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 hops,_ 
447,250 
“ barley,_ 
_ 2,301,041 
U 
beeswax,_ 
52,795 
“ oats,_ 
_ 21,896,205 
Horses and mules,_ 
474,543 
“ rye,- 
_ 2,723,241 
Neat cattle,_ 
1,911,244 
“ buckwheat,_ 
. 2,325,911 
Sheep, 
5,118,777 
“ indian corn,_ 
. 11,441,256 
Swine, 
1,900,065 
“ potatoes,_ 
- 30,617,000 
Value of poultry,_ 
§1,153,413 
Tons of hay,__ 
- 3,472,118 
u 
dairy products,_ 
§10,496,021 
“ hemp and flax,_ 
_ 1,508 
a 
home-made family goods,. 
§4,636,547 
Pounds of silk cocoons,_ 
_ 3,425 
iC 
productions in market gar- 
“ sugar,_ 
. 11,102,070 
dens,_ 
§499,126 
Gallons of wine,_ 
- 5,162 
(C 
nursery and florist produce, 
§75,980 
Pounds of wool,_ 
- 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 is a 
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, 
