618 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



The society offered $8,050 in premiums, awarded $7,700.72* 

 in premiums and gratuities, and paid $7,623.72,* which went 

 to 69 cities and towns. Two hundred and twenty-seven 

 dollars went to 12 cities and towns outside the State. One 

 hundred and eighty-two f persons received premiums and 

 110 f gratuities. Under head of farms $540 was awarded 

 and $495 paid; under farm and garden products $7,242.25 

 was awarded and $7,199.47 paid. The society reports 761 

 members, — 707 males and 54 females. Ten farmers' insti- 

 tutes were held in Horticultural Hall, Boston : January 9, 

 on " Tropical horticulture, with practical illustrations of the 

 principal economic plants of hot climates;" January 16, on 

 "Structure and classification of mushrooms;" January 23, 

 on "The chrysanthemum: its past, present and future;" 

 January 30, on "Plant beauty;" February 13, on "Sweet 

 peas ; " Fe1)ruary 20, on " Market -gardening ; " February 27, 

 on " Good food from the garden ; " March 13, on " Horticult- 

 ure in Canada ; " March 20, on " Soils and potting ; " March 

 2*7, on "The spread of plant diseases : a consideration of 

 some of the ways in which parasitic organisms are dis- 

 seminated." 



MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING 

 AGRICULTURE. 



Incorporated 1792, Acts of 1792, chapter 33. 



This society made no returns to the Board of Agriculture 

 for the year 1897. 



MIDDLESEX NORTH AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Incorporated 1855, Acts of 1855, chapter 315. 



Originally raised by contribution, $3,000; now has 

 >,000 invested as a capital stock in real estate. Total 



assets, $37,790.20 : real estate, $35,000 ; bank funds, $1,000 ; 



crockery, tables, etc., $370; bills due and unpaid, $1,050; 



cash on hand, $370.20. Total liabilities, $9,180 : premiums 



due and unpaid, $100 ; outstanding bills, $80 ; mortgages or 



* Offered and awarded in 1896 ; paid in 1897. 

 t Not including school gardeners. 



