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MOOKFS RURAL NEW-YORKER! AN AGRICULTURAL AND EMILY JOURNAL. 
Slgrinilturnl /airs. 
ONTARIO COUNTY FAIR. 
Ontario County has one of the best 
Agricultural Societies in the State. Its re¬ 
cent Cattle Show and Fair,—held at Can¬ 
andaigua, on the 1st and'2nd,—not only 
maintained but increased the reputation of 
the Society and its members. We man¬ 
aged to be present at the exhibition, and 
witnessed enough in each department to 
reward us for the time and expense of the 
journey, aside from the pleasure experien¬ 
ced in meeting many ot the best farmers 
and horticulturists of Old Ontario. From 
memory, and a few pencilings taken while 
traversing the fair grounds, we make a 
brief report. 
The show of Stock, on the first day, was 
unusually large, and numbered superior 
animals in each class—but as many had 
left the ground previous to our arrival, we 
are unable to particularize. We saw, how¬ 
ever, sufficient to convince us that the 
statements of others in regard to the show 
were reliable; and hence shall, in some in¬ 
stances, incorporate the assurances of 
friends with the results of our own obser¬ 
vations. 
Of Cattle the show was pronounced su¬ 
perior, even for a county which always does 
well in this line. The display of Working 
Oxen, in particular, was greater and better 
than any previous one in the county—and 
some averred that it surpassed the show 
at the recent State Fair. There were 
five strings, or town teams, of ten yoke 
each—which made a fine appearance, and 
of course attracted much attention—beside 
many good single -teams. From what we 
saw and heard, we conclude that the exhi¬ 
bition of bulls, cows, and young animals, 
was highly creditable to the skill of breed¬ 
ers and owners—such as would be com¬ 
mendable in sections more celebrated for 
stock growing. 
Horses there were, also, and good ones; 
but we only saw a few—among them some 
fine matched teams. The show of stallions 
and working horses was spoken of as un¬ 
commonly fine. 
The exhibition of Sheep was better than 
usual — the Merinos predominating. Among 
the latter we noticed some superior animals 
presented by Melvin Powers, of Farming- 
ton. The show of well built and fine 
fleeced animals gave good evidence of dis¬ 
crimination and skill on the part of the 
wool growers of this section; and we may 
add that, though not generally known 
abroad, Ontario county contains a large 
number of excellent flocks of sheep, which 
annually yield their owners a good return 
for the care and attention bestowed. 
Of Swine there was an extra good show 
—better probably, in both numbers and 
quality, than at the State Fair. The prin¬ 
cipal breeds were well represented—and 
we certainly never saw so large, and at the 
same time comely, sleek and dignified a 
display of the “swinish multitude” at any 
county show. Pork barrels must ere long 
command a good price hereabouts;—no 
charge to coopers for the intimation. 
There was an unexpectedly large and 
fine exhibit of Poultry. The show of 
Shanghaes, Cochin Chinas, Ac., proves 
that many fanciers in this bailiwick go in 
for extra “ chicken fixins,” and eschew all 
“ common doings ” in the hen line. Though 
the oft-told and printed tales respecting the 
fancy foreign breeds, remind us of the 
Morus Multicaulis and China Tree Corn 
speculations, we must confess that we saw 
some “ good looking ” foreigners on the 
ground, or in the coops. 
The exhibition of Agricultural Imple¬ 
ments and Machinery, though not large, 
was very creditable to manufacturers and 
dealers. Gage A Cooley, of Canandai¬ 
gua, made a fine show—presenting over 
fifty cards under the head of mechanics, 
many of the articles of their own manufac¬ 
ture. In their collection we observed Em¬ 
ery A Co’s. Horse Power and Thresher, 
Hussey’s Reaper, Chapin’s Cider Mill, 
Wire-tooth Horse Rakes, Cultivators, Straw 
Cutters, Churns, Corn Shellers, Ac, Ac.— 
Seymour’s Grain Drill was on exhibition; 
also one made at Macedon, Wayne county. 
A Thistle Digger, said to be from Mr. 
Boynton, of West Bloomfield, attracted no 
little attention, and had the appearance of 
being a good thing. Duesler was on hand 
with his Telegraph Cradle, which received 
the first premium at the State Fair. 
