mentality of thorough drainage, almost magical changes have been effected everywhere. Barren lands have been converted into fertile fields, and rushy bogs into verdant meadows;

"In reedy marsh and stagnant swamp,
The bittern seeks his sedgy home,

Till art and industry convert the scene,

And golden corn-ripened by Summer's sun-
Waves plenteous o'er the bosom of the earth.

The great increase and superiority of the produce which has invariably followed deep and effectual drainage have assured the most skeptical and timid of its inestimable value; and every agricultural improver is aware that until the aid of thorough draining be first invoked, all manures are wasted, the most useful agricultural implements are comparatively powerless, the sub-soil plow in vain seeks to bring into cultivation a latent virgin soil, and water irrigation itself, instead of becoming a source of wealth, would but spread wider desolation. Now, then, the introduction of machine-made pipe or cylindrical drain tiles into modern drainage is a most important era in agricultural improvement. It at once combines perfection with economy, as the previous enormous cost of tile drainage amounted to a virtual prohibition of its use. This prohibition, however, exists no longer. It is rescinded by the cheapness with which tiles are made by these machines. I recommend them to the notice of our machine makers, particularly as they are susceptible, in the hands of American mechanics, of considerable improvements, even yet. The next lot of machinery I have dotted down in my journal is that of Garrett & Sons, Leiston Iron works, Suffolk. The principal machine on exhibition by this firm was a Patent Locomotive Traction Engine. Of this class of steam engines there were several on the grounds, but this one took the first prize. The advantage it had over the others appeared to me to consist chiefly in its T shaped iron paddles, attached to the face of the driving wheels, which prevented its slipping in passing over soft ground. I hardly think it of much service in the United States. Avoling & Porter, of Rochester, England, had one also on exhibition. The rim of the driving-wheels had a plain surface, and slipped a good deal. I am told there are a number of these engines in use in England, and that they travel over the most hilly parts of the country, including inclines of 1 in 6; but from those I saw work here, I am inclined to doubt this statement. Price, 10-horse power, £420. Garrett & Son had also on exhibition an Improved Grain-dressing Machine, of which, as far as my experience serves, we in the west are very much in need of a good one. These machines are so constructed as to be adapted for dressing all kinds of grain and small seeds. It is fitted with spike rollers, adapted for dressing spring wheat when in very rough chaff, and it occurred to me as a very suitable dressing machine for the western farmer. The largest collection and variety of Plows on exhibition here, was to be found at the stand of Messrs. Ransome & Sims, of Ipswich, England, who showed some novelties in the way of Double and Gang Plows. One pattern was intended to be worked by one horse. It will turn a furrow 6x9 inches, and is adapted for a garden or orchard plow, or for turning up land between rows of vines, Indian corn, &c., in light prairie soil; and another will turn two furrows, 7x10 inches, and may be used with three or four horses. Price, £7. They also exhibited a Balance or Gang Plow, the material of which is iron, and is adjustable to different width of furrows. It is worked by a portable steam engine and windlass combined with a wire rope. I cannot furnish so full information of this apparatus as I would like, from the fact that I did not see it at work. It is certainly susceptible of great improvements, to adapt it for use on large western farms. From 7 to 10 acres per day is all that this steam plowing apparatus has accomplished hitherto. The price of the machinery, including engine, plows, grappling anchors and 1200 yards of steel rope, is £320. This firm exhibited also two Cotton Gins, "Macharty's Double-action" and the "Churka Gin." The State of Illinois having become a cotton-growing State, this class of machinery will be brought into requisition there. They had also on exhibition one of Sanford & Mallory's Flax Scutching Machines, which, from its simplicity of action and apparent efficiency, and the small amount of power required to drive it, struck me that it would prove a suitable machine for flax growers and dressers in the United States. Macharty's Cotton Gin.-This ina

