204 
SEPT.26 
THE NEW YORK STATE AND WESTERN 
* NEW YORK FAIRS. 
By reason of the proximity of the closing 
days to our publication day we are unable to 
complete our report of the two Fairs ; but 
shall do #o in our next issue. We can Ray 
however, that the attendance at each during 
the pleasant days was much smaller than it 
would have been had not both been held at 
the same place and time. Every effort was 
made by the managers of both Sueleties to 
make their respective meetings a success, 
and the aggregate attendance must have 
been greater than ever before. Rochester 
was filled, and accommodations, even of the 
most ordinary kind, commanded a premium, 
though the hotel proprietors showed every 
disposition to entertain their guests to the 
full extent of their abilities. 
IMPLEMENTS AT THE STATE PAIR. 
The show of Agricultural Implements 
though large was not as line as that of last 
year. There was plenty of room too for a 
fine display of what was on the grounds ; 
but for some unknown reason the Imple¬ 
ments were all crowded into a very small 
space, ruining the general effect and subject¬ 
ing many of the larger exhibitors to much 
inconvenience. 
Ames Flow Co. of Boston, represented by 
Messrs. Taylok, Woodward and DiNSMORE, 
had 53 entries oil the grounds, consisting of 
American Hay Tedder. National Cider Mill, 
Session and Knox's Cast-Steel, Bakes Patent, 
and Eagle Plows, Ross Lawn Mower, etc. 
F. F. Holbrook, Boston, exhibited his new 
Common Sense Swivel Plow, claiming the 
following improvements: Remodelled swiv¬ 
el mold board working free in sticky soils, 
simple stationary cutter always in line, mov¬ 
able draft rotl for landing plow—and rubber 
spring attachment to prevent breakage or 
strain on plow aud harness. 
The Remington Agricultural Co., Ilion, 
N. Y., made a fine display of their Mohawk 
Clipper Plows, Perry Hay Tedders, field 
tools, ete., etc. 
Bickford & Huffman of Maeedou, N. Y., 
S. W. Gallup Genial Agent, exhibited 
their “Farmer’s Favorite” grain drills. 
Nash & Bros., N. Y„ had on exhibition 
True’s Potato Planter, Coates’ Lock Lever 
llay Rake and the Bullard Hay Tedder. 
Mowers and Reapers. 
Adriance Platt & CO., Poughkeepsie, N. 
Y., entered four Buckeye Machines. 
Cayuga Chief Mfo. Co. of Auburn, N. Y., 
four machines 
Eagle Mowing & Reaping Machine Co., 
Albany, N. Y., four W. Anson Wood’s new 
Eagle Machines. 
Johnston Harvester Co., Brockport, N. 
Y. four entries of Harvesters and one 
Mower. 
D. M. Osborne & Co., Auburn, N. Y., en¬ 
tered the Burdick and Kirby Machines, four 
entries. 
Warder, Mitchell & Co., Springfield, O., 
Champion Mower and combined machines. 
S. i >. Maduow entered the Eureka direct- 
draft Mower, from Poughkeepsie. 
Bradley Mfo. Co. Syracuse, N. Y., Acme 
Mower and American Harvester; show im¬ 
provement in Acme Mower as follows: solid 
in place of adjustable box and new adjust¬ 
ment of tilting lever, which balances machine 
with cutter far off of the ground. 
Walter A. Wood M. & R. M. Co., Hoo- 
sick Falls, N. Y., showed, in addition to their 
celebrated Mowers and Harvesters, a com¬ 
bined Harvester and Binder; the binding 
attachment is situated in front of the seal, 
and so arranged t hat, one man can both reap 
and bind fiom 10 to 12 acres per day. 
Frank Bremer, Little Falls, N. Y., had on 
Exibitlon the Warrior Mower and Randall’s 
New Pulverizing Harrow. 
Bradley'Mf’g. Co., Syracuse N. Y. showed 
their Wheel Hoes, Cultivators, Patent Sleigh 
Knees, Bradley Rake,etc., etc., also exhibiting 
the Curhart Cultivator with the following 
new improvements: reduction of draft about 
one-third by changing draft point from top 
of polo to front beam of cultivator; new con¬ 
nection of shoe, making cultivator run level, 
thus keeping the teeth even. 
The origiual “WiSNER” was on the 
grounds, with three different patents on his 
hand-lover, and self-operating wheel horse 
Hay Rakes, made by Wm. H. Field & Co., 
Port Chester, N. Y., and John Dodds & 
Co., Dayton, Ohio. 
B. C. Taylor, Dayton, 0„ exhibited the 
Taylor Steel-tooth Sulky Hay and Grain 
Rake, and also a model of a new Self-Dump 
Rake which he proposes to bring out this 
fall; 
McDonald & Gordon, Rushford, N. Y., 
showed the Boss Hay Rake. 
