The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-11-03
LOCAL MATTERS.

Close Of the Fair.-The seventh animal exhi.
o,tion OF the Virginia Mechanics Institute
closed on Wednesday night, after being open
to the public for nearly three weeks Taking
the exhibition ia ali its variety of phases. we
are confident 1t was one of the most sue
cessful the Institute has ever held. The me-
chanieai and manufacturing department, we
are quite sure has never been eq ualled in this
city, and is the strongest evidence that the In
stitute. by its admirable schools, Is working
glorious revolution in this section of the
South. As evidence of this, we need only re-
fer to the elegant steam fire engine, the saw
cleaner and sharpener, the Union press for
pressing earth and fire coal, the elegant varie-
ty of saws OF every kind, of all patterns of
files, OF beautiful shoes and boots, of fine spe-
cimens of turner's, carpenters and cabinet
work. as we'll of lock making silver pla-
ting, book b nding and ruling, cooperipg sew
ing machines, ETC.. all of the highest grade of
excellence, and OF home manufacture. At the
close of the Fair, premiums were awarded in
all the various classes, in the publication of
which some few errors were made and which
we now correct.
Of silver medal for continued superiority in
plows.
p. H. Starke was awarded silver medal for
his Southern plow.
A p. Routt, of Gordonsville. was awarded
a certificate of silver medal for his corn
planter and drain plow
During the exhibition an old diamond ring.
dated l735, Sl0 gold piece dated 17o5, and an
stolen from the cases, for the recovery of
which a reward of $50 has been offered For
the return OF the ring or the gold piece $50
Will be paid and no questions asked and for
the return of the shirt and buttons $40 will be
paid. As the old coin and ring will probably
be offered for sale, it is hoped they may yet be
restored 10 their owners. The coin is so
marked that 1t can readily be recognized.
Virginia Sugar Refnery.-Operations have
been regularly commenced at this establish
ment and we trust that the proprietor may
meet with that announcement which his en-
terprise merits. The outlay of money in The
construction of the buildings and machinery
has been very heavy. Everything about the
premises Is in the most complete order and
nothing has been introduced of a second rate
character. The water used in the refinery is
brought from Fulton's spring. half mile dis
tant, through iron pipes and is of the purest
and clearest kind. This of itself is a work of
magnitude; but should more water be needed
than can be supplied from the spring a
steam pump is ready to draw it from
another source. The steam engines are of
the most improved patterns, and work ad-
mlrably. They move smoothly and without
noise The process of refining sugar is
more in tricate and interesting than we ina
gined before we had an opportunity of seeing
IL. Inc coarse brown sugar is put through a
variety OF operations, until il becomes clear
and beautiful, and yields its quantity of ex.
cellent syrup. The fltering apparatus is a
curious and ingenious piece of mechanism,
aud III this depar tment Mr.. Morriss has some
new appliances which add much TO its corve-
nience. The centrifugals, for drying the su-
gar, acquire rapidty of motion that is as
tonishlng. We could not in a brief descrip-
lon, convey proper idea of the com pleteness
and extent of the establishment. The proprie-
tor is now prepared to meet the public de-
mand, and we feel confident that Richmond
Will not be slow i'll the bestowal of patronage
The improvement furnishes to the South an
important facility in her progress towards
commercial independence.