60 



T H E N E W G E N E S E E F A R M E R, 



Vol. i 



Porhopa ihc majority of farmera ihink February the 

 best time, at least it ie to be judged they do, by their 

 practice. 1 am convinced, however, that this is not 

 the right season. From the information I have ob- 

 tained, and by the little experience I have had, I am 

 induced to bdieve that mid-summer is the right lime. 

 It is very evident that rails (or any timber) decortica- 

 ted or peeled, will season quicker and last longer than 

 they will if the bark remains. I will now conclude 

 by adding an extract from a communication of Joshua 

 Howard, [Gen. Far., vol. 5, p. 300.] "During the 

 last twenty years I have been engaged, more or less, 

 in the preservation of limber; and, I'rom my experi- 

 ence, am able to say with confidence, the old opinion 

 of Englidb writers to the contrary notwitbftanding, 

 that the best time to cut timber to ensure its durability 

 is when the tree is in its crkatkst vKion, and, in this 

 latitude, say niiddlcof .lune; then the sap is in its most 

 fluid state, and entirely e-cnp"a through the several 

 pores of the tree. ' CULTOR. 



Cayuga Co., Feb. 21st., 1840. 



fFor the l^'ta GeneKte Farmer, 

 Mouroe County Agricultural Society. 



MtssRs. Emtors — Noticing in the second number 

 of your paper an ajipeal to the farmers in this county, 

 calling their attention to the importance of a society 

 for the improvement ol agriculture, and soliciting 

 those who feci an interest in the subject to moke it 

 known to you, I am induced to addresa you in favor 

 of the proposed society. Not that I would take my 

 pen thinking to instruct my brother farmers, but be- 

 cause I think an Agricultural Society in this county 

 BO highly important, that I am anxious to vo.'untecr 

 my aid in promotion of the object. 



We do not rightly estimate the advantages which 

 arise from such nesociations, when we merely consid- 

 er our own immediate interests, as we are very apt to 

 do. The benefits o( such a society will be seen long 

 hereafter, perhaps more so than at present; ami this is 

 one reas'in why many farmers are inilifferent on the 

 subject. The desire to rcnp immediate rewards our- 

 selves, regardless of ihe future and the good of others, 

 is one great reason why so little is done for the im- 

 provement of agriculture, or the real benefit of the 

 community. The dilTlcnlty is not so much the result 

 of ignoranec as it ie of seljishicss. A want o( inftrr- 

 mation is one, but a want of the principles of enlarged 

 berucolcncc and enU^hiened philimthro/iht/, is a much 

 greater hindrance of agricultural as well as moral im- 

 provement. And how can we better cultivate and 

 dlsaeniinate those principles, which we deem so im- 

 portant, than by associating ourselves together for mu- 

 tual improvement and encouragement, and with a 

 view to the general good of the community — the bap- 

 oiness and prosperity of man ? 



The importance of an Agricultural Society is not 

 altogether in the amonnl of new and useful knowledge 

 which might be gained, (although this might be no in- 

 Cmsiderahle item,) but in the general spirit of im- 

 prorement which would be diffused ihroughmil the far- 

 ming community. We do not want knowledge so 

 much as we do something to excite us to action, and 

 put in exercise the knowledge which we already pos- 

 8033. We all know that to till our land well, and 

 keep it richly manured, to adopt a judicious rotation of 

 crops, select the best kinds of seeds, and the best 

 breeds of stock, are matters of much importance, and 

 indiepcnsible tc a perfect system of farming. That 

 th«re are better varieties of grain and seeds, and finer 

 breeds of cattle, than those in common use, all will 

 admit, although some may not possess the means of 

 availing themselves of these improvements; but the 

 ti that is wanted is a proper stimulus to set them 

 about the work. 



