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NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



For the New England Farmer. 

 CATTLE SHOW AND FAIR 



OF THE NEW YORK STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The annual exhibition of this society, held at 

 SjTacnse, September 11th, 12th, 13th, was highly 

 creditable to the farmers of New York, and was cal- 

 culated to elevate the agricultural interests in this 

 State. The attendance was far greater than at any 

 former exhibition of the society, the number of per- 

 sons beii;^ variously estimated from one hundred to 

 one hundred and hftj' thousand. I am inclined to 

 a lower estimate, knowing that such estimates are 

 almost uniformly above the actual numbers. There 

 "were, however, doubtless from seventy- live to one 

 hundred thousand persons in attendance, and the 

 receipts for admissions were between eight and nine 

 thousand dollars. 



The exhibition was in most departments quite ex- 

 tensive, as well as superior in quality and merit. 

 The cattle show may, without exaggeration, be said 

 to have been the greatest exhibition of fine stock 

 ever held on this continent. The Short Horns, the 

 Devons, the Herefords, with all their grades and 

 crosses, were represented by individuals from the 

 best herds, and in numbers far exceeding any former 

 cattle show I have ever attended. Of horses there 

 was also a large show, and among them many supe- 

 rior ones. But perhaps they were not so universally 

 fine as were the cattle. The Morgan breed was rep- 

 resented by many good animals, and I noticed several 

 fine colts, the descendants of a blood horse imported 

 fi-om England by a gentleman of this country a few 

 years ago. 



To the exhibition of sheep, which was, as usual, 

 highly creditable, your New England wool-growers 

 contributed some tine animals. We have for several 

 years past been indebted to the wool-growers from 

 Vermont and Connecticut for some of the best sheep 

 at our shows ; and they were not this year at all un- 

 mindful of their interests. Many of the sheep exhib- 

 ited both from this and other states were of superior 

 quality. This is particularly true of the Saxons and 

 the various families of Merinoes. 



Floral Hall was the centre of attraction, affording, 

 as it did, a fine display of flowers, fruits, itc, of every 

 variety, arranged in the most tasteful manner, and so 

 as to give the best effect to the exhibition. It was 

 visited by many thousands. Manufacturers' Hall 

 "was also quite well filled with specimens of goods of 

 nearly every description, including a large display of 

 domestic articles, highly creditable to the ingenuity 

 and industry of the exhibitors. 



But it was the show of agricultural implements 

 which reflected the greatest degree of credit upon 

 American enterprise and ingenuity. Probably no 

 similar occasion has ever, at least in this country, 

 presented such a vast display of improvi'd implements 

 as were exhibited on this occasion. And here again 

 we must acknowledge allegiance to New England 

 skill and enterprise. To Massachusetts must the 

 credit be awarded of excelling in this branch of 

 mechanics, although we have in New York some 

 establishments which are fast following in the foot- 

 steps of your Boston and Worcester manufactures. 



It w"Ould afford me much pleasure to notice in 

 detail many articles and incidents connected -with 

 this fair; but the character and plan of your publica- 

 tion forbids any indulgence in long communications, 

 and I will not trespass upon so excellent a regula- 

 tion. I must not, however, close without a notice of 

 the address which was delivered by Professor John- 

 ston, of Durham, England, who has visited this coun- 

 try at the invitation of our society, for the purpose 

 of addressing them on this occasion, and to gather 

 such inform.ation as could be obtained in relation to 



the agricultural capacity and practices of this coun- 

 try. For the correctness of its statements, the vast 

 fund of knowledge presented, the vigor, originality, 

 and beauty of its style and expression, this address 

 may be regarded as a model by all who are called 

 upon to address similar assemblages. It was a pro- 

 duction of great ability, and such as might have been 

 exijccted of a man so highly ciualitied to impart 

 information upon agricultural subjects. The address 

 will of course be published. 



In addition to the usual attractions of such an 

 occasion, there were this year many attractions of an 

 unusual character ; not the least of which was the 

 attendance of many of the distinguished men of this 

 and other states. Among the visitors in attendance 

 I now remember the names of Henry Clay, of Ken- 

 tucky, Governor Fish, Lieutenant-Governor Patter- 

 son, Ex-Governors Marcy and Young, of this state, 

 General Wool, of the army, and many distinguished 

 men of this and the other states of the Union ami of 

 Canada. 



To a New Yorker who takes a just pride in the 

 improvements in the agriculture of his state, and 

 who regards these annual gatherings, and the increas- 

 ing interest which they are attracting, as an index 

 of public sentiment, the result of the exhibition just 

 closed is highly gratifying, in every respect. To you, 

 who feel (as all New Englanders I am sure do feel) 

 interested in our welfare and success, this brief ac- 

 count may not be altogether uninteresting. The 

 exhibition just closed has far exceeded any hereto- 

 fore held, and is a triumphant vindication of the 

 ability and public spirit of the farmers of New York. 



KoiiE, N. Y., Sept. 20, 1849. 



For the New England Fanner. 

 THE TRUE FARMER. 



Mr. Editor : With your permission, I am going 

 to give you my views and ideas of what constitutes 

 the true farmer. We know that the country is full 

 of those who style themselves farmers ; but, in my 

 opinion, there are but few who can justly lay claim 

 to so honorable a title, as the true farmer. There are 

 such, however, scattered here and there all over the 

 country ; and wherever they may be found, they de- 

 serve the respect and esteem of all classes of citizens, 

 — because they stand at the head of society, — as 

 there is no occupation in the known world more 

 respectable than that pursued by the tiller of the 

 soil. 



It was the first business pursued by man in the 

 garden of Eden ; and it should stand first now. 

 But this is not justly telling what and who the true 

 farmer is. Well, to come right at the point, the true 

 farmer is one who owns a respectable sized farm, 

 stocked with just enough to keep the farm in a good 

 condition, and the grazing herds in a thriving state. 

 This is 07ie essential feature. Next in order, he must 

 be one who has been brought up to the business, 

 and served a regular apprenticeship therein, that he 

 may know how to take the proper care of the grazing 

 herds that roam over his fields, and understand how 

 to provide for their wants at all seasons of the year. 

 This is another essential feature. 



Again, he must be acquainted with the nature of 

 soils — understand what soils are best adapted to the 

 different crops which he grows. He must be the 

 overseer of his own affairs, as connected with his 

 farming operations, and see that every thing is car- 

 ried on under some regular system or plan. He 

 must see that his sons are brought up to labor, and 

 provide for them tools suitable to their age and 

 strength. He must have a workshop on his prem- 

 ises, provided with tooLs, where his sons may employ 

 their time rainy days. (This is one necessary fea- 



