SEPT. 2? 
825 
ture of special attraction. Curiosity-men, 
side shows, whose agents mane the days hid¬ 
eous with their cries, and similar humbugs, 
.were not lacking. 
Horticultural Hall. 
Aside, perhaps, from the live stock, the Hor¬ 
ticultural Hall contained the most interesting 
and really edifying exhibits that were on 
the grounds. It held in all 1,500 entries. Par¬ 
ticularly was the show of fruit praiseworthy. 
It was not, however, conspicuous by a large 
amount, but the excellence and beauty of the 
specimens cannot easily bo surpassed. Apples 
were well represented. Some monstrous speci¬ 
mens of tbe King of Tompkius Co., and other 
large varieties especially caught the eye of 
the superficial observer. Excellent plates of 
the Gravenstein, Orange, Fall Pippin, North¬ 
ern 8py, Washington and Porter, deserve to 
be mentioned. The collection of Pears was 
good. Bartlett predominated in quantity, but 
there were also mauy fine plates of such choice 
varieties as Louise Bonne do Jersey, Duchesse 
d’Angouleme, Beurrc Boussock, Beurrc Bose. 
Souvenir du Congres, Beurrc d’ Anjou, Seckel, 
Urbauiste and many others. 
Concord allowed the same predominance 
among grapes as the Bartlett among pears. A 
hundred and twenty-six choice plates of this 
grand old variety, said to be entered by as 
many men, occupied a prominent position in 
this class. Ricketts Seedling grapes formed 
an interesting collection. This prominent 
Grape culturist exhibited fifty-five plates of 
very handsome fruit of between thirty and 
forty varieties, many of which are new. 
Brighton, Delaware, Isabella, Catawba, Cliu- 
ton and most of tbe other acknowledged good 
varieties were present in fair quantities, to¬ 
gether with a few varieties of hothouse grapes. 
As a novelty for this season may be mentioned 
a box of very late strawberries. Peaches and 
plums made a poor show, owing, perhaps, to 
the lateness of the season for these fruits. 
The exhibition of plants and cut-flowers was 
rather deficient, aud maiuly was the latter 
class small and contained but common-place 
flowers. The Society does not encourage ama¬ 
teurs and gardeners to briug their floral treas¬ 
ures as strongly as the cause merits. The 
premiums offered for cut-flowers, bouquets 
aud floral dcsigus are but few and small. The 
many hundreds of flower cultivators that for 
miles around are found iu this part of the State 
could, by proper inducement to a friendly 
competition, have made a magnificent 6how. 
Floral designs there were none to speak of. 
One, indeed, which suggested that the origi¬ 
nator had some unpleasaut experience, at¬ 
tracted some attention. It was a funeral design, 
and the words “ Farewell Mother-iu-Law ” 
were worked in Everlastings on the shield. 
Plants iu pots were not numerous. A couple of 
medium collectious of foliage plants, a Banana 
infruitauda handsome Pomegranate formed 
the chief attractions. 
Vegetables were poorly represented. Beyond 
a fair collection of potatoes in which the Early 
Rose, Beauty of Hebron and Snowflake took 
the lead, there was nothing of special interest. 
One giant variety of potato was labeled Belle 
of the Valley, thirty-six tubers of which weighed 
forty pounds. Monmouth County made al¬ 
most as flue a representation as the whole of 
the rest of the State in the line of vegetables. 
One farmer, Mr. J. H. Denise, of Freehold, de¬ 
serves eounueudation for the example he set 
his brother farmers. This gentleman showed 
thirty-four kinds of well-grown vegetables aud 
forty varieties of corn, of which the Gourd 
Seed Yellow aud Big White appeared to be the 
best. Mr. D. D. Duuise, of the same place, had 
also a good geueral collection in which were 
several watermelons, rauglng in weight from 
SO to 70 pounds. Wheat, rye aud other grains 
were present in quantities just sufficient to 
show that the State afforded these products. 
