272 NORFOLK SOCIETY. 



ions of the statute, amounts to the sum of $3,000. The pre- 

 miums and gratuities awarded for the year 1849, amount to 

 $608, inchiding two small agricuhural Hbraries, awarded to the 

 towns of Dover and Needham. The expenses of the society, 

 attendant upon its organization and conduct for the first year 

 have been considerable, and much greater than will be required 

 in future. 



In this rapid glance at the transactions of the society, the 

 president and secretary observe nothing so distinctly as the in- 

 ducements thereby offered for continued, energetic exertions in 

 the same course of action — holding on to all that is valuable 

 in the experience of others, and looking to improvement and 

 progress as the steps by which the highest standard of excel- 

 lence is to be attained. If older societies have the advantage 

 of the Norfolk in experience, the latter is in some degree com- 

 pensated in the freshness, vigor and energy, which are the pre- 

 rogatives of youth. The Norfolk society joins itself to the 

 company of its elder sister societies, to assist by separate, though 

 harmonious action, in speeding the cause, extending the knowl- 

 edge, and advancing the interests of agriculture ; and whenever, 

 if ever, combined action shall be found necessary, its officers 

 and trustees Avill be ready to unite in all honorable efforts in 

 aid of those common objects which each and every society has 

 been established to promote. 



On Farms. 



The committee regret that the number of farms entered for 

 premiums did not equal the number of premiums offered by the 

 society. The society offered five premiums, for which two 

 applications only were made. The committee find themselves 

 in an unpleasant situation in another respect. The society, in 

 its infancy, proceeds at once to accomplish the objects of its 

 existence, strides along beside old and well established institu- 

 tions, demands, at its birth, its share of funds appropriated by 

 the Commonwealth for kindred societies, and competes suc- 

 cessfully for the prize of public estimation and encouragement. 