Of fruit there was a very large and ex¬ 
cellent exhibition—far superior to what we 
expected to witness, and said to be much 
the best ever made in the county. The 
number of varieties, and superior quality of 
apples, in particular, reflect great credit 
upon the fruit growers, who contributed to 
the exhibition. We have never seen, ex¬ 
cept in this county, a more beautiful and 
tempting display at any County Fair.— 
Among the prominent contributors, were T. 
C. Maxwell A Co., of Geneva ; S. H. 
Ainsworth, West Bloomfield; N. W. Ran¬ 
dall, Bristol Centre ; Stephen Harris 
and M. C. Denton, Canandaigua; and oth¬ 
ers whose names we did not learn. Fine 
samples of foreign grapes were exhibited 
by Messrs. Ainsworth and Maxwell.— 
The Canandaigua editors, Messrs Mattjson 
and Whitney, presented the best quinces 
we saw—proving that they were in favor 
of preserving something beside the Union. 
In passing around amid the fruit we ob¬ 
served some very excellent “counterfeit 
presentments”—paintings of apples, pears, 
plums, strawberries, Ac. executed by Miss 
Maxwell, of Geneva They were drawn 
and colored to nature, and hence both 
beautiful and creditable to the (we doubt 
not) fair artist. This was a novel and 
charming addition to the fruit department, 
and worthy of this special note. 
In the Ladies Department we found a 
large and varied display of domestic and 
fancy articles. We saw many articles 
deserving of especial notice, but our limits 
forbid comments. The exhibition was rich 
and beautiful—alike creditable to the taste 
and industry of the Women of Ontario. 
There was a fine show of Butter, of 
good quality. We saw only a few samples 
of Cheese, but they were right. The dis¬ 
play of these articles was quite creditable 
for a grain growing county. 
In addition to fruit and articles of do¬ 
mestic manufacture, the spacious tent also 
contained many non-enumerated articles 
which we were unable to give an exami¬ 
nation. Among them we saw superior 
samples of Dental Work, exhibited by E. 
F. Wilson of East Bloomfield—and tasted 
some fine flavored current wine, presented 
by Robert Lay, of Phelps. Wm P. Ott- 
ley, of Phelps, exhibited excellent samples 
of 9 different crops grown by him—includ¬ 
ing wheat corn, barley, oats, peas, beans, 
Ac. This exhibit was very creditable to 
Mr. 0., and his example in showing, as well 
as growing superior grains and seeds, is 
worthy of imitation. 
—On the whole the Fair was right.— 
The weather was very fine and the attend¬ 
ance large. The people of Ontario are 
highly favored in soil and climate, and are 
making good progress in improvement. 
May the spirited officers and members of 
the Society—the farmers and horticultur¬ 
ists of the county—enjoy many such pleas¬ 
ant and useful reunions. 
GENESEE CO. CATTLE SHOW AND FAIR. 
The Cattle Show and Fair of the Genesee 
County Agricultural Society “came off” 
at Batavia, on the 2d and 3d inst. We 
embraced the occasion to spend a day with 
our rural friends in Old Genesee and right 
richly were we repaid by the excursion.— 
Arriving on the grounds at noon of the 
first day, we found the multitude had alto¬ 
gether stolen the march of us, and we felt 
inclined to decide that where one came at 
the eleventh hour he was so sure of being 
overlooked, that the chance for the penny 
was anything but promising. The courtesy 
of the acting Secretary, A. Cowdin, Esq., 
enabled us to make amends for our tar¬ 
diness. 
The day was delightful, and the good 
people had the opportunity of enjoying a 
farmer’s holiday. The field presented a 
brilliant array of horses, of which there 
were over a hundred on exhibition, em¬ 
bracing the best selections of stock from a 
county noted for its fine horses. We made 
the attempt of selecting some of the most 
meritorious for especial notice, but the dif¬ 
ficulty of doing justice to so many fine ani¬ 
mals, led to the abandonment of the de¬ 
sign. The fine show of stallions, mares, 
colts, young horses and matched pairs can 
hardly be excelled by any county in the 
State. 
The show of cattle was creditable, though 
not what we had been led to expect, and as 
we learn, unequal to last year. The major 
part of the stock was Devon, and Devon 
grade, of which fine herds were exhibited 
by G. Radley, and T. Hayden, of Staf¬ 
ford; L. D. Hickox, E. C. Dibble and oth¬ 
ers of Batavia, ar.d Z. Cone, Bethany. 
