Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-06-20
AGRICULTURAL CIRCULAR
OF the Rock ISLAND County Agri-
cultural Association.


or the Rock ISLAND County Agri-
cultural Association.
CITIZENS OF Rock ISLAND COUNTY The
Importance OF q good Agricultural Far 10
this county can scarcely be over estimated.
Its desirablenes IS very generally recog-
nized, aud it is the aim OF the present man
ayers to meet the wishes of our citizens IN
this respect, ia the best manner which cir
cumstances will permit, and not only en-
dsRvor to make il successful now, but put I
upon such a basis that it shall hereAfter an
nually increase in relative interest and IN
huenoe. To do this successfully, the society
needs the encouragement and support OF the
public generally for success IN sn enter
prise OF this kind depends largely upon g
favorable public opinion and the united ef-
forts of Gil citizens in Its behalf. Then
presenoe at the Fair ia a necessity, and 0
lively oompeti,ion among producers and ex
hibitors ia the surest method of bringing out
= large ~assemblsge, as well as the highest
;pduoemsnt to an exhibition of ths various
objects of art and industry which give life
and animation to an Agricultural Fair.
From causes which are probably well un-
derstood and not necessary here 10 indicate,
the Agricultural Fairs of this county have
not hitherto been as successful as they
should have been, or the wants of this com
munIty Justly require. Without discussing
the reasons for these partial failures, or
comparing the relative merits Of different
systems, we would simply remark that the
present organization is based upon the plan
Of
LIFE MEMBERSHIP.
The Society is duly incorporated under
the laws of the State, consisting at it's or
gsnization of htty-three members, and pro-
viding for further increase in manner as fol.
lows
"(Coust) Art. ;. The regular annual meet
ing of this Society shall be held on the frat
Saturday OF November Of each year." &c.i
Art. 9. "Any person may become q mem
Der of this Society by a two.thirds vote OF
members present at any annual meeting, on
paying ten dollars and receiving a certificate
of life membership 40.
Ia this manner arbitrary exclusiveness is
avoided, and as the Society grows in public
confidence, and its stability becomes Eppar-
ent, the way is open to reputable citizens TO
acquire the privilege Of membership.
Public attention is especially called to the
fact that the
OFFICERS
for the current year have been selected for
the mos, part from ~ciEizsns resident in the
county, and not from the city. The Presi
dent, al the Directors, and a majority of the
Department superintendent ell reside cut,
side Of the city Of Rock Island, While the
selection was not made arbitrarily, nor
strictly upon a geographic basis, il was de-
ut-paA sp he vtnAa -, aV,h urnyrnw - ,-,r1l
ensure q reasonably fair representation from
each part OF the county, and rotation 10 Office
will in q very few years bring forward the
principal agrioulturists Of each township.
BY this arrangement the county possesses.
as it has never had in the same degree be
fore, q pre- 2onderstinR voice 10 the manage.
ment and direction of the county Fair, and
the Society earnestly hope that this implied
confidence in the good viii of the people,
and the power thus placed in their hands,
will have sn encouraging and highly benef
oial effect, and will produce a corresponding
effort on the part OF the citizens in the coun.
try TO make the Fair & genuine success, and
one worthy Of the public spirit and enter
prise OF the managers and directors.
THE PREMIUM LIST AND REGULATIONS
tor the year 1871 Gre now before the public.
The proper sun to be offered in each case,
and tor what objects premiums should be
given, are subjects upon which some diver,
sity OF opinion prevails, and sBy arrange
ment which would be entirely satisfactory to
all parties interested Id difhcult of attain
meuI. In q lumber of instances larger pre-
miums would have been offered had the
Society possessed ampler means. Its funds
however are limited, and its probable re-
sources for the coming year are not sufficient
20 warrant an offer of large premiums for
any objects whatever. The best that could
be done WAS to discriminate al judiciouHly
as circumstances permitted. All the usual
industrial pursuits and mechanical branches
common among US were intended to be
noticed TO q less or greater extent, and il
any branches of industry or offsets worthy
OF attention and possessing peculiar merit
have failed to receive proper recognition, no
doubi q lsryer experience and wide obser-
walton will in a year or two remedy al such
deficiencies. The Society is animated by q
sincere desire 10 meet the wishes and wants
of It's patrons in a fair and satisfactory man.
ner, aud 20 discriminate in the distribution
of premiums and awards IN accordance with
sound practical judgment and good com.
mon sense. Suggestions in reference to any
department, emenating from a reputable
and enlightened source, will have due weight
In the formation Of future lists.
Let our C tizens literally patronize their
County Fair, and the Society pledges itself
in return to distribute its patronage with a
liberal hand, and as fairly and impGrtially az
possible.
The amount Of premiums have been pur-
posely increased over former lists on
CATTLE
in ex Expectation that 1t would bring out O
larger variety and number, if not q higher
grade and quality. 1t has been heretofore
alleged, and not without SOM good grounds
for the assertion, that this department, ons
in which farmers have q larger personal in
terest than any other class of citizens, has
not in times past received in this county that
appreciation and encouragement it deserved.
Admitting the full force of the complaint,
and that the Society has failed to attract as
largo an exhibition of good stock as might
be done, It should be remembered on the
other hAnd that ali societies seeking public
patronage are very liAely to offer the great
est Inducements in the direction of the great
est apparent interest that a marked prefer
ence IN one direction, and a lack of display
or pAuoity Of numbers in another, will inev.
itAbly subordinate in q short time the less
interesting department to the one which
seems to be more highly appreciated and ia
more remuusrative. Competition in cattle,
sheep and SUiHe is almost exclusively con
fined 20 turner's, and it is most sssuredly
for their interest TO bring these departments
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