Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-08-23
x;ryiuia Stale Agricultural Society

yirpinia State Agricultural Society.
The regular quarterly meeting of the Execu-
tive Committee Of the Virginia State Agrlcul-
tural Society was held on the Goth, at the
Greenbrer White Sulphur Springs, General
| w, Fl. /. Lee, president OF the Society, IN the
chair, and Mr.. +. G. Leigh, secretary.
The President read letter from MIR. John
OFT, of Richmond, relative to the Importance
Of having a soil uap Of the State Of Virginia
| prepared.
The subject was discussed, aud Col. }. IL. D.
Ross, OF Lcxington,. was appointed as a com
mittee of one to confer with Col. HOtclkiss 10
relation to the matter
A letter from Dr. John Roy Baylor, of Al
bemarle, in regard to the nlcrometrlc test OF
wool, gave rise to debate on the subject OF
wool. Mr. S. S. Bradford, Of Culpeper, spoke
at length on the various qualities OF wool, and
showed considerable knowledge as sheep
breeder.
The schedule Of premiums and awards was
amended 50 as to include a premium for the
best fleece of the finest fibre to be tested by the
micrometer.
The following resolution, offered by Mr..
Bradford, was adopted:
Resolved, That the classification and awards
Of the premium list for Devon cattle (stctlon y
be the guide to the judges in awarding prcml-
uuls for all other breeds nf cattle, except short
horn, which shall remain as they are III said
list.
In the matter of swine, Major r. W. n. No
land, OF Luudouu, offered the following, winch
was adopted:
Resolved, That in class 3. sections | and >,
a second premium Of one half the value OF the
first, be offered in each case.
The same gentleman offered the following:
| ~, boun tn
lieve that heavy loss is sustained in the pur-
chase Of fertilizers by farmers iu Virginia, by
reason of aduteration, false formula aud short
weights Of the articles sold:
| Resolved That a omuIittcc OF three be APP
pointed, whose duty it shall be to have tested
by anal ysis, test weights, or actual experiment,
the relative value and reliability OF such ter
tlzcrs that arc otfcrd iu the Virginia markets;
and to this end the sum oil 5000 he approprla-
ted to be used at the discretion OF the commit
tee
The resolution was adopted.
The following resolution, offered by Major
Noand was also adopted:
Resolved That Gov Gilbert G. Walker be
Invited to deliver the regular annual address
before the Virginia State Agricultural Society
at the next Fair and that said address be de-
livered on the fair grounds
| Major NOlaDu, WHO HdQ UCIu dppUlUtcu W
wait upon Governor Walker aud apprse him Of
the action of the committee in relation to the
annual address, returned in company with his
I1xccllcncy, who thanked the committee for
the honor conferred upon him and expressed
his willingness to comply with the request to
deliver the regular annual address before the
Society at the next fair.
| The committee on fertilizers was continued,
and were requested to use their best endcavors
to effect the prayer of the bill presented by
| them to the Legislature Of lrglna at It's last
session
1t was resolved that native cattle Constitute
distinct section and that their classification
and amounts OF award be the same as tur Devon
grades.
1t was also resolved that the committee on
| fair grounds be authorized to erect ring and
amphithcatre on the grounds for the display OF
animals, aud that gate fee be charged those
seeking accommodation therein.
Mr.. A. II. H. STUART's LETTER. In the
letter of Mr.. Stuart to the committee inviting
him to attend the Conservative Mass meeting
in Richmond, he makes the following remarks:
''No one can regret more than | do the un-
fortunate array of the white race against the
| black. Ii ought not to have been so, and ain
persuaded that if the wishes Of the white men
Of Virginia could have prevailed, it would not
| have been So At the close Of the war the white
men Of Virginia felt kindly toward the blacks.
They were grateful for their fde ity during the
war. aud for the important assistance which
they had rendered in the support Of their fami-
lies They were disposed to extend to them
helping hand and aid them IN fulfilling their
duties in the new condition to which they had
been elevated. But, orluuately, the igno-
rant and crcdulous suffered themselves to be
seduced by arttul aud selfseeklng dcmagogues
into Union Leagues and other secret socle-
ties, whose only bond Of union was hostility to
their former masters. These unfortunate COM
binatlons rendered an union of the whites in
dispensabe for their own protection. And now
the very mlscreauts who iuauguratcd or foster
ed these leagues for the advancement Of
their selfish purposes, are the most ciamorous
in denourcing that division, which is the Iogl-
cal result of their own ncfarous teachings.
TIE BoBoL1NK.- Throughout the northern
and eastern parts Of the Union the lark would
find dangerous rival in the bobollDk, bird
that has 20 European prototype, and DO near
relatives Notwithstanding quite alone, uul-
que, and, 10 the qualities Of hilarity and musl
cal Standardization, with song uncqualed
| He has already a secure place IN general lltera.
ture, having been laureated by a no less poet
than Bryant, and invested with a lasting hu-
man charm 10 the sunny page of Irving-and
is the only one Of our songsters, | believe, the
mocking- bird cannot parody or initiate: He
affords the most mark,d example of exuberant
pride, and glad, rolicking, holiday spirit that
can be seen among our birds. Every note ex.
presses complacency and elce He is b"au of
the first pattern, and unlike any other bird of
my acquaintance, pushes his gallantry to the
point Of wheeling gayly into the train of every
female that comes along, even after the season
of ccurtship is over, and the matches all settled
and when she leads him on too wild chase,
be turns lightly about and breaks out with
song that is precisely analogous to burst of
gay and sclf-satiShed laughter, as much as to
say, "Ila! ha ha must have my fun, Miss
| Siluart L,nhle thi1nhIe thimhlc if | break