£533825 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
45 
N. YORK STATE AG. SOCIETY. 
Albany, Feb. 10, 1841. 
Pursuant to public notice, the New-York State Agri¬ 
cultural Society met at Knickerbocker Hall in Albany, 
this day at 11 o’clock A. M. The President being ab¬ 
sent Alexander Walsh, Esq. one of the Vice-Presi¬ 
dents took the chair, and Jesse Buel was appointed 
Secretary pro tern. A quorum being present, the mi¬ 
nutes of the last meeting were read. The Report of the 
Treasurer, C. N. Bement, Esq. was then received, read 
and accepted. 
The Constitution of the Society being called for, was 
read, when several amendments were proposed by 
Messrs. Tucker, Nott and Fuller, which, after dis¬ 
cussion, were adopted, and the revised Constitution di¬ 
rected to be published as follows : 
Constitution of the N. Y. State Ag. Society, 
As Amended Feb. 10, 1841. 
The style of this society shall be i( The New-York 
State Agricultural Society its objects shall be to im¬ 
prove the condition of agriculture, horticulture and the 
household arts. 
Sec. 1. The society shall consist of such citizens of 
the state as shall signify in writing their wish to become 
members, and shall pay on subscribing not less than one 
dollar, and annually thereafter not less than one dollar, 
and also of honorary and corresponding members. 
The presidents of county agricultural societies, or a 
delegate from each, shall ex-officio be members of this 
society i 
The payment of fifty dollars or more, shall constitute 
a member for life, and shall exempt the donor from an¬ 
nual contributions. . . - 
Sec. 2. The officers of the society shall consist of a 
president, eight vice-presidents, one to be located in 
each Senate District; a recording secretary, a corres¬ 
ponding secretary, a treasurer, an executive committee, 
to consist of the officers above named and five additional 
members, of whom three shall constitute a quorum, and 
a general committee, the members of which shall be lo¬ 
cated in the several counties, and be equal to the re¬ 
presentatives in the house of assembly. 
Sec. 3. The recording secretary shall keep the mi¬ 
nutes of the Society. 
The corresponding secretary shall carry on a corres¬ 
pondence with other societies, with individuals, and with 
the general committee, in furtherance of the objects of 
till6 society. 
The treasurer shall keep the funds of the society, and 
disburse them on the order of the president or a vice- 
president, countersigned by the recording secretary ; and 
shall make a report of the receipt and expenditures at 
the annual meeting in January. 
The executive committee shall take charge of and dis¬ 
tribute or preserve all seeds, plants, books, models, &c., 
which may be transmitted to the society ; and shall also 
have the charge of all communications, designed or cal¬ 
culated for publication, and so far as they may deem ex¬ 
pedient, shall collect, arrange and publish the same in 
such manner and form as they shall deem best calcula¬ 
ted to promote the objects of the society. 
The general committee are charged with the interests 
of the society in the counties in which they shall respec¬ 
tively reside, and will constitute a medium of communi¬ 
cation between the executive committee and the remote 
members of the society. 
Sec. 4. There shall be an annual meeting of the society 
on the third Wednesday of January, in the city of Alba¬ 
ny, at which time all the officers shall be elected by a 
plurality of votes and by ballot, with the exception of 
the general committee for the counties which may be 
appointed by the Executive Committee, who shall have 
power to fill any vacancies which may occur in the offi¬ 
cers of the society during the year. Extra meetings 
may be convoked by the executive committee. Fifteen 
members shall be a quorum for the transaction of busi- 
ness. 
Sec. 5. The Society shall hold an annual Cattle Show 
and Fair at such time and place as shall be designated 
by the Executive Committee. 
See. 6. This constitution may be amended by a vote 
of two-thirds of the members attending any annual meet- 
ing. 
A committee of fifteen was appointed to nominate of¬ 
ficers of the society for the ensuing year, to report to a 
meeting to be held at the Senate Chamber, at 3 o’clock 
P. M. to-morrow. Adjourned to 3 o’clock, P. M. 
Feb. 10, 3 o'clock , P. M. 
Met pursuant to adjournment, for the purpose of com¬ 
plying with the invitation of Ezra P. Prentice, Esq., 
to visit Mount Hope Farm near this city, to view the 
beautiful and extensive herd of Improved Short Horns 
owned by Mr. P. The company, some fifteen or twen¬ 
ty in number, after an examination of the Short Horns 
and South Down sheep at Mount Hope, with which they 
were highly pleased, were taken by Mr. Prentice to Mr. 
Coming’s farm, where they had an opportunity of view¬ 
ing a portion of the Hereford cattle and Cotswold sheep 
imported by Messrs. Corning and Sotham the past sea¬ 
son. 
men were unanimously elected officers of the Society 
for the ensuing year : 
Joel B. Nott, of Albany, President. 
Vice Presidents. 
1st district, Jeromus Johnson, of Kings, 
2d — “ — Robert Deniston, of Orange. 
3d —“— Caleb N. Bement, of Albany. 
4th “— Edward C. Delavan, of Saratoga. 
5th —Benjamin P. Johnson, of Oneida. 
