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MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
OGT. 3 
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Jmlu'itrinl ,§ocietii'!i. 
THE NEW YORK STATE AND WESTERN 
NEW YORK FAIRS. 
STATE FAIR. 
The total entries of this year were but 
2,012, or C18 less than last year, which was 
partly attributable to refusal of the Central 
Railroad Co. to carry freight but one way 
free ; another reason was the anticipation of 
many of the previous years’ exhibitors that, 
the two Fairs held at the same time and 
place would result in failure to both. 1 he 
American public demands upon all occasions 
success, terms in advance, and where this is 
not pretty well assured many who ordinarily 
assist a success are quite as willing to con¬ 
tribute by absence to a failure. The Roch¬ 
ester Driving Park is certainly all that could 
he asked as a Fair ground. Consisting of 
about 90 acres, it contains handsome and 
roomy buildings conveniently located, while 
the Bize of the ground tends greatly to de¬ 
ceive l.h<‘ ordinary observer as to the num¬ 
ber of visitors in attendance. We heard 
numerous complaints of lack of attention to 
exhibitors on the part of the officers and 
employes of the Society, and presume that 
the same thing takes place at all Fairs and 
will so long as time lasts. Nevertheless, we 
should think this Society, with its army of 
officers and paid clerks might render such 
complaints impossible. We regret the ab¬ 
sence of any adequate provision for the recop- 
Lion and care of representatives of the press, 
.as their visits are not generally those of 
pleasure hut. mostly of labor, and much 
time and trouble would be saved to them 
were they provided with places and accom¬ 
modations for their labors on t he ground. 
Among the noticeable and somewhat novel 
exhibitions was that of Seth Green of Roch¬ 
ester, whose collection of aquariums and 
globes of living lish and hatching apparatus 
occupied a large circular tent near the en¬ 
trance. So interesting was this collection 
that it was constantly surrounded by crowds 
of visitors and seemed to absorb the atten¬ 
tion of all. Rut then everybody knows Setii 
Green, and even the little children are fa¬ 
miliar with what he has done for lish culture 
In this and other countries. 
Tne display of horse* was quite small but 
of excellent quality, among which we noticed 
particularly a crossed Draught and Perehe 
rou Stallion from Canada. The common 
sense horse in preference to the truck horse 
is the feature of this Fair and should be en¬ 
couraged. What has a farmer to do with 
jockey-stock ? It is utility and not amuse¬ 
ment which the t rue farmer looks for among 
his horse? ; and while we do not deprecate 
the breeding of the best of stock of all kinds 
■jvc cannot see the necessity of great speed to 
farmers. 
Among the Short Horn Cattle our special 
attention was called to the display of Char. 
F. Wadsworth, Geohoe Butts, G. S. Shaw 
and I' rank B. Redfieed. 
Mr. James Miller of Penn Yun, exhibited 
Ayrshire cows and heifers, as did also Mr. 
Hollander of Canada and several others. 
Erastus Corning of Albany and >T. Car¬ 
ter Brown of Rhode Island made an excel 
lent show with their Jersey herds. 
The Poultry display was somewhat mea¬ 
ger, notwithstanding the fact that the Socie¬ 
ty had made every preparation for a flue 
show. Excellent coops were arranged and 
a whole house to themselves, but the exhibit¬ 
ors were few and the display light. Whether 
the people who raise poultry forgot, to appear 
or the illiberal offers of the N. Y. C. R. R. 
Co. interfered we cannot tell; we only ob¬ 
served that the coops were bub partially 
filled. 
We looked for White Swine, hut found 
none. Of Black there were fine specimens, 
and Messrs. Armstrong & Burnett (Judges 
of Blacks) had everything their own way. 
Mechanics’ Hall was well filled, and dis¬ 
played much taste and forethought in its 
arrangement. The Planing Mills were fully 
represented, and among the most ingenious 
mechanical contrivances were the Cork 
Lathe, tended by a lady, and accomplish¬ 
ing the largest amount of results in the 
smallest amount of time. Mr. Prindlk and 
Mr. Sill each exhibited a steam-heating 
apparatus. 
THE WESTERN NEW YORK FAIR. 
The attendance was large and apprecia¬ 
tive, Those who visited this Fair were on 
the ground for the purpose of seeing and 
knowing oil about everything exhibited. 
The inclemency of the weather somewhat 
dampened their ardor ; but, notwithstand¬ 
ing this, we are informed that the expecta¬ 
tions of the managers were fully realized. 
