The exhibition of sheep was thought to equal, if it did not surpass, the exhibition of the late State Fair. The show of fruits and vegetables (in which our county excels), was unsurpassed. The products of the dairy were excellent. Much interest was manifested in the great display of artificial flowers and paintings. Perhaps the best and most profitable part of the fair was the annual address delivered by the Hon. Squire M. Brown, of Elbridge. The address was practical, patriotic, and agricultural. It was an address that was acceptable to every farmer-having, in its composition, the practical knowledge. of one who tills the soil. In short, the fair was a complete success, and reflects great credit on those who had it in charge, and the advantages. derived from our club. Respectfully yours, LUKE WELLS, Cor. Sec'y. ROSENDALE FARMERS' CLUB. B. P. JOHNSON, Esq., Secretary New York State Agricultural Society: Dear Sir-Agreeably to usage, I herewith send you a report of the doings of our society for the year 1863. The annual fair and cattle show was held on the grounds of the society on the 6th, 7th, and 8th days of October, 1863, which is enclosed with a tight fence containing 13 acres of land, handsomely graded, with a half-mile track running around the enclosed grounds. The first two days of the fair were fine, and the attendance on the second day was large, and the receipts at the gate were much larger than on the second day last year. The morning of the third day was overcast and had the appearance of rain, and in the afternoon a drizzling rain set in and continued until night. The show of fruit was fine. A. J. Caywood, of Modena, exhibited some thirty varieties of pears, and as many kinds of grapes. The vegetable department attracted considerable attention. Mammoth pumpkins and squashes, together with beets, cabbages, and carrots, &c., filled the tables. The display of fancy work was good. The display of cattle showed a marked improvement over those last year, and was considered good. The entries for horses were large, and some fine young horses were exhibited. The poultry department attracted consider able attention. The beautiful little Seabright bantams were the admiration of all. As regards the entries of farm and mechanical implements, there were quite a number. The representation of grain was excellent. The crops in this section were generally good. About $200 was paid in premiums at the treasurer's office on the grounds on the afternoon of the third day. SIMON P. KEATOR, Secretary. Yours truly, THORNHILL FARMERS' CLUB. B. P. JOHNSON, Esq., Secretary New York State Agricultural Society: As this is the first regular report you have received from our club, it may be appropriate to state that it grew out of the increased interest in the production of wool. It is now about five years since the interest in sheep husbandry received a new impetus in our vicinity by the introduction of improved Merino sheep from Vermont. Probably a fair estimate would show an increase of two pounds of wool to a sheep, while the increase in the number kept cannot be less than forty per cent. On the 3d of June, 1862, it was arranged by the owners of several of the best-wooled flocks to bring their heaviest-shearing bucks to this place, and test their merits thoroughly by weighing, shearing, and comparing side by side. The interest awakened through our whole community by this exhibition gave rise to the formation of our farmers' club, in which discussions of topics pertaining to sheep husbandry and the wool market invariably take precedence. In October, 1862, the club was permanently organized under the law for the formation of agricultural societies With the lead taken by the wool interest, all subjects pertaining to our agriculture receive careful and scientific attention. Certainly some practical results come of our discussions, as the numerous trees thriving on the green bear pleasant testimony. By this interchange of opinions, a generous rivalry is stimulated in the various departments of agriculture and horticulture. The experience of each becomes the advantage of all. We learn to "buy and sell and get gain, the golden rule our standard measure.” Our meetings are attended and their interest increased by boys and young men, and thus the liability to find recreation in gatherings dangerous to their morals is greatly reduced. They are early trained into the way of bringing thought and concerted action to relieve their toil and enlarge their calling. While the pioneer work of organizing our club has fallen on a few, and the labor of conducting its affairs is not divided among a large number, yet all feel