269 



timatinpf the merlals at 84 50. The ?9 medals yet to 



be purchased at $4 50 each, will amount to 175 50 



Making the amount now due for premiunos, 82,672 50 



As I have not the Treasurer's report, I cannot say what portion of 

 this amount is now in the treasury, but I presume the treasury is nearly 

 empty. Not in consequence of the drafts upon it to meet the demands 

 of 1855, but the account was overdrawn the previous year; the Society 

 was in arrears, of course those outstanding demands had to be met, and 

 had I the canceled checks that were placed in the hands of a member 

 of the committee last ^ear, I could give you a precise statement respect- 

 ing this indebtedness, but they not having been returned, I must refer 

 you to the report of the Treasurer for this information. 



In order to meet the amount the Society may now be in arrears, I 

 would advise that a loan be made for one year, and that a careful re- 

 vision of the premium list be made. It may be reduced somewhat and 

 yet give perfect satisfaction for one or two years at least, or until the So- 

 ciety is out of debt. 



In addition to the foregoing, the following business will come before 

 you, viz : 



By reference to the memorandum annexed, it will be seen that some 

 errors have occurred in awarding premiums at the last Fair, also some 

 discretionary premiums were recommended, and the several amounts 

 not stated. 



Should any statements of field crops be presented, you are, by the 

 terms of the premium list, to decide upon their merjts. 



The following essays base been presented for your consideration: 



No. 1. Essay on Thorough Draining, by Edward Mason, of Detroit. 



No. 2. Essay on the Cultivation and Management of Wheat, by the 

 same. 



No. 3. Essay on Manures and their Application, by the same. 



No. 4. Essay on Fruit and Shade Trees, by the same. 



No. 5. Essay on The Potato Rot, by J. N. Chandler, Adrian. 



No. 6. Essay on the Cultivation of Wheat, by J. N. Chandler, of 

 Adrian. 



It is for this committee to judge of the merits of these essays. 



At the last annual meeting of the Society, the following amendment 



