Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-04-22
The Agricultural society.

To the Farmers of augusta Co In the
month of November last, meeting of farmers
and other persons friendly to the cause, was held
in the Court House, for the purpose Of adopting
the initiatory measures for the organization OF 8
County Agricultural Society.
AT this meeting committee was appointed
to prepare q constitution for such society, ana
some thirty or more persons indicated their IN
tention of becoming members. a
AT subsequent meeting, constitution was
reported and unanimously adopted, after when
the officers of the society were duly elected
With view of making known, as generally as
possible, over tile county, the objects OF the So
ciety, the Executive Committee, in addition to
the publication of the constitution in the papers
of the town, had considerable number printed
for circulation; hoping thereby to secure large
number of members This expectation, how
ever, has not been realized. The whole number
of members reported to the Secretary is but a
few over one hundred names.
This number, as they are nearly all ''life mem
bers," would give to the society capital of one
thousand dollars, and an annual income of sarty
dollars;, sum totally inadequate to the accom-
plishment of any useful purpose. ~
The object of this address is simply to say to
the farmers of the county, that the question OF
an Agricultural Society rests with them. They
can have one worthy of the county and the
cause,-one that will really and substantially pro-
mote their welfare and prosperity; they have
the numbers, the wealth, the intelligence, and if
they have the Di1 it can be done.
But to establish such an association on per-
manent basis will require union and concert
the earnest and hearty cooperation Of the great
body of the farmers of the county. The officers
of the society without members, without means
and without the assistance of those who are to
be in the greatest degree benefited by their la
bors can effect nothing. You have now but the
skeleton of society. If you wish to accomplish
any thing it is incumbent upon you to furnish it
with muscles, nerves, blood, and above all to
animate it with life and energy that will know
neither doubt nor dependency.
This is the third society of this kind that has
been organized in this county within q compar-
atively recent period The two former ones
Just lived to reach the critical period now attain
ed by the present one, when they died. Wheth-
or this one is to share the fate of its predeces-
sors remain yet to be SEEN It's existence and
prosperity depend upon your will, farmers OF
Augusta. You now have it in your power to
establish upon d firm basis society that will a.
IKE renecC nOpOr upon tne county anu III on
eminent degree rebound to the material and in
tellectual advancement Of the community.
The advantages resulting from a properly con-
Quoted society to the interests ofagricuture are
acknowledged by all intelligent and rejecting
minds, we, therefore, deem it a work of super
erogation to dwell upon them here "We speak
to wise men, judge ye."
By order of the Executive Committee of Au
gusta County Agricultural Society,
j. MARSHALL MoCUE, Pres.