P. K. Dedekick & Co., Albany, N. Y., 
had their new Perpetual Hay Pressing Ma¬ 
chine at work. It attracted a great deal of 
attention, as also did itR motive power, 
which was a new Monitor Portable Steam 
Engine of ten-horse power, 6 by 9 feet, 
weighing only 4,600 pounds, manufactured 
by the. Phelps Steam Engine Co., Phelps, 
N. Y. 
Wood, Taber & Morse of Eaton, N. Y., 
also had one of their eight-horse portable 
engines at work. 
Jonkh Scale Works, Binghamton, N. Y., 
exhibited the “Jones” scales, from a small 
platform Rcale up I 
Robert Buttehworth, Trenton, N. J.— 
Jersey Apple Grinder, 
O. K. Johnson, Medina, N. Y.—Cider 
Presses and Machinery. 
M. P. Scuenck, Fulton, N. Y.—Schenck* s 
new Patent Apple and Grape Grinder. 
Boomer & Boschert PRESS Co., Syracuse, 
N. Y.—A fine show of their Cider, Lard and 
Heavy Presses. 
A. R. Fowler, Rochester, N. Y., took the 
first premium with the Calkins Washing 
Machine. E. E. Sill, Rochester, Eagle Food 
Steamer. Whitman & Burrell, Little 
Falls, N. Y., Anderson Food Steamer and 
Kipp Engine. I>. R. PltlNDLK, East Bethany, 
N. Y., Prindle’s Farm Steamer. Porter 
Blanchard’s Sons, Concord, N. Y., a gen¬ 
eral assortment of Blanchard Churns. 
Barlow & Walker, Siug Sing, N. Y., with 
their new Empire and Monitor Lawn 
Mowers. Chadborn & Ooldwell Mfg. 
CO., Newburg, N. Y., a fine assortment of 
Excelsior I,awn Mowers. 
E. E. Lttmmis & Co., Boston, Muss., now 
handle the Holbrook Cultivator and Drills 
and show the following Improvements : On 
the Grain Drill they have galvanized cone 
hopper, new handle and marker, making the 
new “Regulator ” and “Veto” Seed Drills, 
as re-modeled, more compact, easier oper¬ 
ated, and sowing more uniformly. The new 
Cultivator lias an iron in place of a wooden 
frame, polished cast steel teeth, new handle 
with cross heads to facilitate operation; also 
a seed drill attachment, marker, roller and 
coverer. 
n. G. Eastman, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., 
represented by E. C. W uite, made a fine 
display of ornamental penmanship, pen¬ 
drawing, books, etc., used at his business 
college. He had on exhibition what lie 
claims to be the largest Pen Picture in the 
world; it represents 8t, George and the 
Dragon, executed with the pen by G. F. 
Davis; it is 6)4 by 8 feet. Mr. Davis spent 
two years on it, and has certainly produced 
one of the most remarkable works of art in 
the world. 
FLORAL HALL. 
The exhibition at Floral Hall was perhaps 
not the largest, but it was certainly the 
choicest ever made by the Society. The 
principal exhibitors in the professional de¬ 
partments were the well-known florists, J, 
Vick, Ellwanger & Barky, Frost & Co., 
R. J. Donnelly, and Crosman Bros. Mr. 
Vick’s collection of Gladiolus, Dahlias, As¬ 
ters and Annua) Phlox such old and expe¬ 
rienced florists as Isaac Buchanan of New 
York declare they never before saw equaled. 
And what such men never saw, we judge, 
has never been seen by any one. Ellwanger 
& Barry’s show of Roses and Geraniums 
was exceedingly rich. Frost & Co. showed 
ten very excellent pot plants and some ex¬ 
cellent Verbenas, R. J. Donnelly’s col¬ 
lection of Verbenas not only received the 
particular attention of the Committee, but 
of the people. Crossman Bros, made a very 
fine exhibition of cut Flowere, and received 
the second premium. 
THE PREMIUM AWARDS. 
The following premiums were awarded on 
Flowers, Fruits, &c., exhibited in Floral 
Hall, the Committee on Flowers being two 
excellent florists, Isaac Buchanan and C. L. 
Allen ; and on Fruits, the venerable and 
accomplished Charles Downing and John 
J. Thomas, than whom few, if any, men in 
America are more competent: 
professional list. 
Collection of Best Flowers—1st, to Janies 
Vick, Rochester; 2d, Crosman Bros., Rochester. 
Dahlias—Collection, 1st, James Vick ; 2d, Ell¬ 
wanger & Barrv: best 24, James Vick; best 12, 
do.; best seedling, do. 
