File:WayneCoFair 18Oct1866 p2 0002.pdf

• E. Foreman

• Wayne County Fair

A new and interesting feature of the display in Floral Hall, and one which attracted almost universal attention, was the exhibition of glass and queensware by Kite E. Harris.

Mechanics' Hall and the surrounding grounds were filled with an extensive variety of farm implements, splendid carriages, saddle, boots and shoes, cooper ware, pottery ware and drain tile, a hand loom, farm gates,, drag saw, washing machines and wringers, bee hives, marble work, musical instruments, an improved meat chopper, etc. etc.

Among the most noticeable features of the exhibition, was the array of splendid carriages from the judstly celebrated manufactory of our townsman John Beistle, Esq. We have seeen carriages, fitted up expressly for exhibition at State Fairs, but have seen nothing that excelled these splendid specimens of mechanical skill. Mr. B deserves well, and we doubt not will receive the patronage of an appreciating public.

From year to yer, great progress is made in the improvement of farm implements. Labor savign machinery is a necessity which cannot be dispensed with by the successful farer or mechanic, and he, who neglects to witness their exhibition at our annual Fairs, will be left behind nt he race for prosperity, by his more enterprising neighbor. For gathering the grain crop in the early days of some of our aged citizens, the smooth sickle was used, which soon gave place to the "toothed" sickle, that to the cradle, that to the reaper, which required two teas of horses and two men to operate it, that to the perfectly successful improved "self-raker" of Kline, Seiberling & Co., of Doylestown, and McDonald, Laughlin & Co.,, of Wooster. The world owes a debt of gratitude to these improvers of labor saving machinery, which is hoped will be fully paid.

The "mower" exhibited by E. Bail, of Canton, was a most perfect specimen of mechanical art. The arrangement of the gearing (which were cut by machinery) was such as entirely to prevent dirt of any thing from reaching it when in operation.

The "patent meat cutter, "exhibited by C. B> Becker, appeared to be an excellent improvement. It will probably be extensively used by our butchers, but is somewhat too expensive to be generally used in private families.

Farmers and others will profit by the exhibition of which the several patent farm gates, which were applicants for public favor. We cannot too highly commend the display of farm implements and machines exhibited by McDonald, Laughlin & Co., or the horse power and drag saw by Chapman, Barrett & Co., or the great variety of useful machines, by various exhibitors, which were well adapted to the purposes for which they were intended. Our space will not allow us a more particular notice.

Of farm and garden products, the display was not large, but excellent. The season ahs not been favorable for the production of some varieties, and for others, their time of greatest excellence had passed. Upon the whole, the show was creditable and the quality excellent. The show of bread, butter, honey, sugar, molasses, syrups, etc., was very fine but not large.

In the department of stock, the entries were quite limited, but the quality excellent, particularly in horses and sheep. We regret that the unfavorable weather and the consequent bad condition of the roads prevented a larger exhibition of cattle, sheep and swine. Many from remote parts of the County failed to reach the Fair during its continuance. We were unable to learn the names of many of the exhibitors of fine horses, but from the testimony of competent judges, it was the best exhibition of good horses that was ever seen at our County Fair.