The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-11-02

How 10 Reach the Grounds etc., e'e'
The State Fair will open to the puDns tn ~
morning, and will prove by lar lhe mos. in-
tarest;ng exhibition ever held III Virginia
sftar Suspense of nine long years, during
witch time we have passed through us
astrous war. our people are about 10 asseih-
HE once more in peaceful competltlon over
The products of the soil, tneir success IA
mechanism and arts, and their Skill III stoc N,
rearing, and we are sure the reunion WI,
nroye n happy one to all who participate IN
+ Absent faces will be recalled, and change
NJ circumstances will be sadly noticed; but
these things are with tho past, and must be
remembered in silence if not forgotten. me
nresent is what we are dealing with, ana
We should make the most Of 1t. the future
TO Virginia is pregnant WITH success, anu
we trust, with happiness, II we Dut aetel-
mine to make the most OF 1t. Let us, theI,
meet to-day on the Fair GROUNDS rs iflefios
and brethren, resolved to obliterate the past
as far as we can do SO, and to appropriate the
nresent to Improvement and pleasure.
I'm TO a late hour last evening machinery,
stock. vegetables, fruits, flowers, and WORKS
of art. were steadily pouring III, ana IlilihS
tho resnectiye places allotted to them. The
ladies ever foremost in good works, were
sending in specimens OF houseWllery, OF
needlework. of paintings and drawings anu
many are this morning preparing 10 grace
tho exhibition with their presence, and TO
cheer on with kind words their fathers, bro
theirs. and friends, in their progressive lit
bors. The departments to which they have
contributed will be exceedingly attractive,
and their competition for premiums VIII DC
lively and exciting. Every lady naturally
believes that the specimen she exhibits is
clearly entitled to the highest prize in its
class. and we are quite sure the gallant
Judges who pass upon them would give Ill
an equal award had they the power and
means at command to do so. But as some
must be disappointed, we say to the I'M
lucky ones, be OF good cheer and try again.
THE HORSE DEPARTMENT
promises to be exceedingly interesting.
Apart from the many "faSt trotters" to
contend for the time-purses land there are
some "quick steppers" on the Sround) the
blooded horses, with their extended nos
trils. arched crests, glossy coats, and SYM
metrical forms, will command the admlra-
ton of all who love the 'high.mettlcd
racer" and who remember the history OF
Boston and Trife, when Old Virginia met
and vanquished all who dared contest her
supremacy on the turf.
Speaking of Boston reminds lis OF Nina
(now twenty-one years old), the dam OF
Planet, EXchequer, and others, and doubt
less one Of the most valuable brood mares
ever owned in Virginia. Nina, with q bean-
titul yearling nigh her, occupies boX-stall,
and is as sprightly and stylish as three
year old.
Another attractive animal is the Perchc-
ron horse of Mr.. Fickln. This breed has
IN exalted reputation with the French,
and, bred pure, or properly crossed, VIII
prove valuable acquisition to the equine
family Of this State.
THE CATTLE DEPARTMENT
is literally crowded with horned stock of
every breed and grade. Shorthorns of ma
tive stock, HerefordS, Deyons, Ayrshires-
with mich COWS, work oxen, and tatted
cattle, make up an exhibition of the bovine
family rarely seen at any Fair. Some Of the
Durhams are superior, and the Devons are
beautiful as pictures. Of the mich cows
we need not speak, as everybody VIII see
them-and we should not mention the two
pairs of mammoth oxen but Tor the fact That
they are as big as elephants, as gentle rs Kit
tens, and not overloaded with fat, so as to
\ appear awkward and i'll formed.
THE SHEEP PENS
are also filed with fine-wool native stock,
fne-wool grades, middle woods of native
stock, long woods, and others, many OF them
of very high order, as judges assure us.
The number on exhibition is certainly large,
and the general appearance inviting.
SWINE.
4 lover of fat pork would have watery
lips were he allowed to examine the hog
pens with a view OF selecting his ratlons.
There are White ChesterS, Russia, Bedford,
Woburn, GraZiers, Grades, and how many
other strains we cannot remember, OF all
sizes and ages-some too fat to stand up or
lie down, others in good travelling order,
and others inst f.. enough to make juicy
hams aud rich spare-ribS. OF the White
Chesters, some Of the finest specimens are
from Chester county, Pa.-one gentleman
having brought on enough pigs, five weeks
old and UPWARDS, to stock score OF farms.
II he succeeds in getting them back to the
keystone State it will be because our coun-
try friends are short Of greenbacks' OF
tired of pork. q"
THE POULTRY SHOW
is very creditable, all things considered.
There are coops of Brahmas and half Brah-
mas, white-faced black Spanish, bantams,
dominiques, and game chickens, IN endless
variety. Then there are Hong Kong, Bre-
men, and Toulouse geese, bronzed ana
white turkeys, pea fowls, Guinea fowls,
and other feathered bipeds that crow and
cackle to their hearts content, as well as
the amusement or annoyance OF visitors
TRIALS OF SPEED
commence to-day, and will be continued
throuehout the week. The first will be a
miie-heat trot for a premium of $500, and
the second will be contest between PAGERS,
mile heats, for 500. These trials are not
regarded as races, because no betting is
allowed but the sport viii prove none the
less exciting to those who delight in seeing
steel-elad'' competitors straining every
nerve to outstrip Father Time.
TRYING SCENES.
Throughout the day on yesterday jockeys
and . old whips" as we'll as green hands ut
the ribbon, were busy exercising their
trotters and pacers, occasionally speeding
them along the straight sides as if to mea-
sure their chances for success in the
premium contests. Some very exciting
"dashes" took place on tue hoine-stretch,
in one Of which q green-horn was spread out
to dry ut the first curve, but without other
injury than dusty back and skinned check.
THE NILE TRACK
@as in capital order yesterday afternoon,
and II the clouds break away before this
morning may be tolerably fair to-day. III
the weather continues Soft. however, the
i old halEmile track will come in play, so that
visitors VIII not be deprived OF witnessing
the speed trials" afs
USEFUL PICTURE.
The architect, Mr.. Al. H.. West, has had
Autographed and printed an accurate maj,
OF the Fair Grounds, on which NAV be
found the headquarters Of the various de.
paftments, the trotting tracks, with judges
stands; the location of the cattle-sheds,
horse-stabIes, sheep and hog-pens, poultry.