Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1869-06-05
NOW TO MAKE COUNTY SOCIETIES
MORE EFFECTIVE.


plished by our county and other To-
cal agricultural societies, no one, at
this time will question. Not only
have they done very much to encour-
age the introduction and dissemina-
ton of fine stock, but they have
helped to secure to the farmer place
in society that he would not have
gained without them. 1t is. to be
regretted, however, that the energies
of most of our societies are concen-
irated on the annual fairs and it is
often the case that there are no meet
ings of the society for the entire
year, except such as are held in rcla-
ton to the fair.
Now the county fair is a good
thing in more ways than one. It's
the farmers gala week At the
awarding Of prizes, he may receive
substantial tokens of his success in
every department of agriculture
During the fair, if at no other time,
the farmer is looked upon with respetc
if not with envy, by persons engaged
in other pursuits.
But there are other ways by which
the members of an agricultural soci-
ETY. may derive information and So
cial advantages, outside from the hol-
ding of fairs. Every local society
should sustain lecture course, du-
ring portion of the year at least,
as is now done by literary and scien-
tifc societies. These lectures may
be made self-sustaining, if not to
pay profit, for there are, in every
considerable town, many persons who
would patronze such lectures, if they
were given by persons Of intelligence
and culture.
County societies should also hold
meetings for the discussion of the
general subjects that pertain to agri-
culture, but especially on those that
have local Importance. No one
can give so desirable information in
relation to the adaptation of soil for
any particular crop, as can the old
settlers Of a neighborhood. There
are so many things in which the far
mers of particular section have q
common interest, that the band of
of union between them should be
closer. Not only would there be
greater success in the raising of or
binary crops, on account of the prac-
teal information gained at these
meetings, but the social condition of
farmers would be greatly improved.
Again County Societies might be-
come very much more useful, if they
had suitable, permanent rooms, not
only for their meetings, but where
could be deposited samples of farm
products, models of farm machinery
books and files of papers. If Socie-
ties were provided with rooms acces-
sible to the members, or to the entire
community, nurserymen, seedsmen
and implement dealers would send
thither circulars, catalogues, and
specimens of their wares. So too
persons who wished to distribute new
seeds or plants for trial, would fine
such channel the most suitable ont
for reaching the public.
e arc aware bHdJ INC TcniluS dui
fitting up of rooms suitable for ;
library and for lectures is matto
of considerable expenso-too great
perhaps, to be met by most Societies
with all their needs for money. Blu
We think that in many counties al
arrangement might be made with tn
Board of Supervisors, to set apart
suitable room i'll the Court -house, 70
the use of the County Agriculture
Society and other industrial socictie.
For public lectures the court ROOF
proper would answer; but for tn
other purposes We have mentioned,
room should be appropriated that
used for nothing else
In many counties new Courthouse
are in process of erection; and i
others such enterprise will commonc
within n few years at most, and in a
such cases the farmers should Ell
dcayor to secure room or suite {
rooms for the benefit of those int
cstcd in agriculture. These will |
pleasant and profitable places of r.
sort for farmers while attcndin
court, or when business calls them
the county seat, MS well as places (,
the meetings of the society Pr
rio Farmer.