4 ANNUAL REPORT OF NEW-YORK 



ratively slow; but as one improvement after another is brought to 

 his notice, is tested, and proves successful, the work goes on; and 

 although in a single year, much may not be visible, yet in a series 

 of three or five years, it is most evident that real advances have 

 been made, and very gratifying results attained. Many more 

 experiments have been made during the past year, than for several 

 preceding years; and the reports which have been presented to 

 the Society, embody several of these, which it is believed must 

 prove useful. 



The Executive Committee desire in all their communications 

 with the farmer to encourage these investigations, not upon an 

 extensive scale at first, but sufficiently to secure results that may 

 be reliable; and it is believed that this has been in a great 

 measure secured, and that a rich reward will eventually be given 

 to the farmer. 



The second of Dr. Fitch's reports, which appears in the Tran- 

 sactions for 1855, has been most favorably received in every part 

 of our country. The value of his work can only be estimated by 

 the destructive ravages of myriads of insects infesting our gardens, 

 our orchards, our fields and our forests, which it is designed, as 

 far as possible, to protect us against. As he shall further pro- 

 gress, still more important advantages will be derived from his 

 work. The report to be submitted will be found of very great 

 interest, and shows the great extent of the work yet to be accom- 

 plished. 



The progress of agriculture in this State since 1841, when this 

 Society held its first public fair, after remodelling its constitution, 

 has been in the highest degree encouraging. The improvement 

 is evident in the superior method of cultivating the farm, which 

 is observed in every county in the State. A still equally noticed 

 advance has been made in the superior kinds of live stock, which 

 are being rapidly disseminated. To the implement maker the 

 farmer is greatly indebted for the increased facilities which have 

 been afforded him by the improvements which have been made in 

 the implements for the use of the farmer. Who that remembers 

 the rude implements of 1800, but must be astonished at the great 

 change which has been wrought; and we are still progressing 

 every year, lightening the toil of the farmer, increasing the pro- 

 ducts of the farm, and adding largely to the prosperity and wealth 



