870 [Assembly 



measured off an acre of land, I drew trenty-five loads of manure 

 on it, in which, ten d-iys before, twenty bushels of lime had been 

 mixed. The crop Avas hoed twice, and I harvested one hundred 

 and fifty bushels of sound ears of corn, almost double the yield 

 of the remaining part of the field. I planted three acres of pota- 

 toes in the same fiehj, and gave them the same culture. One of 

 the acres was limed by putting a handful in each hill. I obtained 

 from the acre which was limed as many potatoes, and of a larger 

 size, than from both the other acres combined." 



The sam? highly intelligent correspondent assures me that he 

 finds lime a perfect protection to the onion, from the ravages of 

 the maggot, which have almost terminated, in this region, the cul- 

 ture of that vegetable. 



No extended or appropriate experiment has been made in the 

 county with the pliosphate of lime; but where it has been tested 

 on a limited scale, the result has been eminently favorable and 

 satisfactory. 



Draining. — An increasing attention to this important feature in 

 progressive husbandry, is a significant index of the advance of 

 the County in agricultural science. I have observed, in my sur- 

 vey, amazing effects, resulting from this operation, where a sin- 

 gle drain had changed the whole character and qualities of the 

 soil, in an area of many acns. The evidences afforded by this 

 practice (as well as tlie regard exhibited to the use of peat, and 

 the formation of composts,) of agricultural progress, is in no sec- 

 tion of the county more prominently presented, than in the 

 fertile valley of the Schroon river. Every season, for a series 

 of years, has witnessed a great extension of these works. Open 

 ditches are in more general use, although covered drains are often 

 constructed of stones, bushes or wood. I have no information of 

 tiles having been introduced into the county. 



PROTFCTION OF STOCK. 



In this respect, a very signal and salutary change has oc- 

 curred in this county. I found the instances rare, in which 

 the importance and economy of a vigilant protection of stock, 

 from cold and storms, were not felt and adopted in practice. 



