1848. June 14--Inquiry into the existence in the country of the white poppy from which the opium is extracted. (On April 20, 1849, the society issues a very explicit report on the cultivation of the said plant and the preparation of opium [232] in Filipinas.) December 22--A note regarding gutta percha and gamboge, by Don Jacobo Zobel, a member. 1849. April 30--Acquisition and planting of eleven roots of the tallow-tree, [233] at the country-house of Malacañan. 1850. November 4--Introduction of new apparatus and methods proposed by Señor Sagra for the manufacture of sugar. Report on the promotion of abacá culture. 1851. May 5--Memoir on clays in the environs of this capital, and their application in the art of pottery. Wild cha [i.e., tea] found in abundance in the island of Masbate. July 18--Report on the exportation of rice. 1854. August 29--Appointment of a commission to report to the society upon the present state of agriculture in the country, and obstacles which must be removed for its complete development. 1855. January 9--Gutta-percha found in Romblon. [234] July 28--The society grants a gold medal to Don Juan B. Marcaido for his efforts and studies in the method of extracting the abacá fiber from all the species of bananas which grow in the country. 1856. March 4--Communications referring to the method of securing the [edible] birds'-nests in Calamianes. 1857. October 1--Presentation of specimens of soaps made in the country. 1858. April 19--Knowledge of a gum called conchú found in Marianas. August 15--Information given by Señor Barbaza, a member, relative to a hundred kinds of rice in Visayas. 1859. May 10--Project regarding agriculture and commerce. (We have endeavored to make note of the important activities in which the said society has taken the initiative or has shared since 1860, up to the date of the printing of the Manual; and here is the result of our investigations.) 1860. February 11--The society makes a subscription of five thousand pesos to defray, in part, the expenses of the African war. 1861. October 8--The society votes to contribute two thousand pesos from its funds for the expenses of sending articles from Filipinas to the London exposition. Efforts are made to acclimate in Filipinas the cochineal insect. 1862. March 8--It decides to give a prize to the cotton-grower who produces most. May 26--Full report by the society in favor of the establishment of a school of agriculture, theoretical and practical. Report on conducting water to the capital. [235] September 30--The society resolves to obtain seed of cotton from Egypt, to distribute it among the farmers. October 30--The society receives official notice of the prizes awarded to the Philippine exhibitors in the London exposition.