Orange Co. Fair—Horses—Cows—Sheep. 
87 
dieting that it would be a failure from the few 
that had already attached themselves to the so¬ 
ciety, the season being too far advanced, and 
the parties having stock, &c. to exhibit not hav¬ 
ing time to prepare it. Those who took but 
little interest in the matter and whose penurious 
dispositions would not allow them to contribute 
a dollar, (the price of membership) put on an 
incredulous smile and “ guessed it would not 
amount to much.” But judge, gentlemen, what 
was the pride and satisfaction of the few who 
planned and carried forward this matter, when 
I tell you that on reading over the list of mem¬ 
bers on the day of the Fair, that they numbered 
nearly 200. Some contributed five dollars. 
Such was the enthusiasm and good feeling that 
prevailed, that several successful competitors 
most generously presented their premiums to 
the society. This year we expect a large addi¬ 
tion of members and a much better exhibition 
of stock. Come up to our next Fair and take 
a look at our good things. I will guarantee 
that we will show you some good butter, if no¬ 
thing else. 
The show of stock, considering the time of 
preparation was so short, was good. 
Horses. —The first premium for stallions 
was awarded to P. H. Fowler, of Montgom¬ 
ery, for a young, compact well-made horse 
of good figure and action, a little deficient in 
size but a very useful horse. Horses have sadly 
degenerated in this county within the last 20 
years, owing to there not being sufficient en¬ 
couragement for the best horses to stand here. 
Cows.—Your readers will be surprised to 
hear that the exhibition of cows, although much 
the greatest dairy county in the United States 
and its butter celebrated and known far and 
wide for its excellence, was meagre in the ex¬ 
treme ; indeed there was but one approaching 
to any thing like a good one. This was shown 
by N. A. Deiderer, a breeder of some nerve 
and spirit, who exhibited other good things. 
It is well known that dairy districts never 
were celebrated for breeding high-bred cattle of 
any sort, and experience seems to caution them 
not to dip too deep into the blood of the fashion¬ 
able Durhams. The writer would consider 
that anything above half blood for the gene¬ 
rality of farmers of this county would be of 
doubtful advantage. We know that the high¬ 
bred Durhams are suited only to those countries 
possessing a certain degree of natural or ac¬ 
quired fertility, such as we do not possess in 
this county: at least, the dairies are not pastured 
in many instances on lands of high fertility 
here. That the haif bloods may be generally 
used to great advantage, I firmly believe. Some 
very successful experiments have been made 
by a few good farmers, which would seem to 
warrant the more general introduction of Shor 4 
Horned bulls. I know of no better plan to im 
prove the shapeless cows, and know of no man 
from whom they can be had, combining all the 
excellencies of that breed with such a large and 
valuable herd to choose from, as E. P. Prentice 
of Albany, certainly the Bates of America. 
I am of the opinion of your A. B. A. that 
the produce from the best cows here got by a 
high bred Short Horned bull, would certainly 
answer all the purposes of the Ayrshire breed, 
if not excel them in most respects. You in¬ 
crease the size materially by the cross, and the 
milking qualities are apt to improve. By tak¬ 
ing an animal of more symmetry, when no lon¬ 
ger fitted for the dairy, it will be worth double 
the money the present race of scrubs are for 
fattening. These half breeds have not that 
delicacy of constitution that the thorough breds 
have. Experience which the writer relies on, 
proves that the high bred Durham (and the 
Herefords also) are not profitable for dairies 
either in this country or in England. For 
milkmen near cities they do better. 
Sheep.— We had a few pens of sheep here 
that would not have disgraced any exhibition in 
the state. In this county reside some parties 
that have been very extensively engaged in im¬ 
porting all the improved kinds of stock. Sheep 
have especially attracted their attention, and it 
is to them that the society are indebted for show¬ 
ing some of the finest Cotswolds and South 
Downs. Although from the short notice there 
was not time “ to get them up,” yet they were 
in fair condition and showed what there is in 
breed. Much has lately been said of the cross 
between the South Down, and Merino or Saxon. 
1 am opposed to such a cross and will give my 
views on this head as well as on the defects and 
excellencies of the South Down and other im¬ 
proved varieties of English sheep in my next. 
I cannot subscribe to the opinion that they are 
more exempt from the attacks of the hyatid than 
other breeds. They feed among John's-worth 
with impunity. 
Of the Saxony or Merino we had only one 
or two sheep. This county couid a few years 
ago boast of numerous and extensive flocks of 
these useful sheep. But owing to the low price 
of wool the farmers have got nearly rid of their 
flocks. It would be very alarming were it not 
for the fact that in the West and South West, 
where the soil and climate are better adapted for 
the animal and land cheaper, many are engag¬ 
ing in raising wool with complete success. It 
is an immense source of wealth to any country. 
Would that our prospects were better in this 
branch of agriculture and that the manufactu¬ 
rers were better protected. Farmers are toe 
indifferent on this matter of protection. 
