The Board of Directors arranged a premium list amounting to $240 00. The following is an $240 00 Premiums were offered to the amount of------- 175 00 Of the premiums awarded there yet remains unpaid.-- -- 15 00 $131 14 JOHN BOYD, Secretary. Nov. 27, 1850. STATEMENTS of competitors for premiums on crops. 33 Premium of $3 awarded to Samuel Dallas for 386 bushels of barley raised on 6 acres 11 poles, (no competitor.) Average product per acre, 63 bushels, 2 pecks, 2 quarts and 1 pint, The ground was measured by Washington Galloway, whose affidavit of said measurement was made before Benj. Nesbitt, Justice of the Peace. The following statement was sworn to by said Dallas, also by William Bradfute and Alexander Ruff, who assisted in measuring the ground and the crop : "The previous crop on the above piece of ground was corn-no manure used. The soil is a black loam-surface rolling. Two bushels of seed (fall barley) per acre, sowed Sept. 15th, 18:9, harvested June 20, 185). Threshed and cleansed Oct. 23d, by Pitt's Thresher and Separator. Measured 386 bushels; sold at 60 cents per bushel. The land has been under cultivation 48 years. Rotation of crops, corn, clover, wheat, &c." Credit, by 386 bushels at 60 cents per bushel_____ Debtor, for 9 days plowing at $1 50 per day---- $13 50 12 bushels seed at 75 cents.-- 2 days harrowing and sowing at $1 50_ Cutting Hauling and threshing Interest on the land valued at $50 per acre at 10 per cent. Net profit... 9.00 3 00 $231 60 7 50 14.00 3 CO 50 00 $181 60 To Alexander Ruff, premium of $5, for 86 bushels and 7 pounds of corn, produced from one acre. The land and its produce was measured by Nicholas Burnside and Samuel Dallas. The soil is a black loam, rather light-been cultivated 35 years—has been in timothy and clover for the two preceding years. The first year yielded a crop of hay, also of cloverseed-the second year it was pastured-the sod was turned under in November, 1849-in April, 1850, cross-plowed halt depth-harrowed, and the furrows made nearly north and southrows 3 feet 9 inches apart-two stalks in the hill-space between the hills two to two and a half feet. The after culture consisted of two harrowings and two plowings, one with a double shovel, the other with a single shovel plow, and a slight hoeing. Credit, by 86 bushels corn at 40 cents per bushel------ $34 40 Debtor, for the above labor, including harvesting and marketing-- Interest on land at $50 per acre, and keeping up fence. Net profit. $11 00 5 00 16 00 $18 40 STATEMENT of Samuel Creswell, of the mode of making Butter, (the 2d Premium.) Milked seven cows-pastured on clover, also fed on pumpkins. As a general rule, we let the milk stand until the cream is well thrown up-skimmed while sweet-let the cream stand until thick-then churned-the length of time varied according to the weather. We churn the cream with as little milk as possible. Our milk is kept in a milk house, well ventilated; no water is let in for the purpose of cooling. We use the old dash churn in preference to any others, as it requires less time in the management of the butter. I do not know that there is any thing new or peculiar in our mode of making butter. There are a great many requisites in making good butter-care must be taken to preserve the pans sweet; this is done by scalding or boiling them-milk should not be covered until it is perfectly cool. To give the butter a better flavor, we churn it over again in perfectly sweet skimmed milk. No water is used in freeing the buttermilk from the butter, it is entirely worked u by e use of the paddle. No other substance is used than salt, no other should be; the quantity is regulated by the eye. The salt is mixed through the butter, and then let stand six or eight hours-then worked until no pickle runs from it-this gives the salt time to dissolve. The 4th and 5th days of September were designated as the time of holding the Annual Fair, but we were under the necessity of changing to the 10th and 11th of October, on account of the backward season, and the postponement of the State Fair, and other conflicting matters. The exhibition of stock was held on the 10th. Domestic manufactures, vegetables, fruits, &c., and all articles in the ladies' department, on the 11th. On the same day, the annual address was delivered by Hon. Judge Mills; the awards of the committees announced; an election of officers for the ensuing year, &c. Alexander Ruff was chosen President. Walter Perry, Vice President; John Van Eaton, Treasurer; John Boyd, et ry; Robert Dean, A. B. Hopkins, R. D. Pogue, John Miller and James C. Galloway, Directors. Many articles exhibited were disposed of at public ale in the evening. The Society numbers about one hundred members, most of whom are ready and willing to lend their aid in forwarding its interests; there is the right kind of a spirit prevailing, and a general determination to make our next Annual Fair a fair in ex of the resources of the county. It cannot be expected that a society of this kind is to be a mere money making matter in the shape of premiums-that is not its object; but to have sufficient means to carry on its operations is all that we can expect, and all that is necessary to carry out the design of its institution. Pecuniary advantages result in a different way-by collecting together the choicest products of the county from all branches of industry, and comparing them, one with another-exchanging with each other views and plans, and consulting which to adopt as the best, in any branch of business. No one can take part in the proceedings, and mingle with his fellow citizens on such an occasion, without receiving some new ideas that will make his occupation more profitable. An earlier period would have been more favorable for our Fair, particularly for fruit growers. Notwitstanding this, there were some choice specimens of fruit, particularly apples, the quality and variety never before equalled at our Fairs. The same win ve tables. The collection of cattle also showed a decided improvement over any former year. Horses compared favorably with those exhibited on previous years. Sheep and hogs were not so numerous as heretofore, but of excellent grade. There was also a deficiency in farming implements and manufactured wares generally. The Ladies Department, as ususal, exhibited many articles of taste and value. Woolen goods, consisting of cassimeres, cloth, blankets and flannels, manufactured in the county, were considered by good judges, the very best. |