Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-09-17
Wisconsin's Greatest State Fair.

| ACOO, 90 az O4 lAcOO lliG CCCIS vi
the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society
and from reports and figures at hand
| from Secretary I. J. Fleming, every
thing points toward the title being
| fully maintained.
Entries have already closed in the
Live Stock Department, which, as
everybody recognizes, is the most i'm
| 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 show an in
crease of nearly % 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 fiocks
coming direct from abroad to complete
IN the prize ring at Milwaukee. The
interest and encouragement so clearly
shown IN the Live Stock is maintained
IN many of the other departments.
THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
This year promises to tax the capacity
of the building assigned for agricultural
products. One of the strong and at
tractlve features of this department will
be the many large and attractive County
exhibits, toward which Secretary FIem-
ing has offered $4,000 in Special
Premiums to the County Exhibits
alone The number of counties which
have already expressed a willingness to
exhibit is the best proof of their ap-
preclatIon OF the above new and liberal
offer.
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 administra-
ton, recognizing the necessity Of
improvement in the Dairy Department.
to ma ke it in keeping with the great
dairy interest of Wisconsin, have con-
structed 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 i'm
provement has been brought to the
notice of the dairymen Of the State,
and as result this great, spacious re-
frlgerator will be taxed to it's maxium
capacity; not only that, but the manu-
facturers of Dairy Implements and
supplies throughout the State and ad-
Joining States are going to make large
and attractive exhibits; so it is safe to
say that the Dairy building will be one
n + q Str 90 o+i ~ -.
There will be a miniature Creamery,
fully equipped and in actual operation,
which will certainly prove inter esting
as well as attractive to the Department.
THE ART HALL.
Has also undergone complete change
and remodeling and now all articles can
be exhibited in this department with
out being subjected to dust and other
Objectionable surroundings, on account
of large glass cases having been con-
structed for their reception. In this
Department, as the others, this con-
templated improvement 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 Manu-
facturer's Building, so often in the past
but partially occupied.
These are a few strong points con-
nected with the approaching Agricul-
tural and Live Stock Exposition which
are OF sufficient guarantee TO command
the attendance of all of the progress
sive and intelligent farmers Of the
State. 1t is not necessary to dwell upon
the splendid condition of the State
Fair Grounds, as the thousands Of
people who attended it during the Fair
Of 1895 and Summer of 1896 know that
It is beaten by any in the United States.
This is certainly saying great deal for
Wisconsin, which up to a couple of
years ago had but very uninviting
place for the holding Of Its Annual
Fairs.
1t is only just to the administration
that has brought this great improve
ment forth, that the fair should merit
the approval of the people by their at
tendance.
Those wishing any information in par
ticular, should address 7. J. Fleming,
Secretary, North Greenfield, Wis.