amply rewarded for their exertions, and would realize a great need in the absence of their club. February 1, 1864. "Laurel crowns cleave to deserts, VICTORY. The Victory Agricultural Society held their tenth annual fair at Victory, October, 15th. The day was one of those delightful, pleasant days of early autumn. and the fair the best ever enjoyed by the society. The show of horses, matched and single, was splendid, and showed great skill in matching and training. Working oxen were there that would draw a plow as straight across a field (the driver holding the plow) as the ruled lines on which I write. A new plow was tested, which gave satisfaction to all. The Devon, Durham and Grades were there; Atwood Merinos and Leicester sheep; white wheat and red. In Floral hall, which was extemporized by the kindness of Mr. A. Harris, who cleared his large new furniture room for the use of the society, tables were spread and filled with choice fruit and flowers; lines were hung filled with the handiwork of our wives and daughters. A farmer observed: Ten years ago my orchard could beat the town in fruit, but your new orchards have gone ahead. That is just what this society intended to do-go ahead. The show proved that the Bartlett and Seckel pear, the Concord, Rebecca, Delaware and Diana grapes, the Baldwin and King apples, and the upland cranberry, can be grown to perfection in our locality. An address was delivered by Rev. R. N. Fraser, of the Black River conference, in which the speaker congratulated the society on its present achievement, and then in a pleasant style pointed out higher attainments yet to be realized. His remarks were attentively listened to by the large audience. Two tresses of large onions, cultivated by his own hand, showed that the speaker understood whereof he spoke. I should fail to describe the Victory fair were I to omit the smiling faces, the hearty shake of the hand, the joyful meeting of old friends, the social chat, the splendid babies, delighted mothers, and general good feeling which existed throughout. Number of entries, 224. Officers: G. B. Lockwood, president; D. L. Halsey, secretary; M. Hager, treasurer. Sir-The tenth annual fair of the Virgil Agricultural Society was held October 1st and 2d, 1863, and the large number of articles on exhibition, as well as their excellence, indicated that a lively interest is taken by the people of this vicinity in exhibitions of this kind. Among those departments which are especially deserving of notice, on account of superiority and variety, are dairy products, fruit and needlework, the display in each of which is seldom equaled, and in fact all departments were well represented. But the inclemency of the weather during the last day of the fair prevented the general attendance which there would have been had it been otherwise. The address was delivered by Wm. E. Gee, of Tioga county. The amount received for tickets, &c., was ................... .... $96 50 96 50. Officers: Nathan Bouton, president; Alexander Mahan, secretary; Nel son Waters, treasurer. All of which is respectfully submitted. VERNON. A. MAHAN, Secretary. The annual fair of this society was to have been held on the 8th day of October, but colliding as it did with a drenching equinoctial rain storm, it was postponed until the 11th day of October, when it was held with complete success, notwithstanding the adjournment. The people responded on the adjourned day with an alacrity seldom equaled in the annals of fairs. The exhibition was well represented in the several departments, and it was most truly a happy day for all those in attendance. The officers for the ensuing year are: Josiah Case, president; Henry Wilson, vice-president; Everett Case, treasurer; Levi T. Marshall, secretary. UNION AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. HON. B. P. JOHNSON: CAZENOVIA. Sir-The Farmer's and Mechanic's Association of the town of Cazenovia, Madison Co., in compliance with the statute under which the association is organized, herewith submit their annual report of the doings and condition of said association for the past year. The association held a very successful and interesting fair on the 8th and 9th of October last, at which the cash premiums awarded amounted to between ninety and one hundred dollars. The report of the secretary, at annual meeting held on the 9th inst., shows a balance in the treasury, over and above liabilities, of $66.52. CAZENOVIA, January 26, 1864. THOMAS CHILDS, Secretary. CAYUGA. The Southern Cayuga Union Agricultural Society, embracing the towns of Scipio, Genoa, Venice, Ledyard, Springport, and Fleming, was organized July 30, 1859 