known that rain water will dissolve, in a degree, the calcareous rocks on which it falls or flows; and the more that waters, from any cause, are combined with carbonic acid, the greater quantity. of calcareous matter will be dissolved and held in solution. When, therefore, waters thus impregnated, reach the side of a hill, or any opening exposed to the air, where the acid may be dissipated, the ingredients held in solution are precipitated, forming the incrustations at the mouth of the springs and along the outlet. Such is the nature of the springs in the neighborhood above named. The region where the gypsum or plaster beds are déposited must have exhibited in the fissures of the shale, much iron pyrites, which, when exposed to air, set loose sulphuric acid, but when pyrites decompose without access to atmospheric influence, sulphuretted hydrogen is sent forth, impregnating with its peculiar odor all waters through which it passes. This action in the neighborhood of Chittenango will account for the "Yates spring," and the "White Sulphur spring." This last spring is on the land of Mr. J. Holmes, sending forth its waters directly from the shale. Upon analysis, the White Sulphur spring produces in one pint of The waters of these springs have received strong commendations from medical men, as salubrious, and curative in many ailments. In addition to the healing powers of the springs, the proprietors have added comfort and luxury for the cheerful invalid, rest and privacy for the suffering; beauty of scenery, good roads, and pure air offer every inducement that is to be found at the most popular and frequented watering places. Agriculture. What answer shall be given to the inquiry whether the county of Madison exhibits any evidence of improved cultivation? The reply if not direct, is conclusive; view the district schools without a vacant seat: academies filled with attentive scholars a university ranking high amid the literary institutions of the country. Mind thus employed, gives intelligence to examine and comprehend the operations of nature, in all departments, essential and useful to the welfare and true adornment of man. In no branch of knowledge is the wisdom and excellence of the creation so widely displayed as in the varied movements of agriculture: no science demands, probably such diversified information as the cultivation of the earth. With abundant means for accumulating and distributing knowledge, means steadfastly applied and diligently stored: with a fertile soil affording abundant means for sustenance and prospective accumulation; it may fairly be claimed for the county, that her sons are prosperous and every improvement of the age is found within her borders. But though these truths apply to many, there is, in this county, as elsewhere, a sad deficiency in too large a proportion of those who might rise above indifference. One observing farmer marks the difference of fertility and productiveness in a section of the town; he examines and traces cause to effect, and by mind, or physical power, he aids to remedy or remove any existing evil; yet how many know not and care not for the cause of unproductiveness: they fold their arms, and blindly, as well as foolishly, ascribe their want of suocess to chance or luck! One man will inquire-does my labor produce the greatest possible return? Can I by study or closer examination increase the products or the profits of my farm? while too many are intent upon retaining what they possess without labor, or endeavoring to avoid labor, hope to increase their store by a lucky season. The truth is, wealth has increased by the force of the intelligence and labor of the few; but the powers of the county are unused or misused by the many, depriving it of full one half of the annual profits which ought and might be steadily added to the aggregate wealth. An honest admission of this fact is the facile way of removing the first barrier to amendment, and there need be no reproach, so far as a comparison may be drawn with adjacent counties, for none can well claim exemption from a similar deficiency. This admission, with a determination to improve by study and application of sound principles, will bring about a general level of high cultivation, with every indication of abundance and prosperity. As a basis on which to build a fair estimate of the present condition of agriculture, a statement of facts are here given; the one being collected from the practice of a farm deemed among the best in the county, and to the proprietor of which has been awarded the first premium at the late county fair; the other is the practice of a large majority of the farmers. These farms are numbered one and two, for convenient reference; No. 1, being the premium farm, and No. 2, the farm of average condition. No. 1 is a farm of 60 acres: No. 2 is the same size. A comparison of the farm crops, from very nearly the same area, shows the cost of cultivation on No. 1, $385.31, and No. 2, $394.21-making a difference in favor of No. 1, of $8.90. The market value of the products from the above areas is from No. 1, $722.30—and from No. 2, $547; showing a difference in favor of No. 1, of $175.30. The net profits obtained by No. 1,were $336.99, while the net profits from No. 2, were $152.96-thus exhibiting an advantage of $184.03 in favor of No. 1,-equal to more than twice the amount of profit of No. 2, gained to No. 1, by care, good management, and prompt adaptation of modern improvements, and from about equal areas of land. The farm No. 1, reports the appropriation of five acres to hop vines; cost, $561.79; yield, 7,800 lbs.; value, $1,602; profit,..... ... Two and one-half acres to teasles; cost, $62.32; yield, 50,000; value, $218.75; profit, Which, added to the profits received from 382 acres,.. 33 64 $1,040 21 156 43 $1,196 64 336 99 $1,533 63 shows a profit of 8 per cent. from the 383 acres, and a profit of 39 per cent., from 46 acres,-on the whole cost of the farm, ($3,900.) The farm No. 2, pays 6,3 per cent. from 39 acres, on The farms are respectively valued in the cost of the whole farm. 100 the market at sixty-five dollars per acre, or $3,900 each. But as no returns have been presented of products of the whole of either farm, it may be deemed more equitable to compare equal areas taken at the cost of each area, instead of supposing the profits confined to each entire farm. Then it gives this result: that 38 acres of farm No. 1, at $65 per acre, pays a profit of 8 per cent. on their cost. At $65 per acre, 46 acres of farm No. 1 pay a profit of 51 per cent.; and 39 acres of the farm No. 2, at $65 per acre, pays a profit of 63 per cent. on their cost. 4 Thus it appears that the difference on equal values of land, is 73 per cent. in favor of No. 1, arising from better cultivation. In each report, the cultivated crops are charged with interest, at 7 per cent, as a rent of the land at a cost of $65 per acre. The profits, as presented, may be adopted, therefore, as true nett profits per acre. From these statements an approximation may be reached, to the present condition of farming in the county of Madison; and it may be safe to estimate the average returns on capital invested in land at or near five per cent., based on the foregoing reports. This falls short of a reasonable recompense; for the same amount of capital invested in bonds, secured by mortgage, would yield to the owner an income of seven per cent., without any cost for labor. Assuming this last named rate as a minimum value for capital, the great mass of farmers must necessarily increase the fertility of their soils and the extent of their crops, in order to procure common interest for their capital. While upon this subject, attention should be drawn to the profits derived from the several crops per acre; and according to the results of the ordinary farming, it appears that hay yields a profit of $2.66 per acre; oats yield no profit; corn yields a profit of $12.66 per acre; barley yields a profit of $9 per acre; wheat yields a profit of $3.62 per acre; potatoes yield a profit of $5.60. It would have exhibited a more precise view of the state and condition of farming if the respective occupants of the farms Nos. 1 and 2, had presented the uses of the unreported acres, with the |