184 
PROGRAMME OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 
a nursery. While the pupil is connected with the 
establishment, it is intended that he shall witness 
all the operations of the agriculturist, and form 
such tastes and habits, that in after life he may 
combine the cultivation of the soil with intellec¬ 
tual improvement. 
B. G. Noble. 
We were in error in stating in our last, that the 
Show and Fair of the American Institute com¬ 
menced on the 9th of October next; it begins on 
the 10th. See programme below. 
For the American Agriculturist. 
PROGRAMME OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 
New York , Aug. 4, 1843. 
Dear Sir :—Agreeably to your request, I send 
you a general programme of some of the leading 
operations which have already been determined 
on for the 16th Annual Show and Fair, which will 
be held at that well-known place, Niblo’s Garden, 
commencing the 10th October next. It is fitted 
up in a style that far surpasses what it ever has 
been before. There are many circumstances con¬ 
nected with this anniversary calculated to give it 
peculiar and powerful attractions with the consid¬ 
erate and influential portion of Americans. A new 
and a remunerating staple seems to be imperiously 
called for, which may be disposed of in the foreign 
markets of the world. 
The demand for our leading staples for a series 
of years, exhibits an alarming falling off, in pro¬ 
portion to the increase of our population. Shall 
we continue to increase their production ? This 
will diminish prices still more, and their decline 
will more than counterbalance the increased pro¬ 
duction. As proof of the diminished foreign de¬ 
mand, statistics show that the sales of tobacco in 
foreign markets have, within a few years, fallen 
off three fourths, making the proportional allow¬ 
ance for our increased population. Flour about 
the same ; and beef one third. Our exports of the 
products of the forest have also experienced a sim¬ 
ilar falling off. 
Great exertion is made to extend the growth of 
cotton, and what does it avail ? The declining 
prices defeat the hopes of the planter. This state 
of things is universally felt, and there is a cry for 
a new staple from Maine to Florida. 
The necessities of our country have created this 
universal desire for a new and reliable staple, that 
will compensate labor for its culture. And such 
the American Institute believe is Silk. It is high 
time this question should be decided. For this 
purpose a silk convention will be held, and all the 
statistics necessary to its decision will be collected 
as far as practicable. Members will be desired 
to bring all the facts within their knowledge, im- 
bodied for the use of the convention, to enable 
them to come to a correct conclusion. If the facts 
obtained show that its culture will be profitable, 
it is believed by many that $50,000,000 value will 
will be produced in these U. S. annually, m 10 
years from the annunciation of this conclusion. 
The Convention of the New York Agricultural 
Society, to ascertain the merits of different breeds 
of cattle, is well worth the attention of that dis¬ 
tinguished association. Breeding and feeding have 
in one century tripled the average weight and 
value of cattle in Great Britain. Their herdsmen 
do not remit their exertions to improve still further, 
one iota. Every motive of pride and ambition are 
presented to stimulate their exertion. See the 
array of noble lords who attended the late show 
of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, at 
Derby. The public spirit with which they were 
inspired. Two thousand persons partook of a pub¬ 
lic dinner. About four times as much was required 
for admission to the exhibition as at our great an¬ 
nual Show and Fair, and not a complaint is heard. 
Their speeches breathe an enthusiasm that will 
be felt through the kingdom, calculated to make 
the husbandman respected, and dignify and enno¬ 
ble his occupation. Do they misjudge, and give to 
agriculture an undue importance ? If they do not, 
let us follow their wise example. 
The managers have determined that the follow¬ 
ing shall constitute a part of their arrangements. 
Tuesday, Oct. 10th.—The display will open to visiters 
at 9 o’clock A. M.,and continue unto 10 P.M., through 
the Fair. Address at P. M., in Niblo’s saloon. Fire¬ 
works at 9 P. M. Friday and Saturday previous are 
the days for receiving articles for competition and ex¬ 
hibition, and Monday for arranging. 
Wednesday, lltli.—Address in the saloon at 7^ 
o’clock P. M. 
Thursday, 12th.—Silk Convention at 10| A. M. 
Address in saloon at 1\ P. M. Every member is de¬ 
sired to bring a complete history of all he has done in 
Silk, with all the important facts he has obtained. 
Friday, 13th.—Silk Convention continued. 
Saturday, 14th.—Address at 7| P. M. 
Monday, 36th.—Entries of Cattle, Horses, &c., at 
Niblo’s Garden. Pedigrees signed by the owners re¬ 
quired. Plowing exhibition at Paterson, and Address. 
Tuesday, 17th.—Making catalogue of Cattle. Con¬ 
vention of N. Y. State Agricultural Society at 7 o’clock 
P. M. Subject, the Merits of Different Breeds of 
Cattle. 
Wednesday, 18th.—Cattle exhibition. The cattle 
must be on the ground by 9. A. M. 
Thursday, 19th.—Last day of cattle exhibition. Ad¬ 
dress on Agriculture 1\ P. M. 
Friday, 20th.—Anniversary Address. 
A number of other addresses will be delivered, 
of which notices will be given, with other transac¬ 
tions to be determined upon hereafter. 
P. S. Silk will also be a leading article, as well 
as fruit, flowers, and agricultural productions gen¬ 
erally. An effort will be made to procure a full 
display of poultry. As household manufactures 
have commanded legislative attention, a medal 
will be bestowed on the exhibiter of the greatest 
variety and best quality of household furniture. 
Room will be reserved for the mechanical opera¬ 
tions of the trades, such as reelings particularly 
silk ; also for spinning , weaving, turning, casting, 
&c. The best construction of a silkreel lor general 
use, is of paramount importance to the silk culture. 
The exhibiters of the greatest varieties of highly- 
finished and well-adapted farming and gardening 
implements, will command a premium. 
T. B. W AXEMAN, 
Cor. Sec’y. 
