Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-12-21
TO THE FARMERS OF y IRf I'm I1a,"qaF'


During tine session of the Legislature of e4445 you held
Convention at Richmond organized the Virginia State
Agricultural Society and obtained of Incorporation
The Convention was attended by some of the most distir-
eushcd and successful agrcuiriss in the State and s
proceedings evnced the zeal and devotion IN tho
Ii resolved that the 81 500 was necessary to
enable the Society 10 carry out its objects into complete and
desirable success To raise that sum proposed to OBJ
tain $4,000 by private subscription and apply the next
succeeding Legislature for $40 600 morehe whole 10 be in
vested in cent stock and TO be used under the direction
of the Legislature.
No effort made far the writer was informed to
raise thing BY private subscription although there was
every believe that could be easily effected nor
has thing more been heard of the Society which so many
jealous and distinguished gentlemen were at the time 80
establish. Why should this state of things be suffered
longer to exist why is this great interest negligent of
itself II seems 10 be unaccountable But trust the time
has come when another effort will prove more successful
The Governor in his annual has presented the sub
ect with great force to the Legislature and recommended
the appropriation annually of such money as NAV be
necessary 10 sustain properly organized State Agricultural
Society.
Now then, is your time Rouse up-assemble again in
Convention at Richmond early in January practicable
show the Legislature what you do and will do and il
cannot be doubted that they will do their part
Without going into details what other States have done
and doing in the way of legislative aid it may be su
cent refer New York and Massachusetts In the rs
aSate Society," no improve the condition Of agriculture hor
culture and the household arts has been many years in
successful operation holding annually great exhibition and
fair at different places in succession These exhibitions
bring together always the best stock of domestic animals
specimens OF mechanic arts agricultural implements domes
tic industry and productions of the earth and without ex
cepon great of people from all parts of the T.
States and Canada.
The State of New York appropraes annually for the nro
motion Of agriculture the of $4,000 through the State
and the County Societies which auxiliary TO il The
State Society publishes volume of transactions every wear
containing its and reports the County Societies with
mass OF the most valuable practical information Appro-
pratons have also been made by the State for agricultural
museums for plants seeds models &C.; and thus they TO-
ceye the benefit OF every thing collected for distribution
through the Patent Office brought BY the national ships
from other countries.
In Virginia there was not society existing las, January
which was capable OF receiving the valuable donation of Lieu
of horned cattle 800
Massachusetts hos State Society The Legislature has
caused an survey of the State be made Mt an
and has been printed and distributed at public expense The
law OF that State contains formal provision for the incorno
ration OF agricultural societies Every society which shall
raise n voluntary contribution and put at insercs, the
sum oJ as capital stock for the uses of such society
Is entitled 10 receive from the State Treasury annually The
of $780, ard in that proportion annually for any greater
SUM so contributed but society receive more than
$500 in any year.
The Massachusetts society have received MANY valuable
Donations among them three fine staions-one superb
cleveland pay Under ts patronage the late Henry Coman
made and published Agricultural survey of Great Britain
and parts OF the Continent the closing labor of his valuable
life
In Virginia there exists no State Society as ralynu
are few If nnyaDd the State loses many valuable do
nations OF stock and other things which, in the States re-
TERED TO- GO into the hands Of the State Societies and so the
benefit s dnsed Local societies spring up from time TO
time IN Virginia, but for want of systematic organization
through Legislative authority exist but for time State
Society with reasonable aid from the Legislature might and
1t is believed would, sustain permanently system which
could not tail in beneficial results the farmer the planter
and the razier would be probably accessible 10
a especially the exhibitions and fairs Of the Society