Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-09-26
Wilmington Agricultural Society.


large concourse of people from all the adjoining re-
gon, who we're attracted by the fame Of her cattle
With an energy peculiarly Characteristic to this
town, the citizens thereof purchased grounds and
enclosed them, fitted up pens, and built Floral
Hall. for the accommodation of those who wished to
exhibit their productions. These fixtures are per-
manent and they reflect great credit upon the
town. The exhibition in every department was
credtabe, but in neat stock it excelled that Of any
County or State Fair we have ever attended.
About 40 pairs of working oxen and steers
were on the ground; and their merits were patent
to every observer. The number Of milch cows WAS
small but their quality was OF the highest order.
The difficulty attending the getting out ofths class
of stock, is great; yet we would suggest to our
friends in that town the propriety of exhibiting, at
their next Fair hundred or more Of their best
cows. Such a show would attract visitors from
abroad and would serve to acquaint the public with
the sources from whence their valuable young
stock is derived. 1t would make more pleasing
sight than we accustomed to see. Where all
the stock is mertorious it is difficult to dscrim-
mate. We will therefore content ourselves with
this general statement of its merits, especially ~
propose to give lengthy account Of its origin.
The mechanical and household departments were
well represented the butter, cheese, honey and
maple sugar were all of the best quality. The
amount Of the latter commodity manufactured in
Wilmington, the present year is truly surprising.
Returns from all the Districts in town but one
show the amount OF maple sugar made to be 1881
7S3 pounds; the returns from the other District
would swell the amount to over 100000 pounds,
or a hundred tons of this valuable article. The
premium list will tell the story in these depart
mcnts.
Want of space compels to be brief in our
tice Of the Fair We shall recur to it hereafter and
notice some Of the points of interest more in detail
For the following facts in relation to Wilmington
Cattle We are under obligations to our friend, {.
7. Alyord. Some of them were published several
years since in the PmGNIx. but the increased in
terest that is generally felt in the improvement Of
neat stock, will warrant their reproduction.
WILMINGTON CATTLE
1t is well known that for the last twenty-five
thirty years the town of Wilmington has maintain
ed a decided superiority over every other town in
the county in regard the excellence of its cattle,
and at no time has this superiority been more
marked more generally acknowledged, than the
present. We have thought that it might interest
other readers of the PHGNIN to be informed Of the
improvement in this town.
Previous to the period above named all the stock
in Wilmington was of the old native breed, and
this in course Of rapid degcneracy from the
practice Of breeding in and in. At this time gem
tleman by the name of Elijah Hill, moved into
town from LEBANON, " II. His judgment had
been somewhat instructed in regard to stock, and
the marked defects of the Wilmington cattle did
not escape him. lie went to Lebanon, purchased
of the Shakers two long horned Durham Bulls, and
brought them to W. These bulls were kept there
two seasons but were little used There was
sturdy prejudice to be overcome, it WAS by no
means generally admitted that improvement was
desirable or possible. The obvious superiority of
these animals over the small l-favored native bulls
WAS set down by many as the result of extra feed
ing, or accident. But it was found that this su.
periority was communicated TO their calves The
cross ahead Of the native breed in size, form,
docility, milking properties, stalling and labor.
The cows were excellent mixers, and we've gcner-
ally kept until II IA years old, and were always
held at high prices. Mr.. Alanson Parmaee sold n
COW, one of the best specimens Of the cross, for
500, she was IA years old at the time. Mr.. Dennis
Parmseo bred yoke of oxen from one Of the Hill
bulls, which he sold for $780, at time when ma
tive oxen of the same age would command but
from 40 to 60 dollars. During the ten years that
succeeded the introduction Of these bulls, the far
mers bred from their descendants which was
nothing more than relapse into the old custom Of
breeding in and in. Every neighborhood, perhaps
almost every barn yard WAS duly Differed with il.
bull, all within the prohibited degrees of relation
ship to the cows with which they run The result,
Of this violation Of all rule, was, that the partial
improvement that had been secured, began rapidly
to disappear. This course of retrogresson was a,
THE time however, arrested by the introduction by
the late Russell Fitch, Esq, of the short horned
Durham Bull-Comet. The grand dam of Comet
was imported by George Tibbetts, Esq, of Troy
n Y, and was with calf, when imported, by al
English bull, which is understood to have beer
three fourths Short-horn, and one-fourth Devon
shire and the general belief that there was dast
of Devonshre in this calf (Which was a BULL is il
some justified by the fact that its color
u bright red. The calf was sold, when three day,
DID, to Hart Rogers of iioosic, n. u, for $50, wht
kept him in that town for cows for II series O
years. and the praise of his stock is even now il
q the mouths of all breeders in that region. Come
was sired by this bull upon a full blood Durham
f COW, and was four years old when purchased by Nj
Fitch,-his color was bright red, weight 220t
r pounds. He is said to have been one of the mos
perfect animals ever bred or brought into the State
=, He was crossed the first year with some of tn
COWS got by the Hill bulls and with now and thel
superior specimen Of the native breed. The sec
ond season it is said he had less business than tn
FIRST but by the third season the conviction becam
n general that great improvement was in progress
r and he was patronized from all quarters. Hi
r. stock was of high order of excellence, and ha
a ever been in great demand. Ileifers got by hin
brought from 20 to rs dollars, while the best ma
n tives were selling for from 10 to $l2. Farmer
yielding to the tempting bride of Ugh prices, rare
ly kept working oxen of his getting, or descende