INDIANA STATE FAIR. fested by farmers and gardeners in the neighborhood, that the managers were discouraged from erecting a separate building for a “Floral Hall,” and the contributors in that department were obliged to be content with a portion of Manufacturers' Hall. To all horticulturists and pomologists this became at once a point of attraction. Here they might be seen studying, comparing and taking notes, examining fruits, admiring plants. and flowers, or chatting with the vegetable competitors. 95 three years since. It is long, very dark, and has the blue color pervading the flesh, and requires the water to be changed while boiling. After which it is white, and very dry and mealy. While upon this topic, I must allude to a sample of large potatos, presented by Sterne Brunson, a large farmer and orchardist of Elkhart county. They were accompanied with a statement which makes it apparent that one hundred and twenty-five dollars, clear profit, was realized from the crop, six hundred bushels per acre, after deducting the full cost of cultivation, seed, rent, etc. Potatos are decidedly a favorite crop in this state, especially where the farmer is well situated for shipping. Some of the most remarkable were the Neshannock, from John Levering, of Tippecanoe, which were unusually long, and must have yielded an enormous crop. Other varieties appeared in abundance, but the most interesting were the "Veto," so named by Mr. Aldridge, of Indianapolis, who received it from Maine. The specimens were cultivated by J. M. Bar-rious other vegetables appeared upon his neclo, and are very long. One of the finest collections of vegetables on the tables, was that of Allen Lloyd, the gardener of Lafayette. He presented mammoth sugar corn; very handsome beets, which were long, red, smooth, and in fact, looked as though they had been fashioned upon a turning lathe. Fine peppers, assorted beans and peas, salads, cabbages, and va table, and reflected great credit upon his skill, which would enable him to compete with city gardeners. Two sets of seedlings were presented, but I do not know what were the awards of the committee. Those by J. M. H. Allison, of Pt. D. S. Avery had fine large globe turnips, Commerce, Green county, were rather below beautiful onions from seed, a variety of beans medium size, slightly varying in shape, gen- and peas, and a good assortment. John W. erally long, though of two or three varie- Parker was one of the most prominent with ties apparently, all resembling one another sweet potatos. Mr. Cady, of the immediate very much in the color and appearance of neighborhood, had a very extensive collecthe skin and flesh, which was white. They tion of vegetables, embracing some things. were the produce of seed sown 20th of last not often seen. The specimens were not April! If so, their size and similarity are large, and showed the effect of the drought, remarkable; especially when we learn that but from their variety deserved attention. the ball was plucked from a black potato, Next to them was the handsome collection upon either side of which were rows of the of M. G. Kern, who also presented plants pinkeye, and of the white kidney. The and flowers, and a floral ornament. Cut flowother seedling was presented by Thos. Mar- ers were chiefly contributed by the ladies; tin, of Augusta, Washington county. It is a their names, however, it was not easy to obrough-skinned, dark-colored potato, which tain. The best display of roses, and one. he has christened "Blue Neshannock." It that would not disgrace any tables, was that was raised from seed of the Shaker Blue from Mrs. Temperle, of Madison, whence also came the best display of Dahlias, and some large bouquets, from the hands of Miss E. J. Todd. The fruits, though not so numerous as had been hoped, were of great interest, and were critically studied, even before I had any expectation of serving upon the committee. Some of the collections were large, especially those of R. W. Todd, P. Howland, Fielding Beeler, and Gen. Joseph Orr. They will be more especially noticed, however, in the report of the committee, quite an elaborate document, which the Executive Committee have allowed me to use in advance of their publication. It will appear in the next number. One thing was observed, in many of the collections, which could not have been expected otherwise the defective nomenclature. But this Fair was the very place and time for the owners of orchards, and especially for nurserymen, to embrace the opportunity of comparing notes and fruits, so as to avoid future errors; but alas! of the dozen nurserymen within the neighborhood of that Fair, how few were upon the ground! They surely were not afraid to see the test of exposing the fruits of their own trees to the criticisms of a committee. Want of space compels me to close this notice of a most agreeable occasion, without even acknowledging the kind attentions bestowed by the members of the State Board and all others, officers and privates, with whom I was thrown in contact. May the agreeable intercourse be long remembered by all, and may the favorable impressions of the week result in more enduring and useful friendships among the many who there. met from distant points! The Zanesville Society CONTINUES to hold agreeable and useful meetings, at which fine displays of fruits are often made. The pears appear not to be obnoxious to the blight in that region; at least this is stated of some varieties.The lists of apples embrace the Cooper, among many old varieties. Washtenaw County Fair-(Michigan.) WHEN taking a pleasant tour through the state of Michigan, last month, I observed that the good people of Washtenaw, and its pretty villages, were making great preparaA kind friend tions for their county fair. from Ypsilanti has sent me the newspaper account of the happy result, which is flattering indeed. The attendance amounted to ten thousand, or every third inhabitant of