xxiv Laws. 



XVIL—CONDITIONS OF PREMIUMS AND RULE FOR THEIR 

 ADJUDICATION. 



All claims of prizes shall be sent in writing ; and when 

 read, the Society shall determine which of the claims, rela- 

 tive to each prize, shall be selected for their definite judg- 

 ment, on a future comparison. This judgment is to be given 

 at the stated meeting on the third Tuesday in February, or 

 at any other stated meeting ; but previously to such deter- 

 mination, all such claims shall be submitted to, and reported 

 upon by the Curators. If it happen, in any case, that there 

 be no competition for a prize, but only a single claim, the 

 Society will consider such claim ; and if the claim or claims 

 be supported answerably to their views and just expectations 

 of the Society, the prize proposed shall be decreed. Prizes 

 and premiums are equally due to any persons residing in any 

 of the United States, according to the merit of their respec- 

 tive exhibitions. 



XVm.— OF ANNUAL PAYMENTS. 

 For the purpose of defraying the necessary expenses of 

 the Society, for premiums and prizes, books on agriculture, 

 improved implements of husbandry, and other important ob- 

 jects and contingencies, every member shall annually pay to 

 the Treasurer a contribution of four dollars. This con- 

 tribution shall be considered as due and payable at or before 

 the last day of December in every year. 



XIX.— CHANGE OF RESIDENCE OF MEMBERS. 

 If any resident member shall remove beyond the limits 

 prescribed, he shall not in virtue of his resident member- 

 ship, be eligible as a candidate for honorary membership, 

 without being regularly proposed as such. 



XX.— OF LIFE SUBSCRIPTION. 

 Any member paying thirty dollars shall be considered 

 a member for life, and shall not be called on for any further 

 annual payments. 



XXI.— OF MEMBERS IN DEFAULT. 

 At the first meeting in January, of every year, the Trea- 

 surer shall lay before the Society a list of the members, spe- 



