The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-06
The State Fair.

II the weather will only act in a fair
way the fair will take care of itself.
or rather, the people will see that 1t
has a fair show.
The opening day afforded an indica-
ton of what is to follow under good
weather conditions. The attendance
was liberal and the exhibition came
we'll up to expectations. Within the
grand stand enclosure the amusements
were limited to bicycle contests and
successful balloon ascension and para
chute descent. This latter was more
interesting than any one associated
with last years attempts in the same
direction, in that a greater altitude
was reached and the gradual descent
of the performer was more thrilling.
Taking the premium list as a guide,
the first feature embraces the live
stock schedule. AS no judging took
place yesterday, the animals could only
be inspected in their stalls and pens.
The weather being sultry and the flies
troublesome, nearly all the horses and
cattle were under fly cloths, the pres
ence of which always detracts from 4
full enjoyment Of exhibits. But stock
Of every important class was there.
Mr.. Clarke, of St. Cloud, and Mr. Ir-
vine, Of ST. Paul showed up splendid
ly in their contributions OF draft
horses. Among the cattle exhibitors
are T. B. SOtham, of Missouri, with q
nice string of Herefords, and Wallace
Estin, Of the same state, with fine
lot Of Aberdeen-Angus, or "Doddies."
Minnesota should take off her hat-or
bonnet, as the case may be-to these
gentlemen of the Southern section Of
the country for affOrding the farmers
Of the Northwest an opportunity to
look upon such superb specimens Of the
beef-prOducing breeds. There is also
handsome line of Galloways from IN
diana. The display OF shorthorns is ex-
ceilent, and among these are some vet
eran prize winners. The line Of mild
eyed Jerseys contains some beautiful
specimens of this famous milk-produc-
ing class, and the Guernseys make a
far better showing than last year Mr..
James J. Hill contributes some mem
bers Of his Ayrshire herd, not in COM
petition, however, but only for exhibit
ton. There are several representa-
tiVes of the Dutch Belt class, as we'll
as Holstens. The cattle feature is In
teresting and complete in detail, and
superior object lesson is afforded to
the farmer who contemplates embarka-
ton in this industry
In the sheep department the exhibits
are we'll up to the standard Of last
year. The CotsWold, with it's long,
stringy twists of wool, is there-all
save one. that died in the ordeaI-a
handsome animal and judging from his
proportions possible prize winner.
The owner Is entitled to sympathy.
There is q good line, also, of Lincolns.
and the Shropshire, with his coat that
resembles a velvet carpet, is the pet
OF the ladies. When they plunge the
ringers of their hands into the wooIIy
backs Of these animals they leave lust
SUCH an impression as would result
from similar exercise Of the digits in
lump Of butter, so solid is the coat.
The sheep pens are well filed. and be-
lore the week is ended there will be a
good many beautiful candidates 70,
honors-as we'll as disappointed own
ers, because the judges have their own
way of dealing with these matters. and
popular opinion courts for very little
when these wise men come around. So
far nothing is adorned with the blue
or red ribbon, and one sheep in one
pen considers himself just as gOOd as
another sheep or goat in another pen.
And speaking Of pens brings us to
the consideration Of the hog. Whether
it is due to his traditional tendency 70
take everything in sight or not, the hog
has recently taken cholera into his
family. Whatever may have been his
own Ideas as to the particular advan-
tage to be derived from the abortion
CT SO Wholesale a system of aggrandize-
ment, 1t has resulted in withholding him
from the exhibition arena. The state
veterinarians and others have thought
1t best not to bring the hogs together
IN so large numbers at this years show
and as result this feature of the fa,r
is quite limited. There are, however
some fine specimens Of Poland Cbinas.
chester whites, Berkshires and Tam
Worths, but the field for Judgment -
not large. The biggest hogs are NOT
there, but adornment with the blue ana
red ribbon will not be denied TO tho
choicest candidates for honors In this
class.
Reverting to the sheep exhibit. the
Oxford Downs, the Rambouillets and
the Old-fashioned Merinos make a, fair
ly good showing. There are special
premiums offered to Minnesota breed
ers only, and this is as it should be,
The state OF Minnesota ought to be as
great sheep and wool and mutton
producing state as Ohio has been and
as California now is. The climatic and
typographical conditions of this COM
monwealth are especially adapted to
the Industry Of sheep culture. This
animal is Of hardy quality and can
thrive in cold, dry climates as we'll a.
in softer zones. There are timber lands
In this state in abundance in which
he can find shelter from storms in their
most intense severity. Care should be
taken not to allow the sheep to get
wet in temperature that will conpal
the moisture to freeze Thousands Of
sheep are fed and fattened in the
groves below South ST. Paul all The
winter through and without any othar
shelter than that afforded by The
trees In the large areas northward