The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-23
Fair of the WinOOski Valley Agri-
cultural Association.

cultural Association.
The formation of some kind of an agrcul-
raj society began to be discussed among
Ie go-ahead people of Waterbury about
bar ago. The Washington county fair had
ecome a thing of the past, and necessity
as felt for some organization, at some cen
al point, that should not only fill the place
the old county fair but should enlist the
lterest and invite the cooperation OF the
owns IN and down the valley of the Wi
ooski. Waterbury village seemed to be
avorable locality in which to establish the
rounds of such an association. The pro-
ect was received with favor, locally, and
SUBSTANTIAL encouragement was assured
rom men of means in the village. Nego-
Nations resulted in the purchase of the level
selds on each side of the Eaton road, about
mile above the village on the southerly
ide of the Winooski, in Moretown. \
complete organization was effected, with
ocal committees in all the towns of Wash
ngton county, and in such towns of Orange,
.amoille and Chittenden counties as could
conveniently he represented at Waterbury.
with the opening of spring the work of pre-
barring the grounds was begun. A half-mile
track, admirably adapted to its purpose in
shape and soil, was laid out, buildings
ERECTED pens and barns constructed and the
grounds enclosed. On plateau somewhat
above the level of the river, but easily ac-
cessible, magnificent view of the most pic
turesque valley in Vermont is to be had. In
xattraCtivencss of situation il rivals the fine
= grounds of the state organization at Bur
lington. The first fair, arranged for last
week, opened on Tuesday very auspiciously.
The weather was fine, a large number of
entries was made and the attendance was
large. The day was spent in getting things
into position and in settling down to the
business of the exhibition. The second day
| brought an attendance of some five thou
sand people, which the general interest and
continued fine weather scarcely reduced on
the third and last day. Waterbury's new
band, organized the present season, was in
attendance during the fair, and contributed
much to the enjoyment of the occasion by
the excellence of its music. The premium
list will tell the story, to fair extent, of
the number and variety of the articles eX-
hibited. To review them all in detail would
require more space than other matters leave
at our disposal. In general way, it may be
said of the exhibition of
STOCK
that the show of cattle was not so large
or complete as it should have been, and
easily might have been had the farm
ers of Waterbury in particular brought
out their animals. Too much modesty or a
disposition to underrate the good qualities
of their cattle, or something else which GER
tainly should not have been Indifference,
deprived the people of the privilege of see
ing some good specimens of blooded and
graded stock, especially of the Jersey breed.
1t was the fault of farmers near at hand that
the exhibition of Jerseys was confined to an
entry of yearling grade bull by Joseph
Thompson "a fair specimen, weighing seven
hundred pounds) and a three-years-old grade
bull by w. w. Sheple. But the local farm
ers will be heard from next year. Edwin
House of Watsfield showed a fine herd OF
Devons, all thoroughbreds and registered
stock. Mr.. House is a member of the
American Devon Cattle Club and believes in
this breed for our scanty pastures. With
the same keeping, he claims that the Devons
excel any other kind for dairying, and will
keep in good order where larger breeds
will require feeding. His exhibits were
taken right from the rough pastures, and
their appearance would certainly strongly
confirm Mr. Houses claims. His stock is
brought from New Hampshire and Other
places in New England, and contains differ
ent strains of blood. He has raised Devon'
for fifteen years and has a dairy of lively,
or fourteen cows. G. Il. Page, proprietor o
Malvern Farm, Morrisville, exhibited hi
herd of thoroughbred Shorthorns. Among
the calves was pair of steers whose weigh
was reported to be one thousand three hun
dred pounds. Mr.. Pages exhibit was an at
tractive one to the admirers of good stock
and contributed deClsively to the redemp
ton of this department of the fair A
= Murray of Moretown also exhibited a herr
of Shorthorns that was exceedingly credit
as an exhibitor. Horace Morse of DuXbur,
showed a seven-months' grade bull, Durham
that tipped the beam at seven hundre,
pounds. d. Darling entered grade Holster
calves, a tive-months-old heifer and bul
three and one-half months old that possesse,
in marked degree the distinguishing quail
ties of the Dutch stock. These are some c
the larger and more conspicuous exhibits
Single specimens of grade stock were showr
for particular mention of which reference
made to the premium list. Waterbur
brought out a town team of thirteen yokes {
working oxen, among which We're some fai
animals. The show of sheep and swine wa
light, particularly the former. The displa
of horses was very creditable in extent an
more than good in quality. 1t was especial
worthy of mention for the exhibition of gel
tlemens driving and matched horses an
for mares with foals. An interesting featur
in the exhibition in this department was til
presence of the Norman stallion s.
Robert" Clydesdale, weight one thousan
seven hundred pounds. He was eXhibite
by III. a. Porter of Hinesburg. The hors
show quite overshadowed the cattle show
The society and the farmers must brace Il
on the latter.
POULTRY.
Some fifty coops were exhibited and til
show was attractive as well as highly mer
torious III. ID. Brown and f. G. Evans
Waterbury We're the largest exhibitor
Their display comprising nearly hall the el
tire exhibit, The specimens showed tn;
great skill in poultry raising had been a
tanned. The useful and the ornaments
were well represented, but the legendaI
"white old hen with yellow legs was co
spicuous by her absence. Foreign bloc
seemed to rule the roost. The buildir
designated
FLORAL HALL
was bazaar of very diverse and miscel
neous creations and productions. Big pun
kins and quilts more or less crazy, see
corn and tides, potatoes and worsted hig
art, onions and decorated china, crayoI
and coal-stoves, oil paintings and seed-soN
ers, the mysterious creations of feminil
art and skill and the products of the far
and mandatory, made collection of b
wildering variety. To catalogue and ad
quately describe the articles, and give al
lists and artisans, producers and exhib
ors their due, would far exceed the limits
a voluminous report of the entire fair T.
managers of the association moderated {
aesthetic tastes of the women of Winoos
valley when they planned this building.
would have been insufficient for satisff
tory display of the products of femin
skill and industry alone. The number
articles exhibited was very large. For t
most part they were meritorious, and ma
were of a high order of excellence. The d
play of such farm products as maple sug;
vegetables and grains was creditable
quantity and quality. The maple sugar a
syrup shown by l.. A. Persons of East MOI