Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-09-10

Of dolls furniture by Eddie Pierce Of Moretown
was very pretty.
In agricultural implements there was no compe-
ttion at all, but three new articles, rather in
ventions. viz. A manure-spreader which little
boy showed us in motion, and we believe II would
be great saving Of labor II every farmer could
own one, but think the price rather high for the
times; moving machine scythe-holder for car
ryng newly-sharpened scythe to the field in
safety, invented by B. A. Holmes Of waitsfeld,
and also manure hook.
GRAND PARADE OF CATTLE.
At one o'clock on Tuesday, the first day Of the
fair was the grand parade OF cattle, and we are
sure no owner need feel ashamed Of his stock in
this line. Fully one-half Of them we're white or
nearly so, showing the high favor with which the
Durhams are regarded In the valley for working
oxen and beef The only entry of stock allowed
by the directors to draw third premium is
trained steers, and 1t will be noticed by referring
to the premium list that Drew Palmer took all
three. That is as it should be, and II there was
also the same three premiums for boys for train
ing steers Drew & Palmer would be entitled TO the
same for those three boys did 1t wonderfully well
Now boys in Mad River Valley and on the hill
sides around, wake up to this business, and let us
see what you all can do at training steers and
colts at next fair and don't forget the poultry
| show.
THE RACES.
At half-past two O'Clock p NJ the trotting OF
horses began. Two races were called, the first
for purse of twenty dollars open to horses three
years old The following is the score of the races
o. c. wilder ms. oh. 4. Columbus ...............I
N. n. Robinson u.s. b. M. Molly Myer .............
| j., Waterman Roy
33B. 53l, 333.
Score of the second race--for horses that have
never beaten three minutes Purse $780,
L. R. Josyn blk. g. Patrick.
A. =. Lovejoy ms. b. =. Thomas s..............l
Parke Avery ms. g. Harry Observation-Disclosures.
Time. Observation-Disclosures. AGO. AGO. 400, SOL.
The trotting was very good, especially the
second race, the contest being very close between
Patrick and Thomas S.
| GRAND PARADE OF HORSES.
Wednesday, at half-past ten o'clock A. NJ was
the grand parade of horses, at half-past eleven
o'clock the show Of single driving horses, and at
one O. clock p NJ. the show Of matched driving
horses. There only three entries, but L. r.
Joslyp had aspendid pair of dark chestnut horses,
while thoseo A. NJ. Pierce are already well known
D. C. Barnard's black colts were on exhibition for
the first time and although not so well matched
as the others, were each very handsome colt,
and received good deal Of admiration.
At half-past one in the afternoon the band
called the people around the speakers stand to
listen to the address by Hon. Chauncey Smith OF
Boston, Of which we give a synopsis below:
MIR. SMITHS ADDRESS.
He said he could not talk to us about farming
because he knew but little about it, but he con-
sidered 1t rare compliment to himself that he
was invited to address u.s. in this his native place
and boyhood home. Change he found written or
everything here, except the valley and surround
ing hills, which to him looked 30 beautiful that
he was sure many tourists would visit us, II they
bnt knew the grandeur and loveliness Of oui
scenery. The character OF our inhabitants he
knew to be that OF thrifty, moral and intelligent
men and women, ever striving to better theii
condition, from the first settlement of the town
In his boyhood he had known of boys and young
men who had formed a covenant with each other
unknown to their elders, to break off every habit
that would weaken the intellectual or lower tn,
morals, and the school and lyceum were sus-
tanned and encouraged Such community could
not fail to prosper, and none more so than farm
ers He could remember in those early days
when stones were scarce, and fre-places in gen
eral use; when wool and fax were carded by
hand, and spun and woven in the house fol
family use; when axes and hoes made o
iron at the blacksmiths 5. and steel axes unknown
when the helves were manufactured by hand anC
good pattern not easily followed; when iror
plows were used and shoe-pegs made and driver
by hand grain reaped with a sickle, threshet
with fail, and winnowed In a fan; and nov
these things, il preserved in a collection woult
, be regarded as curosities. Houses in those day
were implanted and unexpected, while his father
first clock cost COW. Books were scarce, an,
, James Ryder, who lived on the common, brongh
, from Montpelier once in a week, the three stat,
papara: the Waterman the Patriot, and tn,
Journal The papers contained news, hoaded
Thirty days iuter rom Europe Now just think
what improvement in all these things, and al
, within about fifty years Stoves, cloth spun an,
woven In factories, where operator will
, attend several spindes or looms at once, and il
two weeks spin yarn enough to reach aroun,
the world, and boots and shoes made by ma
chinery. Mowing-machines horse-rakes, hay
. tedders and manure-spreaders every farm
. and great improvements in and about GU
, houses every hand Steam engines are al
over the world, and the telegraph flashes new
across the continent In a few seconds OF time
Yet we must not think that improvements hav
come to an end. lie thought the time wou
come when steam engines would operate ma
chinery on every farm, for blowing and mowin
b and sowing and reapng; for washing, ironing
: and churning in every house, and it even is pos
sible that he may some time stand in his office i
= Boston and address us here in Waitsfeld Al
5 these improvements have been brought by an in
G "a niaar NJ I'm nd In an
a practical use of all the powers Of mind and in
: tellect As much improvement may be made b.
, the farmer as by the mechanic. The farm ia tn
$ workshop, nature furnishes the material and, a
i a workman, nature is never idle, but constant
0 produces grain weeds, and Is always for o
. against u.s. Each farm is its own problem, an,
$ its solution calls for the same economy and ski
: as In mechanics He has seen good many in
= ventions, and has been asked sometimes II the
= were not perfect? his answer would be that notl
ing Is good that it cannot be better. Brain-wor
d is needed in farm. work, and economy Of time an
n labor would add much TO its profit. And, afte
e all, the best crop is the men and women, and tn
highest welfare of the children should ever be til
e first consideration.
Mr.. Smiths remarks were very interesting an
instructive, but we echo his own question aske
a at the commencement Of his speech; Why wa
u he, id,oyer, invited to address us? We believ
}. that practical Turner should always be secure
s to address agricultural fair, and there ar
IT plenty OF them who are intelligent capable an
!. popular with the people.
e After the address the premiums were declare
c by the secretary, and then
THE SECOND DAYS RACES
were called. There were two, the first for purs