The grounds were somewhat limited, but 
sufficiently large for any local Fair. We 
have to note in favor of the officers of this 
Society that which is very frequently neg¬ 
lected, viz., proper accommodations for the 
representatives of the press, whose visit is 
one of labor and not of pleasure. This de¬ 
partment, under the immediate supervision 
of Mr. Daniels of the Rochester Times, was 
fully up to the mark, and by reason thereof 
we are enabled to give fuller information 
than we otherwise should do. 
The show of Implements was large and 
commendable, most of the ex hibitors having 
the same line of goods on exhibition here 
that wo noticed in full at the State Fair last 
week. The arrangement of the machines, 
do., on the ground was excellent, and the 
exhibitors were well pleased with the care 
that the Society showed in giving them good 
positions for the display of their goods. 
Mechanics’ Hall, though not as well filled 
as it might have been, made a fair show. 
Prominent among the exhibitors were the 
Novelty Wringer and the Champion Washer, 
the latter of which received the First Pre¬ 
mium. 
The display in Domestic Hall was princi¬ 
pally local, and showed well for the denizens 
of Western New York. 
The display of rare plants made by Briggs 
Bros, was unusually fine, the array of roses, 
antlrhinums, petunias, zinnias, etc., etc., 
backed by that deservingly popular plant, 
TrUoinc uvuria, made, upon the whole, u. 
grand picture, which will long be remem¬ 
bered by all lovers of lloricultural beauties. 
The White Klephaut exhibit ed by the same 
firm, composed ahnoBt entirely of white 
German asters, must have cost u. vast deal of 
labor and many bushels of (lowers. This 
floral annual was about five feet liigh and 
six or^seven long, the saddles and trappings 
composed of golden asters, bordered with 
purple varieties. 
The exhibition of vegetables and fruit was 
excellent. The enterprising young seeds¬ 
men, Crosman Brothers, made a fine show 
and carried off numerous premiums. We 
are always glad to recognize rising merit, 
and expect, before long, to note still better 
results from the active labors of this firm. 
The exhibition of stock was an honor to 
the Society. Wo noticed specially among 
cattle, the heavy weights of AYR AULT of 
Poughkeepsie. The stock of limey horses 
was one of the features of t his Fair, which 
we regret, not by any means because we 
wish to discountenance pure breeding, but 
because we think that the meeting of an 
Agricultural Society should be the occasion 
l’or a higher mission than horse - racing. 
Among the exhibition of two-year-olds we 
noticed a splendid chestnut coll belonging to 
I. W. Briggs of West Maoedon, N. Y., which 
took the First Premium. 
- *■■*-* - 
THE NEW JERSEY STATE FAIR. 
This Fair, lield on the Society’s grounds at 
Waveiiy, this year, proved to be a success 
despite the great storm, which rendered an 
extension of Its original time neseessary. 
The largest attendance which the annual 
meeting of this Society has ever had, cov¬ 
ered the well arranged grounds this year. 
The addition of two new lines of sheds mace 
a perceptible improvement in the accom¬ 
modations. The display of fruit, under the 
immediate supervision of the courteous 
Secretary, Mr. F. T. (Juinn, was larger than 
that of any previous year, consisting of 2,000 
plates, of which all but 120 were grown in 
New Jersey. Vegetables were also largely 
exhibited, and among them was particularly 
noticeable the line collection of potatoes 
from Monmouth County, embracing 80 dif¬ 
ferent varieties, beside Which were B. K. 
Bliss <fc Sons’ new seedlings. The cattle, 
consisting principally of Jerseys, interspersed 
with some Ayrshires and Devons, made a 
larger show than at any previous Fair of 
this Society. 
The stock of horses was good, and attract¬ 
ed much attention, perhaps a greater pro¬ 
portion than that noble animal is justly en¬ 
titled to; but no more, we think, than it 
generally gets. One cause of the extrashow 
of horses and cattle was the ability of the 
Society to offer extra premiums, by reason 
of the #3,000 received from the State for that 
purpose. Tlie poultry display was very 
complete and, while it did not embrace per¬ 
haps, as many varieties as it might, it evinced 
great care and attracted much attention. 
During Tuesday afternoon Col, At hen's 
Second Regiment N. J. N. G. visited the 
grounds, their handsome uniforms and stal¬ 
wart figures adding largely to tlie brilliancy 
of the spectacle. Mechanics and Domestic 
halls w r ere well filled, principally by local 
manufactures. 
