144 



amount paid for premiums, for library, and on account of Fairs 

 held and matters incidental thereto, have been 15586.83. The 

 amount now on hand and invested is 11000. 



This in brief is a history of the Society ; but much might 

 be written as evidence of its organization and work, even 

 making all due allowance for the more general intelligence 

 that has been spread over the land by and through the influ- 

 ence of the printed page, and the County Society, with its 

 yearly display of farm and garden produce, and the improved 

 herds of cattle and horses. ■ 



Hon. Hayden Brown has sent me the following history of 

 the West Newbury Farmers' Club : 



This club was organized Dec. 6th, 1856. It commenced 

 with barely a dozen members, and held its meetings in private 

 houses for several years. These meetings were always con- 

 ducted in a dignified manner, always interesting, and aiforded 

 those living widely apart an opportunity of cultivating more 

 fdendly relations with one another. 



In 1862, the Club held its first exhibition. Dr. Geo. B. 

 Loring delivered the address. Its membership at this time 

 had reached rising 60, mostly good solid farmers. 



This first •' Fair," as it was called, was conducted on the 

 free ticket plan, nothing being charged for admission to the 

 show or the table. It held two more " Fairs " on the same 

 plan (3 in all). These taught a more needful lesson. The 

 result is more business like methods. 



At present the Club numbers something over a hundred 

 members. Its management for the last ten years is as fol- 

 lows : 



A programme is made up a whole season ahead for about 

 16 meetings. Four of these usually are conversational ; that 

 is, no subject is given out, any one talking on a subject to suit 

 himself ; these are often the most interesting meetings of the 

 season. At all other meetings, subjects are given out (not in 

 the form of questions), and two members assigned, who speak 

 as long as they please. The main object is to bring out facts 

 and practical ideas. 



