The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-04-24
THlH DTSPATCH-
AGpkcY IN NORFOLK.
An Agricuitmrsi Fair.

The proposition for an Agricultural Exhibition
Ga shis city receives lar able TO judge,
tho unssimous scprsval OF oar citizens, and We
hear from the adjoinins counties that the farmers
ana planters are greatly interested In the move
smeat, aud src ready, as soon - II assumes the
form OF organization, to give 10 the most cordial
assistance. ts
IN one view We do not regret the removal OF tie
State Agricultural Fair, the present year, from
this CITY. IL xAsrds IN opportunity 10 test the
p<sfio spirit of our citizens. They have the exam
pie Of Petersburg before them, end It remains to
be seen whether they win be ready te emulate
she energy snd perseverance, of that city, which
Gas. with many disadvantages, established and
xnasnteincd . very oreditabie annual Agricultural
Fair from the time of the organization OF the State
Society until now.
4 Por one, We have no idea OF organizing an enter
prize hostile the State Society bat the other
hand we desire to sec one that WILDE auxiliary to
sha.--or one that will aid in attracting animals
and articles for exhibition, to this part Of thc
State. that VIII help to swell the exhibitions of
the State scciesy, AS long that body may not Sc
leet Rtchmond rs the place tor its Fairs and as
Ioeg Its Fairs are held In this part of Virginia
This we think cae be readily done. At all events,
It's an enterprise that cannot be objected 10 by
oar peshbors, nor By the State Society; for theft
example In holding Pairs each year aboet the
time OF the State Fair, Justfes US, ard the State
Society having accepted their cvcrtures certainly
does net regard them ss enemies, warning upon
its interests.
The farmers Of large part of Virginia have an
nuatly met in this city to confer together, learn
the progress Of agriculture aud study the best
meaas of promoting their interests and developing
the of the State The people of this city
on these occasions have enjoyed the advantage of
free intercourse with that important and iuaueu.
tial class Of men 10 all countries bat IN Virginia
we believe the very nobiest specimens OF mankind
TO be found on the globe. II has been their plea
sure to meet them At such times and to extend TO
numbers OF them the most liberal hospitality at
their command. Besides these very gratifying
features of these aunua, couvocatiops, our people
have enjoyed the benefits Of promoting ia many
ways their commercial interests, and the manu-
eacturtug enterprise of this city has received a,
portant aid aad encouragement For these rea
sons we should secure q continuance of these cos
ventions-we should not allow any interval 20
happen. III the State Fair never comes back, very
we'll. we will keep up the annual meetings OF the
people In the metropolis, notwithstanding &. If 1t
should return, we shall have every thing ready for
it, last as IL il had never been away.
Now, then, hew IL the Fair to be heldi Three
plans present themselves, viz: the organization of
an Agricultural Society. tunder the name of James
River or Henrico,) OF the holding Of a Fair under
The auspices Of the Virginia Mechanics Institute,
by combination of farmers, merchants and me
chauics, a committee of the Mechanics Institute
representing the latter. There are arguments for
and against each, and the citizens must decide.
Some farmers who favor a Fair express disncli-
nation to cooperate in the establishment of an
thay nhar al
the State Society and prefer not to do what mistt
by some be construed in to uufriendlipese to that
institatieu. Others again say that no such uD
friendliness could be inferred from the organizs
tion Of a Society here--certainly not more justly
than from the establishment of tue Old Dominion
Society ia Petersburg; while any organized here
could ~ rsadi ly make way for the State Society
that has done the present. year. These also
think that Fair could be more efficiently conduct
ed by an independent Agricultural Society than
any other mode.
1t is argued In behalf of the Mechanics Instt
2 tnte, that they fully organized-that their en-
terprise is entirely In harmony with agricultural
fBterests-that the farmers interested in ad
vancing tho mechanical arts, and the mechanic.
IN Improving and extending agricultural industry
It is thought the Mechanics Institute would be
raIlying point for the AGRICULTURAL mercantile and
mechanical interests, ana tnat 10 IL mlght De en-
trusted safely the arrangements for an extensive
and successful Fair
There are many, again, who are of opinion that
the enterprise would be still better managed by "a
combined committees sort Of combined Coun-
ci"-in which the Mechanics Institute, the farm =
ers and the merchants shalt be represented. II
is contended that each class desires to have part
in the work, and to be represented in the under J.
taking-that they ought each to be gratifed, and
10 this way the greatest amount of energy and
means will be commanded.
For ourselves, we shall not undertake to decide
the matter. 1t is really of little moment whit
mode shall be adopted, provided it be efficient and
the Fair be successfully held. The people are rea,
for 1t, and If the proper men take hold Of it,
success ID certain.