Tlie display of agricultural implements 
was the largest, ever seen on these grounds. 
Among the heaviest exhibitors were R. H. 
Allen & Co., 197 Water street, who had 
aljont. 00 entries, and took 1st premium for 
largest general display ; Ames Plow Co., 53 
Beckman street,, N. Y., 53 entries; B. Meter, 
Newark, N. J M 53entries. Mowing machines 
and reapers were represented by the Walter 
A. Wood Co., “Wood’s” Eagle, Champion, 
Warrior, “ Screw,” Buckeye and others. De- 
derick’8 Perpetual Hay Press was at work 
and attracted much notice. 
A trial of Lawn Mowers took place on the 
grounds; the competitors were the Excelsior, 
Philadelphia, Monitor, Empire and Hill’s 
Archimedean. The Judges recommended 
for the 1st premium tlie Excelsior and for 
the 2d the Monitor. 
A MODERN AMERICAN MERINO. 
At a meeting of the Southeastern Wiscon¬ 
sin Sheep Breeders’ and Wool-Growers’ Asso¬ 
ciation, the Secretary, George Lawrence, 
Jr., of Waukesha, presented the following as 
his idea of a model or standard of perfection 
of an American Merino : 
No, 1. Carcass^—Unquestionably the first 
point to be regarded, because on the proper 
constitution or proper structure and connec¬ 
tions of its parts depend the health, vigor und 
hardiness of the animal. Plump, good size 
for tlie variety ; the body should be round 
and deep, not over long, and both the head 
and neck short and thick. The back should 
be straight and broad ; bosotn and but tock 
full; legs not over long, well apart, straight 
and strong, with heavy forearms. 
No. 8. Folds,—Good, heavy neck-folds, 
particularly cm the ram ; a short fold or two 
back of the elbow, and some small ones round 
the roots of tlie tail and on the breach, the 
latter running in the direction of lines drawn 
from the tail to the stiile ; and a good deep 
flank. 
No. 3. Fleece.—The body and limbs should 
be densely covered with wool of as uniform a 
length as attainable ; the wool should stand 
at right angles to the surface, except on the 
inside of legs it should present a dense, 
smooth, even surface, externally dropping 
apart nowhere. Density and heaviness the 
leading considerations. » 
No. 4. Evenness of Fleece.—Evenness of 
quality in every part of the fleece, so far as 
this can be attained, is one of the first points 
of a well-bred sheep. Fur is objectionable, 
and is the indication of bad blood, or a 
defective course of breeding. 
No. 5. Fineness and Soundness of Fiber. 
Wool should be of equal diameter from the 
root to the point of the fiber. Wool is said 
to be, sound when it is strong und elastic. 
No. 6. Style of Fleece.—Includes the com¬ 
bination of useful and showy properties, 
which gives value to choicest wool, viz. : 
fineness of color, luster, uniformity and 
beauty of curving, aud that particular mode 
of opening on the body which indicates 
pliancy and softness. 
No. 7. Yolk.—A liberal quantity of yolk 
in its most fluid form, and a moderate quan¬ 
tity of external gum ; but neither in excess 
to spoil the value of fleece. 
No. 8. Head.—The head should not be 
over long, with a good lore-top, descending 
in a curve on the nose a tittle below the eyes, 
circling around the eyes a sufficient distance, 
so as not to obstruct the eyes ; should be of 
good length and dense, and the wool stand¬ 
ing at right angles with the forehead, The 
ears should be small, coated with thick, salt, 
mossy hair about half way to the r oots, so as 
to give a feeling of thickness and softness, 
and the remainder of the outer surface should 
be covered with wool. 
No. 9. Legs.—Should be well covered to 
the hock with wool of even quality, good 
length, aud standing at right angles with 
surface. The arm pit and scrotum are 
necessarily bare, but these cavities should be 
as small as the freedom of movement will 
permit. 
. No. 10. Belly.— Densely, well-covered belly 
with wool of equal length, und equally as 
good in quality as any part of the fleece.— 
Buffalo Live Stock Journal. 
—--- 
ANGORA GOATS. 
As w’e said in the Rural for August 15, 
we are always ready to show up both sides 
of any question of importance to farmers. 
