INTRODUCTION. 133 
the recent census, which, although not altogether reliable for accuracy, is still the 
nearest approximation to the truth that can be found. 
Bushels of wheat,..-.-.--.------ 12,309,041 Pounds of hope;¢----s5.--2552.. 447,250 
6 barley; 2se22--2-4-55- 2,301,041 a beeswax,<=---t=---=- 52,795 
CO OAS eee eae aera = 21,896,205 Eforses and: mules,< <== =.----.2=6 474,543 
a6 MY Cpa. ose ese eee 2,723,241 (Neat cattles- s2s se Sos aese. S 1,911,244 
$e buckwheat, ...._--.--- 2,325,911 SDCCP.depeoe seen nese ese oS 5,118,777 
5 Widian) Conse s2s— seas 11,441,256 Swine) 234 co as 1,900,065 
KGae “otatoes;= 22-224 Stee 30,617,000 Waluelof(poultty,=£-222=-2= Ss $1,153,413 
Wonsiof. tay. -vewctSacsssancss 3,472,118 « dairy products, -.-=-5-.- $10,496,021 
(ioe hempand flaxee sone 1,508 “ home-made family goods,. $4,636,547 
Pounds of silk cocoons, - -.------- 3,425 “ productions in market gar- 
tb se NPAPRTy adel aneteasl Yo 11,102,070 deisel hes td $4199, 126 
Gallons of wine,..----=--.=---.. 5,162 «  nurseryand florist produce, $75,980 
Poundsof wool, 2seeesecoee-— oe 9,845,295 
If, in a survey of the progress and present condition of agriculture, we find in it 
many errors of theory to condemn, and many absurd prejudices and practices to 
be removed, we also find grounds to hope for its continual advancement. It isa 
science which appeals to us not merely by our desire to increase the public 
wealth, enlarge the public intelligence, and elevate the standard of public virtue, 
but as the surest guarantee for the perpetuity of that policy of peace and domes- 
tic contentment which is indispensable to the existence of democratic institutions. 
Horticulture was practised as a merely useful art from an early period. A 
great variety of fine fruits and plants was introduced soon after the war of the 
revolution, by William Prince and James Bloodgood, the proprietors of two of 
the oldest and most extensive nurseries in the state. Many of our citizens, whom 
pleasure or business called abroad, sent home rare and valuable varieties of trees 
and plants. Chancellor Livingston, and other members of the same family, took 
especial pains to introduce seeds of plants likely to prove desirable here, and 
the trees thus planted, among which are many fine varieties of cherries and 
other fruits, may still be seen at the manor garden in Clermont. 
The New-York Horticultural Society was founded by a combination of ama- 
teurs and practical gardeners, in 1818. The first president was Thomas Storm, 
