Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-09-10
he State Agricultural SOcicty-Its
Mission. Grounds, &C.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:

To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
All credit to General Wickham and the
gentlemen who have counselled and worked
with HIM through the past two years OF the
State Society's history. With the many
drawbacks and adverse circumstances under
which they have labored, 2 am sure the COM
munity is ready TO give them the scriptural
pIaudit Of, Well done, good and faith.
ful servants, and il will be universal
regret that the constitution of the Society
makes this term the last during which Gene
raj Wickham can serve rs president OF the
organization.
IL appears TO the writer's mind that the
time is now when the State Agricultural
Society should be placed once for all upon
a substantial basis, and the mission for
which il was Overwhelmingly. the fur
therance OF the interests OF agricultural and
kindred pursuits-should receive at its
hands greater attention and in turn larger
sympathy and cooperation from the farming
community within our State.
Now, the one barrier TO the work and
development OF this Society is the question
of finance. This provided for, under pru-
dent management it certainly can be made
IN institution OF untold worth to our peo-
Die and their interests. Let us see who
support and to sustain its work.
IL Is needless for me 10 attempt to recIte
the benefits which the city OF Richmond
annually derives from the gatherings OF peo-
ple who attend these exhibitions, or to try
to prove that these benefits are not confined
TO what we call Fair-week. These questions
answer themselves. But are there not
other channels In which the city might CO.
operate with the Society and reap as II has
not thought oil
Suppose the dilapidated buildings now
in existence on the grounds were torn
away, and two substantial and capaci0us
buildings, one story each with arched
roofs. erected on some suitable site within
| the grounds, and large enoughto accommo-
| date the entire exhibit that needs be
| housed; the old fence and ugly stalls and
pens supplanted by others convenient and
attractive and lastly, the entire grounds ar
ranged and made beautiful with winding
drives and walkYays. grass and flower
| plots, greenhouses" stream and lakelet,
making not alone spot TO which our peO-
ME would wish TO take every visitor TO the
city, and would seek for recreation and
| pleasure themselves. but also a magnificent
| terminus to the grand drive now being con-
structed from the reservoir TO its western
| boundary.
a suitable dwelling for the secretary hav-
| ing been erected within the grounds, makes
| il part OF his duty 10 keep the same ever
| in the very best condition. No sooner
would such fact be established than the
street railway would break ground for its,
| track 10 the spot. Our people become i'm
| patient for the completion OF the work, and
| finally, it would be the one popular resort
| for our citizens. Is there voter in Rich
mond who would not be willing to instruct
| the Council 10 appropriate to such an end,
| or member OF the Society who would not
| gladly welcome such, and concede TO the
city, outside Of Fair.week. full control OF
the grounds. think not.
| Now, how would these things effect the
visitors and planters from outside Of our
| city who attend the Fairs OF this Society!
reply, when such come TO om'annual eX-
| hibitions they do so for profit and for pleas
ure. Under the existing state OF things each
exhibition is, and will be to greater or less
extent, simply repetition. With suitable
accommodation, exhibitors from home and
abroad would feel justified In making
greater outlays towards permanent, en-
lareed, and special displays, some OF which
would doubtless be kept in position. and
possibly in operation, all the year through.
|
opportunity Of witnessing machinery and
appliances which are never seen on our
grounds now, and which never will be I'M
nj some greater inducements are offered.
Where have we accommodations for the
lathe, loom, fine arts, articles OF great value
intrinsic or bistoricaD. the electric splayS,
and so on, which constitute the real features
Of other eXpositionsy
The Society in such position would be
enabled TO offer premiums for farm pro-
ducts, cattle. stock. etc, somewhat in ratio
| with those now bestowed upon the milf
| tary and the race-course. Here would he
storebouse of knowledge from which the
/ planter and his children might once year
take lessons which no schooling could
offer and years OF travel would not give.
With race-couse, splendidly-equpped
restaurant. and resting accommodations
amply and conveniently supplied, where
wives and children might assemble with
all security, beautiful grounds, and special
features each day Of the Fair-week, neel
not ask II there would not be a promise OF
| profit ana pleasure which would greatly
add TO the list OF llfe.members, and |
hardly think there Is a single voter within
the State who would not be willing 10 in
struct the Legislature TO appropriate
towards such an institution-the only one
in the State which would appeal to every
citizen, Of whatever political tendency,
creed, or doctrine, condition, race, or
color. Other Legislatures have long ago
effected annual appropriations to their
State societies, and In these only, / believe,
have these organizations been crowned
with success. We are too slow, and wait
until things become old with progressive
communities, and usually wake up aud
spend our money Just at the time when
some other new era Is about TO dawn.