Commissioner of Agriculture. 533 



society, the New York and New England agricultural society, 

 the Western New York agricultural society, or the Interstate fair 

 society shall annually raise, by voluntary subscription, not less 

 than eight thousand dollars, for distribution by such society at 

 its annual meeting and fair, as premiums on such articles pro- 

 ductions and stock of the farm, and such improvements in farming 

 machinery as they deem best calculated to promote the agricul- 

 tural and stock-raising interests of this state, having special refer- 

 ence to the net pro-fits which accrue or are likely to accrue from 

 the mode pursued of raising the crop or stock, or the fabrication 

 of the articles offered, with the intention that the premiums shall 

 be given for the encouragement of the most economical or profit- 

 able mode in production; and shall so distribute such amount in 

 such premiums; and the president and treasurer of such society 

 shall make and subscribe a statement in duplicate verified by their 

 affidavit, of the fact that such sum has been so raised by voluntary 

 subscription for such premiums, specifying the amount raised 

 and that the same has been so distributed in premiums, and shall 

 file one of such statements and affidavits in the office of the com- 

 missioner of agriculture and the other in the 'office of the comp- 

 troller; and such society shall offer in writing, signed by its presi- 

 dent and treasurer, addressed to, and filed in the office of the 

 comptroller, to act as the agent of the state distributing such 

 sum or sums of money, as the state may appropriate for distribu- 

 tion as premiums at its annual meeting and fair for the promotion 

 of agriculture, and the improvement of the breed of stock in this 

 state, and shall execute to the people of this state a bond, signed 

 in its name by its president and treasurer, with such sureties as 

 the comptroller shall approve, conditioned for the faithful perform- 

 ance of its duty, as such agent for such distribution, and shall 

 file the same in the office of the comptroller, the state will appro- 

 priate, in each case the sum of eight thousand dollars to be distri- 

 buted by such society, as premiums on such articles, productions^ 

 stock and improvements as may be exhibited at its annual meeting 

 and fair on the conditions hereinbefore named, provided, however, 

 that befo're any portion of the sum so to be appropriated by the 



