CHAPTER XI 

 AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES 



The development of agricultural societies may be divided 

 into four periods: (i) from 1785 to 1850 the period of begin- 

 nings; (2) from 1850 to 1870 the period of agricultural fairs; 

 (3) from 1870 to 1892 the period of great organizations; (4) 

 from 1892 to the present the period of adjustment (122, p. 

 291). 



FIRST PERIOD 



The first period in its relation to agricultural education is an 

 important one, particularly in its historical significance. The influ- 

 ence of these early societies on agricultural education is perhaps 

 greater than that of any other single factor contributing to its 

 development. The idea of such an education is regarded by 

 some as originating in these societies. That it was much ex- 

 ploited by them is certainly true. The idea persisted and grew, 

 and may be followed from this early period to the establishment 

 of land-grant colleges. The idea persists today, but modified 

 to include elementary and secondary education. 



In 1785 the Philadelphia Society for the Promotion of Agri- 

 culture was organized, and later in the same year a similar society 

 was formed at Charleston, S.C. Within the following decade a 

 number of other societies was organized. Among the members 

 of these societies were many prominent men such as George 

 Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Timothy Pickering. 

 These men were also interested in education. It is not strange 

 that the two interests should be combined in their minds into 

 the idea of agricultural education. 



Benjamin Franklin had given expression to this idea many 

 years before the founding of the first agricultural society. 

 Referring to the education of the youth of Pennsylvania he says : 



94 