6th —“— Lewis A. Morrell, of Tompkins. 
7th —“— Willis Gaylord, of Onondaga. 
8th —“— T. C. Peters, of Genesee. 
Additional Members of the Executive Committee. 
to 
Senate Chamber , Jan. 11,3 o'clock, P. M. 
Met pursuant to adjournment, H. D. Grove, Esq. 
one of the Vice Presidents, in the chair. The commit¬ 
tee appointed to nominate officers, made their report 
Avbich Avas read and accepted ; and the following gentle 
Alexander Walsh, of Rensselaer. 
George Vail, of do. 
Henry D. Grove, of do. 
A. L. Linn, of Schenectady. 
John McD. McIntyre, of Albany. 
Henry S. Randall, of Cortland, Cor. Sec’y. 
Ezra P. Prentice, of Albany, Treasurer. 
Luther Tucker, of Albany, Recording Sec’y. 
The following resolution was introduced by J. 
Viele, Esq. of Rensselaer : 
Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed 
prepare, and present a memorial to the Legislature, 
now in session, praying for an appropriation of $7,000 
annually, for the benefit of Agriculture, to be distribu¬ 
ted to the several County Agricultural Societies in the 
ratio of $50 to each member of Assembly, and the sum 
of $600 to the State Agricultural Society ; the money to 
be paid to the several Societies when they shall have 
raised an equal sum. _ _ 
After an animated and interesting discussion, in which 
Messrs. Viele, Johnson, Root, Fuller, and others, 
took part, the resolution was unanimously adopted, and 
Messrs. Viele, Tucker, Bement, McIntyre and Van 
Bergen, Avere appointed a committee to memorialize 
the Legislature for the purposes expressed in the reso¬ 
lution. 
Several Reports Avere received from Committees ap¬ 
pointed at the last meeting, to report on various matters 
of practical agriculture, which will be published here¬ 
after. 
On motion of C. N. Bement, Esq. it was 
Resolved, That the Executive Committee be request¬ 
ed to procure reports from different members ot the So¬ 
ciety, on the folloAving subjects, to be presented at the 
semi-annual meeting. 
1. On the most approved method of stall feeding oxen 
and other neat cattle. 
2. On converting green crops and other vegetable mat¬ 
ters into manure. 
3. On the best method of increasing manure and form- 
g a compost. 
4. On the proper time to cut Timothy and Other grass¬ 
es, and the most approved method of curing the same. 
5. On the comparative economy of employing oxen 
and horses in the usual business of the farm. 
6. On the comparative economy of potatoes, ruta ba- 
ga, carrots or beets, as food for cattle, sheep and swine. 
7. On the relative value of apples as food for SAvine, 
or other domestic animals, compared Avith making them 
into cider. 
8. On the best means of eradicating Canada thistles. 
A resolution xvas adopted, requesting the President 
elect to deliver an Address in the Assembly Chamber, 
in furtherance of the objects of the Society, on the eve¬ 
ning of the 23d inst. 
Adjourned to meet at the Assembly Chamber on the 
23d inst. 
Assembly Chamber, Feb. 23, 1841. 
The Society met pursuant to adjournment at 7 o’clock, 
P. M. The Hon. Jeremiah Johnson, Vice President 
from the first District, took the chair and called the So¬ 
ciety to order, ivhen the President, J. B. Nott, Esq. 
delivered an Address, replete Avith eloquence and in¬ 
struction, Avhich Avas listened to by a large and attentive 
audience with great satisfaction. The thanks of the 
Society were tendered to Mr. Nott, and a copy of his 
Address solicited for publication. 
Meeting - of the Executive Committee. 
The Executive Committee of the Nerv-York State 
Agricultural Seciety, met at the office of the Cultivator, 
Albany, on the 23d of February—the President of the 
Society in the chair. A letter Avas read from P. B. 
Johnson, Esq. Vice President, expressing bis regret that 
he should not be able to attend the meeting. Mr. J. 
says—“ It Avill afford me great pleasure to communi¬ 
cate Avith you at all times in relation to the interests of 
the Society, and to unite with the officers in such mea¬ 
sures as shall be best calculated to promote the 
best interests of Agriculture in our State. I hope some¬ 
thing will be done in aid of our objects by the Legisla¬ 
ture ; and could County Societies be established and sus¬ 
tained, it appears to me that great good will result.” 
A letter Avas also read from Col. H. S. Randall, 
Cor. Sec’y, accepting the office, and assuring the com¬ 
mittee that he Avill devote himself zealously and unti¬ 
ringly to the cause. He says —“ I Avish you Avould ex¬ 
press to the committee the deep regret I feel in not be¬ 
ing able to meet them. Say to them, that as one of their 
body, Avere I present, I Avould counsel action ,—decided 
energetic action. A mere formal organization—a no¬ 
minal Society merely, is useless—nay, the next thing to 
ridiculous ; and unless I greatly mistake the signs of the 
times, effort on our part will be met Avith more of cor¬ 
responding spirit, than it has been in preceding yems. 