Mr. H. N. Wright, of Alexander, made 
the only entry of Durhams. They were 
good, but we learn on inquiry, they do not 
meet with as much favor with the farmers 
of Genesee, as do the Devons. The exhi¬ 
bition of grade cattle, cows and calves, was 
particularly good. We noticed some ex¬ 
cellent fat cattle, the most distinguished of 
which was a yoke of very heavy oxen, 
shown by Mr. Todd. Of working cattle, 
the complement was an honor to the coun¬ 
ty, and speaks volumes in favor of the good 
taste and economy of western farmers.— 
The range of sheep pens presented a large 
variety, embracing the Spanish Merino, and 
a full show of grades, Cotswolds, South- 
downs; also a pen of Leicesters, exhibited 
by G. Siiapland, of Stafford. 
There was the usual representation of 
porkers, among them one patriarch of the 
Berkshire race, and from their scarcity, he 
might be looked upon as the last of the 
royal line. A pen of China pigs, twenty- 
two in number, attracted as they deserved, 
unusual attention, but we could not learn 
to whom they belonged. 
The show of agricultural implements and 
machines was not large, but embraced 
many things useful and commendable. S. 
Heston, Esq., had Wheeler’s Horse Power 
and Thresher in operation, also a stalk cut¬ 
ter. Ilovey’s Spiral Knife Hay Cutter, 
made by Watrous A Osborne, of Auburn, 
was also on the ground, as were some good 
gate stalk cutters. J. Rapalje A Co., of 
Rochester, made a good display of their 
well known plows, straw cutters, churns, 
Ac. G. Dodge, of Batavia, presented some 
excellently manufactured plows of the Cur¬ 
tis, and Lord patterns; al§o a gang plow and 
Chase’s independent horse-rake. 
The exhibition of the products of our 
fair friends, was very creditably arranged 
under a spacious tent, made by that knight 
of tent-ed fields, E. C. Williams, of this 
city. These embraced all the well known 
varieties of needle and fancy work, quilts, 
coverlets, domestic goods, and all the et 
ceteras of household manufacture. A chair 
with ornamental worsted work by Miss H. 
Thompson, and some excellent ottoman cov¬ 
ers wrought by Misses M. and C. McPher¬ 
son, of LeRoy, deserve more than a pass¬ 
ing notice, as evidence that the leisure 
hours of farmers’ daughters can be more 
judiciously and profitably employed, than in 
reading the latest novels. 
There was a good show of vegetables, 
fruits and flowers—to the latter of which 
Messrs. King A Dawe, of this city, made 
a very fair addition. We regretted to see. 
visitors make free with the choice fruits 
and flowers, not only marring the harmony 
of the day, but the continuation of the 
practice will in future prevent many new or 
choice fruits or flowers from being present¬ 
ed, unless better protection is afforded them. 
There was a spirited plowing match, nine 
teams having been entered, but our absence 
prevented obtaining any notes of the result 
—as also from hearing the address deliv¬ 
ered by A. Stevens, Esq., of New York. 
The show has been one of much interest 
and spirit, and we learn with pleasure, adds 
nearly 8250 to the funds of the Society.— 
The next fair is to be held at Bergen. + 
JEFFERSON COUNTY AND ITS FAIR’ 
Friend Moore As it is quite rare 
that we see an article in the Rural from 
old Jefferson, I write a few lines which, if 
you please, you may publish. The present 
time is a memorable one for Jefferson 
county—the last few days have witnesed 
the completion of the railroad from Rome 
to Watertown and now we see the iron 
horse puffing and blowing with his huge 
loads of Butter, Cheese, Grain and live 
stock to supply our eastern neighbors, and 
in return, bringing back the commodities ot 
the merchant and the manufacturer. Al¬ 
ready does the farmer feel its beneficial ef¬ 
fect—for, though we cannot boast of high 
prices for our produce, yet we find a ready 
market near at hand. 
Our County Fair came off a few days 
since, quite pleasantly, and was attended 
by a vast multitude of people. The ani¬ 
mals on exhibition numbered 518, of which 
118 were horses, 193 cattle, 114 sheep and 
30 swine, and for quality would do credit 
to any county in the Empire state. Other 
articles were exhibited to the number of 
445, as follows:—domestic manufacture 92, 
agricultural implements 42, vegetable 84, 
dairy 97, sugar 7, honey 4, farmer’s soap 1, 
hardware 13, fancy articles 47, miscellane¬ 
ous 27, —making a sum total of 955 entries. 
