The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-10-09
The Virginia State Agricultural so.
ciety Reconsideration Series.
SUPPLEMENTAL TO OCTOBEk Ho.]
ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT.

ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT.
OFFICE OF THE VIRGINIA STATED
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, ?
RICHMOND, October !, 1879. }
To the People Of Virginia:
The Annual Fair OF our Society will be
held on It's grounds, in close proximity to
the corporate limits OF this city, on the
oSth, 10Th, 30th, and 3lst instant. under
circumstances far more encouraging than
here tofore.
In the exercise of 4 far-seeing Judgment
and most commendable zeal IN behalf OF
the great agricultural cause which we seek
| 10 advance as inseparably connected with
the interests which they respectively rep
resent, the officers OF the various transport
| 'ation lines have agreed to run excursions
into the city during Fair-week at rates so
low that all may come. For several years
past the attendance at our Fairs has been
large, but it must be admitted that Il ma
iority OF those present were from the cities,
drawn together by the attractions we were
able TO present; and it has been matter of
regret 10 the best friends OF the Society
that the farmers OF our State have not at
tended In greater numbers. | am aware
that they have for years past labored under
greater disadvantages than any other class,
and that from succession OF diScouraglng
seasons, with tue loss OF their labor, and
consequent loss OK their credit, they are
comparatively poor, and to carry on their
operations have been obliged 20 borrow'-i1
indeed they could borrow 1T all-upon H.
convenient terms and at unreasonable rates,
so that they have some reason Tor beng de-
pressed, but none for being disheartened.
They should remember that they are the
representatives of the first interest IN the
Commonwealth, the one upon winch all
others depend. 1t is 4 fallacy TO suppose
there is not as much profit in the caltlVa'
ton of Virginia lands to-day as there was
before the war, and there is no necessity
for the citizens OF our State Especially the
u0unq men, upon whom It's future de-
peuds) deserving lher at this nour.
Emerging lis she did, with shattered
fortunes, from most desolating war OF
four years duration, all that we have since
experienced is nothing more than we might
reasonably have expected, and to-day, with
every Indication OF the near approach OF
more prosperous times, we have much to
encourage us. 1t is true that large por.
ton OF our lands in East Virginia are not
so rich as those OF the far West. but our
proximity to market, with salubrious eli.
mate and the best society, make them more
valuable when properly improved, which
is easily done with the means which we en-.
joy-especially such as were originally Of
good soil. Before the war the opinion was
held by many of yirginia's best farmers
that it was less expensive to improve land
OF this character than to cut down and to
clean up lands Of greater fertility. and since
to-day they can be bought 1T half price,
| see no reason why capital and enterprise
| may not be made TO pay as we'll in the i'm
provement Of our lands, such as need it, as
lin any other way and when the presen,
transportation rates, which discriminate SO
much, In favor OF the western producer, are
lfqnalized tas most surely will be the case),
we will then have less cause Of complaint.
There are other portions OF Virgins
(which are amongst the most favored OF the