72 MASSACHUSETTS AGKICULTURE. 



KEFOKM IN THE MAISTAGEMEI^T OF AGKI- 

 CULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



ESSEX. 

 From au Essay by Francis H. Appleton. 



Where is reform needed, and how shall it be brought 

 about ? I think I can safely say there are comparatively few 

 members of the Essex Agricultural Society who do not need 

 reform in their conduct as members. 



According to the by-laAvs, a committee is appointed at the 

 annual meeting, by nomination from the floor, consisting of 

 one member from each city or town, Avhose duty it is to meet 

 before the first of the following July, and nominate a list of 

 officers and trustees to be voted for at the next annual meet- 

 ing. • Each member of the society should therefore take the 

 greatest care to have a public-spirited man, of unquestionable 

 character, to represent him on this committee. 



With a committee thus carefully appointed, none but the 

 best officers could be nominated, and it would be better for 

 us always to vote the society's regular ticket. 



It must be remembered that the trustees have power to do 

 what they please with the funds of the society ; so it will be 

 seen at once that should an incompetent or selfishly disposed 

 board of trustees ever be elected, they could immediately 

 squander the society's funds in whatever way they chose. 

 Thus the present excellent financial condition of the society, 

 the result of years of care, might be destroyed in an hour. 



It is fashionable at the present time to cry reform. While 

 reform is unquestionably much needed in the country at large, 

 it might also be advantageously applied to some customs of 

 our society ; but it is of the utmost importance to be sure 

 that the people who cry for reform are honest in their inteu- 



