OF THE

N. V. State Agricultural Society,

WITH AN

ABSTRACT OF THE PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

VOLUME XX.-1860.

ALBANY:

PRINTED BY C. VAN BENTHUYSEN.

1861.

NOTICE.

In presenting the Twentieth Volume of the Transactions of the New York State Agricultural Society to the farmers of New York and the Union, it is believed that it will be found to contain many papers of great value, which will prove worthy of attentive consideration. In successive years, as the Transactions of the Society have been published, it has been gratifying to be assured that they have been received with approval by those interested in the improvement and elevation of agriculture in every section of our country.

A gentleman, distinguished among the agriculturists of our country, in a letter to us, says: "What a wonderful fund of information our Transactions do contain. I was particularly struck with the fact, in looking up some butter matters for an article I was preparing for the press. What a book might be made from them, or rather what a cyclopædia of agriculture might be made. Will not some one undertake it?"

From one of our societies, it is said "The Transactions of the State society are of the greatest utility, awakening our farmers to renewed energy to make the earth produce to the fullest extent. They are eagerly sought for, and are highly esteemed as premiums. The volume for 1859 is just received, and, if such a thing can be, it is superior to any previous one. The volume is certainly a work that reflects great credit upon its author."

A distinguished statesman of our country, who has been familiar with the operations of the Society from its earliest history, says: "I have followed the progress of that institution from its beginning with continually increasing interest, and the improvement in every department of social industry in our whole country, which is so clearly manifest to every observing citizen, can, in a large degree, I am sure, be traced directly to the operations and influence of that patriotic and enlightened association."

Similar notices are received from different portions of our

country, which are encouraging; we have endeavored to deserve the commendations of those interested in the great work of agricultural improvement, and it is a source of much gratification to be thus assured that our labors have not been in vain. Ever desirous to advance and elevate the agricultural interests of our country, we can refer with just pride to the influence which has been exerted by the Transactions of the Society, which has been extended over our whole country.

There are many subjects treated of in the present volume which are of permanent and inestimable value. The fourth part of the valuable experiments by Professors Lawes and Gilbert, presenting the results of their investigations as to the different manures on permanent meadow lands, is of great value, and deserves the careful attention of every farmer, and especially of those engaged in the management of dairy lands.

An address by John Stanton Gould, on manures for grass lands, will be read with interest and profit by every dairyman in our land. It abounds in suggestions and experiments adapted to the wants of the farmer, and contains the very information which is needed in the every day management of the grass lands of the farm.

The subject of irrigation, which in Great Britain and Europe has received careful consideration, and has added largely to the profits of the farmer, has in this report, in the essay by the Hon. A. B. Dickinson been presented in a manner that cannot fail of doing immense good. In connection with this subject, another article from Mr. Gould, on Leonard D. Clift's experiments in irrigation shows the practical value of irrigation, and calls attention to the great loss sustained in our State by neglecting to take advantage of the many opportunities afforded to irrigate our farms.

A very valuable article on cross-breeding by W. C. Spooner, of England, it is believed will meet the wants of the farmer on that subject, which has long been desired.

The dairy interest of our State is of great importance, and is constantly increasing, and everything that can improve and advance that important interest deserves and will receive the most cordial support in our State. In our report for 1859, we gave an article on "Practical farming, as connected with the manufacture of butter, by Hiram Olmstead," an excellent dairy farmer of Delaware county, in our State, which has been read