Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-10-11
shrewshnrr Town Enir.

the occasion except the unexplained absence of
the other four companies.
Shrewsbury Town Fair.
The town fair of Shrewsbury occurred yesterday,
at the end of the cattle show season. like the best
wine reserved till the last. To say that this fifth
annual exhibition of the farmers club was fully
equal to the previous exhibitions of the society,
would seem sufficient praise, but it was more than
that, and surpassed even the high standard of ex-
celence established in previous years, The day
opened clear and COOL and, doubtless, attracted by
the beautiful weather, everybody in Shrewsbury,
and large delegations from the city of Worcester
and the adjoining towns made an early appearance
upon the festive scene.
The cattle, of which there was good display,
were ranged in tho horse sheds in the rear of the
Congregational church, and during the day at
tracted many visitors. There were but few thor
oughbred cattle, though some fine Ayrshire and
short horn bulls were exhibited. The COWS, which
were, without exception of grade or native stock,
looked well, and the entries of heifers unpre-
cedentedly large Working oxen, steers, and the
usual number of brood mares and colts, were also
located in the immediate vicinity. c. II. Newton
and VIM. U. Maynard were the principal exhibit
ors of sheep, and H. D. Cough of "Hilside," and
A. E. knight of West Boylston contributed swine
of the Chester County and Suffolk breed, in addi
ton to those exhibited by the farmers of the
town.
The display ofponltry was undoubtedly the largest
in this county since the annual meeting of the
New England poultry club in this city. q. S. Ball
of Shrewsbury who always carries off lions share
of the premiums at the latter exhibition, entered
large number of coops of hens and fancy pigeons,
j. 7. Cummings exhibited in his collection several
varieties of pigeons and coop of white guinea hens
of striking beauty. The town farm, N. S. Walker
agent, made good show of turkeys, and there were
also several coops of muscovy ducks of which S. IL.
johnson the principal exhibitor At the end
of the long line was little coop containing game
chicken and crow, afiliating harmOniously to-
gether, entered as Cincinnati game bantams.
The various articles constituting a first class in
door display were tastefullY arranged in the
spacious upper hall of the new town house.
nd were visited by throngs of admiring peo-
pie during the day. The hall beautiful in it
clean, fresh paint and costly fresco was rendered
even more attractive by the heavily loaded tables
which occupied the floor. Ranged against. the wall
on three sides of the room was the vegetable dis
play containing almost every variety of vegetable
product raised in Worcester county. N. S. Walker,
of the town farm, made entries OF Cl varieties in
this department. Fine looking corn was exhibited
by n S. Wheelock, William U. Maynard, Charles
Potter of NOrthboro and John Farwell of the Wor-
cester poor farm. The latter gentleman also ex.
hibited specimens of his famous sweet potatoes.
The fruit tables extended the length of the hall in
parallel lines, and were heavily laden with the
largest display of apples and pears ever seen in the
town. N. X. Merriam of New England Village,
who has reaped harvest of premiums this year at
the Worcester county fairs, exhibited 20 varieties of
pears. 7. w. Wellington of this city was also
large contributor j. ii. Allen exhibited plates of
Duchess d'Angouleme and Beurre Clargeau pears
of mammoth size, and several plates of luscious
peaches of the Late Crawford variety were entered
by B. e. w. Davis
There was also a creditable display of grapes
most of them entered by H. S. Ball.
In the centre of the hall was the preserve and
jelly table, containing large number OF tempting
looking jars. Mrs. B. Il. Davis contributed q
varieties of canned fruit, and Nancy E. Davis II
varieties of jellies. Nearer the head of the hall
stood an octagon shaped grotto, containing the
floral display, and decorated with fancy needlework
of various kinds. The collection of ported plants
and the large display of cut flowers tastefully
ranged in baskets, bouquets and varied designs of
great beauty gave evideu of the existence of the
floral society, whose exhibition occurred few
weeks ago Upon and around the platform was a
large array of patchwork quilts and varied speci-
mems of fancy needlework The walls in the vicini-
ty were hung with framed designs in hair, and
paintings offered for competition. There were sew.
eral credtable entries of the indispensable articles
bread and butter.