chine is said to be the most efficient and practical one for the purpose, of any in use, but it is especially adapted for Sea Island or other long and medium staples. It will produce from 25 to 30 lbs of cleaned cotton per hour. They are much in use in Smyrna, Egypt and the Brazils. The power required is one horse for two gins, and the speed of the machine is 400 revolutions per minute. Gross weight, 9cwt; total cost price for shipment, all complete, £ 25-13-0. The Churka Gin is for East India, or any of the descriptions of cotton having hard and smooth seeds. It will separate 10 lbs of cleaned cotton per hour, without injury to the fibre. One boy can attend to the feeding of four machines, and the requisite power is one horse to 6 gins. Weight, 5 cwt; price packed ready for shipment, for steam power, £ 12-19-6, hand power gins, £ 15-10-0. The cylinder of Sanford & Mallory's Flax Scutcher is 20 inches diameter and the feed 26 inches. It can be worked by boys, as no skilled labor is requisite. The cylinder is composed of four iron rings, which sustains the teeth and scrapers, and the belt is of strips of leather, which cary the corresponding teeth, the open spaces allowing the boon or shove to fall through, whilst the tow is thrown out at the end. The flax scutched by this machine (some of which I saw,) is produced perfectly even and unbroken, with very clean ends. Two small boys will produce with this machine 100 lbs of clean flax per day. Motive power required is half a horse. Price, £33-15-0, delivered in London. The German and French mechanics had but little in the way of machinery calculated to attract an American's attention. They seem to copy English and American manufactures and implements, without improving the principal. Even in French Mill Stones, an English firm showed the largest and best sample of French Burrs. I will now give you a list of our American exhibitors, their machinery, and the prizes they have taken. First stands Cyrus H. McCormick, of Chicago, Illinois. A gold medal for the introduction and perfection of practical Mowing and Reaping Machines. This was the only gold medal given for this class of Agricultural Machinery. McCormick had two of his machines on the ground, one of which he presented to the Hamburg Agricultural Museum, at the close of the Exhibition. Seymour, Morgan & Co., of New York, received a silver medal for a first-class combined Reaper and Mower. Thompson & Avery, of Pennsylvania, a most economical Motive Power. James A. Saxton, Ohio, a large bronze medal for Ball's Combined Reaper and Mower. John Kelsey, of Yardleyville, Penn., a large bronze medal for a shaped harrow. This harrow might be improved, by adding an axle-tree to the scraper, and wheels, so as to adapt it to light lands subject to twitch grass. The scraper would then be used on the fulcrum and lever principle for raising the harrow when choked with weeds. The harrow is a good one, but susceptible of improvement. Whittemore, Belcher & Co., Massachusetts, for an assortment of Agricultural Machinery and Implements, a large bronze medal. L. P. Rose, Michigan, large bronze medal for a case of highly finished Hay Forks, Hoes, Grubs, &c. E. C. Taintor, Massachusetts, a bronze medal for a Planing and Tenanting Machine. George Campbell, of Vermont, a large bronze medal for Willard's Patent Root-cutter, John Vanderbilt, New York, a large bronze medal for a collection of Agricultural Implements. John W. Free, of Indiana, a large bronze medal for a Fanning Mill. Hall & Spear, Pennsylvania, a bronze medal for a Plow. Solon P. Hubbell, New York, a large bronze medal for his Seed-sower. Contributions from the Shrubbery Garden, Hot-house and Orchard. I never saw at an exhibition of this kind, such an extensive collection of Plants, Flowers, Shrubs, Fruits and Vegetables; and nothing could surpass the beautiful manner in which they were arranged for exhibition. On leaving the outer inclosure, and passing through the portal, which opens into this department, the eye rests upon a scene of magic beauty. So magnificently beautiful is the transition from the prosaical machine and cattle shed to this bewitching Floral Court, surprise sits upon every countenance the moment he enters. And this is the principal resort of the ladies, whose gay apparel, happy smiles and merry laughter adds to the beauty and attraction of the spot. The day of opening was an exclusive occasion. The price of entrance being four thalers, none but the wealthy were present. On that day, I will venture this Floral Court was the gayest spot in Europe. It was remarked to me by several American gentlemen present, that they had never seen so much beauty gathered together on one oc

casion before in their lives. To the right of this court, on entering, there was the finest display of Bedding Geraniums, from the gardens of Ernst Von Sprechelson, of Hamburg, I ever witnessed, the flowers of which were fully expanded. These, and a vast collection of Verbenas, Fuchias, Petunias, Calceolarias and Achimenes, occupied nearly the whole of the right wing of the Floral Department. On the left were a large variety of British and other Ferns, which, for a decorative plant, are very much admired in parterre and terrace ornamentation. There was also a fine collection of Roses, Dahlias, Gloxinias and variegated plants. Shrubs, Evergreens and Creepers, altogether so numerous and beauti. ful, that to do justise to the whole would occupy a larger space in my report than I have time to enumerate. In the centre was a small lake, surrounded by ornamented pillars, on which were mounted Shrubs, Ferns and Palms, and from the bosom of the lake sprung an elaborately carved fountain, which, when playing in the sunshine, gave a beautiful effect to the whole scene. Behind the two wings of the Floral Court, fronting to the north and south, was the Fruit and Vegetable Departments. In the Vegetable Class, there were Winter and Spring Onions, Eschalots, Turnips, Carrots, Radishes, several varieties of Beans and Peas, Artichokes, Parsnips, Cucumbers, Cos Lettuce, Cabbage Lettuce, Rhubarb, Cabbage, Cole, Cauliflower, Red and White Round Potatoes, Kidney Potatoes, Beets, and an infinite number of Herbs, &c., &c. In Fruits, there were Apples, Pears, Plums, Pines, Apricots, Peaches, Nectarines, Grapes-several varieties, Gooseberries, Strawberries, Raspberries, Black Currants, Red Curants, White Currants, Cherries, Cranberries, Blueberries, &c., &c. All of which were very fine, particularly the Gooseberries, Raspberries and Black, Red and White Currants. I do not believe they could be surpassed by any country for size and flavor. I can certainly recommend this part of Germany, particularly Holstein, to import young stocks from.

