Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-10-28

and ID. A. Dowd, Esqrs, w AXE; Col. f. r. Jones,
Caswell, and Simon G. Hayes, Esq, Granville; and
to Jno. r. HARRISON Esq, of Raleigh, who acted a
chief Of special police on that OCCASION.
The weather was every thing that could be de-
sired. Drunkenness or disorder Of any kind was
wholly unknown on the grounds, and, with very few
exceptions, in the tow. The reports of the depre'
datons of pick pockets doubtless greatly exag.
gerated No accident of moment occurred during
the week, and every thing went smoothly and pleas
anty. The number of ladies in attendance was un-
usually large
Mr.. BR1DGERs' ADDRESS
At 10 o'clock, on Thursday, the Annual Address
delivered at the Fair Grounds, by Jno. L.
Bridgers Esq. Our long familiarity with large
bodies of people, leads US to the belief that eight
thousand persons the grounds that day.
There is but one opinion expressed of Mr.. Brdger's
Address-that it was in every respect the very thing
required. 1t delivered by practical man, was
highly practical in its scope and tendency, and was
talked Understandings to the audience. No attempt
was made at fine writing or rhetoric. Mr.. Bridgers
understood his subject knew how to handleit and he
treated it it ought to have been treated, and in
the hearers liked. 1t occupied in its delivery
about hour. The following is bare synopsis:
He commenced by abiding to the great scope of
agriculture, beginning with the simplest laws of
ture and steadily progressing till it became lost in
the unknown But the day of talking and COM
planning, he said, past, the time had arrived for
acton-quick action, skful action. If talking had
power to raise the agrculturist to his proper eeva
ton, he would long ago have been there. The agri-
culturist does not sufficiently appreciate his posi-
ton. He looks at himself only from a practical
point of view. But he should think of the dignity
of his position, the recorder of the laws OF agr
culture the interpreter of nature Practice
called into use only the physical man; but the laws
of nature, which control and expound the practical,
gave play to the highest scope of his power The
asricuturist must rely himself, he must think
Fairs, agricultural papers aud addresses all
less without thought. But these matters must be
brought home to man personal to himself An
enlightened self interest must be created; patriotism
must come to our aid; must move for North.
Carolina we'll as ourself. Abiding to the cspa-
city of North Carolina, he said she had the best eli
mate on this continent for she produces to the
greatest perfection the following important staples
corn, wheat and rice. She produces the greatest
variety of animal life. The northern and southern
faunas, to great extent, contained within her
limits The proves that within her borders
there is greater ratio of persons who arrive at ex
IRENE old age than in any other State in the Union
As to the mineral and manufacturing capabilities of
the State the speaker referred, he said, with pride
and pleasure to the valuable labors of Dr. Emmons
His work had extended the reputation of the State
and added to its material value
But, continued Mr.. Bridgers, practical matters
must occupy time. He then proceeded to speak,
first Of the clearing and draining of land. Drain
the land, then dead. Decomposition of the growth
takes place and ertizes the land. The fens when
deadencd, between the 10Th of June and August,
destroyed by the same bug which destroys the
fens in the native forest BY this means we turn
those elements which nature ordinarily uses for de-
structon to profit. We must study nature
Draining is admitted by all, bu; few persons prac.
tice it fully. bitches must be sunk sufficient to
carry off the water. The surface must be protected
from excess of water by means of vast number
of surface drains. He then spoke of quick sands in
detail and suggested method of controlling them,
often entirely successful, sometimes only partially
He next alluded to manuring. He spoke of the
| almost unlimited supply of material Soil and SUBJ
soil are the main elements to be used. These must
be heated with ingredient Of fertility, as
or some process which develops heat, and change
takes place in the mass which he is unable to &C.
count for: He supposed it was either by nitrogen
in combination. the silicate of soda or pot
ash, perhaps both The natter might be best illus.
trated by considering only small per cent of the
fertility of any soil in a condition to be used He
asked his hearers to bear in mind what revolution
| 100 lbs. of gnano produces on That land
might be cultivated thousands of years and still be
fertile. 1t prepared the earth to yield up that fer
tty which would have taken the pillow and atmos-
phere perhaps century to have rendered fit for
use. All fertility is not productve-wtness the
undrained swamps, &c. The compost develops the
fertility Of the soil and subsoil. Nature has pro-
vided some means of rendering the land more fer
tile otherwise, as increased in numbers he
!; would eventually perish.
The speaker then alluded to the use of ashes In
burning ashes, he said, follow nature. Ashes are
! tho resduuu of imperfect combustion, beyond the
condition of charcoal. Ashes well or properly
I burnt will burn again. Illustrate this said he by
| your candle. Allow the candle to burn out and you
| will have no ashes. Blow it out and let the fire
gradually expire and you will obtain ashes. By re-
peating this process often you will obtain more ash
es from your candle than would be supposed. That
taught that most ashes made by small fires and
by their being allowed almost expire By deadening
all the lands to be cleared and all the useless wood
| in the swamps, the supply would be abundant. As
to lining and marlng, he would refer to the essay
! calca,eous manures without adding any comments
Mr.. Bridgers regarded the pea as valuable
crop for stock and as fertilizer Its an extensive
feeder upon the atmosphere, and its own decompo-