A Flourishing Agricultural Society. 105 



A FLOURISHING AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Our special correspondent, D. W. Ray, Esq., is at present making a 

 tour of the Western Slates. lie sends us the following really gratifying 

 report of the Kentucky Agricultural Society, derived from a participation 

 in their recent exhibition, held at Lexington, Sept. 11, 1855, 



This is a General Association of Southwestern Fruit Growers, Stock 

 Importers, and Planters generally. The officers of this Society are not 

 limited to Kentucky alone, but comprise gentlemen, without i-egard to 

 locality, who are interested in Agricultural, Horticultural, and Mechani- 

 cal Improvement, and the advancement of all kindred sciences. I notice 

 on the books of the Society the names of some judges from New-York, 

 among which are Lewis F. Allen, of Black Rock, Samuel Tiiorne and 

 L. G. Morris, of New- York. Through the kindness of Col. Sanders, 

 and Mr. Robert Allen, of the Board of Directors, I was appointed one 

 of the committee on fruits and flowers. I was also indebted to the kind- 

 ness and politeness of the President, Mr. Gratz, both for attention and 

 information ; at his suggestion I became an invited guest. The locality 

 chosen for this exhibition was one of the most delightful places the eye 

 ever rested upon. It was situated upon one of the many turnpike roads 

 leading out of Lexington, upon a gentle eminence commanding a fine 

 view of the city. It seems as if the God of Nature had designed this spot 

 as a fitting place for an Agricultural exhibition. The grounds of the 

 Society comprise fifty acres of fine rolling land, interspersed at intervals 

 with many of Kentucky's noblest forest trees, among which I noticed the 

 stately sycamore or plane tree, black walnut and buckeye. The am- 

 phitheatre was erected by the Association at an expense of over fourteen 

 thousand dollars. The grounds cost two hundred dollars per acre. Since 

 the purchase, the Society have constructed a handsome cottage in the 

 Gothic style upon the ground, at a cost of four thousand dollars. Thus, 

 over thirty thousand dollars have been expended in permanent fixtures. 

 I unhesitatingly pronounce their amphitheatre — for the accommodation 

 of the public, for editors, invited guests, and judges — to be one of the 

 finest in the world. The vast amphitheatre, filled with from 15 to 

 20,00.0 people, all interested in the exhibition, reminded one of the 

 gladiatorial shows of Ancient Rome ; and I doubt if Rome in her 

 palmiest days ever witnessed a brighter spectacle of gallant youths or 

 beauteous maidens. Other States might take a lesson from the arrange- 



