No. 63.J 293 



ally great to the eultivator of an humlred or more acres. It is pleas- 

 ing to observe that the circulation of agricultural papers is on the 

 increase, and that the consequent improvements in most sections of 

 the State, are gratifying evidences of advanced science and improved 

 taste. 



The Agricultural Society of the State has for its design the promo- 

 tion of agriculture in all its branches and dependancies, the introduc- 

 tion of the most improved implements of husbandry, the collections 

 or importations of the best and rarest plants, fruits, and seeds; the 

 improvement of cattle; the circulation through the press of all useful 

 information; and generally, whatever can subserve the interest of the 

 agriculturist, or elevate the citizen in the gradations of usefulness. 

 The county or local societies are governed by similar objects, although 

 necessarily with less extended views. 



In furtherance of the great design, the New-York State Agricultu- 

 ral Society held its second exhibition last September, in the immedi- 

 ate neighborhood of Albany; the show was a magnificent one, the 

 attendance of practical farmers, of scientific agriculturists, of what 

 may be called amateurs, and citizens of various classes, was great 

 beyond any former precedent. 



The exhibition of the best breeds of cattle was very extensive. The 

 specimens of ingenuity and the arts, and those generally of the most 

 useful and necessary description, were numerous; and the show of 

 flowers, fruits, and vegetables, rare and valuable. 



Contrasted with the two or three acres of ground, and the crowded 

 state of the fairs of the old world, the State Fair stands in proud pre- 

 eminence. Conceive an enclosure of forty acres, (fully one-third of 

 which was occupied by the animals, &c. of the fair,) laid out with the 

 greatest view to symmetrical order and convenience, with its spacious 

 carriage road and avenues free from obstruction; extensive pens for 

 cattle; fixtures for the exposure of works of art; its noble and exten- 

 sive tents; its canvass hall, and spacious floral pavilion; the tout 

 ensemble can only be conceived by those who saw it. 



The rivalry created by this exhibition is not the least of its happy 

 results, giving a fair promise that as the present year far exceeded that 

 of the former, so will the fair of 1843, for which preparations have 

 already commenced, exceed that of 1842. 



La7isingburghj December 15, 1842. 



