Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-10-29
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
THE STATE AGRICULTURAL FAIR.

RALEIGH, N. c., October 10, 1869.
Dear Jotrnal:-After somewhat tedious
ride from Wilmington, occupying nearly
the whole of last night. I arrived in Raleigh
this morning in time to witness some of
the opening scenes attendant upon the
State agricultural Fair now progressing
here. AS is known to your rea ders, this
Fair, though the first held since the war,
is the Ninth Annual Fair OF the North
Carolina Agricultural Society, and after so
long an interruption it was natural that
exertions should have been made to put
"the best foot foremost.
Il was with some disappointment, how
ever, that observed the attendance was
much smaller on this, the first day, than
had reason to anticipate would be the
case. But as the first days proceedings
are rather preliminary than otherwise, this
is not esteemed even slight discourage
ment. Some two thousand persons, it is
estimated, were present on the grounds
this morning, which number will no doubt
be doubled tomorrow. as large delega-
tions from all parts of the country are ex-
pected tonight
Journeying to the Fair Grounds, located
just on the outskirts of the city, 1 was on
hand as early as possible to see oil that
was to be seen. The programme was
opened by procession around the race
course to the speakers stand, where the
eager visitors had begun to assemble.
The procession was headed by colored
brass band of this city, and consisted of the
Marshal and assistants, the President and
officers of the Society, the State Executive g
and portion of his followers, and then a
number of the members of the Society,
the whole closely followed by large por-
ton of the stock to be exhibited. Reach
ing the speakers stand, Kemp P. Battle,
ESQ.,, President of the Society, proceeded
to deliver the opening address. All who
know Mr.. Battle can form very definite
idea of the value, appropriateness and
true merit of this address. we car only
say here that it did justice to his we'll
recognized abilities, and was received with
MANY manifestations OF appreciation.
After the delivery of this address the
visitors availed themselves OF the liberty
permitted to stroll about the Grounds and
examine the articles on exhibition. was
pleased at the large number and improved
character of the agricultural implements
exhibited. In these We recognized true
evidences of improvement and promised
prosperity for if we will but elevate the
standard of agriculture, develop 1t as a
science, and bring out its true principles,
all other interests must follow il its wake
and be possessed of On upward, growing
tendency. We were pleased to see the
large number of fine specimens OF stock
here exhibited. The number of blood ed
and beautiful horses is unusually large;
and the exhibit of hogs, especially of the
valuable Chester breed, is particularly
gratifying.
Turning towards the several Halls for
the display of articles We entered first
what is termed Floral Hall. Here nnme-
rous specimens of needlework and fancy
articles, really creditable to the skilled in
dustrv of our ladies, were on exhibition,
and to my especial delight many of the
fair ones themselves. And it was here l.
fully realized having come to the Fair to
see the fair. Turning from this pleasant
scene (where, let truth be told, fingered
| loue) found next in order Mechanics
Hail. In this were buggies, sulkies, (bothl
home and foreign); fine assortment OF
boots and shoes, exhibited by E. A. Vog-
ler of Salem; Leach & Co., of Thomas
vile, and D. G, Murray Go. OF Raleigh