Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1915-10-29

vania, Ohio and other middle western
States for a large share of the live
stock exhibits. We have been exhibit
tors at the fair for the past number of
years and l believe there was more
interest shown in the live stock depart
ment this year than eve before. 4
l believe the State fair commission
can do more to encourage live stock
breeders and agriculture in Vermont
than any other organization yet
formed. Close the gates next year to
the outside world and make it for
Vermont and New Hampshire. New
Hampshire should be allowed as it
furnishes good exhibits and large
crowds which help to swell the gate
receipts. The only objection l have
to the State of Maine is that they have
fairs of their own and will let no one
in except breeders of their own State.
l can see no reason why Vermont should
extend an open gate to them under the
circumstances.
Don't look for the best fair ever
next year. but give the farmers of
Vermont and New Hampshire three
years and see what they can do. l be-
lieve in that time they would put up
one of the best live stock shows that
could be found in the country for the
size of the two States. Heretofore the
farmers have not taken the interest
in the fair which they should because
they knew they could not compete with
the ~corn-fed stock of the west and
Canada, and have not tried to any ex-
tent to fit their stock. | remember a
few years ago a breeder not far from
exhibit at the fair in both cattle and
sheep and showed stock a credit to any
Vermont farmer. But he was badly
beaten by men of money from New
York. He swore he would never show
again until something was done. The
next year a State class was made for
his particular breed of sheep aud he
came back, but since the death of
Maxwell Evarts this has been cut out
and everyone is used the same.
am more interested in the sheep
department than anything else, as that
is my line. Now | am going to cite a
little instance that has happened for
the last number of years and | will
leave it to the farmers to decide
whether it helps the sheep industry OF
Vermont. There is a certain exhibitor
in New York who makes a business OF
going to Canada every fall where he
buys a full class in four separate breeds
of sheep highly fitted and ready to wiz
in my competition, for which he pay:
high prices. These sheep are shown a
New York State ,air, White Rive
Junction and five or six State fairs O
the south. After the fairs are over he i!
glad to sell at just a little above muttor
price in order to DE ready for a new
bunch next year. He has been getting
from $500 to $500 a year at White Rive
Junction for a number of years an(
there were three breeders from Ohio
last year who took back more than this
This year practically all the sheep wer,
raised by the exhibitors or in the tire,
named States and | believe there wa.
as much interest shown as at an,
/ previous fair. This is only in the sheel
, department.
With our legislators appropriatinl
, money to help maintain the State fai
, of Vermont l believe that the farmer
here at home should be given a chance
, to show what they can do. They hav'
certainly done well this year on shor
, notice. We would like to see thi
discussed through the Homestead b.
both those who are in favor or agains
it.
JACKSON BROTHERS.