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I could wish, Mr. President, that the pleasurable duty 
of returning thanks to the Board of the New-York State 
Agricultural Society had fallen into abler hands. It is sir, 
no unmeaning compliment when I assure you, in behalf 
of the citizens of Syracuse and the inhabitants of the 
county of Onondaga, that we are indeed greatly obliged 
to you for establishing your first Agricultural Fair, 
under the late law appropriating the funds of the State 
in aid of our cause, in this village—and we are the more 
happy if we have in anyway succeeded in our arrange¬ 
ments in giving satisfaction to the board. If in anything 
we have come short of our duty, it has been owing to 
inexperience and want of judgment, and not from any 
want of disposition on our part to please. We hope sir, 
these visits may be annually repeated, and aided by 
the light, which the experience of this year affords, we 
will endeavor to make our arrangements more perfect 
in future ; at all events we will at all times give you a 
most hearty welcome. From the allusion, sir, which 
3ou were pleased to make to our own county agricul¬ 
tural society, it may be expected that I should say some¬ 
thing on that subject. 
It is but a short time, sir, since the organization of 
our present society—this is our third fair. It may not 
be uninstructive to dwell for a moment upon some of 
the difficulties we had to encounter in getting our socie¬ 
ty under way. 
It is now about six years since, when a few friends 
united in a public call of an agricultural convention. 
To our great mortification, when the time arrived, not 
more than eight or ten were found in attendance, but, 
sir, those eight or ten individuals were true men—we 
had enlisted in the cause and were determined not to be 
discouraged or driven from our purpose, but to “ go 
ahead.” 
We adopted an address and passed a set of resolu¬ 
tions which had been previously prepared, and gave to 
our convention, upon paper at least, all the appearance 
of a pretty formidable one. We resolved among other 
things to memorialize the legislature then in session, 
and procure an act of incorporation. This was done, 
the act was passed, but owing to causes not necessary to 
detail, two years were allowed to pass away before we 
organized. But, sir, we did organize, established a fair 
for that very year, which was well attended, and from 
that day to this, have been in the full tide of success¬ 
ful experiment. 
I have dwelt thus long on this early history of our 
affairs in order to show our friends that however 
discouraging matters may appear in the beginning, 
they should not be discouraged or give back, but press 
on, and success will ultimately crown their efforts. And 
in order to show too, how important results flow from 
small beginnings. If I am not altogether misinformed, 
this very exhibition is owing in part to those causes, 
trifling as they are. At the period to which I have re¬ 
ferred, the New-York State Agricultural Society was 
itself struggling for existence—but a few devoted friends 
were then at work and alone sustaining that institu¬ 
tion. Almost ready to despair, and looking abroad 
through the dim distance to catch a view of their fu¬ 
ture prospect, they beheld with joy our beacon light, 
small and feeble as it was—it inspired them with new 
hope—they saw that here at least were a few congenial 
spirits, laboring in the same cause with them, and they 
resolved that they would go up and worship at the same 
shrine together. Oh, sir, it is a glorious cause—next 
to disseminating the principles of our holy religion, 
there is perhaps no way in which man can benefit his 
fellow man so much and effectually, as in this. And 
here sir, you will pardon me for a moment if I briefly 
advert to a very few of those distinguished individuals 
who have passed from among us, but who when living, 
gave it the aid of their talents, character and influence. 
At the head of this list, in our own state, stands the 
name of the much and universally lamented De Witt 
Clinton. Always the patron of science and the arts, 
while governor of the state, he at an early period in¬ 
vited the attention of the legislature to the subject, and 
by his recommendation our first societies were estab¬ 
lished. His hand first put the ball in motion, and 
although at times partially arrested in its course, it is 
still rolling on from the momentum which he gave it, 
accelerated, it is true, by those who have succeeded 
him. In his successful endeavors to develop the re¬ 
sources of the state, he not only increased its produce 
but opened a high way to market. His name and me¬ 
mory will ever be gratefully cherished by the farmers 
of New-York. 
