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THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



THE COMMISSIONER OP THE VIRGINIA STATE 

 AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



We deem the following proceedings of the Vir- 

 ginia State Agricultural Society of sufficient im- 

 portance to he published in the Planter, though 

 they have already appeared in a good many news- 

 papers of this city and other places. 



As they are sufficiently explanatory of them- 

 selves of their own intent, and along with the 

 Commissioner's address, which we also publish in 

 connection with them, leave nothing to be said of 

 their purport, we can only say of their object that 

 it is most proper and praiseworthy. The collection 

 of agricultural information in Virginia has been 

 heretofore too much neglected, and yet no subject 

 in the State is of so much importance. 



Of the Commissioner, who, as we said once be- 

 fore, is not so near of kin to us as that w r e need 

 hesitate to praise him, (in fact, we are not son and 

 father, but distantly related,) we know no other 

 man who would have undertaken the duty at any 

 price, much less the pittance that he is to receive. 

 After the field has been pretty well reaped by the 

 operations of the Society last year, and by the pro- 

 ceedings at the fall meeting, Mr. Edmund Ruffin 

 undertakes to glean it, for a sum so small, and that 

 larger than he had himself limited, that he cannot 

 expect to make one cent, and will only be saved 

 from loss by the Executive Committee's insisting 

 that it would at least pay his expenses. 



Of his fitness for the office we need only say that 

 whilst he is not exactly the man we would have, 

 and undoubtedly lacks certain qualifications, yet, 

 on the whole, we cannot get as good a man to ac- 

 cept the office, if we can find a better at all. 



Of one thing we may all feel assured, that he 

 will be behind no man in fidelity to the trust he 

 has undertaken in zeal, industry, activity and dis- 

 interestedness. 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 



Thursday Evening, 6£ o'clock. 



Tke committee met at the Exchange Hotel 

 upon the call of Mr. Ed. Ruffin, Yice Presi- 

 dent, acting as President in the absence of Mr. 

 Cocke from the State. Present — Messrs. Ed. 

 Ruffin, Harvie and Preston, Vice Presidents, 

 and Messrs. Peyton, Barbour, Williams, Cren- 

 shaw and F. Gr. Ruffin. 



The Secretary made a report of what he had 

 done since the last meeting. 



Mr. Harvie, from the committee appointed 

 to confer with the Building Committee of the 

 # Common Council on the subject of a suite of 

 rooms to be furnished, and also from the com- 

 mittee to confer with the Common Council 

 about the holding of the next Annual Fair, 

 reported that negotiations in regard to both 



subjects were in progress, but not completed, 

 and asked for further time in regard to each, 

 which was granted. 



Mr. E. Ruffin (Mr. Harvie in the Chair,) 

 submitted the following resolutions : 



Whereas the 8th article cf the Constitution 

 of the Virginia Agricultural Society requires 

 the appointment of an Agricultural Commis- 

 sioner, when the means of the Society " shall 

 justify the outlay," and which requirement has 

 as yet remained suspended and inoperative; 

 and whereas, in the opinion of the Executive 

 Committee, the present condition and funds, 

 and also the interests and wants of the Society 

 now demand the commencement and limited 

 trial of this designed policy and action in aid 

 of the working of the Society : 



Resolved, That an Agricultural Commis- 

 sioner be now chosen by the Executive Com- 

 mittee, for service of eight months only, from 

 the 1st day of March, whose duties shall em- 

 brace the following general subjects', and what- 

 ever else may be necessary or incidental there- 

 to, and the performance of so much of such 

 service as the time and ability of the Commis- 

 sioner, and the means and facilities afforded to 

 him may allow, viz : 



To visit such counties, agricultural districts, 

 or particular localities, as may be deemed by 

 the Commissioner most suitable to aid and to 

 be aided by his services for the Society; to 

 gather (either directly or by and through any 

 farmers or others aiding his inquiries,) useful 

 agricultural information ; to encourage and in- 

 duce the establishment of County Agricultural 

 Societies, auxiliary to the State Society, and 

 formed and working upon a proper and uniform 

 general plan; to hold conversational discus- 

 sions with such Societies or with other meet- 

 ings of farmers, and to address such meetings 

 in furtherance of his duties on any subjects 

 designed to promote agricultural instruction or 

 improvement; to endeavor to obtain agricul- 

 tural reports of particular counties, or to col- 

 lect facts and materials for future reports; to 

 solicit and obtain new members and donations 

 for the State Society; and to report to the So- 

 ciety, through the Executive Committee, in 

 general, whatever he may have done, and espe- 

 cially and particularly the useful agricultural 

 facts and instruction, not generally understood 

 or practised, which he may have collected, or 

 received from other persons. 



Resolved, That the compensation of the 

 Commissioner, for the time of service stated, 

 shall be the reimbursement of his daily travel- 

 ing and other expenses, actually and necessa- 

 rily incurred; and further, fifteen per cent, 

 upon all new donations and subscriptions for 



