Jfew York State Agricultural Society. 89 
NEW YORK STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
The annual meeting of the society was held on the 19th of 
January, in the assembly room of the Capitol, and the appearance 
on that occasion of a large number of the old and tried friends of 
the society was most encouraging. We have not witnessed for 
years a more animating annual meeting than this. The report 
of the executive committee gave an interesting view of the pro- 
ceedings of the society during the past year, and the progress 
which is making throughout the state in the improvement of ag- 
riculture. One of the most interesting features of the report, was 
the agricultural survey, which is in progress in the county of 
Washington, under the direction of Dr. Asa Fitch. It will re- 
quire another year to complete the survey, but from the statement 
given of the progress already made, we have no reason to doubt, 
that it will, on its completion, prove highly advantageous, and 
we should hope, prepare the way for a full and thorough agricul- 
tural survey of every county in the state. That this must prove 
greatly beneficial there can be no doubt; and the society we think 
is acting wisely in applying a portion of its funds to this purpose. 
On the first evening of the society's meeting, Prof. J. P. Norton, 
of Yale College, delivered a most excellent and valuable address 
on the connexion of science with practical agriculture. A large 
audience, among which we noticed a number of ladies, manifested 
by their undivided attention, the interest felt in the address; and 
from its great simplicity of illustration, every farmer present must 
have been convinced of the entire practicability of combining 
science with practice upon the farm — and not only of its prac- 
ticability, but also of the utmost importance of its being done. 
Several valuable reports were made on management of farms, 
draining, cheese and butter dairies; and of which we may avail 
ourselves when published. 
The society is now firmly established in the confidence of the 
people, and if it continues to share, as we have no reason to doubt 
it will, a careful and prudent management, there is nothing to 
