1848. 



GENESEE FARMER. 



241 



Densmore's Straw and Stalk Cutter. 



The accompanying cut represents B. 

 Densmore's 'Improved Premium Straw 

 and Stalk Cutter,' which was patented 

 June 6th, 1848, In its favor we have the 

 testimony of many farmers and others, 

 residing in different counties. — Having 

 used it during the last winter, they state 

 that it is the best machine within their 

 knowledge for cutting hay, straw and 

 corn-stalks. It has but one knife, which 

 is attached to two swinging arms above 

 it in such a manner as to give it an ob-' 

 liqe sliding cut. The arrangement is 

 simple and very substantial, operates 

 with rapidity and ease, and is conven- 

 iently adjusted to cut different lengths, 

 from three-eights of an inch to one and 

 a half inches. The machines are manufactured ; 

 extensively by the patentee, at Brockport, N. Y., I 

 where they can be obtained at prices from $15 

 to -S'lBj.^O. (See advertisement in this paper.) 



Madison County Cattle Show and Fair. 



I HAVE just returned from our County Fair, 

 held at the village of Madison, the 13th and 14th 

 inst. It was decidedly the best Fair ever held in 

 the county, and far exceeded the highest expec- 

 tations of its most ardent friends. The first day 

 was delightful. It had previously rained, so as 

 to entirely lay the dust; yet, on the l-3th, there 

 was hardly a cloud to be seen. The weather 

 was cool, and afforded an excellent opportunity 

 for the farmers who wished to exhibit their stock 

 of all kinds. The cattle were uncommonly good. 

 I believe there were over 60 yoke of cattle ex- 

 hibited, some of which weighed over 4000 lbs. 

 They made a rich display. Cows, bulls and young 

 stock were also quite numerous, and of a quality 

 too that we think would be hard to beat in almost 

 any other part of the State. The cattle exhibited 

 we should think numbered nearly or quite 200. 



The horses, especially the matched teams, as 

 to quality, we think we have never seen surpass- 

 ed at the State Fairs. They were also out in 

 very good number — how many we cannot sa}^ 

 The other horses, owing to engagements, we did 

 not see, but are informed they made a good dis- 

 play. The sheep exhibited were few, but we 

 noticed some that were very nice. The swine 

 exhibited were good, but only shown by one or 

 two persons. 



The exhibition of fancy articles, dairy pro- 

 ducts, &;c., in the meeting house, was the richest 

 and best arranged display we ever saw at any fair. 

 It was almost dazzling to the sight to behold the 

 fine display of paintings and fancy articles. — 

 The ladies of Madison village are deserving of 

 much praise for the truly tasteful manner in 



which they got up this part of the exhibition, 

 and they have set an example for the ladies of 

 other villages where the Fair may be hereafter 

 held, which we hope they will try to imitate. 



The second day came up cloudy, and about 10 

 o'clock it commenced raining, and continued 

 nearly all day. But this did not prevent the 

 plowing match. Owing probably to the state of 

 the weather, but four teams plowed, three of 

 which did up their work in such a manner that 

 the spectators seemed about equally divided as to 

 which was the best. The ground was very hard 

 and full of cobble stone, so that it brought into 

 requisition the greatest skill of the workmen. — 

 We should think some of our farmers, when 

 they go home and contrast their miserable plow- 

 ing with what they there saw, might learn a 

 beneficial lesson. 



The address was delivered in the Baptist 

 Church, by Mr. Evans, from Yale College. — 

 It was a truly scientific production, and did much 

 credit to its author. The house was very well 

 filled, considering the weather. The number of 

 people at the fair we have heard estimated as 

 high as 5000. We can form but a poor judg- 

 ment ourselves, but, to say the least, there were 

 a great many out. S. P. C. 



Elockville. N. Y., Sept. 15, 1848. 



Horses. — A writer in the Southern Cultiva- 

 tor says : — " We have been all wrong in breed- 

 ing at the South — we should have procured trot- 

 ting stallions, and bred roadsters and farm horses, 

 instead of the light, raw boned racer. We have 

 paid little or no attention to selection, the true 

 secret of success in all things." 



It is a singular fact that the use of milk was 

 unknown on this continent at the time of its dis- 

 covery by Columbus. The cow and horse, which 

 now swarm in countless multitudes on the table 

 lands of North and South America, were intro- 

 duced by the Spanish conquerors. 



