The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-10-31
rha state Fair.


The State Fair.
FROM the announcements h'a"e 90 se'.,"
- ,sa loca, Fairs, we may expect to see the
",tnf attractions of them all concentrated
y, tho Fair grounds of the State society.
The arrangements there for the accommo-
da.ion Of ali departments Of the exhibition
are upon liberal and practical plan. The
most advantageous arrangement is made for
a fair exhibition of all animals and all arti'
cles offered for premiums. We do mol
think any former Fair SO admirably accom-
modated exhibitors and visitors as the pre-
sent one.
We expect that this Fair will do more
real good than any yet held. the ''''ic =.
peculiar. The State is undergonSa s'."'
change In It's domestic industry, ana iarn'-
ers and mechanics have to adapt 'he,i GU
terprises and labors to the ne" o'",, "
things. The articles on eXhlpltioh ""u 'he
Interchange of views amongst 'he plac'i'"i
mon vvbo will here meet will throw new
LIGHT ON the subject of our domestic
economy. We have swung away from the
old liberal and expensive life that our in>u-
tutions fos,ered before the war, and must
pursue new system of economy ana indus-
try. Purchase and pay day are tearfusty close
together now, and credit is grown thin ana
cyanescent. The farmer must make every
edge cut. He must turn everything INTO
usefulness or money. The fruit he once
cave away he must now sell-ditto vege-
tables, and ditto many things. tic must
keep no more animals than he can well
feed, and he must save al! the manure they
make. Droppings in the field 10 he leached
and bleacled will do little good, II we en-
cept those OF sheep. Careful tlllage, free
use of manure, no idle hands, no idle
stock. no paving OF taxes on waste lands,
the employment of labor-savins machinery
~ much as possible, and the gathering up
and sale Of everything that can he sold
this will bring farmers out now, and nothing
else. There are no slaves to sell to make up
deficits now, and the income must equal the
expenditure, or ruin staIes the farmer IN
the face.
The present labor, if well watched, well
directed, and promptly paid, Is cheaper
than slave labor; but unless 1t Is well Ill
rected, il is the dearest labor in the world.
Therefore farming is no bed of roses now,
il ii ever was.
Under these circumstances the Fair be-
comes more than ever important, more
than ever profitable. Formerly the FAIRS
were interesting and entertaining. lt was
a great social anniversary-the annual meet
Ing Of the State society. Now 1t Is prac-
teal convo cation of the society Of farmers
and the great community of manufacturers.
The farmers come to learn and to improve
to better, If possible, the hard condition 10
which fortune has reduced them to learn
how to pursue their vocation with increased
energy economy, and success. In sholt,
the Fair is now great school of practical
knowledge. and the people that visit it are
seeking the information it can impart to
protect themselves from injury in the criti-
cal intermediate period between one social
condition and anothera period eX.
ceedingly trying to the people who
are compelled to pass through II
We know few trials of people
which can compare with it in hardship
To shuttle off the old habits and adopt the
new-to support the while the family ant
meet all the expenses Of experimenting
and new machinery and new agencies-is {
sest 90 severe that many must succumb ant
fail In the effort. But the more that thos
who are doomed to this ordeal learn. tn
better they fortify themselves by the eXpe
rience of others and the improvements G
the age, the more sure will they be to su'
coed. These trials are not of our ow
seeking. They are forced upon us. But
shall be our part to prove our tortitudc
d manhood, and perseverance by success, a
it certainly will be our misfortune and on
suffering if we fail.
We hope to see Vireinians from all quar-
tiers at the Fair, and We do trust that they
will study it in the most earnest and prae
teal manner, and profit by what they may
see and learn.