APPENDIX. 135 



vania, is supposed to yield crops oUvJwat, averaging at 

 least twenty bushels an acre; but that is owing to some- 

 thing peculiar in the climate ; for tlie crops do not ri- 

 pen in less than two weeks later than in most other 

 parts of the state. The soil in Penn's valley, is lime- 

 stone, and the water lies very deep. 



There is no doubt, however, that the agriculture 

 of Pennsylvania is steadily improving, and is at pre- 

 sent actually improved as highly as that of any State 

 in the Union. In buildings for agricultural purposes 

 (perhaps too expensive) she is unrivalled; so that 

 without being over sanguine, we may promise our- 

 selves an annual increase in the value of our lands. 

 How this progress may be quickened, is a question 

 which this Society should keep constantly in view. — 

 To devise the means of acceleration, should be their 

 study. — To the first great step towards general im- 

 provement, the organization of societies in every part 

 of the, State, we have done what was in our power, 

 by petitioning the legislature to take the subject into 

 consideration, and aid the undertaking with the ne- 

 cessary funds — Nor is there any reason to doubt of 

 success; for the legislature is always liberal when 

 the general interest demands it. The institution of 

 county societies, with the distribution of premiums, 

 will be a powerful stimulus to the dormant faculties 



