Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-11-19
Fer OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Aforementioned

For C0nsideration.-The Agricultural
Society of this county has grown to be one
of the institutions of the county. Under,
we may say, but limited encouragement this
corporation has assumed substantial, and we
sincerely hope permanent proportions The
buildings have been constructed with view
to meet the wants and necessities attendant
upon the exhibition of articles, agricultural
products, machinery, &C., pending the fairs
The location is most admirably adapted for
the purposes designed, whilst nature has add
ed much to the rustic beauty of the grounds.
That these fairs have been failure to
some extent for the past several years, is a
fact that we regret to be compelled to admit
That these failures have resulted from the
inclemency of the weather, we are not alto
gether willing to believe. There is evident
ly great lack of interest arising from some
cause which is beyond our comprehension.
Many say that it arises in part from the fact
that the most exciting feature is too much
overlooked, that is, that the ring should be
enlarged and larger prizes offered for the
competition of fast horses that with the ring
enlarged and more liberal prizes to the win
ners of races an additional interest would
spring up, which would tend to call together
number of persons who otherwise would
not attend. Others contend that the price
of admission is too high, that there are many
who are unable to pay so cents and not being
able to attend each day of the fair stay away
altogether; that "the make up" of the sever
al committees is confined to few and not
general enough; that the committees should
be from among those in the county who are
interested in agriculture, and that in the dis
tribution of the premiums and patronage
there is too much partiality shown
Now il these causes do exist and are
Obstructive of the prosperity of the Society,
it appears to us that they can .be obviated
The ring can be enlarged at a small expense,
the prizes for fast horses can be increased
upon the anticipated enlarged attendance;
in forming the committees, it is a very easy
matter TO have the same more general, allow
ing no one to serve upon more than one
committee, this of itself would have the eff
feet to hush the cry of Partially in the
award of the premiums. A reduction of the
price from fifty to twenty-five cents would
open the gates to all who may have the least
desire to attend, bring much larger num-
Der of persons to the fair and in all proba-
bility each day of its continuance
We have merely thrown out these sugges-
tons for the consideration of those whose
province it is to look into matters touching
the success and growth of the Agricultural
Society. We were not among those who
stood at the cradle of this institution, but for a
number of years we have watched with anx
ious solicitude its happy effect and influence
in stimulating and encouraging the cause of
agriculture, and we witness with feelings of
profound regret any impeachment that would
stay its further development and progress.
Elsewhere will be found notice from the
Board of Managers earnestly requesting
! full attendance of the members of the Society
on Saturday, the 27th BY reference to the
notice it will be seen matters of grave i'm
portance will come before them for consid :
Grafton, and it is to be hoped there will be
a large attendance.