145 



twenty-six extended reports of committees, containing origi- 

 nal ideas and suggestions, each filling from one to ten pages 

 of printed matter. 



These addresses, essays and reports, contain the best 

 thoughts, the broadest experiences, and wisest suggestions of 

 the most prominent farmers and professional men of Essex 

 county, in the last sixty-five years, and make up, principally, 

 the agricultural literature of the county. 



The Essex Agricultural Society, unHke all others in the 

 state, owns no grounds, including a trotting track and show 

 buildings ; it has no local abiding place. But instead, owns a 

 tent, some portable cattle pens, 1200 exhibition fruit dishes, 

 an experimental farm of 150 acres, which brings an income of 

 from {JiSOO to $500 per annum, besides conducting such experi- 

 ments as are required by the committee having that matter in 

 charge. A library of 800 volumes of valuable books for ref- 

 erence and study, and funds invested in bank stock, the 

 market value of which is $16,690.00. 



This society needs no trotting track, for it never paid a 

 dollar for speed since its organization ; or for any other at^ 

 traction, nor allows any on its grounds, except of a purely 

 agricultural or horticultural character, which must be grown or 

 owned within the county. Domestic manufactures, and works 

 of art from citizens of the county, receive the encouragement 

 of the society. All stock competing for a premium must be 

 owned in the county, at least four months previous. Agricul- 

 tural implements, from any source, are admitted for competi- 

 tion ; no entrance fees required from any competitor for prem- 

 iums. The whole of the exhibitions are open, free to the 

 public, except for admission to the exhibition hall, where 

 twenty cents is charged. An average sum of i3000 has been 

 offered in premiums, annually for the last ten years, and since 

 its organization, the society has, as near as can be ascertained, 

 awarded in premiums and gratuities an aggregate of $44,271.54. 



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