Manufacturer!)’ Hall 
was well filled with all kiuds of furniture, 
utensils, etc., etc., rolatiug to domestic life, 
aud especially did the department of needle¬ 
work. embroidery and wax work present a 
beautiful display. Au embroidered tire screen 
by a Mrs. Funk, and some imitation of Per¬ 
sian Rugs, marked Mrs. Norton, deserve com- 
meudatiou. as does also some beuutiful crewel- 
work iu a variety of designs. Mrs. A. Stengel 
of Newark exhibited some beautiful wax- 
work. imitations of flowers, plants and other 
natural objects. Especially were her Night- 
bloorning Coreus aud Pond Lily so skillfully 
made that the uninitiated might easily be de¬ 
ceived as to their real nature. Canned fruit aud 
cake were present in goodly quantity, but of 
dairy products, which ought especially to 
characterize an agricultural fair, there were 
but few to be seen. 
The Poultry Show 
was good. The Asiatic class was best repre¬ 
sented, there being numerous handsome fowls 
of Light Brahmas and Buff Partridge aud 
White Cochins. The Games, Spanish and 
Bantams were also present in goodly numbers. 
Of the last class, some very pretty birds of the 
Silver aud Golden Seabrights might be seen. 
Two incubators were at work side by side, qu© 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
x 
exhibited by Dr. Mead, of Newark, the other 
by Mr. Halsted, of Rye, N. Y. Both seem to be 
very efficient machines. The main difference 
between them is, that Dr. Mead’s is heated be¬ 
low tbe eggs as well as above, while Mr. Hal- 
sted’s is heated above only. Water fowls were 
not plentiful. Some Pekin ducks made the 
best show in this class. Among the pigeons 
there were 60mc very choice birds. 
Implement*, 
as stated above were not plentiful. R. II. Allen, 
Walter A. Wood, B. Myer, of Newark, aud the 
Warrior Mower Co., were the principal exhib¬ 
itors. The last firm showed an excellent fan¬ 
ning mill arnoug other machines. 
Live Stock 
made a good show. All the improved breeds 
of cattle and sheep were represented, Jersey 
cattle making perhaps the best show. David 
Beilis took Lst premium on Guernsey , bull, 
Young Milford, and lst for Jersey calf, 2d 
Duke Alexis. 
J. Crane lst premium for Ayrshire cows. 
Courtney, Derby 2d and Aunie Weuthworth, 
aud lst premium for Ayshire bull, Curtis. 
P. Ball lst premium for Ayshire bull, Laird 
of Hilihurst. 
A. D. Newell lst premium for Jersey bull. 
Vein of Gold. 
J. I. Holly lst premium for Jersey cows, 
Favorite of the Elms, and Phryne, and for the 
Jersey bull, Much Ado. 
R. H. Allen lst premium for the two Dur¬ 
ham bulls, Baron of Millburu and Barou of 
Lancaster, and also for Durham cow, Coun¬ 
tess of Edgewood. 
J. McCain took lst premium for sheep, and 
lst or 2d premium on all he exhibited, forty- 
two animals. 
H. C. Ayres took lst premium for Berkshire 
boar and sow r . 
J. K. Demott, M. Smith & Son, L. A. Ex ton 
and J. W. Whitevack took each lst premium 
on swine exhibited. c. c. g. 
-- 
PENNSYLVANIA STATE FAIR. 
[Special correspondence.] 
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 20, 1879. 
In point of attendance the fair was a great 
success. An average of more than twenty 
thousand per day have passed between the 
turn-stiles. Tbe entries were large and good, 
especially in machinery, but the general man¬ 
agement and plaelng'of exhibits were confusing, 
unsatisfactory aud uuiutelligible. The fair was 
held in what was the maiu building of the Cen- 
tenuial Exposition, and mixed with the exhibits 
Of the fair proper, were the permanent displays 
of all kinds that have been standiug about tbe 
building tor several years. Those who came 
to the State fair- consequently were sandwiched 
between aud among these old shows without 
any intelligent arrangement, aud it would have 
puzzled au expert to find any “department." 
As a consequence, visitors wandered about 
aimlessly, going the length of the immense 
building, fatiguing themselves to no purpose. 