Next in order of time, hut perhaps not in influence, 
stands the name of the late Jesse Buel. He estab¬ 
lished The Cultivator and an Experimental Farm—by 
his writings in the one and his labors on the other, he 
has given an impulse to agriculture which is now, and 
will continue to be, felt by generations yet unborn—he 
was indeed a public benefactor. 
Many other illustrious names might be added to the 
list, but I forbear—time will not permit. Let us not, 
ho ever, while wethus bear our grateful testimony to 
the dead, be altogether unmindful of the living; there 
is one at least who has honored us by his presence and 
services on this occasion, whom, you will all agree, we 
should not pass over in silence. 
If it be true, sir, as we have this day heard, that that 
individual who causes two blades of grass to grow 
where only one grew before, is entitled to the appella¬ 
tion and rank of a public benefactor, what praise is 
due, and what shall be said of him whose whole life 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
has been spent in multiplying not matter hut mind—in 
implanting new ideas—in inculcating and instilling 
moral,virtuous and religious principles—in unfolding the 
mental faculties—in leading with parental care, thou¬ 
sands of the youth of our country (some of whom now 
grace the highest stations in our land,) through all the 
mazes and labyrinths of the abstruser sciences and the 
higher departments of literature and the arts, and who, 
(in his sphere,) like the sun of heaven, sheds his rays 
and benign influence upon all surrounding objects—dis¬ 
pelling the gloom—warming the heart—quickening the 
pulse and enlightening the understanding. Such an in¬ 
dividual, sir, though now absent, has honored us by his 
presence on this occasion; and great and glorious as it 
is, such is his elevation of character, that helms rather 
honored it, than been honored by it. An individual, 
sir, whose name will be remembered and revered as 
long as Christianity has a disciple—morality and vir¬ 
tue an advocate—genius an admirer, or science and the 
arts a votary. I need not tell you that I allude to the 
Itev. Doctor Nott, the orator of the day. 
There is another distinguished individual whose ab¬ 
sence on this occasion we all regret, but whose name, 
being closely associated with the object of our pursuit, I 
beg leave to mention. An individual who for nearly twen¬ 
ty-five years, presided with signal ability in one of the 
highest tribunals in our state, and, from the high cha¬ 
racter of whose judicial decisions, is favorably known 
not only to the state, but to the civilized world. 
In the full enjoyment of all his faculties, he has, 
since retiring from the bench, which he so much 
adorned, occupied his time to some extent in that pri¬ 
mitive, rational and delightful employment, agriculture 
—enlightening and adorning this, as he has every other 
pursuit of his long and useful life. In this hasty sketch, 
brief and imperfect as it is, you will all recognize Chief 
Justice Spencer, and will all unite with me in the 
sincere aspiration, that the sunset of his days may be as 
calm and serene as his eventful life has been long and 
useful. 
There is yet another individual who though absent 
has manifested his attachment to our cause, by send¬ 
ing hither his two sons, and constituting them by the 
payment of the required sum, members for life. An 
individual, sir, who, when the entire western portion of 
our state was a dense and unbroken forest, plunged 
deep into its bosom and located himself upon a large 
tract of its best soil, since which time he has remained 
its successful occupant. He is emphatically one of the 
pioneers of the west. His ample domain, embracing 
more than 30,000 acres, is in a high state of cultivation 
—his granaries groaning under their burihen—his fer¬ 
tile vales and meadows—his beautiful lawns and wood¬ 
lands, his rich pasturage, and his flocks upon a thousand 
hills, are the rich, reward of nearly half a century of 
persevering, successful agricultural toil. Distinguished 
alike by his equanimity of temprament, blandness of 
manner, and benevolent disposition, he has long since 
received the well merited appellation of “ The Gentle¬ 
man Farmer,” “ The Princely Agriculturist.” I need 
scarcely tell you. that I refer to Mr. Wadsworth of 
Geneseo. These arc the men, and these the living ex¬ 
amples we want to elevate and aid our cause. 
