ester. But four days instead of two are now required for a thorough carrying out of its objects. This year, at the eleventh exhibition of the Society, the receipts at the fair alone reached the sum of $12,396.25, while the income of the year stood $14,575.78; the cash balance in favor of the Society at the close of the year was $4,543.57. The number of life memmers of the Society at this time was forty-two.

1852. The annual meeting of the Society, at their rooms, in Albany, was one of unusual interest. By the treasurer's report it appears the amount paid in premiums was $5,155.73. The affairs of the Society were in a most prosperous condition. Henry Wager, of Oneida, was chosen President, and Mr. Johnson, of Albany, re-elected Corresponding Secretary, and the annual fair was directed to be held at Utica, in September. After the election of officers there was a presentation of the medals of the Society to its members who received awards at the great exhibition in London, by Mr. Delafield, and the occasion was one of much interest. The number of articles on exhibition at this meeting, though it was held in mid-winter, was very large, especially of fruits. The subject of an agricultural college was brought up and faithfully discussed. At a subsequent meeting of the Executive Committee, it was voted to appropriate $178, to purchase of Townsend Glover a collection of models of fruits, with a valuable collection of insects prepared in the same way as the fruits. The specimens so secured have now an appropriate place in the Society's museum. A trial of agricultural implements was held under the auspices of the Society, at Geneva, in July of this year, and open for competition throughout the Union. The number of competitors. was large and the show of machinery very fine.

The annual address Gov. Hunt also delivinterest on exhibition

The Annual Fair was held at Utica, September 7 to 10th. The attendance was large, showing that there was no diminution of interest from former years; and the show itself was of great excellence. was delivered by Hon. Horatio Seymour, of Utica. ered an appropriate address. Among articles of were a variety of grains from England, Scotland and Russia, which were presented by the Secretary, who represented our State and Society in the London exhibition of 1851, from gentlemen in London, and Baron de Nottbeck, the Imperial commissioner from Russia, at the London exhibition in 1851. The receipts of this fair were $8,336.16. Among the valuable reports this year were the trial of implements at Geneva; Prof. John P. Norton's lecture on Science and Agriculture, and Mr. W. C. Watson's survey of Essex county.

1853. The annual meeting for 1853 was a very interesting one, held on the 9th February. Lewis G. Morris, of Westchester, was elected President, and Mr. Johnson, Secretary. The annual fair was directed to be held at Saratoga Springs, in September.

The fair of 1853 was held at Saratoga Springs, September 20, 21, 22, 23. Although the unpleasant state of the weather deterred many from attending on this anniversary, the exhibition and the spirit manifested. showed conclusively that the people were not losing a jot of their interest in the objects of the Society-receipts $6,411.39. Among the valuable papers of the Transactions of that year, is a supplement of the report on

the survey of Essex county, by W. C. Watson, and a paper on apple tree pests, by Dr. Asa Fitch.

1854. The annual meeting of the Society commenced February 8, 1854, the President of the Society, Hon. L. G. Morris, in the chair.

The following resolution was passed, soon after the opening of the meeting, to wit:

Resolved, That the Legislature be requested to take such measures, at its present session, as will insure at an early day the alteration of the old State Hall, so as to furnish suitable rooms for the accommodation of the New York State Agricultural Society.

At this meeting William Kelly, of Dutchess, was elected President, and B. P. Johnson Corresponding Secretary. Fair to be held at New York, in October.

The annual fair was held at Hamilton Square, in the city of New York, early in October, and the farmers and artisans of the State, by their contributions to its interest, enabled it to sustain the reputation of similar fairs in previous years-receipts $9,538.70.

Among the cheering events of the year, the Legislature considered the application of the Society, in relation to the old State Hall, and made a grant of $25,000 to furnish more commodious accommodations for the museum and library of the Society, and for rooms for meeting, lectures and laboratory for its use, and contracts were made to carry out the objects of the Legislature.

The Legislature also made an appropriation of $1,000 for an examination of insects, especially those injurious to vegetation, and authorized the appointment by the Executive Committee of the Society, of a person to carry out the plan, and Dr. Asa Fitch, of Salem, Washington county, was appointed entomologist of the Society, and a position assigned him in the Society's rooms. The first report of Dr. Fitch, on insects, under his appointment, may be found in Transactions of 1854, and is a paper that clearly shows the value of his appointment to all engaged in the culture of the earth.

