352 [Assembly 



was worn with pride in the presence of the vice-roj^al functionary 

 of the old colonial days. An old Bible, printed in A. D. 1599, 

 which had comforted the hearts of the old pilgrim family of Ely, 

 in the time of Archbishop Laud's persecution, was placed in jux- 

 taposition with the most exquisitely printed and superbly bound 

 bibles of the present day. One feels, on comparing them, the 

 immense strides w^hicli have been made in the typographical art 

 in 253 years. 



The second point of difference between the R. I. exhibition and 

 ours, was the greater amount of strictly household manufactures. 

 The display of knitted stockings, homespun woolen and linen 

 yarn, diaper, and linen sheeting, was very fine, and spoke loudly 

 in favor of the domestic virtues of the Rhode Island ladies. 

 There were also a large number of competitors for the premium 

 for household bread, each competitor furnishing her receipt for 

 making. I w^as not more impressed witli the usefulness of any 

 part of the exhibition than w'ith this. So far as I recollect we 

 have never had any specimens of this indispensable article of food 

 at our fairs. 



The third point of difference was the difference between our 

 standard of excellence for cattle and theirs. Ours is to have an 

 animal which has the greatest bulk in the smallest compass, and 

 one which accumulates the most flesh on the most profitable parts. 

 The R. I. farmer cares nothing about the beef making qualities of 

 an animal, he requires the greatest power of draft, and the greatest 

 amount of milk without reference to its butter making properties. 

 Hay and pasture are more valuable in R. I. than in any other 

 State of the Union, hence it is cheaper for them to buy full grown 

 animals raised at points w^here hay and grass are cheaper, and they 

 find the sale of milk more profitable than the manufacture of 

 cheese and butter, hence the cow that will give the greatest 

 amount of milk, without reference to cheese or butter, is the 

 most profitable. Owing to this difference between the wants 

 of the farmers in New- York and Rhode Island, an animal which 

 would take a first premium with us would receive no premium 

 here, and a first class animal here would be considered almost 

 worthless with us. 



