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History of Orange County
Agriculture Society
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We make one remark on the subject of manures. Every plant abstracts from the soil more of one of its properties than of the others, and that is the aliment most essential to the growth and perfection of the plant. The raising of all kinds of crops for a succession of years on the same soil, will exhaust all the properties of the land to some extent, while the growing of one kind only abstracts one property. The great principle in manuring, therefore, is not to manure alike for corn, wheat, oats, potatoes, &c., which has heretofore too generally prevailed, but so as to meet the exhausting nature of the peculiar crop, and restore, in a special manner, that principle to the soil, which has been and is to be largely abstracted. It is on this plan only that exhausted lands, run down by the too frequent production of one particular crop, are to be restored to original fruitfulness and regain their lost aliments. Here we must close our remarks, lest we run out into an essay,—and leave the illustrations of the principles above stated to be tested and fully experimented on by our practical farmers, under the advice and wholesale guidance of the Agricultural Society. Before leaving this article of our paper, we feel called upon to state, that what has been achieved by the citizens of Orange to advance the farming interest constitutes an important portion of our County's history; from which we flatter ourselves it will appear they have not been a whit behind their fellow citizens in other counties in an early effort to improve the science, and in manly endeavors to carry forward the great and paramount principles of practical Agriculture.
In this historical account we have judged it proper to notice particularly the first Society—its organization—who were the efficient men—its officers, and the doings at large of the first annual meeting. This will show the outline of all subsequent ones. We would think that an institution so much needed to stimulate the farmer in improving his lands, increasing the variety and abundance of his crops,—in the introduction of improved breeds of stock, &c., at a time when Agriculture was slothful and languishing under the old modes practiced for a hundred years; and which, in addition, would afford a pleasant and agreeable occasion for their wives and daughters to exhibit before each other, and the County at large, specimens of skill, ingenuity and handiwork,—would, upon the mention of the subject have given it instant attention and a cordial support. It was not so, and the effort made in 1808, after several meetings for the purpose, the farming interest remained cold and indifferent, and the friends of the measure, discouraged by frequent failure, had to abandon it in despair; and it was not till 1818, when the effort was renewed and became successful. At this time the State Legislature had not moved in the matter nor lifted its voice on the subject.
As early as 1808 the citizens of Orange turned their attention towards the formation of an Agricultural Society as best calculated to promote the farming interest, by bringing their products and labor in competition before the public eye. This is seen by the following circular; and though several meetings were had in Goshen, nothing was ultimately accomplished, and the fate of this laudable effort is detailed in the annexed letter from Mr. Bull.
Goshen, October 25, 1808.
Sir—In pursuance of authority given us by a meeting of a number of gentlemen of the town of Goshen, on the 22d inst. in this village, for the purpose of devising a plan for establishing a Society in this County for the promotion of Agriculture and the Art,---we are directed to give you notice, that a meeting will be holden at the Court House in this village, on the 22d day of November next, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, for the purpose aforesaid; and to request that you will attend and become a member of said Society. We are very respectfully yours,
James W. Wilkin,
To Peter Bull, Esq. David R. Arnell.