Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-09-20
The Fair at Oraftsbury.

not notice it in full in last weeks Is
sue. The weather was all that could
be desired, and the show of stock
good as a whole, though somewhat de-
fcient in some classes, still in others
it was excellent. This society bears
the name Of " The Black River Valley
Agricultural and Mechanical Society :"
and we have wondered why the me-
chanics do not claim their fair pro-
portion Of the notice and premiums
Of the society. The society are will
ling to bestow both, but cannot give
premiums where nothing is exhibited.
In looking over the list of premiums
VIC find three premiums awarded in the
mechanical department, one for hand
cart, one for a washing machine, and
one for a cheese press. Where are
the carriage makers, the furniture
makers, the harness makers, the Gun.
ming workers in wood, metal, leather,
&C., who wish to advertise their
wares? Not at Craltsbury fair GER
tainly. There were two hundred and
twelve entries Of live stock and scarce.
ly an animal entered but was meri-
torious. The number Of working OK
en- was small, no town teams having
been entered and but few single pairs
There were lSwcyer several pairs Of
fine three years old steers, and the
lack of oxen on exhibition is doubtless
in part, at least, owing to the fact
that not near as many oxen are kept
by farmers in this vicinity as there
were fifteen years ago, a large part
of the farmers now doing their work
exclusively with horses. la the clas-
ses of dairy cows and calves there is
a marked improvement from year to
year, especially in the latter class
This year the ro,c of calves on exhi-
bition was really magnificent, cOnsid-
ering the small extent of territory
from which they were gathered. An.
other thing about it, has a good look,
that is the large number Of owners Of
the big young stock. 1t shows that the
"good stock fever is spreading. Six
months cid calves, weighing from four
to five hundred pounds each were
plenty, while those weighing less than
four hundred were the exceptions and
not the rule, and they were distribut.
ed through the different breeds though
the Durhams and these grades pre-.
dominated, We have not time nor
space to mention all that were meri
torious, where so many belonged to
that class. Indeed the committee
found it difficult to decide in some
cases, which were the most meritori
Gus. We would however mention 0
pair of twin steers, thoroughbred Dur
hams, exhibited by A. A. Randall
They were ten months old, and con
sequently could not be entered a:
yearlings, and some Of the owners o
spring calves thought it unfair fol
them to compete in that class. 81
they really seemed to form class by
themselves, and certainly if size anC
beauty could fill a class, they could
do it. Last year we thought we saw
the finest show of calves at this fail
we had ever seen, but this year WI
have seen q finer one. But where arr
all the fine calves we saw here las
year? Evidently most of them have
been disposed Of and have gone from
this section. A few however wer,
here and among them a pair of steer
that certainly deserve a special notice
We refer to the steers owned by Nh
Smalley of Hydepark, and purchase,
by him of E. L. Hastings, at the fai
here last year. At that time, if W
reccollect Alright, their weight wa
about 100 pounds, and the price pal,
for them was $65. They weighet
now after being driven from Hyde
park to Craftsbury, $3.50 pounds, an,
we were informed that Mr.. Smalle
had refused one offer $l75 for then
They took the first premium here las
year, and came back after the frs
premium for yearlings this year, an
it is needless to say, they got it, an
not only that but a large amount 0
admiration. We understand it to b
Mr.. Smalley's intention to take ther
to the State Fair at Burlington an
presume we may hear from them eve
among the great crowd of great ca
tie there. Geo. Nelson Of Craftsbur
had fine pair Of grade Devon yeal
lings which took the second premium
Among the cows and bulls were som
fine specimens of Durhams exhibite
by Messrs. Randall and Hastings {
Craftsbury, Cook Of Greensboro, Fo;
and Woodbury. Of Hardwick, and otl
ers. Devons by Geo. Nelson of Graft
bury; Ayrshires by D. Buchanan
Albany; and Attorneys by VIM. Brol
son Of Hordwick, and G. D. Aust
of Craftsbury; and perhaps Other
whose names we do not recall.
While looking over the differel
classes and breeds represented her
we were reminded of remark mac
by correspondent of the Standal
some three or four years ago, if "
remember Alright, that as far as
knew, there was not thoroughbrC