The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-10-16
FARMERS FESTIVALS.
West Oxford Fair.

FRYEBURG, Oct 10.
A beautiful day, calm and mild as mid-sum-
mer, with hazy sky tempering the heat of
the sun,-the thermometer, however, reaching
75o at noon-brought together probably the
largest gathering ever assembled on the Fair
ground. The holiday aspect of fairs deserves
large consideration. both from an ethical and
esthetical point of view-and as they are to be
regarded as established American institutions,
every good citizen should see to it, that they
positively aid in refining the manners and
morals of the men and the multitude Espec-
tally does this become important, if by neglect,
there is any danger Of masses of men degener-
ating into mobs. While the general deport-
ment of the people at this Fair was such as to
deserve the highest commentator, it is also
true that the woods which skirt the grounds
gave shelter to few of the baser sort. Some
liquor sellers were dragged out from their
depths, and very summarily disposed of by
Justice Lewis To all such, as well as to
class of Far1owners," who deal in horseflesh,
the Society propose hereafter to give close
quarters.
From nine until ten was G wen to the exam
ination of town teams by the committee. Dem
mark and Fryeburg here made fine exhibit
tions, and as the long drawn out lines OF splen-
did oxen, and likely steers, swung round the
circle, the people all said that no finer display
of cattle had ever before appeared on the
track.
At 10 a. H. Hon. Sidney Perham took the
stand under the shade of the pines, and de-
livered the annual address. Referring to
some of the conditions of success in agricul-
ture, he affirmed that man must work ON the
farm himself.
"He who by the plough would thrive
Himself must either hold or drive"
1t will not do to cultivate too much land
Several instances were mentioned where men
had raised large crops, and not always from
many acres. Keep good stock, and keep 1t
well. While recommending the iudicious use
of fertilizers, he would never give up the al
ways substantial and reliable deposits of the
barn and stable. Fruit raising should be
specially, but mainly on new soil and good
land.
At the present time there is no reason why
farmers should be discouraged. There is
progress and improvement all along the line.
Farms are better, and farm-houses are better
than formerly. Nor is there danger to be APP
pretended from mountains of debt, and in.
creased taxation, municipal or national. Let
whiskey and tobacco bear the debts, and If
you let them alone, you will not fear the tax
gatherer.
Some of the reasons why agricultural pur-
suits are still desirable, are that there, if any
where, good health can be secured; there good
habits are naturally formed, as the tempta-
~ nd 1onu fhau rQ
more profitable than other branches of bus-
ness, so there the money is made that is Kept.
The Ex-Governor closed very practical and
profitable address of an hour, by bit of per-
sonal experience, stating that when he was
twenty-one he bought farm, a yoke of oxen
and forty sheep; running in debt some two
thousand dollars, but that by industry and
prudence he was able every year to lay up on
an average from two to three hundred dollars
after meeting all of his obligations.
Hon. George Walker, the Mayor of Port
land, having arrived on the last train was seen
in the crowd and called upon to speak. He
very happily alluded to his former residence
in Oxford county, and to the recollections of
his boyhood. He claimed to have been
farmer, and for all that he had and was, he
was indebted to the discipline of his early
years. He we'll remembered how when boy,
he drove the logs on Kezer River for twenty
five cents day.
Hon. Joel Eastman of Conway, N. H., i'll a
spirited and forc;ble speech. almost belied the
statement that he was more than fourscore.
He was farmer until of age, and he had
missed his vocation in not keeping on in that
line. Now withdrawing from his lifelong
profession, he found his highest enjoyment on
his farm. Stick to your farms, there you can
secure a competency-and that means happi-
ness. Be honest pay your individual debts,
and demand always and everywhere that your
state and national obligations shall be dis
charged.
The cattle show is certainly equal if not
superior to former exhibitions. The vegetable
display in the lower story of the hall is not an
inferior one-although some departments are
somewhat lean, ON account of an unfavorable
season. The exhibition of fruit in the second
story is excellent in quality-nothing better
was seen at the State Fair. The same may be
said of the honey. maple sugar, preserves, &c.
in the latter class somewhere between
seventy-fve and one hundred jars and glasses
stood in tempting array while from fifteen to
twenty pots of butter and portly cheeses on
the other end of the table kept up the balance
of power The department of household man
ufactures and of millinery was well filed
The forenoon of tomorrow will be given en-
tirely to the reports of committees-which will
sbe reported at length.
THE TROTTING.
The trotting for the Society's premium came
off at p. M, and was witnessed by an i'm
mense crowd of spectators. The judges were
John Thoms of Fryeburg James Hutchins of
Lowell, and j. L. Kimball. There were three
entries all of which started. The following
summary shows the result of the race:
G. Walker ms. blk. m. Little Buttercup......1 l l
S. Charles MS b. m. Dinah ...............2 3 2
F. A. Wiley MS. b. m. Lady Pike ...........3 2 3
Time ..3O4, 800, 3.1S.
Annual Gathering of the Poland Grang-