3 ) i [Senate 



should receive $200 a year and in like proportion for any greater 

 sum not exceeding $600. This liberal extension of the aid and pa- 

 tronage of the government, had a good effect in exciting an increased 

 attention to the several arts, inventions and improvements by which 

 the whole community are alike benefited. 



After the experience of several years, it was suggested that the 

 many exhibitions of implements, manufactures, with the cattle-showj 

 &c., together with the distributions of the premiums, all of which 

 appeared to excite a general interest, might to advantage be carried 

 more into the interior of the State, under varied regulations, tending 

 to a more general association and convention of all those who felt an 

 interest in the several great objects had in view. 



With this view notice was given that a meeting of the trustees 

 would be held on the 10th of October, 1844, at Worcester; the seve- 

 ral premiums on stock, manufactures, &c., were modified and duly 

 published. The result was highly gratifying ; the show indicated pro- 

 gressive improvement — the premiums were awarded mostly by the 

 advice of members of the county societies, and were apparently con- 

 firmed by general opinion. 



The hospitality of the Worcester Society was in a most acceptable 

 manner extended, and in the evening a numerous and respectable col- 

 lection of Agriculturists, not only from New-England but from New- 

 York also, were by invitation assembled. Several oflScers of that 

 State Society made interesting addresses, which were received with 

 great applause. 



Gov. Briggs, with many other members of the county societies, did 

 like honor to the occasion. 



And the trustees of the Massachusetts Society for the Promotion 

 of Agriculture, cherish a hope that the interesting discussions so fully 

 and freely indulged in at this assemblage, may have a due influence 

 on any future occasion. 



All of which is submitted. 



JOHN WELLES, 



Boston^ January., 1845. 



