ILK CONVENTION. 
229 
and said to be half Morgan ; but we hear so much 
of this breed now-a-days, and find it so different 
from those animals which we well recollect some 
fifteen years ago, that we are rather suspicious 
that the name is often assumed as a cloak, to show 
off an indifferent article for one of a superior repu¬ 
tation. 
The plowing-match took place on the 28th, and 
was a spirited affair. The teams were principally 
oxen, all single yokes, and were directed by the 
plowmen themselves. The task was one eighth 
of an acre, the soil a light, sandy loam. The 
ground was well plowed in 17 to 18 minutes, and 
the cattle seemed about as fresh after completing 
it as when they first began. The first prize of $6 
was taken by Mr. Dickerman; the second, $4, by 
Mr. Ailing; and the third, $3, by Mr. Benham. 
Mr. Ailing’s yoke of cattle we thought the finest 
on the ground, though his plow was a regular 
patched up affair. But he did his work in admi¬ 
rable style. Mr. Dickerman’s team are old stagers, 
and have repeatedly won the first prize. The 
nigh ox is a singular beast, much like the Spanish 
cattle at the south, and possesses the same ram¬ 
like crook of horn. But if odd to look at, he is 
even to go, and it must be a smart one to beat 
him. 
We would be glad to make one suggestion to 
the New Haven Agricultural Society, and that is, 
we desire to see them procure a choice Devon bull 
another year, and allow him to stand gratis among 
the farmers in the country. Their present race 
of cattle partakes strongly of Devon blood and 
Devon characteristics, and these should not be 
changed on their light soils. They may be im¬ 
proved in appearance by pure Devon bulls, and 
this is all that can be asked. The farmer should 
aim to breed every animal as near alike as possi¬ 
ble ; with the same distinctive characteristics— 
the orange-colored nose, the yellow rim round the 
eyes, the mahogany red, the clean sinewy limbs, 
and the slender up-turned horns. Many of the 
New Haven cattle come so now; but what they 
ought to strive for is, that all should be thus bred ; 
then there will always be beauty, truth, and har¬ 
mony, in their appearance. 
The arrangements of the whole show were ad¬ 
mirable ; and mounted on high-spirited horses, Mr. 
Bishop (the marshal on the occasion,) and his aids 
kept everything in apple-pie order. The show 
was held on the green in front of the churches, 
beneath the noble spreading arches of rows of 
elms. The address was by the Hon. Henry Meigs 
of New York, and was listened to with profound 
interest. The dinner was merely a lunch, of capi¬ 
tal corn beef, boiled, with plenty of bread, pickles, 
and water. The tables were open during the day 
to the members of the society, the farmers’ sons, 
and all persons attached. In this way a large 
number of persons were well provided for at a 
cheap rate—an example well worth following, 
and far better in our judgment than a set dinner. 
We were highly gratified by this farmers’ festi¬ 
val, and we hope to see many more such. The 
weather was fine throughout the two days of the 
show, and nearly 8,000 persons must have been 
present on the occasion. It was a long time since 
we had visited New Haven, and we found it grown 
quite out of our recollection. It is a beautiful 
town, situated on a charming bay, and surrounded 
with many tasteful country residences. The 
avenues of elms are of great length, and very no¬ 
ble in their appearance, reminding us of those we 
saw at Strathfieldsay, one of the seats of the Duke 
of W ellington. 
Our ancestors undoubtedly owe the florid Gothic 
arches to some such scene as this; for nothing can 
be more like between nature and art. In gazing 
up these splendid avenues of grand over-arching 
forest verdure, how strikingly true the lines of the 
poet. 
“ The pillared arches overhead, 
Were the linden, and oak, and elm, wide spread; 
The keystone that locked each ribbed aisle, 
A fleur-de-leys, or a quatre feuille; 
By wizard’s spell, in days that are gone, 
From flower and tree all changed to stone.” 
We visited some highly-cultivated farms in the 
vicinity of New Haven, an account of which we 
shall give at a future time. Particular objects also 
relative to the Show and Fair will be adverted to 
hereafter, as we have not space for them at pres¬ 
ent. We were highly delighted with our trip to 
this celebrated seat of learning, and shall treasure 
up in grateful recollection the kindness and hospi¬ 
tality that was extended to us upon the occasion. 
SILK CONVENTION. 
We are happy to inform our readers, that the 
Convention of Silk Growers and Manufacturers 
was held in this city according to appointment, 
and continued two days. It was well attended by 
delegates from all parts of the Union, and much 
valuable information has been elicited, showing 
not only that this highly important branch of in¬ 
dustry can be easily established among us, but 
also that fair profits may be realized from pursuing 
it. In addition to the important verbal informa¬ 
tion communicated at this convention, upward of 
