not rise higher than th(3 fountain, as the character of the rivulet is 

 determined by the spring from which it flows, so this society is what 

 its members are, or what they make it. Is the society- indifferent, 

 useless, dead ? So then is its meniborship. Is it strong, active, and 

 exerting a beneficent influence ? Then its members are the cause. 

 ******** If the members of this society will come 

 to prize the general good of the whole, and the welfare of the 

 society and community, as of more consequence than the mere 

 money of premiums, if they will ignore purely jiersonal considera- 

 tions, if they will honestly and earnestly labor for union and har- 

 mony, interest themselves in the great objects for which we were 

 oi'ganized, and cheerfully and promptly assist in carrying forward 

 the measures the majority inaugurate, we may have one of the 

 strongest, most prosperous and useful societies in the Common- 

 wealth.'' 



Although the society did not adoj^t this report, it has been the 

 aim of the executive officers to carry out to seme extent, some of the 

 I'ecommendations contained in it. They have labored to reduce the 

 expenses in every direction, as low as possible consistent with the 

 welfare of the society ; to make the premium list equitable to all 

 the various classes, without being either extravagant or niggardly ; 

 to make the special premiums attractive and at the same time keep 

 within the means of the society. 



In an exhibition of this kind, much depends upon the proper se- 

 lection of examining committees, and upon the manner in which they 

 perform the duties assigned them. Of the various committees ap- 

 pointed for the last exhibition we can say, first, that as a rule they 

 were on the ground at the proper time for the performance of their 

 duties. Of course there were a few exceptions to this, there should 

 be no exceptions. If a person is appointed for a duty of this kind 

 and finds that he is unable to attend to it, he should certainly notify 

 the Secretary of the fact in season for another to be appointed in 

 his place ; second, that in nearly every instance their awards were 

 just and equitable, giving general satisfaction to the exhibitors ; 

 third, that they were all very prompt in handing in their reports, 

 thus enabling the executive committee to revise the premium list 

 and the Treasurer to commence paying premiums immediately after 

 the fair. 



It certainly seems to us that the Society has this year taken a 



