A GENEROUS OFFER 



After three years of incessant work, the old Essex 

 Agricultural Society has been very much revived, and 

 now owns its Fair Grounds, race track, and improve- 

 ments at Topsfield, Massachusetts, free from incum- 

 brance. Last year we spent for buildings and other im- 

 provements on the grounds between $23,000 and $24,000, 

 and our additional running expenses for the Fair were 

 sufficient to make a total of $47,000. Our receipts were 

 enough to cover this amount, lacking $10,000; which 

 leads us to believe that by not making any more improve- 

 ments than is necessary to run a successful four-day Fair 

 this year, September 17, 18, 19, 20, with favorable 

 weather, our receipts will be sufficient to put the Society 

 practically out of debt. This is what we intend to do, 

 while we need several new buildings and other improve- 

 ments. 



We wish to increase our membership, which is a very 

 desirable source of revenue, as every increase in member- 

 ship naturally means an increase of interest in the Society 

 and Fair and larger attendance. Life Membership is 

 only $3.00 for men, women, and boys and girls over 

 twelve years of age. To make it interesting to the differ- 

 ent organizations in the county, we are offering a com- 

 mission of $1.00 for each membership secured. We feel 

 that there is not an organization in any town that cannot 

 add a nice sum to its treasury. Therefore, we are asking 

 you to appoint a suitable committee of your organization 

 to secure memberships for the Essex Agricultural So- 

 ciety at $3.00 for life membership with no assessments, 

 which means $100 in your treasury for every one hun- 

 dred members you secure. It is not necessary that these 

 members live in your town or county; you can solicit 

 them wherever you can get them. On another page are 

 some of the good reasons why people should become mem- 

 bers. We are also sending you some blanks on which to 

 write the names and addresses of the new members, and 

 additional blanks will be sent on request. Please return 

 the lists to the Essex Agricultural Society at Topsfield, 

 with remittances. 



We hope you will take hold of this work earnestly and 

 secure results to our mutual satisfaction. Your kind 

 reply will oblige. 



Yours respectfully, 



Essex Agricultural Society. 

 I. H. Sawyer, President. 



