Alexandria Gazette

FREDERICKSBURG AGRICULTURAL SHOW AND FAIR.

We were prevented by other engagements from attending the Show and Fair of the Fredericksburg Agricultural Society. A friend, however, has furnished us with the following account, from which we are pleased to learn that it was superior to any that has been held for many years.—Fred. Arena.

The members of the Agricultural Society of Fredericksburg commemorated their 16th Anniversary on Thursday and Friday last; on which occasion they had a Show and Fair much superior to any but one, that they have ever had before; for although the number of Animals exhibited fell short of that brought forward at one or two of their first exhibitions, they were generally of far better quality.—This remark applies particularly to the Stallions, Colts and Bulls—the premium Animal in each of these cases being uncommonly fine; which circumstance warrants the belief that the efforts to improve the breeds of our horses and cattle are now much more zealous, as well as more judiciously directed than formerly.

This last meeting was also distinguished, not only by a much fuller attendance of old Members, than for several Anniversaries past; but by the accession of twenty new ones, most of whom are practical Agriculturalists. Such increase of strength in members, as well as of zeal in those long attached to the Society, affords strong evidence, not only that the Society itself, by its vigorous continuance, will wipe away the old reproach, that Virginians can never persevere in any good work: but that the spirit of improvement in every branch of Husbandry is now actively at work in a very large portion of the ancient dominion; and that the most beneficial result may be anticipated from its future operations. This society, it is believed is not only the oldest in Virginia; but the only one that has been kept up from its first establishment to the present day; and there is every reason to hope, from present appearances, that its members (to borrow a sailor's phrase,) "will never give up the ship."

We regret to add, that our good friends—the ladies—did not exhibit as many articles of domestic Manufacture as usual; but it is a tribute we gratefully pay to them to remark, that such as were exhibited afforded very excellent specimens of what their industry, skill, and ingenuity can accomplish, whenever they choose to exert them. We have great reliance upon their aid; and should seriously lament any intermission of their previous co-operation in the effort to interest the Public in our exhibitions. If they desert us, from any fault on our part, we shall deserve all that may happen to us in consequence of this desertion.

Among the curiosities exhibited at the Meeting were twenty-five stalks of corn, with their produce of one hundred and four ears,—the average being a fraction over five ears to the stalk. This corn was raised on high land by Mr. G. W. Basset, one of the members, and probably the same variety recommended by the President. It is called in Spotsylvania Alsop's corn, from the name of the farmer who first brought it into notice. Another member stated that he had cultivated the same kind on low land, that he was confident he could gather a greater number of ears from the same number of stalks.

The other curiosity was some seed haying exactly the same appearance with that of the Gama-grass and believed by those who saw it to be identical. It was found by Mr. Jno. Dickerson, another member of the society, in some low land upon his farm on the Rappahannock in Caroline county about 16 miles below Fredericksburg and was gathered from two bunches of grass, which (as he stated) resemble the Gama grass in every respect.

These two circumstances are not of much moment in themselves, but they add to the mass of such facts as it is one of the purposes of Agricultural Societies to collect and to disseminate; and, therefore, they are offered for publication in your useful Journal.