The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-09-04
Waits River Valley Fair.

The sixth annual fair of Waits River
Agricultural Society was held at East Cor
inth. August 20 to 30. About $3.50 had been
expended in improvements, consisting, in
part, of a new horse barn, seventy feet in
length, and new water-works. There were,
besides, a large number Of tents and stalls
for the refreshment and amusement Of Wis
! itors. Many we're open several days before
| the fair, but, for a wonder, the two.headed
calf, bears, sword-swallowers, and other
side-shows, were conspicuous by their alb
sence. Children conferred their interest
upon the merry-go.round, and even boys Of
seventy renewed their youth by riding the
| prancing sJeeds.
The first day was, as usual, devoted to
the making of entries and putting exhibits
| in place, and admission to the ground was
free.
Thursday opened with drenching rain,
which kept many away from the ground,
but those who went saw the best exhibit Of
livestock ever on the grounds G. G. Doe
of Newbury exhibited herd of Guernsey
cattle, flock Of Dorset sheep, and Red
Tamworth hogs. F. M. Corliss showed
three Jersey bulls, COW and heifers. Bulls
were shown by Ben. Hurst and W. X. Da-
Wis, and cows by G. 8. Prescott An Ayr
shire bull was exhibited by W. G. Nye of
East Barre, and grades by William Taplin
and j. B. Farwell.
Merino sheep, once the gilt-edged stock
Of the country, but now despised and al
Of Jonas W. Stevens. Other breeds were
exhibited, az follows: Cheviots, by j. P.
Dickerman; South Downs, by George A.
Richardson; Cotswold grades, by Charles
Magoon; Shropshires, by W: NJ Merrill
pigs were shown by w. V. Hood and B. F.
Ordway of Topsham.
Exhibits of poultry were as follows:
Henry Heath of Bradford, Black and
Brown Leghorns, Black Langshans, Silver
| Id Dol, anI lott ~ riar
pigeons; also Belgium hares, guinea pigs;
Amos Jewett Of West Topsham Black
Leghorn Plymouth Rock, White Wyan-
dotte, Silver Lace Wyandotte; j. W.
White, White Wyandotte, White Plymouth
! Rock; j. P. Dickerman, White Wyandotte
! V. Hood, geese.
Farm machinery of various kinds was
exhibited by Charles Page and j. w. White
Town teams of oxen were from Brad
ford, Corinth and Topsham. Raymond
Celley, Charles Simpson and Waldo Prescott
showed matched steers E. f. Locke, two
pairs twins; j. K. Tapin, two pairs Devons
The exhibit of colts was good in quality,
but smaller than at previous fairs. Brood
mares and colts, II. Leonard, Cyrus Smith
Of Washington, j. ii. Bliss, Ira Lowe Of
Bradford, Mr.. Rutledge of Oxford, N. H., FL.
Emery of Topsham Other exhibits were,
one-year. Odds, George Downing of Wash
ington two-year-old stallion, Frank Hut
| ION; three-year OLD StalnOn, ID Emery;
stations with stock, John Davis of Lake
Morey, d. P. Smith of Washington; colts,
two and three years old, j. B. Farwell;
gentlemen's drivers, B. Slack Of Corinth, j.
Gay and d. j. Smith of Barre, j. Rouhan of
Topsham, II. j. Ordway, w. s. Davis and
N. G. Sleeper of Bradford. w. Ames Of
Groton, Robin & Darling Of Ryegate and F.
R. Kittridge; matched horses, M. G. Bailey
and Fl Leet of Newbury, w. r. Davis and
F. H. Minard Of Corinth, j. G. Hood and r.
g. Martin.
The fair was too early in the season for q
full display of farm and garden produce,
yet there were garden vegetables OF all
kinds-Corn, grain, potatoes, onions, to-
mstoes, etc. Exhibits Of butter by Mrs. @.
j. Nelson OF Ryegate III. b. White Of Tops
ham, A. j. Whitcher OF Newbury, Topsham
creamery, Green Mountain creamery, East
Corinth creamery. Light and heavy wag-
ons of good quality were shown by II. w.
Chalmers of Topsham.
Floral hall had its usual display of the
skill Of the women OF the vicinity. Too
few of them tried this year to make as large
a collection as usual, but it was larger than
J the average male biped can appreciate or
describe.
The third day was clear and bright, and
the grounds literally swarmed with people.
A detailed account of the exhibits and the
races cannot here be given, but there were
many close contests.
The fair was a grand success, and gave
general satisfaction to the thousands who
attended on the last day.