Many of the articles were of superior qual¬ 
ity and workmanship. 
The fair was held upon a field of ten 
acres which has been purchased by the 
Society about one mile from the centre of 
Watertown village for a show ground, and 
has a substantial fence around it together 
with a hall for the display of domestic ar¬ 
ticles. This we think will be a fine place 
for the annual gatherings of the farmers in 
future years when they get it arranged and 
beautified as they intend to do before an¬ 
other Fair. The address was delivered the 
second day of the fair by the president^ 
Major Patrick ; and was an able docu¬ 
ment, but not in all respects suited to the 
occasion—at least so I think—but as the 
Major is more accustomed to handling the 
sword than to the delivery of agricultural 
addresses, he is excusable. Taking the Fair 
as a whole it was certainly creditable for 
Jefferson County. Yours respectfully, 
Jefferson. 
Watertown, N. Y. 1951. 
WYOMING CO. CATTLE SHOW AND FAIR. 
Wyoming Co. Cattle show and fair was 
held at Weathersfield Spa., on the 24th and 
25th ult, but owing to bad weather and 
roads, and the several Town shows held on 
the same week in the county, the attend¬ 
ance and list of articles was not as large 
as usual. We have received no report, and 
were unable to attend, but condense and 
extract our account from the Wyoming Co. 
Mirror. The editor of that paper says : 
“ the show, as far as it went, equalled the 
show of previous years. There were some 
very good cattle, but very few good horses. 
The show of butter and cheese we think 
has never been better.” The Ladies de¬ 
serve much credit for their part in the ex¬ 
hibition. 
The arrangements for the Fair were pe¬ 
culiar in some respect and much praise is 
due to the public spirit of the individual 
named below. The Mirror remarks : 
Mr. Doolittle—or more properly, Uncle 
Ormus, for we believe he is Uncle to the 
whole county—is worthy of all praise for 
the manner in which he had fixed the 
grounds, and for the excellent arrangements 
he had made in all parts. It was the com¬ 
mon remark that at no previous Fair were 
the arrangements so complete. In addi¬ 
tion to the pens for sheep, hogs and cattle, 
and the posts for tying horses and cattle, 
which were abundant, a large area for train¬ 
ing horses was enclosed by a chain, and the 
grounds were ornamented by evergreens 
planted in different parts. The table ar¬ 
rangements were ample, and the school 
room in the basement of the Church was 
opened and warmed for the accommodation 
of those who had become chilled by a long 
ride. Besides all this, which we under¬ 
stand cost Uncle Ormus more than a hun¬ 
dred dollars, his house and barns and sta¬ 
bles and yards were all opened to the pub¬ 
lic ; and those who fed themselves on the 
bounties of his tables, or their horses on 
the plenty of his barns, were not allowed 
to pay a cent. But he received for his troub¬ 
le and expense in fixing the grounds, and 
for liis generosity during the Fair, what is 
better for him than money—the hearty 
thanks of every one who was there. We 
have thought that such liberality deserved 
this notice ; but we should not be just if 
we did not say that the same liberality in 
entertaining the people was exercised by all 
the citizens of the place. Their houses 
and barns were open, and the people from 
abroad were made welcome. This is cer¬ 
tainly creditable to Wethersfield ; and we 
are not sure but it was the best thing 
about the Fair. 
Our friend, T. C. Peters, editor of the 
Wool Grower, was present and gave an off¬ 
hand speech on the occasion. The Mirror 
says : 
He went on to give a practical talk, show¬ 
ing the want of proper education among 
the farmers’ sons and daughters, especially 
the daughters; exposing the ridiculousness 
of a boarding school education for a far¬ 
mer’s wife, Ac. He then spoke of raising 
wheat, and stated that too much of the at¬ 
tention of farmers was given to that branch 
of agriculture, and that he hoped the price 
of wheat would be lower, till farmers would 
turn more of their attention to raising other 
tilings—spoke of flax, and expressed a great 
deal of confidence in the late inventions 
for manufacturing flax into what is termed 
flax cotton, and exhibited a specimen of 
the fibre which was prepared for spinning. 
