1852 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
333 
when my corn was fit to cut up at the root, there 
was some twelve or fourteen rows across the piece, that 
to appearance had not a sound ear of corn. I left those 
standing till the corn cut by the root was cured suffi¬ 
ciently to husk. I then cut the standing rows at the 
ground, and carried it in for husking j contrary to my 
expectation, the fourteen rows were as sound as any por¬ 
tion of the crop, and ready for cribbing up—while that 
cut by the root before any frost, I had to spread to dry 
before I could put it in crib safely. From my experi¬ 
ments, I conclude that we may get more sound corn, 
when the crop is late, by letting it stand and cure in the 
hill, but the fodder is not of much value. My corn was 
cut up the 25th and 26th of September, and drawed in 
for husking the 18th and 20th of October; had an ave¬ 
rage crop for my vicinity, of 25 bushels of sound shel¬ 
led corn, to the acre. B. H. M. Morris, Otsego co .. 
N F., July 20, 1852. 
--— 
The Vermont State Fair, 
The second exhibition of the Vermont State Agricul¬ 
tural Society was held at Rutland on the 1st, 2d, and 3d 
of September. When a year ago the first impromptu 
gathering of Vermont farmers was announced, its suc¬ 
cess was considered quite problematical. There have 
been for a long time many intelligent and enterprising 
farmers in the Green Mountain State, but the interest in 
improved culture had not become general enough to jus¬ 
tify any competition with the older states. The farmers 
felt too much pride to throw open to the gaze of an 
emulous brotherhood the products of their hills and val¬ 
leys, and their mechanical skill, when aware that they 
must fall below the standard of states less rich in natural 
resources. This feeling has been so far overcome—thanks 
to the well-timed efforts of far-seeing and ambitious men 
that a State Agricultural Society has been formed, and 
without the incitement of premiums or the hope of reward, 
the farmers came, strong in numbers, and stronger still 
in purpose, to their fair. The result rvas gratifying in 
the extreme, and none expressed so much surprise at the 
character of the exhibition as Vermonters themselves. 
Their mountains had interposed a barrier to their ac¬ 
quaintance, and now, when their railroads had brought 
them around these tree-crowned summits, and together 
in generous rivalry, they seemed agreeably disappointed 
in each other’s prosperity. 
The display of Agricultural Implements and the pro¬ 
ducts of mechanic art, Was quite limited; yet on the 
whole creditable. Manufacturers from other states were 
well represented. The Endless Chain Horse Power of 
H. L. Emery of Albany, N. Y., and the Mower and 
Reaper of J. H. Manny, of Illinois, attracted considera¬ 
ble attention. 
One of the most interesting displays was that of iron 
ore, manganese, fire clay, &c., by the Brandon Iron Co., 
together with specimens of manufactured articles, which 
reflect credit on the taste and skill of the gentlemen con¬ 
cerned. The same company exhibited a specimen of 
fossil wood, called lignite, which is at present exciting 
considerable interest in the scientific world. A bed of 
this lignite has been discovered, which has been excava¬ 
ted to the depth of eighty feet, without finding its bot¬ 
tom, and running in spurs to the surface of the ground. 
It is used successfully as fuel in driving an engine, burn¬ 
ing freely, though leaving a large proportion of ash for 
its bulk. 
Fine samples of flint and other ware were shown by 
the Bennington Co., which in point of finish, variety, and 
beauty of form, cannot be outdone. 
The show of flowers, drawings, paintings, and needle 
work, though lacking in variety, displayed much taste and 
proves that experience only is needed to make Vermont 
equal to her sister states in this department of fine arts. 
It was easy to see that the farmers prided themselves 
most on the superiority of their horses and sheep. The 
horses formed the great centre of attraction, and, we 
think, fully deserved the praise so freely lavished on them. 
We have never seen better horses, whether speed, bot- 
tom, action, or beauty, be regarded. As the well-trained 
and high spirited animals moved round the track, we 
were inclined to decide in favor of each successive com¬ 
petitor for the good will of the admiring crowd. 
After the speech of Mr. Seward on Thursday, the 
famous Black "Hawk, rode by Mr. David Hill, as vigor¬ 
ous and active as ever, followed by fifty or more of his 
colts, many of which compare favorably with their sire, 
and the Green Mountain Morgan, rode by Mr. Silas 
Hale, also supported by a numerous progeny, and other 
animals of the same breed, passed in procession twice round 
the course, forming the most splendid display of horses, 
probably ever witnessed in this country. On the after¬ 
noon of Friday, the fair was closed by the ceremony of 
crowning Black Hawk and the Green Mountain Morgan 
with wreaths of flowers, which had been provided by the 
ladies. The animals wore their prizes with becoming 
dignity and pride, and as they moved off with their hon¬ 
ors, the air rung with cheers for the two “ best horses in 
the world.” The rivalry in displaying to the best ad¬ 
vantage the good points of horses is in itself well enough; 
but we were pained to observe that jockeyism was quite 
too prevalent among the young men. When they aban¬ 
don the ordinary vocations of the farm to train fast 
horses , the sterling interests of agriculture will languish, 
and real progress be checked. 
The show of sheep was large, and fully sustains the 
high character which Vermont has borne for fine animals 
and superior wool. Messrs. Jewett, Morse Sc Co., of 
Middlebury and Shelburn, and Messrs. A. L. and M. 
Bingham of Cornwall, were the principal exhibitors of 
French Merinos. These gentlemen are deserving of great 
credit for their efforts to introduce these excellent sheep, 
and we learn that extensive sales were made at remunera¬ 
ting prices. Silesian sheep were shown by Mr. Campbell 
of Westminster—certainly a valuable stock, bearing fine 
wool and in large quantity. Spanish sheep were shown 
by Mr. Hammond of Middlebury, Mr. Pettibone of Man¬ 
chester, and others. 
There were improved cattle, poultry, and swine, on 
exhibition, but we did not learn the names of their own¬ 
ers, nor can we speak particularly of their merits. 
The address of Hon. Wm. H. Seward, of New-York, 
is worthy of special notice, as the prominent ideas em¬ 
bodied in it, are such as commend themselves to the at¬ 
tention of every intelligent farmer. 
