SHOW AND FAIR OF THE STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, 
299 
cise and display, the horses occupied a large portion 
of the grounds, not otherwise appropriated. Farm¬ 
ing implements of every description filled up the re¬ 
maining space left vacant by the buildings near the 
entrance. 
The whole area of 16 acres, during a considera¬ 
ble part of the time it was opened for exhibition, 
was filled to overflowing with the thronging masses, 
and all seemed more than gratified. They were de¬ 
lighted at the display of agricultural and mechani¬ 
cal ingenuity, and prouder of their kinsfolks and 
their countrymen, and humanity; and that there 
W'as the spirit, and intelligence, and industry, to 
make so rich an exhibition of their Creator’s handi¬ 
work, and their own. We may add, and that, too, 
with sincere gratification, that this feeling was 
equally prevalent in their intercourse with the citi¬ 
zens of the place; and when private houses were 
crammed, to repletion and hospitality could ex¬ 
tend its right no further, the public houses, steam 
and canal boats, and even the vessels in the harbor, 
absorbed their full quotas of guests, neither did they 
make up in charges nor exactions, what they may 
have omitted in fare and accommodations. 
For the first time, we believe, in the history of the 
society, every animal remaining on the ground was 
plentifully supplied with grain, hay, and freshly-cut 
grass and clover, with an abundance of water; all 
qf which was gratuitously provided by the citizens 
of Buffalo, and with the utmost convenience to the 
keepers. We observed some confusion and injury 
resulting from the insecure fastening of the bulls, 
four of which, got loose at different times, and gored 
each other like so many windy politicians in an 
election encounter. They were at last secured, with 
little damage, except to each other. We recommend 
that the society, hereafter, allow no bull to enter the 
show ground, unless secured by a sufficiently strong 
chain, passing around the horns or neck of the ani¬ 
mal, and fastened with a strong padlock. This would 
ensure absolute safety whenever the animal is not 
under the eye of the keeper. 
The weather, throughout, was delightful. It had 
previously been hot and dusty, but a soaking shower, 
on the first morning of the exhibition, effectu¬ 
ally laid the dust and cooled the atmosphere, during 
its continuance. 
Tuesday, the 5th, was devoted to the examina¬ 
tion of the different specimens of animals, imple¬ 
ments, &c. &c., offered for exhibition, by the several 
committees. For the purpose of enabling them to 
perform their duties with deliberation and intelli¬ 
gence, spectators were excluded till Wednesday, 
but we noticed the committees almost as busy the 
following da)', in settling the comparative merits of 
such animals as they could not fully decide upon 
previously; indeed, it was not before half of 
the day had elapsed, that some of the most ardu¬ 
ous examinations were completed. 
An extensive 'public sale of improved cattle and 
sheep commenced on Thursday, at 10A.M., which 
with private sales, were continued during the remain¬ 
der of this, and the following day. The auction 
sales were ruinously low, and the animals were 
withdrawn before the list was half disposed of. 
But many were subsequently sold at prices satis¬ 
factory, both to buyer and seller. Some choice 
Short-Horns, from Cincinnati, Ohio, and Westches 
ter, N. Y., were on the ground for sale, and we 
were pleased to see the former going to Canada, or 
remaining in this state, while our own went on 500 
miles to the rich feeding grounds of the west, to 
improve the future beef for packing and exporta¬ 
tion. Our Canada friends bought largely, evincing 
a proper spirit of emulation in the improvement of 
their breeds at home. Many were bought for the 
western states, and some changed hands among 
our own citizens. 
An able address, from the Hon. John C. Spencer, 
on the protection of our home industry, thereby most 
effectually remunerating the industry of our agricul¬ 
tural population, was delivered under the society’s 
large tent, on Thursday, at 1 P. M., and was listen¬ 
ed to, for an hour and a half, with marked respect 
and admiration. An able lecture was delivered by 
Professor J. P. Norton, of Yale College ; and numer¬ 
ous speeches, by distinguished individuals from 
various parts of the country, were made at several 
times and places, during the continuation of the 
show; and we much doubt if the people in atten¬ 
dance were not as much benefitted by what they 
heard, as from what they saw. 
We deem the speeches and sale of stock on these 
occasions, as not less directly beneficial in their ten¬ 
dencies and results, than the exhibitions. If what 
they see, instructs their judgment and taste, what 
they hear, no less informs their understanding; and 
the fine specimens of implements, seeds, and cattle, 
they thus procure by a comparatively trifling outlay 
of capital, enable them to carry into successful prac¬ 
tice, the newly-acquired views, or knowledge, they 
have gained. 
The dinner came off at the American Hotel, on 
Thursday, at 9 P. M., and was fully attended by citi¬ 
zens, members, and distinguished strangers from 
abroad, who did ample justice to the tempting and 
abundant viands, its accomplished host so well knew 
how to provide. We noticed among others, on the 
right of the President, Hon. J. C. Spencer, Colonel 
Furguson, C. W., General Riley, Lord Stanley, 
Colonel Kirby; on his left, General Worth, 
Hon. Edmund Burke, Commissioner of Patents, 
&c., while every part of the room had its 
representative from some of the professions, either 
at home or abroad, who had come up to the great 
festival, impelled by his zeal and interest in the 
farmer’s cause. 
The Trial of Plows .—In this, as usual, there 
was a most unsatisfactory performance. We think 
the premiums offered, and manner of testing the 
comparative draft of plows, unworthy the soci¬ 
ety. Beyond any other, and almost beyond all others 
of the farmer’s implements united, is the importance 
of the plow; yet w'e see a large number of $20 and 
$25 premiums for bulls and cows, which is none 
too much to be sure, and the highest for the best of 
this most invaluable implement, is but $10. It is 
mockery to offer such a premium, and worse than 
mockery to profess to verify the relative merits of 
the plow, in the manner proposed. The truth is, 
it needs a highly intelligent board of mechan¬ 
ics and agriculturists combined, and with all pro¬ 
per leisure and means to arrive at this decision cor¬ 
rectly. The hurly burly of a fair is equally suited 
