premiums sufficient to induce the people to bring out their products and compete. I believe many of the counties of the State are in the same want of sufficient funds to carry forward so important an enterprise. While the State association is surfeited with money, the counties are left weak, and some of them entirely inoperative.

It appears to me that the premiums offered in the State Society are so large, that there is danger that the competitors will be more ambitious for the game than the name: thereby the emoluments arising therefrom are thrown into the hands of monied men, or monopolised by them, and the masses left without sufficient encouragement to stimulate them to action. Would it not be well for the Legislature to take the matter into consideration, and adopt some method which would give a new impulse to the county associations.

Hon. Hugh T. Brooks addressed the assemblage on the first day. On the second day the plowing match was held, and resulted in great credit to those engaged. The election of officers was attended to, and Newbury Bronson was chosen President, and one Vice President in each town. H. L. Comstock was appointed Recording Secretary; Wm. Bristol, jr., Corresponding Secretary. Town vigilance committees were also appointed. The meeting adjourned to meet again at the call of the President. N. BRONSON, President.

HON. B. P. JOHNSON:

WYOMING CO., Warsaw, Dec. 22, 1852.

Dear Sir-Your circular of October 4th came duly to hand, containing inquiries concerning the agricultural aspects of our county. I have not been able to devote as much time to the subject as it really demands, but will endeavor to answer the questions according to the best information that I have at hand.

1st. The chief product is grass.

2d. There is evidently a gradual increase from year to year, at what rate I am not able to tell.

3d. The number of acres devoted to grass, the quantity and quality produced. I have no data from which to deduce an accurate estimate of the number of acres or the quantity produced. I know of no way to estimate the quantity produced upon pastures, only by the acre. As to the quality it is universally good throughout the county.

4th. The condition generally of other important products, and the average quantity.-Wheat is next in importance. The eastern part of the county is tolerably well adapted to it, whilst the western part, (it being divided by the Wyoming valley,) is better adapted to grass, oats, potatoes, barley, &c. Wool-growing is next in importance. There is a large quantity grown in the county, and most of it is of most excellent quality. The breeds mostly kept are the Spanish Merino and Saxony, though the Saxony are fast going out of repute, on account of the tenderness of the animal and the light fleece. The French Merino breed is likely to take place of the Saxony soon. Some of our most scientific farmers are turning their attention to the Bakewell and Leicestershire breeds for mutton. It promises to pay well. The dairy business is becoming an important item in our agricultural concerns, and a very safe and lucrative business. Butter, cheese, pork, mutton and wool are destined to be the staple commodities of the county. There is an increasing interest manifested among dairymen about who shall excel in quality. I never have seen better specimens of butter and cheese exhibited at the State fairs than at our county fairs.

5th. The increase or decrease of the number of acres under tillage for all purposes.-There is undoubtedly a decrease on account of the low price of wheat and the high price of all kinds of meats, and upon some soils the failure of the wheat crop. There is an unusual interest manifested in the grazing interests throughout the county.

6th. The increase or decrease of the number of animal stock.— The unusual demand for cattle and sheep this year, I think, may have reduced the number, but I am not prepared to state definitely. The breeds most common are grades or a mixture of all breeds. There is a number of breeds in the county of the pure

blood, Devon and Durham. There is an increasing demand for those breeds, and I think a cross of them makes the finest working cattle I ever saw. The native breed are the best milkers, of course the best approved, if they could be obtained, but the milkers are mostly grades. The Durham, I think, are best approved for beef or for market.

7th. The increase, decrease, or absence of scientific attention to farming. There is, beyond a doubt, a gradual increase in that direction.

8th. Has drainage received attention.-It has to some extent, and its advantages are great in wheat cultivation; not so much so when grass is the object.

9th. The increase, decrease, or stationary value of farms.-Farms in the western part of the county have enhanced in value from 10 to 25 per cent within the past year, partly in consequence of the new railroad which passes nearly through the center of the county, which affects the western more than the eastern part.

10th. The place where the products of the county are marketed.— There are various places where the produce is sold, viz: Buffalo, and on the line of the Erie canal, Rochester, Cuylerville, (which is the market for wheat) and New-York. The expense for marketing, I think, is from 3 to 25 per cent, according to circumstances. I think an average might not be far from 12 per cent. I regret, dear sir, that I have not been able to answer your interrogatories more minutely or in figures, which, I presume, would have been more satisfactory to you and your associates; but I must leave the subject, and transmit it to you as it is.

YATES.

The Yates County Agricultural Society, held its annual fair in the town of Dundee on the 13th and 14th of October.

The exhibition in all its departments was most creditable to the county. The show of horses and cattle, was one which attracted much attention, and the sheep, swine and poultry were not among the least of the attractions of this department.

Implements of various kinds, useful for the farmer were shown, in the highest degree creditable to the mechanics and manufacturers of the county.

The display of stoves, calculated to facilitate the labors of the housewife, excited no little attention. Vegetables and fruits in great variety and of an excellence that can scarcely be surpassed, were shown. The attention which is being given to choice fruit, is most commendable.

At the winter meeting, there was a good attendance, and the feeling manifested for the advancement of the interests of agriculture, and to sustain the society was encouraging.

From the spirit manifested at this meeting, it is believed that the society which is now in a prosperous condition, will continue to advance, and its usefulness be more widely extended.

Officers for 1853.-President, Nelson Thompson; Secretary, Guy Shaw; Treasurer, Edwin R. Randall. Vice Presidents, Benj. Cheever, of Starkey; Ezekiel Clark, Jerusalem; Alexander F. Whitaker, Benton; Melatiah H. Lawrence, Milo; Charles Stark, Torrey; John Spicer, Barrington; John Underwood, Potter; Ephraim Lord, Middlesex; Elisha Doubleday, Italy. Executive committee, Uriah Hanford, John Mallory, R. Gildersleeve, David L. Phelps, Charles G. Tuthill.

Funds.

No. of members, 146, paid $1.00 each,...

$146 00

Received of State,..

61 00

In the hands of treasurer previous to Oct., 1852,....

323 36

The treasurer reports that there is in his hands after paying a portion of the expenses and premiums, Jan. 8th, 1853, ....

$155,68

GUY SHAW, Secretary.

ESSEX.

The Essex County Agricultural Society had its fair and cattle show on the 20th, 21st and 22d days of September last. There were more exhibitors, more and better stock, a greater variety of manufactured articles, and a larger general attendance than at any previous fair.

The judges having made their reports in the afternoon of the third day, the society, and others present, were highly entertained with an eloquent and highly appropriate address, from the Hon. B. P. Johnson, Secretary of the State Society.

The society is in a flourishing condition; as to members its numbers are 256.

The annual election was held at the Valley House, on the 8th of December last; the following officers were elected:

President, Hon. Winslow C. Watson, Port Kent'; Treasurer, L. D. Brown, of Elizabethtown; Secretary, G. S. Nicholson, of Elizabethtown, and 19 Vice-Presidents.

Receipts and Expenditures.

Amount on hand January 1, 1853,....

Cash from State Treasurer,

$83 68 71 00