

pliance with the provisions of the law under which this report is submit- 

 ted, a special direction has been given to one branch of this part of the 

 labors of the Society, the results of which may in part be seen from the 

 accompanying papers. 



The Finances of the Society are in a sound condition, as will be seen by 

 the accompanying Report of the Treasurer. The receipts of the year, 

 amounting to 82,748 45, exhibit a gratifying increase over those of the 

 former year, and have enabled the Executive Committee to put into 

 execution the recommendation of their predecessors, by largely increasing 

 the List of Premiums to be awarded at the Annual Fair. The expendi- 

 tures of the year, aside from the Premium List, have been such only as 

 were demanded by the most urgent wants of the Society, while it has 

 been the constant desire and aim of the Committee to exercise the most 

 rigid economy and prudence in all of the financial operations of the So- 

 ciety. The balance in the Treasury, of about 880, will show that in this 

 desire they have been successful. 



In the arrangement of the Premium List for the Annual Fair, it was the 

 aim of the Executive Committee to bestow such gratuities alone as pro- 

 mised the greatest good, and which would contribute most to the speedy 

 advancement of the industrial interests of the State. Hence, a large por- 

 tion was made payable in agricultural books of approved value and merit ; 

 as, by the distribution of these, it was thought that much information of 

 great and practical value would be disseminated, which otherwise might 

 not for a long time, if ever, be obtained. To those whose articles and 

 animals evinced superior and marked excellence, the diploma and medals 

 of the Society were sparingly bestowed. These, being permanent testi- 

 monials, and being given as the highest honors of the Society to those 

 whose exhibitions showed exertion and research, upon the various sub- 

 jects upon which they competed for premiums, it was thought, would be 

 esteemed and valued more highly than any other award that could be 

 made. In the award, whenever it was practicable, statements were 

 required from the competitors, showing Avhat was peculiar in the manage- 

 ment of the crop, in the fabrication of the article, or in the mode of 

 keeping and feeding the animal. These will appear in the accompanying 

 papers. 



The Second Annual Cattle Show and Fair of the Society was held at 

 the Cold Spring Race Course, in the immediate vicinity of the city of 



