Year: 1879

The following information as to what
is being done in preparing for the ap-
preaching state fair we take from the
Detroit Post and Tribune. ThereDwas a
large crowd of people at the ground Mon
day afternoon on the occasion of the let
ting of ground for booths, eating stands,
etc., for the approaching fair. The lots
fronting the main avenue were let for
the uniform price of 81 a foot front, and
about twO-thirds of the ground set apart
for that purpose was let, the receipts
reaching nearly $1,000. This is much
better showing than was ever made al
any similar letting of ground.


Quite number of those who cOntem-
plate being exhibitors at the fair. were
on the grounds making inquiries and in
vestigatiOns about desirable locations
for placing their exhibits. )Secretary
JOhnstOne says that up to the present
time there has been a much larger mum
ber of entries and applications for space
than at the corresponding period before
any previous fair in this state. This in.
dicates that the coming fair will eclipse
all its predecessors in the number and
variety of the articles exhibited.


Work was commenced on the building
for the exhibits from the northern cOun-
ties of the state. 1t will be remembered
that the newer counties in the northern
portion of the lower peninsula design tt
make special showing of what they art
capable of doing. For this purpose they
will have hall of their own, adjoining
the main exhibition building.


Work was also commenced on the eX
tension Of pOmolOgical hall. This build
ing is to be considerably enlarged by al
extension of the west wing, so as to af
ford increased shelf room for the display
Of fruits, giving more space in the TO
tunda for what the florists have to show
This feature was rather neglected last
year, through lack of space, and the fact
was commented upon by those who die
not understand the circumstances of tht
case. The florists of Detroit are not sur
passed anywhere, and they can make al
exhibit which i'm itself will be worth the
price of admission to the grounds if they
set themselves about it in earnest.


The additions to the main building
the agricultural wing, and the building
for the dairy department are already in
forward state of progress. They will
be entirely completed within the next
two weeks if the weather continues IA
vOrable.


A. O. Hyde, of Marshall, superintend
ent of the horse department, was On the
grounds looking after the condition Of
the stalls, making arrangements for put
ting them in order, etc. He was greatly
pleased with the show of horses last year
and expresses the belief that this years
exhibition will be fully equal to if il
does not eclipse that of 1878.


The shed devoted to carriages, wagons
and sleighs will be increased to double
the capacity Of last year. 1t was theI
found to be too small and some of tht
wagons had to stand outside, Doubling
its size will probably afford all the room
that will be needed in that department
Some Detroit exhibitors are looking
about the grounds and selecting sites OF
which to erect buildings for their owl
special purposes. There were three o,
four such buildings last year. Thei
number will be increased at the coming
fair. This will afford more room I'M TIN
main building and make a larger ant
more interesting show. ,,s.f ,,o-.,-