8 [Senate 



the national character of this Institute, conferred by its charter to 

 promote the agriculture of the whole Union, appeared to the Mana- 

 gers to strengthen the arguments in favor of the re^^eal of the rule of 

 former years, in order to increase the inducements for exhibitors to' 

 bring their best cattle^ &c. from distant States. The prize of the 

 fortunate competitor under the new regulation is more valuable as 

 it was won in an unrestricted competition against every thing, 

 whether it had received a premium or not. Such an institution seems 

 to be required in our great State; and our aim should be to pro- 

 cure the best productions of agriculture, the best machines and im- 

 plements, whether they are north or south, east or west of us. 

 There are many seeds that actually deteriorate, unless occasionally 

 renewed from abroad. It is for the interest of the county societies 

 to favor such an Institution; and what other position can compare 

 with our populous emporium ? 



The account of the premiums awarded at the Fifteenth Annual Fair, 

 is marked F. Though the premiums have been less in number and 

 value than they should have been, they probably, for the last eight 

 years, exceed those of any other, if not all other, institutions in our 

 State. From the small amount collected from members, viz: three 

 dollars admission fee, and annual dues only two dollars, added to 

 twenty-five cents contributed by a small proportion of those who 

 have visited the Fairs, it will be seen that more than four thousand 

 premiums have been awarded and distributed. After covering the 

 necessary expenses for giving publicity to the celebrations, rent of 

 the premises, and fitting up steam apparatus for testing machinery, 

 and expenses of the repository, library, &c., and other expenses in- 

 dispensable to carry out the Fairs, (all conducted with rigid 

 economy,) every dollar remaining has been distributed bona fide in 

 premiums, without any condition, among meritorious exhibitors. 

 These premiums were well known to be the diffusive motives to 

 ingenuity and improvements — unquestionably the most economical 

 stimulants for industry and skill ever devised — that have brought to- 

 gether at a single anniversary seventeen thousand articles, the bulk of 

 them highly wrought, many bearing the impress of the most delicate 

 touches of art, by numberless hands; for in all the varied processes 

 required, from the preparations of the raw material to the final finish, 

 even of some single article, an hundred hands may be employed. 



