Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-12-01
Letter from Fairfax County.

Correspondence Of tie .4lera~dria Gazette.
CENrRgvILLE FAIRFAX COUNTY, Nov. %,
lS59.-The Ladies' Fair at this place is
closed, having been literally patronized.
The Corn crop, though good in some fields,
Is, in general, quite inferior. Corn will be
scarce, and people are making calculations
for holding on 10 their Corn for high prices
next year. Pork also will be scarce. The
Hogs are small and poor, from the fact Of
their being no acorns. or other mast, which
generally makes i great addition 10 the
amount of pork in the country. The Wheat
crop has been a toerably good one, and
those farmers who have for the last few
years Turned their attention to the raising OF
Tobacco. have abandoned the weed, and re-
turned to Wheat, considering il the most
profitable crop. Our Hay crop is improving
yearl ignore III quantity, and better III
quality. | presume that no section III the
Union can show better hay. than can the
county of Fairfax tins season. Hay bids
the staple produce Of the county. Two
very important facts have lately been dis
covered First. That hay can he easily raised;
and second, that II is profitable when raised.
Our lands are being steadily, and. III many
cases, rapidly improved. The same may be
said Of the taxes They improve yearly
and are fully up to the times, Indeed, We
begin 10 think they are yood enonyh
Our Tournaments having passed OF with
ont doing any serious damage. 81 lar rs -
heard from, the good people Of the county
are now engaged IN getting up 4 race. The
nags will enter Tor Il purse. Ii ~ 10 be
hoped that the race will be- conducted on
ialr principles, aud IN accurduncr with old
established rules, aud that boiling, foul rid
ing, or any other jocky tricks, will not be IN
dnged in. Two Of the uags have graceI the
turt, and won races before, while the third
being something ot a colt is To take The track
for the first time. All three are now III train
ing, and are being passed through the ne
ccssary irrnalitie- on such occasions, such
- walking, rubbing, sweating moderate
drinking, &c. rs they will have a long
time Tor training. for the race will not come
of till some time in May next, they will
doubtless be in fine condition yet the dis
lance u be run may somewhat try their bot
tom. The course is of considerable length
and extends from the city OF Alexandria
westwardly to the Prince William line Our
citizens begin, even at this early day, To
manifest considerable interest AS to the issue
of this great race, and lets are already be-
ing made by sporting men upon their favor
,tI, In nd Inr
zens discourse upon the subject III quite u
sensible manner.
Indeed, the affair ut lIarper's Ferry has
become stale with u. We are all looking
forward for something more agreeable; some
thing i'll which we can reap excitement.
without the necessity of shooting. stabbing,
or hanging, or OF embarking into that mean
est of all mean business, stealing negroes.
Had the fanatics of liarper's Ferry been of
oar turn of mind. they would not have been
at this day dreading an introduction 10 the
halter.
BY way Of changing the subject, | will
say that our ladies continue to wear large
hoops-as large rs ever, or larger.-;lnd TO 90
bare headed. with the exception OF n very
small something like u bonnet on the crown
Of the head
For the benefit and relief Of humanity,
and especially Of the male sex Of the South
ern States, | propose that the South make her
own fashions.
Cannot some enterprising and phianthro-
pic Alexandria ladies step out and sign a
declaration of independence, and thus sever
their allegiance to Northern and other for
eign iashons-start Il set of fashions more
contormablr to proprety, and he indrpen-
dent in reality? though it must not be in
tcrred that | am in favor Of disunion. By II"
means. Union forever.
And 50 close hoping that the good old
Gazette may continue, rs ever, TO WELD
salutary influence throughout the extent of
its wide circulation acting ~ a beacon Of
intelligence; restraining the unwary, the wild
and thoushtless; and giving words Of cheer
to the conservatives. and those who love our
great, our glorious Union. UNCLE JOE.