The Portland daily press., 1868-10-07


horses sank into the soil SO as to impede their
speed. The first mile was made in $50. and
was won by Gilbrith's Knox colt. In this race
seven horses were distanced and received their
quietus. Before the next trial, and while the
trotting horses were resting-and they needed
rest, for they had wasted much wind and
strength in scoring-several stations were
brought out for exhibition. They trotted more
for show than for speed, and no note was taken
OF the time they made. After this exhibition
Mr. Langs "Gen. Knox" came out and trotted
around the course. He made fine show and
went over the ground as if he and his driver
knew exactly what they were about No note
was taken of the time he made, for he was not
put up to his full speed all the way ~ .siA 4
The horses distanced in the first heat for the
purse of $3.50 were Fearful, Young Abdallah.
Fanny, Jenny Lind, Snowfall, Sagadahoc and
Waterville Lady.
The second heat was won by Tempest in
2451-2 ertaa u a.r aa.ts 7..
The third heat was won by Gilbritb's Knoy
in24512. -ssr5s -.s sd
The fourth heat was won by Saoo in 2.47.
1t now being very dark further trottine for
this purse was postponed to 10 o'clock to day.
The exhibition of agricultural implements is
very large and contains great variety of use
full articles A long shed is filled with them.
and some are curiously formed and highly fin
ished, showing much mechanical skill and in
genuity. Every year brings something new in
this department. There is no limit to Yankee
skill and ingenuity. The articles are numer-
md bu fha
1t is true there is wisdom in exerting the more
strength when the tool is dull, but we believe
the more wisdom is shown in keeping the tool
sharp. The people of the last generation never
dreamed of the improvement that has been
made in agricultural implements. A vast deal
of hard labor Is saved by this Improvement,
and the end is not yet. Among great vare-
ty of useful articles We noticed a neat, simple
machine for picking apples from the trees,
called "Dinsmoore's Improved Yankee Fruit
Gatherer." 1t is brought all the way from
New Hampshire. This instrument is timely
as well as useful and ingenious Our fruit
growers know very well that the best apples
and pears grow on the topm0st branches and
upon the outside Of the trees, frequently on
slender limbs where they cannot be reached by
the hand, and this instrument does the work
most effectually. The consumer as well as the
grower has deep interest in this matter, and
especially tue former. When We purchase a
barrel OF apples for winters use, it makes a
good deal of difference in the value of them
whether they are bruised or not in the gather
ing. We esteem this fruit-gatherer decided
Improvement on all others we have ever seen.
AS the season is close at hand when winter
fruit is to be gathered, we trust every means
will be used to pick the fruit from the trees
with as little bruising as possible. We are
quite sensible that fruit growers are not al
ways so careful as they ought to be in gather
ing their apples. ad ~ = ie,.- ..s9s1d5 8
large crowd attended the Fair yesterday.
Many splendid private teams were on the
ground and the ladies in good numbers graced
the occasion with their presence. To-day, no
doubt, the number will be greatly increased
On the whole there is good prospect that this
enterprise will be crowned with perfect sue
cess.
FARMERS MEETING.
The opening meeting for the discussion of
agricultural subjects during the Fair was held
at the Common Council Room in City Hall
building last evening. There was large at
tendance. The President OF the Maine State
Agricultural Society, Seth Scammon, Esq, of
Scarboro, occupied the chair. The meeting
was called to order at quarter before eight o.
clock.
President Scammon briefly stated the object
of the meeting, and named the question for
discussion viz: EARN crops and insects inju-
rious to them, and how to destroy the insects
George E. Bracket, Esq, of Belfast, was
called up to open the discussion. Mr.. Brack-
EFT has devoted much time for years to the
study and investigation of insects, and his re-
marks were looked for with great interest,"
He regarded the subjectas of great extent, and
the question is where to begin. As to farm
crops, he was sorry that the exhibition this
year was not larger, although there are some
very fine specimens.
First-he called attention to "Wheat" and
the "Wheat nudge" The wheat crop in Maine
has been small, but of late years it has i'm
proved owing largely to the absence of the
nudge. Some call it enormously, however
"the weevel.' The nudge has existed in this
country for years. Some courageous farmers
have persisted in. closely following up these
pests and obtai ned fair crops This wear the
crop will be double that of last, partly on ac-
count of increased premiums by Agricultural
Societies, and partly owing to the absence of
the midge. The nudge has been both starved
out and also killed by its enemies of the insect
species-the latter fly smaller Van the nudge
itself.
Mr.. Bracket gave an extended and very in
teresting description of the condition of the
wheat crop, and the formation, growth and
habits of the nudge, offering many valuable
suggestions as to the mode of destruction of
the pest, the best OF which he regarded hand.
killing.
Barley and oats almost entirely escape the
ravages of insects in Maine. 1t is only when
insects are numerous that we notice them
They exist at all times, either in small mum
bers or in distinct localities e , W
Squashes were next noticed. Mr. Bracket
said he saw mammoth squash on exhibition
at the hall weighing some $50 pounds. He did
not to see a larger one; in fact he PREFER d
smaller squashes, such as the Hubbard. -
The little striped beetle, enormously called
squash bug, was then alluded to, and the best
way to kill it, is the sure way of doing so by
hand. Often this insect destroys whole field
ofsquashes and pumpkins in day. Every
one has theory Of getting rid of these in
sects, but the only way he advocated was "sep>
arate DEATH" He alluded to the box and fence
methods, but many will escape in these ways
Potatoes are Eastern Names principal CROP
Among the best of new varieties are the Early
Goodrich, Gleason, Early Rose and Others
He referred to the great damage in the West
from the potatoe bug of that section. The
bug here was very different insect. 1t is not
often that an insect preys upon crop in both
lara and bug form. He gave interesting de-
scriptions of the ten line pearmain bug and
three line bug, the black beetle, and other in
sects peculiar to crops. Death by hand was
also advised for this enemy of the staple article
of domestic cuisine. $50
Corn was next considered and the corn worm
at length referred to. The only way to get rid
of him is to dig him out and destroy him.
Some apply manurcs and alkalies but they are
not effectual. Plums were next mentioned.
Ehe scurculo is their greatest enemy and
should he checked in the larva state.
Apples are the principal fruit here usually.
but this year the crop is small, owing to vari
GUS causes. The caterpillar, bark louise and
borer were spoken of at length, and their habits
OF lite and modes of attack described with
c'earness. In winter, as you see the old dead
shell of the borer, look under it and Won will
find the eggs of the next springs insect. Then
is the time to destroy them, for when warm
weather begins they will come out in scores
and by summer will be large enough to suck
the sap of the fruit and tree. and in Tho foil