S56 [Assembly- 



from the journal of Mr. Gilliland, that this crop was largely 

 cultivated, in bis colony, prior to the revolution. From the tenor 

 of a petition, dated 1st March, 17G5, addressed by him to the 

 ' "Society for promoting arts, agriculture and economy, in the 

 pro^*ince of New- York," it seems that institution was in the 

 habit of " sending out to the poor settlers in the new terri- 

 tories, looms, spinning wheels, and reels," topromote the domes- 

 tic manufacture of flax.* 



Hay. — I have already discussed, incidentally, the subject of the 

 grass culture of the county, in its various connections. This 

 crop is of the first importance, and always commands a certain 

 marl^et, and at high prices. The product of hay, in the county, 

 falls immensely below the consumption. A large amount of 

 pressed hay, is imported annually, and is derived chiefly from 

 Canada and Washington county. The price of hay is rarely re- 

 duced to [§8, and often ranges from $15 to $20 per ton. The 

 yield, is generally estimated, at an average of about one ton to 

 the acre. The habitual sale of hay from a farm, of which the 

 fertility is not preserved hy other agencies,, necessarily exerts a 

 most pernicious tendency, and impedes, if it does not utterly de- 

 stroy the progress and agricultural improvement of the land. 

 The county embraces many tracts of alluvial and natural mead- 

 ow^s, which are annually overflowed, and their native fertilit} thus 

 preserved, even when subjected to this deteriorating system. Some 

 districts of upland, illustrated by the ridges in the town of Jay, 

 which have been described, and of great original vigor, have been 

 for many yeurs, exposed to this practice of cropping, without ex- 

 hibiting any apparent or essential exhaustion. The application 

 of gypsum, is known to be most efficient in preserving the fer- 

 tility of these tracts. The dust of charcoal, is believed to be still 

 more active and enduring in its fertilizing effect upon tliis land. 

 The aggregate area of meadow land in tlie county, and its rela- 

 tive productiveness, have been largely augmented, under the 

 pressure of the demand for hay, and by the improved skill in its 

 management. 



* I have, with much interest, examined the original di-aft of this document, embracing 

 highly valuable information in other respects. It contains the only evidence I have seen 

 of the existence of the society referred to. 



