private funds, and afterwards reimbursed by an appropriation made by the society out of funds received at the gate. In some of the older counties, owing to the greater price of lumber, the cost would have been some hundreds of dollars more.

Our eighth annual fair, which came off at Keeseville, at the new show grounds of the society, on the 18th and 19th days of September, was an occasion that will long be remembered by the farmers of Clinton. The weather was fair, the roads fine; and as it was to be the dedication of the society's new show grounds-a fact which had gained considerable notoriety abroad-these and other circumstances conspired to bring together, on those two days, a vast concourse of people-greater, indeed, than had ever been congregated in the county for any merely civil purpose whatever since the sound of the white man's axe was first heard in the wilds of northern New-York. As to the show itself, it might have been better, had the farmers of the county generally taken as deep an interest in the practical part of getting up the show as in coming to see it. In some departments, particularly the dairy, it was inexcusably lean, while in others it was unusually fine. On the whole, it was certainly the best which the society has yet held; and judging from the spirit and good feeling manifested throughout, and the satisfaction expressed by farmers from all parts of the county with the society's movements, there cannot be a doubt that whoever lives to attend the next annual fair of the society will witness not only a gathering of the farmers, but a collection of the products of the county, such as we have not yet seen. Indeed it may be affirmed that never, since the organization of this society, have its prospects been so flattering as at the present moment. of show grounds and the permanent location of the fairs, a new set of influences are now brought into operation, which, if properly cherished, cannot fail to render the society increasingly prosperous. Our annual fairs will every year become more interesting and attractive. The funds of the society being greatly increased, it will be enabled to offer more liberal premiums, and thus to enlist a greater degree of zeal and spirit among the competitors. Such are some of the happy results which are confidently expected from the efforts of the past year.

By the erection society's annual

The adoption of a new and more equitable mode of allowing persons to compete for the society's premiums has, during the past year, added another feature to the system of renovating measures introduced. By the new mode, competition, instead of being limited to members of the society, is thrown open to all the citizens of the county; each competitor, whether a member or not, being required to pay a small admission fee for every animal or article entered-equivalent to some

certain per cent. on the premium offered. By this arrangement, greater equality in the distribution of the society's funds is secured, and, as a consequence, better satisfaction to all parties is given. Members of the society have certainly no right to complain, since in return for their membership fee, (one dollar,) they receive a full equivalent, in the privilege of free ingress and egress at all the exhibitions of the society, a privilege, which, were they not members, would cost them even more. Besides this, they have a right to a voice in the proceedings of the society, which others have not. I am not aware that this measure has been adopted or brought to notice by any similar institution, nor am I sure that it will at first view, meet the approval of agriculturists elsewhere, as one worthy of adoption. But on trial, it will. It is one of the few new things under the sun, which will bear acquaintance. Here it took Mr. Battey, who originated the measure, two years to gain a vote of plurality, in favor of its trial. A single year's experiment, however, has been sufficient to establish beyond a doubt, its practical utility. No measure of the society, has been half so popular as this one is at the present moment, as may be inferred from the fact, that at our late annual meeting, it was unanimously adopted as an established rule for the society's future observance, by inserting a clause to that effect in its constitution, every member present, voting in the affirmative. The amount of the fee required the past year, was 20 per cent. on the first premium offered. The constitution provides, that hereafter, the amount of the fee shall be determined each year, by the Executive Committee, and as the society is likely to be pretty well supplied with funds from other sources, the per centage will probably be somewhat reduced.

During the past year, premiums have been awarded to the amount of $285.50. The total amount of receipts, including balance on hand from last year, and the appropriation from the State, is $1,410.35; which after paying off all the premiums and other expenses of the society for the past year, including cost of show buildings, &c., will leave on hand, sufficient to defray the expense of publishing the proceedings of the society, for which measures are now in progress. The following is a list of the officers of the society, for 1850:

President, E. A. Hurlburt, Keeseville; Secretary, Willets Keese, Peru; Treasurer, Jonathan Battey, Keeseville, and ten Vice Presidents.

Keeseville, Dec. 29th, 1849.

E. A. HURLBURT, President.

FIELD CROPS.

John W. Bailey, of Plattsburgh, raised on three quarters of an acre 504 and a half bushels of carrots, Orange variety. Soil mostly sandy; one-third clay. Expense of cultivation, $24.10. Avails of crop, at 20 cents per bushel, $100.90. In favor of crop, $76.80.

Wm. Keese, of Keeseville, one acre of corn; yield, 99 bush., 20 lbs. Expense of cultivation, $24.56. Avails of crop, at 5s per bush., $68.06. 3 loads stalks, $6.50. Pumpkins, $2. Total, $76.56. In favor of crop, $52.00.

Expense of cul

Wm. Keese, potatoes, 1 acre, 235 and a half bush. tivation, $25.50. Avails, at 2s. 6d. per bush., $73.59. In favor of crop, $46.84. Planted in hills, nearly 3 feet apart each way. A small tea cup of strong ashes put on before the potatoes were up.

COLUMBIA.

