Connecticut western news., 1888-10-03
GREAT HARRINGTON.
THE ANNUAL FAIR OF THE HoUSATONIC
 AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.


 From Our Special Correspondent.l
 The 47th annual cattle show and fair of the Housatonic Agricultural society at Great Burlington, last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday has passed into history and the farmers must now settle down to the work of securing their fall crops before the early snows of Novem- Der whistle around their dwellings.
 Though the proceedings at the fair may be open to criticism, yet taken as a whole it was success, and the mana gers are entitled to credit for the excellent order and the fact that no one was injured, and so far as heard from not even a wagon broken. The atten- dance on Wednesday was about as large as generally seen on the first day and it would pro obably have been greater but for the threatening weather, which had all the appearance of rain. The first day is really the only cattle show day of the whole fair. The exhibition in some of the departments was not as large as has been seen at some of the cattle shows of the past, yet there was fair display of thoroughbred and graded cattle. Jersey stock were entered Toy c N Gilbert, Samuel Newell, J M Mackie, of Great Burlington H N French, B M Langdon X Son, of Lee B NJ Teal, Dr l. Miller. F Hoffman, of ckbridge and others. Ayshires by W Walker. T l. Foote, of Lee. Holsteins by w NJ Chapin, Flint Smith and Geo. Kellogg of Sheffield P NJ Shaylor < Son of Lee; N B Curtis of Stockbridge. Guernseys by l. V N Blakeman, J A Kline, J H Rowley, of Egremont; 0 N Gilbert, M Wheeler, of Ct Burlington Devons by Samuel LaPrise, of Stock bridge, and Mrs D W Mansfield, of Sheffield. Durhams by Fred Abbey, Jared Lewis and others, of Ct Barring ton. The exhibition of sheep was up to its usual high standard, the focks comprising South Downs, Hampshire, Merinos and grades, coming chiefly from the towns of Egremont, Afford, Lee, Great Burlington and Sheffield. The exhibition of swine was not large, but several fine sows and pigs were shown, and the indications are that the pork barrels of the farmers and others will be full by early winter. A few fine yokes of oxen were exhibited, but the great display of oxen at Berkshire county fair has passed away for ever, and now large sums of money must be thrown away on the worse than useless horse trots, with all its attendant demoralization and trickery.
 Thursday, the second day, was as usual, "horse day." and number o1 fine mares. colts, stallions, farm horses and carriage horses were on exhibition. The exhibition of stallions was larger than last year and the stallion "Don s. ' owned by MT Payne, of Hinsdale, and driven by Edwin Hurlburt, received the first premium. The second was award. ed to M s Bidwell, of Monterey. The races on the afternoon of the second day were quite tame affairs, as there was no close contest between the horses and but little interest exhibited by the spectators as to the result. In the 2:5C class the race was won by l. B Brusie, Great Harrington, "Nellie Wilkes after five heats, with F J. Pratt, Stock. bridge, |" Marion w." second. The best time was 2:414. The 2:40 class was wor by W H Palmer, of Austerlitz, "Wilkes Spirit, Jr.," in three straight heats, with M Dodge, Pittsfeld, Fillmore second. Time 2:46, 2:3S, 2:36.
 The exhibition of poultry was excel ent, comprising about 200 entries be- sides the turkeys, ducks and geese. O1 geese the display was the best seen on the grounds for several years, and all the breeds of poultry to be found in Berkshire, comprising over 40 breeds, were represented. The largest exhibi. tors of poultry were F J Strong and George Plen, of P1tts6eld, l. B Gum, of IIanesboro and Bradley Brothers, oi Lee.
 The best vegetable displays were made by Fred Dellert, Mrs M l. Whit. lock, of Great Burlington, and DaviI Rushy, of Monterey. There was large exhibition of beautiful potatoes of lead ing varieties, and the cabbages were immense. Everything in the vegetable department indicated that the farmer. and their friends will enjoy a gooi many boiled dinners the coming winter
 The display in the upper hall wa about an average one, and over 30 ras carpets, many of them very nice ones were on exhibition. lit is estimated tha fully twelve thousand people were or the ground during the day, and th' success of the fair is largely due to tn, regular membership and the grea attendance from Litchfeld and othe parts of Connecticut.
 Friday, the last day, was devoted t. the exercises in the hall and the hors trots. At 10 a. m. the seats in the hal were occupied. Music was rendered by the Germania Band, of Pittsfeld prayer offered by Rev s J McCutcheon of Great Harrington, address by Rev H Rowley, of North Adams. Award o premiums, paid in cash. In the after noon the horse races occurred, and wer kept up until after dark, at which tim nearly all the people, except the judge with few horsemen and reporters hat left the ground. The weather after SUI down was so cold that those not provi ded with great coats, appeared by thei shivering and contortions as if freezinl to death. The four-year-old race wa won by John Stallman's "F s G" c Lee, with H G Phelps Ram on Wilkes" of Lee. second l; best time :5a The 2:30 class was won by F M Dodge "D D" of Pittsfeld, in three straigh heats, with E E Dodge, Belle s second. Best time 2,54. The minut class was won by F A Bracken'
 "Frank" of Pittsfeld, with B E Dodge
 Gshelle" second. and M M Rice
 Flossie Wilkes of Great Harrington third. Best time PAY. The time race or those trotting nearest to minutes was won by John Develin's "Violet,
 of Lee, in 2:59, E Hurlburt, of Gres Burlington. "Ed Wilkes" second. Tim 3:O1f. CRAWFORD. lIAkEVILLE.
 Miss Laura Weed commenced he