That article predicted a great demand for 
fleece and gave the names of American man¬ 
ufacturers who were ready to pay 65c. to §1 
per pound for the hair or wool. U this be 
so (and it is not disputed), though goats are a 
nuisance in the flower garden or orchard, 
they should not be condemned. No doubt 
speculators have both made and lost money 
in handling and breeding them. A great 
many goats are kept near our cities for their 
milk. The grade Angorus, one-lialf bloods, 
give just as much milk as any, and their 
fleece certainly has some value. Why may 
it not prove profitable to change the blood 
of those wo do keep and make something on 
the wool If we can ? Our correspondent 
(H. C. W M Bergen Co., N. J., Sept., L874,) 
writes: 
“ Noticing quite an extended and elaborate 
article upon Angora goats in the Rural of 
Aug. 15, recalled to mind some correspond¬ 
ence had with a personal friend in a Western 
County in 187:3 upon these animals. Quite a 
flock was offered at a very taking figure, in 
view of the estimate usually placed on them. 
To an Inquiry directly personal the follow¬ 
ing reply was returned :—‘They (the goats) 
are a huge humbug. You don’t want any¬ 
thing to do with them ; they can go through 
smaller holes and climb a smaller string than 
any Blondjn ; and if there is any market 
for their wool l have never been able to dis¬ 
cover it. Horace Greeley is reported to 
have once said of some that he had, ‘ They 
would bark everything on the farm except 
the crowbar. In Texas, California or Mexico 
they would (possibly) do well.’ As the An¬ 
gora goats have periodical runs among spec¬ 
ulators, perhaps this contribution to their 
standing and value from one who bred and 
exhibited them lor several years and recently 
owned several of them will be of interest to 
Rural readers.” 
$he Horseman:. 
CONDITION POWDERS. 
How beautiful is Discretion ! No one val¬ 
ues her counsels or is more willing to take 
her gentlest hints than an agriculCBral ed¬ 
itor. Hundreds, probably thousands, of the 
readers of the Rural have used some form 
of condition powders with most satisfactory 
results. Yet vve know that they arc unde¬ 
sirable for general use. A philanthropist 
hours that they contain arsenic and poison. 
So we get this note : 
Editor of the Rural New-Yorker— 
Sir: 1 am informed by u gcuUeman Of expe¬ 
rience and observation that a compound 
called “ Condition Powders,” made of arsenic 
and other mineral poisons, has become a 
fashionable medicine for horses, und that 
these noble animals are being not only in¬ 
jured in health but in many Cases ruined 
by this vile compound. Can you enlighten 
the public on this subject J—Humanity. 
We will try to. Condition powders are 
called by sundry names—cuttle condiment, 
cattle food, etc. Some contain mineral 
poisons In very small quantities ; others do 
not, but instead stimulating drugs of various 
kinds. The medicinal articles arc mingled 
with more bulky matters, usually some ar¬ 
ticle of food relished by horses and cattle 
alike. The pods of the carob tree, known 
as locust beans or St. John's bread, and 
linseed oil cuke meal being frequently em¬ 
ployed, together with pleasantly-flavored 
seeds, such as anise, fenugreek and caraway, 
grains of paradise, the roots of goldenseal, 
etc., etc. The result is a mild tonic medi¬ 
cine which, though ignorantly administered, 
will do no harm in nine cases out of ten. aud 
will occasionally be of decided service. 
Discretion, therefore, warns us against the 
wholesale condemnation of these terrible 
“ mineral poisons ” quite, as much as against 
their injudicious use. As to its having re¬ 
cently become “fashionable” to give these 
“vile compounds” to horses, that is a mis¬ 
take. They have been used a great many 
years. We have seen recipes quite as old as 
the writer. 
it is an old Dick of grooms to feed horses 
arsenic in powder in small quantities, a dose 
of antimony now and then, and an occasional 
ounce of rosin to help the kidneys. Some 
horses have survived for years even this 
treatment, which will in time break down 
any horse. Aud such is the stubbornness 
and self-conceit, of ignorant grooms and 
stablemen that we know of no way of stop¬ 
ping thin really terrible abuse of the noble 
animal, if the grooms or coachmen could 
be made to believe that a mild condition 
powder administered in small quantities 
would produce a better effect, as it certainly 
will, and so bo induced to stop giving the 
I other thiugs on the sly, real good would be 
accomplished by even those “condiments” 
and “powders,” the use of which as a gen¬ 
eral thing should be avoided. 
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