1855. At the annual meeting of the society in February 1855, Hon. Samuel Cheever, of Saratoga county, was elected President, and Mr. Johnson, Secretary. The subject of locating the State Fair permanently at some central point was discussed at length, and the question was decided by a vote of sixty-three in favor of permanent location, and one hundred and seven against it.

The fair of the society was held at Elmira, and it was the first held in the southern tier of counties, and continued from the first to the fifth day of October, and was fully attended. Receipts $11,527.25.

It has been stated that the Legislature of 1854, passed an act to raise and repair the old State Hall, and appropriated 25,000 dollars for that purpose, and the contracts were made and the work commenced under the direction of the Commissioners of the Land Office, but it was found that the old building would not answer, and the Legislature appropriated an additional sum of 15,000 dollars, authorizing the Commissioners of the Land Office to erect an entire new building.

The Commissioners proceeded to the erection of the new building-Hon.

E. W. Leavenworth, Secretary of State, James M. Cook, Comptroller, and John T. Clark, State Engineer, were appointed to superintend the erection -and a building was erected and arranged under the direction of the society, with accommodations such as were desired. The contractors were John Bridgford, John N. Parker and Joseph Davis-and Wm. S. Woollett, Architect. The building was commenced in April, and completed in November following-within the appropriations of the Legislature. The work was done in a manner most creditable to the architect and contractors. This building for the use of the State Agricultural Society, and the collection of Natural History, is every way worthy of the State, and an ornament to the city.

1856. The annual meeting of the society was held February 18th, and Theodore S. Farton, of Utica, was elected President, and Mr. Johnson, Secretary-and the fair was located at Watertown.

The fair of 1856, was held at Watertown, in Jefferson county; Theodore S. Faxton, of Utica, was presiding officer for the year, under whose administration the interests of the society were increased in a pleasant and agreeable proportion. Receipts $8,536.00.

1857. The annual meeting of the society was held at Albany, February 11th, and Hon. Alonzo S. Upham, of Genesee, was elected President, and Mr. Johnson, Secretary. The fair was located at Buffalo.

The fair at Buffalo, held in October, was one of the most successful held by the society; many distinguished men were present to witness the splendid exhibition of the farmers of New York. The President of the United States, Mr. Fillmore, and His Excellency John A. King, Governor of the State, Hon. Mr. Alexander, President Provincial Agricultural Association of West Canada, and several other distinguished gentlemen from Canada, were present. Receipts of the fair $15,585.34.

The address was delivered by the Hon. Edward Everett, of Massachusetts; and never did that distinguished orator deliver a more effective address than upon that occasion. The Transactions of this year contain many very valuable papers.

At this annual meeting the new State Hall was formally dedicated to the cause and service of the farmers of New York, through the State Agricultural Society, their generous and able friend and co-operator.

At the dedication, prayer was offered by the Rev. Dr. Rogers, of Albany; a statement of the society's operations was made by Col. B. P. Johnson, Secretary, and appropriate addresses by Hon. Samuel Cheever, ex-President, Hon. T. C. Peters, Hon. William Kelly, His Excellency John A. King, T. S. Faxton, Esq., W. H. Bogart, Esq., and Hon. Harvey Baldwin.

A collation suited to the occasion closed the exercises of the dedication. As this article may fall under the eye of some who have never visited this grand repository of Nature and Art, we here subjoin a description of the rooms condensed from an article that appeared in the New York Tribune of May 19, 1860.

The basement of the building has a room for the taxidermist, and the remainder is occupied for various purposes; on the ground floor rooms for the secretary, library and society's meetings, and the museum, which is

sixty-seven feet long and thirty-seven wide, containing two galleries supported by high iron columns, the whole being lighted by large windows in the sides and two large sky-lights in the roof, thus giving the full benefit of ample light at all times.

On the lower floor are arranged cases around the walls appropriated to miscellaneous articles, such as costumes and fabrics of other nations, antiquities, relics found in this country, curiosities, old spinning-wheels, looms, farming tools, minerals, and other things of interest, while within the area formei by these cases are agricultural implements of various models, which have been from time to time presented to the Society.

On the second floor the cases are filled first with specimens of grain, commencing with those of our own country; here are scores of varieties of Indian corn, wheat, rye, oats, and other cereals, and also of garden vegetables. England, Hungary, Bavaria, Austria, France, Africa, and other portions of the globe are represented in this department. On the third floor, the cases along one entire side are appropriated to the results of the entomological survey by Doctor Fitch, and exhibit a vast number of insects in every state from the egg to the moth.

