For the iN'eio Genesee Farmer. 

 Asi'icultural Societies— Legislative Aid> 



Messrs. Edit'jrs — The inereaeed circulQtion, and 

 great improvement, of our agricultural joiirnale, and 

 the formation of the numerous agricultural eociciics. 

 with their splendid e.xhibitions, the past season, afford 

 cheering evidence that the cultivatora of the soil, arc 

 beginning to realize the importance of useful inslruc 

 tion and practical improvements. 



I am also glad to perceive that farmers begin to 

 think it is time for the Legislature to assist them in 

 the laudable work of improvement. I am not strenu- 

 ous respecting my individual views, but it is my pre- 

 sent opinion that an agricuharal survey of the State, 

 would meet with less opposition, and perhaps be more 

 generally uselul at present than appropriations to coun- 

 ty societies, promdal the societies can he susUiincd 

 witliout such aid, but if they cannot be otherwise sus- 

 tained, then, I say, the sooner such aid is obtained 

 the better ; for I consider their support very essential 

 to agricidtit ral improtcnncnt. 



I am aware that many objections are brought a- 

 gainstour societies, and some of them not without rea- 

 son. I do not suppose it is possible to conduct them 

 in such a manner as to please all; but it appears to me 

 that some plan can be devised by which many of the 

 most serious objections might be removed, and the 

 tisefulness of the societies be made more general 

 and extensive. It is my opinion that premiums ought 

 never to be given for single acres ot produce, unless 

 for the purpose of introducing some new production; 

 as it too frequently withdraws the attention of the far- 

 mer from his other crops, and the large amount of the 

 premium crop when compared with average produc- 

 tions, often causes doubts as to the correctness of the 

 statements; and the love of preeminence often causes 

 the unsuccessful competitor to feel dissatisfied. 



If we can obiain Legislative aid, our societies should 

 be remodeled; ■and I will now suggest a plan for the 

 purpose, in hipes that some abler pen will improve it, 

 or propose a better. 



Respecting the amount which the Legislature 

 ought to appropriate, I am of the opinion that $200 

 for ei:h member of Assembly would not be too great 

 a Slim for the Empire State to bestow for the enconr- 

 ngement of productive industry; and it ought not to 

 be.for Isss than ten years. Each county society ought 



to raise a sum equal to that which is received from the 



Stale. 



i would suggest that each county society consist oi 

 the usual officers, together with a publishing commit, 

 tee; to hold annual Fairs for the e.thibition of stock, 

 productions, implements, and domestic manufactures; 

 but no premiums to be awarded to individuals at the 



ounty Fair — the towns only to compete. The mon 



y received from the State by the county, to be divi- 

 ded among the towns, according to their ratio of popu 



ation, provided they raioe an equal amount by volun 

 lary contributions, and conform to the requisitions ot 

 the law. Each town to form a society auxiliary to the 

 county society, to consist of the usual officers, togeth- 

 er v\ith a viewing committee of three, whose duty 



hall be to examine the farms and crops in the town, 

 lit least twice in each season, and make an annual re- 

 port of their inspections, to the county society, Tbese 

 reports should contain, as far as practicable, an agricul- 



ural survey of each town; and the committeemen 

 should receive a compensation for their time. Each 

 town society to hold an annual Fair, at least one week 

 previous to the county Fair, and to award premium, 

 to those who raise the greatest average crops, and to 



he persons exhibiting the best stock, &c., as usual. 

 Each person receiving a premium at the town Fairs, 

 be required to attend the county Fair; where the 

 vns, and not individuals, are to be competitors. 

 Each competitor to give all necessary information as 

 to raising, breeding, &c., as usual, and all the stale- 



nents and reports to be handed to the county commit, 

 tee for publication. 

 Any towns neglecting to raise the necessary amount, 



heir quota of the public funds to be distributed among 

 the other towns, but any town raising part of the sum 

 required, shall be entitled to an equal amount from the 

 public fund. Any county neglecting to comply with 



he requisitions of the law, of course the money would 

 ■omain in the State treasury. 

 1 think the foregoing plan would remove many of 



ho objections which are made against our preeeni'so- 

 :ietie8, and would bring the improvements more gefie- 



ally home to each'culti.vator. If the tpwns would 

 mostly co-operate in the plan, there would be spljendid 

 county exhibitions. 



1 li."nje others will communicate their views on this 



subject, in order that the best plan may be devid 



adopted. Respectfully yours, jll* 



W. GAREU'Ci 



Wheatland, January 22, 1841. j',|;, 



Remarhs. — The plan proposed by our csl \ *'" 



correspondent, embraces many suggestions del *'',', 



of consideration; but we apprehend that a diffict jiii 



which he alludes in his closing paragraph, wi | ■!' 



some years at least, prevent the possibility of it 



cessful application. There are not a eufficiena 



ber of spirited farmers in the majority of towns 



urc their co-operations. The plan is new to u^ 



ever, and we hope to hear from others on the i 



—Eds. 



Hoof Ail. 



We wish to call the attention of our correspoli 

 N., whose communication on this subject appe j 

 another column, to an experiment renorted 

 eighth volume of the old Genesee Farmer, pag* 

 liy Heman Chopin, of East Bloomfield A 



hich had been slightly affected with hoof ail, bi 

 nearly recovered, was fed (mixed with bran) one 

 ri day of the ergotof spear grass, which had been 

 fully obtained and cleaned for that purpose, ui 

 had eaten a bushel ofit. It did not produce the4 

 est apparent effect on his health, although oftel 

 closely examined. On the 189th page he will fi 

 account of several cattle afTected with the hoi 



hich were fed wholly on corn stalks. These, 

 the fact we have often observed, of cattle eating, 

 the winter through, which contained vast quaiuii 

 eigot, without being at all affected, serve at Ii 

 throw doubt on the opinion our correspondent exj 

 The remedy he proposes, of sawing the 

 we have found the most effectual of any tried 

 emedyof H. E. Hubbard, following his comm 

 on, given from the Cultivator, we presume appll 

 the "/oti^n the foot," a disease quite distinct 

 the hcof ail, and which is also cured by the npplic 

 of hot tar, which is done by rubbing a hot iron 

 dipped in tar, 'between the claws at the upper pi 

 the foot. 



^ Market for Cocoons. 



We are asked if there is any market for coco 

 his vicinity. Ifany person is desirous of purcli 

 them, we should be glad to be informed of it. 



