In the spring fork it in, and let but one cane grow to each vine until it grows and matures bearing wood, cutting it back each year to about three buds and letting but one oud grow. After the one cane is matured sufficient to bear fruit, I then prune it to three or four feet, and in two years I cover a space of six feet feet square of bearing wood, mostly loaded with fruit.

I prune my vines in the fall soon after the leaves fall, and then lay them down. I do this by making a quantity of stakes 15 to 20 inches long, then loosen round the vine, and taking it in my hands and gently pulling, lay it down on the ground and fasten it down with the stakes, then cover with any kind of soil to the depth of three to five inches deep, and after freezing weather comes I cover again with any kind of manure, four to six inches deep. About the first of May I pull out the stakes and haul out the vine from the manure and soil and let it lay on the ground until the buds are nearly ready to burst. I then tie them up on the trellis. As soon as the buds begin to grow, where two or more buds are together, as often is the case, I rub off all but one bud, and then I have as much vine as the root will support, and as many grapes as if all were permitted to grow. I commence summer pruning as soon as the vines are out of blossom and the grapes formed, by cutting every fruit cane two leaves from the last branch of fruit; but where more fruit vine is wanted I prune to any desired ength. After this I pinch out all the lateral shoots, leaving but one leaf; and when this lateral starts again I pinch it off as before, and so on through the season. This lateral being left with one leaf and bud prevents the bud from starting on the cane that produces the fruit the next year. Grapes may be kept fresh and good through most of the winter in shallow boxes. First put in the box two or three thicknesses of newspaper, then a layer of fruit, then paper again and fruit as before, and put away in a cool dry place.

I would here state, for the benefit of the people of this county, that I have on hand and for sale, of my own raising, some 2,000 grape vines, embracing nearly all the early and hardy varieties, all grown in the open air, and far superior to those grown in green or hot houses, and at less prices. I have 400 bearing vines of the Delaware and Hartford prolific, 75 cents to one dollar per vine. I would further state that I have 50,000 apple trees, three and four years old, 2,000 pear trees, and anything in the nursery that most any one would desire, all within the corporation of this village. Any and all calls will be promptly attended to.

ADAMS, Sept. 5th, 1865.

Very respectfully, yours,

E. S. SALISBURY.

P. S.-I would here state that I made a report to the society on my mode of cultivating the pear, September 17, 1862, and presume one will not be required or asked of me now; if so, I would refer to that report.

E. S. S.

LEWIS.

DR.

A. H. LEE, Treasurer Lewis County Agricultural Society:

1866.

January 9th. To cash on hand date of last report.....

do

from memberships...

$429 63 947 00

198 15

$1,574 78

$865 63

709 15

B. P. JOHNSON, Secretary:

$1,574 78

Dear Sir-Above is a statement of our standing as regards finance of our Society, January 9, 1866. I herewith send you statement of the Leyden Cheese Factory, showing the shrinkage of cheese, and the amount of milk for one pound of cheese during the season of 1865. Also, a list of the officers for the year 1866, and list of premiums awarded in 1865 Yours truly,

F. B. MORSE,

LOWVILLE, March 7, 1866.

Secretary Lewis Co. Ag. Society.

REPORT OF THE LEYDEN CHEESE FACTORY ASSOCIATION.

This factory commenced April 27, 1865:

Milk received, 1,315,548 lbs., and made 141,488 lbs. of green cheese.

Cured cheese sold.....

Shrinkage..

138,023 lbs. for $22,480.23.

3,465 per cent, 0244.

Average sale from April 27th to November 1st, 16.29 per cwt.

9 pounds of milk made one pound of green cheese through the season. 91⁄2 pounds of milk made one pound of cured cheese through the season. 10 lbs. of milk made one pound of green cheese for four days in April. 9 lbs. of milk made one pound of green cheese in the month of May. 9 lbs. of milk made one pound of green cheese in the month of June. 10 lbs. of milk made one pound of green cheese in the month of July. 9 lbs. of milk made one pound of green cheese in the month of August. 9 lbs. of milk made one pound of green cheese in the month of September. 7 lbs. of milk made one pound of green cheese in the month of October. Expenses, which includes boxes, bandage, annatto, salt, insurance, scale boards, rennets purchased, rennets furnished by patrons, drawing cheese boxes and boxing cheese, amounted to $59.87 per 100 pounds of cheese. Average price for feeding hogs at ten cents per week, $2.21. Average price for feed for one hog through the season, $3.12.

