171 
often supposed, a certain amount of knowledge which it is pro¬ 
fitable for the farmer to possess, and dangerous to exceed. 
Learned men sometimes fail in this honorable pursuit, but not 
in consequence of their acquirements ; and the number of such 
is vastly less than those who fail through ignorance. It is a 
fact,which, however mortifying, cannot be too freely confessed, 
or too often published, that an inferior education is held suffi¬ 
cient for those who are destined to the occupation of Agricul¬ 
ture. The standard established for them, is seldom as high 
as the full course of instruction given in our common schools, 
and consists in an ability to read, but scarcely with pleasure or 
advantage, to write without facility or accuracy, and to per¬ 
form simple processes in (heart of numbers. Higher attain¬ 
ments than these are allowed to all other classes. The mecha¬ 
nic and the artisan are at least instructed in the nature and pro¬ 
pen ies of the substances which they use, and in the principles 
and combinations of the mechanical (lowers they employ, while 
each profession jealously guards against the intrusion of any 
candidate, who however skilful in its particular mysteries, 
has not completed a course of scientific, or classical learning. 
There is no just reason for this discrimination. The domes¬ 
tic, social and civil responsibilities of the farmer, are precisely 
the same with those of every other citizen, while the political 
power of his class is irresistible. The preparation of the soil 
to receive a germ, the culture of the plant, its protection against 
accidents, and the gathering of its fruit—each ol these appa¬ 
rently simple operations, involves principles of science more 
recondite than do the studies of the learned professions. Every 
other department of industry has willingly received aid from 
science. In mechanism, the laws of power and motion are so 
well understood, that achievements to which human energy was 
once deemed inadequate, are easy and familiar. The hand is 
now almost unnecessary in the fabrication of cloths. Animal 
power is beginning to be dispensed with in locomotion on the 
land, and the intercourse between nations separated by seas, 
heretofore so difficult and uncertain, is rendered speedy and re¬ 
gular by the use of steam. Tut Agriculture is regarded as in¬ 
volving no laws of nature, requiring no aids, and capable of no 
improvement. Physical power is considered the only suitable 
agent, and that power is most wastefully expended. Admitting 
the beneficent effects ol the cotton gin, the improved plow, the 
cultivator, the threshing machine, and other implements which 
have been instrumental in effecting a slow advancement in ag¬ 
riculture, it must still be confessed that while other arts are 
more rapidly improving, this, of human arts tire first and last, 
whose cultivation leads to plenty, and is cheered by health and 
contentment, remains comparatively unassisted and stationary. 
But, independently of the aid which mechanical science owes 
to agriculture, if the principles of economical geology, of agri¬ 
cultural chemistry, and of animal physiology, which have been 
laid open by Lyell, by Priestly, by Davy, Lienig, Johnson, and 
Dana, and our own Duel, were universally known and applied, 
the productiveness of the soil would be incalculably increased. 
Regarding the education of the agricultural class, then, only in 
the light of economy, its importance cannot be over estimated. 
But this is its least interesting aspect. Education is necessary 
to elevate the agricultural masses to their just eminence, and 
to secure their enlightened action ill the conduct of government 
and of the various interests of social life. Praises of Agricul¬ 
ture and acknowledgments ol the purity, patriotism, and wis¬ 
dom, of those who pusue that most peaceful calling, are the ne¬ 
ver failing themes of all who court their suffrages. Vet it is a 
sad truth, that the interests of Agriculture, and of those who 
subsist by it, are often considered subordinate, and sometimes 
injuriously neglected. The.a venues to preferment are open to 
all, but they are seldom traveled by the Farmer. Questions of 
peace and war, of revenue, ol commerce, of currency, of manu¬ 
factures, of physical improvement, of free and foreign labor, of 
education, are too often discussed and decided without just con¬ 
sideration of their bearing upon the interests of Agriculture. 
The reason is obvious. The art of Agriculture is learned by 
imitation and habit. Those who are destined to that pursuit, 
are not early instructed in the principles of the government, or 
its relations to other States, in their own legal rights, their ci¬ 
vil duties, the pathology of the human constitution, the nature 
of the substances with whichAgriculturc is concerned, or their 
properties, or the laws reguiating their development, or even 
in the simple art of tracing geometrical lines and calculating 
their contents, not to speak of the range of physical and exact 
sciences, history and ethics, classical learning, the philosophy 
of language and the art of eloquence. 
