No. 63.] 137 



to such improvements, should never refuse to impart the knowledge 

 of them to those who are less fortunate or less sagacious. 



The undersigned cannot withhold the expression of his deep disap- 

 pointment that the promised aid of many of our most skilful agricul- 

 turists has not been received. From citizens of other states and coun- 

 tries, such aid would be regarded as a generous expression of comity; 

 but when the farmers of our own State are called upon by a Society 

 whose gratuitous labors are exclusively for their own benefit — not to 

 unlock their purses, but simply to communicate the results of their 

 observation and experience — they are not, in the judgment of the un- 

 dersigned, at liberty to regard their compliance in the light of a fa- 

 vor, which may be granted or withheld. Considerations of comity 

 merely, are merged in those of philanthropy and duty. In addition 

 to the benefits which now spring from those more or less complete 

 surveys of our agriculture, there is little doubt that they will be re- 

 ferred to in after times, by those wishing to trace the early history and 

 the progress of our agriculture. And it is pleasant to believe that 

 when the substitution of higher and improved systems of husbandry 

 shall enable our country to sustain the dense population which will 

 one day inhabit it, our posterity will revert with gratitude to the la- 

 bors and efforts of those who were the pioneers in those improve- 

 ments. When the power of the official, the glitter and influence of 

 mere talent, shall have long since been forgotten, he will be honora- 

 bly remembered who has labored to confer substantial and tangible 

 benefits on his fellow men. 



Reports have been received, and are hereunto annexed, in relation 

 to the agriculture of Cayuga, Chautauque, Chemung, Cortland, Gene- 

 see, Oneida, Onondaga, Queens, Richmond, Seneca, Washington and 

 Westchester counties, all of which will be found valuable, and some 

 of them models of what such reports should consist of. 



Communications have also been received from various other States, 

 abounding in valuable facts and suggestions. Those designed for 

 publication will be found hereunto appended. 



During the past year, communications in answer to those of the 

 undersigned, have been received from England, Ireland, Scotland, 

 France and South America, expressing that interest in our efforts 

 which animates the leading and philanthropic agriculturists of all na- 

 tions, in every effort to elevate their common calling. These com- 

 munications, though not designed for publication, have in several in 



[Senate No. 63.] , S 



