Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-11-05
The Agricultural Fair.

Fourth Annual Exhibition of the Virginia state
Agricultural Society equaled, if it did not sur
pass, in extent and variety either OF the previous
Fairs The number of persons in attendance Is
said to have been larger thar ever before
As usual, goodly share of the premiums were
secured by citizens of Augusta. A hasty glance
at the list give US the following:
F. Bell, $50 for the best yoke OF trained oxen
years old. :.
Mai. James Walker, $40 for the best single tat
steer.
Maj. J. NJ McCue, s. for the best slaughtered
mutton, of middle woods.
Mai. J. NJ. McCue, So for the best slaughtered
mutton, of long woods.
Mrs. G. S. Gay, So for the I'd best specimen
of fresh butter, and So for the best frkin OF tub
salted butter.
A certificate of merit was awarded to NJ
Blair & Co., for the best family flour, which was
manufactured at the Valley Mills in this county
Tyler Il Son received premium OF slo LOT
the best and largest variety of Apples, raised by
DR.. A. Dold, of this county.
James Bumbgardner received certificate OF
merit for a sample of rye whiskey exhibited by
him.
As usual the race course, where the horses
were exhibited, was the place of chief attrac-
ton; but fat cattle, big hogs, fine sheep, whls-
kered pigeons. mustachioed geese, to say nothing
of shanghais, came in for due share OF atten-
ton.
The opening address was delivered on We'd
nesday by Gov. Wise, and the annual address
by DIR. McGuffy, of the University, on the even
ing of the same day.
The Farmers Assembly held sessions morning
and evening of each day during the Fair, the
Hon. William G. Rives presiding over the dellb-
erations. The following officers of the Society
were elected for the ensuing year:
PREslpENT-EDMUND RUFFIN, of Hanover.
VICE PRESIDENTS.
John r. Edmunds, of Halifax,
. Wiloughby Newton, of Westmoreland.
Lewis E. Harvie, of Amelia.
Thomas /. Preston, Of Washington.
Wm NJ. Tate, of Augusta
6 VIM. Townes, of Mecklenburg
Z G. S. Meem, of Shenandoah.
s VIM. Massie, of Nelson.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
l Wm Boulware VIM. G. Knight,
W. II. Richardson, Hugh NJ. Nelson,
Jer Morton, Vim. M. Radford,
Ar. H. Dulaney, 0 VIM. G. Crenshaw,
5 Jas. B. Newman, 10 +. G.. Rufin.
SEoRETARY-Chas B. Williams.
The Report of the Executive Committee re-
commended the establishment of an Agricultu-
raj College, with three Professors, in connexior
with the University. Philip St. Geo. Cooke
ESQ.,, informed the Assembly, on Friday, of his
readiness to give the sum of $4,000 toward:
the endowment of Professorship. Mr.. Cooke
reserves the right of nominating the Professor
subject to the approval Of the Visitors OF the
University, and at his death the nomination te
be made by the Farmers Assembly. He fur
thermore desired the privilege of educating two
pupils free of tuition fees or charge in the pro-
posed school, and this privilege to vest at his
death in perpetuity in the Farmers Assembly
This munifcent donation was promptly &C
copied by the Assembly, and Committee ap'
pointed to confer with the Visitors OF the I'm
versity in regard to the proposed Professorship
The Committee was instructed to express the
unanimous wish of the Assembly that the name
of the donor should be connected with the chail
endowed by him.
The following is synopsis of the financial
operations of the Society from its commence
ment to the present time:
Total amount of receipts since the organize
ton of the Society. Ss2,o'l IL
DISBURSEMENTS.
In City Scrip, at par, now held as
permanent investment. ..S45,250 %
Premiums 1883. .........S PAS 90
do 1S54..........3,707 so
do 1s55..........3,Sl2 90
49, 1o,767 so
Exnenses. 1853 81
do 1854. .6,S29 90
do innludinQ