Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-11-19
VIRGINIA STATE AGRICULTURAL FAIR.


and practical Importance any gathering of the peo-
pie ever witnessed in Richmond for any purpose.
A friend who was present has thrown together some
Of the principal incidents, which we deem still in
season for such Of our readers as have not seen a
minute description from other sources:
The city of Richmond with lberaity well requited
by the farmers of the State appropriated ten thousand
dollars for enclosing the grounds and erecting tents
stalls and other fixtures and beautiful public square
Of acres west of the city, prepared with every
which experience and good taste could sug
ges large pavilion for assembage of the people,
under which the State Armory Band gave fine music at
proper ntervas tents for the officers and for the exh
btion of articles of handicraf conspicuous with
flags and floating in the breeze. The sight
you approached the grounds exhilaratug and plea
in the highest degree and the interior arrangements
for the horses cattle sheep, and swine and for the dis
play agricultural and mechanical Implements the
theme of universal praise
On the first day TUESDAY, November u only the Off
and members of the society admitted within
the enclosure but these legion The various COM
mtees arranged and every thing adjusted for the
general gathering of the people On Wednesday the gates
were thrown open and less than twenty thousand of
the best population of the State admitted Every
body merely gratfed but astonshed as well at
the immense at the extraordinary display OF
the agricultural and mechanical resources Of the State
The projectors of the enterprise and their ndeagable
agents felt that here was worthy OF admiration,
their triumph complete Each one felt that
Virginia emphatically redeemed regenerated and
dsenthraed" and that every and daughter of the
good old Mother of States might hold up their heads and
e1ut in the proud consciousness that they inherited
goody and prosperous landa country already teeming
with the rich products of the SOIL and capable of produc
ing under genial climate every thing necessary to the
physical or intellectual wants of man.
The annual Address, full of striking facts and practical
Illustrations was delivered by JOHN R. EpMuNps, Esq,
of Halifax county, gentleman distinguished lawyer,
legislator and agriculturist but now dsvotng him.
self the latter pursuit Gen. ScoTT and ex-President
TYLER each called out and made appropriate re-
sponses expressing their grafed surprise at impos
ing display Of the trophies of vrgnias industry and
skill, but above all, at the brilliant assembage of Vr
gina's q fair women and brave men,
1t would be vain attempt description of the scene
convey to the reader proper conception Of the
many objects of attraction.
On Thursday the crowd scarcely diminished, whilst
thousands outside witnessing the ploughng match
Among the spectators Of this portion of the entertain
ment were ex-President TYLER, the Hon. w c. RIvEs,
and Madame soSTAG, the great vocalist who gave 500
as premium the successful plough. And here an |
incident may be mentioned which will show the
generous character of Southern Half the premium
given to the coored ploughman Ia slave and half
% the owner Of the plough and team.
On Friday the exhibition brought to close by |
he award Of premiums and these were by no means few
small, and the Valedctory Address was pronounced
~ ex-Presiden TYLER in his usual glowing and ami
mated style of delivery. The address evinced sound
thought and couched in felictous language 1t ex
ted the pride and zeal of all present. and prepared them
still energetic display Of the Of the
State at the next meeting.
1t should not be omitted state that EDMUND RrFFIS
Esq., the agricultural writer was present and
made prominent patriarch pioneer deserving the
gratitude of his countrymen.
But the most enthusiastic portion of the performances
exhibited in the nightly meetings Of the Agricultural
Society during the week at Metropolitan Hail. The first
the ordinary society business transacted and
report Of committee received in regard the existing
monopoly of the guano trade The committee it seems
had waited the President Of the United States
quest the opening negotiations with tie Government of
Peru in reference thereto and informed by him
he would give the subject his early and attention
On the second night proposition introduced by |
LEWIS E. HAEyIE Esq Of Amelia, to raise ceaty thousand
dollars to be invested in State stocks permanent en-
document Of tie society. This responded in the most
terms, various gentlemen putting down
themselves and their whole families to the third genera
on is members Of the society," and others pledging
sner respective 'soUO TO Sl,UUU. The
meeting protracted the hour Of twelve and before
adournng the OF htynae thousand dollars had Jsea
-dised!
The same scenes were enacted on Thursday and Fri
lay nights and the enthusiasm was kept up in practical
manner until upwards Of szty thousand dollars sub
scrbedi suggestion that the Legislature should be
called upon for subscription was promptly put down,
several members declaring that the farmers Of Virginia
now that their spirit aroused needed help of that
kind, but would rely upon themselves; yet, during the
proceedings, it was found that professional men, me-
chanic and merchants all claimed the right to aid in
putting Virginia agriculture upon a firm and enduring
basis. wag declared that 50 far from asking legislative
help, the society ready share the STATE debt!
Eloquent speeches made at intervals by VIII
LoUGHBY NEWTON, b. JOHNSON BARBOUR, I. L. PRESTON,
VIZ. G. RIvEs, and other eminent gentlemen; and Mr.
RvEs remarked that he had witnessed many agricultural
exhibitions in Europe and America but none superior to
this in all that eynced eminent capacity and resources for
great State Indeed 50 warmed up did he
become with the prospect before him that he entered
himself wife, and children life members Of the society,"
rs also his two sons living in other States and their
families. Mr.. I. L. PREsroS, Of Washington county not
only made liberal subscription his.own account but
pledged three other counties than his own for $500 each
Here practical enthusiasm, upon subject which had
hitherto excited but little general interest an enthusiasm
which enlisted both the heart and the Judgment for the
experience Of members detailed the society proved
such successful results in farming by the Of guano
mari and other fertilizers astonished and grahed all
who listened to the recital
Altogether it was proud occasion for Virginia. She