the constitution adopted on
that occasion, its object is declared to be " the improvement of agri-
cultural productions, useful domestic animals, domestic manufac-
tures and the mechanic arts, so far as they concern the interest of
agriculture." The payment of one dollar is made the condition of
annual membership, and the payment of fifteen dollars, the condi-
tion of life membership. The officers of the society, are to be
a president, two vice presidents, secretary and treasurer. A board
of managers is constituted, consisting of the above officers, and one
member from each town, where ten members reside ; who are author-
i"'?v; '■' 13 bave & gSEemi superyisioi^ of the ufcira of tb.-? soi^.iety,
114 HISTORY 03? ADDISON COUNTY.
fix upon such productions, experiments, discoveries or attainmcnta
in agriculture and horticulture, and upon such articles of manufac-
ture, as shallcomo in competition for premiums at the agricultural
fairs, also upon the number and amount of premiums, and the time
and place of holding fairs." The officers are to be chosen at an
annual meeting, to be held at Middlebury, on the first Wednesday
of January, -which was afterwards altered to the fourth Wednesday
of that month. The first meeting Avas held on tlie same day the
society was organized, and lion. Silas H. Jenison was elected presi-
dent, and Harvey Bell, Esq., secretary.
The first fair was held at the court house and adjoining grounds
in IMiddlebury, October 1st 1844, and an address was delivered by
Hon. Silas H. Jenison, which was printed, and from which we have
already largely quoted. The fairs in 1845 and 1847, were held at
Vergennes ; at the former of which an eloquent