By drill planting, these dangers are avoided. The drill plants the seed at a very uniform depth, regularly, which secures its germination, leaving a slight ridge of finely prepared soil, on each side the plant, into which the side root finds its way and takes deep, strong hold. This ridge protects the root of the tender plant, and the plants crowding in upon each other, in continuous rows, spread their kindly branches about and over each other, thus giving shelter and protection against the drought, the frost, or the winter's blast. Thus the drillseeding secures the growth of the greater quantity of seed and performs a very important office in relation to its future growth

The best time for seeding in this county is believed to be from the 8th to the 20th of September. Spring harrowing has not been practiced to any great extent in this State, but it has been found to produce very marked benefits in various parts of New York and other Eastern States, where it has been adopted. There cannot exist any reasonable doubt that the practice will be found successful here. The harrow should be light, used when the surface is dry, and the clover seed may follow with every prospect of success.

In regard to the proper time for cutting the market crop, it is believed there is but little difference of opinion—it should be when the grain is in the dough, if we desire the heaviest wheat per bushel, and that which makes most profit to producers and manufacturers. The only deviation from this rule, is in respect to seed wheat, which should be fully ripe, when cut.

In the views thus imperfectly presented, I have fulfilled the limits assigned myself in the discussion of this important subject. But there is intimately connected therewith another subject, which I desire merely to suggest for your consideration, and that is, a systematic rotation of crops, having for its object the permanent improvement of the soil. For the purpose of illustration, let me suppose the farm divided into four fields, Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4. Next spring, spread all the manure accumulated upon lot No. 1; plow it thoroughly, and plant it with corn and such other crops as will give place to wheat in the fall.

As this system discards the fallow as much as possible, the farmer will have ample time to cultivate his corn, shear his sheep, cut his hay, and harvest his wheat, without the constant dread of the sun upon his summer fallow. If the corn has been planted early and properly cultivated, it may be cut up, removed to the adjoining field, and the land sowed with wheat by the 20th of September.

In the spring following, let the light harrow follow the paths left by the drill; then sow the clover seed and the plaster, and the work is done until harvest.

The next year, lot one will give the farmer an abundant crop of hay and seed; the third year in pasture, which fits it for the plow again.

This system contemplates only one plowing for corn, one for wheat, and when fairly inaugurated the fields would be occupied as follows: No. 1, corn; No. 2, wheat; No. 3, meadow; No. 4, pasture; three-quarters of your farm producing crops each year, while one-quarter only is plowed-the same crop being repeated only once in four years.

This system is not offered as original; it has been fully elaborated by men of very great experience in agricultural pursuits, and advocated as a system not only well calculated to preserve and increase the natural fertility of the soil, but to lighten the labor and increase the net profits of farming.

GENESEE COUNTY.

The fifteenth annual show of the Genesee County Agricultural Society was held on the grounds of the Society, at Flint, from the 28th of September to the 1st of October-the inclemency of the weather inducing the officers to continue it a day longer than had been previously arranged. Although some friends of the Society had doubted the expediency of holding a show the present year on account of the unfavorable character of the season, the result is pronounced most gratifyingthe exhibition being, though not all that might have been wished, highly respectable, while the numbers in attendance,

and the financial receipts exceeded those of any previous year. The report of the treasurer shows the receipts from the show to have been $973 25, and that there is a balance on hand of $320 28. The annual address was delivered by Sanford Howard, Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture.

This Society makes an annual report through its Secretary, showing the general condition of agriculture, horticulture and manufactures in the county, from year to year. The report for 1864, shows that the season was very unfavorable to nearly all productions of the soil. A winter remarkable for sudden changes from mildness to great severity, without the usual covering of snow, was followed by a cold, wet spring, greatly delaying all farm operations; the spring succeeded by a summer of almost unprecedented drought, by which most crops were greatly injured. The general results of the season are summed up as follows:

Wheat not over half an average crop in yield; the quality very fine. Indian corn not over half an average crop; quality good. Oats, three-fourths of an average crop. Barley, light în yield, but of good quality. Clover-seed generally yielded well. Hay, about two-thirds of an average crop; quality good. Buckwheat poor. Beans, good in the southern part of the county, but light or a total failure in other portions. Potatoes, though believed at one time to be nearly ruined for want of moisture, were so much benefitted by the early autumn rains that they gave a fair yield of good quality. Of root crops, the Swedish turnip or ruta-baga, and other turnips, did well where properly cultivated. Apples were not as abundant as usual; they were injured by worms more than heretofore. Orchards are increasing in the county.

The number of cattle in the county has diminished since 1863, the cause being partly the unusual demand from the East, with high prices, partly the scarcity of fodder, and partly the transfer of the farmers' interest from cattle to sheep. The inducements to breed and rear good horses continue. Some good specimens, especially of the roadster class, partaking

largely of the Black-Hawk Morgan blood, were exhibited at the show. Sheep are on the increase in the county. A considerable number of Merinos have lately been introduced from Vermont and New York. In 1864, there was sold in the county, 485,000 lbs. of wool, at an average price of 95 cts. per lb. It is said that the farmers bring their wool to market much. better cleaned and tied than formerly, and that they find their compensation in a higher price. "Genesee county," says the Report, "is beginning to acquire a reputation for her wool; it depends upon the growers whether that reputation shall be good or bad. Let them make it a practice habitually to prepare their clips for market in the best and cleanest manner and a character for this valuable product will soon be established that will produce competition to obtain Gensee county wool, and enable it to command the highest market rates. Already purchasers say they find a marked improvement in the cleanliness, style of tying up, and strings used. Let this be persevered in and our farmers will find it to pay. As might be expected, the interest felt in fine-wooled sheep manifested itself at our show in an extensive and choice exhibition.'

Labor-saving machinery-such as reaping and mowing machines-is fast alleviating manual toil in the field. The manufacturing interests of the county are flourishing. The manufacture of agricultural implements is extensively carried on and is rapidly increasing. A large portion of the plows used in the county are of home make.

The society is congratulated on its increasing prosperity, the erection of more new buildings, and the prospect of further improvement of its grounds.

Officers.-The officers of the Society for 1864, are Levi Walker, of Flint, President; F. H. Rankin, Secretary; J. W. Begole, Treasurer; with twenty-one Vice Presidents, an Executive committee, consisting of seven members, and a Board of Auditors.

JACKSON COUNTY.

The Secretary of the Jackson County Agricultural Society gives the following account of the receipts and expenditures for the year 1864:

Officers.-M. Dorrill, President; W. Boughton, Secretary; F. W. Anthony, Treasurer.

HILLSDALE COUNTY.

The Farmers', Mechanics' and Stock-Breeders' Association of Jonesville, held two exhibitions in 1864, viz: on the 4th of July and on the 12th, 13th and 14th of October-the former "being for a particular celebration of the day," and latter the annual show.

Receipts.

The receipts at the meeting on the 4th of July, are