It is not an eajy task for n man to abandon his for- 

 mer views and prncti^'-, and adopt new ones, dilTering 



from his neighbors, although he may be well convin- 

 ced that it would be an improvement. Especially is 

 this the case, when others, all around him, his friends 

 and brother farmers, are looking on with indifTerence 

 and neglect. But let others around him engage in the 

 business of improvement— let it become a public busi 

 ne<:3 and a popular subject, and how easy and pleasant 

 it is lor all to engage in it ? Let us therefore form an 

 efficient Agricultural Society, and see that it is well 

 sustained, as I believe it may be, and we shall soon see 

 a spirit of improvement, pervading the whole farming 

 community, and not only shall we and our children 

 reap an abundant reward, but its beneficial influence 

 will be felt throughout all classes, and extend to every 

 interest of the community. Elevate and improve the 

 yeomanry of our country, and we promote the happi 

 ness and prosperity of the nation. 



The commencing of such a society must depend 

 upon a few influential farmers — many will unite in 

 sustaining who are unwilling to assist in forming it — 

 and the sooner an effort is made I think the better, 

 am of the opinion that it should be commenced pre- 

 vious to the hurrying of farming operations in the 

 spring. Yours, &c. R. 



SweilcH, l^Rrac co. 



P. S. Messrs. Editors — What I have written is un 

 fit for publication; but it may shew yon one more 

 friend of improvement, and one more name in favor of 

 an Agricultural Society. 



llcmarks. — We think R. has taken a very correct 

 view of the importance of an Agricultural Society, 

 and we hope his remarks will stimulate others to take 

 an interest in the subject. We wish to contradict two 

 staiemcntB in his postscript, however. 1st. It is not 

 true that what he has written "is unfit for publica- 

 tion." 2d. We deny that he has shown ns "one 

 more name in favor of an Agricultural Society" — for 

 the simple reason that he gate vs no name, and is en- 

 tirely unknown to its. We hope R. will let us hear 

 from him again, and supply this deficiency. — Eds. 

 New Gen. Far. 



Formation of the Yates County Agricultural 

 Society. 



It gives us pleasure to notice any efforts which are 

 made for the promotion of the great cause in which 

 we arc engaged. Especially are we pleased to receive 

 accouMt-i of the formation of new -Agricultural Socie- 

 ties. Agricultural is the I'.fe and support of all other 

 arts and professions — the foundation of onr National 

 as vveU as individual prosperity; and there never was 

 a time when there was more need of united efforts 

 for its promotion than at present. Let efficient socie- 

 ties for this purpose be formed in every county, and a 

 spirit of improvement be awakened among the farmers 

 — let a knowledge of improved farming be generally 



circulated, and the most approved systems adopted 



let Agriculture be elevated to that high rank in the 

 public estimation to which it is justly entitled; and 

 let those who now hang about our cities idle consu- 

 mers of the public wealth, become industrious produ- 

 cers, and this nation would soon recover from the ru 

 inous cdccts of profligacy and axtravagance — the dole- 

 ful cry of hard times would cease to be heard, and 

 as we are the most highly favorefi, we should soon be- 

 come the most bappy and prosperous nation in the 

 world. 



From Iht Yates Co. ti'kig. 



Agricultural i^Icetin^, &c. 



At a meeting of Farmers, convened pursuant to 

 public notice at thff American Hotel, in Pcnn-Yan, on 

 the Hthof March, 18U). JIknrt Spence, of Star- 

 key was colled to the chair, and Charles Lee, of Milo, 

 appointed Secretary. Thcobjcctsof the meeting were 

 tiieii stntcd by John Hatmakcr, upon whose motion it 

 was 



llcsulrcd, That the meeting proceed to organize on 

 Aijiricuhurol Society, to be ouxihnry to the State Soci- 

 ety, an 1 to be called the Yates County Agricultural 

 S:iC'Ctv. 



After some appropriate remarks by the Chairman 

 and several other gentlemen, it was, on motion of D. 

 A. Ogdon, 



Hesolted, That a committee, to consist of one from 

 each town in the county, be appointed, to report a con- 

 stitution, for an Agricultural Society. 



Whereupon, D. A. Ogden, of Milo, Elisha Double- 

 day, of Italy, Henry Husted, of Potter, George Wag- 

 eiver, of Jerusalem. Joseph McCain, of Barrington, 

 B Tuthill of Starkey, F. Harkncss, of Middlesex, 

 and A. F. Whittaker, of Benton, were appointed said 

 committee. On motion, the Chairman of this meet- 

 was added to the committee. 



