YATES. The Annual Fair of the Yates County Agricultural Society, was held in the village of Penn Yan, on the fifth and sixth days of Ootober. This exhibition of fruits, vegetables, and mechanical work, was not as good as usual. The drought of the summer affected the fruit and vegetables in the county very much. The samples offered were very good. The quality of the mechanical work was unusually good, but the weather on the second day was very unfavorable to the exhibition of carriages and implements which could not be housed, and of which we would have otherwise had a good show. The matched horses, mares, and colts, in quality and number, exceeded those of previous Fairs; and the working cattle were very fine, but few in number. There were a few good blooded Saxony and Merino sheep, but judging by our exhibitions, there are but a few flocks in the county. Swine of an excellent quality are as rare as ever. We need to make greater efforts in the improvement of our swine and cattle. We ought to have in view, in the improvement of the latter, the stall and the dairy, or, ere we are aware, we shall find ourselves feeding and dairy farmers, without a good breed of cattle to operate with. There is, however, a good deal of the Durham blood in the cattle of the county. I send you herewith the list of premiums awarded. We had no annual address, nor other attractions, yet, much to our gratification, the list of memberships was much larger than usual; the spirit manifested was also much to be commended: a desire to promote the cause of Agriculture, independently of any selfish end or motive. Our annual meeting was held on the 19th January. We had but one crop presented, whether owing to the drought, or the inattention of members, is not known. The corn crop was undoubtedly poor through the county, yet there were some good yields, at least from 110 to 150 bushels of ears per acre. Where there was thorough cultivation and subsoiling, there were the usual crops. Mr. Adam Clark, our President, presented a report of a wheat crop raised by him, from five acres, yielding 43 bushels per acre, at a cost of 32 cents per bushel, delivered at the mill; which I transmit to you. He also presented a report of an experiment to ascertain the relation of the amount of yield of wheat, to the quantity of seed sown per acre. * The officers of the society for the ensuing year, are: Charles M. Stark, President; Charles P. Lee, Secretary; F. A. Stebbins, Treasurer. ARTEMAS BIGELOW, Secretary. • Vide ante pp. 314, 315. LEGISLATIVE AGRICULTURAL DISCUSSIONS. The first meeting in Albany the present winter for the discussion of agricultural subjects, was held at the rooms of the New-York State Agricultural Society, Thursday evening, Feb. 7. Lieut. Governor PATTERSON was called to the chair, and S. HowARD appointed secretary. Mr. JOHNSON, Sec'y State Ag. Society, stated that the subject for discussion was Agricultural Education; and proceeded to say that it was a matter which was now attracting great attention in all parts of the country. In respect to the prominence of its position before the Legislature and the people of New-York, he thought great credit was due to Gov. FISH, he having been the first, since the great CLINTON, who had occupied the gubernatorial chair, that had evinced a particular interest in recommending appropriations for agricultural affairs. He alluded to the messages of Gov. F., and read an extract from that of 1849, in which the establishment of an agricultural college and experimental farm is recommended. In reference to such an institution, Mr. J. said, the first question was-do farmers need a better system of education than they have had? Every candid man would answer this question in the affirmative. We are far behind some portions of Europe in skilful cultivation; and why? Foreign laborers are not superior to ours, but their labors are directed by men who generally bring more mind to the task-who more thoroughly understand the principles of their business. We want an institution where all these principles shall be taught, and where their practical operation shall be demonstrated. But it might be asked, cannot we learn without this school or farm? To this he would say the great object is to develope the greatest amount of useful knowledge, and disseminate it among the people. An institution like this would become the Normal School of agriculture, and from it would go forth men, properly grounded in the science and practice of husbandry, whose influence would be felt through all parts of the State. The agricultural interest requires an institution that will secure an education for the farmer equal to that which is conferred by our present colleges and other schools on those who are engaged in any profession. Mr. J. urged that the farmers required something as a remuneration for what they had contributed for other interests. The State has expended millions for objects that have not benefited directly the farmer. It had laid out nearly half a million in the departmest of natural history. Now of all this the farmers have not complained; but may they not with propriety ask for an appropriation directly for agricultural education suited to their wants? Mr. J. alluded to the system of county surveys commenced by the State Agricultural Society, which he was convinced would be beneficial in developing the natural resources of the State. In conclusion, Mr. J. remarked that he thought the time had now arrived for action on this subject. Practical utility is the order of the day. The people are in favor of the principle, and are looking to the present Legislature to second their views in some effectual measure. Not only is this the case with our own citizens, but the eyes of others were turned towards us. In Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, Illinois, and other States, and even in Canada, the subject is attracting attention, and the Empire State is looked to and expected to take the lead in this, as she had done, and he trusted would continue to do, in other great and important enterprises. Mr. S. S. RANDALL, of Albany, said his attention had been more particularly called to the subject of agricultural education in connection with common schools. He thought the science of agriculture should take its place with other sciences in those schools; and books containing the elementary principles should be introduced and studied here. It is true that this would not accomplish all that is required; higher institutions are necessary; but