The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-10-29
3itfmond 1fspatth.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 90, 1859.
Tna Agricultural Fair.

the D;spnsch intended especially Tor thelr
perusaI the State Agricultural Fair Will be
commenced, and, we trust, in the full tide
Of unexampled success.
This meeting of farmers under the ali-
snices of the State Society will he the first
since the war. and. from the feelings of the
people and the circumstances under which
we are placed, we anticipate that it Will be
the. largest and most animated assemblage
evor convened for such purpose in this
city. The producing classes have been de-
nicd all opportunities Of meeting together
nj general State convention to consider the
interests Of agriculture since 1s6o-ninc
years. This long interval not only makes II
more important than ever that reunion
Of the farmers Of the State should
now be held, but it greatly increases
the desire for mere social commu-
Mon and fraternal greeting Of the most
important class Of society. There has been
4 bloody war and a great social revolution
since their last assemblage. These events
involve the necessity Of new systems Of do
nestle economy and even new implements
Of huSbandrv. These must now be studied
with carnestness, and the farmer should
more than ever have his eyes open. ana
more than ever thoroughly investigate al
propositions for svstematiZing labor and
cconomizinc the administration of domestic
affairs. The labor-saving inventions Of the
arc are now more than ever important to
him, and he should lose no opportunity to
examine them thoroughly and profit rs
much as possible by the experience of
others.
At the approaching Fair the opportunity
10 gather great deal Of valuable iniorma-
ton on al these points will be presented,
and we trust that nm immense number OF
farmers will be present to avail themselves
Of these advantages. There viii be men
here from all parts Of the northern Atlantic
states. as well ms from all sections of our
own State. Those from the North will be
here to inquire and to sprospcct,' as well
rs to advance their interests in the way OF
dispoSine Of inventions useful to husbandry.
Much good will come of communing with
these people. They are smart and SAGA
ciouS. If we could get the benefit of their
sharpness by copying some of their plans
for managing free labor we would not be
worsted by ii. Many of their inventions
are of great value in domestic economy and
till0ge. and are especially worthy of lnVes-
tigoticn inst now.
But not the least interesting portion Of
the straneer-crowd Which may be here will
lie those who come to see the country, and
to ascertain whether good investments in
lands, mineral and agricultural, may be
made here; and. furthermore. to find out
whether it would be we'll for them to come
TO Virginia to live and pursue their various
rallincs. TO all such we are sure the peo-
rlc of Virginia present will impart all the
information they can with the utmost frank
ness and truth.
Then there will be the display of the best
breeds of horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs.
These, too, will be more than ever interest
ingto ourfarmers. They cannot now afford
to feed inferior stock. They must get the
best, and keep no more than they can feed
well. We do not eXaggeratc when we say
that many Of orr farmers have heretofore
kept stock-hogs that required twice rs much
several improved breeds that are now OBJ
tainablc. Then, the COW has been greatly
neglected in lower Virginia. Farmers have
made up for the deficiency of milk given by
their COWS by increasing their number, and
hardly man had less than twice as many
as he should keep upon his place. I" More
stock more crops" is good old adage !;
hut n Il IN ha rrnlarsfnp1 that n ct
Keep more stock than you can keep well.
Ten animals that can be kept well will
yield more in every way to the farm than
twenty fed upon the food necessary to keep
the ten in proper order.
Economy Of every thing is now indispen-
sable. The surface titled must be dimin-
ished, and it must be so improved as that its
production will reward the labor and care
of its cultivation.
On all these matters our approaching
Fair will afford the opportunity Of learning
much. Let the farmers come from all parts
OF the State.
Great preparation has been made at the
Fair Grounds; great preparation has been
made in the city. The show in every de-
partment will be most creditable-eVen Of
the products OF the soil, notwithstanding
the drought. The President (Major SUTHER-
LINZ and the Executive Committee of the
State Society have exerted themselves with
untiring energy; and the exhibition VIII
not only be upon plan the very best fol
display, but the programme will entirely
preserve order and comfort.
The trials on the track will be exceed
ingly interesting-the more especially 4!
some superbly trained horses will be among
the competitors.
We trust to see not only large ASSEM-
blage of farmers, but an unlimited number
Of their wives and daughters. 1t will be
delightful to behold their bland and gentle
faces bearing the bloom of health and
beauty, and also to observe their unaffected
manners. They will find at the Fair a wide
field for interest, especially in the grand dis
play Of specimens of household industry
The merchants Of Richmond will be pre-
pared to enlighten them on the subjects Of
the fashions, from the plainest to the eX
tremes Of fnery. The latter they will not
attempt to put on, but they will interest
them.
Come, friends of Virginia, We producers
Of the staff Of life, meet once more in the
capital, and consult together. 1t is for the
good OF the State that you should. You
represent the best and the most important
of classes, and you represent Virginia in
her body and spirit. For her welfare youl
lives are devoted, for her peace and pros.
perity your aspirations all arise to Heaven
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