The New York herald., 1870-10-07

Gala Day nj the Fair YcstcrGay-What
Mayor Hall Don't "Know About Farming''

Gala Day al the Fair YcstcrGay-What
Mayor Hall Don't "Know About Farming''
and What Ho Does Kuow.
This yearly institution has been In progress for
several days on the Richmond Club Course, near the
farm OF W. Ii. Vanderbilt, New Dorp. and there Is
the usual variety OF pigs, cows, horses, turnips,
fruits, lowers and bed quilts that make up coun-
try fair or course there had to be q speech, and
Mayor Hall was invited for the purpose and spoke
for half hour one OF the tents yesterday after
noon He began by observing that he could not
compliment the county on its show. 1t was not the
policy OF advocate or orator to begin by depreciation
but 1t was best to be frank. Richmond county had
yet realized In its enterprise but before long,
he was assured, woud) the derivation Of its
name-riche monde-rlch world. 1t was an Ameri-
can Isle OF Wight and should blossom Just as much
as that island. At first one would think 1t nappro
pirate that New York lawyer and politician should
talk about agriculture. The Mayor might be said to
be competent to write book the opposite In title
OF Greeley, 'What don't know about farming"
There was once an agricultural society in New
York county Richmond county was going through
the same transition that New York did. From
farms to villa plots, and from these to city
lots-in the meantime gardens. He be.
lleved Richmond county should devote itself
to gardening and fruits and flowers for the
New York market. and should not farm as II 1t was
Chautauqua county, far from capital. bushel OF
oats might bring seventy cents but one pear In
February would bring that. Let agricultural locaI-
Rus tfa arOe soon became urbs, IN sure Why could
not Richmond county do as Norfolk people did. and
in the old ruts any longer and manage large farms
lily, when IL Is more profitable, SO near 10 tne
and fruits Besides, let Richmond county farmers
divide their abors into specaities OF production.
Adam Smith said, .ln increasing civilization there
nd tv1ci n
but not in agriculture, therefore, manufactures
were far ahead or agriculture" In our DAY, how
ever agriculture mas been dividing Its labor.
Twenty years ago farm LAHORE hired out as farm
hands-abe to mend plough or drive 1t. to seed
field or doctor horse TO raise small fruits or churn
bntier. Now it is changed. Your Scotch farmer IS
grain grower, or your Irish farmer IS dairyman
your French ssio n .bas nroYss sMs raTm Ta
ing And as Adam Smith proved for
ali time that division OF labor increases the facility
and worth OF labor, SO this TACT concerning agricu
Agriculture. ali Years as5 hs standard book 6h agr
tiiltdfe was 'Alen's American Farmer. When
BridQeman dared TO write treatlSe on depart
mental gardening he was compelled to Illustrate all
his departments between the same covers. Now we
zcf6su and sour Forty Rod Farm" and from the
editor OF Hearth ana Home how to garden on the
roof of Fifth avenue 4ouss.
'you have hut to tickle the land with hoe and 1t
viii laugh with harvest" y being disputed BY
facts even IN the West 1t is being demonstrated
there and here that the best land ticker Is sub
soil plough, and the greatest impulse to harvest
laughter Is manure. Inc sou must De niled deepy-
that Is the first requirement. And Mr.. Greeley says
we must irr1gate. Now Ibelleve in Greeley as much
as Mr. Mitchell believes in Xenophon or as Napoleon
believes in his own art OF war. And II the Tribune
says we must irrigate, Will follow Its example
and all 90 and water our stock, rs Wall street rail
road farmers do their stock. The philosopher pro-
baby learned his theory OF irrigation during the
draft riots, when he had the hot water apparatus
arranged TO rrigate the crowd that surrounded the
Tribune Building. Upon Staten Island. surrounded
as you are by water Of all kinds-and sometimes OF
too many kinds-and. mists and fogs, you do not
care for irrigation 80 much. Deep plOughing gives
good ttiage and irrigation gives good crops. The
secret OF the value OF orange county milk ana but
ter is first, that the land gives spurious grass,
and second the meadows are ploughed everywhere
by mountain streams.
In conclusion the Mayor said that the immediate
scene OF exhibition OF fruits and vegetables showed
that at least some Richmond county culturists ap
preciated the value OF great market only few
miles OF, with advantages OF cheap carriage, and
that during the transition stage OF the county from
farms to village plots, and to city lots, the next
ten years should develop all Staten Island into a
garden spot.
There was good display OF trotting yesterday,
and during the afternoon the band from Fort Hamil-
ton was M attendance aid enivened the show with
music. The fair continues until Saturday night.