The committee, after a short absenee, reported the 

 following constitution, which was adopted. 

 Constitution. 



Sec. 1st., This Society shall be called the Yates 

 County Agricultural Society, .Auxiliary to the New 

 York State Agricultural Society ; and its object shall 

 be to promote Agriculture, Horticulture, and House 

 hold Arts, in Yates County. 



Sec 2nd, Any person may become a member of 

 this society, by paying one dollar to the Treasurer 

 thereof; and he shall thereafter pay one dollar, on or 

 before the 1st day of Sept. of each year, so long as ho 

 shall continue a member. Any member moy with- 

 draw from this society by giving notice to the record- 

 ing secretary ; and paying allmonys due from him tlic 

 society. 



Sec. 3rd, The officers of this society shall consist of 

 a Pre^idenl, 8 Vice Presidents, a Recording and Cor- 

 responding Secretary, a Treasurer, and an Executive 

 Committee, of one from each town in the countj', 

 those officers to be elected by a majority of votes, at 

 the annual meetings of the society, and to hold for one 

 year, or until others are elected in their place, except 

 the first, who shall be elected immediately, and hold 

 their ofiiccs until the first annual meeting. ■ 



Sec. 4th, The officers of the society, 5 of whom flj 

 shall form a quorum, shall constitute a board of man- "^ 

 agers; it shall be their duty to exercise a general en- 

 pervision over tbeoffairsof the society — to appropri- 

 ate the funds of the same, in such manner as shall in 

 their judgement best subserve the interests, and for- 

 ward the objects of the society, — to call special meet- 

 ings, — to appoint committees. — to award premiume 

 and determine all motters connected therewith, — to 

 distribute all Seeds, Plants, Books, &c , received for 

 the society, — and to hold the Annuol Fair or Exhibi- 

 tion, and moke all n^eespary preparation therefor. 



Sec. 5th, The President — in his alsence, one of 

 the Vice Presidents — shall preside at all the meetings 

 of the society, and of the Boord of Managers. 



Sec (itb. The corresponding secretory shall, un- 

 der the direction of the Board of Managers, receive 

 and answer all communications addressed to the soci- 

 ty, or ony of its officers. 



Sec. 7tb, The recording secretary shall keep arc- 

 cord of the members of the society, and ofits proceed- 

 ings ; he shall also be secretary to the Board of Man- 

 agers, and keep a record of their j)roceedings, and be 

 shall perform such other duties as the board may from 

 time to time assign him. 



Sec. rfth. The Treosurer shajl receive all the mon- 

 ies of the society and expend the same only by the di- 

 rection of the Board of Managers ; he shall keep a 

 correct account of the receipts and expenditures, ond 

 make a report at each annual meeting of the society, 

 of his affairs 08 Tieasurer ; he shall gtve a bond for 

 the faithful performoace of his duties, in such penalty 

 and with such surety as the Board of Monagers may 

 require. 



Sec. 9th, The Board of Managers shall have pow- 

 er to till all vacancies in the offices of the society, and 

 the persons thus appointed shall hold their officne until 

 the next annual meeting. 



Sec. lOth, No person hut such as has been a mem- 

 ber of the society for 30 doye before any fair or exhi- 

 bitiiui held by the society, shall compete for premiums. 



Sec. llth. This society shall hold its annual meeting 

 ontheSid Wednesday of October, in eoch year, and 

 there sholl be, once in eoch year, at such lime and 

 place as the Board of Managers sholl direct, a meeling 

 for the exhibition of domestic animals and the agricul- 

 tural productions of Yatea County, and for the award- 

 ing of premiums. 



Sec 12th, This constitution may be amended at 

 any annual meeting of the Society, by a vote of two- 

 thirds of the membere present. 



On motion, it was 



Hcsolecd. That the meeting now proceed to elect 

 oflicers for the eocicty. 



The following persona were then elected. 



JoK.N Hatmaker, of Milo, PrcFident. 



JVcc Presidents — Henry Spence, of Starkey: John 

 Spiccr, of Barringtin; Henry P. Sariwcll, of Milo 