Livestock, with the exception of sheep and 
swine, were stalled iu the building. The 
horses were plentiful iu number, but nothing 
especially noteworthy is to be recorded of the 
animals. James Glover, of England, had a 
few fine draught horses. The prize for the 
beet stallion on exhibition went to J. D. Baker, 
Ingleside, Pa., for bis “Inkerman.” There 
were Short-horns registered and unregistered, 
Devons, Dutch cattle, Ayrshires, Jerseys, 
Gueruseys, aud grades, but the finest of those 
were the Jerseys, both in numbers and quality. 
The herd of Jas. Young, of Middletown, Pa., 
contained some fine animals. Tbe first pre¬ 
miums were appropriated by Messrs. Young, 
Cooper and Sharpless. David Selsor, Loudon,’ 
Ohio, had the ouly Short-horns worth mention, 
while D. and J. Banker, Franklin Forks, Pa., 
carried off the houors in Devons. The swine 
were few and not so good as might have been 
brought together in this locality, which con¬ 
tains some noted breeders. T. 8. Cooper bad 
the ouly Berkshire shown, but they were 
remarkably fine auimals, beiug tbe progeny of 
imported stock. The Essex strain was repre¬ 
sented by J. S. Giles whose auimals were not 
quite up to the staudurd. Chester Whites were 
iu force. The herd of T. Walter & Son, West¬ 
chester, Pa., being as a whole the best in the 
pens. The sheep were very fine. T. S. Cooper 
had a group of imported Oxford Downs, iu- 
cludiug a ram. that seemed about perfection. 
Mr. Sharpless’s South Downs were also superior 
animals. The Merinos of Mr. Glass, were 
lineal decendauts of pure Spanish stock and 
were iu fine show condition. The Long-wools 
kept up the average of excellence of the dis¬ 
play. 
The best groups of farm products were 
those of the Solcsbury and Cumberland Co., 
Farmers’ Clubs. W. Atlee Burpee had two 
new melons, the one named “Bay View" be¬ 
ing a cross between Cassaba aud a California 
melon, which retains the flavor of the first aud 
acquires the size of the last. Some were 
displayed weighing over twelve pouuds. The 
other melon ealled the “ Great American ” is 
gourd-shaped, of a deep orange color iuside 
aud insipid to tU© taste, I doubt if itcau 
properly be called a melon. We have secured 
tbe seed of both for trial. 
The confusion iu arrangements of exhibits 
was no where more apparent than among the 
implements. Most of the prominent makers 
had examples of their goods on the floor. 
Among them were.’tbc Walter A. Wood M. & R. 
Co., who took first premium on mower and 
self-binder ; Nichols, Shepard & Co. had a very 
handsome engine and separator represented 
by Mr. W. S. McMillun, while the Buffalo 
Pitts loomed up between a Delaware machine 
on the one hand, and the excellent horse¬ 
power and the small thrasher of the Messrs. 
Heebner & Sous, on the other. Farm Engines 
were mamly represented by the firm above 
named, tbe “Peerless,” Lovegrove A Co., and 
tbe Canton Monitor of C. Aultman Co. Mr. 
Hershey sent two styles of the “Peerless,” 
portable, and stationary and portable com¬ 
bined, which were handsome examples of 
farm engines. They received first premium. 
Rakes were shown by B. C. Taylor & Miner 
& Co. The Johuston Harvester Co. displayed 
their uew light mower, combined machiue and 
harvester in operation. It was one of the 
most interesting exhibits iu tbe fair. 
Mr. Moore, as manufacturers’ agent, had a 
number of exhibits iu charge, among which 
were those of Furst 6c Bradley M’f’g. Co., and 
A. B. Farquhar. All the principal grain drills 
were shown. P. P. Mast Co. secured the 
Silver Medal on their combined grain and 
fertilizer drill. Nash & Bro. had their new 
pulverizer, the Bradley mower and Foust’s' 
hay-loader in charge, while Mr. Gardner had 
the Eureka mower under his supervision. 
The uew Warrior mower and Randall’s har¬ 
row formed one exhibit. The Halliday Wind 
Mill received first premium. Tbe American 
Drier Co. showed their drier and a uew com¬ 
bined furnace washer that can be made to 
serve as a furnace, washer, cooker and steamer. 
It is a useful aud ingenious combination that 
is sure to become popular on the farm aud iu 
the household. There was the usual number 
of new churns, that like all things the gods 
love, arc destined to die young. 
