SECRETARY'S REPORT. 121 



The members of the Board of Agriculture have made it a 

 part of their duty to attend, not only the exhibitions of their 

 own county societies, but also those of the other counties, and 

 to report the results of their observations and inquiries to the 

 Board. These reports for the last year are appended to this 

 Report, and reference is respectfully made to them for further 

 details in regard to each exhibition. This practice has already 

 led to some valuable suggestions, and excited a useful spirit 

 of emulation among the different societies. It must have a 

 further good effect, both by extending the knowledge of all 

 that is worthy of imitation, and by bringing to general notice 

 all that should be condemned. 



It has also been my intention to attend the exhibitions of each 

 society, so far as it could be done without interference with 

 other duties ; but it has frequently happened that several 

 of these exhibitions fell on the same day, which made it im- 

 possible for me to carry my plans into execution. The 

 subject of fixing times for holding these festivals in the dif- 

 ferent counties is now before the Board ; and it is to be hoped 

 that the societies will find it for their interest to adopt such 

 arrangements as may be presented for their approval. 



The prosperity of the societies has continued to increase, 

 and many new members have been added. 



The aggregate amount of permanent funds now 



belonging to the societies is no less than . $99,193 35 



Amount received from new members, and dona- 

 tions, for the year, ..... 6,604 10 



Total amount received by the societies for the 



year, 28,829 20 



Total amount offered in premiums by the socie- 

 ties, 16,281 89 



This shows an increase in the aggregate amount of perma- 

 nent funds during the year of $6,376.81. 



The details of the finances of each society will be found in 

 the Appendix to this Report, to which reference is respectful- 

 ly made. 



As may be inferred from what has already been said, the general 



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