Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-10-08
READSBORO FAIR.
NINTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE DEERFIELD
VALLEY AgRTCtTLTuRAI sooIFTY

The Deerheld Valley Agricultural Society
OF Readsboro, Vermont held its ninth annual
meeting at that place on Thursday, Sept. 3Oth
The day was one Of the most favorable and a
large company Of people availed themselves
Of its attractions. Many Of our people take
lively interest in these annual gatherings
and are determined TO make them increasing
ly profitable and entertaining. The interest
in these gatherings is by no means confined
to our own residents. Many from neighbor-
ing towns and some from a greater distance
make this the occasion of friendly visit to
old friends and associations The citizens Of
Readsboro are specially to be congratulated
on the quiet and orderly manner in which
every thing was conducted. The public sale
Of intoxicating drinks was not permitted and
the few who obtained them secretly were 80
quiet as to attract no general attention and
did not materially interfere with the harmony
and good order Of the occasion.
The meetings of the society are quite an
affair in social way, bringing together for
days intercourse a large number of our most
substantial citizens, and affording opportuni-
ty for friendly greeting on the part of those
whose busy lives forbid them to be much
from home
There is also the usual number of pleasure
seekers who find in the various sights and
amusements sufficient attraction to ensure
their regular and prompt attendance.
The outdoor exhibit was on this occasion
as good as in former years Particularly no.
ticable was the herd of twenty six head of
grade Durhams owned by A. Bailey and son.
Also the fine herd of the same breed owned
by f. Il. Carpenter, and the seventeen Jer-
seys entered by VIM. T. Blanchard. Mr.
Lewis Bishop exhibited fine large COW, and
Henry Read of Nottingham very noticeable
pair of yearling steers A pair of trained
steers, the property of John Taylor, attracted
considerable attention and certainly deserved
commentator. Tyler Goodelrs well-known
brown mare was on the ground with an un-
usually fine sucking colt Amos Belden's
famous mule team was the only team entered
in that class, and they are so well and SO ia
vorably known here that they need no praise.
The carriage horses were all good and each
had many admirers.
In the hall nearly all the available room
was occupied. The display, especially in the
line of fruit and vegetables, was very fine
Probably the handsomest apples were the Con
gress red exhibited by Mr.. Slas Bailey,
though there was a great variety and many
choice lots. Several varieties of potatoes
were shown that are new to this section. If
we may judge from the specimens, some of
these will soon become widely and favorably
known Rev. John Blanchard exhibited the
largest variety and finest specimens, but sew
eral others we're not far behind. The corn
exhibited was better than usual. Other grains
and fruits were shown in great variety and of
excellent quality. 1t il not generally suppos-
ed that this is section for grape culture, but
there were on exhibition samples of a consid-
cradle number of desirable varieties Among
these the choice seedlings grown by j. r.
Lord deserve special notice.
The cheese and butter would have done
credit to any exhibition. What was lacking
in quantity was made up in the uniform e1-
cellence of all that was to be seen. Sugar
and syrup were not largely represented, but
special attention was called to a sample OF
pure golden syrup made by Master Melvin
| Stafford, and to a remarkably clear article en-
tered by Mr.. Warren Fessenden Of Guilford
In the department Of household industry
were several products of the wheel and loom.
Among these there was an excellent article OF
woollen cloth made by Mrs f. r. Carpenter,
| and large roll of nice cloth and linen towel
made by Mrs. Christopher Shippee We can
not all wear cloth that is made under our
own roof, but those who can must feel par
donable pride in their honest independence.
With Mrs. Shippees goods was an earthern
| coffee pot of quaint design and decoration.
Mrs. Shippee said that it was very old more
than eighty years ago. So we thought it safe
to make it one hundred years old Miss
Roxina c. Tyler took the premium on pair
of nice stockings spun and knit by herself.
Mr.. S. D. Kelley, our new and popular tin
ware and stove dealer, exhibited some fine
samples of his work. He is filling o place
that has needed him for some time and the
| quality of his work is a sufficient guaranty OF
his popularity and success
The articles in the fancy department were
well done and represented many branches of
art. The list of premiums will call atten.
ton to those that were deemed most worthy
of note.
In the afternoon the amusements were a
three-legged race and potato race. In the
former there were four entries. The first
prize was won by Willie Robertson and Char
lie Walker the second by Merit Ross and
hurry Hicks the third by Eldorous Foote
and r. Eddy. In the potato race there were
six entries 1t was impossible to decide
whether the first prize should so to Eldorous
Foote or Charlie Walker, 80 they divided the
first and second between them. The third
prize was awarded to Willie Robertson
All seemed well pleased with the days en-
tertainment and determined to make the
tenth annual meeting of the society better in
every way than any that has gone before it.