REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE UPON LOCATING THE GROUNDS FOR THE ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF THE ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. The Committee to whom was referred the following vote of the Society-"That the Trustees consider the expediency of holding the annual fairs permanently on the Society's farm in Topsfield, and report to the next meeting of the Society the reasons for or against such a measure"-would respectfully ⚫ report: They have endeavored to obtain all the information within their reach, with regard to the success of the permanent and itinerant modes of holding Agricultural Exhibitions, and have given the subject their most careful consideration. They consider that the very existence of the Essex Society depends upon the decision of its members on this question. And, on this account, while they have examined the matter in all its bearings, they have felt that they could not discharge their duty without arriving at some positive opinion; an opinion which they trust will meet the approbation of the Society. They find that the question has been largely discussed in various agricultural regions, for the purpose of ascertaining, if possible, the most advantageous method of conducting Exhibitions. Most of the Agricultural Societies of the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Continental Europe, have examined the subject, and have decided against a permanent location-some have abandoned the system after careful experiment. It is evident that the expense attending a permanent location, in the construction of buildings and the arrangement of grounds, must be large. It is known to be so large as to have impoverished some societies, and deeply involved others. The financial condition of the Essex Society is now, and has for a long time been good. Its funds enable it to be liberal in its premiums, without absolute dependence upon the fees of visitors or private benefaction. In this respect it differs very essentially from many neighboring societies, whose location is a source of conflict and rivalry, and whose debts are a constant annoyance. And it seems desirable that it should in no way lose the advantages it has so long enjoyed, for the sake of a doubtful experiment. The size and shape of our County, moreover, would render the selection of a permanent location, combining convenience and publicity, very difficult. We have five large centers of - population, with their surrounding farming interests, viz:— Lawrence, Haverhill, Newburyport, Salem and Lynn. It' would be impossible to select a location near one of these large⚫ places, without dissatisfying others, and without creating almost a necessity for an increase of societies in the county. Whereas, under our present plan, every part of our county is accommodated, and the spirit of every section is stimulated to make our fairs successful. The conveniences which we now enjoy are ample. There has been no difficulty in obtaining halls and rooms for our exhibitions-none in securing grounds for experiments in ploughing, draft, driving, &c.—and none in finding good accommodation for our addresses. In all these respects we have been very fortunate; and nowhere have we seen pens so well filled as our own, nowhere halls more crowded, nowhere any place for the address half so good as the village church, and nowhere audiences so large and attentive. It is important that our Society should prosper. It is important that all our farmers should be accommodated. It is important that the public interest of each portion of our county, in our exhibitions, should be kept alive. And so far from recommending the permanent location of our Fairs, your Committee would propose the following resolution :— Resolved-That the Trustees of the Essex Agricultural Society are hereby requested to consider the interests and wants of each and every section of the County in locating the annual Exhibitions of the Society; and that this policy lies at the foundation of the prosperity and success which have thus far attended its operations. Respectfully submitted. GEORGE B. LORING, DANIEL ADAMS, JOHN KEELY, COMMITTEE. [This Report was accepted and adopted by the Society, by a unanimous vote.] Oats, do........ Indian Corn, do... Rye, do......... Wheat, bushels of. Value of live stock. Swine.... Sheep.. Other Cattle..... Working Oxen... Milch Cows...... Horses.......... Abstract of U. S. Census Returns for the County of Essex, of Products of Agriculture, (principal crops only,) and the Live Stock employed therein. Cash value of farm. Amesbury Andover. 118 5426 742 129,530 105 311 152 196 171 205 26,595 74 394 7093 1242 9256 3155 79 3133 778 98 5724 742 Georgetown. 92 277 84 7 264 45,131 206 1156 197 11096 19 424 5173 3353 173 10887 2304 461,545 203 639 272 4509 701 564 Lawrence. Lynn Acres unimproved. Acres improved... No. of Farms..... Towns. 915 180,550 67 221 70 Nahant 2 62 90 27,000 8 10 8 Newbury Newburyport. 132 9450 1008 547,020 160 636 256 57 2749 500 238,400 3 134 14,592 00 00 8 1,723 00 398 74 161 47,707 111 70 289 54 35 1 94 19,725 80 541,400 138 283 192 107 101 169 42,127 818 100,000 28 63 57 3 48 8,685 111 365 128 17 450 12 146,300 22 152 18 12 3 274 14,830 00 100 820 186 96 4909 292 253,850 84 264 190 177 101 155 27,597 167 470 4904 916 Saugus..... South Danvers. Swampscott.. Topsfield ..... West Newbury.. ....... .. ..... 39 705 1864 114 5034 1473 713,300 165 453 98 22 697 201 171,660 44 61 10 83 6177 396 292,975 102 354 136 49 2922 65 170 62 484 172,400 135 6045 759 516,600 152 583 225 Total. 2699 134,945 1-4 43,075 1-2 10,106,624 3214 10,028 3578 4172 1843 5718 866,740 2059 13,211 161,795 38,982 |