I have thus, sir, briefly referred to some distinguished 
names among both the dead and living, to show who 
are and have been our co-workers, and what individual 
effort will accomplish. 
But, sir, there is yet another cause still more power¬ 
ful, to which I beg leave for a moment to refer. I 
mean the press—the public press—that mighty Arclii- 
median lever of power—that matchless engine which 
stirs and lifts up the whole body politic at one poise— 
that speaks with a thousand tongues to a whole nation 
at once, and that in fact does the work. All other 
causes and aids are merely auxiliary to this. Cast 
your mind back sir, to the period when the Cultivator 
and Genesee Farmer were first established; how low in 
our state, how drooping, how benighted, nay, how de¬ 
graded was the science and the pursuit of agriculture— 
how depressed in the scale of human employment, and 
how little understood was scientific husbandry—and 
yet by the continued droppings of those two fountains, 
the adamant of public prejudice has been worn away 
—the rock of ignorance has been perforated—the rays 
of science and the light of experience has broken 
through, and the New-York farmer stands now revealed 
in his true character—it is now discovered that the pur¬ 
suit of agriculture is no mean employment. For all 
this we are indebted to the press, and mainly to those 
two organs. 
In conclusion, I beg leave, therefore, to give as a sen¬ 
timent— 
The press—the public press, and especially the agri¬ 
cultural periodicals of our own state. Distinguished 
by unusual talent, industry and zeal—they are power¬ 
ful levers acting upon public sentiment—uprooting an¬ 
cient prejudices—enlightening the public mind—eleva¬ 
ting and ennobling agricultural pursuits—May they re¬ 
ceive a generous support by every member of this so¬ 
ciety and every friend of the cause. 
On the third day, the Executive Committee, by invi- 
tation, examined various articles accidently overlooked 
by the committees, owing to their being improperly 
placed. Among these were beautiful specimens of salt 
presented by H. Smith of Salina, a most superior ar¬ 
ticle, and manufactured in such a way as to remove 
every objection against the strength and purity of the 
171 
Onondaga salt'; also specimens of table knives and 
forks, a fine article of American manufacture, made by 
Messrs. G. & D. N. Ropes, and presented by Marsh 
Si, Wheaton of Syracuse. They also had the pleasure 
of examining specimens of mulberry, presented by 
Thomas Mellen, Esq. of Madison, the Morus Orego- 
na, or Oregon mulberry, discovered in the territory of 
that name west of the Rocky Mountains. The leaves 
of this mulberry are larger, thicker, and more fleshy 
than those of the multicaulis; while it is said by Mr. 
Mellen, to be hardier than any other variety of the mul¬ 
berry, enduring the winters of this region without inju¬ 
ry. Mr. Mellen, from his experience, contends that the 
cocoons fed on this variety of the mulberry are superior 
both in weight and quality, to those fed on any other 
with which he is acquainted. 
On the third day, the hoard of arrangements and va¬ 
rious other gentlemen visited the farm of Fletcher 
Woodward, Esq. which received the first premium 
of the Onondaga County Agricultural Society, offered 
for the best farm. Mr. Woodward’s farm lies on the 
strata which crosses the county from east to west, im¬ 
mediately below the upper limestone masses, and like 
that of the greater part of those similarly situated, is 
of great fertility, and easily cultivated. The visitors 
Avere much pleased with the neatness, order, and high 
culture shown on Mr. Woodward’s farm, and Ave doubt 
not, from the statement made of the crops harvested, 
that he finds in the good management of his farm a 
profit as well as pleasure. The board also made a 
brief call at the farm of George Geddes, Esq. a short 
distance Avest of Syracuse, Avell known as a practical 
farmer of much merit. Here they examined some hy¬ 
draulic machinery of a neAv and simple construction, 
invented by Mr. Geddes, used for Avatering his exten¬ 
sive farm, and which is also made applicable for sever¬ 
al other useful purposes. They Avere much pleased 
with specimens of gates and farming implements in¬ 
vented and constructed by Mr. Geddes, as Avell as with 
the general appearance of his extensive farm. 
