166 



THE ILLINOIS F^HMER. 



it is of the usual style. There is no dif- 

 ficulty in putting on the right kind of 

 teeth, when the machine will be all that 

 the most ambitious corn grower could 

 desire. The draught is easy for a light 

 team, and as the diver rides on a spring 

 seat, he has an easy time, and if he dis- 

 likes the sun on him it is easy to put up 

 a shade over his head. This is the first 

 step in " farming made easy" — a great 

 stride in the field of progress in corn cul- 

 ture. The rolling of the ground to pul- 

 verize small lumps, is of no small im- 

 portance. To this machine can be added 

 a corn drill, at a small cost, and the 

 farmer has his planter, roller and culti- 

 vator combined, and at a less expense 

 than in separate machines. 



There are seven other machines on 

 the ground intended for the same pur- 

 pose. They are all more or less valua- 

 ble, and either of them are in advance 

 of the common double shovel plow, but 

 they will need large improvements to 

 come up to the requirements of the age. 



THIRD DAY— SEPT. 12. 

 REAPERS AND MOWERS. 



The John H. Manny machine is on 

 the grounds — the one that is to be 

 awarded by the Society for the best 

 twenty acres of wheat. These macliines 

 are made by Emerson & Co., of llock- 

 ford, who only manufacture for this 

 State. This machine continues to main- 

 tain its high reputation, as it has been 

 improved and simplified from time to 

 time to meet the wants of the age. The 

 most important improvement during the 

 last year is the lever to raise and lower 

 the cutter box at pleasure, and instan- 

 taneously change it from high to low. 

 This, in lodged grain, is a most impor- 

 tant feature, and deservedly attracts no 

 small attention. The mower is now 

 simplified and cheapened that it is sold 

 at the low price of eighty dollars. It is 

 compact, strong, well-made and dura- 

 ble, and reflects great credit on the im^ 

 proveraents made by Mr. Emerson, the 

 principal of the firm. 



m'cormick's reaper. 



This comes on the ground with new 

 improvements, among which we note a 

 castor-wheel under the platform. The 

 sickles run in a groove. To raise and 

 lower, you have to stop, and with a 

 wrench in hand, change its height. These 

 are all the reapers and mowers as yet 

 on the ground, both of them having con- 

 tended for the palm of victory on foreign 

 soil, and the fiags of England and France 

 have been waved over them, in the pow- 

 erful rivalry that has given them to fame. 

 Long may they continue to lay low the 

 ripened grain. 



Mr. John S. Taylor, of Jjamoille, 

 'Bureau county, n.as on exhibition a pat- 

 ent SL-lf-adjubt J g v.'.vis, a valuable m- 

 plement. 



THE AMPHITHEATRE. 



The seats today were much more 

 densely ])aekcd than yesterday. In 

 fact, the " grand rush" may be said to 

 be just commencing. To-morrow, if the 

 weather should be pleasant, we may ex- 

 pect to see the largest crowd that has 

 ever ])een in attendance at any of our 

 State Fairs. 



CATTLE. 



The forenoon was devoted to the ex- 

 hibition of thorough-bred cattle. The 

 superintendent of this department is 

 Stephen Dunlap, of Morgan county, and 

 a man who knows just how to manage 

 such business. 



The first trial waa among bulls four years old and over. 

 The contest for the flrsit )>rciniuiu was very Rpirited, and the 

 comriiiltoe delilicrnted for a long time over the award. Some 

 of tiie finest animals in this or any other State competed for 

 the ijrizi', and the committee found it impossible to render a 

 decision hastily. They finally settled the quesltbn, however, 

 by placing the liliie riblHin upon James N. Brown's magnifi- 

 cent bull, " King Alfred ;" and the hearty approval of the 

 inmiense concourse of spectator.s indicated unmistakably that 

 the first proniinm of $40 had been worthily bestowed. It was 

 a well-merited honor to Snngnmon county. Tlie second pre- 

 mium (f 2.')) and the red ribbon wore awarded to J. S. Bimp- 

 kins, of I'ilie county, for his splendid bull, " Marshall I'elis- 

 sier." Tlie third premium (115) and the wliite rilil)on were 

 given to "Berlin," a fine animal owned by D. Parks, of 

 Brown county. 



There were six entries for the premiums on three year olds. 

 The $40 and the blue ribbon were awarded to the " Duke of 

 Orleans," owned by Wm. Miirshall, of Morgan county. Sec- 

 ond premium (-12.')) to " Gov. .loiies," iR-longing to E. B. Jlitt, 

 of gcott county. The third (|15) to "Alfred 2d," owned by 

 Jas. Buckles, of Logan county. 



The first premium ()f 3l») on two year olds was awarded to 

 Capt. Jas. N. Jtmwn's " Dinmond ;" the second (#2''> to 

 " drnnipion," by Jas. M. Hill, of Cass; and the third (tlO) 

 to " Oaril)al(li," by U. Anderson, of I'ike. 



Tlie first i>reniiuni on yearlings was given to "Deceiver," 

 by Jolin B. (Joodwin, of DeWitt ; the second to Mr. Good- 

 win's Thames ; and the third to "Financier," by J. D. Smith, 

 of Sangamon. 



The first premium for the best bull calf was taken by 

 "Young Klhakim," owned by Jas. M. liill, of Cass county; 

 the second by "Tani O'Shnnter," J. D. Smith, of Sangamon. 



A largi> number of very fine thorougli-l)recd8 were present. 

 Among the most prominent we may mention Pollock's "Ad- 

 miral," "Kinman's "J. C. Fremont, Spear's "Master Lown- 

 des," Kerr's "Consternation," Culberlson'.s "Mint," and oth- 

 ers which would seem to be unsurpassable. 



