9t«. Hemp.— "What is the average yield per acre, and cost of production per 

 pound? 



10th. Potatoes. — Name the most profitable varieties — common system of 

 planting, tillage, and manuring — average yield per acre — cost of production, 

 and market prices during the present season. 



IItii. Feuit Culture. — Name the different varieties of fruit — the methods of 

 cultivation — the quantities produced — the best varieties to keep for winter use, 

 or for exportation — the usual prices in market — the best methods of trans- 

 planting, budding, grafting, <tc. 



12th. Soil, Timber, Ac. — State the prevailing character of the soil of the 

 county — the crops to ■which it is beet adapted — the different kinds of forest 

 trees. Is the land mainly rolling or level? What portion of it (if any) can- 

 not be brought under cultivation ? State what is regarded as the most profita- 

 ble rotation of crops. What are the different kinds of farm crops, or agricul- 

 tureJ productions? Have you any reliable information or statistics of the 

 aggregate annual amount of any staple products sold, or produced in the 

 county? If so, give the same. What are esteemed the best manures, and the 

 best time and manner of their application. 



13th. Wkt Lands, Impeovkments, <fec. — What methods are used in ditching 

 or draining and reclaiming wet lands ? What is the best and cheapest method ? 

 Have any considerable improvements been introduced in your county during 

 the past two or three years in the modes of farming, in the kind of crops, in agri- 

 cultural implements, or in stock ? 



These inquiries are full of practical suggestions, which if properly attend- 

 ed to, cannot fail both to communicate valuable information to the State ' 

 Board, and to lead our own attention to the investigation of facts which will 

 give a new impulse to the interests of agriculture among us. 



The second section of the act for the encouragement of agriculture, points 

 out the means relied upon for rendering our organization efficient. It pro- 

 vides for the award of premiums, as the direct stimulus to action, and ie as ' 

 follows : 



" Sic. 2. That it shall be the duty of the several county or district societies 

 which may be formed under the provisions of the preceding section, during 

 the continuance of this act, annually to offer and award premiums for the 

 improvement of soils, tillage, crops, manures, improvements, stock, articles 

 of domestic industry, and such other articles, productions and improvements 

 as they may deem proper, and may perform all such acts as they may deem 

 best calculated to promote agricultural and household manufacturing intereete 

 of the district, and of the State ; and it shall also be their duty so to regulate 

 the amount of premiums, and the different grades of the same, as that it 

 shall be competent for small as well as large farmers to have an opportunity to" 

 compete therefor ; and in making their awards special reference shall be had to ' 

 the profits which may accrue, or be likely to accrue from the improved mode 

 of raising the crop, or of improving the soil, or stock, or of the fabrication of 

 the articles thus offered with the intention that the premiums shall be given 

 for the most economical mode of improvement ; and all persons offering to 



