The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-09-26
From Our Own Reporter.

The ride from St. Johnsbury to Feacham.
in the early morning, while yet the fog clings
to the valley, and the haziness of :ouns day
light fingers, is a pleasant one. You cannot
pass through Danville or Peacham, i'll any
direction, at any time between May and No
vembcr, without remarking upon the fresh
ness of the verdure, and the well-to-do look
presented by the farm buildings. For gra-
zing purposes. think no State in the Union
is so good as Vermont; and among Vermont
towns there are few, if any, better than many
of the towns in old Caledonia County.
think that stock-raising will soon come to be
more extensively engaged in by the farmers
of this State and New Hampshire. than hith-
erto, and will become the leading pursu of
agriculturists among us. The low and fall
ing price of grains in the West, and the cheap
ness with which they can be grown on the
fertile prairics. will accelerate this movement.
and in few years cqualize the cost of flour
and beef to something ike proportionate
rats.
Upon reaching tie village in Peacham.
where the second Fair of the " Peoples Agri-
cultural Society," was held. l found that a
commencement, and not a small one either.
had been made in this very direction. When
saw a team of Seventy Yoke of Oxen
come in from Barnet. another of Sixty from
Danvillc. besides those from other towns.
thought it time to conclude that the farmers
knew what to do with their green pastures.
and what use to make of barns full of hay.
The Barnet "town tcarx " drew farm-wag-
on decorated with cvergrecES. bundles Of
grain. string of corn. ana othlr product of
the farm and S.dcn, mucn after the MANNER
suggested III The CALIFORNIAN of the week
before. The remaining space WAS occupied
by men and boys. a big drum and a fife. which
sent ont cheering strains as the vehicle. above
which was beautiful banner. passed through
the street. checrcd cncouragingly on hy the
enthusiastic crowd. The Danvillc team WAS
in similar style. but not so ga;ly attired.
The oxen mentioned above, were the ,r",i;-
ing animals that do the blowing. cartirg. &c.
and necessarily were not so ia. and sleek as
exhibition cattle sometimes are: Vet. MANY
of them were ilnc animals. and an honor L.
the stock Of the County. As was q stranger
in Pcatham and in the other towns from
. which the fair WIS mostly made NJ. can
not part:cularize SO much as would other
Wis. be glad 10 do. was fortunate enough.
however. to learn that the owner of some >'!-
pcriur Devon cattle which greatly admired.
was Mr. Jonathan BatchclIcr Of North Dan
Vile He had on exhibition pur, Devon
bull. enc of the most faultlc>s animals ever
saw. and nurctccn Young cattle of his pater
'''''' -: ~..~ & IL r--'--' 'r'-~''
type. and WAS living proof of the >upcrori-
" of hloodcd stock Mr. Na,chcllrr> en-
dcavors to improve his stock. ana through
his. the ;.o,l; of the whole County. is de>rr>-
ing very considerable credit. Several other
gentlemen iii his and the nci.hborln- towns
are doing an excellent work in the same Ii-
rcction. and We hope to have an opportunity
TO Judge of their success in the County Fair
at ST John>burv.
The show of cows and Young ca,tle WIS
not large but noticed some very good ami
mails. and have no doubt that. had their own-
cr> taken tie trouble. many more could have
been present.
Among the horses on the ground noticed
the old Morrill, horse. stepping as lightly ard
proudly as cvcrand several others of the pro-
verbally good horses of the County. The
rain. which commenced in the middle of the
aft rnoon. deprived this par, Of the exhibition
of the greater portion Of It's attracti,cncs>.
and cannot speak so fully of the horses as
if they rad had better chance to display
their proportions and speed.
There were few vegetables exhibited. and |
saw no fruit. though there may possibly have
been % or two. OF dairy ,roducis the
show was better 4 few tubs of refined ma
pie sugar were greatly admired for their
Wilderness and purity.
In the ladies' department lady's eye
would have seen much to praise. There were
patchwork bcd-quilts and woven many-color-
cd blankets; embroidered skirts and inside
" fixins;' mats and rugs without number
flannel, stockings. yarn. and all substantial
homemade things. A splendid mammoth
boquet. contributed bv Mrs. John o. Cowles.
of Pcacham, was one of the chief attractions .
In the picture gallery there were four paint
ings deserving of mention-two of them land I