Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-10-07
srURpRIDGE AGRIoULrURAL FAIR.

sTURDRIDGE AGRICULTURAL FAIR.
The Sturbridge Agricultural Society held
its 18th Annual Cattle Show and Fair at Stur-
bridge, on the Sd and 4th Of October. This
society embraces II adjoining towns situated
in the stern and rocky hills, which cross the
western part of Worcester County. A long
time ago when the few first settlers in Stur-
bridge petitioned the Legislature to incorpo-
rate this territory into township, commit
tee of the Legislature, who were sent to ex-
anime the territory, reported that it was not
habitable by man, and the petition was not
granted. Subsequently, second petition was
made, aud the town Incorporated. Well,
muscle and sinew have here achieved a tri-
umph ever nature in some of her most sterile
and rocky forms, and changed the wilderness
into most fertile fields and luxuriant gardens.
The section of the State here represented is
best adapted to grazing and the dairy; but
skill and industry have subdued large portions
of it to excellent tillage. This Society has
done very much to secure the great and good
results which we now witness and the in
creasing interest which it has awakened de-
mand two days for its fair instead of one, as
in former years.
The storm which commenced on the eve-
ming Of the LIST day, and continued through
the NOR ming of the ID, laid the dust complete
ly, but did not at all dampen the enthusiasm
of our Sterling yeomanry in their noble call
ing, while it saved us the Inconvenience of
u: 81 81,
lines of pens would accommodate. The cat
tie, sheep and swine which were examined
on the morning of the first day, though less
in number than on some former occasions,
were pronounced better in quality and breed
than were ever before exhibited here, and su-
perior to the best that were shown at the
County Fair at Worcester, last week.
In the afternoon came the ploughing match.
The field selected was smooth, but full of
small stones, putting the ploughmen to a Sc
verer test than we ever witnessed before
There were seven competitors for the prizes,
and they were all fairly won, as appears from
the following awards of premiums. Adouble
Michigan plough drawn by six yokes of oxen
worked admirably among the stones.
On the evening. Of the second day the trial
of working cattle was rendered doubly Sc
we're by the rain and mud, but was nobly sus-
tanned We doubt whether any other section
of the State produces finer looking or SO per-
fectly disciplined working cattle as are annu"
ally exhibited here.
The Town Hall was filled with the produce
tons of horticulture, of the dairy, of the nee
die ard of various mechanic arts, too numer-
GUS to mention. The 40 varieties of pears
exhibited by Mr.. B. of N. B., and the more
than 100 varieties of apples, the grapes and
peaches, would tempt the appetite Of the YER
riest dyspeptic.
At half past eleven the address was deliv-
cred by Nathan Upham, Esq, young lawyer
of Sturbridge. His subject was the New Eng
land Farlner-ably discussed and well deliv-
cred, and repeatedly " brought down the
house."
In the afternoon came the testing of draft
horses, and the exhibition of carriage horses.
This was new and quite an additional fea-
ture Of the Fair Of this Society, as appeared
from the reports Of the committee, and shown
in the award of premiums
We are more and more impressed with the
importance and benefits of town and county
societies, to the agricultural interests of the |
State. Our farms and farmers have local |
habitation, and they are winning NAME
Their farms and products cannot be transport
ed, like the products of the artizan and the
manufacturer, and exhibited at our great State
Fairs. they must be seen at home and their
influence must be felt at home, on the hill
sides and among the valleys which they in
habit, or not at all. The State of Massachu-
sets does well and wisely, therefore, to bestow
her patronage and culture upon those local
agricultural societies, which are connecting
the different sections of her territory into SO
many gardens, and each striving to make its
own gardens superior to all others; instead of
overshadowing and dwarfng them by one
great State Society, and trying to bring them
together at one great State Fair, which, even
attended, would be to the majority ''main
show" worthless as to its home influence
upon the farmer, and therefore comparatively
useless to the State.
Ourtown society has more than $1,000 sub
scribed las permanent fund for its own growth
and usefulness. 1t will apply to the next
sa[.ssiaIaturn Cor an act of incorporation and
sss e.. tatifes ii General Court are
-1 our III and her yeornan
sssh sr 1890. tho sstsr. and No shall
70 enriaz. a..a .h -. State