It seems to

regret complaints have been made that their soil is wearing out, and for some reason the soil does not produce as usual, and that manure does not seem to raise it as it once did. The oat crop was one of the most sure and productive crops in our county, but after raising a few crops, the soil seems to be exhausted and worn out. Many conjectures have been made in regard to this crop. leave the ground heavy and hard, and appears to become wet. Now some of our farmers have come to the conclusion that this crop is not doing what they once thought it did, but in fact and truth, that the oat had exhausted it of some peculiar element that was producing the mischief. This same thing is true also of some other crops, but not to the same degree. There are many here who are very anxious to have an agricultural survey made in our county, and analyses made of our soil.

8. The increased, diminished, or stationary value of farms? For the last ten years land has increased in value moderately, but the increased value for the last five years has been more than in ten years before. This is accounted for partly from the fact that there has been a considerable of wild land where their attention has been turned to lumbering, and the peeling of bark. There are a great number of large tanneries in this county, as you will see by referring to the last census. Since the commencement of our agricultural society there is a very evident improvement in farming, and there are many of our farmers receiving benefit indirectly, although they are not members themselves. To illustrate, I will give you one example. There were a few good farmers in a neighborhood together, and concluded to have a society of their own without its costing them anything. Some time after our county fair was held, one of these men called on me when I was passing by to see his crop of corn, which I readily complied with, when he related the fact I am stating; but, said he, we are all beat, and that badly. Thus you see that competition is provoked outside of the society. I could give you many similar examples, but it is unnecessary. I will add that root crops are highly prized here. Turnips are raised to considerable extent for feeding cattle; the flat turnip is not used of late years, though there are large quantities of ruta bagas raised.

This county was formerly one of the best counties in the State for raising potatoes; the land yielded very large crops with very little attention or cultivation, and those of the finest quality, but of late years this crop has greatly diminished, most of the former varieties that were raised here have rotted and disappeared from amongst us, but we have a variety that has been raised here with very little loss since about 1840, called the Yam potato, for par ticular reference see Transactions of 1818, page 571. This crop still continues as good as in former years, I have not had a bushel affected with the rot in five or six years, although I raise several hundred bushels every year; these potatoes require to be planted early and generally grow till frost comes.

Last summer I received a letter from you, requesting samples of mineral, or any other curious production; I advertised for them in both our county papers, and certainly expected something to have forwarded to the State Fair. I had a right to expect it, for the fact is we have several minerals in the county, viz: lead of a very fine quality,also manganese, is found in several places in our own neighborhood; I will endeavor to procure some to send to the State museum. Agricultural College and Experimental Farm. The same feeling of interest still exists as formerly; we hope to see that subject fairly brought before our Legislature next winter. In regard to the agricultural survey and analysis of soils in the different counties in the State, I hope to see this accomplished without delay. This I consider of great importance to all classes; in fact, I know of nothing that the State can assist to accomplish better than this, and why shall we delay se important a matter? The plan I suggested to you I think will answer, if a better cannot be found; situated as you are, there is no person that I know of so well calculated to bring it properly before the people as yourself; I hope to hear from you on this subject again. I should have mentioned in its proper place, that our native cattle are preferred by our farmers for dairy purposes.

ULSTER.

REPORT. R. A. CHIPP, TREASURER.

I am unable to give you a detailed statement of the condition of the society, as that matter does not devolve upon me in my official capacity; but I can say, that its affairs are highly prosperous, and that the result of the last fair indicated a decided improvement upon previous exhibitions, and that its finances are in a healthy condition.

Officers, 1852.-Richard Hardenbergh, Tuthill, President; Peter Crispell, jr., Hurley; William H. Trumpbour, Saugerties; Joseph Arnold, Arnoldton; Philip Hoornbeck, Accord, Vice Presidents; S. S. Hommel, Kingston, Recording Secretary; William Cockburn, Kingston, Corresponding Secretary; R. A. Chipp, Kingston, Treasurer.

WASHINGTON.

LEROY MOWRY, RECORDING SECRETARY.