In concluding my report of this Exhibition, I would present my thanks to those gentlemen of the Executive Committee of this Great Exhibition, for their uniform kindness and attention to our wants. Their readiness, on all occasions, to aid our efforts in obtaining space, convenient positions, and all the other accomodations incident to both commissioners and exhibitors, deserve our greatest praise. If this report be published, I beg to be allowed the honor of presenting a copy of it to each of the said Committee. W. MARSH, Commissioner.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

We cannot too strongly express our gratitude to the Press of the State for their services in aid of the efforts of the Society to promote and advance the industrial interests of the State. At our annual fairs, trials of implements, and meetings of the Executive Board, we have been pleased to welcome and to recognize the value of the labors of their intelligent and industrious reporters.

To the railroad companies of the State we also tender our thanks for their many acts of substantial service to the cause in which we have been engaged.

LIBRARY.

From nothing, in 1860, this has gradually increased, with trifling cost to the Society, until it includes copies of printed Transactions of most other State Societies, full sets of the Prairie Farmer and Country Gentleman, and some forty volumes of miscellaneous works.

PROCEEDINGS OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

ILLINOIS STATE AGRICULTURAL ROOMS,

Springfield, Jan. 14, 1861.

The Executive Committee of the Illinois State Agricultural Society met, as above, in accordance with the constitution.

Present-President Van Epps, Ex-President Ellsworth and Vice Presidents Denio, Mattson, Holder, Whiting, Singleton, McConnell, Kile, Ozburn; also, John P. Reynolds, Corresponding Secretary, John W. Bunn, Treasurer, and John Cook, Recording Secretary. President Van Epps, having been escorted to the chair, proceeded to address the Committee as follows:

Gentlemen, and Fellow Members of the State Board of Agriculture:

Custom seems to have established the precedent-and perhaps properly so-that at the first meeting of this, or other like organizations, suggestions by the presiding officer for their future guidance and action should be shadowed forth, if ever so briefly.

Should I deviate from such custom in this instance, it will be from the fact that quite a portion of those of experience, of long standing, tried in the early days of the workings of this Society, still remain and act with us, upon whose good judgment we can depend, and upon whom we may confidently rely in all emergencies that may arise.

I am happy to have this early opportunity of saying to you in this public manner, that the agricultural community and the State at large owe a debt of gratitude to the retiring presiding officer of this Society (Lewis Ellsworth) for his untiring devotion to the interests he has so ably and industriously looked after, and especially during the last two years. Should an equal amount of application and skill be exercised for the ensuing like term, for one I shall be more than satisfied.

In conducting the affairs of an association of this character, it is quite difficult to mark out a settled course of policy that can be pursued at all times and under all circumstances without deviation.

The times, exigencies and locality of any given exhibition of this Society bring new demands from year to year that must be met. We are emphatically a progressive people. Illinois, embracing an area of about 60,000 square miles, and extending through quite six degrees of latitude, a vast teeming garden that is being rapidly developed, opens up a field more than sufficient for the energies of her two millions of people. For us, then, there is room sufficient for the exercise of all our feeble powers. Let us not, therefore, lose sight of those things that immediately concern us as a Society whose mission and sole object should be to thoroughly disseminate agricultural intelligence throughout our entire borders, and in every possible way to do the greatest good to the greatest number. While an enterprising people of a neighboring city put forth commendable and extraor dinary efforts to adapt themselves to the wants of the citizens of this and other States in their annual exhibitions of Agriculture and Mechanic arts, shall we not in the midst of this vast domain "flowing with milk and honey," boundless in resources, the garden of the world, prepare a feast of fat things-a day of jubilee, inaugurate a premium list wor thy of, and that shall command the hearty co-operation of every son and daughter of Illinois, from Cairo to Dunleith, from the lakes to the Mississippi, build up and establish the days of recreation and relaxation from toil, that our annual State gathering may be second to none in America?