92 



AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The Agricultural Society of Essex was founded in 1818, undei 

 the influence of an eminent friend to agricultural improvement and a 

 skilful practical farmer, Timothy Pickering. It embraces nearly all 

 the farmers in the county. Its funds invested amounted at the close 

 of the year 1836 to $0500. Besides the income received from 

 these, it receives $600 from the bounty of the state. These funds 

 are applied to the payment of premiums on matters and things con- 

 nected with agricultural improvement ; and to the publication of an 

 annual report of the awards and doings of the trustees. A list of 

 premiums offered, and the subjects on which they are proposed to 

 be paid, is annually published ; and a cattle show and exhibition is 

 annually held in some town of the county. 



The affairs of this society have been managed in the most skilful 

 and public-spirited manner ; and its influence has been marked and 

 eminently salutary on the agriculture of the county. The trustees 

 have published two volumes of Annual Reports of their Transac- 

 tions, which imbody a great deal of instructive aud valuable informa- 

 tion on subjects of agriculture and domestic economy. 



My conviction is, that the agricultural interests of the county would 

 be greatly promoted, if their annual show and ploughing match were 

 extended to two days instead of being crowded into one ; and if their 

 premiums were given in some permanent memorial of books, or plate 

 with suitable inscriptions, rather than in money ; and besides this, if 

 as far as practicable, they were publicly awarded and bestowed on 

 the second day of the festival. Tiiese opinions are strongly con- 

 firmed by my observations at the spirited exhibition of the Berkshire 

 Agricultural Society the last autumn ; and are respectfully suggested 

 to the consideration of the trustees of a society, which stands in the 

 first rank of the agricultural institutions of the country. 



