Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-05


to consult together about having Il railroad
narrow gauge-running from tide water in
Providence, through Valley Falls, Milford Up
ton Grafton Center to Worcester. A large num-
Der assembled; the meeting was one of unusual
interest, as all were alive to the work. plan
of the proposed route was presented to the peo-
pie by II. +. Keith, of Providence, and several
speeches were made by our prominent men, who
spoke of the feasibility of the route. A commit.
tee of three, winthrop, Faulkner, George F.
Slocomb, and Silas L. Stowe, were chosen to
confer with Valorous Taft, VIM. Knowlton and
Arba 7. Wood, committee from Upton and to
engage the services of a competent surveyor of
the route from Milford to Worcester. COM
mittce of five was also chosen to see that the leg
islature be petitioned for charter for the pro-
posed road. Duling the evening, upwards of
four hundred dollars was raised by subscrip.
ton, for the survey.
An adjourned meeting of citizens favorable
to lighting the streets in the central part of
Grafton was held in the town hall Sept. Dist, at
which committee, chosen at a former meeting
for that purpose, reported plan of organza-
ton, which was accepted and adopted and an
dooOei'l'lpli 1dhASu " AhC NllOlNN VI OlilNCi9
for carrying the contemplated plan into opera
ton. The officers chosen for the ensuing year
are: George +. Slocomb, president; Rufus E.
Warren and George W. Estabrook, vice presi-
dents; Joseph A. Dodge, secretary; Henry F.
Wing, treasurer and collector These consti-
tute the executive committee of the association,
and arc urging the business forward with COM
mendable energy. Between five and six hun
dred dollars have already been pledged for that
purpose IA. d.
Grafton Oct, 1871.
Worcester Northwest Agricultural Fair.
The fifth annual exhibition of the Worcester
northwest agricultural and mechanical society began
yesterday, upon the society's grounds in Athol.
There was a very large show of cattle though but
limited proportion of thoroughbreds, the oxen being
the leading feature. There are some one hundred
head of milking stock, besides hundred pairs of
oxen, twenty swine, and twenty-five sheep.
The show of fruit is very large aud fine, there be-
ing some go plates of apples nearly 100 plates of
pears, and fair share of grapes, guinness &c. Sar
dis Fairbanks of Templeton had the largest show of
apples-thirty-ive varieties; Sylvester Davis OF
Orange twenty-five varieties, j. w. Herrick of West
Boyls.on and L. Hale of Petersham each sixteen
son of Petersham nine, and Jonah Haven of Athol
eight. Ofpears, Laban Morse of Athol h as twenty
one varieties, I. W. Wellington of Worcester and
Sylvester Davis of Orange each sixteen varieties,
and Sardis Fairbanks of Tempeton and p H. Bah
btt of Barre each eight varieties. Many others
have less in number of this and other kinds of fruit
Mrs A. B. Fay leading in the grape line with seven
varieties, p. II. Babbit having three, and Benjamin
EstabrOOk Of AthOl two. The twenty-one Seckel
pairs in cluster, by Joseph EstabroOk of Royalston
are quite curiosity.
The flowers and fancy manufactured articles in
the hall also constitute quite attraction For oil
and crayOn paintings, Miss Minnie E. Nudge of Pc
tersham takes the palm.
The exercises of the day began at hall-past nine
O'Clock with the blowing match, on land of Hon.
Benjamin EstabrOok, adjoining the fair grounds.
Then came the exhibition OF town teams, and the
grand procession of all the horses and CATTLE the
track followed by the trial of draft horses working
| oxen, trained steers, &C.
The societys dinner, in their hall, took place at
one o'clock, at which large numbers sat down, and
after divine grace had been asked by Rev c. L. Nc
| Curdy, the good things were soon disposed of.
| Hon. VIM B. Spooner of Boston, who has a sum-
mer residence in Petersham, is president of the So
cety, and after appropriate welcoming remarks,
cougratulatOry of the of the show referred
to the fact that, in his early boyhood he had re-
sided in that vicinity and roamed over those glori-
GUS old hills and he reoiced in the fact that he had
been brought up upon the farm. with all its benef-
| cent associations He concluded by introducing
Charles l.. Flint ESQ., secretary of the state board
| of agriculture
MIR Flint began by expressing his great satisfac-
ton at the pleasure of witnessing fine a show.
| lie referred to the many improvements made in
modes of agriculture within the last nineteen years.
since his entrance upon the duties of secretary of
the board, going back also in his "reminiscences to
the period of the organization of some of the eari
est agricultural associations. He spoke of the pro-
| gress which had been made. and suggested many
| improvements yet to be made in methods of farm
| ing, which yet great way behind the age as
| compared with the wonderful material progress in
| in other matters. Large and liberal premiums
should be offered, by minute and accurate expert
ments to test the best methods of cultivating the
soil, which were now far below what they should
| be. The importance of good roads was enlarged
| upon, and attention called to the necessity of the
Offering of large premiums for the construction of
the best Ones by the towns as well by the societies
| Much could be learned from the old countries, En-
gland, France, Germany, &C., in this regard where
the poorest roads far better than the best ones
in this country. Allusion was also made to the i'm
| portance of liberal premiums the best methods
of shooting horses, and doing other things not now
on the premium list in order to properly elevate the
| standard of our agriculture.
N. S. Hubbard, Esq, of Brimfeld, delegate
from the state board, was next introduced, and
| made sensible, practical address ON the impor-
lance of the farmers calling, compared with the
other professions of life saying that in the long
run it was not only the most healthful and calcua-
ted to bring into proper exercise the largest pro-
portion of our facuties, bodily and mental, but if
followed Alright it would pay well, if not better,
in the highest sense, than any other pursuit
| Remarks followed by j. Henry Goddard of Barre,
iona. johnson of Greenfield, F. F. Fay and C. W.
| lIorr of Athol, and others.
| To-day will be devoted to the horse fair including
trotting which will doubtless call out another large
attendance. 1t is expected Gov Clafin will be
present, and make an address at the table, after