Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-11-03
LOCAL Affairs.
TIE FAIR.

than realized In the transcendant success which favored
the operations OF the Executive Committee yesterday
To estimate the number the Fair ground at 10000,
would he 10y unreasonable From early hour
up to oclock in the afternoon tho accession Of visitors
continued without the shortest ntermsson until the
tire within the square presented one imposing
of human beings We we're pleased a largo con.
tngent Of the fair among the crowd, Who by the
seemed TO be the aud admiring ofthc
rious articles exhibited
Knowing the influence which their opinions would be
likely to exercise in connection with all future
of this character we're Jealous in esdcavOrs to
CATCH to the fullest extent possible every sentiment which
dropped from them upon the state OF the Exhibition.
Their admiration of the whole affair high in the e.
treme, 80 far could learn, and shall mistake
much II their cooperation will not be earnestly rendered
to promote all future efforts OF this character. That would
be adding indueace which would not fail produce
| an important effect.
The interesting features OF Yesterdays exhibitions were
diversified render it difficult for TO decide
which ne would bestow attention upon.
The experimenting OF steam aud other engines the pa
rIdc of beautiful animals aud the various other atra
tive movements were calculated To cmbauass every sd-
hiring faculty in the selection of part Tor particular
observation. To devote suicicnt time for cx,mna-
ton of every interesting object pre- euted the eye,
would be than could possibly be done day and
each day will have its peculiar of int crest: the
same measurements may be expected.
Not the least Interesting feature many Of our cou,,-
try visitors the swes: music OF the Armory Band,
who stationed pa torm in large circle iuclc
Ell and covered by massive awning The first sound Of
these Instruments brought thousands rushing from Al
parts OF the Fair ground the circle within which an
immense crowd assembled the greater part of ill.,
day, listening the harmonious al which the Band
sounded in that style which they so remarka
be We believe that such accession impaired more
real caeiy the cutire than any element in the
whole combination. That fully apparent in tho gem
era eyinoej in this part by all who present
Shortly after 10 o'clock the busle sounded the sis
nal for all assemble At least many could will
in the circle referred TO abov, listen to the de-
livery Of the annual address by John Il. Elmunds
Esq Of Halifax county. Pursuant arrangement the
ceremony the Inauguration, may be said, opened with
prayer by the Rev. Mr.. Cummings
At the close Of this part the President ofthc Society
introduced the assembly Mr.. Ejmunds who proceeded
with his address follows:
! Ms. President ANp GENTLruYN:-The Executive Com
miitcc have invited deliver the trsl annual address
Oh occasion. The Constitution OF Society pro
scribe, this subjects OF this address, and limits
practical agriculture science auxiliary agriculture
IL i Of sincere regret, that the task
not deyoNyd upon more competent person But il
not me Ia evade duties il involved shuu
the lmpu>e,i-tO shrink from the
which they have sSSgucd, aud Ia display lukewa zeal
in this noble effort promote the prosperity OF STATE
Oy advancing It's Hgicuural interest lmpeed 10y high
of professional aud public duty, and by that
sderitiou alone, may justly claim the Indulgence o the
society for It's imperfect discharge.
The extent Of our territory and undev eoped
pcsent their difficulties az the first view Our state
sreces from tie OcAu the last TO tue tributaries OF
the Mississippi the West, embracing the Atlantic
SLOPE the intermediate valley, and passing the Ancgha
MES It spreads out upon the valleys the Water
rHtF fH1 4Faarf of 4
mineral treasures, manufacturing power outlets for
mccs, diversity of soil and in lts capacity Or varied
rcuura products It combines the leading divisions VI
agriculture in farming, planting and grazing.
