Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-09-16
Agricultural Fair.

The Black River Valley Agricultural Soci-
ETY. held it's second Annual Fair at South
Craftsbury, on the grounds of A. A. Randall
Sept. 9th and 10th.
The weather the first day was very unfa-
vorable, as it commenced raining at 10 AN ,
and continued to rain hard until 4 Pm.
There was considerable stock on the grounds,
but no display was made and no premiums
awarded. At Pm. proceedings were adj
journed until 9 AN. of the next day.
The second day was pleasant, and at s AN,
cattle, horses, sheep, etc, commenced arriv-
ing on the grounds. There was not large
display of animals of any kind, with the
exception of calves, of which there was a
large number of excellent ones. One belong
ing to Thomas Boyington, of Hardwick, at
the age of six and one-half months weighed
$50 lbs. Mr.. A. A. Randall exhibited a pair
which weighed 900 lbs. They were well
broke, and drew small cart around in which
were seated three young girls, who added
greatly to the amusement of the collection by
singing some good songs On the whole, the
animals may be set down bulls excellent :;
cows and young cattle, ordinary horses,
very fair The best time was made by I.
Patterson's horse, il. 3 p. There was no
purse raised, and the premium for trottng
was not sufficient to induce the owners of
fast horses to speed them.
The annual address was delivered by Hon.
George Wilkins, of Stowe, at l Pm. He
confined himself principally to the discussion
of the Importance of increased attention in
the breeding Of domestic animals. He esti-
mates the aggregate value of produce fed to
animals in Vermont for the past year, at for
ty millions of dollars, and remarked that it
depends the mode of feeding this produce
whether it results in profit or loss. He fur
Their said that there was no occasion for uncer-
tainty in breeding animals like must produce
Ike, -and if you always sell your poorest,
your stock must improve. But one quarter of
the stock in Vermont yields any profit.
Some farmers keep the profitable quarter on
ly, and some only the improbable three quar-
tiers. Many may have aStornPtod Improve
ments in stock and failed, but it is simply
on account of lack of skill and judgment
If it had not been for an accident, whereby
was obtained the Morgan breed, Vermont
would be far behind other states in horses.
The average price of horses in Vermont is
$40, in New Jersey, $40. The value of
horses in Vermont amounts to about four
millions of dollars and the value of the
horses in Orange county, n. Y, is about FIVE
! ILL
county has made the difference and if we
had as good stock horses as they have, ours
would be worth forty instead of four millions.
He claims that Vermont is running behind in
the breeding of horses !; that is, in comparison
with other states and that our best Morgans
Black Hawks, ETC.. have gone west, because
they understand the subject there better than
we do.
The music was furnished by the Greensboro
Cornet Band, under the supervision of Prof.
Fales, of Montpelier, and assisted by four
members of his band at the latter place. The
performance were good, altho ugh the band
is yet in it's infancy, and its members have
learned but few pieces. They were enter
tanned at the new residence of Mr.. Amasa
Scott.
Floral Hall was not overstoc ked with artl-
Giles. The vegetables were fair in appearance
but small. Sugars were excellent. Butter and
cheese such as Vermont women always make
The Fair as whole was not as good as that
of last year and the officers blame only the
weather clerk for the circumstance. About
two hundred persons were present the first
day. and one thousand the last day. Good
order prevailed throughout, owing to the
efficient officers Of the society, and the roeah-
ness of somebody's conversation ioater. But a