the county. The number of entries was large, and a favorable comparison is drawn between this and the recent State Fair. The grounds were well selected, with a good turf, plenty of shade and water, and every convenience. Floral hall was under the excellent care of the ladies, many of whom are spirited amateur florists, and readers of horticural periodicals. The other halls, which were large and commodious, were well filled from the shops of domestic workmen. Efforts appear to have been making in this county to restore the potato, and the specimens shown are highly commended; so are the products of the garden generally, which are represented as good, notwithstanding the severe drought of the summer. County Fairs. DURING the month of October there have been many very interesting meetings of agriculturists at different points in this and the neighboring states, a few of which only can be briefly noticed. Horticulture and pomology are beginning to attract more attention, from the sturdy agriculturist, than heretofore; and this may be looked upon as evidence that he feels their gentle, humanizing influences.-ED. CLARK AND MADISON COUNTIES. The enterprizing farmers of these two counties have held a glorious agricultural jubilee. A friend who was present speaks in high terms of the result. Fine stock of different kinds, was presented. Among the successful competitors in this line, was ELI ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND NOTICES. GWYNNE, the early pioneer upon the grassy plains of Madison county, The ladies turned out in large numbers, with their domestic wares of every kind, and this is a feature that we are glad to see is becoming more and more characteristic of our country shows. It is well that it is sowhat woman smiles upon must prosper. A large and liberal premium list was awarded, and after the Secretary had read the Reports of Committees which, it seems, are made with all the system of the State Society at its Fair-one of our citizens, who is a devoted admirer of the field and the garden, (no other than J. A. WARDER, editor of the Western Horticultural Review,) appeared, and addressed the audience for nearly an hour, upon a discussion of the soils of the two counties, and their proper treatment. The first section required him to dip a little into geology, though he endeavored to avoid being too scientific; the latter section inculcated thorough tillage, thorough farming and thorough drainage of the land. At the close, the speaker was surrounded by many who were desirous of further details upon the practical advice given. The audience then dispersed to their several homes, well pleased with the result of the Fair.-Cin. Commercial. DELAWARE COUNTY. 97 character for several years. It was received thence by Mr. Longworth, who has fruited it and ascertained its foreign name. How many more discoveries of equal value may we not anticipate from these county organizations! (See p. 101.) FRANKLIN COUNTY. This central society held its annual Fair and farmers on the plains, and not having on the same days occupied by the grazers witnessed their doings, I can only report the result of their proceedings, as gathered from "the Statesman," which is always prompt in giving attention to the agricultural interests. From this it appears that the exhibition was very good, and a liberal premium list was awarded. Several books appear among the awards. This is well. CUYAHOGA COUNTY. Cleveland was again the scene of joyous excitement during the county Fair of the great Lake region, where the farmers occupied the ground and buildings put up by the State Board, and held a great Fair. PREBLE COUNTY, AT EATON. A very spirited fair was held at this town on Friday, the 15th. I was exceedingly disappointed at the necessity which prevented my personal attendance. M. B. Bateham, editor of the Ohio Cultivator, who was there and addressed the farmers, says it was a capital show. Many other societies, horticultural, agricultural, and mechanical, have had their The Olentangy country has been rejoicing in the festival which has just closed. Our friend, A. Thomson, of the "Gazette," being quite a horticulturist and a prominent member, our favorite department of agriculture, the fruits and flowers, received due at- meetings within the month, but it is impostention. This is the region where the Tram-sible either to visit, or even to notice them iner grape (European) has proved its hardy all. Editorial. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. REPORT ON THE WORLD'S FAIR, to thejects and his acumen, rendered him a most Governor of New York-by B. P. Johnson, valuable conservitor and advocate of the inEsq., the agent appointed by the State, and terests of his fellow-countrymen, many of the devoted Secretary of the State Agricul-whom may thank him for advocating their tural Society. claims before jurors, so that the merits of Mr. Johnson's familiarity with the sub- their articles were appreciated and received awards, instead of being overlooked. As Howard & Co., Buffalo, [Ketchum's,] for he himself says, this is a mere business report; but he has rendered it a very useful document for our manufacturers and other citizens, and a valuable record of the articles shown. As such I shall value it, and highly esteem it for the sake of the donor. TRANSACTIONS OF THE WISCONSIN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, VOL. I.-To the able and accomplished secretary, Albert C. Ingham, Esq., I am indebted for this valuable volume, that is better estimated by the character of its articles and their authors, than by a mention of its having 336 pages. Proud may our young sister feel of this first evidence of the energy of her people and of the productiveness of her soil, ast portrayed in the first volume of Transactions of her State Agricultural Society.