These attainments, though open to all, are reached exclu 
sivelv by other classes, and the Farmer in mature years, is sent 
to the Press for po,ideal instruction, and to the Clergy lie must 
yield implicit confidence, and must depend upon the Lawyer for 
the defence of his simple rights, upon the Physician for infor¬ 
mation whether he is diseased, upon the Professor for explana¬ 
tions of the properties of the soil lie cultivates, and upon the 
Civil Engineer for even the measurement of his acres. When 
such dependence upon these various classes is established, can 
it be a matter of surprise that precedence is conceded to them 
m the various departments of society V Let me not be misun¬ 
derstood. 1 deprecate not the influence of the learned classes, 
and I would promote by every proper means their higher im¬ 
provement—nor would I excite jealousy against them, or in the 
least diminish the respect or confidence they enjoy—but l desire 
to see the Agricultural class equally elevated, and for that pur¬ 
pose I would stimulate them to corresponding attainments. 
This is the true theory of republican institutions. When it is 
carried into practical and complete operation, and not until 
then, shall we enjoy a regular, safe, equal, and enlightened ad¬ 
ministration of civil government. 
Your task then, is nothing less than social revolution—a re¬ 
volution, however, which, like all your pursuits, will be peace¬ 
ful and beneficial. You aim no blows at the government of the 
country, or the power, the prosperity, or the indtteuee of any 
class of its citizens. On the contrary, you will render themall 
the aid and all the support they need. Nor will you justly en¬ 
counter the opposition of any class, for all arc equally interest¬ 
ed with yourselves in the great work you have undertaken, and 
upon which depend the stability and permanence of our institu¬ 
tions and the hopes of mankind. 
The agency required in this great work is alieady prepared, 
and awaits your adoption. The primary schools, the voluntary 
religions establishments, the academic seminaries, and the uni- 
sities which you require, are already founded, and liberally en¬ 
dowed. In our school district libraries, an auxiliary is furnish¬ 
ed, whoseefficacy is scarcely surpassed by the invention of Cad¬ 
mus, of Faust, or of Fulton. With pride and pleasure I add, 
that t!iis agent was called into action by a farmer of New-York, 
James Wadsworth. These libraries, which are placed at almost 
every angle of our thoroughfares and byways, and contain trea¬ 
sures richer than those the world lamented in the destruction 
of Alexandria, may be made the vehicles of not merely the lite¬ 
rature which adorns, hut of the science which elevates, and of 
that moral and political wisdom which gives beneficent direc¬ 
tion to the human mind. 
Little remains for you but to guide the rising generation to 
the improvement of these facilities, nor will that task be difficult. 
Science, though repulsive to the ignorant, is attractive to the ini- 
ated, and its attraction increases just in proportion as truths are 
presented which are adapted to the comprehension and satisfying 
to the curiosity of the young mind. In the dark ages, the system 
of instruction was so contrived, as to present to faculties unde¬ 
veloped, the deductions of science without their explanation,and 
recondite truths without their illustration. Whatever was sim¬ 
ple and easy of apprehension, was thought unworthy to be 
known, and the philosophy which explains the formation of the 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
earth, and its perfect adaptation to the subsistence and happi" 
ness of our race, was not then conceived. Something of this 
strange error still remains, but a change has commenced, and 
we may soon hope to see a system of education which will lead 
the mind by an easy and natural process, through the truths of 
external nature, to the mysteries of mind and the study of the 
Supreme Author. 
