Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-10-29

Hall of Arts came next in order; but why
so termed we are unable accurately to con-
lecture. The articles on exhibition were
principally confined to cooking stoves,
ranges and the like We pass next into
Farmers Hall, where are to be seen rare
collections of apples and fruit trees from
Mr.. Lindsay, of Chatham; others entered
by c. W. sWestbrook, superintendent of
the Ridgeway Nurseries. There were also
a large number of superior vegetables.
Further particulars [ am unable to give in
this letter.
The grounds are tastefully arranged and
possess that natural undulation sufficient
to render the appearance pleasing to the
eye. The whole are enclosed by a neat
and high circular fence, about one mile in
circumference. Around one portion of
this fence are arranged stalls for the stock
on exhibition. The race course is Just half
a mile in length, beautifully smooth and
hard, inviting in appearance and in splen-
did condition.
There was some racing done this after
noon, but which proved of little interest
To morrow and the ensuing day are regar-
ded as the days of the Fair, and the pro-
ceedings of to-day were more of the char
acter of formal opening ceremonies than
otherwise. Tomorrow [ will have an OPP
portunity to scrutinize articles and az
rangements more closely, and will give you
the benefit of that scrutiny. For to-day
this general description must suffice. But
few prominent and distinguished men
have yet arrived but the appearance of
several notables is expected to morrow.
Raleigh appears the same as ever, bar
ring the presence of that immaculate body
of Legislators, who have so darkened this
State with their forms, characters and i'm
provident laws enacted. The "Ring"
seems quiet, from some little misunder-
standing, though the " Governor is once
more at home. Galloway, our colored
Senator, is here, and says Holden won't
speak to him now, which he Galloway
says, ironically, makes him feel aa if he
was so slighted. More anon. J.
RALEIGH, N. g., October 20, 1869.
Dear Journal The second day of the
State Agricultural Fair hero has impressed
me decidedly more favorably than on the
opening occasion. There are abundant
evidences now that it is beyond doubt q
success, one that is due in Il great measure
to the interchangeable exertions of the Off
GERS and members of the Society. In
spite of all these 1 think, if We try right
hard, We may be enabled to beat tho
State Fair at our Cape Fear Agricul-
tural Fair next month. The attendance
now is quite large-nearly double that of
yesterday, and q liberal estimate places
the number on the grounds this morning
at four thousand.
The scenes presented on the way to the
grounds and in their immediate vicinity
are quite picturesque. People of all de-
scriptions. habits and occupations are con-
stantly vending their way through the
avenues and streets leading directly to the
scene of attraction and jugglers, necro-
sorts of characters lie in wait for the un-
suspecting. Add to these a smart array of
cake-wo and hucksters of all branches
of the profession. displaying every attempt
hackmen and the excited voices of dis
putants, the rolling of carriages and the
hum of individual voices, and you have
the scene complete.
The most exciting scene of the morning
at the grounds was trotting match, and
this proved of little moment the quickest
time made being but 2:5O-a fact scarcely
worthy of notice. But in more extended
examination of the really noteworthy and
handsome articles on exhibition, visitors
found themselves sufficiently and pleas
antly employed.
saw here this morning Mr.. L. Froe-
Itch, of Kenansville, who has numerous
quantity of grapes, wines, plants, ETC., not
forgetting specimens of the remarkable
bean he raises. on exhibition. From Will
mington we notice also that Mr.. Alex.
Oldham, of the Cape Fear Steam FIGURING
Mills, has quantity of his superior flour
and pearl hominy on exhibition. Mr.. D.
p. High, of Columbus county, is also here
and has several specimens of the wines OF
old Columbus, of his own manufacture,
exposed to the gaze of the curious and
entered for premium.
Among the manufactured articles I was
much pleased to notice especially every
variety of handles for tools turned out by
the Greensboro Handle works and finish
ed in a very superior manner. In the
advocacy and encouragement of home
manufacture the JOURNAL has ever been
foremost among the press of the State;
and here is an object wo rthy of its atten-
ton. We have too long followed the
foolish practice of sending our hickory
North only to be returned in the shape of
axe hand dies, etc., for which We pay the
North ern manufacturer a most handsome
profit. No one ever doubted that we
could make our own axe-handes, it is true;
but in the specimens noticed [ have real
lied the first visible evidence that we are
in fair way to compete with Yankee
land in fostering our own hickory to our
own uses. Another exhibition of home
manufacture here is not to be despised. -
I refer to most elegantly finished speci-
mems of the real old backwoods rifle
These were manufactured at jamestown,
Guilford county, by J. S. Armfeld and A.
Lamb, respectively. A most effective
weapon, beautifully mounted with silver
and highly finished off otherwise-with
every evidence of a servicable fire e-arm,
they are justly entitled to premium
and only show what North Carolina manu-
factories can do. In tobacco some of the
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