A handsomely built North Devon chain-pump attracted
much attention from the milkmen.
The turkeys, geese, ducks, poultry and other farm yard _habitues_,
though cooped up in one corner, did all they could to make the show a
success.
The products of the soil were heaped up in the richest profusion. This
is a great raising county. No community raised their quota of
substitutes more rapidly, during the war. Rows upon rows of corn, of
barley, rye and oats [like most modern Serials,] seemed as though they
would never come to an end.
Some early squashes were pointed out to me. I understood that they were
gathered at four o'clock in the morning. This is nothing. I distinctly
remember picking up watermelons, when a schoolboy, much earlier than
that.
The butter, cheese, and bed quilts, were all of the finest texture.
Everybody took a first premium.
Among the newly patented inventions I noticed "The JOHN MORRISSEY
Smasher," "The Swamp Angel Sheller," and a lovely piece of mechanism
called "The Just One Mower."
There was the usual horse trotting from morning to night, both days,
with pool selling, from which, I presume, agriculture derived great
benefit.
I say nothing of the other side-shows, for (with the exception of ALEXIS
ST. MARTIN,) I never heard of one that was worth going across the street
to see.
Yours truly, and yours rurally,
SARSFIELD YOUNG.
* * * * *
OUR PORTFOLIO.
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