28 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



money came to the oars of the committee, who felt it their duty to 

 conduct a rigid examination into the affairs of the society, so as to 

 arrive at the truth and foundation of such rumors. Accordingly, 

 several witnesses were summoned, and suhjecled to a searching exam- 

 ination, but no testimony was adduced, or facts elicited, that could be 

 considered of serious damage to the management of the society. 

 Among the charges made, however, was that the society paid florists 

 to make exhibits of flowers, shrubs, etc. This seems to have been the 

 custom of the society for several years, the reason given for it being 

 that it was cheaper to adopt this method of making an attractive dis- 

 play than it was for the society to lay out a garden annually at its 

 own expense. While the committee doubt the expediency of making 

 such a display, at considerable cost, yet, if it is necessary, the society 

 has, under the circumstances, pursued the most economical course. 

 Your committee have, therefore, been forced to the conclusion, by 

 their examinations and investigations, that the society has been con- 

 ducted and managed in an honest ami creditable manner. 



ANOTHER STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



As to the propriety or expediency of forming another State Agri* 

 cultural Society, that shall hold its annual exhibitions at San .Jose, or 

 some other central locality, the committee would simply say that they 

 see no good reason for the formation of any such society; neither are 

 they aware that there is any demand made for it by the people of 

 any portion of the State, or of any benefits that would arise there- 

 from. It would only have the effect to cripple the present State 

 Agricultural Society, and tend to destroy the usefulness which it 

 might lie to the agricultural interests of the State, by the dissemina- 

 tion of valuable information to the farmers ami mechanics of the 

 country, through the annual exhibitions of the various products of 

 the soil, fine breeds of horses and stock, mechanical inventions, and 

 such other collections as will afford the most useful hints and valua- 

 ble information to the farmers, artisans, and mechanics of the State. 



In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, your committee would say thajt any 

 thing which tends to promote and encourage agriculture should be 

 protected and fostered, for as prospers agriculture — the great fountain 

 of all wealth, the great mother of all occupations, and promoter of 

 all civilization — so prospers the towns and cities, the State, and the 

 entire people. 



