fruits, 103 in
Jellies, 3 in Tomato Butter, in Ounce But
ter, 6 in Peach Butter, 6 in Blackberry Jam,
3 in Red and in White Raspberry Jam, 2
in Strawberry and in Grape Jam; Pre-
serves, %; Spiced Grapes, 4; Spiced Cur
rants, 5; Marmalade, IA.
In Fruits the specimens were remarkably
fine and numerous for so unfavorable sea-
son. There were varieties of Summer, 6
of Fall and 10 of Winter Apples, and 20 of
varieties correctly named. 80 varieties of
| Apples were shown on 125 plates. There
were IS plates in any Winter variety, quality
to rule, 10 of Fall and 6 of Summer. There
were s competitive plates for best Fall Sweet
6OfT civ 11afa FOR
the premiums offered for the largest apples.
plates of Red and of Yellow Crab Apples
were fine specimens Of this diminutive fruit.
Two entries were made for the largest dis
play of Pears, 5 specimens. 10 varieties of
this tempting fruit were displayed on II
plates. Size and beauty to rule, 5. There
were 10 varieties of PIums on % plates; 16
of Grapes on 81 plates, and 20 of Peaches on
25 plates; Pears for name, 10; Apples, 3,
and Plums, 1.
In Glass 36, Flowers, the professional for
lists made 70 entries, and the amateurs GA.
The floral pyramid, towering well toward
the top of the central dome of Floral Hall,
was grand and beautiful sight. This one
feature of the Fair was ample compensation
for the longest journey made, and the time
and money expended to view its attractions.
1t was under the superintendency of Mrs. G..
w. Hustled, of of'Ravenna, who was kept busy
answering questions propounded by SEEM
ingly a thousand tongues at once. The names,
habits and peculiarities of almost every spec
linen contained in the collection were matters
of constant inquiry, and the kindly readiness
with which they were responded to, is high
testimonial to the capacity and fitness of this
lady for the position whose arduous duties
she has SO long and acceptably performed.
A design of vase and flowers, the whole
composed of pressed flowers, attractively
framed, attracted much attention, both by
its merit and the fact of it's having been exc
cuted in Scotland. Mrs. Chauncey Coffman,
of Ravenna, occupied one section, and Mrs.
Fannie Clemens, of the same place, two Sec
tions. Misses Ricard and Nina Harmon,
and Mrs. Lafayette Smith, of Ravenna, ex-
hibited beautiful specimens in cut and potted
flowers. Mrs. Hall, of Charlestown, c. c.
Gardner, of Freedom, and Mrs. Spielman,
of Ravenna, and Mrs. Lowrie, of Edinburg,
also exhibited some choice varieties.
The exhibits were never surpassed and
seldom equalled at this Fair. One might
well believe in the melody of colors' as
he looked upon the lovely array of Palms,
Begonias, Cannas, Geraniums, Coleus, Car
nations, Roses, Verbenas, Pinks, Phlox,
Fuchias, Hydranga, Gladiolus, Dahlias,
Balsams, and in short, an almost endless va
riety from the realms of the flower goddess,
including many specimens of wild flowers
with names. Among the last was a book of
132 specimens, gathered, arranged and cor
rectly named, by Master George Reese, son
of Mrs. Stuart Reese, of Lincoln Avenue, |
Ravenna. 1t was particularly noteworthy |
exhibit. There were a number of large and |
beautifully arranged hanging baskets, artis- !
tic pillows, and other works of fine foralart |
and many specimens of rare plants, among |
the latter being the Araucarie Excelsior, ex-
hibited by Mrs. Clay, of Greenford, O. 1t
resembles, somewhat, miniature green tree,
and came from Northford, Ireland.
A fitting accompaniment to the beauties of
the display was number of nimble throated
songsters that trilled and carolled from their
mid-air houses in gleeful tribute to their
lovely surroundings. 1t was an idealistic
realization of birds and flowers"
In the Vegetable Department there were
liz entries. O. G. Harmon. the Superinten-
dent, was Gas happy as the big sunfower"
hat looked down from its lofty perch in the
corner, on what he assured US was the largest
ind in its average sense the best exhibit of
agricultural products seen for number of
years at this Fair. Quantity, size and varie
y told the story. There were 30 varieties of
Potatoes, and AZ entries exclusive of II vari
,ties grown by Albert Nichols, of Freedom,
rom potato balls. Parsnips and Squashes
we're somewhat under the average size, but
he beets were unusually large. The big
Sunhower alluded to above was of the Black
Giant variety, and one of the largest ever
,rought to the Fair. In 1891 there was one
hat measured q inches in diameter, beating ]
he record of any before or since. {
The entries of Farm and Garden Vegcta-
lies and Fruits were something wonderful
0 behold. 1t made one wonder what Adam ]
ould have been thinking about when he ate i