Let it be your effort to hasten this change, and thus divest 
knowledge of its repulsive features, to excite the emulation and 
stimulate the patriotism of the young, by making known to them 
the attainments of which they are capable, the advantages they 
may acquire, and the responsibilities they are to assume. The 
desire lor knowledge, once excited, will increase, and will find 
ways to continue its pursuit. Then the youth destined to agri¬ 
cultural occupations, instead of being employed in perpetual la¬ 
bor, will be allowed to acquire the knowledge which renders 
those occupations cheerful, dignified, and successful; and pa¬ 
rents instead of hoarding their gains lo be divided among their 
offspring, to relieve them from the necessity of enterprise, will 
devote their wealth freely in bestowing that better patrimony 
which cannot be lost. Need I point out to such an audience, 
how this work shall be commenced ? Let it be the task of indi¬ 
vidual effort to awaken the attention of our fellow citizens to 
the importance of keeping the Common Schools open during a 
greater portion of every year, of a more careful regard to the 
qualifications of teachers, of the introduction of the natural sci¬ 
ences into the schools, of allowing the children of the State, at 
whatever cost, to persevere in the course of education com¬ 
menced ; and above all, of removing every impediment and eve¬ 
ry prejudice which keeps the future citizen without the pale of 
the public schools. The State has been munificent to the ri¬ 
sing generation. She has not only founded a system of univer¬ 
sal instruction, but she has at great cost, explored the animal, 
vegetable, and mineral kingdoms, and exposed their mysteiies. 
The benefits of these discoveries, though diffusive, will be expe¬ 
rienced in an eminent degree by Agriculture. 
You have already wisely employed the agency of association, 
but the principle is susceptible of more varied and comprehen¬ 
sive application. Be not content with organizing a State Soci¬ 
ety, and County Associations, by which you excite the efforts 
ol the few who least need improvement; but organize an Agri- 
cull ural Society in every School District, and thus secure the 
co-operation of all our citizens. Such Associations, while they 
would promote agricultural fellowship, and vigorously second 
efforts immediately tending to the improvement of ihe art, 
would apply themselves diligently in exciting an interest in the 
important subjects which have been discussed, and in circulat¬ 
ing treatises upon proper studies, and watching over the inter¬ 
ests of education and of agriculture in the Schools, in the pri¬ 
mary action of society, and in tire Legislative Councils. 
But, gentlemen, in whatever direction your ellorts may be 
made, you will encounter difficulties and discouragements. Y'ou 
will be opposed by that contented spirit which regards every 
improvement as innovation, and which perpetually, though 
falsely, complains that mankind degenerate, without makingan 
effort to check the progress of error. Y'ou will be regarded as 
visionary, by those who consider skill inacquiring, and success 
in retaining wealth, as the perfection of human wisdom; but 
you will remember that such as these seldom bestow their 
countenance upon the benefactors of mankind, nor does Fortune 
always distinguish them by her favors. Robert Morris, tire finan¬ 
cier of the Revolution, died a bankrupt. Christopher Cotes, 
our most efficient advocate of inland navigation in the last cen¬ 
tury, was interred by private charity, in me Stranger’s burying 
ground. The essays ol Jesse Hawley, which demonstrated the 
feasibility and importance of a continuous canal from Lake 
Erie to the Hudson river, were sent forth from a debtor’s pri¬ 
son ; and De Witt Clinton, whose name is written upon the ca¬ 
pital of every column of our social edifice, was indebted to pri¬ 
vate hospitality for arcsting place. It is the same generous and 
patriotic spirit which animated these philanthropists, and sus¬ 
tained them in their struggles with the prejudices of the age in 
which they lived, that 1 desire to invoke in favor of Agriculture. 
Tliis spirit, wisely directed, cannot fail, for it lias been irresisti¬ 
ble in every department it has hitherto entered. But let us all 
remember that the only true way to begin reform, is to find tiie 
source of error ; and that if we cultivate Man, the improvement 
of the animal and vegetable kingdoms will surely follow. 
AWARD OF PREMIUMS. 
The Governor's address was followed by the reading 
of the reports of the judges and (he award of premiums. 
These reports were listened to with much attention. 
They were of high interest; and their examination will 
not only exhibit the rapid advance of the socieiy since 
the last year, in the amount and number of premiums, 
but also in part the great mass of objects on the ground, 
and the arduous nature of the duties performed by the 
examining committees. Those who wish to learn the 
amount of the prizes awarded in each case, are referred 
to the Cultivator of March, 1842, page 43. 
ENTRIES OF STOCK, FOR THE PRIZES. 
