Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-09-16
OUR ANNUAL AGRICULTURAL
FAIR.

We can only give a very brief
sketch of what attracted our atten-
tion at our Fair, which closed yes
terday, referring our readers to the
official report of the premiums
awarded :.,i.' Ie9sseaTTiYriiGGg some obser-
vations Of our own until the next
paper.
The day preceding the Fair, was
most unpropitious. The wind was
high, and the rain poured down in
torrents. Many supposed that it
was the opening of the eQuinoctial
storm, which would probably last
for several days, and extinguish ev-
cry prospect of profitable and en-
couraging exhibition. 1t was the
principal day set apart for the entries,
especially of fine stock; aud from
the inclemency of the weather, but
few entries were then made. On
Tuesday the sun rose in unclouded
splendor, and the day was particu-
larly bright, fresh, and agreeable;
still the clouds on Monday hung
heavily over the fair, if not over the
fair ground, on Tuesday, the day OF
commencement, as an impression
was very general that no entries
could be made after Monday, and
the enterprise had received a shock
which would be felt throughout the
week.
Providence, however, kindly IA
vored us with fine weather, and the
attendance of visitors on Thursday
was highly gratifying. No fair has
ever occurred in this county which
ought more particularly to have at
tracted its farming interest. Our
late bountiful wheat crop. and mag
nifcent prospect for corn, ought to
have prepared their minds for social
enjoyment, while the rain of Mon
day rendered blowing impossible,
and gave them full liberty to en-
courage an institution designed
mainly for their benefit. But we
must be allowed to say that the far
mers of this county did not exhibit
the interest in the success of the fair
which its merits and their duties de-
manded.
We have been among those who
have believed and said that an agri-
cultural association has largely con-
tributed to the agricultural improve
ment of this county, and while not
unmindful Of the beauties and at
fractions of Floral Hall, our atten-
ton was particularly directed to
those departments best calculated to
show the progress and improvement
of agriculture in our county.
With the exception of the beauti-
full Durham herd, brought here by
DR.. Tanner, of Jefferson, and the
noble grey imported Percheron stall
lion, exhibited by DR.. Manning, Of
Shepherdstown, every other head of
stock, and all other articles, except
some machinery, were the product
of Berkeley county, The black stall
lion of A. j. Ridgway, attracted
much attention, as did also a Dur
ham bull of Mr.. OHIO Williams.
The Attorney stock Of the Hon. O.
J. Faulkner was much admired, and
was awarded four premiums. An
Alderney heifer of Mr.. James Dunn,
was also awarded a premium. The
display Of improved sheep, Chester
and Berkshire hogs, was very good.
A decided improvement was observ-
able in the horses, mules, and colts,
all of which will be seen in the pre-
MUM list.
Many valuable varieties of wheat,
corn, rye, oats, and buck wheat, Were
exhibited, in which the contributions
of The Cherry Grove Grange were
particularly distinguished. Vegeta-
bles of the finest quality were to be
seen there, and none attracted more
attention than the improved tomato
and the prolific corn Of our enter
prising county gardener, Robert G.
Burkhart. He exhibited stalks hav-
ing on them five and six full ears Of
corn.
The department of poultry was
tolerably well supplied. The Leg
horns and Brahmas being most nu-
merous, while the HoudOns attract