Whole number of cows, 405. Whole number of hogs, 70. Average number of cows for one hog, 5.

L. S. LOOMIS.

Officers, 1866.-Norman Gowdey, Lowville, President; J. H. Miller, Turin, V. P.; A. H. Buck, Lowville, V. P. Directors: Daniel Whittaker, Martinburgh; R. S. Baldwin, Turin; G. B. Beach, Watson; Chas. Merriam, West Leyden; Chas. Dewey, Port Leyden. C. G. Riggs, Treasurer; F. B. Morse, Secretary.

MONROE.

Gentlemen-As President of the Monroe County Agricultural Society, I hereby communicate to you such matters of interest as have been transacted by the society during the past year.

At the first meeting of the board of managers, the propriety of holding a horse show was considered; and at a subsequent meeting it was resolved to hold the same on the Fourth of July. It was also determined that the annual fair of the society should be held on the 26th, 27th and 28th days of September. Premium lists were made for both occasions, offering liberal prizes, advertisements and show bills distributed, and all things prepared for a grand holiday exhibition.

But other events were passing, our soldiers were now returning from the field, and as no place had equal facilities for a mustering out camp as our fair grounds, it was deemed expedient by the officer in command at this point, to occupy the same, and on the 1st of June he took possession accordingly, and in consequence of this the July show was abandoned, and our whole attention given to the annual fair of September, which was held at the time designated, and which, by the untiring energy and perseverence of the board of managers was more successful than was anticipated, as the grounds were occupied by the military to within ten days of the time of holding the fair, and a vast amount of labor and expense was required and expended to put the buiidings and grounds in proper condition. The track had not been repaired for two or three years, and as some "tall trotting" was expected, it required no small amount of labor to put it in suitable condition; and in this we were also successful, and it was agreed by all that it was in better order than on any previous occasion.

That our fair was well attended, the treasurer's report will show, the receipts having been exceeded but once since the organization of the society.

With regard to the animals and articles exhibited at the fair, the display of cattle was not large, but some fine animals were shown. The horses were never excelled at any of our county shows. The show of sheep, swine and poultry, was good. In fruit the display was very fine. Grain and vegetables were good. In manufactured articles, some very fine specimens were on exhibition.

On the last day of the fair the annual address was delivened by the Hon. H. T. Brooks, of Wyoming Co., which was a very able production, and was listened to with marked attention.

The condition of the finances is as shown in the following statement, viz.: The amount in the treasury at the annual meeting in 1865 was.. Amount received from county

66

State.....

$746 13

160 00

272 50

350 00

1,411 43

Total receipts,

$2,940 06

Contra.

Expenditures of all description for repair of buildings, grounds, track, police, clerks, printing, stationary, forage and disbursements of all kinds....

Amount of premiums paid...

Leaving a balance in the treasury of.....

$1,241 47
887 00

$2,128 47

$781 59

Officers 1866.-D. D. S. Brown, Pres., Wheatland; Henry Talbot, Secy., Rochester; S. D. Mitchell, Treas., Pittsford.

STEPHEN LEGGETT, President Monroe Co. Ag. Society.

MONTGOMERY.

FLAT CREEK, January 1, 1866.

To B. P. JOHNSON, Cor. Sec'y State Ag. Society:

Sir-The county of Montgomery consists of ten towns, lying on both sides of the Mohawk river. The New York Central railroad and Erie canal both run through its entire length, giving a rapid and cheap outlet for its agricultural productions. It embraces almost every variety of soil. The valley of the Mohawk has a deep, alluvial soil. Although frequently overflown, it is soon drained. It is well fitted for gardening, and with proper manuring and tillage, might be profitably made into one continuous garden. Any quantity of early garden vegetables might be sold to the inhabitants of our numerous villages, and to persons doing business on the canal, as now large quantities are imported from the east. It is also exceedingly well adapted to the raising of Indian corn, broom corn, tobacco, hops, as well as all the grains, grass, &c. Sorghum has been grown, and grows luxuriantly; but from some cause, no amount is being cultivated.

