The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-10-29

The nineteenth annual exhibition OF the
Virginia State Agricultural Society COM
menced yesterday. The morning opened
cloudy and damp, with every prospect of a
rainy day, but the skies cleared carly in the
forenoon, and the day proved fair; but a
high wind prevailed, making walk on the
grounds very disagreeable. There were
very few visitors on the grounds. Some OF
the committees OF award got to work early.
and completed their labors without inter-
ruption. Others could not be got together.
in time, and The work had to be delayed
until this morning.
We do not propose to give in detail list
Of exhibitors. as the premiums which we
shall publish from day to day will give an
idea to distant readers OF what is on exhlbi-
tion,i but merely direct the attention OF our
readers to few Of those who are more
prominent in the different departments.
.ra...i i,,y MAIN BUILDING. - ..r;...s.
The lower floor, of the main building is
but poorly filed Yet there may be found
there some substantial goods, prominent
among them the exhibits in boots, shoes,
leather, &C., of the Winchester Boot and
Shoe Factory. These goods are all OF the
best quality, and made up in the highest
style of st. Crispin. From the same city
the Paper-Man ufacturing Company send
very excellent specimens. Messrs. Ran
dolph & English send Il fine lot OF blank
books and large quantity OF paper boxes
Of various designs and every conceivable
shape, making an attractive show. In the
line OF fruits there are exhibits OF apples,
and one lot OF late fall peaches. In the
same room DR.. Armistead exhibits his anti
dyspepic drops, and Polk Miller d Co.
beautiful case of tastefuly arranged samples
OF medicines, drugs, &c. Messrs. D. H.
Chalkley d Co. exhibit fine specimens Of
leather OF their own tanning.
LADIES' DEPARTMENT.
On the second floor of this building the
ladies find themselves in their own true ele-
ment; for it is here that the articles which
pertain to their home departments are COL
lected. The display OF needle and fancy
work is about the best we have ever seen
there, and will prove very attractive to all
who take an interest in the labors OF the
fair ones.
IN DOMESTIC PRODUCTS
the ladies also show substantial proofs OF
their handiwork in exhibits Of preserves,
pickles, ielies, cakes, bread, and all the ar
ticles Of this class so tempting to the men,
folks and so pleasing to their palates. Here,
too, the display is very large and attractive,
and will prove the centre Of observation for
all housewives.
"THE ART GALLERY"
This room is not now used for the pur-
pose for which it was built. In it may be
| found q few articles of tntercst-amongst
them the display made by the Chesapeake
and Ohio Railway Company OF Goals and
| Il, hn of Iair
Of the latter are ash, oak, maple, walnut,
hickory, &C., as good as can be produced
| from any point in the country. The dis
play shows the wonderful value of these
lands and their richness in minerals and
timber The tishway of Colonel Mcdonald
near the fountain attracts much attention
as novelty.
In Machinery Hall there is but little to
draw visitors.
The dog show ia not success.
HORTICULTURAL.
In the Horticultural Department we find
large display OF vegetables, &c. The hay,
corn, wheat, fodder, &c. will receive much
notice at the hands OF the planters.
CARRIAGES, &C., &C.
W. C. Smith puts out few carriages, the
only articles in his line on exhibition.
In the line OF trees, Mr.. j. d. Moaby pre-.
sents a good display of fruit and, with
others, a lot of shade and evergreen-trees.
! Messrs. a. Saks s. Co. have erected q
house near the main building, in which
they make display OF their gentlemen's
furnishing goods.
HoRsES-CATTLE.
The lovers OF good horses will find q
large number Of the different breeds which
are Of sufficient merit to satisfy the most
fastidious and eXacting. The number is SO
great that every stall has been filed
In the cattle-sheds are some of the finest
breeds in the country, and amongst them
animals Of merit that would make mark
in any herd.
The Swine Department is filled with spe.
cimens that are well worth the attention o1
breeders. The various strains are repre-
sented by individual animals that would at
tract notice in any exhibition.
The sheepfolds are overfowing with al
the popular grades OF sheep for food anC
wool, and all the various classes are wei
represented by specimens worth the atten
ton OF lovers Of mutton and fine wool.
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
In the Agricultural Implement Depart
ment there is about the usual display oi
useful and necessary articles for the planter
The reapers, threshing- machines, fans
ploughs, harrows, &c, &C., are OF almost
nnumerable patterns, and of sufficient
value to employ hours in studying their
merits and examining the points OF interest
which each presents. There are severa
sulky- and sang-plougbs which attract much
attention from those who have never haC
the opportunity Of seeing them at work.
POULTRY DEPARTMENT.
Not among the least attractions at oul
!. State Fair is the feathered tribe. A stranger
on entering the grounds need not be tolC
that they are there, for the loud cackle o
the Brahma and Cochin. or the shriI voice
of the Hamburg, soon give evidence OF thell
presence.
The visitors, however, will either have t
nearly nut their eyes out In trying to loos
into the unsghtly coops or ruin their hat
and bonnets in endeaVoring TO get goot
look at the fowls.
Bv all means the Society ought to see tt
, il that by anotheg year suitable coops ant
accommodations be given to this part o.
| their exhibitions; for with proper efforts
this can be made one Of the best features
the Fair.
!. Take it as whole, the exhibit OF tanc!
poultry is not as good as we have seen IL
! While there are larger number OF foWl
shown, the qualities OF them are inferior q
those OF former years. .sr
Mr.. J. J. Maxon, OF Gallapolis, Ohio, ha
some good Dark Brabmas, Plymouth
Rocks. White-and-B Brown Leghorns, But
and Partridge Ceehins, Silyer-Gray Dork
ings, and Toulouse geese; Mr.. 81. 81. Viii