83 [Assembly 



were put to no use so profitable as the preparing that field for the re- 

 markably fine crops of wheat which have continued to grow upon it 

 ever since. What is the reason said a European fanner to an agricul- 

 tural chemist that such a field has for almost two centuries produced 

 such fine wheat 1 The chemist on analyzing the soil attributed it to 

 the bone manure furnished by the killed on that spot which must have 

 been a battle field. 



The committee saw with great pleasure the very beautiful display 

 of vegetables, fruits and flowers in the large tent of an hundred feet 

 diameter. Some of your committee felt an emotion of surprize that 

 this rich collection had been made in a small circle of the west end of 

 Long Island. But upon reflection the surprize vanished. Within sight 

 of that tent the forefathers of the Princes had a fine nursery of good 

 things of the farm and garden, and so long ago, that at the time of 

 the battle of Long Island in 1776, some rank and file of the British 

 ai'my attempted to spoil that nursery of Prince, but to his lasting honor, 

 the British commander placed guards around it and saved it from all 

 injury. Others of great merit have arisen long since in the same circle; 

 among these, the amiable, intelligent and prosperous family of Parsons, 

 remain highly distinguished. A "branch of that family is in the same 

 dwelling where the celebrated founder of the religious sect, the Friends, 

 Fox, was once entertained ; and near this well kept mansion, large 

 trees still stand, beneath whose shade he lectured %is little circle of 

 hearers. 



By these good citizens, and by the Messrs. Mitchells, whose estates 

 furnished the field of plowing, many of your committee, with the Hon. 

 Mr. Tyler, and' several other distinguished men, were most hospitably 

 entertained. 



Your committee cannot forbear to add that on this occasion they 

 renewed their impressions of the great value and importance of this 

 noble Island; Being 120 miles in length, a clear sea all around it, its 

 climate is very distinctly milder than our adjacent main land. Acces- 

 sible everywhere, close on the very entrance of our great city, capable 

 by modern science, and by vessels, and by railroads of amending 

 scientifically and perfectly every acre of her land. We believe this 



