The Alaska citizen., 1916-09-04
Tanana Valley Fair Starts This Morning Hall is Bower of Beauty--Many Displays

~hpaNeS noticed were some of those from the government experimental arm. Charles DesJardien's ranch, Rickerts farm and (. A. David sens ranch. To the visitor who has heretofore believed that it is impossible 10 ripen grain in Alaska, this will certainly be a revelation.
 Next to the grain exhibit is the stage for the musicians who will decorated with greens and mosses, while around the outside are placed potted plants. geraniums, asters and the like. The background is an other product of MT. Thimme's brush. It is lake scene. depicting two moose drinking from the wa ters of a small lake. while the sky is tinged with the gold and crim- son streaks of the setting sun.
 On the far side of the stage is the masterpiece of the whole eX. hibit. a representation of the gov ernment experimental farm at Ester Siding. This is an exact replica of the original farm. and was copied in exact detail from a panorama photograph by MT Steil, who ar ranged this part of the hall. Here are to be seen all the buildings of the experimental farm, looking just as they do in the original while the garden patches in front of the buildings are composed of the very same products that the correspond ing patches out at the farm are. To the left and stretching out into the distance are the grain fields, with their sheaves standing on end For a space there are real sheaves of grain, and then in the distance the sheaves have been painted on can vas Directly in front of the build ings lie the potato patches looking just as they do after the first frost has nipped them, and here also can be seen some dug up, showing that the work of taking in the crops has begun The background is a canvas painted by MT, Thimme, showing the birch trees just as they are out on the Ester hill To one who has suddenly come upon the farm and seen the white line of birch trees standing like senti- nels on the ridge the picture will be intensely interesting. In the distance can be seen the smoke of train approaching, perhaps the engine of the Panama Valley rail road, or perhaps the artist, look ing into the future, intended it to represent the smoke of the first car over the government railroad It is impossible to give good de scription of this part of the eX- hibit, and it really must be seen to be appreciated.
 Beyond the farm view lie the vegetable exhibits, wonderful, as they always are, and proving that the inhabitants of the interior can sup port themselves on what they raise. Here are seen vegetables of all kinds. Cabbages, turnips, potatoes. vegetables of every kind are ar rn1 ah in D c one hungry just to look at them. The main vegetable exhibitors are P. J. Rickert, Joe Grljevic, Charles Blazer, Vincent Matetich, Charles DesJardiens and c. R. Davidson.
 At the end of the vegetable exhibit lies the cosy corner, where are to be seen furs, curios, Indian baskets and articles of that type
 ' Next to this is the woman's fancy work exhibit, in charge of Mrs. Geo. NJ. Smith. Here are to be seen the representations of the women of the city and their skill with the needle and there are certainly some wonderful pieces of work. Even a man could appreciate the work that must have been put in on some of the articles in this exhibit, so they are sure to prove fascinating to the female visitors.
 In the center of the hall lies the floral display, arranged by Andrew Anderson It is a beautiful thing, artistically arranged, and presenting the full beauty of the most pleasant thing about our gardens. In the di- rect center of this exhibit is tall birch tree stretching nearly to the ceiling. Around it are clustered climbing nasturtiums, reaching al most to the top of the tree. Around the tree there is a hedge composed alternately of cypress shrubs and stalks. To the far side of the tree 1 lies a bed of asters red, white and purple, with blossoms the size of chrysanthemums On the other side lies bed of giant pansies. present ing a beautiful display of colors. Around the whole floral exhibit are arranged two hedges. One is con- posed of small spruce shrubs al ternated with stalks, while the other is composed of spruce shrubs and large marigolds.