Class I.— Bulls over Three years old. 
1. By John Johnston, Geneva, “Royal William,” Durham, 3 
yrs. 3 mos. Second Premium. 
2. William Kirby, Guilderlaffil, “ Comet,” Durham, 3 yrs. 
3. J. H. Coons, Brunswick, “Young Monarch,” Durham, 4 yrs. 
4. 5 A 6. E. P. Prentice, Mount Hope, near Albany, three Dur- 
hams—to “Nero,” no. 5, 5 yrs. 1 mo. was awarded the 
First Premium. 
7. C. N.Bemcnt. Three Hills Farm, “Astoria,” Durham, 4yrs. 
2 mos. Third Premium. 
8. C. N. Bement, Three Hills Farm, “Clan Allan,” Durham 
and Ayrshire, 3 yrs. 
0-. C. Proctor, Bethlehem, “Dale,” Durham, 5 yrs. 
10 . Stephen Van Rensselaer, Albany, “ Lennox,” Durham, 3 yrs. 
11. Thomas Hillhouse, Watervliet, “Ajax,” Durham, 10 yrs. 
12. W. P. Van Rensselaer, Greenbush, a Durham, 5 yrs. 
13. V. Van Wie, a Durham, 3 yrs. 
14. J. Ives, Bridgwater, a Durham and Holderness, 4 yrs. 
15. J. W. Russel, “Osceola,” Durham, 3 yrs. 3 mo*. 
16. John Soop, Bethlehem, “ Young Copson,” 4 yrs. 
17. J. V. B. Teller, Greenbush, “Diamond Hill Comet,” Dur. 
IS. D. D. Campbell, Schenectady, a Durham, 3 yrs. Diploma. 
19. J. B. Nott, Guildepland, “ Norman,” Durham & native, 3 yrs. 
20. S. Scherinerhorn, Schenectady, a Durham, 4 yrs. 
21. M. Bullock, New Scotland, “ Mexico,” Durham, 4 yrs. 
Class II .—Two Years Old Bulls. 
1. By James Percy, Hoosick, a Durham, 2 yrs. 6 mos. 
2. Corning & Sodium, Albany, “ Sir George,” Hereford, 2 yrs. 
3. George Clark, West Springfield, “Major,” Hereford, 2 yrs. 
5 mos. Second Premium. 
4. E. P. Prentice, Mount Hope, “Fairfax,” Durham, 2 yrs. 4 
mos. First Premium. 
5 & G. John Sampson, Troy, Durhams. Diploma. 
7. George Vail, Troy, “Duke of Wellington,” Durham, 2 yrs. 
11 mos. Third Premium. 
8. A. Van Bergen, Coxsackie, “ Wallace,” Ayrshire, 2 yrs. 9mo. 
9. Wm. Russell, Bethlehem, a Durham, 2 yrs. 
10. J. McCarty, Coeymans, a Durham, 2 yrs. 5 mos. 
11, N. C. Sweet, Clifton Park, a Durham, 2 yrs. 2 mos. 
Class III. —Yearling Bulls. 
1. By James Percy, Hoosick, a Durham, 1 yr. 6 mos. 
2 & 3. Harman Bussing, Bethlehem, Durham & Devon. 
4. E.P. Prentice, M’tHope,“Dangerous,”Hereford, l yr.7mos. 
5 . 6, 7 A 8. Corning & Sotham, Albany, four Herefords, 
9. Henry Adams, Bethlehem, a Durham, 1 yr. 4 mos. 
10. B. A. Hall, New Lebanon,-1 yr. 
11, 12 & 13. Stephen Van Rensselaer, Albany, three Durhams— 
to “Rockingham,” no. 11, First Premium— to “While 
Prince,” no. 12, Third Premium. 
14. D. D. Campbell, Schenectady, a Durham, 1 yr. 
15. G. Vail, Troy, “Meteor,” Durham, 1 yr. 2 mos. Diploma. 
16. E. C. Delavan, Ballston Centre “ Leopard,” Durham, l yr. 
5 mos. Second Premium. 
17. Henry Holland, West Milton, a Durham, 1 yr. 4 mos. 
Class IV. — Bull Calves. 
