14 [Senat 



the firuit crop, in the eastern and southern parts of the State, and 

 greatly reduced in quality, as well as in quantity, the crop in other 

 places, rendered the exhibition in this respect, more meagre than 

 usual. There were, however, several extensive contributions of 

 apples, from the western part of the State, and fine specimens of 

 peaches, plums, pears, grapes, and other fruits, from the central and 

 eastern portions. A very fine collection of garden vegetables, and 

 a brilliant display of flowers, many of them of great rarity and beauty, 

 were also presented for exhibition, by various contributors. The 

 whole of these densely filled the double series of terraced shelves, 

 which were about ten feet high, and extended nearly a hundred feet 

 in length, through the hall. 



The morning of the 18th, the second day of the fair, was occupied 

 with the plowing match. In the afternoon, the assembled thousands 

 on the grounds, gathered round the temporary platform erected for 

 the occasion, to hear the annual address from Josiah Quincy, Jr. Esq., 

 of Massachusetts. 



ADDRESS BY HON. JOSIAH QUINCY, Jr. 



Mr. President and Gentlemen of the J^ew-York State Agricultural 

 Society : 



If there were any spot that would of itself inspire a man with 

 eloquence on the subject of agriculture, it is the one we now occupy. 

 We stand in the centre of the agricultural district of the great State 

 of the Union. In full view the lovely valley of the Mohawk, famous 

 in history and celebrated in song, stretches away to the distance. 

 Before us, by thousands and tens of thousands, stand the men who 

 have felled its forests and caused it to blossom like the rose. Around us 

 are the proofs of the skill and intelligence that have characterized 

 their labors. Beneath us, is the soil from whose maternal bosom we 

 draw our subsistence. Above us, is the canopy of Heaven that stretches 

 equally over all. 



We stand in the great temple dedicated to agriculture — a temple, at 

 the raising of whose columns the " morning stars sang together and 

 all the sons of God shouted for joy" — a temple not made with hands, 

 eternal as the Heavens. 



But, alas! Mr. President, the age of inspiration is passed, and I 

 never felt a stronger desire to ask the kind consideration of an 



