The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-08-17
Our Fair.

Owing to the severity of the drouth it be-
came questionable in the minds of some of
the Executive Committee of the Caledonia
County Agricultural Society whether it was
best to proceed with the proposed day of sale
at The coming Fair. On inquiry it was learn
cd that many owning the best stocks in the
county would not present them this Fall on
either day. 1t was thought best, then, to
have a meeting of executive committee to
consider the matter. Accordingly notice was
given to each member of the committee to
meet August 6, to consider whether they
should 90 forward with the day of sale, and
also whether it would not be best to with
craw the premiums on cattle altogether, as
the State and ether fairs had done, and turn
their attention this year to other agricultural
matters
The meeting was very generally attended
by the committees, and hearing the opinions
Of the farmers from nearly all parts of the
County, and fully discussing the subject, it
was voted that the Society Withdraw all pre-.
miums offered on cattle this year, and dis
pense with the third day of the Fair, Sept.
IS, designed for day of sale. The reasons
for such action on the part of the committee
are obvious. The fact that an insiduous, ia
tai ard contagious disease, which has baffled
thus far the most skillful veterinary doctors
of the cd world, has broken out in an ad-
joining State that it has so alarmed that
ard other States, as to induce legislative re-
stralnts upon transporting cattle from place
| to place, and that our State and many county
societies have Withdrawn their premiums on
cattle, seem to indicate that it is the part of
prudence, at least, to refrain from collecting
the cattle of even our own county together.
lis true. the disease is not known to exist
within our State, and perhaps no: within ma
ny miles of us-and We hope it never may
yet II by chance a rumor should be start
ed OF Its existence in the county or State be-
tween now and the assembling of the Fair,
1t would destroy the Fair. Many farmers
now, even, We learn, say that although they
know of no danger from bringing their cat
tie to the Fair, still they prefer to keep them
secluded this year, if possible, from all cattle
except their own herds. Should an infected
animal by chance be brought to the Fair, and
the disease spread through the county, we
feel it would be a calamity toogreat to be ev-
er recovered from-too great, certainly, TO
be risked-for the benefits derived from as
Sembling the cattle at our Fairs.
Such are some of the reasons that have in
duce1 their action. We know full well il
will disaproint many who with us have de-
lighted greatly in the magnificent exhibition
OF flne cattle that have annually sraced our
Fairs. We hope, however, that they will
not lose heart or their interest in the Socie-
ty and It's prosperity. We fully believe that
there are other agricultural matters of inter
est which may pleasantly and proftably occu-
py our attention the two days of the Fair
That such matters may be presented, and
that the Fair may be rich feast both 10 the
eye and mind of all lovers of Agriculture, no
exertions will be wanting on the part of the
committee.