170 [Senate 



Large quantities of beef and pork are made in this county. The 

 dairies furnish large supplies of pork early in the season, and the 

 corn regions supply immense quantities. There is always a market 

 for beef and pork in most of our villages and at Utica, though a 

 very large amount annually is shipped directly to New- York and 

 Boston. Frequently purchasers from Boston and other eastern cities 

 come on and purchase, and pack for themselves. 



In the southern towns in the county, sheep husbandry is attended 

 to; and we have many fine flocks of sheep, both fine and coarse 

 wooled. The extensive manufactories in the county afford a market 

 for most of the wool grown in the county. 



In former times, when Albany ale was in greater demand than since 

 the triumphs of Washingtonians, hops and barley were cultivated to 

 a very great extent, and large sums of money were realized from 

 hops. The demand, however, is now much less than formerly, and 

 the amount annually raised has very much decreased. The soil of 

 this county is admirably adapted to Indian corn and potatoes, and 

 perhaps few counties in the State produce better crops. Most of these 

 crops are consumed amongst us. Some of our farmers who have 

 been in the habit of marketing their crops at the distillery, have been 

 very much alarmed at their decrease, fearful that they would have 

 no market; but some of them have found out that it is quite as well 

 for them to fatten their own cattle and hogs, and secure the profit to 

 themselves, as it is to sell their cattle and grain to the distiller, and 

 find their profits among the untold dividends of a bankrupt distiller's 

 effects. But the cornstalk sugar and the lard oil, begin to excite 

 the attention of farmers; and the time, I imagine, is not very far dis- 

 tant, when the hills of Oneida will be waving with fields of corn for 

 the manufacture of sugar, and when we shall be no longer under the 

 necessity of purchasing an article raised by the untold agonies of ser- 

 vile hands. 



Oats are raised in this county very extensively, and the canal fur- 

 nishes a ready market, though large quantities are shipped annually to . 

 the New-York market. 



Root crops are receiving much attention latterly, and their impor- 

 tance is becoming more and more apparent. For neat cattle and 

 sheep they are admirably adapted, and the increased quantity of ma- 

 nure from their use, renders the raising of them very advantageous 

 to the farmer. 



The culture of silk is receiving considerable attention, and there is 

 no doubt that it will prove a profitable business — one that with a 

 small outlay will produce a very fair return, and employ females and 

 children, who otherwise might not contribute much to the income of 

 the farmer. From what I, have seen of the establishments in this 

 county, I am satisfied they will succeed; patience and care are all that 

 is wanting. We can produce the silk we need — we must do it — and 

 why should it not be done'? Why should we pay tributes of millions 

 to foreigners every year for an article of luxury merely, but which 

 our habits have made almost necessary? The time will come, and I 



