Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-10-05
Mad River Valley Fair.

parent In the results OF the SHOW. The grounds
Of the society are nearly ten miles from any rail
way station, but they are located in the midst OF
a beautiful fertile valley, with smooth, produc-
tive farms along the banks Of Mad River, and
still farther back on the surrounding hills are
many farms nearly or quite as productive Years
ago, enterprising farmers introduced improved
stock into the several towns, and by intelligent
farming mot book-farmipg only have slowly but
surely progressed In that successful industry
which gives to land-culture the noble dignity Of
a worthy profession. The weather could not be
called entirely favorable, MS there were showers
both slight and copious, which prevented as full
an attendance Of people a. Is desirable but still
there were very many present, especially the sec
ond day.
The officers of the society were early on the
ground Tuesday morning and with characteristic
energy and faithfulness attended to every depart
ment assigned them, determined to secure the
best possible results Of an agricultural and in
dustrial society. Much credit is due to the pres
ident, Mr.. Josiah Holden OF waits6eld, who has
been indefatigable in his efforts to have the ma
terial Of the society put on exhibition, both on
the grounds and in the hail. and we are pleased
to say that the members responded to his call
and hasten to record the results.
HORSES.
The number of entries In this class was the
highest 1t has been for several years. excepting in
1873, and all Of them were very fine indeed. Six
pairs OF horses were entered for driving or for
work, and nearly all Of them we're black, and
well-matched. and there we're ten single drivers
There we're twelve colts one year DID, six Of them
belonging to L. r. Joslyn of Waitsield. When
these were exhibited before the judges stand,
with az many more colts that were older or
younger 1t was a proud and pretty display. L. X.
Joslyn had one span Of bay colts one year old,
which are trained TO harness and travel well on
the road William f. Ward Of Duxbury had
several very nice colts; and we see by reference
to the seer etary's books that Florence Mccarthy
Of waitsfield had seven entries 10 this class, and
drew five premiums, which speaks well for him.
George w. Folsom Of Waitsfeld had a fine young
mare and colt present, well deserving Of premium,
but the Judges could award but two; and c. T.
Pope exhibited decidedly mertorious mare and
colt, but being out OF the limits of the society,"
premium could be awarded.
CATTLE.
The exhibition in this class in no way fell be
hind its former record, and the society is advanc
ing somewhat, we think, in improved or thorough
bred stock Alfred Joslyn OF Waitsfeld steadily
increases his show Of Jerseys, fawn color and
white, with good dairy record. This year we
count eight animals in his cattle pens. Edwin
House of Waitsfeld, known throughout the state
for his splendid herd Of Devons, had seven cows
Of registered stock and C. Spauding Of More
town and w. c. Kelsey of Fayston also had
thoroughbreds OF this breed.
Durhams are well represented by the herd Of
John A. Granield of waitsfeld, who shows six
large cows and five other head of full-blood
John Ferris of Waitsfield shows a large Durham
bull three years old, remarkably wel-built and
handsome, and which weighs about two thousand
pounds and Lyman Fisk OF Waitsfeld has on
the ground a pair OF grade Durham trained
steers which weigh twenty-four hundred and ten
pounds. L. X. Joslyn has two beautiful thorough
bred Dutch COWS, with two calves; while in grade
Dutch we notice large bull one year old owned
by Patrick SIN it'll of Fayston, and fine bull
calf owned by E. L. Marble of Fayston, which 1,
as well trained as the premium trained steers.
One Of the most interesting and amusing feat
ures Of the day was the training of steers by the
boys-Wnnie Bowman, Eddie Prentiss, Bonnie
| Marble Hugh Carpenter and Myron Hanks, and
| it should be mentioned in connection with thi.
class that there have been FIVE or six pairs Of
| steer calves sold out of the town of Watsield
this season for $50 per pair. In the grand parade
OF cattle there nineteen pairs OF all colors
I from calves up to the mammoth oxen, splendid
| fellows and well-matched.
SHEEP
I There were two pens of fat sheep, and few
| ~
and several pens of coarse-wool sheep-all OF
them large and in good order.
| SWINE.
| There were none of those very fat hogs usual,
at these fair grounds, but two litters of tt,
| pigs and few others made very fair exhibition
| of porkers to come.
POULTRY.
The show was very small in number and vari
ETY., but good in quality.
FLORAL AND AGRICULTURAL HALL.
As we enter here we can but echo the genera
expression of surprise and pleasure at the beauty
variety, fullness and rarity of the whole display
Where shall we begin to record, and what shal
we say? In mechanic arts we find specimens @
heavy and calf boots, ladies shoes, and fu
assortment of goods in that line by G. D. Moulto
of Moretown; cooper work by G. W. O.mstea
of Waitsfed; J. Fassett of Moretown hs
Howes scales on exhibition-a perfect article, $
useful that every farmer should have them. "
find also full entries of butter, cheese, sugar
honey and bread, and reference to the premium
list will show who enters the good, better an
best. In agricultural implements we find fe,
articles Of merit, with no competition however
but in grain, fruit and vegetables we find rar
show of every variety. f. W. Bisbee of More
town has three entries OF turnps, three of tabl
squashes and two of beets j. d. Marble of Faye
ton shows the unusual sight of eleven good-size
table squashes all on the same vine, twelve larg
pumpkins both yellow and dark green, tire
varieties of potatoes, and peck of nice seedin
apples which he calls the General Grant" Reu
ben Bates OF Waitsfeld enters table beets, onion.
tomatoes, a variety OF potatoes of twelve diffei
ent names, and the only plums in the hall; A. +
Lovejoy of Moretown exhibits beans, beets, tire
kinds OF tomatoes, pumpkins, squashes, melons
citrons and cabbage; J. b. Hills OF Middlese
exhibits seed-corn, popcorn, potatoes, eeve
kinds of crab apples, fifteen varieties OF apples
ten pecks OF beans and no two beans alike
But we must not take space to mention each ind
vidual There WAS fine show of seed.corn,
| large SNOW Oh very large pulHpklDs, anu Tue uli
play OF apples of all kinds was larger and bette
than ever before both In pecks and specimens
o. W. Davis & Co. OF Waterbury Center ha
very nice specimens from their nursery; Williar
and C. H. Sawyer OF Moretown had fifteen spec
mems and also specimens Of apples from the crop
Of 1881 and 1880 in the same box; j. B, Hills ha
fifteen specimens G. o Boyce OF Fayston ha
ten varieties OF sweet apples and ten of sour, an
John A. Granield Of Waitsfeld had twelve vari,
ties that could not be beaten for looks, and "
presume not for taste
In domestic manufactures we especially motto
that flannel froekng, homemade linen an
home-spun yarn are not among the lost art
while in rugs and rag-carpeting the entries al
numerous and very fine. Among the bedqui
we can hardly say which was prettiest or be:
when all are so good, but will especially mentio
} three very nice ones, by Mrs. Noah Robinson
Waterbury Center; and two nicely done piec,
work puifs, by little misses of ten and seve
I years old, Ellen G. and Josie C. Wilder Of Wait
I field There were sixteen tidies--all very nj,
and pretty, two worsted mufilers and a han,
made shawl; also two well-made and useful hus
mats. Mrs A. NJ Pierce of Moretown h,
twenty-five pots of house plants well-kept an
thrifty and some Of them were of rare kind
NJ, j. Is. Fassett had an elegant fower-star
with profusion Of splendid plants in full flow
and of fine foliage, which he frankly ooniess'
to us belonged partly 10 his wife and partly
! his good neighbors He also had two fine orgal