the youth should first be prepared for such institutions in the common schools. He admitted that the standard of agricultural education was too low, and the question is-how can it be best raised? Though he (Mr. R.) was in favor of such an institution as had been alluded to, he would first introduce the study of chemistry, geology, mineralogy, &c., into all the schools in the country. He alluded to the agricultural catechism of Prof. JOHNSTON, the study of which would be highly useful to beginners. Mr. R. spoke of the advantages of a thorough education to the farmer. These advantages were numerous, and even beyond estimation. Knowledge is not only subservient to the farmer, by enabling him to direct all his operations with greater success in a pecuniary view, but it renders all his labors agreeable and pleasant, by making plain to his mind the former mysteries of nature, and enabling him to contemplate the harmonious relation and order of all things. Mr. CURTIS, of Onondaga, was particularly pleased with the idea of teaching the rudiments of the natural sciences in the common schools. He had witnessed a successful example of this kind in his own neigborhood. A female who taught the summer school in his district, encouraged the children to bring in pebbles and specimens of rocks. The teacher, who had devoted considerable attention to Geology and Mineralogy, had these specimens arranged in their proper order, and explained to the pupils their geological relations, and their nature and properties. The pupils became delighted, and spent a portion of their leisure time in collecting specimens, and had acquired such a taste for Geology and Mineralogy, that they would pursue the study of those sciences with energy and interest. Mr. C. expressed himself as being favorably disposed towards all measures that will promote the agricultural interest. As to the establishment of an Agricultural College and Experimental Farm, it would doubtless be beneficial, if founded on a proper plan, and rightly managed. He was not prepared to speak particularly in reference to the plan which had been reported by the commissioners. Judge MILLER, of Rochester, said, though he was not himself a farmer, he hoped his son would be a farmer. He mentioned this as showing the regard he had for the agricultural interest. It is evident that the people of this State have a deep interest in agricultural education. Nine-tenths of our population are farmers, and will probably continue to be so. An important advantage resulting from the better education of this class, would be the prevention of our most enterprising young men being enticed away from agriculture, to seek business in the cities. A proper system of education would render agriculture popular, and men would not seek other avenues as the best means of attaining honor or wealth. In reference to the first steps of education, he would begin, as had been suggested, with the children in the common schools. Further than this he was not at present prepared to make any particular suggestions; he hoped, however, that we might have an institution for agriculture, which should correspond to the higher institutions for other professions-an institution that shall be creditable to the State of New-York. Judge M. illustrated the necessity of practical knowledge in regard to agriculture and horticulture, by referring to his own experience in the use of guano. When that substance was first introduced, he had heard much of its value as a manure, and as soon as he could obtain some, he applied it to his pet plants; but not knowing how to use it, he killed most of his plants. In the application of facts, we must have the benefit of practice and observation. There was another way in which Judge M. hoped we should derive great benefit from a more thorough knowledge of agriculture. By better cultivation, we shall be enabled to obtain much larger crops, and hence a less extent of land will answer for the same population. This will justify a subdivision of lands into small farms, and we shall thus be enabled to retain a highly useful and large class of citizens, all of whom will be interested in the land, and consequently in the institutions and welfare of the State. Hon. Mr. BREWER, of Tompkins, was confident that the study of books on agriculture might be introduced into the common schools with advantage. During the first visits of the Superintendent of Schools in the county where he resided, a class was formed for studying a manual on agriculture. (Taylor's.) The class made good progress, and the study was evidently useful. But we needed a higher institution, and it had been a subject of regret to him, that we had not one in the State. He had seen something of the great advantages, which such an institution may confer. He had a son at the school of Agriculture connected with Yale College, under the charge of Prof. NORTON. He had been there a year and a half, spending his vacations at home, on the farm, applying to practice, as much as possible, the knowledge he had acquired; and enough had already been demonstrated in this way, to settle in his mind, the question as to the utility of such an education. In connection with this subject, Mr. B. alluded to the necessity of more correct statistical information in regard to agricultural products than we had yet obtained. He was certain that the last census was very imperfect-the number of acres in the different crops, and their yield having been, in many cases, only guessed at. Hon. S. M. BURROUGHS, of Orleans, was not prepared to speak in detail in reference to the subject under consideration, but would remark, that there were many points of view in which such an institution as is contemplated would be useful. The establishment of a good veterina ry school, in connexion with such an institution, would, in a few years, save a greater amount, in the lives of animals, than the whole institution would cost; and yet this was only one of many branches of useful knowledge that would there be taught. He was for using all means that would promote the dissemination of knowledge among farmers. Agricultural papers were important means of this kind. To them was owing much of the interest now manifested in agricultural improvement, and he rejoiced that their circulation was increasing. The Transactions of the State Society, embodied, every year, a vast amount of valuable informatian for the farmer. Farmers also might derive much benefit from conversation with each other, and in this view, |