strated by actual experiment: On the comparative cost of keeping animals: On the different kinds of food, and different periods of their growth, and at maturity: A separate premium on high bred and native cattle: A separate premium on cheese, designed for shipment to a foreign market, and for home market.

Resalved, That the true interest of the cheese maker, and the society, will be best promoted by examining the entire dairy of the competitor at home, and that a committee be appointed for that purpose, whose duty it shall be to examine such dairies at the place of manufacture, and entire farms that are entered for premiums.

Resolved, That while we fully appreciate the advantages which society derives from the professional, mercantile, and mechanical employments, yet we regard the cultivation of the earth as the most important business, mentally and physically, for men.

Resolved, That the importance of the cultivation of the earth demands an exertion on the part of men equal to the happy result which always flows, when he seeks to do as well as the talent with which he is endowed by his Creator will permit.

Resolved, That we look with regret upon the unpaid toils of the agriculturist, who permits his fields to be covered with the thistle and the briar, and allows his barns and his sheds to harbor cattle, horses, or sheep, which will not command a respectable price, when brought to market.

Resolved, That we have witnessed the advancement of the interest of the agriculturist of the county in the establishment and highly creditable position of the Herkimer County Agricultural Society, and that it only needs a united and undivided effort in Herkimer county to enable us to compete with any county in the State, in the necessaries as well as the luxuries of life.

Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in connection with the transactions of the society the past year, and that a copy of the same be presented to each member of the Society, and that 200 copies be struck off for gratuitous distribution.

Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be tendered to Hon. Ezra Graves, for the interest and zeal he has manifested in the

welfare of the society, and for the ability and fidelity with which he has discharged the duties of its presiding officer.

JEFFERSON.

REPORT. M. R. PATRICK, PRESIDENT.

The Annual Fair was held on the 10th and 11th September. On the 4th of August the executive committee resolved to purchase ten acres of land outside the corporate bounds of the village of Watertown, on which to hold the fairs of the society. The purchase was made for $100 per acre-the whole enclosed with a tight substantial fence, six feet high, and a building 60 by 30 erected for the purpose of exhibiting domestic fabrics, &c.

The days of the fair will long be remembered for the excessive heat which prevailed-yet, notwithstanding this intense heat, there were more than 10,000 persons present, and probably as fair a display of animals, agricultural implements and domestic articles as any county in the State showed in that month-not to speak of the products of the dairy, as they were allowed to speak for themselves. The following week at the State Fair at Rochester the premium for best six dairies of cheese from any county was. awarded to the county of Jefferson.

I have the honor to report, further, that since the fair, some $250 has been raised by subscription and expended in the improvement of the society grounds, in stumping, grubbing, grading and preparing for the setting out of shade and ornamental trees early in the spring. Said moneys being raised for special purposes, and therefore not appearing in the accompanying report of the

treasurer.

Lastly, I have the honor to report that the winter meeting of the society was held at Watertown on the 24th instant, when premiums on field crops and fruits were awarded, (as per statement

herewith enclosed,) the accounts of the treasurer examined and audited, a delegation appointed to attend the winter meeting of the State Society, and our own officers for the coming year elected. They are as follows:

President, John A. Sherman, Rutland. Vice-Presidents, thirteen in number; Treasurer, Talcott H. Camp, of Watertown; Corresponding Secretary, John C. Sterling, of Watertown; Recording Secretary, Edward S. Massey, of Watertown; an Executive Committee of thirteen members.

Abstract of Treasurer's Report, Jefferson County Agricultural Society, December 24th, 1851.

By cash received from State Treasurer,..
66 members and tickets,.

183 00

709 71

$1,119 93

Balance due treasurer,.....

$144 65

FIELD CROPS.

Winter Wheat.-Phineas Hardy, LeRay, 31 2 bushels, on 97 acres; 314 bushels.

Spring Wheat.-Albert Rice, Adams, 35 bushels per acre.

Indian Corn.-Albert Rice, Adams, 375 bushels on five acres ; one single acre of the field measured 122 bushels..

Barley.-Albert Gurnee, Watertown,45 per acre; 226, bush

els on five acres.

Outs.-Robert Hardy, Rutland, 73 bushels, 3 lbs. per acre. Peas.-E. S. Salisbury, Ellisburg, 41 bushels per acre. Beans.-Jeremiah Parker, Watertown, 41 per acre.

do E. S. Salisbury, Ellisburg, 352

do

Statements, with proper certificates, as to measurement of ground and crops raised, accompanied the returns.

Extracts from the report of the viewing committee-Dairies, Butter and Cheese, Farms, and Nurseries.

The committee convened in the village of Watertown on the 20th of August, and proceeded from there northward, and, after having visited one farm, put up for the night at the house of one of the committee, Oliver Bartholomew, Esq., of Brownsville, to whom was awarded last year the highest premium on his farm. We took a slight view of this farm, and found it in every respect deserving of the premium awarded by last year's committee. The next morning, at an early hour, we were joined by the President, who, having recently exchanged the sword for the plow, and wishing to obtain some practical knowledge of Agriculture, accompanied us through our whole tour.

We continued our drive during the day through the towns of Orleans, Theresa, Antwerp, and Philadelphia, visiting several dairies, piggeries, &c., and passed the night at the house of Mr. Alfred Coolidge, who is an extensive and practical farmer, and has received several premiums for his enterprise and thorough mode of farming. Although Mr. Coolidge was not an applicant for a premium, we took a short stroll upon his farm, and found it in its usual productive state. A large and commodious barn and stabling attracted our particular attention, it being one of the best which attracted our view in our entire tour.

From thence we took a homeward direction through the towns of Leray, Pamelia, and into Watertown, when we separated for our

homes, it being the close of the week. On the farm of Evelin F. Carter, in the town of Leray, where we remained over night, we examined an extensive apiary, containing some eighty swarms of bees, from which he will obtain some two thousand pounds of honey the present season, and for which he is offered one shilling per pound. Mr. Carter says he receives more net profit from his bees than from his dairy of some thirty cows.

We think, could some of those on the other side of the Atlantic, who have so sneeringly pointed out the Prairie grounds of cousin Jonathan, in the Crystal Palace, have accompanied us through this short tour, and seen what we have seen, the large fields of waving grain all ready for the sickle, the husbandman going forth upon his own soil with a strong arm and a willing hand to gather it into barns, the numerous herds and flocks leisurely feeding upon the green hills and the verdant meadows, the long range of tables laden with heavy cheese, groaning underneath the weight of their own fatness, or the dairyman's cellar filled with numberless tubs of golden butter, or could they have looked in upon happy homes and rural retreats of these our fair country-women, they would have exclaimed, this indeed is the promised land, the land which flows with milk and honey, the land of liberty and the home of the free.

On the following Tuesday, we again convened and started toward the south, passing through the towns of Hounsfield, Henderson, Ellisburgh, Adams, Rodman, Rutland and Champion, passing in all, through fifteen different towns of our county, visiting seven different farms, examined twenty-three dairies of cheese, fourteen of butter, and two nurseries, travelling some two hundred and fifty miles, and spending nine days of time. We were every where received in the most courteous and hospitable manner, all cheerfully imparting to us the knowledge derived from their own experience, and thankfully receiving all in ours to bestow.

In taking this tour the Committee saw much to instruct and admire, and some things to condemn and to reprove. The [Ag. Trans. 1852.] 34