Year: 1862




From the Michigan Farmer


The State Fair.


The promise seems TO be at present, that
tho Fourteenth Annual State Fair will exceed
in interest any exhibition Of the kind that
has been held here. At the annual meeting
OF the Executive Committee last winter, the
President in his address strongly recommend
ed that efforts should be made TO encourage
more fully than had bseu the custom hitherto,
a development of tho mechanical department
of the exhibition, whilst at the same time, no
preponlcranco of any division should detract
from the interest felt in all the other depart
ments.


During the spring and summer, several
meetings CT the President with tho business
committee have been held for the purpose of
maturing the details and perfecting the ar
rangements, aad also to complete the lists Of
viewing committed. The work was complet
cd the last week in June, and the premium
lists was finished and given to the printer
1t is now ready for delivery on application
and a large number have already been mailed.


Amongst the charges and additions from
last years list, we note that specific premi
um is offered in the class Of sheep, for the
best bred French or Spanish Merino bucks,
which can show an unalloyed descent from
pure imported stock. This class has been
deemed worthy of a special committee; there
are also premiums and a committee for the
best aeecea Of wool that may be exhibited


The wool and sheep interest we think has
been attended to in tho arrangement Of the
premiums very fully and fairly, and we hope
to see very large display in this class.


The cattle breeders are looking forward TO
having fully as general turnout as they had
last season. Daring the winter We have had
an opportunity of seeing some of the stock
that is to be shown, and which has been bred
in our own State, and we feel assured that the
competition will be remarkable for the inter
est that will be enlisted.


In horses, there proms IS to be a very great
and even moro than usual competition. The
demands of the army have taken ou. of this
State large number Of horses, and, in fact
has cleared the fields of lot OF stock that it
was full time should 60 somewhere, and leave
room for better aud more improved stock.
If we may credit all we Lear, we should not
be surprised if an exhibition Of this interest
would be got up that would prove equal if
not superior in its features to the great horse
show so extensively noticed as to take place
at Chicago.


To the machirery and implement depart
meEt, however, it is determined this year to
give peculiar interest Measures have been
taken to provide for the holding Of blowing
match and trial Of rlows. under the charge of
a special COMMITTEES detailed for that purpose,
an uuin Ia nj fr,,I in, ha
most practical manner Of all implements and
machines that MANY be presented for exhib'
tion or competition. AT the season for hold
ing the Fair this trial cannot, of course, in.
clude mowers and harvesting machines, but all
such implements as plows, harrows cultivators,
seed drills and scarifers it is intended to oper
ate 80 as TO show their advantages and meth
ode of working. Again, it is the design Of
the Society TO provide steady fixtures and
running gear SO that those who desire to ex
hibit their mills, cutting machines and other
inventions requiring power to operate, shall he
able TO display them in complete running or-
der, and thus afford to the visitors as we'll as
the exhibitors unusual advantages. We hope
to see improvements inaugurated in this de-
partnent 10 tho most success ul manner, and
we are sure that from the character aud dis.
position Of the committees to whom the char
&c of carrying out this feature has been given,
that no exerlion will be lacking on their part
to render the whclo affair grand success
soeother permitting.


1t is not at present known who will deliver
the annual address. To the President, j. B.
Crippon, Esq, of Coldwatter, was committed
by special resolution, the duty Of correspond
iny with AMI inyilipg such citizens as he
might deem proper. We have no hesitation
in saying that, if it be possible, the orator will
be one whom the people of Michigan will
gladly come from every section to see and
hear.


The general programme for the Fair as ar.
ranged at present is published in the prem-
um list. As tho details are perfected, we
hope to be ablo to publish them from time to
time, 70 that our readers will be fully inform.
ed with regard to all the preparations for the
Fourteeclh Annual State Fair.