To Messrs. Prouty & Mears, I have the pleasure to present this Gold Medal, on behalf of the New-York State Agricultural Society, and to assure you of the satisfaction felt in the success which has attended the efforts of your skill and ingenuity.

During a long series of years the farmers of Europe, and more especially of Great Britain, and their skillful mechanics, have diligently applied their inventive powers to the construction of a Machine for Reaping Grain. The fickle climate of the British Isles has ever kept the minds of their husbandmen vibrating between fear and hope through the seasons of harvest; a machine, therefore, to save time and labor in reaping, has been anxiously sought to displace the sickle, which to this day is in general use except perhaps in Berwickshire and a few other localities, where an illcontrived scythe and demi-cradle have been used. In 1851, Mr. Smith, of Deanstone, made an abortive attempt at construction; he was followed by Mr. P. Bell, who was also unsuccessful; others followed, from year to year, with no better results. In this country, Wilson's machine was for a short time used on the banks of the Hudson river, but gave way, in 1836, to Hussey's admirable, simple, and durable reaper-a machine now extensively used in this and in other States. In 1843* Mr. McCORMICK, perfected his now popular machine, which, at the Industrial Exhibition, in London, has obtained the approbation of agriculturists, who tested its powers and properties under many adverse circumstances, and yielded to it their admiration and prompt adoption.

To Mr. McCormick has been awarded one of the highest honors granted by the Royal Commissioners of the Great Fair-the Council Medal. It is an honor, sir, (Mr. McCormick,) of which you may be justly proud; for your skill and talent have given to the world an implement or machine of rare utility, contributing largely to the general character of most American objects presented for the world's examination; its character of usefulness to man directly aiding in the supply of sustenance at a reduced cost, and indirectly increasing his comforts and welfare.

• Mr. Cormick claims the date of his invention in 1831. Vide Minor's Mechanics' Mag. 1834.

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The executive board of the New-York State Agricultural Society, and every member of the Association, must experience pleas ure of no ordinary degree in witnessing the expert application of the mechanic arts, their properties and powers, to objects closely allied to the high calling of the farmer; they rejoice in your success, and hail it, together with other important and successful objects now presented here for their commendation and reward, as a proof that the bright dawn of knowledge is darting its rays over this agricultural nation. As an evidence of their satisfaction, and on their behalf, I present to you the Gold Medal of the Society.

The advance of science has recently brought to our knowledge the preparation and use of an article not only important as food, but also essential in the arts. We have had occasion to mention the high value of the Indian corn, and we might with advantage allude to many of its uses and properties; at present we must con fine our remarks to a new product from this valuable grain, known as Corn Starch, and yet another, as the Fecula of Maize. It was in the winter of 1849-'50 that Mr. Willard and his associates, of Auburn, established extensive works at Oswego for the preparation of these important products—an establishment covering an area of 49,000 square feet. As the proprietors have to some extent held unrevealed the process by which they produce a starch more pure than the starch of commerce, we may not indulge in speculative curiosity; yet we can hardly doubt their great success is mainly attributable to perfect machinery, guided by science and talent.* The rapid and extended demand for these new products presents sufficient evidence of their character; as we are told that about three millions of pounds of this corn starch are demanded annually by the trade, notwithstanding the usual supply of wheat starch is undiminished. A remarkable feature of corn starch is the absence of impurities; upon being subjected to analysis, it is found that only 2,3 parts in 1000 are of other matter than pure starch. According to Ure, wheat yields only thirty-five to forty

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• Messrs. T. Kingford & Son have the entire charge of the preparation and manufacture of the articles from the Oswego Starch Factory.

per cent. of good starch, a material extensively used in arts and manufactures.

In addition to starch, the Oswego Starch Factory produces from Indian corn a fecula peculiarly adapted to culinary purposes, presenting to our domestic economy one of the most acceptable, pure, and nutritious articles of food. Already has it become an indispensable household article, and is consumed largely at home and abroad. The factory though in its infancy, consumes annually 150,000 bushels of corn, equal to about nine millions of pounds in weight. Hitherto, the quantities of starch used for laundry purposes and in our manufactories have been produced from costly wheats; though it may be found in many vegetable substances, such as potatoes, the horse chestnut, and other seeds. In England, where breadstuffs, particularly wheat, have been raised in quantities inadequate to the demand for food, attempts have been made to convert the viscid matter of lichens into a gum for the use of calico printers, paper makers, ink makers-for the stiffening of silks, crapes, and the endless variety of dry goods, which, by means of these gums or starch, are made to appear of greater consistency. Most of these attempts had partial success; yet the making of starch from wheat has not been arrested.