1 & 2. By J. W. Canfield, Schodack, Durhams. 
3. C. N. Bement, Three Hills Farm, “Mars,” Durham. 
4 <fc 5. E. P. Prentice, Mount Hope, Durhams—to “ Cato,” no. 
5, First Premium. 
6. Isaac Lovejoy, Greenbush, a grade Durham, calved Mar. 15. 
7. Joseph Hill, Geneva. 
S. Corning & Sotham, Albany, “Young Trojan,” Hereford, 
9. J. P. Noxon, Stillwater, 4 months old. 
10. J. H. Coons, Brunswick, “ Warrior,” Durham, calved Ap. 23. 
11. B. A. Hall, New 1 Lebanon. 
12 & 13. S. Van Rensselaer, Albany, Durhams. 
14 A 15. Thos. Hillhouse, Watervliet, Durhams. 
16. J. M. Sherwood, Auburn, “Damon,” Durham. Diploma. 
17. J. Ives, Bridgwater, a Durham & Holderness, calved July 5. 
18. Arthur Foster, Albany, a Durham and Native, 4 mos. 
19. George Vail, Troy, a Durham, calved Mar. 30. Diploma. 
20. N. C. Sweet, Clifton Park, a Durham, calved April 4. Se¬ 
cond Premium. 
Report of Judges on Classes I, II, III, and IV. 
The Committe appointed to judge on Classes I, II, IIT, and IV, 
beg leave to report that they have unanimously awarded the 
Premiums as follows : 
Class I—1st, to No. 5, Mr. Prentice’s Nero. 
2d, to No. 1, Mr. Johnston’s Royal William. 
3d, to No. 7, Mr. Bement’s Astoria. 
4th, to No. Is, 1). D. Campbell’s Durham bull. 
Class II—1st, to No. 4, Mr. Prentice’s Fairfax. 
2d, to No. 3, Mr. Clark’s Major. 
3d, to No. 7, Mr. Vail’s Wellington. 
4th, to No. 5, Mr. Sampson’s No. 5. 
Class III—1st, to No. It, Mr. Van Rensselaer’s Rockingham. 
2d, to No. 16, Mr. Delavan’s Leopard. 
3d, to No. 12, Mr. Van Rensselaer’s White Prince, 
4th, to No. 15, Mr. Vail’s Meteor. 
Class IV—1st, to No. 5, Mr. Prentice's Cato. 
2d, to No. 2u, Mr. Sweet’s. 
3d, to No. 19, Mr. Vail’s. 
4th, to No. 1G, Mr. Sherwood’s Damon. 
The Committee cannot close their Report, without remarking 
upon the very creditable display of stock brought before them, 
and which reflects much credit upon the farmers of the state. 
ADAM FKRGUSSON, Watertown, U. C. 
PAOLT LATHROP, So. Hadley, Mass. 
HENRY WHITNEY”, New-Haven, Ct. 
J. O. CHOULES, New-York. 
Class V. — Cows , 3 years old and upwards. 
1. By C. Proctor, Bethlehem, “Flower,” Durham, 4 yrs. 
2. M. Carty, Greenbush, “Leonora,” Durham, 10 yrs. 
3. J. H. Coons, Brunswick / 1 Young Princess,” Durham, 14 yrs. 
4. H. 1). Grove, Hoosick, a Durham and Devon, 3 yrs. 5 mos. 
5 toS. C. N. Bement, Three Hills Farm, two Durhams, 1 Dur¬ 
ham.and Ayrshire, and one Ayrshire. 
9 to 21. K. P. Prentice, Mount Hope, 12 Durhams and one Here¬ 
ford—-to “ Daisy/’ no 13, Second Premium. 
22 to 34. Corning fc Sotham, Albany, 12 Herefords, and one Dur¬ 
ham and Hereford—to “Matchless,” no. 22, Extra Pre¬ 
mium of $15—to “ Martha,” no. 24, Extra Premium of 
$10—to “ Maria,” no. 31, Diploma. 
35 to 40. Stephen Van Rensselaer, Albany, six Durhams. 