The Geiser Separator, made by the Geiser 
M'f’g Co., carried off the honors in this class. 
It is with regret that I have to speak of the 
inefficiency of the judges on machinery. They 
succeeded in performing their duties to the 
perfect dissatisfaction of all concerned. They 
meant well, perhaps, but such gross Ignorance, 
stupid blunders, and mulish obstinancy has 
reflected discredit on themselves and the So¬ 
ciety. It is unnecessary here to particularize, 
aud iudeed, I am sorry to have to mention the 
subject at all. If premiums on machinery 
were abolished altogether, it would inure to 
the advantage of all concerned. 
Benson, Mattle & Co. of Pbiladelphia, Pa., 
have on exhibition, among other things, their 
new Pbiladelphia broadcast seed-sower, which 
is a novelty aud a good thing. The large size 
is made to be attached to any farm wagon by 
a very simple device, and when iu position it 
sows perfectly tbe largest and smallest seeds, 
besides the various kinds of fertilizers. This 
6 owcr is conspicuous lor simplicity of con¬ 
struction, uniformity of sowiug, durability, 
and especially breadth ot cast. It has been 
uniformly successful in the field and has, at 
the fair, been awarded the first premium. 
D. M. Osborn & Co. of Auburn, N. Y., and 
Philadelphia, Pa., had a very large and com¬ 
plete exiiibit of their well-known machines 
under ibe management of Mr. Herbert. Tbe 
self-binding harvester, which has just closed 
its fifth season, has made an admirable record 
where records count, that is, in the field. It 
is particularly noticeable for the simplicity. 
6 treugth aud perfect eout reliability of the biud- 
er attachment. It works automatically, oris 
uuder the coutrol of the driver at will, which 
makes it do perfect work iu deuse or thiu 
grain. It is noticeably saving in wire, aud if, 
at auy time, the wire breaks from excessive 
strain, the machine itself threads the needle 
and works right along without stopping. The 
other machines iueluded au independent reap¬ 
er, a combined machine and an independent 
mower. In looking over the work turned out 
by tbis Company, an experienced man is at¬ 
tracted by its thoroughness, strength aud per¬ 
fect adaptation to its purposes. It is only in 
actual uso tbul I hose qualities are truly devel¬ 
oped, aud it is there that the Osborn machines 
score their triumphs aud secure the awards, 
which are commonly first premiums and al¬ 
ways large sales. 
The Syracuse Chicled Plow Co. of Syra¬ 
cuse, N. Y., as usual, make one of the most 
complete exhibits in the machinery depart¬ 
ment. They have invaded foreign territory, 
so to speak, and occupy the space used by 
Spain duriug the Ceuteuniu.1. It is very thor¬ 
oughly embellished with the “Syracuse,” and 
the first prizes and silver medal that have been 
awarded the Company. The success of thts 
plow is like nothing so much as the old stories 
of invasions by thu Goths. Itgoos into a torrito. 
ry and before the season is over, it would seem 
as if uo other plow had ever beeu known. This 
is tke effect of a good implement aqd sffrewd, 
energetic managers, who are “ Syracuse” men 
first, last and all the time. Daring the fair 
the new side-hill plow, with shifting jointer, 
attracted great attention. A novel incident 
was a serenade by a brass band ou Thursday, 
after the premiums had been awarded. Several 
of tbe musicians were agents for the “Syra¬ 
cuse,” and displayed their enthusiasm melodi¬ 
ously. We congratulate Mr. Kemp on the 
perfect way in which he managed the display 
and his success in effecting sales of 500 plows. 
Jones, Faulkner& Co., Utica N. Y., have on 
invitation, and at the special solicitation of the 
Society made an instructive exhibit of cheese¬ 
making apparatus in full operation,that draws 
large ciowds of interested spectators. The 
idea was to 6how Pennsylvanians the appli¬ 
ances used for cheese-making in the best- 
known dairy district of the East, and it has 
been successfully carried out. Some thirty 
cheeses of good quality were made. The ex¬ 
hibit included their factory engine, improved 
steam vat (which took first prize at Inter¬ 
national DairyFair.) Ralph’s “Oneida” cheese 
vat, which is designed for small factories and 
dairies, a new drop-bottom curd 6ink. curd 
mill, and the well-kuowu Hubble gang press. 
