Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-11-08
THE STATE AGRICULTURAL FAIR AT
HARRISBURG.

Agricultural Fair that has been held IN
Pennsylvania, il affords us much pleasure
in saving that il has fully met the expecta-
tions Of its most ardent friends as begin
ming, affording sufficient guarantee that
our future fairs may, in few years, vie
with any in the Union. The number oi
pefsofs--i,r attendance was much larger
thai many had anticipated, numbering pro-
badly on Thursday the 30th ult., not less
than 10000. The horses, cattle, swine,
sheep and poultry, afforded some fine spec-
mems OF improvement in our stock. The
fair was opened for the public on Wednes-
day morning and continued until Friday
evening. On Wednesday none but those
who became members were admitted, the
fee being one dollar, with the privilege OF
going in as often as they pleased. On
Thursday the admission fee was twenty
five cents. The amount Of money received
on Thursday, for membership and admis-
sion fees, was over $4,000.
The poughng match came off on Fri
day morning, and attracted great crowd
into the adjoining field of ten acres. There
were dozen or more competitors for the
best poughng, and the soil of the ten acre
field was soon turned bottom upward. The
ploughing done by Messrs. Prouty and
Barret, with one of their scentre draught
plows, we thought was unrivalled. The
Michigan double plow was awarded spe-
cial premium. This plow has two shares
and moudboards. The first cuts and turns
over The sod and the other turns over on it,
the soil beneath.
An old German from Lancaster county
appeared on the ground, with two cows at
tached to one old pow brought from Ger
many, 105 years old, using what appeared
to be stout shngle for a mould board
His cattle worked admirably amid the
shouts of the multitude that followed this
relic Of antiquity, which was happily in
troduced to show the difference between
ssinning and ploughing.
The display of agricultural implements
was highly creditable. We cannot say as
much however for the agricultural products.
We produced better grain and vegetables,
at our own County Fair. In needle work,
embroidery, quilts, &C., there was toler-
able fair representation, but not as good a,
there should have been.
There was long list of non enumerated
articles, some Of them highly meritorous
This list is always a large and important
one. The Committee on these articles
awarded but few premiums, believing that
| diplomas for articles OF merit, would be quite
as satisfactory. In this, we think, they
were greatly mistaken. Although diplo-
mas may be equal to, if not better than an
ordinary premium, yet custom has assigned
TO them a lower grade Of merit.
Among the most agreeable and pleasant
productions Of the soil, was SOME fHe do
mestic champagne wine, from the vine.
yard OF Mr.. Longworth of Ohio, called
sparkling Catawba and sparkling Isabella.
We tested the qualities OF both, in the hos
ptable tent of Judge Watts, the President
Of the Society, TO whose able and efficient
management much Of the success of the
Fair is justly due. The Society has been
| fortunate in securing the services of Judge
Watts. His talents, industry, and decision
Of character, united to department, ur-
bane and digniied, eminenty qualities him
for the station. On Friday about noon the
report of the Committees, awarding prem-
ums, was read by the President, after which
the officers and large portion of the peo-
! pie proceeded to the Capitol, 10 hear the
address Of the Hon. Andrew Stevenson,
of Virginia, who had been invited for the
occasion. 1t contains much useful infor-
nation and occupied nearly two hours in
delivery. This County was not as well
represented as it should have been, yet We
have Jared well in what was exhibited
Among the premiums awarded, the follow
ing are from this County:
To David Taggart Of Northumberland,
for best pair of fowls, $500
Chi,iagongs, 2,OC
To Miss Sarah A. Zeigler of Sunbury,
for best worsted embroidery, first
premium. $500
To II. B. Masser of Sunbury, for his
Ice Cream Freezer. $500
O. Nh. BUCHANAN AND THE STATE
FAR.-A number of newspapers motto,
that Mr.. Buchanan was attending the Stat,
| Fair at Harrisburg. Mr.. Buchanan wa
there one day, but did not feel disposed Il
encourage the project with his presenc,
during its continuance. We heard dis
tinguished Virginian remark that it wa
strange that Mr.. Buchanan could not max