STATE FAIR, 1876 



HELD AT JACKSON IX SEPTEMBER. 



As will be seen by the register of entries, this was one of the largest fairs of 

 fruits and flowers ever held in the State. The hall, though most tastefully 

 decorated and trimmed in a most beautiful and artistic manner, was wholly in- 

 adequate in space and light for the occasion. The large, costly, and truly grand 

 collection of plants made by Mr. Cooley, of Jackson, was consecpiently placed 

 in the new and spacious Fine Art Hall, where it formed the marked and splen- 

 did feature of the fair. The Van II af ten collection of flowers from Kalamazoo, 

 was also most tastefully arranged in the new hall. The magnificent collection 

 of plants and flowers made by Mr. Ilibbard, were placed in the center of the 

 old hall, where they attracted thousands by their lovely beauty and fragrance. 

 Mrs. Andrews also had there a few rare and beautiful plants. 



In the pomological exhibition, the great feature of the occasion was the dis- 

 play of fruits under Prof. Cook and his assistants. No such instructive 

 exhibition has ever before been attempted in this State. It will thus be seen 

 that the fruit and flower fair for the centennial year was in our own State an 

 unexpected success to many. The appropriation of £1,000 made by the State 

 Agricultural Society was fortunately large enough to pay all premiums. The 

 amount of premiums awarded did not exceed the appropriation, and all were 

 promptly paid. Checks were issued on Saturday, the last day of the fair week, 

 for nearly every premium. The only adverse comment that can be made in 

 regard to the fair was the lack of attendance on the part of some of the officers 

 of the society. It was unfortunate that the llower department had no head, 

 more unfortunate that the grand display of canned fruits by the ladies of the 

 State had no Superintendent to give it proper space and place. Two members 

 of the Executive Committee, Messrs. Chilson and Cook, were obliged to do 

 double duty, while Treasurer Adams was obliged to neglect his own duties to 

 the receiving and placing of fruit, and Superintendent Webber was called up- 

 on to act in a half-a-dozen capacities at one and the same time. 



We have only to add that it is simply impossible to make a successful fair 

 upon any such principle or division of labor. There must be order, system, 

 and a head to every division or department. When exhibitors put themselves 

 to the trouble of bringing apples, grapes, pears, peaches, dried, canned or pre- 

 served fruits, or flowers, they should be met promptly and cordially by a 

 Superintendent of each of these divisions, and by one who knows where each 

 article should be placed. The following is the 



