Description County Exhibition

"COUNTY EXHIBITION

One who fancies Pictou County and its ability to produce would have found his suppositions well grounded had he attended the fair held in the Shiretown this week. It was goodly display and one that would be considered creditable in a many a more extensive field. It was an affair that in every sense could be labelled highly successful. The people of Pictou possess the requisite energy and co-operation that admits of no failure in ventures of this sort, and as their exhibition grows in years it also acquires strength and importance. As an educator it’s benefits are plainly discernible in the increased number of entries and the improved quality of the exhibits.

Six thousand people were in attendance on Tuesday. The day was bitterly cold and an indication of the interest taken in the awards could be gleaned from the way the people withstood the chilling wind as they watched the judging.

This years exhibition is an improvement on the preceding ones in the live stock. A large display in sheep suggests that more attention is being paid to this profitable branch of animal husbandry. There was quite an exhibit of hogs. The different breeds of cattle were well represented and highly spoken of. The Jersey breed was much ahead of former shows and many of the prize winners traced to Friar’s Fox, a valuable animal imported to the County by the New Glasgow Agricultural Society. The sweepstakes prize for the best bull of any breed was won by a son of Friar’s Fox Holsteins were quite prominent and these large black and whites always make an imposing show. Shorthorns, too, were well represented. But it is the bold, attractive Ayrshire that catches the eye of the Scotchman. They were first in quality, and those from the herd of John McDonald & Son, Plainfield Farm, New Glasgow, came in for a great deal of favourable comment. One cow from this farm was the sweepstakes winner as best pure bred cow at the show, and in speaking of her a gentleman, thoroughly conversant with the larger shows throughout Canada said, if this particular cow would not win first in the large exhibitions she would be oftener second than any cow he saw out this year. Messrs. McDonald’s prize winnings were large.

Horses, horses, however made up the big end of the live stock display, and they were a splendid lot. While the standard-bred and roadsters were many and made an impressive showing, the main strength lay in the heavier, agricultural or general purpose animal. In one or two classes of these later is a question if better could be found anywhere. Farm horses four year old and upwards were magnificent and the same applied to the mares and foals of the same class. Draft teams were a good showing and in the class of general purposes teams Plainfield farm again scored while a team of R.P.P. Fraser’s won second. Five teams competing.

In the light horse class, the get of Achille were there in considerable numbers and won a big show of honors. The standard bred stallion class was topped by The Peer, with Todd Altivo a strong second. The former is an aged mature horse, hard to beat in any show ring, the latter is a four year old of fin proportions and the makings of a splendid horse. The list of find young horses shown is too long for this writing to deal with and e trust to b able to return to the subject at a later date. Of the New Glasgow exhibitors, Simon McGregor and G.S. Jackson were both first prize winners in the standard classes.

The poultry show was splendid for the season of the year when fowls are not by any means looking their best.

The array in the main building left little to de desired. Much beautiful luscious fruit was arrayed, showing [that?] the fruit growing was on the [increase?]. The vegetables were splendid, while the [butter?] was an attractive show in itself. Then on the upper floor was the handiwork of the ladies in fancy work crocheted and knitted, with paintings and other pleasing displays.

It is almost impossible to cover the affair other than in generalities. It was highly creditable in every feature and the outcome is matter of congratulations for the heads of the departments who directed the show.”