420 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



THE BENEFITS RESULTING FROM AGRICULTURAL 



SOCIETIES.* 



BY Q. I.. REED OF SOUTH WEYMOUTH. 



The early organization of these societies consisted of a 

 body of citizens incorporated under the laws of the State, 

 for the purpose of promoting useful improvements in agri- 

 culture by holding annual exhibitions, at some central loca- 

 tion arranged for the purpose, bringing together for these 

 exhibitions their live stock and the products of the soil, 

 with perhaps a ploughing match added. Exhibitions were 

 usually held in the open, with but very little expense 

 attending them, creating a fund for the society from the fees 

 for membership and charges of admission to the hall and 

 grounds to those not members, and awarding premiums 

 u})on the best exhil)itions of live stock and the products 

 of the soil. At a later ])eriod grounds were purchased by 

 many of the societies, tracks were laid out, and trotting 

 races and various kinds of anmsements were added. 



As the keeping of live stock is of so nuich earlier date 

 than the agricultural society, it is interesting to know the 

 origin, and where and Avhen the improvements liegan which 

 have culminated in the high degree of perfection shown 

 at our annual fairs. At an early period we find special 

 mention made of the vast herds of Jol), l)ut we hardly 

 suppose agricultural societies were tlicn organized, although 

 there would appear to l)e no reason why Jol), and many 

 other of the old patriarchs of tliat time, might not liave 

 been considered whole agricultural societies in themselves. 

 Among the vast herds of Job we find the ox, ass, sheep 

 and camel, only, spoken of. The liorse was not used for 



* On a(X'()iiiit of tlic increased si/e of the volume " Af^riciillure of Ma.ssacliusetts," 

 we are able to print ouly an abstract of this paper. 



