New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-11-08
VIRGINIA STATE AGRIcULrURAL FAIR.

RICHMOND Nov 5.-To-day tfriuay) the
State Fair Of Old Virginia" closed AFTER an interval
Of nino years. during which tho country has oeen aa
waste by the esoatons Of evil war; the Agricultural
Society OF this great has been resusctaed inc FAR
crounds and buildings which have so long presented
full picture OF desoatlOn have been put IN
order ana tho ters OF the soil aud tho mechanics nave
coe together 10 exhibit and compare their specimens OF
Ingenuity and skill and the products OF the country
Tha exhibition was opened to visitors on Tuesday, the
81 inst Everything seemed to contribute toward inc
furtherance Of the noble object in view. Even the
weather from Tuesday morning to Friday evening,
could scarcely have improved upon At an early
hour on Tuesday largo of people gathered
where the clergy and officers OF the Society had assem-
bed to engage the opening exercses OF the occasion
The Society was called to order by the President Major
W. T. suthern,. whereupon the Rev. Dr. Curry suppl
Gated the throne OF heavenly grace In deyout thanksgV
ing for tho past invoked the blessing OF heaven on
tho commendable efforts OF the Society aud the people 70
revive the dustria pursuits OF the land and to repair
the desolaons Of this great and peaceful Republic
The President OF the Society then delivered Dref ana
appropriate address, which was highly commended az
the rst address that was ever made by representative
man in Virginia which was not unged' more OF
less with the proclviues OF some politieal party
The occasion was reunion Of the most cheering charac
ter Citizens OF the North and those OF the South came
together on the broad platform OF national brotherhood
and their sautaons and congratulations were such as
arc witnessed when friend meets friend III TINS had
been tho first annual exhibition OF this character that
had over been held there could not to appearance have
been more satisfactory demonstrations OF unDOunded en-
husasm manifested the part OF all classes OF Citizens
And this enthusiasm was far-reaChing that even the
superintendent Of Public Schools Issued proclamation
through tho daily press in which he urged tho teachers
to close their schools Thursday, so that every puph
could attend the Great Agricultural Fair" The throng
was immense. on tho second day It was estimated tnat
there were from 5000 70 1900 visitors on the Far
grounds. On Thursday there was evidently over 10000
at one time on tho Fair grounds.
Tho Fair Grounds are located the northwest side OF
tho city aud the cans OF the Fredenckburg Railroad
pass near tho entrance About co acres have been m
closed ny substantial and permanent board renee hu
broad ard smooth carriage track ~ one mile III rngth
made around the outside. and another near one rd ot
the ncosurc Of about half mile circuit The surface OF
the ground B. slightly unduiting. ana near the mue,
where me buildings are 'c'l', arc uIuupps ", hI
shade trees that o. distance me numerous tehtH hu
aurr Of n neat nttle hainlcr Tic buildings were not
sch shabby apologies for the convenience ot officers ana
annual exhibition. o. tie E"W.Nurk State Agricultural
Society. portion ~ The bulldogs are constructed OF
bricks having board verndahs for both stories an
neatly pthi,I ana PiINh'1 WI" EiuTI md NJ
apartments and stalls for the horses mules au meat
cattle, all but M The most substantial stN" OF manu-,
acturc with cedar put, and Fills o Durable timber al
covered with shuglc roo! and painted Whlte. lne
stalls -rd that visitors ~ ihry pass along can
get fair View ~ every animal without ebnwinga crowd
10 get peep through a narrow door These Houhus
aIl the conscrpts of tho Cuuiceracy were received
E0uestraushp M Virginia seems to excel the mahies
every ono can talk horse Indeed. hOrsS. ~ many IN
stances to have rccciSc4 attention To tue neglect OF
other considerations ~ equal importance virginia lohg
ago sl.aiusl notable reputation for superior horses,
aud many those shown 40 the Fair were ct uch tupe
marked Interest 10 tho exhibition During the grand
cavacnde. when the horses on exhibition ana especially
the prze animals, led or driven along the totlHE
course We sc G,,1 - much Interest as the
ITO 10Y Al lac
an , i ,,v ~ fbc rIu,l. were really magnin.
