Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-10-04
Au R{GUATURAsA.
From the .4msfican Farmer.

NETWORK BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
This institution was organized in the
year 1890, under the patronage of the
state of NewYork. BY an act of their
legislature, farmers within her borders,
who form themselves into couoty A girl
cultural Societies, and raise a premium
fund, are authorized 10 claim and receive
like amount from the State Treasury,
provided II do not exceed what was al
lotted to the county. The whole sum
appropriated by the state to this object,
is 10000 per anpum.
The Beard of Agriculture is compos-
ed of the Presidents or delegates Of the
county societies. 1t holds an annual
meeting for genera purposes at Albany,
during the session Of the legislature, and
ransacts us ordinary business, at other
times, b. permanent committee, aided
by It's officers.
The state requires that each society,
that claims lis patronage, shall obtain
from persons who gain their loint re-
wards, an accurate description of the
process used in cultiva,ing the soil, and
IN raising The crop, or of feeding the ami
NAL, as may be, before such persons re-
ceive their premiums: and further, it
requires that reports thereof shall be
forwarded 20 the Secretary Of State, for
the use OF the Board Of Agriculture,
who are authorized BY law, to select,
publish, and circulate valuable essays
and reports, at the public expense, and
also TO purchase and distribute useful
seeds or plants.
A liberal and wise government, has
thus conspcunnsly placed before the
"A sriculturlsts OF thai great state, the
most aDimaiing Inducements to organize
themselves into societies. which will be-
come powerful and active means TO
convey the bes' Information, and most
approved p'aas or seeds, even to the
most retired farm qrs-to encourage ali
OF thsn, 10 improve the breeds Of their
domestic animals, whilst they augment
the fertility oi .heir soil; and 10 induce
very many,'o engage in household manu-
factUres.
The tendency Of such inducements
has been aiready, and most satisfactorily
seen wherever they have baen employ
ed-,he New York board has a5undan,
reason to be encouraged and we hope
and believe, that they viii continue To
enjoy the support OF their state, and the
gratitude of their fellow citizens. They
have imported the latest, interesting pub.
LEGATIONS Of Europe, to commence an
Agricultural Library; they have pro
cured from other countries, and ds'rl
bated through their STATE, many useful
seeds, and they have published two vo-
lumes OF memoirs, for a copy of which
we are indebted 70 the Kindness Of their
President and Secretary, to whom, and
with peculiar pleasure, we shall send IN
return, for the acceptance OF their board,
a complete set of our Journal.
We feel that the Agricultlrists of our
country, are greatly indebted to those
jealous and enlightened officers of that
board. To the distinguished and mu-
n,ticent libcraity of their President, Ste
phen Van Rensselaer,, boundiess praise
is Justly due-he has bestowed ample
premium funds for several years, upon
90 many aStiCui'uidi o't tSNSS - "a"
caused geological surveys of counties TO
be executed and published. add is now
pushing these valuable researches along
the precincts of their grand canal, and
he has offered pattern-iarm, to the free
acceptance of the state-but above al
are the sgriculturists of this nation in
debted to him for the pure and bright
example, of transformations usefulness,
which the liberaity and exertions Of This
interesting citizen, place SO broadly, YET
SO modestly before his countrymen; for
who among US, can perceive his merits,
and comprehend the scope OF his de-
signs, without wishing to cooperate with
leader, al once so muniticens, yet so
unassuming-so active and inquisitive,
YET so retiring? The services Of such
men may be made extremely beneficial
TO society, and it behoves the rulers of
these states, to palronize agricultural
associations, which are, IN their nature,
So we'll adapted TO call such talents, feel
ings and means, into congenial and pro-
A,ah's operation.
To the secretary of tho board, Mr..
George w. Featherstonhaugh, learn
ed, enterpriziag, and practical farmer,
the people Of New York, and of this
unioo,sre under heavy but grateful oblisa-
tons for his perse. ering and successful
efforts, 10 unfold the principles, and COR