farmer's miscellany. 289 



a few words, trusting that your good nature will excuse me from 

 attempting a task so great and perplexing, as a full report of the 

 proceedings of this great body, with all their traps, from a threshing 

 machine down to a corkscrew. The first thing in regard to this great 

 affair, and whicii made the strongest impression upon my mind, was 

 great multitude of folks wiiich congregated at this place upon this 

 occasion. Of course it is impossible for me to tell how many were 

 present, but you can perhaps get some faint idea of their numbers, 

 when I stale that the fair was held in a ten-acre lot, and that by 

 nine o'clock a. m. the people began to pour into it through a twelve- 

 foot gateway, until it was filled to overflowing. By eleven o'clock, 

 an equal flood of humanity began to pour out at another place ; and 

 so they continued in a ceaseless flood until about five o'clock p. m,, 

 when the field appeared to be considerably thinned out, and by six 

 o'clock was emptied of all but a few cattle and their keepers. The 

 number and show of cattle was great. Of fourfooted beasts, there 

 were nearly 700 ; which may be classed into horn cattle 274, horses 

 114, sheep 257, swine 34. These were arranged in circles on the 

 outside of the field, with a carriage space between it and the fence, 

 in which gentlemen and ladies were favored with an opportunity of 

 seeing without damage to their persons. Several temporary build- 

 ings were erected near the entrance gate, for the accommodation of 

 household apparatus, mechanical inventions, products of the farm, 

 fancy articles, flowers (of which there were many of great beauty 

 and value), etc. etc. These buildings were tastefully decorated, 

 especially the temple erected to Ceres, which was designed by Mr. 

 J. R. Walker, one of the Floral Committee. A fine hall, for the 

 display of fruits and flowers, was designed by our mutual friend. 

 Dr. Thompson, of Aurora. The ladies also were provided with a 

 hall, which was appropriated for the exhibition of domestic fabrics. 

 Indeed I cannot speak of all the designs for the display of the 

 beauties of nature, of art, and of utility. Both Pomona and Flora 

 were remembered, and had their dedicated temples ; but far above 

 all the representatives of classic fable, were the living ones, the 

 wives and daughters of the farmers. I write for them. 



The trial of plows, on Tuesday, I did not attend. The show of 

 horses was very good. The Durham cattle I could not see, but the 

 sleek ayrshires I was much pleased with, and Mr. Sotham's here- 

 fords were excellent. There were many good sheep on the ground. 



