Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-09-12
Bloomington Fair.

ton Thursday and Friday, Sept. 2
and 8, was quito largely attended,
and more favorable things can be
said of the exposition than of any of
its predecessors. Nearly all present
seemed to have come with some
definite purpose in siew-to be work
ers rather than mere drones, orear
lures almost too inanimate even TO
idly stare and wonder. And to this
may in measure be- attributed the
success of the exhibition. Good
weather prevailed, but there was al
together too much dust to be entiro-
ly comfortable. The Bloomington
Band was present, and contributed
largely as we'll as melodiously to the
pleasures of tho time. Owing to the
sickness of Mr.. N. w. Kendall, the.
president, one Of the vice presidents
assumed the robes of that Office. and
discharged to the satisfaction of all
the duties of that station
The show of cattle was somew hat
below those of other years. Thirty
four head were on the ground, re-
presenting different native and i'm
ported breeds. The pasturage Of
the season has been very poor indeed,
fact which the condition of some
of the stock here on exhibition plain
ly indicated. A thorough bred Dur
ham bull with many points of supe-
riority was exhibited by Mr.. ID. V.
Perrin. The animal is only three
years old, and weighs 1900 TBS
This foe specimen of one of the best
breeds of cattle raised in this country
is said to be for sale, but we hope
that the stock-Taisers of Blakes prai-
rie will have the foresight not to let
so valuable an animal be taken out of
their neighborhood. Our farmers
are gradually becoming aware that
it costs no moro to raise blooded
STOCK than to "bring up" stock of an
inferior grade, and they know, too,
that the possession of the former is a
source of satisfaction and pride, not
to say profit. Jno. Battle had on ex-
hibition fine Durham bull, and Mr..
Rob't Newman a Durham and native
cross which was q handsome and
well appearing animal. Mr.. Jas.
Miners Durham bull attracted at
tention, aud Mr.. r.. A. Kilbourn's two
handsome heifers Of the same breed
did not escape notice We saw a
number of well-bred Devons, but no
Ayreshires, which are now regarded
with peculiar favor by cattle breed
ers throughout the country. The
COW and calf brought to the grounds
and owned by Mr.. r. A. WEIGH, bore
many Distinguishing marks of excel
lence and beauty. They would no I
have appeared to much disadvantage
in one of the pictures of the gifted
Rosa Bonheur. A finer yoke of cattle
than that exhibited by Mr. N. Thorn
ton we have not mad the pleasure of
seeing. The show of cattle WAS quite
credltable in the main, though by. no
means any thing like fair reprcsen-
tation Of the general character of the
stock raised by the farmers of Blakes
Prairie.
Only about dozen pens of sheep
had been brought to the grounds.
The best exhibit of middle wool
sheep was owned by Mr.. Edwin
Dodge. Fred Critohlow had there
some fine lambs in the same class.
The pen of SouLhdowns exhibited by
Ballentine Bros. was greatly admir-
cd, and Mr.. Alfred HaIe's three
lambs, long wool, were approvingly
spoken Of by many.
The show of hogs was large, and
the breeds among the finest raised in
the West. 1t was in many respects
ahead of the porcine display ut our
State fair last fall. Berkshires and
Chesters were the chief breeds shown
The prize specimens of tho latter ex-
hibited by the Bros. Kidd were
beauties. A fine Essex hog and a
pen of s Berkshires, owned By Mr. l..
Il. Bingham were viewed with con-
siderable interest, while his 700 ID
Berkshire SOW was voted q regular
side-show curiosity. There were al
so on exhibition some Berkshire pigs
by ID. V. Perrin, and several pens of
the Berkshire and Essex breed by
Mr.. VIM. Bingham.
The show of horses could hardly
be called extra. OF stock horses,
however, the display was somewhat
above the average.
In the machinery department we
noticed three or four kinds of fam
ming mills, among them the Eureka
and Champion. Mr.. Trowbridge OF
the Platteville Agr'l Implement De-
pot had on show q number of iron
beam, double shin stubble plows,
which are just now the farmers fa-
vorite. The display of Grant county
made plows could have been better.
A patent feed mill and small steam
apparatus-a sort of engine--used
for cooking feed were attentively
inspected by the farmers.
A well built farm wagon made by
Mr.. Kolb of Bloomington, (rraner's
successor) was there, likewisea beau
tiful light buggy from Mr.. Trainers
new factory at Prairie du Chen.
The exhibit OF cereals was some
thing really extra. 1t embraced
much, and it was all first class Of
corn especially some mammoth va
rites were shown.
Some rich, wholesome-looking
cheese from Batie& William factory
occupied place of prominence in
their respective department. They
know how to make cheese, having
now all the means, appliances aud
experience to do the work well
The fine arts department was filed
with many things-articles of use
and articles of fancy. Home made
fabrics, and carpets and whole will
derness of home made matters, all