The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-01


 At the Alabama State Fair. accred- ited as one of the most interesting ever staged, this day has been desig- mated Gadsden. Anniston and Jasper day.
 Inasmuch as the people of those cities, especially Gadsden, have never yet failed to partake of the hospital ity of Birmingham or give their hearty support to the State Fair. there is ex- pected to be a record breaking crowd present from those cities as well as others nearby. The officials base their expectations for a great throng today on the theory that the cities in whose honor the day has been arranged have never before failed and on the further theory that the weather man is going to be good As rainy weather is prom ised, the reverse is expected. People will therefore travel to the fairgrounds today in great droves, it is believed. Lack of sufficient cars added somewhat to the inconvenience of patrons yes z terday.
 No Races Yesterday
 On account of the slow track the races TOT yesterudy were HOl includes the horse races as well as the motorcycle races. It was announced that the programme postponed by req son os the weather would be merged into the events for the concluding days and that every race would eventually he run before the fair closes. In con- nection with the motorcycle races it was announced by the official press bureau upon the authority of President Robert A. Brown that all amateur races had been called off and that stripped stock professional races would be given in place of the amateur ef- forts. This step is expected to prove of wide interest Professional riders in variaojy provide unusual thrills with their reckless daring. The races for today will include a 10-mile stripped stock professional and 10-mile open professional. It was announced by Ref cree Mitchell that Ray Cravinston, whose wrist was fractured. will be in the races by october 5. which is next Monday.
 While the attendance yesterday was q somewhat below the average there was no Encouragement manifested by the officials or the men in charge of the
 
 usual procedure is to discount a few bad days, hence there was no uneasi- ness felt on the part of the manage ment over the past three days that have been admittedly unattractive for outdoor amusements. President Brown yesterday was optimistic, saying that today and until the fair is over will see crowds the like of which have never been seen inside the fairgrounds be- fore. The past few days have served to give the. exhibitors and others time enough to get the last detail arranged. the situation every day. It was notice able yesterday that on the midway the seats had been made entirely comfort able The tents have been fully set and there is a permanency about the situation which is impossible to attain during the first few days except when k uninviting weather gives the employees time to complete their tasks. This fea- ture caused very flattering comments from the visitors yesterday.
 Agricultural Awards Made
 The agricultural awards were made yesterday and given out last night by \ the fair officials. The first prize was 7 won by Madison county by George Motz of Huntsville. He received from the association $500.
 The second prize, which went to Nor gan county through the efforts of Bal lew Brothers netted $500 to them, and it was of such interest that the ex- perts found difficult in deciding be- tween Morgan and Madison county ex- { hibits Shelby county won the third prize of $500, which was arranged by +. L. Chesnut of Monteval1o. The fourth award was made to Marion county py L. Jones for which $150 was given. while the fifth prize went to Montgom, cry county, arranged by ". U. NauItei of Naufte1 He received $l0U
 In the individual exhibits the judges gave the first prize to the Odd Fellows Home at Cullman, the exhibit being made by Ed Miller. superintendent. Bruce of Clanton, won s15O on the sec ond prize award, while the Alabama Girls Technical institute at Monte yallo. won the third prize. amounting to $100.
 The agricultural exhibits this year are said to surpass anything that has been attempted in this state to show what the resources of the farms amount to-. Ine arrangements are incomparable. ana are of such compelling interest as to attract persons ordinarily difficult to interest III matters pertaining to rural activites' . was stated yesterday by Joseph O' Thompson and J. E. Penny. both of whom arc extensive land owners, and what are / termed "big'' farmers, that the showing this year is better than ever before.
 Much Information
 ssThere is to be secured vast funu of inforrna ton about our state by vlslt to the farm exhibits" said MT. Thomp- son. "one can scarcely realize what tre- a,, mendous possibilities are available on the V farms of Alabama. We are capable or raising everything native to the soutn' and this fair shows that better than any thing that I have ever seen. l make it custom to attend this fair every year. and want to say that my interest was never moro fully aroused than by what l have seen today. This weather gave