It may not be inappropriate, in connexion, to notice in what estimation our Transactions are held abroad, by gentlemen who are competent to judge of their value, to the great Agricultural interest. While in England, the past summer, the Secretary distributed several copies of the volume of 1849, among editors of Agricultural Journals, and gentlemen interested in the subject of Agriculture. The editor of one of the Agricultural Journals of Great Britain thus alludes to the volume. "We are indebted to the politeness of Mr. Johnson, Corresponding Secretary of the New-York State Agricultural Society, for a copy of the Transactions for 1846—a volume of near 1,000 pages. Of course, in such a volume, there must be much matter of an ephemeral kind, though we are bound to admit that, as compared with the "Transactions" of many of our European Societies, there is a greater amount of really valuable matter worthy of a place amongst the scientific literature of the country, than is general."

Expressions of a like character, from gentlemen abroad were often made, and they are alluded to here solely, for the purpose of showing the importance of the operations of our Society, and the other associations of the State, embodied, as they are, annually, in the Transactions published by the Legislature.

While absent, the Secretary had an opportunity of presenting the Transactions of the Society to the Centrale Nationale Agricultural Society of France-and as the account of the proceedings of the Society have a bearing upon the importance of our efforts, as a Society, we give them briefly.

MONS. CHEVEREILLE, Vice President in the Chair, Mr. PAYEN, Secretary.

Paris, July, 1851.

Having been introduced by Count KERGOLEY, one of the Jurors at the exhibition in London, from France, Mr. JOHNSON remarked, on presenting the Transactions, that it gave him very great pleasure to meet this distinguished body, who had done so much for the advance

ment of the science of Agriculture. The publications of the Society, which had been forwarded to ours, were highly appreciated and would aid much in the advancement of the best interests of our country. As a slight return for the very valuable donations we had received, we had presented the Transactions of our Society, which, though young in comparison with theirs, was making exertions to diffuse as widely as possible, information on Agriculture, Horticulture, and the arts connected with them. I alluded briefly, to the patronage bestowed by the State upon the Society in its annual contribution of funds and the publication of the Transactions for distribution, and gave an account of our annual exhibitions and the manner in which our Transactions were prepared.

I presented them with the report of the trial of plows made by the Society, and a description of the Virginia Grain Reaper of MCCORMICK, to which had been awarded the Council Medal of the Exhibition, the only single implement, I believe, to which that honor had been given. In returning my thanks for the kindness which had been extended to me on behalf of the State and Society which I represented; I expressed the hope that the intercourse which had been so happily commenced between our Societies would be continued to our mutual advantage and to the best interests of our respective countries. We remembered with grateful feelings the assistance received from France at an early period in our history, in our struggles for independence, and that we should ever hold their country in grateful remembrance, and our desire was, that the intercourse should continue of the most friendly character, as hitherto, and that prosperity and success might attend the efforts of the French nation in its advancement in all that could contribute to a nation's welfare, honor and glory.

My remarks were translated by Mr. Payen, and the Vice President made some very complimentary remarks in regard to our Society and its Transactions, and of our efforts in the cause of Agriculture. He was followed by Mr. Milne Edwards, in some very flattering remarks in regard to our State, on the liberality which had secured the preparation and publication of our work on Natural

History, of which any country in Europe might be proud, as well as the very creditable Transactions of the State Agricultural Society, which were most highly appreciated.

ROYAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND.-At the meetings of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, every facility was afforded the Secretary, as the representative of the Society, and the proceedings of the Society, in relation to a sample of Phosphate of Lime from Essex county, in our State, have been published in the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society, and also in the Journal of our own Society. This important fertilizer, which is used to an extent in England, that will scarcely be credited by our farmers, is found in our own State in great abundance and of a quality superior to what can be readily obtained in England; and there is such a demand for it in England, for fertilizing their turnip crops, that orders have been sent here, we understand, for the entire yield of our mines-upon terms, it is believed, that will give a handsome return to the owners. If this is so valuable for England, the inquiry suggests itself at once, is it not equally valuable for our own soils. It cannot be doubted, that we ought to introduce it extensively here, and that instead of permitting it to go abroad to enrich the lands in foreign countries, we should retain it here, to' increase our own crops, and when needed send them abroad, securing to ourselves the advantage of this fertilizer in the increased crops, which we should, by its use, be enabled to raise.

