The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-09-26
Che Californian.
THE FAIR.

TIL E FAIR.
The busy year ha'h made its annual round.
fhe anniversary week Of the industrial
achievement of twelvc-month hath once
more interposed its interest and pleasant ex-
;citement. between the sordid days OF clank-
ing care that fill up the lives CT us who toll
AS in other years, the sun has shonc on the
ust, and en- the unjust. We. who with libc-
raj mind have used as not abusing the good
gifts of heaven: and We, who have been with
out other thought than how to appropriate to
selfish aims the bountics of life, of which We
are simply stewards,-upon you both have
been shOwcred a rich and abundant harvest.
Nature, from her secret storehouse hath fill
ed your barns and granaries. She hath Weld
ed for Your sustenance and comfort the re-
wards she always yields to industry and skill
Through all our widespread States the har-
vest has been more than plentiful. 1t has
been ample enough to save the country from
threatening financial disaster 1t promises
20 relieve us from the fear of commercial
bankruptcy. 1t has proved the great. sustain
ing Atlas that upbears the world
The farmers active labor in the field IS now
about to be suspended. The long winter,
wherein are golden opportunities for all sorts
2f pleasant possibilities is near at hand. In
s,hls intermediate space. IS something to mark
;he transition, come the Holidays Of the
Far.
- And here followeth our record of how
hey were celebrated -
FIRST DAY-WEDNESDAY.
The e1unoctial storm. bringing lowering
rainy weather for several days. still hung
+hreateningiy the first morning of the Fair.
Ii would seem that sufficient warning has now
been givcr against having the fairs within a
week of the crossing of the equinox, and it is
TO d hoped that it will hereafter We needed.
On this occasion. however after lasting long
enough to prevent many people from vcntllr-
ing out. and keeping at home many animals
and articles designed for exhibition. the wind
changed to a colder quarter the rain ceased.
and although chillingly cold. the prospect
looked quite favorable.
Following the order of the programme we
spent the forenoon examining the oxen on
the track. and the other classes of cattle in
their places. The number of oxen on ex-
hibition was not so large as last wear, as none
but a portion of the heaviest and handsomest
were on tie ground. Waterford. as usual.
kept her place in the first rank One woke
owned by T.. Graves. were said to be the
heaviest on the ground weighing 1900 lbs.
several other pairs were put on the scale $.
and found to weigh from 300 TO $500 lbs.
We never remember to have seen SO MANY
thoroughly yood cattle on exhibition here
before.
We have not room to mention here the
good animals among the other classes OF
cattle. end hence must pass them bv with a
single remark that the attention given to
stock raising, as shown by the cattle on OK
hibition, is very gratifying. 1t is Just as
easy to raise good OK or a good COW as it is
to raise poor one. while the difference to
the man of taste and to the man WHO wishes
to receive the greatest profit is vastly III favor
of the good animal.
These remarks are no less true in regard
to sheep. And we are sratificd to see that
the farmers of the County are awaking to the
claims Of sheep husbandry. 1t las been
sadly neglected of latc years. but under the
stimulus of high wool ard dear meat. it must
revive. Under judicious management it is qne
of the most profitable directions farmer can
turn his attention to- and those who saw the
sheep at this fair will know where to go if
they wish to engage in raising them.
The chief attraction in the afternoon was
the parade of the three Fire Companies of
the village. They never looked in better
trim. nor performed the drill evolutions more
skillfully. Our citizens justly take pride in
the fine appearance of our Firemcn. and place
great reliance upon their promptncss and cool
courage in case of fire. The few opportuni-
ties when they have had occasion to exercise
such qualities, showed that they were not
wanting in those requisites So essential to the
efficiency of fire department. During the
latter part of the day. the track was occupied
by the second class of horses. with foals and
colts from one to three years old The
show in this department was cool. \ lar
ger number than usual were entered, and we
judge that they were at least as good as in
former years.
The exercises of Wednesday closed by the
appearance of trotting horses on the track.
The weather during the day was cold and
raw, but the prospect looked bright for the
morrow, and anticipations were accordingly
cheering.
THURSDAY DAY.
The bright promise of the night before was
fully realized. \ more perfect autumnal d2X
could not well be imagined. At an early