Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-10-07
Agricultural Fair.
BARRETT HOUSE, Burlington,
CT 90 1QgQ


closed in this city, which promise had been
well nigh forfeited by my falling in with
some very excellent singers, and good
portion Of the forenoon is unexpectedly
gone whilst we have been INDUCING in q
quartette. But if the Mckee should not be
in too much of a hurry, will probably be
able to give you very hasty description OF
what have seen in Burlington.
THE Southern Iowa Horticultural Society
has been in existence some years, and its an
sDual exhibitions have been constantly in-
creasin. in interest 4 splendOr. The exhibit
ton this year was held in Marion Hall the Now
building erected by Messrs. Rand and Starr
and rented to the county for a shor: term OF
years for court house, public Offices, NC.
The external appearance is no more beauti-
full than the internal arrangements are con-
yenient and safe, there being several ire
proof vaults connected with the different
Offices. These public spirited gentlemen
certainly deserve all the Communications SO
libeI ally bestowed upon them by the press
for thus erecting a Court House with all
the necessary appurtenancss; and l Will
most cheerfully join in these Communications
but not on the ground of the 'disinterested
Ibenevolence" of the gentlemen, but because
] they conceived and carried out an enter
prise which will pay Is or 80 per centum.
+ On the afternoon of Wednesday Idropped
fnto Marion Hall, and such display OF
fruits and flowers never have seen, nor do
expect to see again, unless it should be
my good fortune to visit Burlington at some
future exhibition. There were three tables
running nearly the full length Of the hall,
and one across the end, all heavily laden
with the finest apples, peaches, pears, plums
and grapes that an epicure ever looked at
| interspersed with the most magnificent how-
ers, charming the senses and making one for
get even the beautiful ladies who were Aut-
tering around, examining, arranging, criti-
cising and admiring everything in tins little
world of beauty.
" There were probably on exhibition someI
(250 varieties Of apples, 20 or 80 Of pears,
20 or % of plums, Is or 20 of peaches, and
I of grapes. The -.verys, Nealleys, Leon
ards, &C., &c., were there in their strength,
and how it is possible for men to become
sufficiently skilled in pomology, to award
distinctive premiums in such universally
Astounding superiority, is beyond my con-
ception. The display of flowers was not so
! grand as last year, on account of the contin-
! ued dry weather. Several very intelligent
fruit gentlemen were there from distance,
and they all appeared willing to acknowledge
! that they had never seen the display equalled
in the west, except, probably, Cincinnati.
But the great gala time was ut night, when
j. W. Grimes, ESQ.,, was to address the So
ciety. Anticipating crowd, we went early,
| in order to procure seats, but We We're dis
appointed, us the vast hall was already filled,
as we supposed, to its utmost capacity; still
some hundreds or less came in at ier We did.
Mr.. Grimes address was ably conceived and
happily delivered; although We could not
Asce the speaker, we heard every word of it,
Nnd whilst we admire 1t rs an able and elo-
qucnt production, We must be permitted to
consider some of the views set forth rs
somewha: ultra.
The following day and evening the hall
was kept open for the accommodation OF
visitors. The association resolved TO box
| up their specimens and send them to tn:
"North-western Fruit-growcrs' Conven-
! ton" held during the present week in Chr
cago. Mr.. Avery was appointed the dele
gate, and he, together with the gentlemen
/ whom he represents, will be much disap-
4 pointed IL they have, even serious compet-
ton, in that large assembly.
/The Agricultural Exhibition wss held a
hnile and d half frem town, on the Louisa
icounty plank road; it was respectable for
the first attempt, but unfortunatclyit was to
greater or less axtent, under the control
and management of the same men who had
control Of the Horticultural Exhibition, and
both being he'll at the same time, one must
necessarily suffer, and it is to be feared that
the greater intere t was sacrificed to the
less.
There appeared to be want of prepare,
ftion and system in the management of the
whole concern. Many of the animals were
shut up in rail pens from 4 to fee high,
thus precluding the possibility OF viewing
them satisfactorily. The grounds were en-
closed by an ordinary board and rail fence,
with several avenues of entrance besides the
one all round, which men and boys were
constantly availing themselves of, in order
to save 20 cents. The ground was very
rough and uneven, affording no opportunity
to see horses move, either uncer the saddle
or in harness; several cattle We're permitted
to run at large, much to the annoyance of
every person, but especially to those who
were exhibiting cattle. The entries in the
aggregate were quite numerous; in some de-
partments, however, very limited. There was
but one man entered sheep-Mr. Ramsay,
from Washington county, Penna. Some l2
or IA hogs were exhibited, principally grades |
OF the Berkshire family, number of which |
were very good, but none attracted SO much |
attention as a pair of Suffolk pigs, owned by |
Mr.. Grimes. In the cattle department there |
were numerous entries, and amongst them |
some very good individuals, but none at /
tracted the crowd like DIR. Weeds Dsvons,
of Muscatine. lie could not compete for
the county premiums. but under the head Of
discretionary premiums, he carried off Eve
out of the six entries made. The number
of horses entered, surpassed all expectation
lin fact, the field was full of stations, good
bad and Indifferent, of all colors, forms and
qualities. g
MIR. Stars s.Black Hawk" was not enter
ed for premium, but was on exhibition
He is fine looking horse, carries himself
splendidly and moves as though he ssdisdain-
cd the EARTH" he is called d g Morgan" but
does not possess single characteristic of
that family, except his superior movement.
In the class of Agricultural implements
there were several very superior plows and
wagons entered, the names Of the manufac-
turers do not remember. On the after
noon of the second day, cold, disagreeable
rain commenced falling just ut the hour
when the address was to have been delivered
by Mr.. Magoon, in which every person who
knew the gentleman, expected a rare treat
The awards OF the judges were read and the
society adjourned, every person apparently
in good humor, although somewhat disap-
pointed by the unpropitious weather.
1t may do very well for your good people
to boost of the growth, business and natu-
raj advantages of your city, bat when you
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