No. 85.J 419 



the happiest manner language will permit. The Anniversary Address 

 of Mr. Stuart, at the Tabernacle, may be pointed to, as a proud model 

 for American orators and statesmen. 



Compared with the doings of former years, the last year evidences 

 a regularly increasing and progressive prosperity. In fact, the his- 

 tory of this Institution will show, that from a small beginning, it has 

 grown every year in public favor, up to this time. The vast num- 

 bers congregated during its annual Fairs greatly exceed those of any 

 other institution in our country. Starting in the outset without funds, 

 it was compelled to adopt the most rigid economy. The whole sala- 

 ries paid for officers conducting it, for seventeen years, will not ave- 

 rage one-third the sum now allowed to a single officer of some of our 

 literary institutions, calculated for the same number of years. Still, 

 in liberality, its course is without example. The privileges of the 

 reading-room and library, the Farmers' Club and Conversations, the 

 examination of machines and models on daily exhibition, are free. 

 So, with the lectures and addresses. Room is provided by the Insti- 

 tute, at a great annual expense, for every thing exhibited, either by 

 the farmer, manufacturer or mechanic; whether entered for compe- 

 tition for premium or not, they come and go without cost. Arrange- 

 ments are even made that the farmer shall not be imposed upon by 

 others in the price of the provender his cattle may need. Contracts 

 are procured from respectable dealers, to supply those who come to 

 the show, at the lowest rates, all the varieties of cattle food ; and 

 where they can be bought has been posted up in conspicuous places 

 at all the late shows of the Institute. Measures of this character, 

 we respectfully recojnmend, should be universally adopted. A small 

 expense incurred, adverse to the economical habits of the farmer, may 

 prevent him from participating in meetings and public shows for the 

 future, which may prevent the acquisition of that knowledge which 

 might open his eyes to the value of knowledge generally of the high- 

 est importance, and cause him to be a zealous seeker after it, and also 

 afford a shining example for others. 



We have thus hinted at some of the doings of this Institute within 

 the last year. That they have been approved, is evinced by the con- 

 tinual visitations, and full attendance of members at all the meetings 

 at the Repository, by the entries of visiters at the Annual Fairs, 

 which, on the best calculations, vary but little from 250,000, and, 

 above all, the almost universal approbation of the public expressed 

 in all quarters, not only orally, but in letters and printed papers, ema- 

 nating from sources entitled to the highest consideration. Under cir- 

 cumstances so auspicious, the conductors of the Institute will perse- 

 vere, most cordially co-operating with the State Agricultural Society, 

 in the common objects committed to the charge of the two institutions. 



JAMES TALLMADGE, 

 ADONIRAM CHANDLER, 

 WILLIAM INGLIS, 

 SHEPHERD KNAPP, 

 EDWARD T. BACKHOUSE, 

 T. B. WAKEMAN, 

 March 1, 1845. GURDON J. LEEDS. 



