130 INTRODUCTION. 



and drill-barrows which have reduced the labor and waste of sowing and plant- 

 ing. There has been a marked improvement in the quantity and quality of 

 fruits : Our farmers are not all of them satisfied now as formerly with the apple 

 orchard, but have their fruit gardens, in which, with the arts of grafting, inocula- 

 ting and transplanting, fine varieties of pears, plums, cherries and other exotic 

 and domestic fruits are produced. The dwellings of our farmers are now, much 

 less frequently than heretofore, constructed as if magnitude was the most impor- 

 tant object in their erection. Farm houses may now be found in all parts of the 

 state, combining elegance with comfort and convenience, and refined taste is 

 manifested in the planting and preservation of shade trees. The location and 

 the adaptation of barns and other outbuildings are now especially regarded. 



While the society of 1793, gave to agriculture the impulse which has resulted 

 so propitiously, it is now apparent that that institution was defective in omitting 

 to establish fairs, or gatherings, in which farmers and patrons of the art might 

 exchange friendly greetings, and become acquainted with improvements of tillage 

 and implements. In 1819, under the administration of De Witt Clinton, and 

 chiefly in consequence of his recommendations, an act was passed, appropriating 

 ten thousand dollars annually, for four years, to improve agriculture, the arts and 

 manufactures. A board of agriculture was established, and provision was made 

 to induce the organization of societies throughout the state. The anniversaries 

 of these institutions were the farmers' holidays, when lectures and addresses 

 were delivered, and premiums were awarded to those who produced the finest 

 animals, the largest and best crops, the most useful inventions, and superior 

 domestic fabrics ; but the societies soon languished and became extinct. The 

 chief fault of the law of 1819 was, that it did not hold out sufficient inducement 

 to voluntary effort. The distribution of the public money was unconditional, 

 and when it ceased, the societies were without funds. Nevertheless, the act of 

 1819 was followed by very beneficial results. Among these, were the improve- 

 ment of the breeds of domestic animals, the invention of many useful implements 

 of husbandry, and the introduction of new methods of culture. In 1841, a new 



