Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-11-22
gotal aud Personal.


Agricultural SOcieties-From the
success that the Agricultural societies in the
counties OF the State glory in and the reverse
condition of the State society, the Aegis, pub
lished at Belair, suggests that county fairs Of
the State suspend exhibitions every fifth year
in the counties to be given al the grounds and
under the auspices of the State society, that the
society may be enhanced in interest and given
the standing which it should have but now
lacks; that the effect of this combination will
be to expand the interest in the manufacture
of articles and raising of stock commonly ex-
hibited at fairs. In our Judgment there is a
difficulty arises at once-as to who will pay
the amount of premiums?
This is question which all county socie-
ties would at first consider. The county So
cieties would not obligaie themselves to aid in
the payment without some chances of re-
turn. By an unsuccessful exhibition they
might sustain double loss--one by the sus-
pension at home, the other by the obligation.
If The exhibition were TO be successful and the
proceeds divided among the associations that
each might award her own county, the State
society would be benefited very little, unless
extraordinary success attended the effort. If
the State society will agree to assume all re-
sponsibility the suggestion may result in
reality. Though we do not believe there can
ever be made entire union of the whole
State by whatever encouraging inducements
bat no off Era pk
believe, will refuse to be concordant from her
yearly increasing prosperity. This single re-
fusa to concur should not be an obstruction
to the consummation of the idea.
With this financial barrier surmounted
which the Aegis has omitted 10 its following
forcible reasoning favorable 10 the movement
there is no reason why the union of the soci-
ties OF the State--wth one or more excep-
tion-should not be made, as it is much TO be
desired, aud articles discussing the subject are
invited for publication
'Now for our suggestion of a remedy that
will add to the interest of both county and
State fairs in the future. 1t is this: Let the
State Society suspend its exhibitions, except
let every county society intermit its exhibit
ton and join in the State exhibition. By SO
doing the State fair is assured of success, be-
cause il is not in rivalry with the local county
fairs; and the county exhibitors, for the
credit of their home exhibits, will take more
interest because of being brought every fifth
year into competition with neighboring coun-
tics. The four preceding years will be more
largely used to perfect their exhibits at their
home fairs, as preliminary to the 9th.
The plan also of the State exhibition could
be altered with benefit in our Judgment
Let the buildings and grounds ut Pimlico be
adapted for the exhibition every fifth year,
somewhat upon the plan of the late Centen-
NAL exposition, on smaller scale. For in
stance, let space be allotted TO each county,
upon its applica ton, in a main building.
Also, to the city of Baltimore, for her artisans
and mechanics. Those Of the county socie-
ties which see proper to do so, might even
have county buildings, where their peculiar
products of husbandry, mining or other in
terests could he displayed, as the States were
represented by their buildings, upon more
extended scale, Of course, at the Centennial.
This style of exhibition is the modern one,
and there is no reason why it should not be
adopted, upon limited scale, in pursuance
of the general plan we have indicated above
1t would add pleasing feature of novelty Of
arrangement to exhibitors from the coun}ie:
aud the city. Being held at intervals of five
years it would attract largely upon each re-
curreuce.n