Rosea— Collection, 1st, Ellwanger A Barry; 2d, 
Frost A Co.; best 24, El) .vuuger A Barry; best 12 
varieties, do. . _ 
Geraniums—Ellwanger A Barry deserve the 
thanks of the Society for a very large aud choice 
collection of double aud single geraniums. The 
best display we have ever seen on exhibition. 
Carnations 1st, Ellwanger A Barry; 2d, James 
Viok. 
Annual Phloxes—1st, James Vick; 2d, Cros- 
rnan Bros. Special Commendation to James 
Vick for success In hybridizing Phlox Druin- 
inondll. His new varieties decidedly better 
than any heretofore exhibited. 
Perennt.il Phloxes -Best 12,Ellwanger A Barry; 
2d. James Vick. Best seedling. James Vick. 
Verbenas Ft, Frost A Co.: 2d, Crosman Bros. 
Best 12 named, K. J. Donnelly ; 2d, Frost A Co. 
Asters Collection, 1st, James Vick; 2d, Cros¬ 
man Bros. „ „ 
Ten Week Stocks—1st, James Vick ; 2d, Gros¬ 
man Bros. . 
Gladiolus Ut, James Vick ; 2d, Ellwanger A 
Jtarry. 
AMATEUR LIST. 
Cut Flowers—1st, Mrs. J. T. Van Namee, Rens¬ 
selaer Co. _ _ . , „„ 
Dahlias—1st, Mrs. J.T. Van Namee; best 12, 
do.; best 6, do. 
Roses—Best, collection, Mrs. Van Namee. 
Verbenas—Best collection, Mrs. Van Namee; 
best 12, do.; best 6, do.; needling, do. 
Phlox Drummond 11 Best collection, Mrs. A. 
Stone; 2d, Mrs. Van Namee. 
Perennial Phlox -Best collection, Mrs. Van 
Namee; best seedling. Mrs. Stone. 
Asters—1st, Mr.,. Stone ; 2d, Mrs. Van Namee. 
Pansies 1st, Mrs. Van Namee. 
Everlasting*—Best tol., Mrs. Van Namee. 
POT PLANTS, 
Best Collection—Ellwanger & Barry; 2d, Frost 
A <*0. 
Best Tea Plante—Frost & Co.; 2d, Ellwanger 
A Barry. 
Beet Floral Design—Ellwanger & Barry; 2d, 
Mrs. Van Namee. 
Best Hand Bouquets— Ellwanger A Barry ; 2d, 
R. J, D< mnelly. 
Best Parlor Bouquets—Ellwanger A Barry ; 
2d, It. J. Donnelly. ■ 
Best Itaaket Bouquets Ellwanger A Barry ; 
2d, Frost. A Co. „ „ 
Vick's Special for Cut Flowers—Mrs. Van 
Namee. 
FRUITS. 
Best ‘20 varieties of apples; best 10 varieties 
of apples; best dozen of peaches; best collec¬ 
tion of peaches; best collection ot melons; 
best 12 specimens of melons—all toR. F. Don¬ 
nelly A Son. Best varieties of pears; best fi 
varieties of plums; 48 varieties of grapes, and 
for several varieties of apples, to Frost A Daege. 
Bush A Sons and Meissner of Bushbcrg, Mo., 
exhibited «4 varieties of A meriean grapes grown 
In the open air, receiving first premium on col¬ 
lection. 
flflMolagical. 
KEEPING PEARS AND GRAPES IN 
WINTER. 
Editor Rural New-Yorker In your 
issue of 23d of May last, in an article on 
“Keeping Winter Pears,” by M. B. Bate- 
ham of Painesville, O., aliusion was made to 
MR. CUSHMAN’S GRAPE BOX. 
a notice in our local paper of “Pears in 
April” left by the writer at its office, in 
which the pears and the skill of the writer 
in preserving grapes and pears through the 
winter were flatteringly spoken of, and a 
communication on the subject through your 
paper was requested. 1 am sorry not to be¬ 
lieve 1 can throw much new light oil the 
subject, especially in keeping pears. I treat 
them precisely as 1 do apples. I leave them 
on the trees until very hard frosts are immi¬ 
nent (the lute picking I consider very import¬ 
ant) aud then give them sufficient exposure 
to the air, In some way, to prevent harm 
from “sweating,” after which I box or bar¬ 
rel them. 
I consider the temperature of the fruit 
room—a dry, cemented, basement cellar—the 
most important point of all. If kept as near 
3U° to 32° as possible, by opening it cold days 
and nights and shutting it warm ones, both 
before and after the fruit goes in, until there 
is danger of freezing, when the double doors 
in the part of the cellar warmed by the 
house furnace are opened just enough to 
prevent freezing, until the weather moder¬ 
ates. And that is all, except that 1 handle the 
pears “like eggs”— no pouring nor throwing. 
