Connecticut western news., 1885-10-07
WEDNESDAY, oCToBER7 ', 1885.
THE 44TH ANNUAL CATTLE SHOW


 The filth annual cattle show and fair of the Housatonic agricultural society last Wednesday, Thurday and Friday was successful and remarkable one; re- markable for beautiful weather for the first and second days and, though rain was to all appearance sure to come on the last day,it did not and it was good day for the race, both human and other wise. The exhibition was also remark able for the large attendance on the first day, the cash receipts being a guide. The number of people present was the largest on that day ever before known. The immense attendance the second day, with the fine display of horses, and ar ticles in the hall exceeded former years, while the crowning glory of the last day was the grand address delivered by Rev Hiram Eddy, D. D., of Canaan, Conn.,, and the presence of his excellency, Geo D. Robinson, governor of the common wealth of Massachusetts,
 Wednesday, the first day of the exhi- bition, is properly called the ''cattle show for then the farmers from all over the central and southern portions of old Berkshire and sometimes from the more northern sections bring their choicest domestic animals to the total number of from 1900 to 1500 head in all departments, embracing sheep, swine,
  native and thoroughbred stock of all leading breeds. Among the chief exhi- bitors at the show under consideration : there were: of fat oxen, Hiram Con- stock of Great Burlington, P. M Shay Tor of Lee. Guernsey herds were exhi- bited by H. B. Schenck of Lenox and L. V. N. Blakeman of Egremont; Hol- stein herds by W. M. Chapin of Shef- field; Ayrshires by Theron l.. Foote of < Lee, Frank Heath of Stockbridge and William I. Walker of Great Harrington. Jersey herds were shown by J. M Mackie and P. A. Russell of Great Bar rington, and Short Horns or Durhams by H. H. Purdy of Monterey, J. A. Kline of Egremont and William s. Will COX of Sheffield. The bulls of all these breeds were. large, noble looking animals and gave evidence that Berkshire coun- ty stock is not deteriorating. Henry A. Tobey of Great Harrington had, as usu- al, on exhibition some beautiful Black Rolled or Angus cattle, otherwise cattle without horns, consisting of bull and COW. There were many other exhibitors worty of mention did time and space permit.
 If sheep, as the old Spanish writers say, walk with golden hoofs, then a number of farms in this section must be increasing in wealth, for we have sever al great sheep breeders in Afford, Egre- mont, Monterey, Sheffield and other towns. South Down sheep are most numerous, while Hampshire Downs, Merinos, Long Wool sheep and grades are also raised, chiefly for wool and young lambs for New York market
 The exhibition of swine of the Berk- shire, Chester, Cheshire, Essex and Yorkshire breeds was large one, sever al sows having ten pigs each, and was enough to make an ancient Jew shudder to think of the quantities of pork people will eat the coming winter. R. F. Little of Sheffield exhibited very fneY Yorkshire SOW and pigs clean enough for parlor, on which he received first premium. The society should provide awnings in case of necessity for the protection of the swine, for on the day of exhibition the animals suffered severely in their close pens from the heat, and one old SOW died in two hours after arriving on the ground, leaving family of eight or ten little grunters.
 In all the departments in the upper hall comprising household manufac- lures, ladies' fancy work, fruits, flowers, painting and horticultural displays, the exhibition was unusually fine. Mir J. M. Maekie had collection of 46 varie- ties of foliage plants, 16 of pansies, and 26 of roses, besides many kinds of asters. Mrs F. Crippen and Mrs J. N. Warner of Sheffield also had good collection, and there were many other exhibitors. H. z. Candee of Sheffield and David Busby of Monterey had on the east side of the hall well-arranged horticultural displays which attracted the attention of every one. The display of fruits especially apples and grapes-was tempting, and as usual, citizens of Sheffield received the highest honors. That under noun tain" region of Sheffield Is noted place for grapes and other fine fruits This year apples are scarce there, while other portions of the town are abundantly supplied Those of that town receiving premiums were: for apples, R. Little, Dwight Boardman, John R. Huggins, z. Candee, Charles Rote Most of the premiums on pears and peaches went to that town. Some 35 drawings and paintings were on exhibition. For an oil painting, Miss Loring of Sheffield received first premium of S5. An exhi- bition of several articles once used in ' household of Eye olden times, embrac- ing andirons. spinningwheels, bed warmer, old barn-lantern, reels, and other things of brass and wood too nu- merous for mention, was made by Hen ry ". Wright of this village. On the west side of the hall up stairs quantity of bread, butter and cheese was exhibit ed. For farmers cheese Jerome Crit !enden of Tyringham received the first premium of $6. No factory cheese was sxhibited this season. In the lower