The Oswego Starch Factory has happily introduced the use of Indian corn, as a grain producing a larger proportion of pure amylaceous properties than any other known vegetable substance; proffering to the American manufacturer another economic advantage, sustaining in a most legitimate manner sound rivalry and competition with all the world.

I am not aware whether the Oswego Factory has converted its starch into gum-a process easily accomplished by heat, and thus rendered soluble in water, which cannot be done while in its condition of starch. Here is another result of vast importance derivable from our Indian corn; and we can well conceive that, in a short period of time, the advantages now derived from the production of corn starch may grow into a national benefit.

To Dr. Willard and his associates of the Oswego Starch Factory we feel unfeigned pleasure in the presentation of this Golden Medal, for the merit of perfecting an establishment of so great importance as the Oswego Starch Factory, and for the credit conferred on your State by deserving and obtaining the Prize Medal from the Commissioners and Judges of the Industrial Exhibition. We feel, sir, an equal degree of satisfaction in presenting this Silver Medal to your association, in testimony of our estimation of your second product, the fecula of maize, for which you received honorable mention from the Judges of the World's Fair.

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Gentlemen, For many ages man depended more on physical force, and less upon knowledge. They knew but little of the properties of matter or of the laws which govern motion. dustry was inculcated, force was encouraged, patience coveted, and, with these attributes, he effected his desires-desires necessarily restricted and demanding much self-denial, because these attributes, could never accomplish the frequent repetition of his wishes, In this our day, knowledge excites to experiment, and art, springing from science, new wants; these wants acting upon our inventive genius give the means for supply; thus, like the reciprocating action of a perfect machine, the power and effect are in due proportion. Increasing or accumulating results are ever creating a necessity for power-for a greater supply to meet a greater de mand.

If an opinion may be hazarded thus early as to the effects of the Industrial Exhibition, seen at this distance, it may not, as before intimated, be as favorable to the progress of man's happiness as has been fondly anticipated by many; because art has been stimulated chiefly in the production of articles which minister to luxury, to ornament, and to the non-essentials of truth and virtue in a people; and excess of luxury has never failed to bring distress upon the earth, upon nations as well as individuals. The remark is true, that "as the mind is enlightened it becomes moré dignified;" but, if the mind submits to the enervating influences of ease and luxury, its vigor fails-its powers become latent.

In connection with these observations, we may notice the character of nations, as displayed in their respective offerings at the World's Fair. True, the highest effort of mind was there; the vigor of British intellect was conspicuous-European skill displayed the most surprising efforts of ingenuity-an Asiatic art secured the attention of admiring crowds. Our countrymen, in plain and simple forms, presented offerings whereby man should be sustained and his every essential want gratified; while no unnecessary or enervating appetite or desire was kindled, encouraged, or gratified. The unalloyed happiness of the human family seemed to be the aim of American effort-nearly all, possessing a magic influence, leading by their powers to wealth, fame, and honor. It may be said also that the offerings from the United States exhibited a combination of theory and practice, proving (with few exceptions) that science and experiment go hand in hand; repressing the bold presumption of mere enthusiasts, who would direct all things by their crude, abstract, and ill digested notions.

As the end of all science is to enrich human life with useful inventions and arts," ""* we have reason to rejoice in the skill of our fellow citizens, as recently displayed and rewarded in Great Britain; we have reason to rejoice in the advance of knowledge in our happy and favored land. While thus rejoicing, let us not expose ourselves to the errors of self sufficiency and arrogance; let us ever bear in mind that whatever talent we possess, whatever power or influence we wield, they are trusts committed to ustheir number and importance being evidence of confidence reposed in the possessor, and of the high hopes and expectations looked for in return. We all have a duty to perform-none beyond our respective powers-for that duty is in proportion to the talent each may hold; to perform our respective duties, we have been commanded and most affectionately invited. If we neglect it, a rigid accountability awaits us; if we obey, who can recount the high rewards of that obedience?

• Bacon.