522 ANNUAL REPORT OF NEW- YORK 



growtli of centuries, its rough and jagged surface, transformed by 

 the hand of industry into the smooth and stoneless field and mea- 

 dow, where the implements of the day, w^here the planter, the 

 beautiful mower and reaper defraud the farmer of half his toil ; 

 some of whom, yet hale and vigorous, this day compete for your 

 Society's premiums. We choose to contemplate these festive occa- 

 sions as contributing largely to the innocent enjoyment of the 

 people. We certainly have not too many holidays, we do not 

 too much unbend from toil, care and business; but rather are we 

 justly obnoxious to the charge of inordinate devotion to the pur- 

 suit of business and w^ealth, and to gross material tendencies. 



These gala days, these scenes of social pleasure and utility, we 

 cannot but regard as eminently suggestive of ideas of culture 

 and refinement, the farmers of Jefferson county will not "willingly 

 let die." This Society and these fairs have for their object the 

 encouragement of that most noble and useful of all arts — the art 

 of tilling the soil. 



Annual meeting, January 14, 1857. 



Winter crops. — Best winter wheat, 30 bu. per acre. Hart Mas- 

 sey, Watertown; best spring wheat, 30yVo t>u., Ira Wood worth, 

 Brownvillej best potatoes, 296i bu. per acre, Joel Woodworth, 

 Watertown; best carrots, 1,248 bu. per acre, W. W. Greene, 

 Watertown; best corn, 75f| bu. per acre, Wm. M. Coburn, 

 Pamelia. 



Receipts: 

 From J. C. Sterling, Esq., late Treasurer, cash, $169 05 



" " " plate, 20 62 



For memberships previous to fair, ._ 34 00 



" and all sources during the fair, 608 08 



From S. C. Lashar, per John Winslow, for license, 32 08 



For memberships for 1857, received to day, 82 00 



Receipts, __ $949 75 



Expe7iditures: 

 Premiums,.. _ $629 00 



Expenses of fair, &c., 266 53 



$895 53 



Balance in treasury, §54 22 