Among the curiosities of the place are a collection of agricultural and horticultural tools from India, showing how rapidly nations will advance in the arts under the influence of cool indifference.

It is a very pleasant reflection, that as large as this collection now is, extensive additions are being made to it each year, not only from the State and our own country, but travellers abroad are now so mindful of its utility and importance, that they make it a part of their mission abroad to collect something to add to the value of this museum at home.

The library of the Society now contains about 7000 volumes, among which are many of foreign origin, obtained through the system of exchanges with other nations, so happily arranged and carried out by Colonel Johnson, Corresponding Secretary.

These rooms, as they well may be, are now not only a resort for denizens of the city to while away a leisure hour in surveying the treasures they contain, but the traveler, as he passes by and through Albany, puts down "a visit to the Agricultural and Geological Rooms" as one of the i, dispensables of his jaunt. They have become the resort of thousands each year, not only of the State of New York, but of all States and of all countries whose citizens visit our shores. Not only the farmer calls to make inquiries in this repository of the treasures of his calling, and the mechanic to witness the progress of art, but here, too, is the storehouse where the student of every profession may gather wisdom and treasure up instruction.

1858. The annual meeting of the society was held at Albany, February 10th-Hon. William T. M'Coun, of Queens, was elected President, and Mr. Johnson, Secretary. The fair was located at Syracuse.

The annual fair was entirely successful, and the exhibition showed a creditable advance in every department. Receipts at the fair $10,970.28. The Transactions of this year contain many interesting and valuable articles. Among others, prize essay on the Fishes of New York, by R. L. Pell; Fences and Fence Tools, by S. Edwards Todd, and Dr. Fitch's Fifth Report on Insects.

1859. The annual meeting was held at Albany, February 8th-Hon. A. B. Conger elected President, and Mr. Johnson, Secretary. Albany was selected as the place for holding the next fair, in October. The exhibition this year was of unusual excellence, and the attendance very large. The receipts were the largest ever received, amounting to $18,819.33, and the income. of the year $24,410.26. The premiums paid $6,115, or three times the amount of its income in the fall of 1841. The names of nearly 400 persons from all parts of the State, and from other States, are registered as life members-among whom are many distinguished in other professions.

The Transactions of this year contain many interesting articles. The Survey of the County of Onondaga, by the Hon. George Geddes, is one of very great value, and shows the importance of these surveys. The Agriculture of Great Britain, by the treasurer of the society, Luther H. Tucker, is an instructive and interesting article. Mr. Willard gives a very interesting account of cheese dairying in Herkimer county.

1860. The annual meeting of the Society was held February 8th, and Hon. Benjamin N. Huntington, of Oneida, was elected President, and Mr. Johnson, Secretary. The Annual Fair was located at Elmira, to be held in October.

The weather at the time of the Fair was unpropitious, but notwithstanding the attendance was most gratifying, and the exhibition creditable to the State. The Chief Magistrate of the State, the Lieutenant Governor, and several other distinguished gentlemen from New York, and from other States and Canada, were in attendance.

In the Transactions for this year many very valuable reports will be found. Dr. Fitch's sixth report on insects, giving the history of the wheat midge, is one of great practical value. The receipts at the Fair were $9,345.95.

1861. The annual meeting was held February 13th. Hon. George Geddes, of Onondaga, was elected President, and Mr. Johnson, Secretary, and the Fair located at Watertown.

The Fair was held September 17th to 20th. Never in the history of the Society had its Annual Fair been held under so many discouragements. The country in the midst of a contest for the existence of the government itself, and the minds of the people caused by every force of circumstances to turn aside from the pursuits of peace. But notwithstanding all these discouragements, the President of the Society and its Executive Board, devoted themselves unweariedly to their work, and the farmers and mechanics nobly responded, and the Fair was entirely successful. The receipts were $8,018.40.

The Transactions present many very valuable articles. Dr. Fitch's 7th report on various insects, the Hessian fly, among others, was a very valuable one, and a very able article on dairy farming by X. A. Willard. The address of President Geddes was one of great practical interest, and has been, we are told, widely circulated. A most valuable article on fine wool sheep husbandry, by Henry S. Randall, LL. D., is given in this volume. 1862. The annual meeting was held on the 12th of February. Hon. Ezra Cornell, of Ithaca, was elected President, and Mr. Johnson, Secretary. The Fair was located at Rochester. The Transactions this year contain many