Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-09-25
Reported for tho VERMONT FARMER,
MAD RIVER VALLEY FAIR.

ting park upon the land of Capt. o. G. Wild
erabout three miles from Waitsiield village.
and nearly the same distance from More
town.
Tho lack Of hotel accommodations in con-
vcncnt proximity was partially supplied by
the farmers living nearest, and by tempo
rary establishments on the grounds, while
large numbers preferred to follow the bas-
ket picnic plan, bringing provisions Tor man
and beast and finding shelter from the sun
in n beautiful grove which ut noon was COM
plctely filed by people with horses aud car
riages. Tho trotting course Is good one.
The grounds are ample in their dimensions
and completely level, but much labor is still
needed to complete the transformation from
II rough and stony pasture to AN ideal place
for holding i'm agricultural exhibition.
Quite part of the premiums Ooo large II
part, many of the members thoughD was
given to trottng horses. With many this
seemed to be tho chief attraction yet we
think that VIC shall he safe in saying that
with the majority this was not the case.
Horses.
The show in this department was very
good; in one respect it deserves especial
mention. 1t is seldom that so many suck
ing colts Of so good quality are seen together.
There were about dozen entries, and we
think it must have puzzled the judges to de-
eide upon their merits, there were so many
really superior ones.
Cattle.
The Durlnms and their grades were best
represented, L. X. Joslyn taking the lead
with some 25 or 30 head on exhibition-all
good animals from the two-ycars-old bull
Gen. Wait. with herd book record, through
the list of oxen, cows, and lesser cattle to
calves. Gen. Wait weighs 1920 pounds, and
II pair of working oxen four years old 3i00
pounds.
Andrew Murray exhibited II fine two
years-old bull OF herd book pedigree from
the Malvern farm, Morristown.
There were also others claimed to be full
blood, but not on the books, equal in size
and apparently in other respects to these.
J. II. Baird hal our-years-old bull weigh
ing 1900 and Geo. o. Boyco one two years
old weighing 1900 pounds.
l.. r. Joslyn, Gus Wallace, aud Drew Il
Palmer had five cows each (Durhams and
grades) ON exhibition.
Jerseys There were no full bloods
shown. Alfred Joslyn's grade bull took the
first premium and Andrew Longs the sec
: ond. OF cows and heifers Charles f. Jones
and w. H. Walbridge were the principal
exhibitors +. W. Bisbee's COW took the
first premium. however, and IL. N. Bush.
ncll's ycarling heifer was also ut the head.
Devons: Edwin House showed ten head
all beauties which it would do one good t.
look at especially if he were the owner
Mr.. House claims them 10 be the moSt
profitable breed for our rough, hilIy pastures,
not only for beef but for the dairy rs well
and from reports that have reached us we
are sure that the yield of his dairy will COM
! pare Elvorably with the best in this vicinity.
= Ira Richardson also exhibited several head
of Devons and grades, fine looking animals
Dutch: The only specimens Of this breed
were shown by Daniel Murray grade
yearlings.
i Working cattle and steers were present II
good numbers, though not rs many VIC think
D us last year. Waitsiicld string Of cattle re-
ccived LIST premium. o. q. Wilder had bes
l working oxen; l.. r. Joslyn, ~ best do
Abial +. Hanks. best matched oxen; IL. n
Bushnell, 2d best DO.
sheep.
Edwin House showed II few fine wools
Cotswolds and grades were the only other
; that appeared o. G. Wilder took the lead
though others had good specimens of grades
y Alfred Joslyn had three large fat sheep
Geo. w. Olmstead several grade lambs
y aud ID. o. Josyn grade ewes and lambs
also Geo. Folsom, buck.
Swine.
, There were only two entries. Thomu
: Engan showed n SOW with eleven pigs AN,
:, took the first premium, aud i. NJ. Luarne,
, II SOW with nine pigs aud took tho second.
Poultry.
The sole representatives of this class wor,
q n coop of geese belonging to Josiah Holden
+ Fruit, Vegetables, sc.
@ The show was limited, us many kinds ha'
1, not yet come to maturity, though some real
t, ly line specimens We're to bo seen.
d There were several tubs of maple sugar
all of them looking good enough to eat. a
II L. Preston took the first premium. Scvcra
II tubs of butter, Edwin House taking the frs
= premium and q. ID. Smith second. Tw
If cheeses by Geo. w. Olmstoad and nls,
!! there were two or three boxes of honey.
Il The patent milk pans were on hand, a
usual. The Morrsvile and the Washington
g County pans stood side by side, with tn
u owners of each ready to demonstrate beyon
Of q
y world.
= Domestic Manufactures.
There was the usual display, in this dc
g partment, of articles useful, fancy, orna
i mental, or otherwise, and showing the skill
and patience Of their originators, If nothin
if more.
The show Of flowers was an improvement
upon last year, we think, both in bouquet
is and in potted flowers.
There can he no doubt in regard to tn
benefits that may be derived from our agr
Is cultural fairs, and especially from local fail
10 like this. We gain much by comparing til
u products of our farms or of our own skill
n with those of our ncighbors, and in no wa
IL can this be done so well rs by bringing thel
W together. If II man"thinketh of himself U,
l. his stock or the productions of his farm
t. more highly than he ought to think" u ia
or is good place to take the conceit out
II him, il no makes the proper use Of bis oy,
and ears. This is but one among many az
u, vantages that may arise. There are son
er features however that have been introduce
to into our fairs of late that, if not guardC
ut against, bid fair to more than counterba
lie ance the benefits and render these gather
Nv ings curse rather than blessing. In OF
cd opinion horse-racing ought to be exclud,
d. entirely, but Mt all events there is ncith
H. sense nor justice in giving one-half or on
oh third of the total amount of premiums to Il
lie hotting horse and just here is ono gre