ANNUAL MEETING. 5 



In class 1, the premiums are to be awarded on improvements 

 made daring the time for which the premium is offered, and on the 

 general farm management for the same time ; and in offering these 

 premiums it should be stipulated that an intention to compete must 

 be entered with the Secretarj- of the Societ}', at an early date named, 

 and this shall constitute the entr}' for the premium. A committee 

 should be raised (and paid, if need be, out of the funds under con- 

 sideration), to inquire into the proposed improvements and examine 

 carefully the general farm management, and at the expiration of the 

 time specified in the offer report upon what has been done in improve- 

 ments and what has been found in the management of the farm, 

 said report to be forwarded to the Secretary of the Board of Agri- 

 culture by the first da}' of January, and the same to appear in the 

 transactions of agricultural societies in the annual report of agri- 

 culture of Maine. 



In class 2, the premiums are to be offered for, and awarded to, 

 the best kept accounts, or those which in the most comprehensive 

 manner and in the most simple form represent the actual business of 

 the farm for the year. In view of the importance of more atten- 

 tion on the part of farmers to the keeping of systematic accounts, 

 it is earnestly urged that societies take special effort to encourage 

 competition in this class. No premiums should be awarded on 

 accounts that are not in creditable form, or that do not clearlj' rep- 

 resent the business of the competitor. 



In class 3, an entry of intention to compete should be required, 

 and it should be stipulated by the society that an accurate record 

 shall be kept of the feed given, and the value of the same, and 

 also that a iveekly or monthly record shall be kept, b}^ girth or weight, 

 of the growth of the steers. 



Special attention is called to the last clause of the requirements 

 of the Board, and secretaries of societies will govern themselves 

 accord ingl}'. 



On motion of M. C. Fernald, the following resolution was passed 

 by a unanimous vote : 



Resolved, That the thanks of the Board are hereb}" tendered to 

 the management of the Maine Central, Knox & Lincoln and New 

 Brunswick railroads for courtesies tendered the members ; also that 

 the thanks of the Board are presented to the proprietors of the Cony 

 House for reduced rates during the present session. 



Adjourned without day. 



Z. A. GILBERT, Secretary. 



