Vol. XIV. 



ROCHESTER, K Y., SEPTEMBER, 1853. 



No. IX. 



AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES— THEIR USES AND ABUSES. 



Agricultural Societies, of which there are some three hundred in the United States, 

 may now be reckoned among the fixed institutions of the country. Being in infancy, 

 and the otTspring of popular feeling, it would be strange indeed if they were not some- 

 times perverted from their legitimate use to advance the interests of the few at the 

 expense of the many. Nor is it an easy matter to prevent designing men from taking a 

 leading part in associations for the promotion of agriculture, in order to give public 

 premiums, publications, and exhibitions, such direction as will aid them in selling at a 

 large profit their neat stock, pigs, sheep, poultry, or patented implements of husbandry. 

 Abuses grow up as naturally and luxuriantly in all popular bodies, as weeds in a rich 

 garden ; and the extirpation of the latter is not more useful in horticulture, than the 

 correction of the former in all agricultural societies. Their ofticers and members should 

 guard against either commending or advertising, through the medium of their published 

 proceedings, unworthy objects. It is easy to injure the public, and the character of the 

 association. In State societies, an impartial observer may often discover a few gentle- 

 men of wealth, who are engaged in rearing Short-Horns or other stock to sell at high 

 prices, becoming year after year Presidents, or ruling members of executive committees, 

 and State boards, not to develop new truths in husbandry, or advance agricultural 

 knowledge, but to perpetuate the power and profits of an ambitious clique. Such char- 

 acters, by their monopolies, prevent the true friends of the farming interest from 

 encouraging the systematic study of rural economy, and the growth of a wise and valua- 

 ble agricultural literature. Literature and science can never be incorporated with 

 American agriculture, until agricultural societies think less of idle shoAvs and private 

 speculations, and more of illustrating the true principles of tillage and husbandry. 

 This is the legitimate object of all organizations, composed mainly of practical farmers. 

 A thorough knowledge of principles will most benefit them in their noble calling ; and 

 their annual agricultural exhibitions might be exceedingly instructive by demonstrating 

 the most important truths in rural affairs. Do our cattle shows now demonstrate any 

 such truths ? We think not. It is rare indeed that a new fact of any value is brought 

 to light at a well attended coun-ty fair, or State exhibition. 



Inventoi's and manufacturers of new machines reap some advantage in bringing their 

 wares before the crowd ; but it would not diminish their gains if provision were made 

 by a prop r use of part of the funds of the society to teach its members something 

 more than they before knew of agricultural entomology, and other kindred sciences. 

 Insects, like wheat flies, weevils, and moths, are annually destroying crops to the amount 

 of millions, without the least public eftbrt being made to lessen the evil. Does it argue 

 well for our general intelligence that no agricultural society in this most prosperous 



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