Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-10-05

The first annual Cattle Show, Flowing
| Match, and Fair, of the Farmers and Mechan-
! les Association of Sterling, took place Tues
day. The day was one of the finest which
could be desired, and everything passed off in
the most successful manner. The exhibition
of cattle was large, and the fruits and manu-
featured articles in the Town Hall, conferred
| great credit on the thriving farmers and me-
| chanics of the quiet and retired town of Ster-
ling. Forty-two pens were filled with fine
looking stock.
The exercises of the day opened with the
blowing match at nine o'clock, 10 teams con-
testing with great spirit. The trial of work
ing oxen followed, at ten, 10 yokes entering
into the contest. The trial of draft and car
riage horses, Is in number, closed the exer-
cises of the forenoon,
Attwelve o'clock, procession was formed,
under the Chief Marshalship of James A.
Pratt, and proceeded to the Congregational
Church. where the address, most able and
eloquent one, the same in substance as that
made by him at the Leominster Fair, was de-
livered by Rev. Rush r. Shipper of Worces-
| ter.
Starting with the idea that men andswomen
form the chief product of our farms, and that,
while educating the apple tree, the apple tree
educates us, the speaker discussed the moral
results of labor, as represented in the twofold
department of farmer and mechanic, dwelling
on the influence of machinery and the division
of labor, bringing comfort and culture to the
millions, yet encouraging manly individuality.
He closed with suggestions of the lessons our
day is teaching the farmer: first, of human
brotherhood; and second, of the law that, in
home, state, and church, as well as the farm,
we reap what we sow.
AT the close of the address, the procession
was reformed, and marched to the upper Town
Hall, where n substantial dinner for about 200
was provided by Mr.. Reed, of the Sterling
House. Mr.. Samuel Osgood, President of the
association, presided at the table, and divine
grace was invoked by Rev Mr.. Fairchild After
the dinner appropriate Introductory remarks
were made by the President, who complimented
the society on the great success which had at
tended this, their first exhibition. He said
farmers club was organized in that town over
two years since, the object of which was mu-
tual improvement, by means of discussions, in
terchange of views, &c. This club had frequent
meetings, during the long evenings of the win
last meeting in the early part of the spring, the
subject of debate was, "What further can the
club do, to promote the object of the Assoca-
ton 2" AT the close of the debate, it was
voted unanimously to have an exhibition and
fair the next autumn, the result of which was
that day experienced, in manner successful
and satisfactory to all concerned. The cc,o. .oyS
GRAFTON and aid of the ladiesse IN the matter was
ACKNOWLEDGE
Mr.. A. G. Hill of Harvard expressed great
satisfaction at the success of the show, saying
he had seen many county shows not equal to
it. Harvard though peculiarly an agricultur-
al town, must concede the palm to Sterling.
Capt. Sawyer spoke of the origin of the
society, and related many interesting facts
connected with the early history of the town.
Further remarks were made by Messrs. C.
A. Wall and Gen. Hobbs of Worcester j. G.
Thurston of Lancaster, and Rev. Mr.. Hoard Of
Clinton. The latter gentleman spoke particu-
larly in reference to the liberation of the wives
of farmers from much of the drudgery of I'M
necessary daily labor to which they are now
subjected All the speakers united in com
mending the sentiments of the excellent all
dress made by the orator of the day.
The company then retired from the tables
to witness the procession of the oxen on exhi-
ton, l03 yokes in all, which were brought into
line and made an imposing display.
Those who chose to do so then repaired to
the church, where the reports of the several
committees were made, and the premiums
awarded, as follows =
FAT OXEN AND COWS.