The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-22
STATE FAIR WILL BE GREATEST IN
 HISTORY OF SOUTH All Departments Surpass Even Remarkable Records
 Made Last Year
POULTRY EXHIBITS
 GREATLY IMPROVED
Agricultural Department, Woman's Department and All Others Are Much Enlarged-Cattle Com
 ing From the North

The Alabama State Fair is now less than two weeks off-12 days to be exact and Indications show that it is going to be the greatest not only in Alabama but that tho south has ever known.
 The Alabama State Fair, in the first place, is peculiarly situated. It is in the heart of one of the largest cities in the south which is put in connection with the outside world by a system of the best railroad schedules in the south. The fair last year was pronounced a success by those who know what fairs are but the fair this year. without cast ing reflection on the officers of last years fair, is as far ahead of the one last year as the sun is ahead of the moon or as far as Birmingham is ahead of At lanta.
 Agricultural Department
 The principal feature about fair. no matter what other important features may be brought up, is the agricultural department The first thing a person asks when he comes to a fair is about the county exhibits and he immediately begins looking for them. Last year there was room in the exhibit building for two or three more county exhibits. By the middle of August this year the fair man agement had to go to looking under the grandstand for more space for county exhibits, all the space in the exhibit building having been taken up. At least 16 counties will be represented at the fair this year and even more have asked for space, but it could not be given them One county out of the state, county in Ohio, has booked space, but will not com pete for prizes. They have merely grasped the opportunity offered by the Alabama State Fair to tell the people of the resources and possibilities of their county and state. The number of indi- vldual exhibits of agriculture over the number last year Is so large as not to admit Of comparison. Practically every big farmer in the state and great num- Der of the smaller ones have engaged space and will exhibit the products they have fcstered.
 Although by tradition the agricultural department ranks first, the womans de- partment this year will be revelation in truth. The superintendent, Mrs. John B. Reid. has built the woman's department from mere wealxling to one of the most important factors of the fair. Her Ideas have been put into practice not only by the Alabama State Fair. but by the fairs of other states throughout the south. She has instituted this year two new features which bring new attention to her de- partment. They are the Alabama Wom- ans Industrial bureau and the BiTming- ham pantry. In the first she intends to show those things which the women are making for the edihcation and culture of the home. It Is open to every woman in the state and will be all and more than it's name implies In the Birming- ham pantry will be exhibited such things that arc made in Birmingham which are used on the tables and in the pantres- things made In the Birmingham district which satisfy the inner man. This is distinctly Mrs Reid's idea and it's orig inality imparts personality and charm. The Chamber of Commerce is making it's first demonstration in this department, of what is and can be produced in Bir- mingham and Jefferson county.
 Poultry Department
 Another department which has risen to almost beyond the limits of a state fair is the poultry department. Last year, it was said that the poultry department was discredit to the fair Housed in little shed the birds and fine fowls for exhibit therein were exposed to the elements and were crowded and cramped for space. This year a large and com modious new building has been erected Spratt's patent coops have been installed and there Is room for the housing of 300o birds
 William Cook X Son, originators of the famous Orpington breed of chick ems. has entered an exhibit of 31 birds. valued at $6050. Among these 31 birds are the famous Blue Orpingtons. which have never before been shown in America They have Just been import ed to this country from England. where the main poultry farm of the Cooks Is located and the Alabama State Fair Is the first organizat ation of any kind to exhibit these fine birds Asa c. Candler, Jr., son of the famous Coca Cola man, few days ago called up Dr. Hal F. Halstead, superintendent of the department. and asked for entry blanks for 250 birds, stating that he was going to enter that number in the Alabama State Fair. Besides these there will be many other entries, both local and foreign. Kimballville Farm, promised that they would send a half a carload of birds. cut of the new building accompanies this story.
 Outside Cattle Coming
 The United States department of ag- riculture has swerved from their rigid cattle quarantine against northern and foreign cattle being brought into Ala bama this year and as a result several carloads of the finest cattle raised will be brought here for exhibition. This department is under the leadership of w. E Matthews of Powderly. The grounds of the Alabama State Fair were recently fumigated and reno- vated by Dr. Sid Gait of the animal industry bureau of the United States department of agriculture and made ready for the reception of the cattle A dipping vat has been installed on the grounds and every day of the fair cattle will be dipped in this vat in addition to those being dipped which are brought here for exhibit. The dip- ping will be superintended by a gov ernment expert. The entries for exhi bition in this department have been so large that during the last week it has become necessary to build a new gard containing 40 additional stalls for the accommodation of the many cattle to be brought here for exhibition.
 The swine department. which has heretofore occupied only small cor ner In the western end of the ground of the grounds. Miles c. Allgood is superintendent of this department and is doing all in his great capacity for the upbuilding of the department. Many fine hogs from other states will be shipped here and exhibited. Superin- tendent Allgood states that all hogs coming to the fair will be inoculated against cholera with the government serum. he making the inoculation him- self. He states that all other owners of hogs who wish to have their hogs inoculated may bring them in and he will inoculate them