TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL SHOW AND FAIR OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 
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arranged the day before, as everything should be, 
and consequently excited and gratified a very exten- 
sive curiosity. Among the rest, the "folding ladder," 
(see cut, p. 318 of the current volume,) seemed to 
attract general interest. The sausage cutlers and 
stuffers, and thermometer churns, also, drew much 
attention. The eagle plows were much admired, 
and took the first premium at the plowing match. 
I understand that the society have awarded to 
A. B. Allen & Co. a twenty-five dollar premium, 
and a diploma, which is certainly a very high com- 
pliment, as it was larger than any other given. 
Munson & Co., of New Haven, also exhibited 
agricultural implements. Some fifty of the minor 
premiums were given in agricultural books, instead 
of money, as always should be the case. 
The show of stock was rather too small, and 
some of the best of that, from New-Haven county, 
among which Mr. Bishop had some very good 
animals. 
The address of Mr. Barnum, President of the 
society, and who is much better known as the pro- 
prietor of the American Museum, at New York, 
than as an agriculturist, was one of the very best 
of the season ; for it was plain talk, and just such 
talk as farmers ought to hear and appreciate. The 
speaker did not hesitate to tell a good joke upon 
himself about his own farming, which he thought 
might benefit his hearers. ~ — 
In point of cash receipts, I presume that no agri- 
cultural fair in the state of Connecticut ever equalled 
this. It will not fall much short of $700 ; and if 
continued in the same spirit that actuated those 
engaged in this, when the whole of those 
deeply interested shall lend their assistance, it will 
become the "Great Connecticut Fair," instead of a 
county ai-fair. I shall expect rivalry, next year, 
between our Bridgeport and New-Haven friends, 
both of whom I hope to be able to visit during 
their great anniversary exhibition of the fruits of a 
well-tilled soil. 
During the plowing match, notwithstanding the 
inclemency of the weather, a crowd listened to an 
excellent address by Judge Pond. Afterwards, 
Solon Robinson, the travelling agent of Messrs. 
A. B. Allen & Co., was called for, and amused the 
audience for half an hour, if he did not instruct 
them. • . 
It was extremely gratifying to the writer to find 
so large a number of ladies in attendance, and many 
of them taking a deep interest in the exhibition. 
I perceived that the committees distributed premiums 
among them, with a liberal hand. 
In conclusion, I would suggest that officers of 
societies correspond with each another, and fix the 
times in different counties, so as not to conflict. 
This will give an opportunity for a general sys- 
tem of visiting. Let every farmer and mechanic 
annually bring to the meetings of the society, the 
result of their experience, the past year, and compare 
notes with others, and all will gain knowledge— 
always advancing toward human perfection. In 
this all are interested. 
I cannot close without a hint to the railroad com- 
panies that they should adopt the same policy of 
the New- York railroads, and carry all stock and 
implements to these fairs free, and the visitors at 
half price; for, whatever tends to promote and 
increase the produce of the country, promotes their 
interest. I think merchants and hotel keepers 
should make liberal subscriptions in aid of these 
fairs, as they certainly add greatly to their wealth. 
Observer. 
TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL SHOW AND FAIR OF 
THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 
This was held, agreeably to announcement, at the 
spacious rooms, and adjoining premises, of Castle 
Garden, The general display of fabrics, manufac- 
turing implements, fruits, field and garden products, 
&c, nearly equalled preceding exhibitions, and, in 
some respects, much exceeded them. In some of 
the departments of woolen and cotton goods, there 
were fewer specimens than have often been shown, 
but such as we saw were of superior quality. 
There was a very handsome display of cocoons, 
reeled silks, and various manufactured articles, in- 
cluding several specimens of handkerchiefs, vest- 
ings, satins, &c. The India-rubber goods were 
particularly abundant and varied, among which, we 
noticed boots, buoys, boats, buckets, jugs, and 
wash bowls. There were some beautiful samples 
of gkss ware from several establishments in this 
vicinity, and so tasteful and elegant were most of 
the articles, that we think the most refined or criti- 
cal taste need not look beyond the Atlantic for arti- 
cles, either of ornament or utility, for their tables 
or sideboards. There were many splendid speci- 
mens of American cutlery, equal in construction 
and finish to the best imported. And, indeed, in 
some departments of this branch, especially in 
tailor's shears, we have for many years supplied 
the choicest article used in England and some other 
parts of Europe. 
We were particularly gratified with beautiful 
specimens of American cast steel from the Adiron- 
dack Iron Works. There was wire from the same 
establishment of great toughness and flexibility, and 
some of extreme fineness, wrought by a new pro- 
cess. The ore and anthracite coal are thrown to- 
gether in a puddling furnace, from which it is deli- 
vered in the bloom, ready for rolling or hammeriilfr, 
into bars or bolts, of any size or form, whether of 
the most massive shafts or anchors, railroad bars, 
or the finest wire. Other wires of similar ap- 
pearance and quality were shown by J. B. Gas- 
coigne, of this city. 
Several steam engines were in operation on the 
premises, some of them of beautiful finish ; and 
among them, two small rotary machines. But we 
did not observe any compactly arranged for farm- 
ing purposes. This is a farm implement, long 
since adopted in England, where it is made to con- 
tribute largely to the operations of the farm. It 
is a desideratum in American implements which we 
hope soon to see adopted. The engine can be pur- 
chased for half the sum its equivalent in horses 
will cost ; its fuel need not be one fourth the ex- 
pense of their feed, and the cost of engineer and 
repairs will bear even a less ratio to the groom's 
and farrier's bills. These estimates are based upon 
a small, properly-arranged engine, rated at three 
or four-horse power, but which really has a capa- 
city of double that number of animals. They re-r 
quire but a bushel or two of coal per day, which is 
supplied twice only, and the simplicity of the ma- 
