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grounds, must be large. It is known to be so large as to have 

 impoverished some societies, and deeply involved others. The 

 financial condition of the Essex Society is now, and has for a 

 long time been good. Its funds enable it to be liberal in its 

 premiums, without absolute dependence upon the fees of 

 visitors or private benefaction. In this respect it differs very 

 essentially from many neighboring societies, whose location is 

 a source of conflict and rivalry, and whose debts are a con- 

 stant annoyance. And it seems desirable that it should in no 

 way lose the advantages it has so long enjoyed, for the sake of 

 a doubtful experiment. 



The size and shape of our County, moreover, would render 

 the selection of a permanent location, combining convenience 

 and publicity, very difficult. We have five large centers of 

 population, with their surrounding farming interests, viz : — 

 Lawrence, Haverhill, Newburyport, Salem and Lynn. It 

 would be impossible to select a location near one of these large 

 places, without dissatisfying others, and without creating 

 almost a necessity for an increase of societies in the county. 

 "Whereas, under our present plan, every part of our county is 

 accommodated, and the spirit of every section is stimulated to 

 make our fairs successful. 



The conveniences which we now enjoy are ample. There 

 has been no difficulty in obtaining halls and rooms for our ex- 

 hibitions — none in securing grounds for experiments in plough- 

 ing, draft, driving, &c. — and none in finding good accommo- 

 dation for our addresses. In all these respects we have been 

 very fortunate ; and nowhere have we seen pens so well filled 

 as our own, nowhere halls more crowded, nowhere any place 

 for the address half so good as the village church, and nowhere 

 audiences so large and attentive. 



It is important that our Society should prosper. It is im- 

 portant that all our farmers should be accommodated. It is 

 important that the public interest of each portion of our 

 countv, in our exhibitions, should be kept alive. And so far 



