SHOW AND FAIR OF THE STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
300 
to cak bating an eclipse, or arranging a table of j 
logafi i! i as, as to guess with exactitude the draft 
performance, and precise merits of a plow. Some 
genera' estimate of comparative value can be made, 
as we guess a hawk from an eagle in the distance; 
but nice accurate distinction is out of the question, 
and no manufacturers having a reputation to lose, 
will deliberately subject their specimens to such 
haphazard trials. The premium for the best plow, 
ought to be $50, at least, and if it merits it, $500, 
and the trial should be an affair by itself, say, two 
or three days before, or at the close of the fair, when 
time enough should be given to the subject, and un¬ 
der such advantages for arriving at just conclusions, 
as will give absolute certainty to them, and com¬ 
mand the confidence of the public. 
Horses. —Of these, there was a better show than 
at any previous time. Several of each of the differ¬ 
ent classes of animals were on the ground, includ¬ 
ing the blood, the Cleveland bay, the Norman, the 
draught horse, and the horse of all work; and 
there were specimens of the extremes of horse flesh 
in a dappled Clydesdale, upwards of 18 hands high, 
and a pen of five Shetland ponies, about the size of 
a Cotswold or Lincolnshire buck. There were also 
numerous fine geldings, single and matched. The 
animals were generally choice of their kind, and 
highly creditable to the state. No jacks nor jen¬ 
nies, and but three mules were shown. 
Cattle. —The Short-Horns were there in great 
force and excellence. We have never seen so large 
a number together, though many were there for 
sale, rather than exhibition. 
The Devons were also more numerous by far, 
than at any previous time. We are glad to see pub¬ 
lic attention awakened to this meritorious breed, 
and that they are rapidly spreading themselves over 
the country in every direction. 
The Herefords were on the ground, but not in 
large numbers. Of the 19 animals in this class, 
which received premiums, Mr. Sotham, took over 
one half, showing conclusively, that however meri¬ 
torious are the animals he has heretofore parted 
with, his hand is still full of trumps. 
Of Ayrshires, there were but few offered, but 
most of these were excellent. Several fine ones 
were brought to the ground, by Mr. Dougall, and 
others, from Canada. 
Native cattle were there in considerable num¬ 
bers, many of which, afforded conclusive evidence 
of good breeding and proper management. 
The fat cattle were superior, as a lot, to any ever 
before shown together, and they evinced an increas¬ 
ing capacity, both in the animals and feeders, for 
losing the carcass to an uncomfortable obesity. 
As specimens of what were offered, we append 
dimensions and weights of a few of them. 
A single fat ox, over four years old, 1st premium, 
shown by Edward Munson, of Sennett. Girth, 9 
feet. Length, 7 feet 8 inches. Weight, 3,100 lbs. 
One pair of fat oxen, over four years old, 1st 
premium, exhibited by J. and F. A. Alberger, of 
Buffalo. Girth of Empire State, 9 feet 3g inches, 
Queen City, 9 feet. Live weight, 5,784 lbs. 
Next largest pair of fat oxen, 2d premium, shown 
by Lyman Brainard, of Attica. Weight, 4,800 lbs. 
Third, and best pair of, fat oxen, 3d premium, by 
L. Doty, of Attica. Weight, 4,670 lbs. 
A fat cow, over 4 years old, 1st premium, by 
Robert Hadfield, of Sheldon. Live weight, 1,742 lbs. 
Another fat cow, over 4 years old, 2d premium, 
by Robert Fowler, of Batavia. Weight, 2,030 lbs. 
Also a fat cow, over 4 years old, 3d premium, by 
Allen Ayrault, of Geneseo. Live weight, 1,652 lbs. 
Sheep. —Of these, the show was much beyond 
our expectation. Large numbers of them were of¬ 
fered for prizes, and a still larger number for sale. 
They embraced a good many of the best Saxons, 
and the best Merinos, including some from the 
most recent importations. The long and middle 
wools, were all embraced in the Cotswold and 
Southdowns, both of which breeds were worthily 
represented in quantity and quality. 
Swine. —These were not numerous, but there 
were many good animals, and of a considerable 
diversity of breeds. The Berkshires seemed rather 
to predominate. 
Poultry. —This department was never in higher 
repute than on this occasion, having monopolized a 
large proportion of the grounds and the attention 
of the spectators, a distinction to which their num¬ 
bers, variety, and merits fully entitled them. 
Dairy Products. —These were particularly meri¬ 
torious. Butter was exhibited in much less quan¬ 
tity than at the eastern shows; but in cheese, the I 
specimens were far beyond what was ever seen to¬ 
gether out of Erie county, which is undoubtedly 
one of the first in the world for its cheese. 
Farm Implements. —These were numerous and 
good, equal, if not superior, to any ever shown 
Besides those offered from our own state, there were 
several from abroad, and among others, a large as¬ 
sortment of the celebrated eagle, and other plows 
and farming implements, from the extensive manu¬ 
factory of Messrs. Ruggles,Nourse, and Mason, of 
Massachusetts. 
Other manufactured articles , including the hand! 
works of the ladies, were very extensive in quantity, 
and gave a high idea of the perfection of manufac- ( 
tures and the useful arts, in western New York. 
Several samples of unbranned wheat, with'the 
bran as removed by a cast-iron machine, were ex¬ 
hibited by L. A. Spaulding, of Lockport. This is 
said to be a great improvement in making flour, 
and is well worthy the attention of millers, and 
particularly as it is alleged that a machine that will 
unbran 100 bushels of wheat per hour, costs com¬ 
plete but $100. 
We were glad to perceive several specimens of j 
flour and meal prepared so as to resist injury when 
exposed to hot climates. These improvements, if ' 
fully carried out, will extend the markets, and aug¬ 
ment the profits of our bread stuffs to a large amount. 
Floral Hall. —This was never before the recipi¬ 
ent of more abundant and appropriate offerings than j 
were here made of the flowers, fruits, and vege¬ 
tables, by the devoted votaries of the tripple God- f 
desses, Flora, Ceres, and Pomona. But we have to 
acknowledge, which we do with the highest grati- - 
fication, that for the former we were largely in¬ 
debted to the zeal and devotion of our co-workers 
in adjoining states and Canada. We have thus 
barely glanced at some of the leading features of 
this interesting anniversary. The forthcoming vo¬ 
lume of the society will hardly do justice to it «& 
detail. 
