River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-09-17
wisconsin's Greatest State Fair.

Entries have already closed in the
Live Stock Department, which, as
everybody recognizes, is the most inn
portant and attractive department of
any State Fair or Exposition.
This department in 1895 was the
largest in the history Of the State, as
the thousands of people in attendance
will attest. 1t is therefore gratifying
to state that the entries already
received in this department for 1896
shows an increase of nearly 25 per
cent. in excess OF that OF 1895. The
different classes of this department
will be made up Of thoroughbred
animals from nearly every State in
the Union, and for the first time
several herds from Sister Canada.
Not only will this department be
numerically large, but will be individu-
ally strong, many herds and flocks
coming direct from abroad to COM
pete in the prize ring at Milwaukee.
The interest and encouragement so
clearly shown in the Live Stock is
maintained in many Of the other de-
partments.
The agricultural Department
This year promises to tax the
capacity of the building assigned for
agricultural products. One of the
strong and attractive features of this
department will be the many large
and attractive County exhibits,
toward which Secretary Flemming
has offered $4,000 in Special Premiums
to the County Exhibits alone. The
number of counties which have
already expressed willingness to ex-
hibit is the best proof of their appre-
citation of the above new and liberal
offer.
The Horticultural Department
viii be stronger this year than at
any other time, which is probably
partially accounted for by the
abundance of fruit throughout the
State, in addition to which the
premiums in this department have
been increased, and new and addition
al interest aroused among the Horti-
culturalists throughout the State; the
only drawback in this department
will be the want Of adequate space to
properly show their exhibits.
The Dairy Department.
1t is only correct to state that the
Dairy Department will show greater
and more marked improvement in '96
than in any other department con-
nected with the Fair. The admins
tration, recognizing the necessity of
improvement in the Dairy Depart
ment, to make it in keeping with the
great dairy interest of Wisconsin,
have constructed a Glass Refrigerator,
running the length of the Dairy
Building, in which all of the Dairy
Exhibits can be kept, entirely free
from the elements, and at the same
time be in full view of the public.
This large and needed improvement
has been brought to the notice of the
dairymen of the State, and as result
this great, spacious refrigerator will
be taxed to its maximum capacity;
not only that, but the manufacturers
of Dairy Implements and supplies
throughout the State and adjoining
States are going to make large and
attractive exhibits; so it is safe to say
that the Dairy building will be one of
the strong attractions of the Fair.
There will be miniature Creamery,
fully equipped and in actual operation,
which will certainly prove interesting
as well as attractive to the Depart
ment.
The Art Hall
Has also undergone a complete
change and remodeling and now all
articles can be exhibited in this de-
partment without being subjected to
dust and other Objectionable surround
ings, on account of large glass cases
having been constructed for their
reception. In this Department, as In
the others, thiscon plated improve
ment seems to have met with favor,
as the spacious building will be taxed
to its fullest capacity.
A strong and successful effort has
also been made in filling the large
Manufacturers Building, so often in
the past but partially occupied.
The Machinery Department
Also promises to be very interesting
to the farmers and Others who attend
the Fair, ON account of the many new
inventions which will be on exhibition
The grounds have all been replatted
and the exhibits will be classified;
thati is to say, the carriages and vehicles
of that character will be separate, the
Agricultural implements and those
needing power for operation will be
away from others, thereby getting rid
of the smoke and noise which raises
from operation. This Department
will be very full.
The Poultry Department.
The Poultry Building has undergone
a complete transformation, perman
ent and uniform, coops having been
placed throughout the entire building.
To show how this has been appreciated
by the. poultrymen of Wisconsin and
the adjoining States is best attested
by the fact that heretofore an ex-
hibitor could enter any number of
birds for a $500 entry fee; for instance,
last year there was a party who
entered nearly 300 birds and paid,
according to past custom, only $500,
while this year he has made Just as
many entries, the condition of which
is an entry fee of % cents per bird,
which goes to show that the live and
progressive exhibitor and breeder
does not bubble from little extra
cost in entering his animals for ex-
hibition, provided he finds the
character of the show in keeping with
progress and improvement.
Kennel Shoe.
There will probably be no depart
ment on the grounds this year that
will draw more to it than the Kennel