514 ANNUAL REPORT OF NEW-YORK 



look in upon some of the best farms and gardens and dairies 

 among us: and we take this occasion, on belialf of the Society, to 

 tender our acknowledgments for the uniform kindness and cour- 

 tesy with wliich we have been received, and the generous, cordial 

 hospitality with which we have been entertained. 



Our county, though suffering to some extent from drought, dur- 

 ing a part of the summer, yet gives cheering evidence of general 

 prosperity. Tlie hay crop of the present season has not, as a 

 whole, been exceeded for many years. It was probably mowed 

 and seciu'ed in fine order. The butter and cheese dairies prom- 

 ise an abundant yield. Grain will, we think, prove a full average 

 crop — all of which are selling at highly remunerative prices. 



No long continued scorching drought, or grass-hopper scourge 

 has passed with blighting influence over our fields, presaging dis- 

 tress and want and famine. The rain and dew and genial sun- 

 shine have not been withheld. Tlie labors of the husbandman 

 have been crowned with blessings, for wliich we ought to be 

 devoutly grateful to the Great Giver of good. 



The fair average crops and extreme prices of the past few 

 years have added largely to the aggregate w^ealth of our farmers. 

 Many by long industry have, in a legitimate farming business, 

 amassed fortunes. Many others still have acquired an abundant 

 competence, earned by hard labor and saved by strict economy. 



Your committee were much pleased to observe in and about 

 many of our farm houses an air of comfort and refinement — a 

 paiseworthy ambition in the direction of improvement — an evi- 

 dently increased attention to matters of taste in buildings, yards 

 and fences. We passed some streets and neighborhoods tliat pre- 

 sented an aspect of rural beauty rarely equaled in any purely 

 Agricultural country. How easily might these scenes of beauty 

 be multiplied and reproduced at every corner. We think the 

 farmers of Jefferson county can consistently, with a sound econ- 

 omy, afford to spend a little more of time and money in beautifying 

 and embelishing their homes — in supplying their houses with 

 books and papers — their grounds with trees and flowers and 

 fruits, and whatever else may tend to make the old home farm a 

 place of fond memories and beautiful associations — with whatever 

 may tend to make farm life, not a ceaseless round of drudgery 

 and toil of twelve to fifteen hours of incessant daily labor, but 