After the appointment of a part of the County Com¬ 
mittees, the business was postponed, and a committee 
appointed to make the necessary inquiries and report 
suitable names at the next meeting. 
A committee, consisting of Messrs. Tucker Prentice, 
and'McIntyre, Avas appointed to report a code of ny- 
Laws and Regulations for the better management of 
the affairs of the Society. . . , , - 
The following resolutions were unanimously adopted: 
1 That the Executive Committee Avill hold regular 
monthly meetings on the Third Wednesday of each 
month, at the room No. 7, Exchange Building, Albany, 
at 3 o’clock, P. M. . . rr . 
2. That to enable this Society to carry into efiect the 
great objects of its formation, it is necessary to raise 
the sum of $1,500, in addition to the aid expected from 
the State. . ^ 
3. That as one means of increasing the funds of -he 
Society, the Corresponding Secretary address a circular 
letter to the members of the Executive and General 
Committees, urging upon them the necessity of immedi¬ 
ate and persevering personal exertion to inoease. tl.e 
number of both life and annual membeis of the Society. 
4. That the Recording Secretary prepare and report 
at the next meeting a correct roll of the members of the 
Society, specifying" those who have paid their annual 
dues, and the sums due from these in arrears. 
5. That the Executive Committee will decide upon 
the place of holding their First Exhibition and Fair, at 
their regular meeting in April ; and that a committee 
of nine be appointed to report on the Premium List, so 
far as practicable at the March meeting. The commit¬ 
tee consists of Messrs. McIntyre, Walsh, Bement, Ran¬ 
dall, B. P. Johnson, Grove, Gaylord, Morrell and Pe¬ 
ters ; and it is expected they Avill report individually, 
their viexvs in relation to the objects which should be 
be made subjects for premiums._ 
Tobacco. 
The culture of tobacco constitutes one of the most 
important items of the agriculture of the Middle States ; 
and is the great disposable crop of Virginia, Maryland, 
Tennessee, Kentucky, and part of Ohio. As an arti¬ 
cle of export it is second in value only to cotton ; and 
Avere it not for the enormous duties foreign governments 
compel it to pay, amounting in some cases to 800 per 
cent upon its cost, the amount might be vastly increased, 
and Avith the greatest benefit to the producing districts. 
The state of matters in relation to our tobacco abroad, 
is one Avhich should receive the prompt attention of those 
interested. Free trade is beautiful in theory, and Avould 
the whole world, or the principal commercial potvers, 
practice it, the results Avould no doubt be happy ; but 
that state of trade in Avhich all the freedom is on one 
side, and the restrictions on the other, will assuredly 
benefit one at the expense of the other. It is a law of 
nature that Ave should protect ourselves, and Ave are 
glad to see the tobacco grotvers moving in this matter. 
There can be no possible reason given why the pro¬ 
ductions of Great Britain should be admitted duty free 
into Virginia, and the products of Virginia be charged 
with a duty of 6 or 800 per cent by the former. The 
inequality is too gross to be tolerated in any country. 
The convention of tobacco planters held at Washing¬ 
ton City in December last, Avas numerously attended ; 
Gov. Sprigg of Maryland, Avas appointed President, 
Avith other officers. Mr. Jenifer made a very able Re¬ 
port shoAving the state of the tobacco trade Avith other 
countries, particularly Great Britain and France. It 
stated that the duty on our tobacco in Great Britain was 
$72.75 on every 100 lbs., or 800 per cent on its prime 
cost; and that France derives a revenue of ten millions 
of dollars, from a reduced importation of only some six 
or seven thousand hogsheads ; and this at a time Avhen 
the average duty on British goods in this country is only 
about 12 per cent, and France is draining our country 
annually of some 30 millions for her silks and tvines, 
which are poured in upon us at rates of duty, merely 
nominal. 
As the culture of tobacco is yearly becoming a sub¬ 
ject of greater interest to thousands of our subscribers, 
Ave hope some gentleman, practically acquainted Avith 
the culture and the curing of the plant, Avill furnish us 
Avith a full account of the methods most approved. 
Such an article would doubtless be Avell received, 
and be productive of benefit to a large class of agricul¬ 
turists. 
Durham District U. £?. Ag. Society. 
The annual meeting of this spirited agricultural socie¬ 
ty among our Canada neighbors, Avas held at Port Hope, 
on the 15th of Jan.; and the folloAving gentlemen Avere 
appointed officers for the year 1841 : President, David 
Smart ; Vice-Presidents, Alexander Broadhead, R. 
W. Robson, John Knowlson, and John Smart ; Trea¬ 
surer, William Sisson ; Secretary, Morgan Jelerty. 
It Avas found there Avas in the hands of the Treasurer, 
one hundred and tivo pounds. This is as it should be ; 
to render an agricultural society efficient, to enable it 
to do good, there must be money, and the members of 
the Durham County Society have shoAvn the sincerity 
of their professions, by their works. There are many 
agricultural societies in the United States, the members 
of Avhich might Avith advantage emulate the liberality 
of their agricultural friends in Durham County, and by 
so doing give their association an impulse Avhich could 
not fail of producing the happiest effects. 
