Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-05-26
For the Advertiser.
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE EDGEFIElD Dls-
TRICT AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY,

GINrtRuES-You will perceive by the last issue o'
tho Adperiiser that the Executive Committee has Of
farel list of premiums to competitors at our nox
annual ir. The list Of premiums Is as liberal as the
Committee could eonSOlsutiously offer, and far more
so than the funds of the Society would justify
but not half as liberal as the Society Offer If its
members will only do thelr duty. Our society is now
in The third year Of Its existence. It's list Of mem
borsis composed Of about 90 names; among which
aro enrolled the names Of somo Of the most intelligent
wealthy and respectable Of our citizens; embracing
iome Of all trades and professions. This Is as it
should boz for upon the success Of agricultural pur-
suits is based the prosperity Of all others. Having
formed ourselves into society for the advancement
@ tho cause Of agriculture the promotion Of aueco's
in oil nlRsFi4 ppEapits, and for 0pr mutunl benefit,
suffer me to stir up your minda, awaken your zeal
and enlist your corporation, by the recital Of few
simple faetsi
PIrst=eFor the advancement Of the great snd good
cause which W. have esPoussd there isno agent more
effective, than WELL ordered energetic agricultural ro
cieties.
Socondly-Both experience and ob,erration teach
that annual fairs and public exhibitions Of our sue
cess In a the various branches Of industry arc the
only means Of exciting and sustaining that interest in
agricultural societies which insures their pcrmanency
and success.
Thirdly-Fsrs cannot bc sustained unless premi-
ums of sufficient value aro offered to induce exhibitors
to patronize them.
Fuurthly-Such premiums for society such as ours,
composed Of high-minded, intelligent, wealthy and
respectable citizens of all professions cannot he hon
eaiy obtained without money.
Now, gentlemen, the last proposition brings us to
the point. How is this money to be raised? The
Executive Cummittoo cannot afford to furnish the
prepiulas out Of iksn poststs, and you know that
the constitution of our aocety requires Of each men,
ber tho payment (annuaHy) Of only one dollar. Have
you all paid up this doar3 if 20, then We have
about 500 In the treasury; If not there is nothing in
our vaults uncss it be qundry bills of expenses Our
expenses are nothing of consequence, as We have no
officers to pay tho printing Of premium lists being
the greatest item. Will you rest satisfied with the
mcagre amount Of ninety dollars to be offered in pre-
miums. Iappeal to your disrictpride, your patriot
ism, your iberality aud your sense Of honor. There
are but two ways in my opinion, which beg leave to
submit to your choice, by which we can raise sufi
cient amount to offer list Of premiums which will DO
eredable to our district The amount may DO raised
by subscription or rather by cash donations to tho
society.
The amount should be ra.sed by increasing the
membership Our district la one of the largest in the
State We have o voting population Of 5000 men,
who are, or should be, following some branch Of in
dustry, depending upon tho success Of agriculture.
Our farms are as large as fertile and as we'll cultva
ted those of any other district And yet our Dis
tret Agricultural Society numbers only 90 members.
q 9h, shame! where's thy blush?'
Lot US then increase the membership. Let every |
Iaeahsr follow tho p0bo example of Mr.. ]. A. H.,
who has promised to add Is new members to the SO.
,iey or its equivalent at tho next fair This is the
best way to raise the money and the best way to give
interest 10 the great cause which the Society 10 labor
pg to advance. Why should VIC not have 500 or even
1000 members in our Society.
Iappeal to you as gentlemen, to give this subject
hat attention which it deserres.
Your obedient servant,
THE SECRETARY.