STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 7 



scarcely be excelled in any country, and we are satisfied that 

 every year will add to the number of those who are thus devoting 

 themselves intelligently in developing the resources of our State. 

 The farmer himself is improving; his library, stored with Agri- 

 cultural works and with papers adapted to his calling, shows that 

 the mind is improving, and soon we shall find, as our schools shall 

 be improved, the great body of farmers of our State as well edu- 

 cated and as capable of conducting all the affairs that may fall 

 in their way, as any other body of our citizens. This is a result 

 most desired, and we cannot doubt that as the means to accom- 

 plish it are furnished, that the great body of the Agricultuiists 

 of our State will not fail to avail themselves of the facilities which 

 are presented. 



Agricultural Hall and Museum. — Since 1844 the securing of 

 rooms, adapted to the wants of the Society, where the Library 

 and collections could be suitably arranged, and where the farmers 

 could assemble and feel that they were properly provided for, has 

 been constantly kept in view. In 1853 a bill was introduced for 

 this purpose, and in 1854 and 1855 acts were passed to erect 

 suitable buildings for the purpose. It is an honor to the State, 

 and no citizen who now- visits the seat of Government, but feels 

 a pride in entering the rooms dedicated to the great Agricultural 

 interests of the State. The rooms assigned for the Society were 

 constructed under direction of the Executive Committee — and it 

 is gratifying to be informed, by distinguished gentlemen who have 

 visited most- of the European Governments, that they have not 

 seen any establishment for like purposes superior to tliat we are 

 now occupying. May the farmers and mechanics of New- York, 

 fill these rooms witli their products and inventions, so that we can 

 with just pride point to our collection as equal to any to be found 

 in any country. 



Tlie system of International Exchanges of books, seeds and 

 imijlements, introdured ])y Alexander \'attoniare, some years 

 since, has become a very important agency. Our Museum now 

 has a very large collection of grain and seeds, received from 

 England, Scotland, France, Hungary, Bavaria, Austria, Russia, 

 Ja])an, &c., and we liave sent in exchange seeds to these countries, 

 where many of tlieni have been tried and j)roved useful. We 

 have distributed to farmers and others many of the seeds we have 



