Agricultural societies.
The first society in the
United States was formed by planters of
South Carolina in 1784, and it is yet in existence.
The next year the “Philadelphia Society for promoting Agriculture” was formed, and in 1791 citizens of New York organized a similar society.
In 1792 the “Massachusetts Society for promoting Agriculture” was organized.
These were city institutions, and not composed of practical farmers.
They dealt with facts and theories.
The majority of husbandmen then did not hear nor heed their appeals for improvements.
But finally the more intelligent of that class of citizens became interested, and a convention of practical farmers in the District of Columbia, held in 1809, resulted in the formation of the “Columbian Agricultural Society for the Promotion of Rural and Domestic Economy.”
They offered premiums; and their fair, held in May, 1810, is believed to be the first exhibition of its kind in this country.
Elkanah Watson (q. v.) founded the “
Berkshire (Mass.) Agricultural Society” in 1810, and there was a grand “Agricultural fair and cattle show” at
Pittsfield in September, 1811.
It was the first of the county fairs held in this country.
From that time until now there has been, at first a gradual, and then a rapid, increase in such institutions; and now they exist in every State and Territory of the
Union.
