Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-10-03

DUCK iamps, James Dikou, eve tamDSs
James Dixon. 4
Offruits, vegetables, &C., the follow
ing meritorious mention was made:
J. Grifith, large onions Of the Yellow
Globe Danure, and large red Arthers-
field, both nom the seed. William
Pollock, snow fake potatoes; William
Hanna, Amler cane, John Hanna, sor-
ghum molasses; J. d. Whitman, fodder
corn and apples; William Moore, gum
cas-; Jas. V. Chambers, cabbage, CALI
flowers; bull-nose picking peppers,
tomatoes, erook-nut squash; tomatoes,
onions, field corn, &C.; d. A. Griffin,
onions, red and dwarf peppers, and
collection Of flowers; w. w. Foreman,
box Of Concord and Catawba grapes,
fourteen varieties Of beans, Of nearly
every color, sugar trough gourd, turnips,
onions, sweet potatoes, three varieties Of
tomatoes, cabbage, early and late Fultz
wheat, parsnips ground, cherries, pars-
nips, pop corn, and the only tobacco
plant shown.
This list with other previously men
toned b probably q sufficient mention
to show the character Of the "Fair"
part Of the Harvest Home and Farm
er's Festival Of the pioneer side, the
day was rather unfavorable for setting
in the shade of the oldsugar trees which
were scattered over the grounds, the
last of an old sugar camp Of over 200
trees.
1t may be added that these gather
ings have been carried on some six Or
more years, under the auspices Of the
county grange, except last year,
when sickness and death among
the members interfered. New fea-
lures are added every year and
changes made in the attempt to have a
gathering of farmers that would be sat-
isfactory to all concerned, as far as pos
sible. At the last one held, the exhibit
ton of fruit, grain and vegetables were
introduced; this year live stock was
added, both of which haye proved sue
cessful.
One change was made which ii might
be proper to note in reference to the
picnic side of these gatherings. Here
tofore, although basket picnic
was announced, many came with
the expectation of being fed
with the best that well-to-
do farmer could supply, and the richest
cakes, pies. meats and the product of
the pantry, kitchen and farm were
handed out to the assembled crowd of
gormandizers and stingy farmers, whose
wives, some of whom, were too lazy or
selfish to provide the small luxury of
cake even to q stranger. Often this
privilege Of feeding the crowd devolved
upon few farmers wives, who would
prepare out Of their abundance for such
friends and strangers as might come
from a distance, to find this abundance
eaten up by the above mentioned
classes. This year refreshment stand
was provided for those who are not
careful or provident enough to
bring for themselves, and better OPP
portunity was afforded to save for
those guests and strangers from
a distance, for whom the food was pre-
pared, yet, to their shame be it said,
some farmers who are worth thousands,
were observed pilfering from the bas-
kets Of those who had prepared, while
guests went hungry, and one farmers
wife, who aims to move in the first cir
cles, "tasted' at an exhibit of grapes
until she finished them all. 1t is to be
hoped that time will remedy all these
things. i
Such gatherings as these, if properly
managed and conducted, cannot but be
of benefit. They bring together the i'm
proved stock, and stimulate the breed
ing of better kinds than the common
stock, which are grown and bred
at q loss to all concerned. Farmers
and those whose interest lie with the
farmer, are brought together, and learn
each others needs and wants; gather
information, as to what is being done.
They do not meet to discuss politics, but
to look after their own interests as farm
ers, and it is wonderful to note what a
renewed interest is manifested in farm
ing matters Immediately after one of
these meetings.
There are other meetings and fairs Of
farmers that we have not been able to
note, but which we hope to make some
Z. L.. L.