No. 63.] 3 



Remarkable as are the results of the scientific investigation of the 

 products of nature, combined with agricultural art, explaining those 

 facts, which, from the earliest days of man's existence, have been 

 witnessed but not understood, we are compelled to admit that they 

 have as yet produced but a slight impression upon the amount of the 

 agricultural productions of our country. 



These discoveries and inventions of science have been revealed in 

 the language of science, a language unhappily not taught in our 

 schools. Until the educational systems of our country shall have 

 accomplished those higher ends which are anticipated from a more 

 enlightened and vigorous administration of the liberal endowments 

 of the Legislature, it is of the first importance that the results of 

 scientific investigation should be laid before the practical farmer in 

 the most intelligible and popular form possible. 



The Society, in accordance with these views, offered their highest 

 premium for a popular treatise upon agricultural chemistry. It is to 

 be regretted that the committee are not as yet prepared to offer any 

 work upon this particular subject. 



The premiums for essays upon manures and upon farm manage- 

 ment have, however, drawn out two treatises, herewith transmitted, 

 of remarkable excellence. The essay upon manures is particularly 

 worthy of commendation. It brings to the subject all the lights of mo- 

 dern science, with the not less valuable aids of practical knowledge. 



While men of science, in the pursuit of an honorable fame, are 

 extending the domain of human knowledge, it is to be hoped the 

 Society will persevere in the humbler, but not less important duty 

 of rendering these discoveries intelligible, and commending them to 

 the attention of the great mass of practical cultivators. 



At a meeting of the Committee on the 8th of June, a sub-com- 

 mittee, consisting of Messrs. E. P. Prentice, L. Tucker, Alex. Walsh, 

 George Vail and J. McD. Mclntyre, was designated to make the 

 preparatory arrangements for the Annual Fair of the Society, which 

 took place at the time appointed, under the most favorable circum- 

 stances of weather and location. Although this was but the second 

 effort of the kind attempted by this Society, it is believed that it 

 would have done no discredit to the maturer efforts of any society in 

 any country. 



About six hundred domestic animals, of the most improved breeds 

 and of the highest excellence, were entered for the premiums of the 

 Society. 



