366 
SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
EDITOKIAIi NOTES OUR EATE FAIRS. 
We regret that in our November number, which was 
issued October 20th, it was impossible to give any ac- 
count of the recent Fairs in Georgia. There are many 
subjects in connection with these Fairs which are of per- 
manent importance to Agricultural readers. Even at this 
late day, therefore, our observations at these Fairs may 
not be devoid of interest to our patrons. 
Clar'k County Fair . — We congratulate our friends in 
Clarke upon the great success which attended their first 
Agricultural Fair. We were told that it was resolved in 
August to hold a Fair, and the Fair was held in October — 
allowing somewhat more than two months for prepara- 
tion. During this short period, the spacious grounds 
were handsomely and securely enclosed — a substantial 
building of two stories erected, and stalls built sufficient 
for the accommodation of 140 head of horses, which num- 
ber was actually on exhibition, As several other coun- 
ties are thinking of establishing County Fairs, we men- 
tion the rapidity with which the Clark Fair Grounds 
were put in order, to show that the task of establishing a 
Fair is not so formidable as might be supposed. The 
sum raised by the citizens of Clark for this Fair, we 
understand, was about $3500. It is proposed to effect a 
union of several adjoining counties to be represented in 
this as a central Fair. This will be wise measure, if our 
Legislature will not adopt a similar policy to that of New 
York, and of which a full account is given in our Novem- 
ber number, in regard to County Agricultural Societies, 
The Legislature ought to give to the counties this asist- 
ance. Such assistance would enable almost every county 
to form its own Agricultural Society and to hold its own 
Fair. The exhibition of articles at a distant point in- 
volves a certain degree of expense. This expense pro- 
hibits the poor from an exhibition of their humble yet still 
valuable articles of industry. On this account. County 
Fairs are desirable where practicable, and the Legislature 
ought to make it practicable. But if this cannot be done, 
then such a union as the one proposed in Clark is expedi- 
ent. The suggestion may be of service both to Hancock 
and Cass counties. 
The opening Address at Clark Fait was delivered by 
Col. John Billups, the President of the Society, We 
were unfortunate in not arriving in time to hear this ad- 
dress ; but we heard of it, and always characterized as 
being perfectly apj ropriate to the occasion — which is, 
perhaps, the highest praise which an opening address can 
receive. 
The Annual Address was delivered by W. H. Hull, 
Esq. , of Athens A synopsis of this admirable address 
has appeared in the Field and Fireside. But we hope 
that Mr. Hull will accord with the wishes of his friends 
and allow its publication in full It is precisely one of 
those addresses calculated to do good in the present con- 
dition of Southern Agriculture. Mr, Hull’s manner is 
very agreeable, his enunciation clear and distinct, and he 
was listened to with great interest by an intelligent audi- 
ence. 
It would give us pleasure to particularize the articles of 
merit on exhibition. But this is impossible, without ex- 
tending these “notes” to an unreasonable length. In the 
household department, the exhibition was one of unusual 
excellence — decidedly the best of the season. Some pic- 
tures by young artists gave promise of future distinction. 
We are happy to learn that the friends of these young 
ladies, are affording to them the opportunity of develop- 
ing their talents under skillful instruction at the North. 
The exhibition of horse stock of the various kinds was 
admirable. In cattle, hogs and sheep it was inferior. In 
agricultural products and implements it was good. We 
were pleased with the remark of our venerated statesman, 
Ex-Governor Gilmer, who, amid the pressure of years, 
entered fully into the spirit of the scene: “The best part 
of the exhibition,” said he, “is the people, so healthy, so 
happy and so full of good humor.” The innocent festi- 
vities of these occasions are certainly not the least of their 
beneficial results. As a people, we have too few amuse- 
ments, These farmers’ gatherings seem to be the only 
form of assemblage on a large scale, in which we forget 
that we are Democrat or Opposition, Presbyterian, Metho- 
dist, Baptist or Episcopalian — and, as such, they deserve 
to be sustained by every well-wisher of mankind. 
It was gratifying to observe the interest taken at this 
Fair on the subject of grass culture. We have but one 
fear as to this point, and that is, that beginners will ex- 
pect to make something out of nothing — in other words, 
that they will expect rich grass to grow on poor land. If 
they do, they will be disappointed. Let them first make 
the land good and the grass will make it better, if it be 
properly treated. We close our notice of our very pleas- 
ant visit to our friends in Clark with the expression of 
the opinion, that their efforts must result in great good, 
not only to Clark County, but to the whole of North 
Eastern Georgia. 
Warren County Agricultural Society . — While on the 
way from Athens to Warren on, we were ' fortunate 
enough to meet with our old friend. Col. Buckner, of 
Baldwin. The statements he m^s of the success of 
Apple culture in Middle Georgia fire of startling interest. 
The land he plants in apple trees, is the poorest kind of 
piney woods land, that would not make more than 200 
pounds of se d cotton to the acre. He uses no manure, 
but fil's the hole in which the tree is planted with the ad- 
joining surface soil, He much prefers the Shockley or 
Romanite, as coming most quickly into bearing, occupy- 
ing the least space, and its fruit being the best keeper. 
His apples are sold chiefly in Columbus and Montgomery 
and generally at two dollars per bushel At this rate 
some acres of his orchard have yielded him $1400 per 
acre. With such facts staring us in the face, shall we 
suffer our old lands to continue to be put to bearing briars, 
sassafras, broomsedge or other “vile uses'?” 
The Georgia Railroad passes in sight of the Vineyard of 
Mr. Axt, in Telifaerro county. Our rapid conclusion in 
passing was that, if vines could be successfully grown 
there, it would be difficult to imagine a locality in which 
they would not grow. The whole vicinity has been 
