1869. 



XEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



523 



Warren, Mass., author of a work on physi- 

 ology. The Doctor had numerous specimens 

 of his stock with him, and was untiring in an- 

 swering questions of the most inquisitive. 

 One of the leading objects sought by him is 

 early maturity, as he believes the profits of 

 keeping swine in this rough, cold climate must 

 be made during warm weather. 



Too many American stock-breeders engage 

 in the business for recreation or mere spec- 

 ulation. Having acquired fortunes in other 

 pursuits, they have only a general knowledge 

 of what they undertake, and do not give the 

 personal attention to it which it should receive, 

 but trust all the minutia to others. They en- 

 ter upon the work suddenly, spend money 

 lavishly, and after awhile leave the business 

 as abruptly, and accomplish comparatively lit- 

 tle good. For the improvement of our do- 

 mestic animals, men are needed who have not 

 only the requisite knowledge, but a taste and 

 love f r the business which shall claim much 

 of their time, and a firmness of integri'y that 

 shall not only refuse to breed from animals 

 with any blemish, but to sell them to others for 

 such purposes, though solicited to do so. 



As might be expected, where a society be- 

 stows the major part of its funds upon horse- 

 men, the show in that department was large. 

 Many noted animals were upon the ground 

 and we anticipated a rich treat at the stables. 

 Approaching the first, it was locked; the sec- 

 ond was locked ; third ditto. Finding that 

 peeping tracks and grated windows didn't pay, 

 we directed our steps to any place where we 

 saw a crowd, which indicated an open door. 

 The stables of Gen. Knox and a few others 

 were wide open, and the attendants courte- 

 ously answered all questions ; but four-fifths 

 of the stables were securely locked, and it was 

 only by chance that even a glimpse of their 

 occupants could be obtained. Now if it is 

 right to lock up the horses from public gaze, 

 why not lock up the cows, sheep and swine.'' 

 All visitors have not whole days to spend upon 

 the grounds, and what they see must be seen 

 quickly, and is it unreasonable that thoy claim 

 accei-s to everything upon exhibition ? 



The exhibition at the hall occupied twelve 

 rooms, two of which were large halls, and so 

 far as space and convenience of arrangement 

 were concerned, they were all that could be 

 desired. But where were the products of the 

 large orchards, dairies, and grain and potato 

 fields of Maine, or of the gardens around Port- 

 laud and other ci'ies ? They should have filled 

 the two largest rooms at least, and crowded 

 the merchants and mectianics into the smaller 

 ones. Do not farmers come to these fairs to 

 see and compare the products of their own 

 labors ? Are not these Fairs called agricultu- 

 ral ? Why then allow merchants and manu- 

 facturers to monopolize the apartments to ad- 

 vertise their wares ? Upon this occasion all 

 the vegetables, grain and products of the dairy 

 were consigned to the darkest and smallest of 



the twelve rooms, and one table in another 

 held all the fruit ! The display of flowers, 

 though not large, evinced careful culture and 

 good taste in their arrangement. 



The show of potatoes indicated there were 

 present at least two gentlemen who are mak- 

 ing this vegetable a study. The specimens of 

 the grower from North Berwick, proved that 

 he knew how to grow potatoes, and his readi- 

 ness to impart infoimation was particularly 

 gratifying. 



There was one feature of the show new to 

 the writer, — the display of the bakers ; sev- 

 eral of whom presented large and varied as- 

 sortments. There is no doubt that baking 

 can be done cheapest in large establiahments ; 

 and if bakers would only use better stock and 

 less chemicals their customers would increase, 

 especially during hot weather. Anything that 

 can be done to encourage the meritorious 

 bakers confers a favor upon the public. And 

 why should not our agricultural societies give 

 greater attention to this branch of domestic 

 economy ? 



When the winners of prizes, whether for 

 stock or implements, parade their laurels, the 

 thinking man will inquire, Under what circum- 

 stances were they won ? How great was the 

 competition? The Dutch stock, for instance, 

 has been at several fairs and received as many 

 premiums, there being no other competitors of 

 the kind. How coulu the committee do other- 

 wise than award them a prize? The same 

 may be said of the few Kerry cattle present 

 upon this occasion, With the Jerseys and 

 Herefords, after dividing the number present 

 into the different classes, and allowing three 

 prizes for each class, the competition was by 

 no means sharp, nor were the labors cf the 

 committee perplexing. If thtre were twenty, 

 thirty or tifty animals competing for a single 

 prize, as at some European fairs, then the suc- 

 cessful winner might well exult over his tri- 

 umph. A prize under those circumstances 

 would be worth contending for, and fairs 

 would well repay breeders for going many miles 

 to attend. n. s. t. 



Lawrence, Mass., Sept. 14, 18G9. 



For the New England Farmer, 

 HOURS OF LABOK OBT THE FAEM. 



The conclusion of Judge Colburn upon this 

 subject, given in the Farmer of July 31st, 

 does not appear to be applicable to all locali- 

 ties. The farmers of Vermont are highly 

 favored, if they can support themselves by 

 working fewer hours than mechanics. The 

 fact speaks well either for their skill as hus- 

 bandmen, or for the fertility of their soil. 



Would that farmers throughout our land 

 could earn their living by laboring upon an 

 average eight and three-quarters hours per 

 day during the warm season, and not more 

 than an average of eigho for the whole year. 

 Then would their occupation assume a different 



