352 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



TENTH ANNUAL FAIR OF THE N. Y. 

 STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Taken as a whole, the exhibition just closed in 

 this city indicated a steady advancement in all the 

 important features of farm implements and the arts 

 of husbandry. Stock breeding, in particular, evi- 

 dently commands increased attention. Tiie show 

 of Devons has never been approached in numbers, 

 nor equalled in excellence. One gentleman who 

 was a iarne exhibitor, and constantly on the ground, 

 estimated their number at 500; we thought 350 

 nearer the truth. Mr. Wainwright, of Duchess, ex- 

 hibited an imported bull of a light red — a very 

 popular color in England — vvhich was a most beau- 

 tiful animal, as may be inferred when the reader is 

 informed that the owner refused $300, which were 

 offered for him. He took the first premium among 

 Devons over three years old. The same gentle- 

 tleman was honored with the first premium on De- 

 von cows. 



Col. Sherwood's bull, "Earl Seaham," took 

 the first premium in class A, as the best Short- 

 Horn over three years old on the ground. Mr. 

 Morris, of Westchester, received the first primium 

 on cows in this class, and the second on bulls. 



Mr. Ayrault, of Geneseo, won the prize on Her- 

 eford bulls, and Mr. Prentice, of Albany, that on 

 Ayrshires. The exhibition of neat cattle was very 

 creditable to the State, and their number was not 

 less than 700. Mr. Wadsworth, of Geneseo, took 

 the first premium on working oxen. 



It has always been a source of regret to us that 

 so few dairy cows are to be seen at these annua] 

 shows. No other domestic animal is more useful, 

 or better deserves every possible improvement. 

 The fat cattle were all that the most fastidious 

 taste could desire. The Hon. Adam Ferguson, 

 Messrs. Wade, Gapper and others, of Canada 

 West, honored the occasion by exhibiting several 

 attractive animals from that province. We hope 

 ever to see a kindly feeling cultivated between the 

 people living under the tv.'o governments; and we 

 have reason to believe that such a wish is the pre- 

 vailing sentiment, alike in the Canadas and the 

 United States. 



The high price of good horses, and the liberal 

 premiums of the society, have operated to turn 

 public attention to the rearing and improvement ol 

 this class of animals. In skilful hands with suffi- 

 cient means, the production of horses promises to 

 be very lucrative. There was a large number ex 

 hibited, and not a few deserving of notice or com- 

 mendation; but we have no room in this paper for 

 particulars. Mr. R. F. Pennell, of Somerset, 

 Niagara Co., took the first premium on brood 

 mare.s; and a special premium was awarded to 

 "Morgan Hunter." Mr. Burnett's thorough bred 

 horse, "Consternation," having by previous pre- 

 miums been excluded from the list of com- 

 petitors, received a certificate as the best horse of 

 his class on the ground. Of matched and single 

 carriage horses there was a fair display. 



Sheep were abundant, particularly long and mid- 

 dle wooled. The show of Saxons and Merinoes 

 was smaller than usual. Mr. D. Hillman, of Avon, 

 took the first premium on Merino bucks, and Mr. 

 Church, of Vernon, Oneida Co., took the first pre- 

 mium on Saxon bucks. Of mutton sheep, our 

 Canada friends exhibited several pens of fine ani- 

 mals. Mr. Gapper and Mr. Pierce were among 

 the most successful competitors from Canada West. 



Swine did not attract particular attention, al- 

 though there were about the usual number on ex- 

 hibition, and some were all that could well be de- 

 sired in the hog line. It is to be regretted that so 

 little attention is paid to the actual cost of grow- 

 ing pigs, sheep and wool, per pound. 



Of poultry, there was a good show. The Exec- 

 utive Committee appear to think Malays and Dork- 

 ings are the only fowls worthy of encouragement. 

 The ploughing match was quite spirited, and 

 Mr. Alex. Rumsey, of Ogden, took the first pre- 

 mium. 



In no other department was improvement so con- 

 spicuous as that of agricultural implements. It 

 would fill a volume to describe those which were 

 really meritorious. Mr. McCormick was present 

 with his world-renowned reaper; Mr. Ketchum, of 

 Buffalo, with his admirable grass-cutter. Steam 

 engines were travelling about on wheels, over 

 rough ground, as steadily as ox-carts; and wheeled 

 cultivators, gang ploughs, seed drills, clod crushers, 

 grain threshers and separators,[straw cutters, drain- 

 ing tile and pipe machines, harrows, ploughs, 

 shovels, axes, hoes, ox-yokes, and farming tools of 

 every description, were shown in almost endless 

 variety. Messrs. Rapalje & Co., of Rochester, 

 were the most successful competitors. 



In manufactures, the display wa?s not what it 

 oiigiit to have been. The dust, however, and the 

 rough handling to which fine goods are occasion- 

 ally subjected by the million, doubtless prevented 

 manufacturers from sending in their best goods for 

 exhibition. Mr. Barton, of Rochester, made a 

 fine display of edge tools. Mr. White, of Buffalo, 

 deserves notice for a similar exhibition. Stoves 

 of every description were shown; and many of 

 them were alike beautiful and useful. 



The show of fruit we have never seen equalled. 

 Messrs. Ellwanger & Barry exhibited over 100 va- 

 rieties of pears, and a large number of apples. The 

 nurserymen and fruit-growers in the vicinity of 

 Rochester prosecute their business with a degree 

 of talent, energy and success worthy of all com- 

 mendation. Nor are those who reside elsewhere 

 in Western New York undeserving of praise; but 

 it is not our province to attempt a critical award of 

 professional claims to each. There are several gen- 

 tlemen from whom we should have rejoiced to hear 

 public lectures on fruit culture, during the fair. 

 The occasion should be improved to communicate 

 orally to thousands, with specimen tiees, both for 

 root-pruning and top-pruning, and specimen fruits 

 before the lecturer, a large fund of practical and 

 scientific knowledge. We sought instruction, and 

 got very little; and others fared no better. This 

 business should be managed better in future. 



Nothing pleased us so much as the sight of so 

 many sober, intelligent and happy people; of whom 

 100,000 or more visited the exhibition. 



The address of Senator Douglass was very well 

 received, particularly by free-traders. It was 

 mainly devoted to political, rather than rural econ- 

 omy. Independent of its political character, the 

 discourse abounds in useful suggestions. Ithasbeen 

 extensively circulated in newspapers. 



There were over $15,000 received at the fair for 

 tickets of admission, and for membership; and as 

 the city of Rochester paid all the incidental ex- 

 penses (some $6000) the society has saved a hand- 

 some sum after paying its numerous and liberal 

 premiums. — Genesee Farmer. 



