what rare exception of a whirlwind or hurricane. The winters are not severely cold, nor subject to violent storms; and the intermediate seasons are delightfully pleasant. It is true that in some of the marshy localities, giving rise to unwholesome vapors, the inhabitants are subject to those peculiar distempers always prevalent in such districts; but even there, the range of disorders scarcely extends beyond fevers and agues.

SURFACE, SOIL, &c.

Near the borders of Lake Erie, and for some distance in the interior of the northern part of the state, the surface is generally level, and occasionally somewhat marshy. The section of country in the vicinity of the Ohio River, in the eastern and south-eastern quarters, is elevated and broken, although there are no lofty mountains in the state. But the entire region is a table land, reaching to a height of 600 to 1000 feet above the ocean level. The most level and fertile lands are situated in the interior, through which flows the River Scioto. Vast prairies lie near the head waters of that river, of the Muskingum, and the two Miami Rivers, upon which there is no growth of timber, but which yield abundance of coarse grass. The forests, in other parts, produce oaks, walnut, hickory, beech, birch, maple, poplar, sycamore, papaw, cherry, buckeye, and whitewood, in all their varieties. Pines are uncommon, and the whitewood is generally substituted. The staple agricultural product of the state is wheat,

of which enormous quantities are annually exported. Rye, oats, buckwheat, Indian corn, and other grains, are raised in great profusion; and nearly every species of garden vegetable is cultivated successfully. It is estimated that nine tenths of the land is adapted to purposes of agriculture, and that three fourths of it is extraordinarily fertile. Fruits of all descriptions known in the same latitude grow luxuriantly in all parts of the state.

AGRICULTURE.

In 1855 there were 10,000,000 acres of improved land, and about 9,000,000 acres of unimproved land in farms. The cash value of the farms is about $400,000000, and the value of implements and machinery belonging to the same about $14,000,000. The value of live stock in this state, comprising horses, sheep, swine, oxen, cows, &c., was about $50,000,000. The following are the statistics of the products of the soil for 1855: Wheat, 40,000,000 bushels; rye, 700,000; Indian corn, 73,000,000; oats, 14,000,000; barley, 500,000; buckwheat, 800,000; peas and beans, 70,000; potatoes, 6,000,000; sweet potatoes, 200,000. Value of fruit, $800,000. Produce raised by market gardens, $225,000. Butter and cheese, 60,000,000 pounds. Maple sugar, 500,000 pounds. Gallons of molasses, 200,000. Wool produced, 11,000,000 pounds. Flax, 500,000 pounds. Hay cut, 2,000,000 tons. Robert Buchanan, of Cincinnati, says that he sold last year, from his vineyard, 140,000 cuttings, and thinks that

the whole number sold in one season would number 2,000,000 cuttings and 300,000 stocks. This looks very much like making the Ohio valley the land of the vine. These immense figures show the extent of operations, and the enterprise of Ohio farmers.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

Many important public works have been undertaken and accomplished in this state. The Ohio Canal, 307 miles in length, extends from Cleveland, on the shore of Lake Erie, to Portsmouth, on the Ohio River; and there are connected with it sundry branches, one of which reaches 50 miles. This work, commenced in 1825 and completed in 1832, cost $5,000,000. The Miami Canal, 178 miles long, extends from Cincinnati, and connects with the Wabash and Erie Canal at Defiance. This is also intersected by several branches. The Mahoning, a branch of the Ohio Canal, commences at Akron, and extends 88 miles, to Beaver River. Two continuous lines of railroad extend across the state, from north to south-one from Cincinnati to Sandusky, the other from Cincinnati to Cleveland, which is also connected by railroad with Pittsburg, Buffalo, Sandusky, and Toledo. There are numerous important lines in progress, extending east and west, and, indeed, in almost every direction. The City Council of Cincinnati passed an ordinance to aid the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, chiefly by commuting the interest on the

$600,000 loan, and the rent of the wharf until 1861, on condition that the road shall be finished by November, 1857.

GOVERNMENT.

The constitution provides for the election of a governor biennially; but he cannot be elected for more than three terms in succession. Members of the Senate, 36 in number, are elected for two years, one half chosen annually. The House of Representatives is composed of 72 members, elected for one year. All these elections are by the people. The state secretary, treasurer, and auditor are chosen by the legislature, in joint ballot, for three years. The sessions of the General Assembly commence annually on the first Monday in December, at Columbus, the capital of the state. White males, 21 years of age, residents for one year in the state, and tax payers, are entitled to the right of suffrage. The constitution has been recently revised and modified; but its new features do not seem to be essential improvements in principle upon its former provisions. Among the amendments introduced are the following: The House of Representatives to consist of 100 members — both branches to be chosen for two years; the legislature to hold its sessions once in two years; the lieutenant governor to be acting president of the Senate, with only a casting vote; on the passage of every bill, the yeas and nays to be required, and a majority of all the members elected, of each

house, to be necessary to the passage of any law; all judicial officers to be elected by the people—the judges of the Supreme and Common Pleas Courts for five years; no state debts to be contracted to an amount of over $750,000, except in certain emergencies, nor the state credit to be loaned, nor. the state, nor any county, city, or town to hold stock in corporations.

EDUCATION.

On the admission of this state into the Union, it was stipulated, for certain considerations, that one thirtysixth part of all the territory should be set apart for the maintenance of common schools. This liberal reservation makes ample provision for securing to coming generations the advantages of early instruction; and, thus far, the compact, on the part of the state, has been faithfully carried out. Good schools are diffused all over the land; and all needful attention and aid are given by the people to their support and improvement. There are many thousands of public grammar and primary schools in the state, some hundreds of academies or similar seminaries, and about twenty universities, colleges, and other institutions of a high order. The amount of the school fund owned by the state is nearly $2,000,000; and nearly $300,000 are an nually apportioned to the several counties for school purposes. The number of persons over 20 years of age who can neither read nor write is about 35,000.