Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1915-09-03

has not balanced his books as we go to
press, nor has the secretary counted up
all the admissions, but every careful
observer has seen more genuine study
of farm stock, farm machinery, and
farming methods than at any Fair this
county has ever had. The feature of
the 1915 Fair has been the interest in it
as school of better farming.
That is the only measure of the sue
cess of an agricultural exhibition-its
educational value to farmers. Better
2, 900 people to look at exhibits and ask
questions of judges and breeders than
20, 900 to watch an airship loop -the-loop.
And this year at our Fair thousands
came to study and learn. Wednesday
there were more people on the grounds
than on other second days in recent
years, but there were fewer on the
grand stand. They were in the cattle
booths, out in the yard where the
judges were explaining why they placed
he ribbons as they did, in Horticultural
Hall looking at the wonderful exhibits
of Addison County vegetables and
fruits, studying the new kinds of farm
implements in machinery hall, and read
ing the farm bulletins of County Agent
Carrigan and the Extension Service of
the Agricultural College.
Not that the Fair was unsuccessful in
attendance and amusements and re-
ceipts. The figures will tell the story
and it will be an encouraging one But
the greatest encouragement was the
keen interest in every chance to learn
something about better stock, better
crops and better farming methods. Even
when the racing was at its height and
the best shows were on the stage, there
were crowds of men and boys-and
women too-about the judges of the
stock and poultry discussing the points
raised in the competition. All was
friendly, although the interest was keen
There were three unique educational
exhibits which attracted attention all
through the fair. The first was that
of County Agent Carrigan, showing re-
suits of study of Addison county condi-
tions. The second was the Vermont
Department of Agriculture, in charge
of Mr.. Harold L. Bailey of Bradford.
Emphasis here was on insect suppress
sion, with charts and mounted specl-
mems of the Gypsy and Brown Tail
moths, the San Jose scale, and other
orchard and shade tree pests. The
third was the extension service of the
Agricultural College in charge of C. R.
Carlton. Here there were samples of
fertilizers and spray materials, feeds
and rations, dairy utensils, and many
useful charts.
TUESDAY, THE FIRST DAY
The Fair of 1915 opened auspiciously.
Tuesday was perfect day and the ex-
hibitors were prompt in getting their
stock and displays in place. The or
ganization, trained for many years in
systematizing a great exhibition, work
ed smoothly, and there was no disorder
or confusion. Every exhibitor found
some one to direct and assist him
promptly and everybody was in good
temper.
1t was soon evident that the exhibits
in most of the departments would be
large and of excellent quality. The
commodious quarters for horses and
cattle were we'll filled and visitors noted
that Addison county was keeping up its
reputation for good stock. The sheep
barn offered some good exhibits in both
fine and coarse woods and the poultry
exhibit was particularly large
Horticultural hall was crowded from
door to door with one of the best ex-
hibits ever seen in Vermont The con-
test of the Addison County Oranges
called out a great deal of interest, the
displays being of exceptional merit. 1t
has been a great season for all sorts of
vegetables and Horticultural Hall
showed it,
Automobiles took up a good deal of
interest in Machinery Hall and the
crowds of visitors all day studied the
various makes, without neglecting the
tractor engines, private water and
lighting systems, washing machines,
and many kinds of farm implements.
AT the close of the first day the man.
agers knew that they had good exhi-
bition, and that with good weather and
no accidents the Fair would sustain its
best reputation.
WEDNESDAY, THE SECOND DAY
The weather was perfect. Not
pessimist in four towns could have
feared storm on such a day. The
crowds began to come in good season
and the knowing ones said the attend