390 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



It is a lamentable fact that in many parts of the State, there 

 is an almost total want of interest felt in relation to the agricul- 

 tural societies ; particularly is this noticeable in towns remote 

 from the place of exhibition : this latter fact has been used as a 

 strong argument in favor of tlie multiplication of societies, but 

 when we consider the few really choice animals to be found, 

 and the difficulty of getting any large number together, it will 

 be seen that the increase in the number of societies, while it 

 increases expenses, detracts much from the quality, if not from 

 the quantity of stock exhibited ; a new society, (which entails 

 a new bounty,) with the great number already existing, cannot 

 but do a positive injury to one locality without a corresponding 

 benefit to the other. 



I esteem it the duty of the societies to use all proper means 

 to make these institutions self-sustaining ; this can only be done 

 by inducing the farmers to co-operate as a body, and where they 

 do take hold in the matter with a will, the success of the society 

 will be insured ; the bounties may be continued for many years, 

 but as nothing is more uncertain than the course of legislation 

 at any time, from a mistaken idea of economy they may be cut 

 off. Our State expenditures are enormously increased by the 

 exigencies of the times, and we may rest assured that every 

 course to reduce them compatible with a due regard for the 

 public interest will be pursued. Let us then in the first place 

 as societies, represented here by the different delegates to this 

 Board, take such measures as will enable us to prosper even 

 though the bounties were withheld, and let our management 

 be such as to unite all parties in the Commonwealth in the 

 feeling that the societies are a benefit to all classes, and that 

 the bounties cannot cease without impairing their usefulness, 

 and causing an injury to the whole community. 



In closing my report, I would remark, that the show of the 

 Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden Society was generally well 

 managed, and calculated to encourage improvement in agricul- 

 ture in this section ; the bounty of the State maybe said in this 

 instance at least to be well bestowed ; improvements could be 

 suggested, soifie of which have been alluded to. The chief one, 

 relating to the exhibition of neat stock on both days of the show, 

 I esteem a requisite, if the society desires to accomplish the 