There were also a revolving churn, milk weigh¬ 
ing scales, aud, in short, a complete outfit. 
The practical operations were under the man¬ 
agement of Mr. Smith, while Mr. Jones su¬ 
pervised the general display. A part of the 
exhibit was sold during the fair. 
Prominent among the lawn-mowers, was 
the Philadelphia, exhibited by the manufac¬ 
turers, Graham, Emlen & Passmore. This 
machine is one of the pioneers of its class, and 
its success has stimulated more competition 
in similar models than has any other mower. 
It 6eems to have beeu regarded as the standard 
light-weight mower. Up to the present, some¬ 
thing over seventy thousand have been made, 
sold, and sent all over tlic world. It seems 
somewhat strange that in examining this ma¬ 
chine, the judges should not have been con¬ 
versant with these facts. But as a matter of 
fact, the judge (only one of the three exam¬ 
ined the mower) made himself somewhat ridic¬ 
ulous by bis questions, and proved himself no 
ornament to the intellectual department of the 
Society. Under the circumstances, a premium 
could not be received with any great satisfac¬ 
tion to the exhibitor. 
J. Sedgeber Painesville, Ohio, showed his 
improved “ Nonpareil" mill, in operation. It 
crushed and grouml corn, corn and cob, with 
or without shuck, bones aud other substances, 
turning out a flue quality of meal in every in¬ 
stance. The mill is simple, durable and effi¬ 
cient. It runs equally well either way, aud is 
such a mill as is always useful on a farm be¬ 
cause of its general utility. C. n. e. r. 
-- 
BENEFITS FROM FAIRS. 
The benefits that are to be derived from a 
well conducted agricultural fair—the horse 
racing being omitted—can hardly he overesti¬ 
mated, and yet a large majority of our farmers 
fail to work for its success*. Iu fact, we often 
fiud that the principal part of the stock, etc., 
etc., on exhibition is placed there by persons 
who arc not distinctly farmers, while the 
management,as well as mosU#f the heavy work, 
devolves upon the same class. 
This is uot as it should be. The average 
farmer should also “ put his shoulder to the 
wheel,” thus making our fairs still more bene¬ 
ficial. Is it not possible for the Rural cor¬ 
respondents to devise some method of induc¬ 
ing more of our farmers to work for the fairs? 
Our duty is poorly done if we only attend the 
fair for a day. or perhaps half a day, criticis¬ 
ing all that has been done because it was not 
done differently, and explaining how we could 
have shown better stock, finer fruit, larger 
vegetables, etc., etc. A better way is to briug 
along samples of all things worth showing, 
and to place them on exhibition. Attend the 
fair with your family—for wife and children 
like to sue flue things as well as yourself. 
Urge your neighbors to attend also, and when 
there, praise whatever you can, aud where 
you cannot praise, keep silent—unless the thing 
ends up with a “ boss trot,” in which case 
you are at liberty to utter your severest con¬ 
demnations. 
One thiug I am glad to learu, aud that is, 
all fairs that depend upon horse racing as 
their chief attraction, are, so to speak. “ fiz¬ 
zling out. ' This is as it should be. As George 
McDouald says, “To succeed in tbe wrong is 
the most, dreadful puuislunent to a man who is 
iu the maiu houest ” Nelson Ritter. 
Ouondaga Co., N. Y. 
-- 
A little incident occurred at a Fair iu Rut¬ 
land couutv, Vt., that seems almost too good to 
lie lost, aud shows the necessity of appointing 
judges that kuow whereof they judge. The 
fact's ui e these :—A gardener of some notoriety 
carried several articles to tbe fair, aud amou ,r 
them beautiful specimens of ibe Egg Plant! 
The judges inspected the articles aud very 
wisely award' d the gardener the fifth premium 
on a uew variety of turnips, supposing they 
knew all about the Vegetable Kingdom. Our 
fairs ought to be so managed that ignorant 
blunders of this kiud cau be avoided. 
Rutland, Vt. A. H. C, 
