Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-01-14
Nv ENING STAR.
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.


E7Y commenced its fifth annual session at the
Smithsonian Institution, apparatus room.) at
10 o'clock, this morning.
President Pierce was present, and occupied
seat upon the stand. Secretary Guthrie was
also an interested spectator of the proceed
ipgs. Among others present We note Mr.
Brown of the Patent Office; Mr.. Frazer of the
Somerset Wing, New Jersey, Secretary of the
New Jersey State Agricultural Society Geo.
Hartshorn, the Cotswold sheep breeder, Of
New Jersey; Mr. Dyer of The Homestead"
Hartford agricultural paper; H S. Olcott of
the West Chester, New York, Farm School;
Thos. Richardson, the extensive stock breeder
of West Farms, New York; Senator Crittenden
Of Kentucky; W. W. COrcoran. the banker;
q. W. p. Custis. the farmer of Arlington 30
Hon Humphrey Marshall of Kentucky.
The meeting was called to order by the
President of the Society, Hon. Marshal p
Wilder, of Massachusetts,, who, after express
ing the qualification 1t gave him to meet so
many of the members, proceeded to read the
resignation Of the Secretary Of the Society,
William 8. King
On motion of b. B. French, Major Ben Per.
ley POore was appointed Secretary pro TEN.
Quite buzz and stretching of necks took
place as the handsome and rosy Major took his
seat at the Secretary's desk, all being on the
SH VIVe to get look at the famous "wh eel
barrow man
Some minutes were occupied in registering
names Of new members and the payment of
yearly dues.
The President Of the Society, Mr. Wilder,
then proceeded to read his annual address 1t
was an able and eloquent production, giving
clear idea of the past and present operations
of the Society. Some of its founders have gone
to their rest, but the Association still lives;
yea. it not only lives, but is successfully labor
ing to promote the object which was dear to
the hearts of its founders. 1t has held four
exhibitions, each eclipsing its predecessors,
and has dispensed In premiums and expenses
more than eighty thousand dollars. while the
assemblages showed that the national pulse
beat in unison with that of the agriculturists
and that the public voice responded to their
call: After reviewing the recent triumphant
exhibition at Philadelphia. an endorsement is
given to 6 recommendation Of the committee
Ul agricultural implements and the Society is
advised to institute a grand national tTtaL IN
the field. The United States Of America have
already OutstIipped the world in the discovery
md application of scientific principles to me-
chanical purposes, and awards made under
'Gch circumstances, and by society repre-
senting so large a portion of the intelligence
Of the Union, would possess higher value than
those Of the Royal Agricultural Society of
England, or any other similar association in
the world
One Of the most important articles on exhi-
Oition at Philadelphia was the syrup Of the
new Chinese sugar cane, the introduction of
which into tho United States has excited more
deep and general interest than any other
agricultural product within the last quarter
VI 4. century, and scarcely less in Importance
than Indian corn. 1t is impossible to predict
the importance Of this crop TO American agri
culturists. Tbs past year il has been success
E,.II tad in tha and nd
Western States, as in Georgia and the extreme
South, and presents the prospect to our far
mers Of producing their sugar and molasses as
easily as they low do their corn and potatoes,
and being one Of the moot profitable produc-
tions Of the soil 1t contains from 10 to 20 per
cent of saccharine matter, and will yield from
400 to 500 gallons per acre Of syrup or mo-
1asses. 1t makes a very valuable food, and
produces several tons more of fodder per acre
than Indian corn. When planted early and
on rich lands, in some of the States, il yields
two crops in the season, and is equally good
for cattle in dry or green state; and the
seed also, when ground, makes a valuable
meal for the fattening Of stock. Other valu-
able varieties are alluded To, and the appoint
-nsnt Of a special committee is recommended
10 collect facts upon this new and valuable
crop.
Another interesting feature at the Philadel-
phia exhibition was the collection Of fruits and
native wines. of these latter there were more
than fifty different samples, coming from va
Tious States. The cultivation of the grape is
becoming more and more extensive; every
year adds new and valuable varieties to our
list and such as are adapted to partic ular To-
entities or to general cultivation. Ohio has
Vineyards to the amount of 4 600 acres Mis-
soul i 1000 acres; other States have less
QUAINT 'ty, while California bids fair to rival
the vine wards Of Europe.
Nr-Aa 70 nth tnv,i unrth u of
espesaIa t,s otiOn, President Wilder mentioned
the overtnr.s -hich had been received from
various quarters IN respect to the next annual
exhibition, and re commended their reference
to special cOmmitte -
be then, in fran. anu sIralghtior"Ard
manner, informed the ciety tnat ~ their
favor be had occupied the fleslueht coair
since the organization. In ompnahce VIII
urgent solicitations be had wal, ed MS private
preferences in Difference 10 the Judgment Of
the Society, and had sustained the fespohsi-
billty OF the otice the past year acco. uins ~
the best Of his ability. He had labored aselu
uOusly, and at no small personal incOny 9ni-
ence and expense, 10 establish this Socie,
upon firm aud sure foundation, to promote a
cordial Intercourse between agriculturists in |
all sections Of the country For their indul- |
gence and cordial cooperation he begged the |
Society to accept his most grateful acknOwl- |
edgments; but respectfully declined a re-
election, that some ono of the worthy gentle |
nen be saw around him might be hOnored |
with the occupancy of the chair.
de tken, IN an impressive appeal to the |
Society, impressed upon the members the OBJ.
legation which rests upon them as farmers TO |
be faithful TO their trusts in their day, pre-
senting some astonishing statistics, and urging |
the establishment vi Department Of Aricul- |
ture, with q cabinet officer at its head. The |
uatchwOrd Of the age is Onward }; Go
forward, therefore, American farmers per-
severe Our country is enlarging its bounda |
ries upon the broadest scale-keep pace with
her rising greatness, ard with the age in |
which We live. Act in a manner worthy OF |
her manifest destiny. Let Us feel the respon- |
sloiiities which res. upon Us TO be faithful 10
our high and glorious trust Let Us sympa
thise and co operate with our brethren IF the |
soil in every part Of this great Republic Let
II never be forgotten that we have, met rs