MAINE STATE SOCIETY. 49 



The railroad companies in the State, with few exceptions, 

 generously reduced their rates during the week of the exhibi- 

 tion, affording every facility to exhibitors and visitors that could 

 be reasonably asked, and are deserving the thanks of all inter- 

 ested in the welfare of the Society ; but we believe if the rail- 

 roads understood their true interest, they would transfer arti- 

 cles for the exhibition free of charge, and by sb doing secure 

 the good will of the public, and double the amount of travel on 

 these occasions. . 



Samuel F. Perley, Per Order. 



On motion of Mr. Parlin of Winthrop, voted, to add the fol- 

 lowing persons to the committee raised at the last meeting (iii 

 October) to confer with the Superintendents of the several 

 Railroads in Maine, viz : D. Forbes of Paris, and H. N. Hunt 

 of Readfield, so that the committee now consists of Jedediah 

 Jewett of Portland, John D. Lang of N. Vassalborough, Seth 

 Scammon of Saco, D. Forbes of S. Paris, and H. N. Hunt of 

 Readfield. * 



The Secretary then laid upon the table copies of the Patent 

 Office Reports for 1855 on Agriculture, for 1854 on Mechanics, 

 also packages of seed of the Chinese sugar cane, presented to 

 the Society by the Commissioner of Patents. 



On motion of Mr. Forbes, voted, that the books be reserved 

 and offered as premiums, and that the cane seed should be 

 distributed to the several County Societies, under the direction 

 of the Trustees. 



(N. B. This seed has been handed over in small lots to the 

 several members of the Board of Agriculture for their respective 

 Societies.) 



On motion of Mr. Foster of Gardiner, voted, that the Trustees 

 be instructed to offer liberal premiums for the manufacture of 

 drain tile in this State. 



On motion of Mr. Goodale of Saco, voted, that the Trustees 

 be directed to offer a liberal premium for the best essay on farm 

 accounts, to be accompanied with a simple and efficient system 

 of book-keeping for the purpose. 



The committee to whom the report of the Trustees was re- 

 ferred, reported sundry amendments of the constitution, a part 

 of which were adopted, 

 4 



