Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-12-06
Rockbridge Agricultural and Mechanical
at Fair.
LEXINGTON, Nov. 26th 1859.

LEXINGTOh, NOf' 1oth iOcos
& Msssrs. Editors II wish you had been here.
to "look on" during the last two days. just
see what fine sshow" this grand old brldg
county can get up, on very short notice. Aoq9
two months ago, q few OF the friends OF agr
cultural progress met, organized the nucleus
Q society, and resolved to have some sort OF
"Fairn before winter set in. There was enthu.
siasm in the little meeting. Each ofncer, ana
every committeeman went out with bis heart
and mind full of the work undertaken so boldly
Their zeal was soon diffused through every CO.
ner of the county and every body began
look, to see what could be gathered up, tha
would be worth showing.
Meanwhile the officers at home, Il mean
town.) began to it up the exhibition grounl
with the necessary buildings, stalls, &c; and
although their work, for want of time, fell ia
short of completion, they made surprising pro-o
gress, and got things sized up" very comfort7
ably. @
g As the day for opening the Fair approached
some laughed, some crosked, and some looked
on with halfgrin and half smile, which you
never know how to construe. Some said the
preparations on the grounds were entirely too
extensive; and so they looked, and 80 they
talked. But others were all this time workinQ
in town and out of town.
Before noon on the first day, the stalls wef'
all filed with fine looking horses, cattle, sheeH
and hogs-the exhibition building was crowde
with farm, garden and dairy products-wit
luscious fruits, and sparkling homemade wine
with useful and fancy needle-work, and holnf
spun goods, in astonishing variety; while Il
grove out side was strewed over with ever
description of implement the farmer could as
for, from grain-reaper down to simple axe
or horseshoe. -
The show of stock, though not so numerous,
as may be seen at one Of the larger Fairs of the
State or Central Society, would compare well
with any of them, in the proportion OF superior
animals thoroughbred, grade and native
collected for the occasion. -
The farm products, embracing wheat Hour,
corn, rye, potatoes and tobacco were the bestof
their kind. You would be surprised to see what
fine tobacco Rockbridge can produce. The in.
come-cash income-from this crop alone, will
90 far towards relieving our county from the
money pressure incident to the repeated de-
iciencies of other crops during the two years
past.
The implements of husbandry on exhibition,
indicate decided and rapid progress in that de-
psrtment because most of them were gathered
in from the farms, aud factories Of the county
only few having been brought into the county
for the occasion.
To make long story short-every body was
pleased, Except those who failed to get the pre-
miums they expected) yes, may say there was
general expression of astonishment, at the
success of the infant enterprise-astonishm
at the number and quality of subjects on ex-
hibition -astonishment at the great crowd In
attendance, which, on the second day, was va.
riously estimated at from three to five thousand
= -astonishment at the perfectly good order which
prevailed, and at the entire exemption from
accident of every kind. The closing day was
sThanks giving Day." and well might old Rock.
bridge lift "a thankful song of praise" to Him,
who in bis kind Providence has blessed her with
so many sources of comfort and happiness; with
such an abundant supply OF material, intellectual
and moral wealth.
The exercises were closed with somewhat
unique, but eloquent and stirring address from
the Rev. John Miller. A gentleman was present
who seemed to be taking notes all The while;
he was said to be Richmond reporter, SO you
may look out for the substance OF the speech In
some Of the city papers, instead OF relying upon
me for it.
Now, if you had gone with me, Messrs. Edit
ors, in my recent peregrinations through the
highways and by-ways OF your rich and pros.
porous county, you would join me In saying that
our old mother, Augusta, can keep pace with
her daughter yet, in everything agricultural
About the 1st of October next, she could easily
get up Just such "show" as we shall invite
You, and your readers, and every body else to
attend on our Fairgrounds next Fall.
Yours very truly, >. L. Y.