REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. 



The Committee on Farms report that after several years 

 without an entry, one farm which took the first premium in 

 1855 was again entered this year for the same purpose. The 

 rule which required a particular financial statement of the 

 yearly operations, it was supposed, prevented many persons 

 from competing who would otherwise have done so. Many 

 and in fact the generality of farmers are not in the habit of 

 keeping an exact record of transactions, even where money is 

 concerned, so that it is impossible for them to know at the 

 year's end whether their prosperity is plus or minus. Some 

 who do, although good farmers, are unable to show a balance 

 sheet that they feel proud of. There are still others who, 

 though they can demonstrate to themselves a very satisfactory 

 state of affairs, yet have a modest repugnance to telling the 

 world of it, even under the temptation of a premium. Under 

 these circumstances the present board of trustees abolished 

 the requirement of a financial statement, hoping by this means 

 to get a specimen of farm operations worthy of record for the 

 public benefit. 



The question here suggests itself, what is the object to be 

 attained through the offer of premiums by agricultural 

 societies ? The Commonwealth gives to each of the various 

 agricultural societies within its limits, a sum not exceeding 

 six hundred dollars annually to be offered in premiums for 

 various objects. Why is this done and what is to be gained 