He went on to touch upon various other 
topics, through which we cannot follow 
him ; but he gave a good practical talk— 
one which the farmers could all understand ^ 
and be benefited by. We were sorry that ; 
all could not get near enough to hear it. 
The following officers were elected for 
the ensuing year:—Newbury Bronson, 
President; John A. McElwain, Treasurer; 
L. W. Smith, Recording Secretary. 
FAIR AT EAST BLOOMFIELD. 
Mr. Editor: —As Town Fairs are some¬ 
what of a novelty in Western New York, I 
propose giving you a short sketch of the one 
held here yesterday. Good weather is a 
very important ingredient in rendering 
pleasant all gatherings of .the people; and 
this we had in perfection. The rain of the 
preceding day had laid the clouds of dust 
which so long annoyed us, and the cool 
bracing north wind imparted a vigorous step 
and a joyous countenance to the multitudes 
who assembled on this occasion. Early in 
the day the people were seen coming from 
every part of the town, driving before them 
their herds and flocks, and bringing in the 
products of their labor. The place of ex¬ 
hibition was in the basement of the Pres¬ 
byterian Church. The cattle, sheep and 
swine found very good accommodations in 
the yards and shed! attached thereto; while 
the horses were exhibited south of the pub¬ 
lic square. The arrangements were good, 
and the accommodations better than are 
many times had at our County Fairs. 
To show you that the people were inter¬ 
ested on this occasion, it will only be neces¬ 
sary to give the entries made in the several 
classes of animals and domestic productions. 
Of matched and single horses, there were 
17 entered; mares and colts, 35; oxen and 
steers 31,yokes; bulls, cows and heifers,26; 
sheep, 236; swine, 114; fowls, 29 coops; 
fruits, 22 lots; butter, cheese, articles of do¬ 
mestic manufacture, fancy work, Ac., 109 
articles; and of mechanics 32. 
The show of matched and single horses 
was ordinary. Fancy horses are bought 
up for the eastern trade as soon as they be¬ 
come marketable. The mares and colts were 
good, some of the colts very superior. The 
cattle excited much attention and were pro¬ 
nounced equal to those exhibited at our 
County Fairs. They were almost all of 
them red —a cross of the improved breeds 
—the Devonshire blood the most promi¬ 
nent. The sheep were all of superior qual¬ 
ity, showing that much attention was be¬ 
stowed in their breeding. The Leicester 
and Southdown are being introduced 
among us. The raising of mutton sheep is 
found quite as profitable as the growing of 
fine wool. 
Of the Swine, it was a very general re¬ 
mark, that no better lot. was ever seen at 
either our County or State Fairs. They 
were all white, a cross of the Leicesters— 
the black Berksliires, which were so popu¬ 
lar a few years ago, having wholly disap¬ 
peared. In ducks arid chickens the display 
was very good. As our town took a goodly 
number of premiums at the State Fair in 
this line, it might be expected that our 
chickens would crow loudly. 
Of Fruits the show was very fine, show¬ 
ing that this department of husbandry is 
receiving much attention. Apples were 
there in great variety and perfection. This 
town already claims the honor of origina¬ 
ting three of the most popular apples in 
the State:—the Early Joe, Norton’s Melon 
and Northern Spy. In the Ladies’ Depart¬ 
ment were exhibited all the varieties and 
et ceteras of domestic handiwork—useful, 
ornamental, and luxurious, — both pleasing 
to the eye and gratifying to the taste. 
After the cattle and pigs had had their 
day, the fruits, vegetables, and dairy pro¬ 
ducts had passed the ordeal of the several 
committees, and the ladies had received the 
commendations and congratulations so just¬ 
ly their due, the people adjourned to the 
upper part of the house and listened to an 
address by Doct. C. G. Murphy, appropri¬ 
ate, instructive and timely. The reports of 
the several committees were then read, the 
premiums awarded, and the people return¬ 
ed, orderly, and quietly to their homes—all 
in good humor with themselves and neigh¬ 
bors—highly gratified with the result of the 
first Agricultural Fair ever held among us. 
This I am aware is a very meagre, hasty 
sketch of an af -fair worthy of an extended 
notice. But, Fairs are plenty these days, 
and every one wants a hearing. 
Yours, Ac., Myron Adams. 
East Bloomfield, N. Y., Sept. 25, 1851. 
