STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 47 



tinue and complete it. The Executive Committee deemed it a 

 matter of great importance that the rooms should be completed 

 and arranged as speedily as practicable, as many of their imple- 

 ments and seeds were receiving damage in the places where 

 stored; and they accordingly raised the necessary funds, amount- 

 ing to $3,495.77, and the rooms which we are here assembled this 

 evening to dedicate for all time to come to the use and benefit of 

 the great agricultural interest of the State of New-York are pre- 

 sented complete. 



In a report like this, designed merely to present before the 

 Society the progress which has been made, and the manner in 

 which we have moved forward, with many embarrassments in 

 our way, it would scarcely be proper to enlarge. It may not be 

 out of place, however, to state that in addition to the ordinary 

 business of the Society, since 1847, it has been continually kept 

 in view, as all important and desirable to be accomplished, that 

 the farmers of the great State of New- York should be recognized 

 at the capital of the State as they ought to be, and that for that 

 purpose a suitable building for their use should be secured. This 

 has been accomplished, and from the many testimonials we have 

 had from our own citizens, as well as gentlemen who have trav- 

 eled in all the countries of Europe, we are assured that no more 

 commodious or well arranged rooms for the Agriculturists can 

 be found; and we trust that now the rooms being prepared, we 

 may soon, by the liberality of the farmers in furnishing us with 

 the materials, have a Museum that will equal any to be found in 

 any country. 



Another object which has occupied the attention of the Execu- 

 tive Committee of the Society, has been a work on Insects, adapted 

 to the necessities of the agriculturist. This has been begun under 

 the directions of .the able Entomologist of the Society, Dr. Asa 

 Fitch, and tlie approbation whicli lias been bestowed U]K)n the 

 work already ])erH)riued, both in this country and in Europe, 

 shows that a better selection tor this })urpose could not have been 

 made. \Vc have no fears that the Legislature will withhold any 

 needed appropriation to complete the investigation. The collec- 

 tion now in the rooms indicate the manner in which the work is 

 to be done, adapted to the wants of the practical farmer and the 

 horticulturist. 