I find different varieties vary in keeping, 
different years. Last year, the best keeping 
of the Lawrence, Winter Nelis and Vicars, I 
think, kept until April, as also the Berga- 
rnotlo de Espcriu, always a good keeper, and 
when in perfection super-excellent. Doubt¬ 
less some of your readers understand this 
subject better than I do, but those less expe¬ 
rienced may derive benefit from the above. 
Though not requested, 1 will veuture to 
add, for the benefit of other amateur grape 
growers like myself, who are willing to 
take considerable trouble to preserve a 
portion of their grapes later than they can 
by the usual methods, my way of keeping 
the best keeping grapes until spring. 1 tuke 
new soap boxes and nail cleets on the inside, 
of the ends or sides, about one inch from the 
top, and between them bars at various dis¬ 
tances (as required by the varying length of 
the bearing shoot cuttings). The bare are 
made by nailing a small strip on top cf each. 
(See cut.) 
As late as I dare I cut off the bearing 
shoots (that would bo cut in the fall prim¬ 
ing) containing the bunches, with pruning 
shears, and shorten tliem so they will crowd 
between the end of the box and the top 
part of the bar, resting on the bottom part, 
and hanging the bunches in their natural 
position, lay the cover on. By this method 
the boxes can bo handled without shaking 
the shoots off the bare, carried to the light, 
each bunch or shoot of bunches examined as 
winter advances, and decaying berries or 
bunches removed, and the best kept without 
any mouldy taste, as is so common when 
they are packed solid and kept late. 
Pawtucket, it. I, Robkkt Cushman. 
-»» » 
A curious ever-bearing plum is described 
by Car lie re in the Revue Horticole. Its first 
blossoms arc large, appear about the usual 
time, and are arranged in umbels. Early in 
May the first crop of fruit has attained some 
size, and other blossoms make their appear¬ 
ance in terminal spikes. 
A NEW BINDING REAPER. 
The " Harvest Queen ” is the name given 
to a self-binding reaping machine invented 
by r C. Chapman which has attracted con¬ 
siderable attention in Olmstead Co., Minn., 
where the trial machine had cut 160 aores of 
grain this harvest, up to the latest report. 
There arc some peculiarities in the machine, 
especially the reel, but the principal point 
of interest is the binding attachment, which 
is thus described : 
The grain is slid by the rake from the apron 
where it falls to a platform in its rear, and, 
as soon as it has reached this, the rake lifts 
away from it, and a dividing board raises and 
separates it from that which continues to 
fall on the apron, thus preventing tangling 
aud the formation of “slobbering” bundles. 
As the sliding board raises, a buncher trav¬ 
erses the platform, driving the grain before 
it and against the wire band at the opposite 
end, w here are also a couple of steel prongs 
against which the grain is pressed, A com¬ 
pressor now comes down upon the bunch of 
grain, which is thus held tightly until the 
wire band is drawn close about it, twisted 
and cut off. The buncher then retreats to 
its former position on the fur end of the plat¬ 
form, the compressor raises up out of the 
way, and the steel prongs turn a somersault, 
dropping the bundle and resuming a position 
of readiness for the next. 
The Rochester Record and Union say's the 
machinery^ is easily understood and managed, 
and no more liable to get out of order or 
break than that, of any other reaper. Three 
horses are. used. It is expected to have a 
large number of the machines on the market 
for next year. 
—.-- 
STEEL PLOWS BEST. 
A. B. Allen of New York, says “I would 
sooner pay double the price, for steel plows 
than accept as a gift the beat set of cast-iron 
plows to lie found in the United States. 
Though ever bo hard chilled or smoothly 
polished, cast-iron will foul, more or less, on 
the mold-board, in every kind of soil, from a 
sandy or gravelly up to a heavy clay loam. 
The dirt thus gathered on the mold-board 
adds greatly to Its draft, and prevents good 
work. Another objection to cast-iron is, in 
order to gel equal strength the weight must 
be considerably greater than with steel, and 
this is a hard drag all day, and requires a 
much stronger team. Of this any one may 
quickly convince himself without resort to 
dynamometers or any other means of testing 
the draft, lie has only to hitch alight team 
to a steel plow, and a stronger one to the 
cast iron, and work them side by side. In 
this way I have found that a pair of fourteen- 
hand ponies would do about the same work, 
and with as much ease to themselves, as a 
pair of sixteen-hand horses. The same ob¬ 
servations about material will also apply to 
cultivators. In thus candidly advising my 
brother farmers in regard to the superior 
merit of steel plows, I am speaking directly 
against my own individual interest, for 1 
have been a manufacturer and dealer in 
ea.-t-iron plows for upward of thirty years 
past.” 