With tits extensive territory aud variety Of sols,
are commencing of improved agriculture. Upon
the fertility sol depends success-aud upon the
constituent elements Of the soil rests IL, fertility \
knowledge Of the general origin aud composition Of the
soil form the Gr-t Foundation OF whIch To build
But here science has shed its light upon our pathway
No geological report With accompanying maps u surveys
OF State his been published IN such form to be
ces.ble the farmers They not informed in regard
general formation and prevailing OF their own
counties; the probable origin O their soils The soils
OF the Stale have been but little studied and accurate
analyses have developed the Of seHly
'iSe areas, embracing large portions OF many couu-
ties
Oar soils are formed from the dccomposed fragments
OF the rocks which they lir Of other rocks usually
at great distance. They consist very nearly at tie
same substances the rocks themselves from which the
/ are formed and may not expect any Ingredient
in large quantity which the rocks Themselves did
not contain. GCBiuglst~ have gwen the names al
strAdhei and ursiriuhei TO the leading and grand
division Of these rocks. The rocks OF the second
class differ widely in their composition, aud will
give rise soils partAkius of their distinctive character
iscs Thus the granite contains within it, eldSpar and
~ considerable quantities OF potash aud soda, but there
j. scarcely any lime, and phO-ptteS beyond mere ira
c"s mc varieties Of granite dcconian te-e substances
~ Ar proportions but for the most part there very 1T
tie of either NortDus Elements, poo. Soils formed
fOm their decomposition may contain potash OF soda but
may with great certainty anticipate deficiency Of line
ft laal
some specimens Of the trap rock contain proportion OF
lime calculated carbonate equal 10 - per cent,
fifth OF their weight Prot Johnson, Edinburgh QUAR-
terry journal oi Agriculture, p. AZ, le4'- ~ lhry
contain cldsphr also, from which potash l. deryed-Td
soils produced from their decomposition will be found more
fertile than those Of grm'c origin.
The strstfed rocks present the differences Of com.
position; they occupy various positions aud iuclnauouS TO
tne artb surface but their relative position to each other
fsdrIs tie ~ iItsr,r part nj Ns r,Jhi hsV
he tound lNor,ou'- Elements, 2OOJ The same differ
euce will peryaie the soils which exist in the various sta
a. u this general observation, however, wc must except
those districts where disturbing influences have operated
10 cover tie original rocks by transported materials from
some other source by which the crunbed fragments OF
other formations have been dted in vast quantities by
come unknown poFcr, aud oycre the original rocks.
Even IN this event Inspection Of district 10y prac-
used eve would Immediately detect any foreign deposits,
aud determine their character. NOrtOns Ecments 200.
IL il the province Of geology TO explore the structure Of
the earths surface and 10 map the various strata aud
leading features marking aud describing the location
ard boundaries OF the different stratt-Ceariy deneatug
their int and pOsItiouaud showing the extent and
location Of the DRIFT fOtmluon-giviug 20 the farmer
general kuOWledge Of the origin and composition OF his
sD To This extent Professor Norton says, geology may
instruct: n farmer wishes 20 buy aud in a distant
gOu and has definite knowledge a. 70 is character
he may determine IT, probable quality at once rom a
good geological map. n be has cultivated the soil Of
some particular formation, 600 be has to like IT, and
20 know better how 70 cultivate IL than auy other he
may IN the learn where 70 ind for himself
or for bic Children the kind Of land in some other
district" II furnishes the farmer the chart by which
be 10 be guided in procuring analyses Of hi' soils II
he desires positive Information when the geological map
points out the general origin aud composition Of bis soil
the chemist 10y dchutve analysis supplies this demand
The practical value Of this information may be easily
eNplincd. al plants con-s. Of organic and inorganic
subssncestc latter Of which constitute their ashes and
are derived solely from the soil The sOl must contain
these substances the plant cannot grow very fertile
coil contains al Of them n considerable quantity Many
so contain Of them in large quantity aud de-
hcieut sometimes destitute Of others Thus, soils formed
from granite be deficient iu lime and the phosphate
whilst those formed from dpCAy0l tap may contain lime
aDundauuy DO ignorance Of its composition, the farmer
HuUIy HiluHla coil