by the adoption of a constitution and bye-laws, and the election of the following officers: President, Dewitt C. Gould, of Scipio; vicepresidents, G. H. Post, of Genoa, P. L. Atwood, of Venice, Jesse Babcock, of Scipio, Allen D. Morgan, of Ledyard, Edward Eldridge, of Springport and John Hammond, of Fleming; treasurer, Samuel S. Coonley, cf Ledyard; secretary, Thomas Gould, Aurora. The first annual fair was held at Sherwood's, in the town of Scipio, September 6th and 7th, 1859. Membership tickets one dollar each, entitled the holder to compete for any or all the premiums; visitors free. The total number of entries for premiums was two hundred and fifty-four; the total cash receipts were $149.93; the total expenditures for premiums and expenses were $144.56. At their annual meeting, held February 7, 1860, Lyman Murdock, of Venice, was elected president; Calvin Tracy, of Scipio, P. L. Atwood, of Venice, G. H. Post, of Genoa, Andrew J. Culver, of Ledyard, Edward Eldridge, of Springport and John Hammond, of Fleming, vice-presidents; Samuel S. Coonley, of Ledyard, treasurer; and Thomas Gould, of Aurora, secretary. Their second annual fair was held at Sherwood's, September 11th and 12th, 1860; exhibitors' tickets $1; admission tickets ten cents each. The whole number of entries for premiums was 219; total receipts $261.12; total expenditures $256.23. At the third annual meeting, held at Sherwood's, February 5, 1861, Alfred Lyon, of Scipio, was elected president; Selah Cornell, of Scipio, Henry Purdy, of Venice, G. H. Post, of Genoa, George Slocum, of Ledyard, Geo. H. Chase, of Springport and John Hammond, of Fleming, vice-presidents; Samuel S. Coonley, treasurer; and Thomas Gould, secretary. Their third annual fair was held Sept. 12th and 13th. Whole number of entries for premiums 180; total receipts $251.01; total expenditures $223.13. Their fourth annual meeting was held Jan. 7, 1862, and Cyrenus Wheeler, Jr., of Venice, was elected president. Hiram Lyon, of Scipio, Nelson Morgan, of Venice, James Mead, of Genoa, F. D. Richmond, of Ledyard, Geo. II. Chase, of Springport, and John Hammond, of Fleming, vice-presidents. Samuel S. Coonley, treasurer, and Thomas Gould, secretary. The fourth annual fair was held Sept. 16 and 17, 1862. Whole number of entries for premiums 192; total receipts for the year $222.69; total expen ditures $217.47. At the fifth annual meeting, held Jan. 10th, 1863, Allen D. Morgan, of Ledyard, was elected president. Calvin Tracy, of Scipio, Jonas Wood, of Venice, Charles E. Kendall, of Genoa, Henry A. Morgan, of Ledyard, Henry B. Haley, of Springport, and Wheaton S. Leach, of Fleming, vice-presidents. Samuel S. Coonley, treasurer, and Thomas Gould, secretary. The fifth annual fair was held Sept. 8th and 9th. Whole number of entries for premiums $215; total cash receipts $260.24; total expenditures $230.92. The sixth annual meeting was held at Scipioville Jan. 2d, 1864. John Hammond, of Fleming, was elected president; Calvin Tracy, of Scipio, Phineas B. Young, of Venice, John Hull, of Genoa, Amos Giles, of Ledyard, Daniel D. Allen, of Springport, and John Gildersleeve, of Fleming, vicepresidents; Samuel S. Coonley, treasurer, and Thomas Gould, secretary. The above is a true copy of the transactions of the Southern Cayuga Union Agricultural Society, as taken from the books of the secretary and THOS. GOULD, Secretary. treasurer. AURORA, Jan. 6, 1864. DELHI AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICS SOCIETY. The officers of this Society make the following report of its doings the past year: The receipts from various sources, including the receipts at the annual fair, were... Expenses for improving and repairing the grounds and buildings..... Balance on hand....... $464 95 170 76 243 50 $414 26 $50 69 The second annual fair was held on the society's grounds, in the village of Delhi, on the 21st and 22d days of October, 1863. The attendance and number of entries were large and an increased interest manifested. There were some fine specimens of the various kinds of live stock. Vegetables were in great variety and excellent quality. There was also a fair show of farming implements and other manufactured articles. The ladies' department, which was an attractive feature of the fair, was supplied with a large amount of useful and ornamental specimens of ladies' handiwork. This department added much to the number of visitors and amount of receipts. The society has continued the system of agricultural discussions, inaugurated on the formation of the society. These discussions have been very well attended, and a good deal of valuable information has been elicited, |