Daily Kennebec journal., 1880-10-06
show and Fair Of the Ken,eb.c Cou.
Agricultural Society.

The Show and Fair Of the old Kennebec
Agricultural Society began yesterday. at
Readfield. Though the weather was unpro-
pltIous in the forenoon it did not prevent the
usual large turnout of the farmers at the
opening of the show. They were
on the ground early, in good num-
bers, and brought with them acres of
sleek, fat, handsome cattle-the biggest
and best show in this line that has been seen
IN the State this year, or will be seen outside
OF the State Fair. Steers and oxen are the
principal feature of the bovine show. these
being of all ages, from Spring calves voked
and trained. to stawart oxen from five to
seven years of age, ranging in girth from
seven to eight feet, and rolling fat Among
the finest We noticed pair five years old
belonging to Lewis Blake of Mt Vernon: a
pair of five years old belonging to J. A.
Robinson of Mt. Vernon; pair of same
age, belonging to Edwin Robinson of Mt
Vernon, which took the first premium at the
State Fair for being the best and best matched
pair on the ground-weight 1850
Mr.. Underwood of Fayette displayed
handsome herd of thirteen of the Hereford
stock. Mr.. Whittemore of Fayette Mills had
muscular. broad breasted, powerful Per-
cheron horse on the grounds which attracted
a great deal of attention-weight l,40O lbs
w. b. Frost of Wayne, displayed Cotswold
sheep, which took the first prize at the State
Fair. There were swine and swine, big pigs
and little pigs, too fat to squeal or even
grunt In return for the notice they received.
But the cattle show dwarfed everything else.
The drawing matches took place yesterday
and were exceedingly spirited and attractive.
The cattle were splendidly trained, and moved
monster loads on drags. 1t is said that the
show in this respect was never better. This
kind of match never fails to draw. Even the
ladies look on to see and admire the adroit
teamsters and the mighty surge of the power
full oxen as they throw their weight and
muscle against the yoke.
The display of agricultural implements was
almost nothing. Where are the Whitmans
of Winthrop, with their scores of excellent
inventions, and others whom we recollect
that they not here this year? An agri-
cultural show without these loses one of its
best features.
In the fair building there is a splendid dis
play of fruit-as good as we ever saw we
think apples in profusion, pears in
abundance, grapes of many kinds looking as
fine, rich and plump as though grown in
warmer climes than this. Mr. III. q. Nicker
son of Readfield. has twenty kinds of apples,
and six varieties of pears on exhibition,
several of these having originated from his
own care.
The display of corn is very excellent.
Nearly the whole of one side of the building
is occupied with the yellow ears exhibited.
Among the best sample by B. +. Maxim
of WAYNE, of the Compton corn. Some
farmers speak disparagingly of this kind of
corn. but it certainly is not surpassed i'll ap-
pearancc by any in the show.
The display of butter and cheese this year
is meagrc. One farmer explained this by
saying that prices have been so high for
these articles this season that the farmers
have sold nearly all out and have but little
left to exhibit.
There is a good show Of genuine home
manufactured articles, and more promised.
To-day the tables will be loaded with flowers,
we understand and the ladies department
will be resplendent with their beauty (howers
or ladies, as you please)-
The exhibition of horses and colts takes
place to-day, and will be a fine sight. The
| examination by committees will take place at
| Q A. NJ. Trotting for the society's premium
will take place at , =. NJ. Captain j. i.
| Carson of Mount Vernon is the active AMI
capable president of the society. and Mr.. j.
| Il. Low of Readfield is the always oblging
and esteemed secretary of the society. These
gentlemen are selected for business, and they
attend to it. Mr.. Sullivan kilbreth of Man
chester keeps watch and ward at the gate, and
more vigiant or better officer for that
important post it would be difficult to find
The show and fair holds to-day and to-mor-
row. and we advise all our kennebecers who
can lust to take ride to Readheid on one OF
these days and see for themselves a real
thorough, out-and-out agricultural eShi-
bition.