The anuual Fair was held at Hudson on the 8th and 9th of October, and was an interesting occasion for the farmers of Columbia. The attendance was much larger than on any former occasion, and the exhibition was well sustained and creditable to the farmers of the county.

The display of cattle and horses was very good, and in each department there were animals of superior excellence. In the ladies department the show was especially rich, and attracted, as it deserved, an immense assemblage. The exhibition of fruits and vegetables was good. The pears, apples, and other fruit, was very fine, and evidences increased attention on the part of the farmers. In the mechanical department the exhibition was extensive, and of a high degree of merit.

The plowing match excited a spirited competition, and the work was extremely well done; the first prize awarded to a lad only seventeen years of age.

The annual address was delivered by James McGiffert Esq., the president of the society. The following valuable suggestions from the address are worthy the attention of all our farmers:

With due deference to the opinion of others, I make free to say, that there is a much greater proportion of farmers and mechanics, who from the same capital and talents procure a competency, than there is from the professional and mercantile classes of society. Take a view through our own county, and you will find, instead of five or six, at least thirty or forty per cent, who have succeeded in procuring a sufficiency of the

good things of this life, after toiling no more years than the successful merchant or professional gentleman. And who, I would ask, lives more comfortable than the farmer? Who sleeps more soundly? Who eats more wholesome food? Who has the choicest fruits, and in the best and healthiest condition? Who is more independent than the farmer, who, when viewing his fields and flocks can say, "I am monarch of all I survey? Is there a person of common sense, so blinded by the foolish fashions of the world, who would prefer the restrained, unnatural life of the wealthy merchant or professional man, to the plain, easy, and contented life of him who lives retired amidst his flocks and herds, and daily views the the works of nature, adorned and beautified by his own skilful hands? If there be such a person within these walls, I truly pity him, and would, if possible, inspire him with a better mind.

But it may be justly asked, if such be the relative advantages of the farmer, how is it that so many sons of farmers leave the country and crowd the cities of the land? This arises from a want of a proper education, and an ignorance of their own condition. Farmers as a class, have never known their happy lot. They have been satisfied with a very imperfect education, and consequently are ignorant of their proper station in society, and yield to others, more forward to seize upon every thing that may tend to elevate them in the eyes of their more modest, unpretending neighbors. The cultivators of the soil have too long been contented with the mere elements of education, and have looked upon themselves as a class requiring but little knowledge to enable them to obtain everything they need. And if, without a proper education, they have been enabled to do so much, what would be their relative condition were they favored with such a stock of knowledge as they ought to possess?

But how can such an education be obtained by the sons of common, laboring farmers? First, by elevating the common schools, which none have such opportunities of doing as the farmers. We have, through

the bounty of the State, a system of common schools, which, with the assistance of the community, might be raised to such a height as to impart as much useful instruction, as at present is attainable in our academies; and our academies would then become as high in the means of imparting knowledge, as our colleges are at present; and then, for those who desire to advance still higher, let there be agricultural schools or colleges throughout the land, as numerous as may be required. You farmers, I say, have only to become acquainted with your own

power and will such a state of things, and none can successfully oppose you. Arouse yourselves therefore, fellow farmers and mechanics, the true bone and sinew of the country, and prove to all of every profession, that you are at least their equals; and that you will henceforth enjoy your rights as men, intelligent, educated men.

Officers 1850.-James McGiffert, President; John P. Beekman, Isaac Foster, Oliver Wiswall, Jacob N. Harder, Vice Presidents; Abraham Pierce, Secretary; Henry C. Miller, Treasurer; and an executive committee of thirteen.

CORTLAND.

Agreeable to the requirements of the statute, I proceed to state, first, that the amounts contributed to Cortland Co. Agricultural Society for the past year was about $95, together with $75 appropriated from the state, and about $43 balance on hand from last year, making in all $213, of which amount $185 has been paid out for premiums; about $30 of this amount was paid for agricultural papers for distribution as premiums. The competitors on root and grain crops, were less this season than usual; the premium awarded on best acre of Ruta-Bagas, to G. H. Chamberlain, about 750 bushels; half acre carrots, 350 bushels. Best acre corn 91 bushels. Best acre wheat, 25 bushels. I am happy to say the condition and prospects of usefulness of this society are on the whole very flattering. Show of cattle uncommonly good as to numbers and quality. That of every other department a decided improvement upon any previous Fair. The show of butter and cheese was not only large, but of excellent quality. There is manifestly an increased interest felt on the subject of Agriculture in this county.

The principal productions of this county are butter, cheese, pork, wool, corn and oats, and cattle for beef. The average yield of oats the past year, I put at 30 bushels per acre; of corn at 30 bushels; of hay per acre 1 tons. I think the crops average 10 per cent better than in 1845; and are better than in 1847. Of wheat, there is not much sown on account of the wheat fly. There was some of the Mediterranean winter wheat raised the last season, and succeeded very well. This variety of wheat ripens at least ten days earlier than the other kinds of winter wheat, and thus escapes the attacks of the fly. Average yield pota