126 THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY 



1840, and the award of the larger premium was to 

 Prouty & Mears, and the smaller to Charles Howard. 



In 1836 the trustees appeared before a committee 

 of the Legislature and testified, personally, in appro- 

 bation of pending legislation for the appointment of 

 an agent to make an agricultural survey of the State. 

 The project was carried through, and the State agent 

 appointed was Rev. Henry Colman, of reputation as 

 an expert in agriculture. In 1839 Mr. Colman was 

 made the delegate of the society to attend a conven- 

 tion of silk producers, held in Washington, D.C., his 

 expenses being paid by the society. In 1842, the 

 State survey being completed, Mr. Colman visited 

 Europe to make a like general survey, with intention 

 to publish a volume on his return, embodying his 

 observations and conclusions. The society subscribed 

 for 100 copies in advance, paying, at once, in the pro- 

 portion agreed upon by individuals who had entered 

 into a like subscription. In 1839 the total of pre- 

 miums paid was $1,190, of which $400 was given to 

 county societies, and $450 for the best cultivated 

 farms. Of the remainder a part was a premium of 

 $100, awarded to the Northampton Beet Sugar Co., 

 for the production of the greatest quantity and best 

 quality of sugar from the sugar beet. 



In 1842 the society reached its semi-centennial 

 date. The record of the period upon which it could 

 look back has here been indicated with sufficient full- 

 ness to make superfluous any commentary or en- 

 comium, other than what may be contained in the 

 remark that the labor which had been performed by 

 its officers had been arduous, and the harvest sought 

 had been abundant. Agriculture had been greatly 

 promoted, in Massachusetts, by its activities. Many 

 names, eminent in the State and the nation, had, from 