On either side of this valley lies a strip of land from three to five miles in width, which, with occasionally an exceptional farm, is full as well adapted to general agricultural purposes as the valley lands. It has a deep friable soil, with a gravelly or slaty subsoil, and with even moderately good farming, raises large crops of hops, corn, grains, grass and pasturage. Adjoining these lands, bordering on Fulton county on the north, and Schoharie on the south, are lighter and poorer lands, with a retentive and clay subsoil, but well adapted to dairy purposes, as with proper cultivation they can be made to grow large crops of grass and pasturage. Lands in the Mohawk valley are worth from two hundred to two hundred and fifty dollars per acre for agricultural purposes. Near large villages, for gar dening purposes, they are worth much more. In other parts of the county, farms are worth from twenty to one hundred dollars per acre, according to location and fertility. Farms have increased in value on an average twenty-five per cent. Butter and cheese are the most important and valuable products of the county. The manufacture of cheese has been largely increased by the erection of cheese factories. There are nine factories in operation, averaging from three to six hundred cows. They are usually patronized by small farmers, who keep from five to fifteen cows, and who would otherwise not have manufactured cheese. Prices have been entirely satisfactory, and the time is not far distant when individual cheese making

will be almost unknown. Flax is not largely raised, though its culture has been urged and encouraged by the oil manufacturers. The general impression among farmers that it rapidly exhausts the soil, tends to discourage its production. Hops have been extensively raised in almost every town, but their almost entire destruction during the past two years by lice and blight, together with the high price of poles, tend to discourage their production.

We have apples, pears and plums in large abundance. Grapes are grown and wine made, for domestic consumption only. There has been a slow but steady increase of tillable land, caused by the cutting and clearing of forest land, and bringing it under cultivation. It is very much to be regretted that owners of lands do not take more pains to preserve their timbered lands. It is already necessary to bring into the county timber for building purposes. It will not be many years before wood and coal will have to be imported for fuel. Indeed, coal is already used in large quantities. The reckless and improvident manner with which most farmers cut their wood, is positively alarming. There are rough, broken lands. throughout the county that are utterly useless for tillage, and could be put to no better use than to grow timber.

Drainage is receiving considerable attention. Some farmers have already. expended considerable sums in draining their lands. There is no difference of opinion as to its profit, when it is well and properly done; but in many instances it is so carelessly and slovenly performed, that its advantages are not realized. The scarcity and high price of labor during the past three or four years, has delayed much agricultural improvement that would otherwise have been done. The villages of Fort Plain, St. Johnsville, Canajoharie, Fultonville, Fonda and Amsterdam are all large market places, where the products of the county find ready purchasers. Buyers purchase in the neighborhood of within five per cent. of New York prices, exclusive of freight and storage. These villages not only furnish a market for the county, but are the outlets for most of the surplus products of the adjoining counties.

I am informed by A. H. Burtch, Esq., the competent secretary of the County Agricultural Society, that previous to 1864 the county fairs were held in different places in the county. Of course they were put to great inconvenience and considerable expense in procuring suitable grounds for their yearly exhibitions. In the spring of 1864 a number of public-spirited individuals determined that the Society should own a permanent site for their yearly meetings, and consequently a committee of the county society was appointed who purchased thirteen and a half acres of land near the village of Fonda, at a cost of $1,750. The improvements, consisting of fencing the grounds, erection of suitable buildings, grading of track, &c., cost $4,700 more. The surplus receipts of the fairs of 1864 and 1865, after deducting expenses and premiums, were appropriated to the payment on the debts contracted, and the debt is reduced to $2,533, showing a reduction during the past year of $1,500.

The fair of 1865 was pecuniarily successful. The attendance was not as large as it would have been had the weather been less inclement. The

1

1