The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-10-30
THE STATE FAIR.

We have no hesitation in pronouncing
the State Fair a success so far as Virginia
produce, vegetables, grains, minerals,
stock. agricultural implements, machinery,
poultry, ETC., are concerned. In some Of
these departments, we have seen very much
larger exhibitions, but never finer. We
spent the afternoon yesterday in thorough
~ inspecting the Sc, eral departments
named, and think we cannot be mistaken
in our judgment. As to what comes un-
der the head Of "truck,' we doubt if any
state in the Union can make better exhi-
bition. 1t is true, the display is not large,
but in quality it is excellent. So of agri-
cultural implements manufactured in this
state, and of many kinds Of machinery.
The display Of stock is good, and of poul-
try excellent, and the same may be said Of
many other departments of the Fair.
The one great fault is manifest in this,
that the people of the state. outside of
certain localities, take SO little interest in
this important annual exhibition. We
wish we could do something to inspire a
greater degree Of enthusiasm in this
respect, especially among the agricultu-
rists and stock-raisers o. the state. There
could also be much finer exhibition of
tirst-class machinery, if our manufacturers
were disposed to make it. We know that
there is considerable expense attending
an exhibition of their heavier ma.
chlnery upon the Fair Grounds but as
there are hundreds of persons from other
states in attendance upon these annual ex-
hibitlons, and anxious to see what Virginia
thrift and enterprise is doing, sentiment
OF state pride, if not broader patriot
ism, should impel them to.some sacrifice in
order to make our State Fairs what they
should be, and what very little effort on
the part of the public generally would make
them. The managers of the Fair deserve
great credit for what they have done in the
way of providing accommodations for ex-
hibitors.
The Northern exhibitors of agricultural
implements and machinery deserve great
credit for the handsome display made by
them. If they can come hundreds of miles
to add 10 the attractions of our State
Fair, it should have the effect to inspire
our own people to renewed efforts another
year. and each successive year thereafter,
to make this annual exhibition browning
honor to Virginia.
The County Fairs are all well enough
nay, excellent--in their way but they
should all be made tributary to the grander
and vastly more important exhibition of the
state. There are men here to-day from
nearly every Northern state to ascertain
the capacity of our soil for production, the
resources OF our mineral wealth, and the
enterprise Of our people, as shown by the
exhibitions made on the Fair Grounds.
They express no small qualification at the
qatat'ty OF what they see, but are
meagre in their commentator of the
quantity. One gentleman here from Yer
mont, having no uncomfortable means,
and desiring to get away from the asperi-
ties of high Northern climate, spent the
whole day yesterday in inspecting the
products of Virginia soil, and while highly
pleased with their quality, stated that he
had seen larger exhibitions of soil pro-
ducts at town fairs in his state especially
where two or three towns united together
IN exhibition than is now displayed at the
capital Of our state.
This should not be, and we hope that
another year will witness a great improv-
ment in respect to quantity, as well as
quality, OF what shall be on exhibition.