The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-04
agricultural.
THE Fair at Upper marlboro, Maryland.

20 witness the tenth annual exhibition oi the i4Oe
Georges Agricultural Society. chilling atmo-
sphere, a large number of wide mud holes In the
road and nearly dozen gates Separating farms)
TO be opened. were among the varieties on the
way.
We arrived at Upper Marlboro in good season
The sun had by this time chased away the fog,
aud a pleasanter day could not have been desired.
The village was in holiday trim, and, in addition
10 residents Of the county, we noticed visiters of
both sexes from the District of Columbia and else
where.
There was "much cattle'' in the enclosure set
apart for that purpose, but not OF so attractive
character TO those most Immediately interested as
to require specific description Clement Hill and
Charles b. Calvert each had pavilion stable well
filled with Durham bulls, cows, and calves, which
elected the larger share of attention,
Agrcui ural machines were exhibited by Mr. X.
Sinclair, come of which were kept in operation.
The court room, few yards from the cattle
show, was crowded almost TO sutfocatIon with la
dies and conference.-the former preponderating.
Here were displayed tables well filled with the
products OF the garden and dairy, and a fat sheep,
ready for the spit, hung hard by, as suitable ac-
compartment to the handsome collection OF edi-
bles.
In various portions of the room articles of domestic
comfort the handicraft OF fair hands, dis
played and specimens of homemade wines, cor
dias, bounce, pickles, preserves, and other luxu-
ries together with the more substantial productions
Of men, presented to the public inspection
The only outside '' amusement" SO called, in the
morning, was a bear. bait at Dyes, which was pa
tronsed by two or three hundred male persons, of
all ages. Bruen fought the dogs again at night,
and was ready for third contest on the ensuing
day.
On the morning of the second day meeting of
the Prince Georges Agricultural Society took
place.
The president, Dr. Bayne, read 10 the society a
letter from Lieutenant w ID. Porter, of the navy,
through which ne presented, ior n va.
wes., irssed 10 be presented TO that gentleman for
his valuable donations.
Further business was transacted when the fol-
lowing named gentlemen were elected officers for
the ensuing year, viz
Prssident-Cement Hill
Vice Pyesidents-Dr. j. II Bayne, James Multi
KIN, James Somcrville, DR.. Wyvill, j. Nice Brag-
den, W X. Barker, X. C. Brooke, Augustus r. Sol
lers, and Sprigg HARDWOOD.
Erecufipe Comnittee-Robert Bowie, William N.
Dorset, Oden Bowie, Richard s. Hill, Horatio Z.
Scott James Iglehart, and Joseph II. Wilson.
Corresponding !Secretary-Thomas F. Bowie.
TrsasV1-George w. Wilson.
Recording Secretary Daniel C. Digges.
The society then adjourned and the members
proceeded to the court room, which densely
crowded with ladies and gentlemen, to hear the
address Of
JOSEPH H. BRADLEY, esq; who, having been in
trcduced to the audience by the President Dr.
Bayne said that be had at no little inconvenience
being engaged daily with professional duties in the
law court in Washington, gladly availed himself
of the opportunity to appear before the asseblage
Although not properly called practical agricultu-
ris. he believed that he devoted as much time to
farming pursuits those with whom be lived
terms of neghborhood, and felt deep interest
as any in all that connected with this
branch Of industry. He proceeded TO show that
the characteristic walk of the present age is the
progress and diffusion of useful and practical
knowledge. We must not, however, confound
this is too often done, with science, which
teaches US the causes producing the effects
know. Science ascends TO the skies, and delights
visit the stars and the planetary system or pen
etrates the earth and investigates its formation it's
changes, its existence. Knowledge is content with
what present to the eye and the ordinary
We know hve-that have air and food.
How live, and why air and food are necessary
TO our existence, science seeks TO teach Sci
ence itsef has within short period of time opened
vast field for the philosopher and the student.
But, however widely her domain has been extend
ed know ledge of useful arts and pursuits has kept
even pace with her. knowledge, which has walked
with frmer step in the paths which science has
opened and illuminated; knowledge, which has
introduces to the mass of mankind those who use
direct corporal labor the producer and the art
san nnumerable helps in the form of labor -savin e
machines, and vastly increased resources in new
seeds snd varieties OF plants, and the growth Of
animals lie spoke OF the progress Of know
ledge by the agency of the press that great engine
by which humanity is enabled to communicates
tie press, aided by the machinery of the public
inails, ana still more the infant telegraph whose
Invisible mcsseuge gers, with the speed of light, fly
through the unmoyed AR. These are our great
labor saving machines, and bring 10 our homes
and our larssides not only the news OF the day, but
those recorded faots and observations of others,
which arc mines Of wealth to
But have another engine Of power. The
press alone, he said, would be Of little value. Its
wealth would be distributed among favored few.
And a. in England, but a few centuries ago, every
man was "Clericus' who could read, and had the
benefit Of clergy, and thus escaped the punishment
of death inflicted all those who could not read
found guilty Of similar crime, go here the "cler-
Gus" would De privileged class. But thanks,
praises, immortal honors due TO those states
men who, ia Maryland devised and executed
the plan Of common schools, defective az IL Is.
In my bOyhood, (said Mr. Bradley,) ! knew,
and can enumerate upwards of thirty men
within three miles Of my fathers residence who
could neither read nor write. Now, know not
family where there 10 not some member
who can read the Bible or the newspaper. And
what IL the effect They taught 70 think.
They have opened 10 them the highway Of
tons by which all men OF all the civilized world,
and millions 10 whom christianity is a scaled book,
daily converse with one another. They are rem
derod familiar in their childhood with facts which
disspate crude and degrading superstitions. They
are possessed Of knowledge, and taught 10 sport
with engines of power, which, but few years
since, we're suffered 10 lie hidden among the most
awful mysteries Of nature. They are taught the
expansive power Of steam, and its potent energies
They arc instructed how 10 form the lightning and
no longer 10 dread the thunder cloud; nay, more,
they are shown the means by which the came tre
inondous agent Is made the slave Of man, and the
obedicnt servant of bis will. These things are no
longer the sole property Of the learned They are
not locked up in the clOister nor grit about with
college walls, nor found alone in cities. The Gle
nents Of all such know ledge, the facts which have
been produced, the means by which they may be
made useful TO man, are 20 be found in our village
schools But as knowledge has spread, 20 has the
field for lie exercise opened bcforeit. And we now
have men Of erudition, practical men, devotng all
their energies 10 a pursuit which, even within my
memory, almost wholly unknown.
Within the last thirty years the study Of the
structure Of the earth, the components Of the air,
and the effect Of light and heat az affecting the
organization Of plants and animals, II is now
generally known agricultural chemistry, has risen
almost 70 tho elevation Of a science. And what
ever may think Of, however we may sneer at,
in Whatsoever manner book Turning may affect Ne
be assured that this very study has given new
impetus 10 agriculture. IL has already raised II
one step higher towards the apex of that pyramid
which is 70 be formed Of the useful arts. II has
given 10 1t the dignity Of science, TO which all
others must contribute. Light, and heat, and
storm, and sunshine, and wind, and calm; tho
structure Of the earth, air, plants, animals, and
insects; the ingredients, water; the combination
Of persons; ali that science has done 70 lesrr
and establish rules and TO investigate the laws
launR TO all these, and must be used TO devcoJ
and shape agriculture. And it is IN the dissent
nation and diffusion of such knowledge, through