Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society Minute book, 1863-1874.

This volume contains the minutes of the proceedings of the Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society (D.A.M.S.). The Society was first chartered on January 17, 1856 by an act of the territorial legislature. Its purpose was to promote the arts of domestic industry and to encourage the production of articles from the native elements, primarily through the establishment of an annual exhibition of products. The minutes record administrative matters and planning issues for the annual "fairs". The minute book also includes the "Act of Incorporation" and "Bylaws" and other administrative and financial documents.

The act talks about holding an annual competition, giving awards, and publishing a list of winners. The society began with fifteen hundred dollars. The By-laws discuss the life-time membership dues of $10.00 and the regular membership fee of $2.00. It was the duty of the Secretary to keep records of the proceedings. After the Act of Incorporation and the By-laws, the volumecontinues with minutes, elections, expense bills, entries for exhibitions, financial exhibits, life-time memberships granted, lists of awards and premiums, etc.

The volume discusses the fair where there were awards given for field crops, vegetables, cattle, carriages, wagons, farming implements, machinery, leather findings, domestic dry goods, furniture, painting and engraving, hardware, ladies ornamental work, and produce. The book gives a listing of who the winners were in each category and the amount of prize money. It also contains expenses for the fair for 1869 and the balance. During the meetings members also discussed agricultural and home industry improvements such as the introduction of new Angora goats.