Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-10-27
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP
TIE U. S. AGRICULTURAL SocIETY's An.
SuAL FAIR AT RICHMOND, VA.
Ed,fottaI fsoxxr.1oud<,r<

'uAL FAIR AT RICHMOND, VA
= Editorial Comparatively
RICHMOND, Va, Oct. %, 1856.
reached this city this afternoon on tho teem-
ng cars of the great southwestern railroad
and found the public places of the
'ity overlooking with visitors interested in the
progress Of agriculture, from all sections of
the Union. That is, with planters, farmers,
stock breeders, graliers, spectators in the
market, manufacturers of farming implements,
" the fancy" and q host of unadultersted
wondermongers; to say nothing of the usual
delegation Of the press" who, in these times.
are sure to be found in droves, as it were,
wherever American people congregstsin crowds
the most inveterste wondermongers Of them
all.
There appears to be every pretty quarrel
as it stands" between the United States Agri-
cultural Society and the Virginia State Agri-
cultural Society in ssse just now, growing out
of the establishment Of a Virginia Central
Agricultural Society, under the auspices of the
United States Society. The old State Society
is at loggerheads with the Richmond city cor
poration, on account of the failure of the latter
to deal literally with them in the matter of
appropriating funds to meet fair share of the
expense Of holding the annual State fair here
this season. The upshot of that disagreement
is, that that fair is to be held in Petersburg,
rather than in this city. The Richmond folks,
who have heretofore made good thing out of the
annual State fairs, which have brought an i'm
mense throng here, are very indignant at the
change of its location, and they consequently
make up the new Virginia Central Agricultural
Society. That association, though ehaperoning
the L. S. Society's operations in their midst,
have given up the making of the arrangements of
the occasion almost wholly to the latter, whose
apparent determination to save themselves
from all expense by charging ten per centum
Of each premium to each exhibitor as an en-
trance fee, has greatly dissatisfied the ex-
hibitors. Thus, if there be fifteen competitors
for particular premium-and in many cases
there are more than that number-the Society
receive from them (the e1hibitors) an aggregate
of fifty per centum more than they pay out in
the premium. This money making dodge,
though it may not clear the Society of all ex-
pense of carrying on this fair, which appears
to be its intention, is voted by the exhibitors
to be Yankee trick and the friends of the
State Society are doing their best to make the
most of it, in the way of crying down the pres
emit fair. This affair is so much mystifed up
to this time that really know not which party
is in the right, and which in the wrong.
The exhibition does not open to the public
until tomorrow. Nevertheless, visited the
Fair grounds this afternoon, and was highly
pleased with what saw there. The grounds
are far better located, and the buildings, cattle
sheds, &c, far better arranged, than those of
the Maryland State Society, in the vicinity of
Baltimore. Indeed, much better than any
others have 50 far seen, except those Of the
Missouri State Society, at St. Louis.
The display of horses promises to be very
fne-more especially of blooded horses So,
also, that of Durhams and Devons and par
ticularly the display Of grade cattle and sheep.
The grades fatted for beef are astonishing, be-
yond conception. But most of them lave been
stall-fed from early infancy, evidently; and
are, therefore, no evidence that precisely such
stock can be pro6tably raised. When see a
beef steer blanketed, care not what may be
his extraordinary proportions, write him
down Improbable to the man who may have
reared and swollen him out. As high as beef
has been of late years in the cities, prices have
never yet paid American farmers to spoon-feed
it. Cattle, to be probably reared and fatted
in this country, must be, for the most part,
grass-fed-grain-fedo only in the finishing off for
market, if at all. The butchers prefer grass
fed bullocks, because their meat is better, and,
though quite fat enough, when properly grazed,
to command the highest prices, is not garnished
oh dol e.
buyers to turn from it.
If these shows are designed to accomplish a
good end (as 1 believe they are) that end is to
teach ordinary agriculturists how to increase
their net profits by adopting approved me thods
and modes. New methods and modes costing
those practicing them more than they come to,
are, Of course, Improbable and it should be
the duty OF such societies to discourage their
practice by refusing premiums to exhibitors Of
fat cattle, made enormous only through per-
sistent pecuniary ruinous feeding and groom
ing. The pure bred stock in this country, with
equal care, expense and opportunities, do not
equal the grade stock either at the pail or
shambles. Nevertheless, they must be reared
to obtain the grades which do pay all who
manage them thriftily and economically
But may not tonight, inflict chapter on
any branch of agriculture (my kink) upon the
Stars readers, so l forbear.
am at the ST. Charles, apparently one of
the best kept public houses in the country,
since falling into the hands Of Mr. Ingram, of
Fauquier. 1t is the headquarters of all the
Piedmont people visiting Richmond, than
whom no Others in this country know bow to
live better at home.
A capital house, kept by Haywood, formerly
Of the Union (back of Browns hoteD and
Richard Shcckell, Jr., doth of Washington
City0 at 81 Main street, is the eadquarters of
the Washingtonians now here-and they are
having essentially good time Of it there
From appearances these W ashington landlords
are as popular with the good folks of Rich
mond and its vicinity as with their former fel.
low -citizens-for every nook and corner of
their premises is crammed and jammed with
mighty satisfied throng. W. d. WI.