Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1907-07-25
MICHIGANSTATEFAR.
viii Be Held inDetroit Aug. y to Sept. {
$4,000 ADDED TO PREMIUMS

State Agricultural society at Detroit,
August 20 to September 6. will wit
ness an industrial exhibition that will
surpass in many respects the famous
Toronto exposition. AS a matter OF
fact both in attendance, the value Of
the exhibits, and the premiums offer
ed, the State Fair has grown into an
annual exposition that has attained
no little fame far beyond the boun-
daries of the state.
One of the most important factors
that has entered into the upbuilding
OF the fair is the perfect harmony
existing between the officers of the
Agricultural society. President Fred
Postal, former senator A. j. Doherty,
Secretary |. II. Butterfield, Treasurer
John Mckay, and Business Manager
Chas. A. Floyd, have worked early
and late for the success of the 1907
exhibition, and the wonderful improve
ments made in the buildings, grounds.
transportation facilities, premium
lists, and extra attractions are mute
testimonials to their efforts. The ex-
perience Mr.. Doherty gained as chair
man of the finance committee last
year has proved invaluable to him as
general superintendent. He knows
the fairs shortcomings and has
evolved plans that will overcome
hem as rapidly as possible.
Ii has been determined to add $780,
200 of the appropriation made by the
state legislature to aid the fair to
he premium lists. This will make
he awards given exhibitors by far
he most liberal in the history of the
state. In addition new classes have
been added In the cattle, horse, sheep,
and swine departments. Secretary
Butterfield will begin the work OF
mailing the premium lists to farmers,
stock growers, and former exhibitors
about June l.
An Improvement this year that will
appeal TO every exhibitor Is the add
ng of three sidetracks to the rail
road facilities within the grounds. Ne
gotiations are now on with the Grand
Trunk railroad for the installation of
he new sidings and the improvement
will almost triple the capacity of the
lair yards.
The fair OF 1906 was handicapped
% a great extent through several
| buildings being completed only day
)r two before the gates were opened.
| In many instances unfinished side
walks, and rough interiors greeted
| he visitor, but this has all been
changed and the grounds undergone
a complete transformation. Under
| he direction of l.. II. Taft, of the
Michigan Agricultural college, a land
scape gardener has laid out new
/ walks and arranged to turn the north
| end of the grounds into rest spot.
| Heretofore it has been used by the
horsemen and contained tumpie down
shacks The identifying of this spot
will remove the only unsightly fea-
| .ure on the many acres devoted to
State Fair purposes. BY midsummer
superb collection of shrubs will be
at their best while lawns that were
| seeded a year ago will be covered
with carpet of heavy grass.
Something doing every minute"
has been the motto of Business Man
lger Floyd in arranging the attrac-
| ions to be seen from the grand stand
At night and between races during
the afternoon program. Mr.. Floyd
has contracted for almost every form
IF entertainment known to the amuse-
nent world, and also for several spec
Ial features that have never been seen
outside of New York and Chicago, His
program as arranged includes: High
diving, deep sea diving, gymnastic
work on apparatus, tumbling, tight
rope walking, trained animals, excit-
ing cowboy races, and wild west
scenes. He is at present endeavoring
TO arrange for genuine western viii
lage to be shown on the grounds. Ii
ne is successful in completing ar
engagements tiny Indian papooses can
be seen as they stare unblinkingly
rom the narrow framework strapped
10 their mothers back. War dances
will be given in full Indian regalia
every afternoon and evening, and
among the relics of the old western
days shown will be stage coach
that has been riddled with bullets
time and again while crossing the
plains A special feature will be made
Of the Indian museum, lecturers be-
ing present to explain the history and
significance OF every article shown.
Every visitor will be interested In
the ostrich farm Between so and
so birds will be shown, in addition TO
over score OF "chicks" that are far
larger than a good-sized hen. The de-
tails of ostrich farming will be gone
into thoroughly while collection Of
magnificent feathers will be on exhi-
bition Several OF the mammoth birds
have been trained to draw sulkies and
will be seen upon the race track.
The fair management has deter
mined that no criticism can be made
this year of the various entertain
ments granted the privileges OF the
fair grounds. Every show must be
absolutely moral In tone, and fulfill
every representation of what Is to be
seen inside the tents.
Dairymen who visit the state fair
will have an opportunity OF seeing a
milking machine In actual operation.
Gov Warner is the owner of the only
milking machine in the state In add.
ton to the one that will be shown at
the fair. They are mechanical con.
trivances that show the constant ef
Tort inventors are making to reduce
the cost OF production In the dairy and
butter business.
The educational department Of the
fair Is under the personal supervision
OF George b. Horton, of Fruit Ridge