Chap. 253.—An ACT to amend and re-enact section thirty-four, chap-
ter forty-nine, Code of eighteen hundred and seventy-three, in refer-
ence to exemptions from distress.

Approved March 14, 1878.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
section thirty-four of chapter forty-nine of Code of Virginia,
edition of eighteen hundred and seventy-three, be amended
and re enacted go as to read as follows:

§ 34. If the debtor be at the time actually engaged in the
business of agriculture, there shall be exempt from such dis-
tress or levy, while he is so engaged, one yoke of oxen, ora
pair of horses or mules in lieu thereof, with the necessary
gearing; one wagon or cart, two plows, one drag, one har-
vest cradle, one pitch fork, one rake, two iron wedges; all of
which articles intended to be exempted by this chapter shall
be chosen by the head of the family, his agent or representa-
tive: provided that the provisions of this and the next pre-
ceding sections shall not extend to distress made for taxes,
county and parish levies, and that no property shall be ex-
empt from levy or distress for the purchase price thereof:
and provided further, that upon all contracts made and en-
tered into before the passage of this act, only so much of the
above mentioned property shall be exempt from distress or
levy as are hereby exempted under the provisions of this
and the next preceding sections.

2. This act shall be in force from its passage.