The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-11-09
STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

WAIT of room compelled US to defer notice of
the REPoRr OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE to the
State Agricultural Society at one of its night
sions last week The document is an interesting
one, and we proceed to give an abstract of its main
facts, which have lost none of their interest by
lapse of time
The committee set out with statement of the
strength ofthe Society in numbers and means at
lis last annual meeting. The whole number of
members was three hundred and thirty-nine, and the
entire funds in the treasury amounted TO S2eSi
In this feeble condition of the affairs of the Soci
ETY., the committee entered upon lis duties The
FIST step decided upon by them to increase its
strength and efficiency. to call meeting of the
society on the 10th Of March That meeting was
held, and was distinguished by its enthusiasm and
zeal in the cause of Agriculture. Effective rnea-
sures were adopted, and about $3.50 was raised,
The committee, aware that unless the public mind
could be permanently enlisted in the enterprise
it would again relapse into feebleness, inrne.li-
ately set about 10 accomplish thatobiect The most
important, as well as the most efficient decided up.
on, the appointment ofa agent to canvass the
State, to enlist members and life members. collect
subscriptions and increase and stimulate the inter
est felt in the Society. The committee say:
"At first appeared difcult to find an agent nos
sessing the requisite lnelhsence, tact and zeal.
fortunately, however, for the Society, General W NJ
Fl. RICHARDSON, Ex-Secretary of the Common.
wealth, animated by and patriotic zeal in the
of agricultural improv his native Safe
in whose service in other capacities he had already
worn away, unrequited, the best years of his life
was yet willing to sacrifice still more in her service
and TO undertake the di hcut and labors
of an agency for the Society. Deeming it dghly inn
portsnt to the ,gency of jealous and able
an agent, the President did net hesitate to employ
him as soon he ascerained il was practicable 10 do
so, aud 10 authorise him enter upon his abors not
doubling that the act would be fully ratified by the
Committee, which in fact promptly done at their
next sncc eedng meeting.
Gen. Richardson was further authorised by the
Committee to appoint assistants and in
structed to canvass the cities. towns and country
over as large portion of the State possible.
'This labor he has performed, aided by his son.
VIM. III. RICHARDSON, Jr., in manner most advan-
tageous to the Society, as well satisfactory your
Committee.n
The committee say that in addition the aid of the
newspaper press was solicited and most literally
extended to the cause. The result of these ageil.
cies has been that the members of the Society have
increased from 339 to at least 1000 and the funds
from S26s to at least 5000. This was of course
the state of things before the recent Fairl
The committee then allude to the arrangements
for the Fair and the liberality of the City Council
Richmond in rendering the use of the Western
Square for that purpose. They also mention the
appropriation OF $1,000 to put the necessary build
iugs and improvements upon the Square, and sub
sequent appropriations to pay expenses of police
&C., until the aggregate of the appropriations BY
the Council of Richmond amounted to about $40,
coo. After proper notice of this liberality tht
committee pass a handsome compliment to Mr.
THos F. GILES for the cultivated taste and zeal wifi
which he directed the improvements of the square
and they also notice, in proper manner, the ser
vices of Mr.. GILL, the Engineer of the city in ths
plans and specifications furnished by him for the
preparation of the ground.
The committee also notice the liberaliiy of the
Railroad companies in granting the free transpor
tation of animals and things for the Fair and near
y all Of them the free passage to and from the FAN
oil all the members Of the Society To this liberali
y the Society is much indebted for the large aten
dance of farmers at the Fair.
The COMMITTEES notice various unsuccessful ef
forts 10 obtain Legislative aid to the cause of Ag
rculture and leave it to the Society to say whether
further efforts in that quarter shall be made
The committee refer TO the provisions of the Con-
stit,ition for eliciting contributions practical and
scieatifc agriculture very truly remarking that
without increasing the amount OF useful knowledge
In the business OF farming, Fairs and splendid ex-
hibiions are of little advantage. They suggest that
but little has been done in this way the past year;
but think it is owing to the want Of proper organ
ization of the executive committee, and they pro-
pose important step to this defect the
appointment of Secretary, with salary, who
sham ieyota his time and mind IN f,, d,t;s &c ts
Office. IItw be remembered that this recomnlen-
daion was approved. and that F. q. RUFFIs has
been elected TO the ofice.l The committee notice
contributions from EDAUND RUFFIH, SEN, whoh has
been the chief contributor and valuable paper on
the history of the Tobacco Trade, By SAMUEL Mon.
pEcAI, OF Richmond, and another from Professor
GILLIAN, on Maris aud Green Sands, which, with
several others, win appear in the transactions Of
the Society.
The committee notice with high comncndation
the valuable services of Mr. F. G. RuFrIS, CORES
pording Secretary of the Society They further
urge the importance Of salaried Secretary, with
an Office in Richmond, and the establishment OF
Rooms for the meetings Of the Society for Lectures
on,Agricuiturai subjects, &c. They also recon
mend the appointment of Csaemiss to the Society.
t1his proposition failed.l
In conclusion, the compittee pay handsome tri.