— Another year has passed, and another fair has been held, which is said to evince progress in the right direction, and all interested will look eagerly for the second volume of her Transactions, which it is hoped the legislature will not delay to print and present to her noble agriculturists. TRIAL OF IMPLEMENTS AT GENEVA, N. Y. -It will be remembered that the New York State Agricultural Society appointed a large and judicious committee to attend this trial last July, and I am now indebted to some kind friend for a neat pamphlet containing their valuable report. From the AWARDS the following extracts are made: To T. D. Burrall, of Geneva, N. Y., for the best Grain Reaper, diploma and $50. J. H. Manny, Wadham's Grove, Mass., for the second best do., (convertible for grass mowing,) $30. the second best Mowing Machine, $30. The other awards are here omitted for want of space. FRUITS, FLOWERS, AND VEGETABLES.— Kind friends, sweet friends, be pleased to consider yourselves named especially and individually, as you often are, in the sacred precincts of home, while we enjoy your acceptable favors, choice fruits, lovely and gorgeous flowers, and well grown vegetables. Such offerings are indeed most acceptable, and too refined to be looked upon as bribes, in which capacity, indeed, they would not be received, but rather as delicate evidences of kind regard. Osage Orange. HEDGES ON RAILWAYS. IN the Prairie Farmer, for August, it is stated upon the authority of Messrs. Foster and Holmes, of Waverly, Ill., that 30 to 40 bushels of seed were planted in that vicinity this season, and that it has generally germinated well. So look out for plenty of plants, and don't fail to want them all; we have a great county to fence in, and there's nothing like the Maclura, depend upon it. In the same issue of that journal is a letter to Messrs. Overman, of Canton, Ill., from our worthy fellow-citizen, one of the pioneers in hedging. In its tenor it very much resembles an excellent practical article with which the writer favored the readers of this work a few months since. Indeed, whatever Mr. Neff writes will be read with interest. Having frequently seen a portion of his mulched hedge, I can speak favorably of the plan as applicable where the plow and cultivator cannot be used to Seymour & Morgan, Brockport, N. Y., for advantage, though I should much prefer the third best do., $20. J. H. Manny, for the best Mowing Machine, (convertible,) diploma and $50. stirring the soil where that is practicable. One long line of hedge in a pasture next the railroad, was cut down and mulched NORTH-WESTERN FRUIT GROWERS. last spring, and then slightly protected from CORRESPONDENCE. 99 the stock by poles laid in forks over the THE GARDENS OF J. A. KENNICOTT, NORTHline of the hedge; it has sprouted up strong and vigorous, but not nearly so much so as if it had been cultivated-in which case it would have borne a severe cutting-back in June, and be now much thickened. Nearer the city, about Morrow, there are some long stretches of young hedge, planted by the Railroad Company, I believe, at the suggestion, probably, of the very intelligent and worthy superintendent, Mr. Clement, who is quite a cultivator of choice fruits at the village of Morrow. This is an admirable idea which should be copied generally. These lines were planted by Mr. Overman above mentioned, and I observed FIELD, W. B. EGAN, CHICAGO, and J. T. As you could not accompany me in peragination, first in a drive over a plank road son, my good friend, let me take you in imand wet prairie, sixteen miles north-west of Chicago, to the residence of our mutual friend, John A. Kennicott, than whom the ticulturist. A wet prairie, as I said, is most of the ground between Chicago and our friend's home. Occasional points called West has no better or more enthusiastic hor with regret that they were set too closely. wood has grown up, and where the land groves, there are, however, where the young Indeed, it is almost impossible to persuade rises some fifteen or twenty feet above the planters to give this sturdy shrub sufficient general level. "The grove" of our friend space to develop its best characters. Within Kennicott is one of the largest, besides certain limits, this can never occur, and a great risk is incurred that a portion of the around it. being somewhat higher than any for miles plants will be choked out by crowdingNever set the shrubs nearer than one foot apart, and better two feet than six inches. I am sorry to find the editor of the Indiana Farmer still urging planters to set their hedges more closely, since I firmly believe that it is one of the greatest mistakes which can be made, and will cause more disappointment in the result than any other error which could be committed. On the Madison and Indianapolis Railroad, also, I was happy to see a portion of hedging; and should be glad to observe more and more, beside the iron ways. Mr. Longworth's Letter, On page 101, was overlooked among the papers of the society. The grapes were presented since, (v, p. 85,) and a committee, who visited the vines, will soon report in full upon their characters and merits. his grounds, we advance over a broad rising Leaving the road which passes in front of and ornamental shrubs, until about thirty lawn, whereon are planted occasional trees rods from the street we come suddenly upon a cottage, embowered in a thicket of trees and shrubs, both native and foreign, and grouped more to exclude the sun of summer and protect from the winter's winds, of the trees, or an eye to the gardenesque. than with regard to the character and habits Our friend's residence is of the primitive cast; for he came here sixteen years ago, when all was a desolate prairie, built his house of what was then obtainable, and loving comfort and the beauties of nature, he has studied only to make home pleasant and attractive, by entwining the rose and the honeysuckle, nourishing the fir and the oak both within and around the walls, until all partake of and mingle one with the other, |