Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-11-12
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL
WILMINGTON, n. c., MONDAY, NOV. s. 1855.
Fair of the Duplin Agricultural Society.

l.
Thursday and Friday of last week. at the Fair Grounds
within a short distance of the town OF henanSVlne'-
Anxious to meet our Dupn friends as well as TO escape
for time from the confinement of our Office we got IN
to the cars Thursday afternoon, and before many
hours arrived at our destination. We learned that on
Thursday which was the opening day, there had been
some very good trotng done at the grounds but this
of course we did not see not having got to Kenansvie
until after dark.
On Friday morning it commenced raining with an
energy and perseverance worthy of all imitation by
every one who may feel the consciousness OF being en-
gagged in good cause. Spite of the rain however, the
people kept pouring in by every avenue and mode OF
conveyance and when got to the grounds about 10
O'clock the concourse Of people was such as to afford
convincing evidence Of the interest felt in the occasion
which had drawn them together in spite OF the exceed
ingly unfavorabe state of the weather
On entering the enclosure, could not fail to be
struck by circumstances which brought forcby to
our mind the deep interest which the people of Dupn
take in the progress Of education The room occupied
as Floral Hall was the central recitation room OF
the excellent Male Academy under the charge OF the
Rev. Mr.. Sprunt On the grounds and not far distant
from the building, were drawn up youthful, but we'll
drilled military company formed out OF the scholars Oh
the Franklin Military Institute" fourishlng nSlu
ton under the superintendent Of MesSrs. Willard and
benson The institute we believe, is situated some SIX
teen miles from the Court House. We understand that
but for the state of the weather. the young ladies OF the
Kenansville Female Academy would have favored the
grounds with their presence in procession This most
charming feature OF the programme had OF course to be
omitted
Floral Hail. being under the especial charge OF the
ladies, was, OF course, the most tasteful and attractive
portion of the exhibitions beautiful specimens OF En-
broidery aud Fancy Work, combined with the more
solid results of houseWfey experience III the way Oh but
ter preserved fruits jellieS domestic wines and many
other things beautifully put up ALL no doubt very good,
certainly pleasing to the eye and pronouncedto be good
bv the several committees. One side of the Hall was
taken up with specimens of homespun which looked just
as WELL and would beyond doubt much better than
81 store goods"
The room was draped with evergreens and the tables
decorated with beautiful boquets arranged as we learn,
by Mrs and Miss Sprunt. The flowers were magnif-
cent.
Near the centre of the grounds stood large shelter,
Farmers Hall" in which were displayed specimens OF
the products of the farm This portion of the exhibition
struck us being emneny successful and this, we be-
eve was the opinion entertained and expressed by 9th
ers better qualified to Judge. We there most beau
tifu wheat corn, potatoes, turnps meal lard, hams,
and in fact everything of that kind and oh such
pumpkins-thc largest that we have ever seen. 1t is
due to the pumpkins to state that they were universally
conceded to be sum punkins" as, indeed they were
Running around the inside of the fence forming the
enclosure of the Fair Grounds the pens for stock
+hCn floI11nt
excellent but during tie chilly and soaking rain of Fri
day last the horses and cattle did not show to much
advantage as they deserved for there was present some
very fine stock. We learn however, that generally
speaking, the display Of stock was not fine nor as
large as Duplin county can make We saw some re
markaby fine hogs, in particular, belonging to Mr.
Daniel Moore, which must have weighedwe are airait
to think how much But cannot pretend to partic
ularize especially shall be enabled to publish thu
awards of the committees before the day for putting
weekly edition to press. We also noticed Farmer
Hall several coops or cages containing remarkably flint
poultry of the Chittagong, and the Shanghai, and th
Bramahpoora and the Game, and all manner Of breeds
away beyond our science in henoogy They, too, fel
the influence of the weather, for not crow did the
crow during the whole day; even Frank Johnsons mu
sic failed to stir them up.
1t being impossible on account of the rain to occup
the usual stand under the grove in front OF the Hall
notice was given about noon that the address would
delivered under the shelter in the middle of the grounds
where spite Of the weather, large and attentive audi
ence listened to remarkably able and practical addres
from our talented friend VIM. A. Allen, Esq. of Dupli
county, who was introduced by Jerc. PearSal, Esq
President Of the Society Mr. Allen opened by remark
ing that although for some years past his attention ha(
been engaged by other pursuits, he still looked iond
back to those early days when he himself engage
in the practical pursuits of farmers life which he sti
regarded as the happcst and most independent calm
upon EARTH although too frequently moderated by farm
ers themselves who eynced undue anxiety to pres
their sons into the socaIed learned professions, unit
these latter we're overcrowded. He c0ntendcd tina
the successful pursuit OF agriculture demanded as muc
TACT observation, business capacity and industry
other avocation and offered fair rewards for the cxer
else of these qualifications. He contened that educa
ton was just necessary for the farmer Tor the law
yer the doctor the clergyman but that mere schoc
education could supply the place of that practical know
edge to be acquired the farm itself, make up 70
the absence Of habits of work and devotion to all h
practical details of rural economy.
Mr.. 4. next alluded to the institution of fairs Stat
and county-to the benefits which had resulted fror
them-the friendly emulation they had stimulated-th
knowledge they had di1used-the kindly relations the
had promoted He referred also to the agency of intel
ternal improvements in elevatng the character of
Carolina, and rendering her independenta State il
deed, and not strip of land between South Care
lima and Virginia. to whom she had been too long rt
utary He trusted that the good work would not soI
halfway, but would go until the position OF the Stat