cent Then the ruadsters adapted 10 quick work
md lIgLt draft, OF which there was crcdlihOe
aud extensive representation. Following, TINS class
wcIc the rOadstcrs aidpicd 10 qulck' ooach
aI a,;od 10 tho bTeedj, OF mproyrd riding animals
These were succeeded by heavy draft horses OF which
there also q ceditable display. In close succession
followed the matched horses pairs. and also the light
draft horses ane pay OF saddle horses under tho
saddle followed these. Then came th6 ponies mules,
and iacks While ublnnt "saubo leading the bggeet
doc that was ever seen North America brought the
rear About 10000 persons Witnessed tho trOttiEg on the
second d4yof the Fnr Tho first race mile heats best
MUM offered So. mile heats Tor colts ana Miles
three years old andunder five. Tho competitors for the
Grs u2cmnm contested OF several beautiful specimens
of the Ethan Allen stock, aud was won BY "HoIspur'
by half a length. IN 2:i5.
The great blowing match came off on Wednesday.
Flowing at the North Is quite too slow process Tor our
fast going Americans aud the same Is true at the SOUTH
for IL extremely dhcut 10 draw crowd 10 see pillow
operate The p0Nug WAS performed with both double
aud single teams; aud the manner ~ which the work was
performed was highly Crcdtablo Ia the pOwnen. The
ilrst premium OF $50 was awarded william ROOne Ruf
Ond prize OF 81 awarded to Morris Carter, who
plowod with two horses The next premium OF US was
nby william Sheppersoh In addition 10 theHe awards
Me-srs Wait Knight made Hi especial premium OF t1o
70 William Sheppcr-on to be l4ll M pow as teSa az.
for the most sl display rl IN Flowing AnaWard OF 80
also made to ". ROane Rhlhn for tho best'traned
tenn William sepperson Non The prize OF ~ ior the
best team Of two horsen Another plo~lng match cane
OF the third day. 10 test tie comparative merits Of
several kinds oiimproyed plOws .,- ,-.-.
Of interesting aud instructive features OF
the Exhibition consisted IN fine display of the various
kinds OF all kinds OF frccstoue yaegated MARBLE
and slate that are found IN virginia Each Kind was
several conditions from slabs and blocks with
"a nncy polished surface. down to the rough and un-
dressed blocks Many excellent specimens Of the best
iron OF American production were SAID To have been
made from Virginia ores, some OF which were on eIh
biton All these specimens were methodichly ARRANGED
aHd labeled. THIS Is all admirable feature OF the exit
biOu. and repete with interest aud instruction OF
a character eninenily practcable ana useful Several
specimens OF iron were shown. which presented the APP
pcaranco OF an excellent quality OF steel .
Tue display OF cereals not 80 extensive as 1t would
probably have been II farmers OF the surrounding cOun
ability before the Fair that inspired their breasts on the
second day OF the exhibition. In many instances ino
vietOn that tho Far would 5carcey merit any noilce
But us Triumphant .ucco was really happy surprise
lent specimens OF various kinds OF wheat oats rye. bar
ley aud disp VI large ears OF Indian corn, both
sheed and the ear, which has rarely been equaod at
any OF our Northern exhibitions The display OF Large
smooth aud beautiful apples was exceedingly line. The
number Of entries OF other fruits was rather limited and
or quite an ordinary character.
manufacture were 6mineuty credaDe To the peCunary
ability Of their respective manufacturers sti had the
representation from the North been wanting, an Import
ant niche would haze been vacant. Among tho eNlib
from tho North were the following: An excellent
display by the Remington Agrinuu rai Works of Hon.
n Y; "a sefschuing thrushCr anu railway horse power
from Trenton, n. j.; tho KIRBY" by ID. NJ Osborne
CO. Auburn H. ": T" Kimball's planter aud seed.sOwer
by H. j. Robinson OF Lakeyile, n, IL; Walter A. Woods
OF HOOsic Falls. ~ " celebrated mower aud reaper, To
which was awarded the cash premium Of $50;
mowers and reapers all OF EGw-HOrk; the " Excel.
siOr" mower OF Akron. OhO the "Johnson"
mao a Il A IL. B.krUg
hay wheel rake by H. $. Myers d Co., York, Pa; the
- Lock LDver" wheel rake by Coats, Gray & Co.. Alt
ance, OHIO. and the "TOmpkIns County" wheel horse
rake shown by ID. T. Sharp OF the itnaca n Y Agricu
tnru Works :" tho " American Hay Teddef," nado by
81 nv i'nfH uas,tts