872 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 493

years and three to serve for three years from July 1, 1947.

Thereafter the term of office of members shall be three years,
but members appointed to fill vacancies in unexpired terms
shall serve for the remainder of such terms. Each member
shall serve after expiration of his term until his successor
qualifies.

17. The Board shall annually elect a Chairman from among
its members. Meetings of the Board shall be held at such
times and places as the Chairman may designate by notice
to the members. Six members shall constitute a quorum, but
action by the Board shall require assent of a majority of all
its members. The Board shall keep a complete record of its
proceedings and shall, on or before December first in each
year, make an annual report of its activities and expenditures
to the Governor and General Assembly. The Board shall
have the power and authority to employ such clerks, stenog-
raphers, field representatives, assistants and other employees
as it may deem necessary in order to perform the duties of
and exercise the powers conferred upon the Board by the pro-
visions of this sub-title and as may be provided in the State
Budget. The Board shall establish a permanent office and
shall be supplied with all appliances and incidentals necessary
for the proper discharge of its duties. The salaries or com-
pensation of all clerks, stenographers, field representatives,
assistants and other employees of the Board, and the cost of
maintaining and supplying the permanent office of the Board
shall be paid from such funds as shall be provided in the
State Budget.

18. It shall be the function of the Board to encourage and
foster agriculture in this State through promotion and assist-
ance of agricultural fairs exhibits, or other activities.
For this purpose the Board shall have sole and com-
plete control of the distribution of and expenditure of
all funds allocated to it by the provisions of Section 13
of Article 78B of this Code and by Section 15A of Article 78B
of this Code, for the payment of premium awards, promotional
and educational activities or otherwise, either in connection
with a bona fide agricultural fair, exhibit or activity, as
determined by the Board, or in connection with one State
fair each year, as designated by the Board. The Board shall,
from time to time, promulgate rules and regulations to govern
the conduct, qualifications and requirements of agricultural
fairs, exhibits or activities to which allocations or distribu-
tions may be made as provided in this section, and no such
agricultural fair, exhibit or activity shall be entitled to receive
any financial assistance from the Board, unless it has met all