THOUGHTS ON AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. fi3 



interests, and the society suffers. Its best snpporters are 

 alienated. Tlie impression is abroad that fonr out of tive of 

 our larger county societies are just now aiflicted with this 

 fatal "ring" consumption. 



The plain way to prevent or cure such an evil is to put in 

 ofBce busy, capable men, who are in full sympathy with the 

 agricultural interest, and who have to be persuaded by urgent 

 duty to accept the place and who will under no circum- 

 stances consent to be candidates for more than three years in 

 succession. 



And this brings out an important element in the successful 

 management of our agricultural society, viz. : frequent ro- 

 tation in office. There may be some loss of valua1)le expe- 

 rience ; l)ut there is a gain of popular sympathy and support, 

 which more than counterbalances. If the efficient coopera- 

 tion of an efficient man is to be secured, he must have his 

 share and his turn in the direction of affairs. Where time 

 and thought and anxiety constitute in large part the capital 

 invested, he does not care to put these in the exclusive con- 

 trol of others ; he wants his share of the responsibility and 

 the authority. And if these are monopolized by a few, the 

 sympathy and help of the many is forfeited. The man of pur- 

 pose and resource and energy goes, where he is appreciated. 

 And though the man of action and force of character is not 

 always the man of wisdom, yet he keeps things moving; he 

 prevents the wheels from sinking into the deep-worn ruts. 



It is a truism — but it needs to be often repeated, — the 

 management of our agricultural societies should he in the 

 hands of agriculturists. 



And the corollary truism is that the annual fair of such 

 societies should be the exponent of the great middling interest, 

 — the farming and the farmers, where land and labor is the 

 capital, and the products of industry are the means of sup- 

 port. The gathered results of the season's culture and growth 

 should represent work rather than wealth ; should show the 

 possibilities of skill and toil rather than money. 



The ofreat need of the middling class is a stimulant for 

 inquiry and enterprise. The average farmer works hours 

 enough, and puts forth strength enough, and wears out fast 

 enough ; but he does not plan wisely enough and have sys- 



