The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-02-05

S~S~t~@ON''
The question has been asked, ain what
manner do you expect to be benefited.
and what do you expect to learn by means
Of an Agricultural Society 2" and with your
indulgence, l propose, briefly, to present
some OF the reasons that have occurred
to me why Agricultural Societies generally,
when properly conducted, should be bene-
fetal to the interests of those engaged in
them.
Why, in addition to general reasons.
such institutions should prove adyanta.
geous, at this particular juncture, in our
history and, especially, why an Agricultru-
raj Society in Anne Arundel county, at
this time, should particularly be followed
by beneficial results.
For the same general reasons that asso-
citation, discussion, competition and a gen.
erous rivalary have been found the
most efficient means of advancement in al
most all the arts and sciences the same
means properly applied, will prove bene-
fetal in the agricultural arts and sciences.
The history and experience of the past
abundantly demonstrates, that the princi-
pies and facts, q knowledge of which is
essential to the successful prosecution of
useful arts, and tend to their more rapid
advancement and perfection, have been
more disseminated and more practically
and usetully taught, by such means than
by all others combined; indeed, the rapid
and wonderful steps towards perfection
that have been made in very many of the
useful arts within the present generation
is, in my opinion, largely owing to the
powerful impetus that association, and the
rivalry that it engenders, has inspired.
In our State, and in a sister County
an Agricultural Society has had an exhi.
bition this very season, which was eminent.
ly successful in all respects, attracting to
its grounds thousands of the citizens, moi
only OF that county but from the city OF
Baltimore, the remoter parts of the State
and also from, at least, two other States
That it has had the effect to give new
impulse, in all the surrounding county, to
all the various branches of Agricultural
pursuit, is beyond question.
If Frederick county has had such Fail
and such success, Anne Arundel car
also have the same. Her position is centra
in the State and accessible, by land or water
from all directions. Her principal city
is the States Capital Her productions
are the same generally, but greater in the va
riety and quantity, or many of them, thar
any part of the State. Her climate is un
surpassed, and we believe confidently thai
the intelligence, energy and enterprise O.
her citizens are equal to the occasion.
The advantages that have resulted to tn,
mechanic arts and sciences, by association
competition and rivalry, have also beer
realized in the Agricultural and Horticul
tural pursuits, wherever such means hay,
been resorted to with that energy and zeal
that the interest and importance of the sub
ject demand. When Agriculture is con
Quoted in the most scientific, systematic ano
successful manner, then do Societies for it.
promotion most abound.
Go to those States, where the cultivation
of the soil is most proftably pursued, where
few acres are made to pay as much OF
better than large farm in many other sec.
tions, and you will find not only State but
county and district associations for the fur
therancc of their interest. Agriculturists
there attach an Importance to such means
unequalled in any other sections ofthe land
and their continued prosperity and success
prove, conclusively, that they have moi
oyerestimated their Importance. They arr
in advance of all Others in all that pertains
to the art or the science, and next to theil
natural energy and enterprise they owe it t.
advantages Of competition and association
We are an agricultural people. TIL,
vast extent of our public domain, more thar
can, perhaps, be settled for century t.
come !; the mildness of our climate, its salu
brity, the natural fertility of the soil, ant
variety of its productions and the unequal
led faculties, Tor access and transportation
of Oceans, Bays, Cults, and Rivers, and tn
gigantic works of Internal Improvement
traversing almost the entire Continent
make US prominently tho great agriculture