The eleventh Annual Fair and Cattle Show of Washington County, was held at South Hartford on the 17th and 18th days of September. The weather was fine, and the attendance larger than last year. The first day was devoted to the exhibition of stock and the various articles offered for premiums. The display of cattle was not as good as the year previous, owing somewhat, to the location of the fair, the farmers in that town being mostly engaged in sheep husbandry. The show in that department was unusually large, and consisted of a greater variety of breeds than we have heretofore had on exhibition. The following breeds were represented in great purity of blood, namely, the Merinos, Saxons, Bakewells, Leicestershires and South-downs. The show of Devon stock was the best we have ever witnessed. Although but recently introduced into our county, they seem to be growing in favor and importance, and are destined, we think, at no distant day, to become great favorites amongst our farmers.

The committee on Devons, Hon. David Sill chairman, made the following report:

"This breed of cattle has but very recently been introduced into our county. A few were exhibited at our fair for the first time last fall. We cannot speak of them from any experience either in feeding or breeding them. They come among us, however, with a good reputation, and it is claimed for them by those farmers who have raised, fed and worked them as oxen, that their beautiful uniform dark red color, and extraordinary activity and quickness in the yoke, give them a preference over all others as working cattle; that they are a hardy race, of easy keep, thriving on pastures which would not sustain large and heavy animals, and that the cows yield as much, butter and cheese in proportion to the milk as any other breed. To the gentlemen who have, at considerable expense, introduced them, much credit is due; they are entitled to our thanks and good prices for their spare stock. Our farmers are now furnished with an opportunity of trying them as a distinct breed, or by crossing with Durhams or Natives. Your committee notice, with much satisfaction, the growing interest which is manifested among a great portion of the farmers of the county, with regard to the improvement of their farm stock, and are pleased to see that they are no longer satisfied with their old fashioned, narrow, thin-hipped, slab sided animals, but have resolved to turn them off and substitute the beautiful Durhams and Devons in their stead."

The show of horses was large, and was divided into three classes, in all which were to be found superior and valuable specimens and breeds of this noble animal. The breeds now distinguished as the Morgans and Black Hawks have recently been introduced into our county, and no doubt will prove with us as they have in other sections of the State, and Union, a valuable cross on our fine mares. The Morgans are, without doubt,.a most valuable breed of horses for all work, as all who are acquainted with their merits are ready to admit. In Walpole, New-Hanpsire, where the old Gifford Morgan died, the stock has been in high repute for many years, and has been thoroughly tested and proved,

and all admit that the progeny of the old horse possess all the good qualities of any stock, without a single vice. In this State, we are told that as a general thing, the Morgans lack size; but to that objection, the New Hampshire man will reply that what they want in size, is more than made up in grit and action. It must be admitted that they possess three very important qualifications, viz., great trotting powers, unrivalled courage, and excellent bottom. They have good proportions, fine action, united with great tractability and gentleness of disposition-and what is more important than all other considerations for the farmer and breeder, as soon as they become old enough for service, they command big prices, and it is claimed by those who have raised this breed of horses, that they mature early, and will endure as much at five years old as ordinary horses will at seven.

The origin of this celebrated breed of horses is as follows. They are descended from a horse called the Justin Morgan, who was foaled in 1793, at Springfield, Mass. Justin Morgan was sired by True Britton, or Beautiful Bay, and True Britton was sired by the imported horse Traveller. The dam of Justin Morgan was of the Wild-Air breed. The original horse of this breed was imported by Mr. Delancy, of Long Island, his stock proving so fine on trial that he was afterwards taken back to England. The Justin Morgan, sired four horses that were kept for stallions. These were called the "Revenge," who died at twenty-four; the "Sherman Morgan," who died at twenty-six; the "Woodbury Horse," who died at twenty-two; and the "Chelsea Horse," or "Bulrush Morgan," who died at thirty. The celebrated "Gen. Gifford Morgan," was sired by the "Woodbury or Burbank Morgan," and his grandsire was the old "Justin Morgan." The dam of the Gifford Morgan was also descended from the old Justin Morgan. Gifford Morgan died in Walpole, New Hampshire, at the stable of Benjamin Gates, in the year 1850, aged about twenty-two years. The Gifford Morgan possessed one remarkable trait, and that was the great uniformity with which he stamped his stock, and through them upon his descendants, the fine, peculiar qualities of the Mor