148 THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY 



premises, and leading farmers came from distant parts 

 of the State to behold the society's new acquisition. 

 The trustees expressed their satisfaction, and their 

 appreciation of Mr. Richards' efforts, by tendering 

 him a vote of thanks, and electing him an honorary 

 member of the society. The staUions were named 

 "Conqueror" and "Orleans." The following was the 

 weight of the animals: Conqueror, 1470 lbs.; Orleans, 

 1270 lbs.; Empress, 1410 lbs.; Normandy, 1330 lbs.; 

 Lyons, 1360 lbs. Photographs of Conqueror and 

 Orleans were engraved for the Board of Agriculture, 

 and published in the annual report of that body. 

 Premiums of $200, $150 and $100 were offered, an- 

 nually, for the three best yearling colts, the progeny 

 of the stallions. In 1866 the stallions were exhibited 

 at the county agricultural show in Concord, and in 

 1867 at that in Springfield. 



During the third quarter of a century of the 

 society's existence, its surplus or accrued funds were 

 not applied, in premiums, by any constant system. In 

 some years no premiums were paid; and only one, that 

 to encourage the growth of forest trees for ship 

 timber, was continuously offered. In other years the 

 total of premiums paid was very small; but money 

 was expended with a liberal hand in various ways, 

 some of which have been mentioned. Among the addi- 

 tional payments were the following: In 1853, for 

 premiums at the national exhibition of horses, $250, 

 and to aid the Legislative Agricultural Society in 

 giving lectures, $100; in 1854, as premiums for the 

 cattle shows of the Worcester and the Berkshire 

 societies, $150 each, and to purchase a Jersey bull for 

 the State Reform institution at Westboro, $100; in 

 1855, for premiums at the exhibition of the United 

 States Agricultural Society, held on the newly-filled 



