Litchfield enquirer., 1857-09-24
Gbe Gittgdelb Gnqnuu,
Litchh eld, Conn, Ihurs6ay Sept. 24, 1857
OUR COUNTY FAIR.

Human ingenuity we believe, has not yet discov cred means whereby to control the elements and as the board of underwriters who insure tne wca- CT Fair days, not in session last week, tl.e Committee of Arrangements for Cattle Show compelled to give way to the storm The first day. however, was satisfactory to all pal ties: prom sing well for the exhibition Thursday which came off before Limited number of witnesses who stood about where mud several inches in depth.
 The display of cattle, especially working oxen, exceeded in number and beauty that of last year, There less number of COWS and yearlin-s, and these nearly all Uf the Dcvonshire breeds. We glad to several fine short-horncd bulls from different portions of the county. This shows that our farmers are waking up to the importance ot a thorough change in tlic character of their stock. If we to become catle-raising and beef fatteninG district, certainly must materially improve tEe breeds of cattle. And it sccms taking into con- shlcration the nature of soil and the entire change of domestic arrangements in families that this must at length be the grand business of Iitc,i cld county farmers.
 The large families of sons and daughters which graccd our farm houses, filled our school rooms, and made merry our Thanksgiving Festivals, are fast disappearing. In place of the patriarch sire, that led his nine or ten boys in the hay fields, and in wintcr drove into town at the head of as many loads of wood as he had sons, We pow find one indi- >idual surrounded by some hali-dozen foreigners, none of whom adopts at the trade of farming: while at the farmhouse the buxum osy-cheeked girls absent and their places supplied by Irish or German servant maids.
 Of the wages of these hell pers is sore draw back upon the profits of the dairy, to say nothing of the inferior quality of the articles produced. We are not disposed to find fault with our sarmers for not havin. more sons and daughters. We leave that subject for another tliscussion But they de not and those few they do have they educate for some calling higher than that which Cincinnatus lef the state to retire imto wish them carefully to consider such labor will be most profitable and most easily accomplished And il seems to ,,s the raj ing and fattennS of cattle is the most natural and remunerativc of all business which they en- ter upon We would except the cutting down of eve ry stick of wood on the grounds, and dragging them to the railroad an Ioating away some five six hours at the depot. If such is the fact, jet us at once turn to considering the cattle which will fat the easiest make She most beef, and meet the most ready sale
 There were probably upon the ground who did not observe the fine bulls and COWS of Mr, Hitch cock, of New Preston. Can any better answer |" given to the enquiry wla bree Is arc the best than the splendid app.ala1ce of his animals We wish it were in our power give him the credit which Is his due for his exertions i'll the mlttcr of bringing into this county superior breeds of cattle and sheep, but we cannot and it seems marvellous to Us that his cxertions have not excited more of farmers to do likewise.
 There were upon the grounds pair of oxen said to te natives, though are sure we detected ev- dcncc of good deal of the Durham iA one of them owned and fated by MT. Lyman, of Goshen. We have seldom seen finer cattle. Now we do not be- lieve it cost any to fat those cattle than it would pair of ordinary sized Devons. If did not what an advantage is gained the attempts to make beef from smaller animals
 Under this head, would speak of sheep and hogs With dairy to assist, there is probably'no more profitable business than that of raising hogs, and we are glad to see the movement which is ta- king place in regard 50 the latkr. There is not a finer or more beautiful breed of hogs than the Suf folk It was pleasure to look upon those on exhi- bition at the Fair and are sure any farmer who