( xxix  ) 
l\opnl  Sgnrultural  &orirtp  of  OrnglantJ. 
GENERAL  MEETING, 
12,  IIa5uvlb  SytABE,  WrtxteDAT,  Mat  22,  1850. 
REPORT  OF  THE  COUNCIL. 
Tiir  Counc  il  have  the  satisfaction  of  reporting  to  the  members  at 
their  present  half-yearly  meeting  the  most  favourable  condition  of 
the  Society  at  the  completion  of  the  twelfth  year  from  its  founda- 
tion. Although  in  point  of  numbers  its  census  is  diminished  by  127 
members  since  the  last  general  meeting,  such  diminution  is  in  a 
great  measure  more  apparent  than  real ; for  the  average  number 
of  members  periodically  lost  to  the  Society  by  death  being  de- 
ducted, the  remaining  names  removed  from  the  list  will  be  found 
to  be  those  of  parties  who  had  joined  the  Society  at  its  country 
meetings  for  the  local  and  temporary  purposes  only  of  the  occa- 
sion. On  the  other  hand,  members  w ho  feel  a deeper  and  more 
general  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  Society  and  the  promotion 
of  its  national  objects,  are  constantly  elected  into  its  body,  and 
arc  gradually  increasing  its  list  of  efficient  members.  The  So- 
ciety at  the  present  time  comprises  52G1  members,  namely  — 
90  Life  Governors, 
1G9  Anuual  Governors, 
627  Life  Members, 
4356  Animal  Members,  and 
19  Honorary  Members. 
The  funds  of  the  Society  arc  in  a highly  satisfactory  state  ; 
every  claim  against  it  has  been  constantly  discharged  as  it  has 
become  due  ; an  ample  cash-balance  lies  available  for  current 
purposes  in  the  hands  of  the  bankers ; and  the  invested  capital 
has  at  length  approximated  to  the  gross  amount  of  those  sums 
w hich  have  been  received  from  time  to  time,  since  the  commence- 
