VERMONT AGRICULTURAL, REPORT. 



the globe. Not an ungentlemanly remark disturbed the quiet 

 of those enjoying the very exciting races. 



I have said that it was a unique fair, both in exhibitions, 

 and in the entertainment afforded, and when I say that the old 

 threadbare vaudeville stage show was dispensed with you will 

 probably believe it. But, I hear some one asking how the crowd 

 was entertained between heats during the races. Well, they 

 witnessed 35 separate and distinct acts on the track, in a single 

 afternoon, with plenty of music by one of the finest bands in 

 the State, in addition to the various heats of three hot races. 

 And it goes without saying, there was not a dull moment the 

 whole afternoon. These acts consisted of chariot races, with 

 four live running horses hitched to each chariot, encircling the 

 track at a breakneck speed. Then there were various kinds of 

 running races, fancy hitches, imitating the more elaborate horse 

 shows, show of fine stock to halter, etc. etc., not forgetting an 

 exhibition of a horse showing almost human intelligence. 



All the cattle shown in the judging ring had to be clean 

 to the last degree, and no animal that was neglected in this 

 respect could face the judges. This one item, simple in itself, 

 went a great ways in making the general effect of the exhibition 

 pleasing and attractive to the visitor. The ladies, of course, did 

 their part to perfection, and when the doors of the coliseum 

 were thrown open, the interior presented a bower of beauty. It 

 it not necessary to recite that the fruits, vegetables, and agri- 

 cultural implements were not in the least neglected, and last, 

 but by no means least, the exhibition by the several subordinate 

 Granges in the community shown in a gigantic building, drew 

 together the finest exhibits of their kind ever seen at any fair in 

 any State. The poultry show was also declared to be the largest 

 and most successful of any fall show ever given in our State. 



Do not think for a moment that the cleanliness and order 

 that I have tried to portray, displeased in any degree, the ele- 

 ment to which agricultural fairs are too often prone to cater. 

 Not a bit of it. That very element was pleased and proud to 

 have even the most humble part in an exhibition where such 

 conditions prevailed. And at an annual meeting, when the 

 word was given out that a new set of officers would give a differ- 

 ent kind of an exhibition, these very parties were the first to 

 protest. "We want it as it has been ; we want a fair that we are 

 not ashamed to have our wives and daughters visit and inspect 

 every part of it." And so it goes. The fair of 1905 was con- 

 ceded to be the most complete and best all 'round agricultural 

 exhibition ever held in New England, and the word has already 



