HISTORY OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 243 
round the city with herbage. Some cobs of corn, known 
as Cobbett’s corn, grown and ripened in sixty-five days, 
from seed presented to the Society by Lieutenant Sadlier, 
were exhibited, and strongly recommended by Mr. Lindsay 
Shepherd.” 
1st July, 1856 was (officially) the commencement of the 
second year of the Society’s existence, and 8th December 
1856 the date of its dissolution. Its’ first and last annual 
report was published up to the previously mentioned 
date. 
There were two public exhibitions, namely, a Camellia 
Show on 10th and 11th July, 1856, in the concert room of 
the Royal Hotel (14th July according to “‘Hort. Mag.” vi, 
151). The second exhibition or show was held on the 26th | 
September, 1856. For an account of it see “‘Hort. Mag.”’ 
vil, 151. From this we learn that bad weather prevailed, 
and that future shows were postponed sine die. 
The circumstances of the amalgamation with the Aus- 
tralasian Botanic and Horticultural Society to form the 
Australian Horticultural and Agricultural Society are 
detailed at p.8 of the report. The Horticultural Improve- 
ment Society brought £37 17s. 3d. into the funds of the 
new Society. 
The following papers were read before the “Horticultural 
Improvement Society,’ but the dates of reading do not 
appear to have been preserved. 
1. In the ‘‘Australian Almanac’’ for 1857, pp. 60—65, 
we have “‘The pastoral resources of Australia,’’ being 
remarks extracted from papers read before the members 
of the Horticultural Improvement Society of New South 
Wales (evidently an abstract.—J.H.M.), by Mr. T. W. 
Shepherd, entitled ‘“‘Native plants and the pastoral, agri- 
cultural and horticultural resources of Australia.’’ 