41. J. B. Dill, Auburn, “Gazelle,” Durham. Third Premium. 
42 to 45. J. M. Sherwood, Auburn, four Durhams—to “Stella,” 
no. 42, First Premium —to “ Pansey,” no 45, Diplomo. 
4G to 50. Thos. Hillhouse, Watervliet, five Durhams. 
51. John Sampson, Troy, a Durham, 5 yrs. 6 mos. 
53. Martin Malany, Utica, a Durham, 4 yrs. 
54 A 55. D. D. Campbell, Schenectady, Durhams. 
56. George Vail, Troy, “Queen,” Durham, 4 yrs. 
57. A. Van Bergen, Coxsackie, “Jessie,” Ayrshire, 5 yrs. 
58 A 59. J. H. Bullock, Bethlehem, Durhams. 
GO. David Russel, Bethlehem, a Durham, 7 yrs. 5 mos. 
61. J. H. Bullock, Bethlehem, a Durham, 7 yrs. 
62. D. I). Campbell, Schenectady, a Durham, 3 yrs. 
63. M. Wood, Albany, a Durham, 5 yrs. 6 mos. 
Class VI.— 'Two Years Old Ileijers. 
2. By H. D. Grove, Hoosick, a Durham and Devon, 2 yrs. 3 mos. 
3 & 4. Corning & Sotham, Albany, “Matilda,” 2 yrs. 4 mos., 
and “ Flora,” 2 yrs. 6 mos., Herefords. 
5. Michael Carty, Greenbush, “Narcissa,” Durham. 
6. J. H. Coons, Brunswick, “Snow Drop,” Durham. 
7. 8 & 9. E. P. Prentice, Mount Hope, “ Sally,” 2 yrs. 8 mos. 
Second Premium. “ Louisa,” 2 yrs. 8 mos., “ Caroline,” 
2 yrs. 6. mos. Third Premium. Durhams. 
10, 11, 12 A 13. Christopher Proctor, Bethlehem, Durhams. 
14, 15 A 16. Thomas Hillhouse, Watervliet, Durhams. 
17. J- B. Dill, Auburn, “Hebe,” Durham. First Premium. 
18. J. H. Bullock, Bethlehem, Durham. 
Class VII.- —Yearling Heifers. 
1, 2 A 3. By C. N. Bement, Three Hills Farm, “ Meg Merrilies,” 
1 yr. s mos., (in milk,) Durham and Ayrshire —“ Gazelle” 
and “ Kudora,” Durhams. 
4 A 5. Corning A Sotham, Albany/ 1 Adelaide” and “ Princess,” 
Herefords. 
6, 7, 8 A 9. E. P. Prentice, Mount Hope, “ Charlotte,” 1 yr. 10 
mos. Second Premium. “Cora,” 11 Dora,” and “ Jenny.” 
Durhams. 
10. Michael Carty, Greenbush, a Durham. 
11. Henry Adams, Bethlehem, a Durham. 
12. Stephen Van Rensselaer, Albany, “ Lilac,” Durham. 
13. J. M. Sherwood, Auburn, “Noma,” Durham. First Prem. 
14. Samuel Robbins, Camillas, “Iris,” Durham. 
15. George Vail, Troy, “Victoria,” Durham. 
Class VIII. —Heifer Calves. 
1. By J. M. Sherwood, Auburn, Durham. 
2, 3, 4, 5 A 6. C. N. Bement, Three Hills Farm, Durhams. 
7, 8, 9, 10, 11 A 12. K. P. Prentice, Mount Hope, Durhams—to 
“Nell,” No. 10, calved Jan. 13, 1S42, was awarded the 
First Premium —lo “ Duchess,” No. 12, calved May 11, the 
Second Premium. 
13, 14, 15 A 16. Corning A Sotham, Albany, Herefords. 
17 A 18. Stephen Van Rensselaer, Albany, Durhams. 
19. 20 A 21. Thomas Hillhouse, Watervliet, Durhams. 
22. George Vail, Troy, Durham, calved April 11. Diploma. 
23 A 24. j. B. Nott, Guilderland, a Durham and Native. 
The report of the judges on Classes V, VI, VIT, 
and VIII, is not in our possession. It will be givetr 
hereafter. 