The exercises of the day, which were under the
charge of Chief Marshal Rice and an efficient com.
mittee of arrangements, began with a blowing
match on tine land Of Dr. NJ. Bemis. Seven OK
teams and two pairs of horses were entered for COM
petition. At ten O'Clock a grand cavalcade was
formed in front of the common which, headed by
the Shrewsbury brass band, performed a triumphal
march through the principal streets. The process
sion was large and creditable one, and contained
more attractive features of various sorts than
usually seen at agricultural shows. 1t was under
charge of Alvin Henshaw, Esq, and was made up
in the following order: Marshal; band of sixteen
pieces; committee of arrangements in a four horse
team; six horse team tast2fully trimmed with
evergreen and filled with ladies; squadron of
about fifty horsemen including large delegation
from West Boylston; citizens in carriages; line
OF working oxen and more private carriages. The
second division of the parade was after the antique
and horrible style, and net such long way after 1t
either At the head, riding in solemn state came
an accurate representation of the father OF his coun
try. The band of thirty pieces attired in
grotesque apparel, with instruments of vaTi-
Gus pattern, furnished music. Then came
a number OF burlesque representations,
cleyery designed for the most part, and arranged
with great care. Among the features most notice
able were ricketty team containing Horace Gree
ley and his cabinet, with the bland sage beaming
benignantly upon the crowd, Brigham Young and
his wives, a twelve horse team drawing long boat
in which General Grant and his advisers were
threatened with free ride up Salt river, several
representations of women's rights, and capital
take-of of President Grant with n big cigar, evil
IDENTITY borrowed for the occasion from some tobac-
conist between his teeth. Following this squad
came large number of carriages IN double line,
rot n mo
than half mile.
The trials of working oxen and working steers oc-
cupied the time till halpast IL O'Clock, when pro-
cession was formed upon the common, which
marched under escort of the band to the spacious
dining room in the town hall, where tables laden
with an abundance of good things in tempting pre-
fusion spread. The hall was packed to its ut
most capacity, and many ticket holders forced
to wait tor the second table.
The assembly was called to order by the presi-
dent, G. H. Harlow and grace invoked by Rev f.
L. Dyer.
Atthe conclusion of the dinner the company re-
paired TO the Congregational church, where the list
of premium awards were made
Mr.. Harlow, president of the club, then addressed
a few words of cordial welcome 10 the visitors from
out OF town. and congratulated them upon the
bright auspices of a beautiful day and the excel
leuce of the exhibition. lie closed by introducing
Rev N. Bemis, who excused himself by relating
pleasing anecdote. MIR. Charles b. Pratt president
Of the Worcester Agricultural society congratulated
the farmers club upon Its exhibition, and said That
IL was the best he had seen in any town. He spoke
of the Worcester society as the parent society and
extended u cordial invitation for the children,
members of the various tarmers' clubs, to return
once year to the old homestead.
Mr.. o. b. Hadwen, OF the state board of agricul-
ture, was next introduced He congratulated the
officers Of the society upon the success of the exhi
biion and spoke in terms of the highest praise OF
the exhibitions of fruit, poultry, and vegetables,
saying they far surpassed any town lair he had Wis
tied this season.
MIR. Samuel A. Knox of Worcester told what he
thought about the farmers club Of Shrewsbury in
a humorous and complimentary manner, saying
that TO Its efforts was due the prosperity Of the
town.
Mr.. Q. Il. Miles of Boston, L. Stoekwell OF Grafton,
and T. w. Wellington Of this city, called upon,
and responded briefly after which Rev H. Porter Dyer
t..t.4a N.FN