Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-07-29

In your paper Of the 22i last, appears what
purports to be official notice of the trustees of
the Hancock Agricultural Society, Offering GER
tain additional premiums to be paid from the funds
of that Sc ciety; and amor which we noticed the
large sum of two hundred dollars to be awarded on
Engine playing
1t is generally understood that the object and
design of Agricultural Societies is to encoura 20 nd
promote the interests of that branch of industry;
aud for this purpose they receive the benefcence
and fostering Of the State, end must confess
was not little surprised to learn by the notice
alluded to that the trustees of our own society had
decided to appropriate so large an amount of its
funds for purposes entirely foreign from the OBJ
jeet for which it was created.
AZ ole OF the plain farmers of Hancock County,
| am wholly unable to see what possible connec-
ton can exist between the distance that stream
% water may be thrown-,lepentlant upon the
amount of muscular force applied or the cons.ruc-
ton Of certain tubs, or nozzles used-ana the ag-
ricultural interest of this county. If the machines
which are to be permitted to compete for the pre-
mums offered were manufactured within the coup
ty. and presented specimens of mechanism.
there might be Propriety in offering reason
able portion OF the funds of the society, for the
purpose of encouraging improvements in this de-
partment @! manufacturing, but on the contrary
the competition is not even confined to machines
owred within the county. but "all the Engines in
the state arc permitted to enter, and gentlemen
residing in another county placed on the award
ing committee.
Now we desire to submit in all candor to the
farmers composing the Hancock Agricultural So
ciety. whether they satisfied that an amount
CT their funds. if not exceeding the whole amount
of premiums oa.red on all the agricultural, and
mechanical productions of the county together,
should be thus mis-arpropriated for purposes not
having the most remote connection with either the
agricultural mechanical interests Of the county.
The highest premium offered for your best blood
stock is FIVE dollars, and for some of yonr most
useful and practical mechanical products, cheap
picture, called diploma is gravely offered, while
the sum IF sixty dollars is offered for the longest,
or TALES. stream of water that can be sduirsed
through given number of feet of hose, with a
! "pipe and nozzle" selected by each company COM
peting for the amount, 0fwhat vast Importance
it must be to the agricutural interest of this coun
ty, whether the Engines of Portland, Bangor,
Ellsworth or any other place in the State, wins in
this scrub race.
! What new interest will be awakend, let me ask,
by the result of this competition; none whatever
but on the contrary, We believe such exhibitions
he'd in connection with agricultural fairs tend
very much to detract from that healthy interest
which such gatherings are calculated to inspire
and strengthen.
Whether this arrangement is got up for the pur-
pese of pleasing gaping crowd, or whether for
the special benefit Of the localities where such ex-
hbtiens are made, or to pander that morbid ex-
citement which seems always to possess those con-
nectsd with fire engines, to the runners ovid
de machne-we know not; in either case let those
that dance pay the fiddler. As humble member
of the Hancock Agricultural society we desire to
enter oar earnest protest against that seciety be-
ing made responsible for, endorsing any such
arrangement. Is it for purposes of this kind that
the State appropriates its funds or the farmers
of this county contribute to the support of the So
ciety' We think not; and we believe we are not
alone in this opinion.
We were among those who las. fall looked with
pride and satisfaction the agricultural products
and neh!e specimens Of stock, presented by the
farmers of this county at the first fair held by
the society; and we turned from that exhibition
convinced that Hancock County had hitherto been
undera'e'i as an agricultural county, and that by
well directed Development of its natural resour-
ces, it would soon be second to but few counties
/ i'll the State.
/ Let the agricultural society do its legitimate
work by creating healthy and growing interes.
IN matters connected with the improvement of
stock, and increase of crops, inspiring with new
zeal and energy, those engaged in the noble avo-
oeation OF farming, and our anticipatiops may be
fully realized FARMER.
| July 90, 1859