Page 8
History of Orange County
Agriculture Society
Page 8
The County of Orange, gentlemen, of which we are citizens, (and of course demands our particular attention) is almost exclusively agricultural and perhaps no County in the State possesses greater natural advantages, in the diversity and excellency of its soil. This affords the farmer a fine opportunity for experiment and improvement. And although our farmers in general appear industrious, and well disposed to improve their farms; yet it is a fact that we are far behind some of our neighboring counties in improvements. This fact did not pass unnoticed by many of our to intelligent farmers; and on considering the difference, they judged that some aid was necessary to he pointed out, showing in some instances defects, and in many others improvements that might be made in the management of so diversified a soil. And as the most likely means to afford the necessary information wanted, they were induced to propose the establishment of an Agricultural Society in the County, to whom all experiments made might be communicated, and by the Society generally diffused. This plan, when communicated to the citizens at large, met with their general approbation. And in the course of last summer a general meeting was notified, a Society organized, a Constitution adopted; and agreeable to the provisions thereof, committees appointed, to give and receive information on the different branches of Agriculture, domestic animals, and domestic manufactories. And at a subsequent meeting of what is styled in the said constitution the Executive Committee, the judged it advisable to hold what is commonly called a Cattle Show or Fair, in the town of Goshen, the present autumn and to distribute such premiums as their scanty funds would allow, as an earnest of their intentions to advance and encourage time agricultural interest of the County, and afford the citizens an opportunity of meeting together and becoming more generally acquainted with the benefits contemplated by the establishment of the Society and also afford them an opportunity of becoming members thereof, and by the aid of their subscriptions enable the Society to extend and enlarge their premiums; and by that means render the next anniversary show or fair of more importance to the general interest of the county.
Thus, gentlemen, in compliance with the request of the committee, I have delivered you a short and concise (and I may very properly add, imperfect) address; and I have endeavored to impress upon your minds the importance of Agriculture, and the great benefits of Domestic Manufactures; and also to explain to you, in as short and plain manner as possible, the principles and objects upon which the present Agricultural Society of this County is founded. And I cannot but flatter myself, it will meet with your general approbation, and that you will feel yourselves heartily disposed to give it every aid in your power, that its real beneficial objects may not be defeated.
CONSTITUTION.
The style or title of this body shall be, the "Agricultural Society of Orange County.”
2nd. The attention of the society shall be exclusively directed to such objects as in their judgment shall have a tendency to promote the prosperity of Agriculture, the breed of cattle and domestic animals, and the encouragement of household manufactures.
3rd. The Society shall have a President, two Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, a Corresponding and a Recording Secretary; all of whom shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the Society, which shall take place on each first Wednesday in October, and to continue in office one year and until others be chosen in their stead; and in case any vacancy should occur, a new election may be made by the senior existing officer convening the Society by notice to be published in the Goshen and Newburgh paper or papers, at least fourteen days previous to said meeting. The officers this day to be elected to serve until the said first Wednesday in October.
4th. The Society shall hold its first meeting in Goshen on the aforesaid first Wednesday in October next, and at said meeting, and every alter annual meeting, the Society shall determine where the next meeting shall be held.
5th. There shall be a Cattle Show and Fair held at such time and place as the annual meeting shall assemble at.
6th. There shall be standing Committees of Agriculture, Manufactures, and Domestic Animals, chosen in like manner and for the same term as are the officers of the Society; each Committee to consist of three, and should any vacancy take place before a general meeting, such vacancy to be filled by the Executive Committee to the hereafter named. The chairman of each committee to be the person who had the greatest number of votes or ballots.