22 J. H. MAIDEN. 



The Society founded in 1821 was mentioned in the 

 "Australasian Almanac" for 1825, but not afterwards. It 

 is probable the Society met for more or less informal dis- 

 cussions, which were recorded in the press. Then we have 

 "The Agricultural Society of New South Wales," from 1822 

 to February 1826, which became "The Agricultural and 

 Horticultural Society of New South Wales" from 1822 to 

 1836 (?). A few reports from 1822 onwards are in existence. 

 Members of the Committee represented specific districts. 



Prof. Smith in his Presidential address (This Journal xv r 

 p. 3, 1881), says that " In the New South Wales Calendar 

 of 1832, 1 find mention of an 'Australian Society' for pro- 

 moting colonial products and manufactures, under the 

 presidency of Mr. Samuel Terry. I can find no other refer- 

 ence to it." The full title was "for promoting the growth, 

 and consumption of colonial products." I find its office- 

 bearers given in the N.S.W. Calendar for 1831, 1833-1836. 



In Ford's " Sydney Commercial Directory" for 1851, we 

 have "The Australian Society for the encouragement of 

 Art, Science, Commerce and Agriculture in Australia, 

 Sydney, 1850." This is what is known as the 1850 Society 

 Vour precursor). The above Directory (see also our Trans, 

 Vol. i, 15, 16, for further particulars) gives a long list of 

 office-bearers, including many names long identified with 

 the Philosophical or Royal Society of New South Wales. 



The names of the office-bearers are given in the "Aus- 

 tralian Almanac" for 1852 and 1853, the Society being 

 always identified as that of " Sydney, 1850." The relation 

 of our Society to the 1850 Society has always been recog- 

 nised, and I would like to see portraits of the office-bearers 

 on our walls. The 1850 Society eventually got into low water 

 through the excitement caused by the gold discoveries. 



In the meantime "The Australian Floral and Horticul- 

 tural Society" had come into existence. I know of it from 