An article on the use of Phosphate of Lime and its advantages, as thoroughly demonstrated in England, will be found among the papers submitted, and we ask the careful attention of the farmers of New-York, to this valuable article.

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM.-The great value of the Agricultural Museum, which has been commenced by the Society, has now been completely established in the public mind. The opportunities which are thus afforded for the examination of implements, seeds, &c., have been, during the past year, much more extensively than any previous year, enjoyed by farmers and others--and nothing

but a want of room prevents the Society extending it, so as to be equal to any in the world.

The Secretary availed himself of the opportunities which were afforded him while in Europe, to obtain an interchange of grains, seeds, &c., from extensive establishments in London, Edinburgh and Paris, and has already received from London and Paris, very extensive and valuable collections, which have been arranged in cases in the rooms; also a small collection from California. The varieties received from one house in London, Charlwood & Cummins, are 117; and from Vilmorin, Andrieux & Co., Paris, several hundred. The letter from Mons. Vilmorin & Co., and from the Horticultural Society of Paris, accompany this report. An extensive collection from Peter Lawson & Son, Edinburgh, who exhibited much the most perfect collection at the Exhibition, is expected, and another extensive one from Vilmorin & Co., which will probably contain samples of all the varieties of wheat grown in Europe. To enable the Society to continue and make perfect this system of exchanges, they must rely upon the farmers of the State, to furnish them for exchange, samples of all their grain, in the head as well as in the berry-and there can be little doubt, that results of great importance in the improvement of our crops by the introduction of new and valuable varieties of grain and seeds, will soon be experienced. To enable us to accomplish, however, all that is desired, it will be necessary that very largely increased space be provided for the arrangement of the collection. The Legislature will, doubtless, make such provision, should the importance of the collection be as favorably appreciated by them as it is by the public at large.

GREAT EXHIBITION IN LONDON.-It will be recollected that in our last report, this exhibition was alluded to-and that an appropriation had been made by the executive committee for the purpose of being awarded to such of the members of the Society as should receive prize medals at that exhibition. It gives the Society great pleasure to announce the following persons as having received prizes; and for some of the articles to which prizes were awarded, too much praise cannot be given for their importance to the agriculturist; and it may, without disparagement to others, be said,

that the exhibitors contributed largely to that measure of credit which was finally awarded to our country. Gold medals have been awarded to the following:

C. H. McCormick, for his Grain Reaper.

D. Dick, for his Anti-Friction Presses.

Prouty & Co., for his Center Draught Plow No. 40.

Adirondack Co., for Steel and Ore.

Thomas Bell, for Wheat.

B. B. Kirtland, for Indian Corn.

General Harmon, for Wheat.

Oswego Starch Factory, for Starch, &c.

Lerow & Blodget, for Rotary Sewing Machine.

Palmer & Co., for Artificial Leg.

The following persons received Honorable Mention for their exhibition, and a Silver Medal has been awarded by the Executive Committee.

E. R. Dix, Farm Products.

Oswego Starch Factory, Fecula of Maize.

Wm. Hotchkiss, Wheat.

R. L. Pell, Variety of American Woods.

A. B. Allen & Co. Agricultural Tools.
James Pirsson, New-York, Piano.

A more detailed account in relation to these contributions will be found in the remarks of the President of the Society in presenting the Medals to the successful competitors. It is proper to observe that the results of this Great Exhibition, it is believed, will be of a character fully to realize all that was anticipated from it.

The following striking and truthful passage from a paper entitled "A last look at the Crystal Palace," by an English lady, expresses very happily the lessons taught in some measure by the exhibition:

"The spirit of the Crystal Palace has also incorporated itself with history, and future ages will read with astonishment the de