It was high noon when the cattle had 

 all been disposed of, and the proceed- 

 inirs were adiounicd till after dinner. 



HOUSES. 



At two o'clock P. ]\[., a large number 

 of splendid thoroagh-brod horses were 

 led into the ring. Dr. II. C. Johns, of 

 Decatur, Ex-Prcsident of the Society, 

 superintends this department. 



It would be absurd for an outsider to 

 attempt to render a decision, when pro- 

 fessional judges were so seriously per- 

 plexed. We will therefore content our- 

 selves with giving briefly a list of the 

 premiums awarded : 



The first premium ($40) for the best thorough-bred stallion 

 four years old and o/er, wus awardeil to "IJig Boston," a 

 very fine horse owned 1)V W. 11. Ilartlev, of Morgan county; 

 second ($25) to "Abe Lincoln," by A."M. C. Uawcs, of Ver- 

 million. 



The first premium ($40) for three year olds, was taken by 

 "Tormentor," owned by James Schofield, of Morgon county; 

 the second ($20) by "Lexington," AVm. Leachman, of 

 Adams. 



On two year olds, the first premium (■$ 30) was awarded to 

 "Captain Allen," W. W. Morton, Morgan county; second, 

 A. M. 0. Ilawes, Veimillion. 



The first premiuiu (^80) for one year olds was given to 

 "Priam," I'lill. Warren; gar.gamou county — there being but 

 one entry under this head. 



MATCnBD HORSES. 



The first premium '$30) for the best pair 'of matched gcld- 

 lnj.'s or maros in liarness, was awarded to (leorge Day, of 

 Sangamon county: eecond best ($lo) to Colonel Dunlup, of 

 Morgan. 



MARES. 



The first premium (-f 40) for brood mare? four yca.s old and 

 over, wus awarded to "^-ue Hartley," owned by J. W. Gal- 

 braitli, of .Morgan; second ($2ii) to "Cleoj)itlra," J. C. Crow- 

 der, of Siin;-'ainon. 



For brood iiiares three years old and under four, the first 

 premium ($oO; was given to "Ida May," A. M, C. Ilawes, 



Vermillion; second to "SwifHure," W. W. Morton, of Mor- 

 gan. 



For Alleys over two years old, the first premium ($30) was 

 taken by "Lee Ann," owned by Peter Roberts, of Morgan; 

 second, ($15) to "Miss Farrington," J. W. Galbraith, of Mor- 

 gan. 



Mare colts over one and under two years old, first premium 

 ($80) was given to "Puss Morton, owned by W. W. Jlorton, 

 of Morgan; second ($15) to "Kate Rob," owned by Joseph 

 Morton, Morgan. 



For sucking colts, the first premium ($20) was given to "Jim 

 Allen." R. Pollock, of Morgan; second ($10) to "Brown 

 Kaglc," W. E. Davis, of Piutt. 



About a dozen stallion ponies were now Introduced, and 

 after a very animated trial, and considerable deliberation on 

 the part of the committee, the first premium of $80 was 

 awarded to Ed. Simms, of Adami county, for bis fine pony, 

 "Uonest Frank." 



EVENING MEETING— SEPT. 13. 



77(6 Relative Value of Winternnd Sj^ring Wheat, with 

 the Mode of Culture 



B. Gr. Eoots, of Tamaroa, in the 

 Chair. 



Mr. Eastman, of Pike county, raised 

 spring wheat twenty years ago, and 

 thinks little of it. It will be a long 

 time before you will convince the farm- 

 ers of Pike county of the value of spring 

 wheat. The Hessian fly and the chinch 

 buij make sad havoe at times with the 

 wheat crop. Lists his land — lost a crop 

 of wheat sown before the 20th Septem 

 her. Would not recommend sowing be- 

 fore that time, as the early sowing is in 

 danger from the insects named. In 

 sowing winter wheat if it is killed out 

 we loose the seed only, the culture is of 

 value to the soil. Lays off the land four 

 teen steps wide which leaves good drain- 

 age. In sowing spring wheat, if the 

 crop fails we lose the seed, labor and 

 the rent. Has known the Hessian lly 

 for twenty-six years. 



Mr. Strickler, of Iroquois, sows spring 

 wheat; sows in March; must plow in the 

 fall and sows early; grows 20 to 25 

 bushels, sells at eighty cents; winter at 

 ninety cents a bushel. Thinks the 

 spring wheat most profitable. 



Mr. Yan Orman, of Kane, would 

 say to his friends at the south, that 

 they of the north must grow spring 

 wheat; raised 35 bushels to the acre 

 this year; often sows on corn stulDblc; 

 would recommend light plowing in the 

 spring on corn stubble ; chinch bug is 

 our great enemy at the north. Canada- 

 elub has a soft straw and is a fine wheat, 

 and when free from oats often sells for 

 winter wheat; is rather tender; recom- 

 mend the Scotch club as the most hardy. 

 Never drills wheat; has a neighbor who' 

 drilled on land cropped twenty-six years, 

 no better. Land rollers of great value. 



C. W. Murdtfelt, of Ogle county, 

 said : Scotch club is the Fife, is coarse, 

 and makes poor flour; a farmer in Win- 

 nebago has kept an account for sixteen 

 years; has had good crops, making six- 

 teen bushels on an average. In Ogle 

 county, a Mr. Zimmerman grew on four 

 acres fifty bushels and ten lbs,per acre of 

 Australian wheat; thinks it not profitable 

 to grow spring wheat in Egypt, or winter 

 wheat at tlie north. His tenant plowed 

 up a herds grass and clover meadow; it 

 was plowed in the spring; put in poorl, 

 and a poor crop. 



