served, by having the same name to the same apple, throughout the whole country. Precision of name constitutes a leading consideration in the selection of good fruit. The committee awards the first premium for the best, not less than ten varieties, Daniel Sands, who exhibited 21 varieties; and the second premium to John Comstock. The latter indefatigable pomologist had a collection of 40 varieties, which far exceeded that of any other contributor; but his specimens were not as fair as those of Mr. Sands; best not less than five varieties, is awarded to S. Haight. Second best to G. Snyder.

Many beautiful specimens were deposited by others, but the committee cannot notice one without mentioning all. They return the obligations of the society to Messrs. DeForest for 12 varieties; Gerow, for 21; Story, for 36; Griffin, for 23; Welling, for 28; J. & E. Haviland, for 21; Thorn & Ferguson, for 10; Doct. Smith, for 10; a very handsome collection had no label to designate the depositor.

Pears. The committee feels peculiar pleasure in referring to this delightful family of fruits. They well remember the meager and almost worthless display of pears which was made less than ten years ago, in the exhibition of the society. Nearly all, of any value, were then sent by a few amateur cultivators; but now every farmer who feels an enterprising spirit, looks upon a good fruit yard as an indispensable appendage to his farm. It constitutes, in fact, the evidence of an industrious, intelligent and thrifty homestead. Show us a farm without good fruit trees, and we will show you an occupant who is either dissipated, ignorant and lazy, or who is encased among the "old fogies," of agriculture, who can appreciate nothing beyond beans, pork and tobacco.

Dutchess county has never had such a splendid variety of pears on exhibition, as this season has produced. But with them, as with apples, the kinds are so numerous that much time must necessarily elapse before a selection can be made of first rate pears, which are adapted to our soil and climate. The great object in selecting an orchard is not to obtain a great variety, but a regular succession of the best varieties of fruit.

John Comstock had the greatest variety of pears, in number 25; from these nine were selected as first rate. Dr. Gibbons, of Poughkeepsie, had 20 varieties, from which 9 were selected as first rate; and the latter having the fairest specimens, the committee awarded to him the first premium, and to J. Comstock the second. Dr. Smith exhibited 21 varieties, of which eight were first rate; the first premium for the second best variety. Thomas Taber exhibited 20 varieties, of which 8 were first rate; second premium. Messrs. Gerow exhibited 10 varieties; J. & E. Haviland 18; DeForest 5; Beckwith, 10; Snyder 7; Arnold 8; Peters 8; Vail 2; Sackett and some others, not labelled. A superb specimen of the Dutchess D'Angouleme pear was exhibited by Mrs. Snyder of Mabbettsville, which weighed 14 ozs. Some fine pears were presented by Mr. Flint.

BEEKMAN, December 20, 1853.

Mr. B. P. JOHNSON, Secretary, &c.:

Dear Sir:-Your circular of the 6th of October was duly received, but I deferred answering it until I could have an opportunity of consulting with the officers of our agricultural society, and other intelligent men of the county, for the purpose of obtaining what information I could on the various questions propounded-one of which I think can be more readily answered, by referring to the statistics of the State.

1. Wheat, rye, corn, oats, beef and pork, a small amount of wool grown, a limited amount of pork, large amount of beef, and for the last two years a large amount of milk.

2. There has been a large increase the present year in the amount of corn grown. Crop of hay very deficient; amount of wool and pork much less than formerly. There has been a very great increase in the quantity of milk.

5. There is a very moderate increase in the number of acres under cultivation.

6. There has been a gradual increase in the number of neat cattle, although at present there is not more than two-thirds the usual number in the county, owing to the unusually short crop of hay; a large decrease in the number of sheep kept. The native and cross with Durham are the most common breeds of cattle; a few thorough bred; of sheep we have the Bakewell, Leicester, South-down, Saxon, Merino and Native. The most approved breeds are the long and middle wool, comprising the Bakewell, Leicester and South-down.

7. Scientific attention to farming is on the increase.

8. Drainage has received some attention, and so far as tried, is considered profitable.

9. Farming lands for the last few years have not been saleable even at reduced prices. The present appearances indicate a little better state of feeling, and sales are more easily effected.

The products are generally sold in the city of New-York. The expense of producing and marketing probably equal to fifty per cent of the value thereof.

To No. 4 I am unable to give much if any information. There is a considerable quantity of potatoes and some barley produced, but I have no data whereby I can give the average quantity of either. The other questions are answered according to my best information; and if of any service to the society or the community at large, I shall be fully compensated for the little time I have occupied in doing so.

Respectfully yours,

E. HAXTUN.

ERIE.

The eleventh annual fair and cattle show of this county was held at East Hamburg on the 29th and 30th days of September; and, if we cannot say it was the best ever held in the county, we have a very good reason to give why it was not. The day previous to the fair, was one of the most rainy we have had during the season; and the morning of the first day was wet and cold, which prevented very many of the farmers from distant parts of the county, from being present with their stock and other products of their farms.

The number of entries made upon the secretary's book of animals, articles and other products, was 327. The number of horses and cattle was not as large as we have seen at our previous fairs, but were generally of superior quality. The display of horses was very creditable to our county. Milch cows were thought to be the best ever exhibited in the county, they were generally a mixed breed of native and Durham. Mr. Hamblin of Aurora, exhibited some very fine specimens of Devon cattle, which were much admired.

The show of sheep was not large but there were some very superior specimens of French and Spanish Merinoes, shown by the President, and by Lewis Munn of the town of Alden. There was also some very good Leicesters shown by Mr. Bicknell, of Aurora; the show of hogs was ordinary.

The products of the county, such as butter, cheese, honey, &c., were well represented, especially butter, on account of the high premiums offered for the best specimens of that article, there was much competition, the committee that examined it reported it all to be good and some very superior: of cheese there was but a single lot exhibited.

Domestic manufactures were exhibited in abundance, and contributed largely to the interest of the fair, fully establishing the good taste, ingenuity and industry of the ladies of our county. The mechanical productions of agricultural implements were not so numerous as at some previous fairs, but there were some very excellent wagons and other farm implements exhibited. The exhibition of grain and root crops was good.

The show of fruits and vegetables, was the best ever exhibited in the county, there has been much improvement made in this important branch of industry in this county within the last few years.

Poultry was shown in abundance of all shades and colors, from the highest hen fever variety down to the old speckled hen.

The officers and members of the society have great reason to be encouraged with their prospects, and there can be no doubt that Erie county will eventually do her duty. The farming interest seems, to some extent, to have awakened from its lethargy, and is determined to enjoy the means of improvement which are placed within its reach, and to do credit to this great and all important industrial pursuit

In the forenoon of the second day of the fair we had a spirited plowing match, in which four teams entered for the prizes, the work was well done by all, and in remarkably quick time, and the best kind of feeling prevailed throughout the contest.

In the afternoon the address was delivered by Mr. W. R. Coppock, which from its highly scientific, and at the same time plain practical bearing, and the very attentive manner in which it was listened to, we may calculate to have a lasting and beneficial influence in our county.

After the address the premiums were awarded and paid, and a place agreed upon to hold the next annual fair, and then the election of officers took place.

The whole amount of premiums offered was about $400 00. Our account for the year stands as follows, viz: