The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-09-27
The State Fair.

The preparations for the Fair are very
active. Since therecoyery of the President
Major SUTHERIIN) from his recent severe
attack he has given n very much increased
impetus to the work. The buildings that
were left upon the ground by the war are
being repaired, and others that are nceocd
are now in course of erection-duc regard
being had to comfort, convenience, ana
safety, in their location. Through the earn
ost manner of the President and his strong
practical appeal to the Council the requisite
aid has been obtained from that body, ana
the success of the fair, with decided eclat,
is rendered positively certain.
One of the most striking features OF the
grounds is a new and beautiful track, one
mile in length, on which trials of speed Will
he made. twill be the handsomest track
in the State. The old half-mile track re-
mains, and will be kept up for the trial OF
speed in that distance. The premiums lor
MI kinds of horses run up to about Si,5oo-
the most of it being devoted to those OF
quick draught.
NoaTicultural society, we suppose, has
finer grounds for an exhibition. The 90
cicty had erected extensive buildings before
the war. many of which were destroyed,
while those remaining were greatly injured.
It is but recently that steps have been taken
70 prepare the grounds for the exhibitions
They had to be enclosed anew. Every
remaining building had to be repaired,
while all the horse and stock stalls had 10
be rebuilt. A new and extensive building
has to be put up for machinery. While the
buildings necessary will all be i'll readiness,
the Society will have but begun, as 1t were,
the plan which will ultimately he carried
out. The exhibition near this city Will be
4 permanent matter, and all that is done
has reference to the fact. In three or I'VE
years at farthest the improvements Will be
of solid character, and the arrangement OF
the grounds will be upon q plan at once OF
beauty and utility.
We should not omit to mention that
building devoted to art is now going up. It's
shane is octagonal. In the centre Will be
placed HUBARD's copy of HoUDoN's Wash
editice. 1t is now small, but we may nope
that it will be greatly enlarged to accommo
date the creations of the rising genius OF
Virginia, now giving such noble promise
This department is placed under the dlrec'
ton of Major WILLIE CAsKlE.
The mineral department is a feature O
the approaching exhibition of decided int
rest. There arc upwards of $500 devoted tt
premiums in this line. We hope the owner:
Of mineral lands will be prompt in forward
ing specimens of their ores. The opportu
nity is fine one to advertise them.
Major SUTHERL1N is exerting himself en-
Enthusiastically in behalf of the Fair, warmly
seconded by the more active of the ENecu'
tive Committee. He proposes himself tc
make tour of part Of the State to arouse
the people to the Importance of the eXhlbi
tion-the meeting of the farmers in socla
and professional intercourse, the exhibition
of the results Of labor and ingenuity in al
their bearing Oh the occupation OF the
farmer, and household industry and com
fort in their various relations. He under
stands the subject we'll, and will not fail to
present its strong points in his appeal for
liberal support and the general attendance
of the farming community on the interest.
ing occasion.
1t promises to be great affair, and We
suggest to Richmond that it should be ready
to entertain and supply the wants of null
titude of visitors.