J. G. King, Esq. of N. York, forwarded for exhibition, 
and presented to the State Agricultural Society,some fine 
specimens of the Neapolitan hog. Under the direction of 
a committee of the hoard, these animals Avere distributed 
among the folIoAving gentlemen : H. S. Randall of Cort¬ 
land; Harvey Baldwin and George Geddes of Ononda¬ 
ga; Ezra Cornell of Ithaca: and Dr. Button and Sam¬ 
uel Hecox of Wayne county. The gentlemen receiving 
them, are expected to make a full trial of their merits, 
and report to the societ}’ at a future time. They much 
resemble the Berksliires, Avith round bodies, and thick 
hams, but are finer in the head and ears. They are 
nearly destitute of hair, (which is their most marked 
peculiarity,) are black, and said by Mr. Fling to fatten 
Avith unrivaled facility, and to make pork fine and of 
superior quality. They much resemble the original 
Siamese,Avhich, crossed Avith the original Berkshire hog, 
has produced the beautiful improved Berkshire of the 
present day. 
In the departments of implements, products, horses, 
cattle, and SAvine, the exhibition Avas such as to satis¬ 
fy all reasonable anticipations, and do honor to the 
state, but in that of sheep the paucity was so great as 
to constitute the most material and marked defect of 
the Fair. It must be considered singular that in a coun¬ 
ty containing some 15,000 sheep, many of the flocks of 
pure Saxon or Merino, and grade sheep of all A r arie- 
lies, and in a state Avitli more than four millions of this 
valuable animal, so very feAV should have been offered 
for exhibition; butAve have the consolation of knoAving 
that this disappointment is one which will not recur 
again, and that hereafter this important part of our 
domestic animals, and to Avhich so much of our pros¬ 
perity is oAving, Avill be fully represented. 
Award of Premiums. 
CATTLE— Class I.—BULLS—3 years old and over. 
To J. M. Sherwood, Auburn, for his hull “Archer,” bred by F. 
Botch, Butternuts, 1st prize. 
To E. P. Prentice, Albany, for his bull “Nero,” bred by him¬ 
self, 2d prize. 
To C. N. Bemeut, Albany, for his bull “Astoria,” bred by him¬ 
self, 3d prize. 
To Silas Gaylordj.Skaneateles, for his bull “Splendid,” 4th 
prize. 
“ There AA^ere several other animals [in this class] 
on the ground, possessing in the estimation of your 
committee, high grades of excellence, and they only 
regret that the premiums were not more numerous. 
Among these, your committee particularly noticed the 
animals of Mr. McIntyre, Mr. Van Bergen, Mr. Fon¬ 
da, and Mr. Sears.”—[ Report of the Committee. 
Class II.—BULLS— 2 years old. 
To John Johnston, Fayette, Seneca co., for his bull “Royal 
William,” bred by G. V. Sachet., Seneca Falls, 1st prize. 
To Thomas A. Clark, Chittenango, for his bull “ Young War¬ 
den,” bred by Thomas Hollis, Gilbertsville, 2d prize. 
ToD.I). Campbell, Schenectady, for his bull “Rotterdam,” 
bred by himself, 3d prize. 
To Nicholas Garner, Burlington, for his bull “-bred by 
himself, 4th prize. 
Class III.—BULLS—1 year old. 
To Moses Kinney, Cortlandville, for his bull “ Daniel Webster,” 
bred by G. V. Sacket, Senaca Falls, 1st prize. 
To Enoch Marks, Navarino, for his bull “ Brutus,” 2d prize 
To Benjamin Stoker, Cortland co. for his bull “ ——3d prize 
To Joseph Baker, Onondaga co. for his bull “-,” 4th prize 
“ Your committee beg leave to express their regret, 
that though the exhibition in classes II. and III. Avere 
very numerous, yet hut fetv of the animals Avere in Avhat 
they considered, common store order; which rendered 
