The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-09-26
The Bethel Fair.

There is no part of the state better
adapted to a successful agricultural fair than
White River Valley, with its natural center
at Bethel, and there are no grounds in the
state more suitable for holding fair than
those of the White River Valley Agricul-
tural Society, which are located almost in
Bethel village. But, notwithstanding these
natural advantages, the society is not in
tiourishing condition, and the fairs are not
always a success. a part of the trouble
lies in the apathy of farmers and the re-
mainder must be attributed to the manage
ment. The fair last week could hardly be
called a success, if the term agricultural
should be applied to it. Stock, with the ex-
ception of horses, agricultural products and
farm machinery, were noticeably lacking.
The show of oxen was very good for a local
fair. Aside from this, the exhibits of cattle,
sheep and swine were hardly worth men
ton. One reason why there was such a
meager show in this direction was the fact
that the society advertised to pay the trot-
ting premiums in full; and after these were
paid the remainder, if there was any, was
to be pro-rated for the premiums awarded to
cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, and other eX-
hibts. For some reason, the farmers did
not admire this plan, and kept their stock
on their farms. This new plan is said to be
an experiment of the society-eXactly for
what purpose it is hard to perceive and
whether it proves satisfactory to the mana
gers or not remains to be seen. II its object
was TO Drlng out the horses, III certainly nau
the desired effect for the show in this line
was one of the best ever seen on the grounds.
The two leading stations We're Como and
Thought. The former is known as the
Billiard horse, and is of Clay blood The
latter is a son of Daniel Lambert, with a
record of 300. Both of these stations have
been extensively used in Bethel and the
surrounding towns and the splendid show
of their get, consisting of young stations,
tillies and colts, gave evidence that their
popularity is well deserved,
The track was in poor condition, owing
to the recent heavy rains, and the trotting
was not fast but it was apparently well
enjoyed by the crowd. The farming imple
ments on the grounds consisted of two har-
rows and two plows. The show of fruits
and vegetables was small but the fine
specimens on exhibition showed that the
best of farm products are raised in that
vicinity. The samples of maple sugar were
among the finest to be seen. The Vermont
Farm Machine Company showed a small
line of their goods. The ladies department,
though not so well filled as on some
former years, was of itself an excellent
show in that line and very creditabe to the
exhibitors. The attendance was as large
as could have been expected and, as there
was but little sightseeing, the people gave
themselves over to visiting, and they APP
parently enjoyed the agricultural (?) fair
very much. 1t is great mistake for the
farmers to permit such management of this
society. They are wholly to blame. If
they would take the matter into their own
hands and be united, the fairs at Bethel
could be made eminently successful and be-
come source of pleasure and profit to the
farmers in that locality.