Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-10-19
NO. 24s
LETTER FROM BRISTOL.
BRISTOL Mills Oct. 13, 1870.

BRIsToL Mills Oct. 10, 1870.
TO the Editor of the Kennebee Journal:
We have had the happy experience of attend
ing an Agricultural Fair in this ancient town
during the presentwcek, and with your permis-
sion, would like to tell of what we have seen
and heard and tasted. A Farmers Club was
organized in town this season, after the crops
were in, hence the production exhibited at
the fair were not got up for the occasion, but
were rather every day affairs with the citizens
hereabout.
The organization of the Club being effected
by the choice of Thomas Herbert, of the
Mills" as President, with a host of other
officers, they Immediately set about the ar
rangements for fair like old hands at the
business, and the result has been a surprise
to themselves even, while it has perfectly as
tonished those OF US in attendance from other
localities. They have worked diligently and
persstenlty, and their success has been COM
plete. Their organization and rules present
some new features designed to obviate the
difficulties hitherto experienced by nearly
every Society at their annual exhibition.
The first was to prevent the little jealousies
and hard feelings that are often awakened by
the awarding of premiums. Instead Of dis
posing of their profits in this way, the Club
decided to invest the proceeds of their Fair in
the purchase of imported or blooded stock, to
be owned by the Club and kept for the bene-
fit of the members. In this way every farm
er in town is to receive an actual benefit from
the fair, and none will have reason or cause
of complaint. The good feeling exhibited by
all, during and after the fair, gave evidence
of the wisdom of the managers in the adop-
ton of this rule.
The Fair was to have been held the llth
and 10Th of October but on account of the
rain yesterday, the proceedings of the second
day were postponed till to-day, and like bean
porridge were all the better for the keeping.
The Town House was used for the exhibition of
fruit, vegetables, and fancy work, and was
literally crammed in every nook and corner.
TO attempt anything like a description of the
various articles there displayed, would occu-
py more space than you could spare, and more
play ranked second to that of no other County
Fair which it has ever been my privilege to
attend, and in many respects, it was contest
edly ahead of anything of the kind which has
ever been held in the County, it not in the
State. 1t seems like an injustice to notice
anything in particular where all were so
deserving. The task of the several Com
mittees who are to report in detail, (Which
report is to be printed and distributed to every
family in town. must be pleasant indeed.
articles which attracted particular attention:
Mr.. Herbert, the President of the Club, .
most indefatigable worker, exhibited 25 varie-
ties of apples, 23 varieties of pears, and va
rieties of grapes, all grown this season in his
own garden in this village. Samuel C. Bailey,
exhibited plate of luscious peaches from his
garden. David Chamberlain, of Round Pond
Ga part of BristoD, exhibited 8 apples grown
this season, on tree over two hundred years
old.
Among the articles contributed by ladies,
all of which deserve commentator, the rugs
exhibited by Miss A. M. Thorp were excelled
by nothing of the kind at your boasted State
Fair. Mrs. Lydia Sproul, 10 years of age,
contributed basket of rolls carded by herself
this season, also some linen table cloths from
flax spun and wove by herself 81 years ago.
Little Z. Bessie, years of age, contributed
silk patchwork quilt made by herself for this
particular occasion. Mrs. Sherman contrib
uted embroidery and ''fxins" which should
have examined with exquisite pleasure (fOr
the benefit of your readers of course) but WAS
prevented by the appropriate caution, ''Please
don't handle" Among the curiosities were =
Bible printed in 1850 in hyroglyphics, Malay
Hats, African Baskets, Outlandish Birdsnest,
Alaska Coats, Picture Frames made with q
several thousand pieces. The substantials,
were represented by two two-year-old
squashes, corn, grain, cranberries, roots of all
kinds.
The grounds in front of the Town House
were occupied by working oxen, horses, cows,
colts, &C., &C., in greater abundance than you
generally find at County shows, and after ex-
animation one could but wonder why the So
ciety should desire to expend money for i'm
ported stock.
This afternoon Gov. Chamberlain delivered
in the Congregational Church his lecture on
the Surrender of Lee" for the benefit of the
Society. The Governor is great favorite in
this vicinity, and only succeeded in getting out
of town again by promising to visit them at
no distant day. lie was the guest of Col.
Erskine, whose latch string was on the outside
the entire day, and was pulled by many of VI
outsiders.
Hon. E. WilderiFarley addressed the Club
at the close of the Governors lecture, in an
. exceeding happy style, and the whole affair
was enlvened by the Damariscotta Brass
Band. DSuIN.
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