Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1902-09-15
ORLEANS COUNTY FAIR.


Orleans County Fair Association was
held on Roaring Brook Park last week
commencing Tuesday morning and
continuing until Friday night. Con
trary to the usual custom the patrons
of the fair this year were favored with
weather which could not be excelled
The hard rain OF Tuesday night made
the roads a little bad the following
morning but they soon dried off and
through the remainder of the week
were in excellent condition. The
conditions were therefore just right
for large attendance and many peo-
pie from distance who had remained
away in former years because of the
bad weather took this opportunity to
be present, so that the park on Thurs
day contained the largest number ever
seen on the grounds. Taken as a
whole the fair may be said to have
been a grand success although in some
departments the showing was some
what disappointing. Especially in the
line of fruit and vegetables in which
the farmers were unable to make the
usual display because of the poor sea-
son which has made it impossible for
them to produce the average crops in
this section. The corn crop is practi-
cally failure and other crops are far
below the usual standard. The hard
frost in the early season injured the
fruit trees so that the production in
that line has been very small. The
small exhibition in this line and the
fact that several of our merchants
who usually occupy booths in floral
hall were absent, caused that building
to appear less attractive than usual.
The showing of cattle was the
smallest we have ever seen. This may
be partially explained by the fact that
most of the farmers have been dispos-
ing of much of their stock because of
the high prices which have prevailed.
Many of the farmers who have good
cattle are barred from showing them
by the rule which obliges them to be
able to show that they were sired by
standard and registered animals.
There seems to be a call for another
class which would admit of any good
cows being placed on exhibition,
regardless of their pedigree. There
hre, however, farmers in this county
who can make good showing of reg
stored animals and it would be very
pleasing to the people IL these animals
'oulG be shown. While there is some
'ost in placing them on exhibition the
wners should remember that they
re securing valuable advertising for
heir herd from which they are likely
% reap good results. If the associa-
on could increase the size of their
remiums in this department it might
erve as an inducement to the farmers
make the best possible showing.
The showing in sheep was very
. pod although there were not as many
this department as we have seen
bmetimes. The exhibition of swine
as far the largest and best we have
ger seen. In the horse department
Q showing was far superior to any
ing ever made here.
The races were the fastest and the
st ever witnessed on the grounds.
icy were all closely contested and
q horses finished in a bunch. In
b free for all race the track record
s lowered by Island Wilkes, Jr., to
115 The last day was a hot one
b the horses worked out in excel
t condition making the races very
eresting. The starter, Mr.. @. F Pike
Burlington, is an excellent man for
position and gave the best of sat
lction both among the drivers and
people. He has voice which can
heard long distance and he was
to make himself understood all
the grounds. The judges were
kid Straus of New York, L. w.
Fris of bradford, and E. III. Lothrop
barton Landing. These men gave
client satisfaction until the last
when they rendered decision in
third heat of the free for all class
CD we understand was according
he rules of the National associa-
but which failed TO satisfy the
pie. 1t seems that in this
Island Wilkes Jr., had won two
and in the third broke as he was
ing in at the finish and was run
as he went under the wire. Ow-
to the distance which the horse
while running E. E. Knott came
passing him at the finish, the two
ps coming in very nearly together.
judges gave the heat to Island
es Jr., but fined the driver of
Knott $500 for holding his