370 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



third, then he will be credited as if he had 

 obtained thirty-three subscribers. His account 

 will stand 25-^-5-4-2-^1=33. 



The subjects of these premiums are stock 

 of improved breed. We have purchased of 

 Gen. Bernard Peyton of Albemarle, the very 

 superior thorough bred Devon calf that was 

 seen and admired by so many at the late Fair. 

 We gave fifty dollars for him. We have also 

 obtained from Mr. Colston of Albemarle, a 

 buck of the South Down stock, seven-eighths 

 pure imported South Down, one-eighth Bake- 

 well, and we gave twenty -five dollars for him. 

 We have also obtained of Mr. Lewis D. Cren- 

 shaw of Richmond, a pig by his uncommonly 

 fine Delaware hog, that took forty dollars in 

 premiums at the Fair, (he being estimated to 

 be the best boar of his own class and of any 

 other breed,) out of a very superior Chester 

 sow; and from Dr. John R. Woods of Albe- 

 marle, a sow pig out of his sow that also took 

 the first premium in her class. This will 

 make a pair of pigs that can be bred together 

 without any fear of injuring the progeny. 

 They will be worth about twelve dollars and 

 fifty cents. 



We consider the Devon the best breed in 

 the world for the yoke, and equal to any for 

 butter. We think them also the best cattle 

 for ninety-nine hundredths of cismontane Vir- 

 ginia. We think the best mutton breed of 

 sheep in the world is the South Down, or a 

 large infusion of that blood, and we deem that 

 sheep also particularly suited to the same re- 

 gion. It is, in fact, the Devon among sheep. 

 It is true, we think the Merino (or Saxon, 

 which is only a variety of Merino,) a better 

 sheep for the average Virginia farmers, for 

 several reasons— but they are small, and sell 

 cheap, and we do not propose a ram of that 

 blood, though we are willing to put a ram and 

 ewe of that flock in place of the South Down, 

 and will select them from a flock of our own 

 of pure blood. The hogs will do for any 

 country. 



Now it will strike every one that these ani- 

 mals will be cheap enough to any one, who will 

 take the trouble to get subscribers and make 

 collections for the Planter, at twice the value 

 of such. And we propose to rate them in that 

 way. We, therefore, now give notice — 



1st. That to any individual who shall send 



us the largest number of subscribers— not less 

 than 100— the cash paid at the time the sub- 

 scription list is sent — each collection of one 

 dollar to count as a subscription, pro tanto — 

 the fine Devon bull calf, Farmington, men- 

 tioned above. 



2d. To any individual who shall send us 

 the next largest number— not less than 50 — 

 with like condition as above, the South Down 

 ram, or a ram and ewe of the Saxon and Me- 

 rino breed, as may be preferred. 



3d. To the one who shall send us the next 

 largest number — not less than 25 — with like 

 condition as above, the pair of pigs. 



The premiums to be awarded in the April 

 issue of the Planter, and the animals to be 

 delivered at the drawer's risk and charges at 

 the Shadwell Depot, in Albemarle, as to all 

 stock but the boar pig, which will be sent on 

 the same terms from Richmond. 



This is an experiment which costs us $87 50. 

 If it succeeds we shall hope to be able to offer 

 still more numerous and equally appropriate 

 inducements every year hereafter. 



Persons meaning to compete for these pre- 

 miums can get a list of the indebted subscribers 

 for any county or section they may wish, on 

 application, by letter, to P. D. Bernard, Rich- 

 mond. 



SECRETARY TO THE STATE AGRCUL- 

 TURAL SOCIETY. 



It is a little singular that when this Society 

 wanted friends among the newspapers of the 

 city of Richmond, it was very difficult to get 

 them, and that now, when it is not in such 

 straits, some of them volunteer their good of- 

 fices, their advice and their censure, and have 

 come to take a very lively interest in matters 

 which but a short time since attracted none of 

 their regard. For instance, certain papers — 

 some of whom have since made the amende 

 honorable — assailed the appointment of Se- 

 cretary by the Executive Committee as a 

 slight upon one gentleman and an act of fa- 

 voritism to another. It is not necessary to 

 say that these gentlemen did not know what 

 they were talking about. But it is due to both 

 sides to say that the office was altogether un- 

 solicited, and was accepted with much hesita- 

 tion by the appointee with the distinct mutual 



