Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1857-10-27
The state Agricultural Fair.

To-day opens the great State Agricultural Fair,
which promises to be attended by thousands of v,i
tors. We welcome the farmers Of the Common wealth
to their beautiful metropolis on an occasion so fitting
and worthy In the name of our enterprising and
hospitAble citizens, We bid them welcome and wish
ssA season Of rYueh instruction aud uninterrupted
ieniegment
Our Agricultural Societies, State and county. the
annual Fairs held under their auspices. and the
hundreds of scientific and popular publications edi-
tel, contributed to, and wholly supported bv.
our farming population, are, doubtless, the chief
source of the highly enli gened and prosperous con-
diton TO which husban5ry has of late years
begun to attain. These il must be admitted are
direct aud powerful agencies in difFusing vigor.
Gus spirit Of inquiry and improvement and dissent
mating information far and wide among that class TO
which they Immediately relate. While Virginia is
entitled to the credit Of having done much in short
time, she has yet not equalled many Of her sister
commonwealths in the associative efforts and pro-
visions fitted to improve and to extend the culture
Of the soil. In New York, Maryland, Ohio. Ken.
lucky, more attention, perhaps has been devoted 10
the subject and these states have exhibited conspi-
cions'y, in the immense crops and fine stock for
which they celebrated the advantage of the SORT
of spirit and exeriion of which we are speaking
Recently, however, rejoice to saw a better and
earnesler feeling has been awakened among our farm
ers respecting all such means and modes as NAV be
made available in the advancement of their ouiet
and noble vocation. Only few years since. State
Agricultural Society was organized in Virginia and
thus far it has been attended with the most encour
aging and satisfactory results. And we tru,t tho
Fair which commences to-day may afford annie and
conclusive evidence that the spirit Of Enforcement
aud progress among farmers is still onward and
upward and that no obstacle real or imaginary
can hereafter interpose to arrest its proud and tr
umphant march.
The present occasion will no doubt be A most inter.
esting in ali its aspects The Fair itselr will NJ.
curious and gratifying exposition Of the apriruI
tural industry skill, and enterprise Of the State
We shall behold, spread out before us in miniature
the agricultural character OF the Commonwealth
we shall see it displayed IN the multiplied produc,s
Of the fell, the garden the poultry ward the dairy
the stock stables, and household manufacture 90
shall witness, moreover, specimens Of the sturd,,
lords OF the soil congregated from all sections Of tho
"Oli Dominion;" and what will be more lovely and
animating than all else, eyes will be gladdencd
with sight OF the mothers wives and dau,htera n,
our brave yeomanry Of the plough, mingiing iovous.
ousy in the gay festival bringing to it graceful sam
Piles Of their own tasteful industry heipbtning ,b
jocund spirit Of the time with their bright smu..
and pleasant voices and investing the whole scene
with a moral and social interest which only IN,
presence Of woman bestow In short the Fair ell
be cminenlly domestic festival. intimately associ ,
tel with our household wants, comforts. eniovments
and affections. No one can stand amid sccn,
where lowing cattle, utensils Of busbandrv. m,
fruits Of the earth the produce Of the dairy and ts
ruddy checked maidens aud the sun browped son,
Of the SOIL are gathered together in ono harrnonou,
company, without having impressed upon him ,
sense Of homely affections and happiness. Let "a,
then hope, especially, that the mothers and daugb
ters, from the country and from the town will aock
70 the exhibition, and add that peculiar cncbap,.
ment TO the Occnsiou which their bright faces and
gentle manners, and soltenng influence, can best n.
part.
The Fair will po.scss, too, special attraction for
TIC citizens Of Richmond. II will afford them bet.
Ter idea Of thoagculturs resources and progress ot
the state, a. well Of the character Of Tho thrift.
iul' energetic ON intelligent population Of tho in
'eiior than they can otherwise as easily and CHEAP.
ly acquire We trust then, that al the community
will visit the Fair Grounds, and that they will 90
With disposition not merely 10 crafty love Of
sightseeing, but 10 minglc socially and a,reoably
with their fellow citizens from the rural sections ol
the Commonwealth Such associations. n rightly
improved, may be made the means Of pleasant nc
quaintance and more hearty sympathy between the
people OF the country and their brethren Of the me-
tropolis.