12 The Foundation of the Royal Agricultural Society. 
" 3. That the President he elected annually, and that no person who 
shall vacate that office he eligible to be re-elected in the same capacity for 
three years." 
Other resolutions appointed Earl Spencer as the first Pre- 
sident, and Mr. Win. Shaw (then Editor of the Hark Lane 
Express) as Secretary, the stipend of the latter being fixed at 
200/. a year ; determined that the annual general meeting 
should be held in London in the month of May, and that all 
elections of officers should take place thereat ; and appointed 
the following noblemen and gentlemen as Trustees, subject to 
their acceptance of office : — The Duke of Grafton, Duke of 
Northumberland, Duke of Richmond, Duke of Sutherland, 
Duke of Wellington, Earl Spencer, Hon. R. Clive, Sir James 
Graham, Sir Francis Lawley, Sir Robert Peel, Mr. Henry 
Handley, and Mr. Joseph Neeld. Of these, the Duke of Wel- 
lington, Duke of Northumberland, and Sir Robert Peel de- 
clined, for various reasons ; and the Duke of Rutland, the 
Marquis of Downshire, and Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, Bart., 
were elected in their stead. 
The Provisional Committee next met on May 12, under the 
presidency of Earl Spencer, who was again supported by the 
Duke of Richmond, Lord Portman, Mr. Pusey, Mr. Sanford, Mr. 
Childers, Colonel Challoner, Mr. Hillyard, and Mr. Webb Hall ; 
and there were also present Lord Sheffield, Sir R. Price, Bart., 
Mr. Handley, Mr. (afterwards Sir William) Miles, Rev. J. R. 
Smythies, Mr. H. Blanchard, and Mr. French Burke. It was 
then decided that the President and Vice-Presidents should be 
elected from the Governors ; and the following comprehensive 
schedule, defining the objects of the Society, was resolved 
upon : — 
"1. To embody such inf'ormaLion contained in agricultural publications 
and in other scientific works as has been proved by practical experience to 
he useful to the cultivation of the soil. 
" 2. To correspond with agricultural, horticultural, and other scientific 
societies, both at home and abroad, and to select from such correspondence 
all information which, according to the opinion of the Society, is likely to 
lead to practical benefit in the cultivation of the soil. 
" 3. To repay to any occupier of land, who shall undertake at the request 
of the Society to try some experiment how far such information leads to 
useful results in practice, any loss that he may incur by 60 doing. 
"i. To encourage men of science to the improvement of agricultural im- 
plements, the construction of farm buildings and cottages, the application of 
chemistry to the general purposes of agriculture, the destruction of insects 
injurious to vegetable life, and the eradication of weeds. 
"5. To promote the discovery of new varieties of grain and other vege- 
tables useful to man or for the food of domestic animals. 
"6. To collect information with regard to the proper management of 
woods, plantations, and fences, and on every subject connected with rural 
improvement. 
