Connecticut western news., 1893-10-05
THE HOUSA TONIC CATTLE SHOW AND FAIR.

 of domestic animals, including cattle, sheep and swine was in several of the divisions superior to the cattle show of last year. In the first division of do- mestic animals, comprising fat, work ing and draft oxen; in the second divis- ions of three and four year old oxen, there were over 20 pairs of these patient and gentle animals winch should be found on every farm of 50 acres and up wards in Berkshire county. It is in the memory of members of the society yet living when 100 yoke of oxen were to be seen at every cattle show.
 The farmers receiving first premiums for the best yoke of oxen were: Fat oxen, F. K. Hinckley, of Lee; working oxen, Austin Holion; draft oxen under 3200 pounds, Lawyer P. H. Wright, of Great Burlington; over 3200 pounds, F. B. Hawley, of Otis; three year olds, George B. Hale, of Tyringham.
 In the divisions of grade cows, heifers and calves, there were numerous entries and many fine animals that looked like good butter COWS, or gave promise of becoming such, while now and then scrub animal was exhibited that should be prepared for beef and sent to the slaughter before winter
 Those farmers of wealth, or in other words well-to-do, the pedigree of whose stock may be found recorded for gener- atlons in the ever increasing volumes of the Herd Books, made fine display of their favorite breeds. The American Short Horn herds of w. s. Wilcox, of Sheffield, and Frederick Abbey. of Ct Harrington, were among the best of the numerous entries of this breed of cattle whose ancestors once graZed over the plains of the old English county of Dur ham. Of Jersey stock there were 60 en- tries, against AS at the previous fair. In condition and pedigree these beautiful animals were so near the equal of each other that the committee were all the afternoon in making their various awards The beautiful bull of pure ''St. Lambert" blood from the farm of Charles N. Gilbert was awarded the first premium. John Milton Mackie, who years ago was an importer of Chan nel Island cattle, ,ex hibited several speci- mems of "Stoke Pogis" blood; while the herds of four each were from the farms of O. B. Benedict, J. M. Mackie, Pratt 1. Tobey and O. N. Gilbert.
 William I. Walker, of Great Barring ton, and Theron L. Forte, of Lee, were on hand as usual with good number of Ayrshires whose ancestors once pas- tured on the banks of the Ayr. and per haps furnished milk and butter for the nourishment of the infant Burns and Highland Mary.
 In the division of Holstein or Dutch cattle, that prince of importers, Alonzo Bradley, of Lee, and several others made good display of these fine animals which can generally be depend ed upon for both beef and milk.
 The Guernseys, which may be term ed cousins to the Jerseys, were chiefly from the domains of James H. Rowley, of Egremont, and Merritt I. Wheeler, of Great Harrington. We noticed that Deacon Daniel W. Beckwith, of Great Burlington, has recently entered the list as Guernsey breeder.
 Mrs D. W. Merrifeld, of Sheffield, who for some years has greatly contrib uted to the stock display, sent up sever al fine head of Devonshire cattle and re- ceived several premiums.
 Many fine focks of sheep were on ex- hibition and it is pleasure to know that these valuable little animals are not extinct in South Berkshire. South Downs, Merinos, ,Hampshires and grades are the favorites among the sheep far. mers of the county.
 The afternoon sports of the first day caused good deal of amusement, which was enlivened with music by the Great Harrington band.
 The half mile bicycle race was won by B. G. Combs, of Pittsfeld, in 1 20 Mir Combs also won the mile race in 2.55.
 The half mile bicycle race for boys was won by Henry Fassett, of Great Darlington; time 1.26.
 The half mile race open to Southern Berkshire, was won in 1.18 by W. P. Servin, of Lenox.
 The trial of speed for the 9 year-old colt stakes, one half mile, was won by F. A. Dodge, of Pittsfeld, chestnut mare "Golden Belle" in 1.25.
 The consolation bicycle race was won by George Soudant, of VanDeusenville; time 1.18.
 The Great Barringtons defeated the Wiusteds 8 to l, in hotly contested game of base ball.
 On Thursday there was an immense crowd of people on the grounds many distinguished gentlemen with civil or military titles being present from Litch- field, Columbia and Berkshire counties. Your reporter noticed among others: Senator Hecox, of Williamstown; Col. Wheedon, of Pittsfeld; Dr H. H.Smith, Of Hudson; Lawyer F. B. Lindsey, of Philmont; Marcus H. Rogers and wife; O. F. Fowler, of Westfeld, and G. O. Rowley, of Blandford. Both are mem- bers of the Massachusetts State Board | of Agriculture. The exhibition of household and fan. | cy articles in the hall, together with the beautiful display of flowers, fruits, paint | ings and drawings, was rather ahead of former fairs. Great credit is due to the | able superintendent of the hall, John F. | Gibson. Of Great Burlington, for the tasteful manner in which the numerous articles wore arranged.
 The exhibition of pure blood horses, not only trotting bred but bred for gen | eral purposes, was all that lover of 6ue horses could desire. The display from the Bloodgood stock farm of Eng fish hackneys comprising the General whose sire was owned by the Prince of | Wales; Star Mapal Jr.," "Wood Kittie, Black Bess. Lady Fliaway," Punch, and "Victoria," were greatly admired and applauded. The exhibit If Prince Egbert," "Mam hrino." and | ''Proclimier" from the stock farm of | Thomas Greenwood and the noble grey | stallion 'Dick Blaco" recently brought from Dakota by Frank G. Tefft. of Ct. Harrington, added greatly to the inter- | est of the exhibition. As the 2.35 class was withdrawn from | the program, special race for O purse of $175 was trotted in the afternoon. l The race was won after five heats, by | John Stallman of Lee, bay mare | Orphan Lass" Best time. 2 30. The three minute class was won in | three straight heats by J J Webster of | Pittsfeld, bay gelding Danger; time 35
 I. w. Smith, of Lee, beat the pre- vious track record of 27 by trotting his bay stallion Cornwall" a mile in