CHAPTER XXXVI.

ORANGE COUNTY AGRICULTURE.

By David A. Morrison.

The success and well-being of the American farmer is always a matter of vital concern to the entire country. The agricultural interest of any country, any State, or any county, being the fundamental condition upon which all other branches of human effort are based and must depend, is therefore of paramount concern to all classes.

In the county of Orange in 1899 the figures of the national census show there were 13,584 acres devoted to corn, which yielded 589,730 bushels of this cereal that year. Two thousand eight hundred and forty-four acres were sown to wheat and 42,430 bushels were gathered. The acreage of rye was 4,453, and the total yield was 79,980 bushels. Oats were grown upon 5,156 acres and the product was 126,540 bushels. One thousand three hundred and eighty-three acres were in buckwheat, and the pancake crop that year was 23,640 bushels.

The decrease in the rural population of Orange County homes is smaller than most other counties of the State, and the depreciation of farm lands is not so apparent. In fact the general property valuation of the county seems to be increasing something like two and one-half million dollars per year, being rated at $43,804,861.40 for 1907.

The population of the county, according to the State enumeration of 1905, was 107,267. This was an increase over the report of the national census for 1900 of 3,408. Of this number, 41,014 lived in the cities of Newburgh and Middletown. In 1880 the county ranked eleventh in the State for population, ninth in the value of its farms, and third in the value of its farm buildings. It was second in the yield of hay, second also in corn, and third in wheat and potatoes. In the dairy department it stood right at the head, being first in cows and also in the average yield per cow. Even in its production of wool the county had fourth place.

Samuel W. Eager, the early and conscientious historian of Orange County, speaking of the agricultural aspect of the county in 1847, says:

"The soil is above medium character for all agricultural purposes, and while the agriculture of the county is above mediocrity, the soil may be considered worn out and exhausted, as respects growing large or profitable crops of wheat, without manuring too expensively. That article must be purchased of the western farmer, who yet drives his ploughshare through a strong and virgin soil. That this crop must be abandoned for the present, and the land employed to raise grass, or other grains, is a dictate of common sense, and we trust our farmers are wise enough to see it, and not struggle in an unequal contest against the easy culture and large crops of the West."

While this advice was doubtless justified, statistics show it was not followed. The wheat crop of 1874 was greater than that of 1840, and the yield per acre was better under the improved culture. No attempt is made to compete with the vast wheat fields of the far West in the production of this great staple grain, which in fact is only grown to a very limited extent in this county to-day.

Small fruits, peaches, apples and other orchard fruits are extensively grown in some parts of the county, especially in the upper river section, about Newburgh and Cornwall. The peach industry began in the Newburgh district about 1880, and in the Pine Island section about 1895, and for a time some fine crops were gathered when the winters were not too severe. But of late the orchards are less promising because of the devastations of the San Jose scale, which, together with the severe winters, make peach growing a precarious business in this section. The leaf curl and peach yellows are other discouraging features, and it takes an intelligent and industrious grower to succeed in the business. He must spray and spray, and also dig the borers from the base of the tree trunks diligently.

Among the largest peach growers in the Warwick, New Milford and Pine Island districts are E. G. Stiebeling, 6,000 trees; J. B. Rhodes, 4,000; J. R. Feagles, 4,000; Harvey Vail, 6,000; E. D. Waterbury, 3,000; J. C. Drew, 2,000; G. W. Hyatt, 6,000; W. S. Layton, 4,000; Henry Demorest, 4,000; Barry Walch, 3,000; Henry Patton, 2,000; Thomas Willing, 2,000; H. F. Wheeler, 2,000; Knapp & Husted, 1,500; George Benedict, 1,000; J. E. Sanford, 2,000. Florida District: J. O. Gable, 3,000; H. D. Jessup, 3,000; Charles Jessup, 3,000; John Houston, 2,000; E. Lovett, 2,000. Chester District: E. N. Demorest, 2,000. The largest fruit growers in the Middlehope section are E. D. Barns, Nathaniel Barns, Nat. C. Barns, John W. Bingham, W. J. Fowler, V. J. Kohl and many others. Barnyard manure, muriate of potash and ground bone are the fertilizers used. It is found by these growers that the peach can only be grown upon high, dry land with profit. The flavor of the fruit produced here is like that of the lower Ulster and northern Orange section, of high quality, and it brings the best price.

Red raspberries and strawberries were very successfully grown in different parts of the county some years ago, especially about Cornwall and Newburgh, and the northern river section. And both these popular fruits are still produced to a large extent. Among these small fruit enthusiasts there were the late Rev. E. P. Roe and N. P. Willis, of Cornwall. North of Newburgh was the home of Andrew J. Downing and Charles Downing, his brother, whose standard work on "The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America" has been the recognized authority upon nomenclature and description of fruits in America, ever since it was written.

THE ORANGE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

This society is one of the oldest and best known organizations in the county. It had its beginning at a meeting of citizens called pursuant to law by Lebbeus L. Vail, county clerk, to organize a county agricultural society, and held in the Old Stone Court House at Goshen, September 11, 1841. Of the persons who attended that meeting the names of the following have been rescued from oblivion: John Caldwell, Jesse Bull, Nicholas Dederer, Blooming Grove; William Sayer, Cornwall; Alexander Thompson, Crawford; Aaron Van Duzer, Charles Monell, John Wilson, Hezekiah H. Strong, Phineas Rumsey, James W. Carpenter, Goshen; Hamilton Morrison, Samuel Wait, Jr., John Wait, Gideon Pelton, John A. Smith, Montgomery; Frederic J. Betts, Charles Downing, Henry Robinson, Newburgh; Leonard Lee, John R. Caldwell, New Windsor; William Hurtin, Israel H. Wickham, Wallkill; Jeffrey Wisner, Warwick.

At that meeting a constitution and by-laws were adopted, and at the adjourned meeting, held at the same place, October 13, 1841, the organization of the society was completed by the election of the following officers: President, John Caldwell, Blooming Grove; Vice-presidents, Captain Henry Robinson, Newburgh; John R. Caldwell, New Windsor; William Sayer, Cornwall; Jeffrey Wisner, Warwick; Lewis H. Roe, Monroe; Hulet Clark, Minisink; James D. Bull, Hamptonburgh; Richard Sears, Goshen; Gideon Pelton, Montgomery; David C. Bull, Crawford; William Hurtin, Wallkill; William S. Little, Mount Hope; Thomas Van Etten, Deer Park. Recording secretary, John Wilson, Goshen. Corresponding secretary, Joseph W. Gott, Goshen. Treasurer, Charles Monell, Goshen. Executive committee, Frederic J. Retts, Samuel Wait, Jr., Leonard Lee, Phineas Rumsey, Alexander Thompson, Charles Dill, Thomas W. Bradner.

Of the officers then elected not one survives. So long has been the time that has passed, and so many and so great the changes that have taken place since its organization, that the management of the society is now in the hands of men, few of whom knew any of its founders. Although they were prominent men, well-known in their day and generation, even their names are not familiar to a majority of its members to-day.

The first fair was held at Goshen, November 17, 1841; and although it was very late in the season, and there had been but little time for preparation, it gave such general satisfaction that the success of the society was assured. The cattle, sheep and swine were shown on the grounds adjacent to the Presbyterian church; the horses were exhibited on Main street, and the other exhibits in the Old court house. Ninety-seven premiums were awarded amounting to $210, besides twenty-one agricultural periodicals.

The second fair was held at Goshen, October 12, 1842. The premiums offered amounted to $333, exclusive of thirty-five agricultural books and papers, distributed as follows: Farms, $45; cattle, $113; horses, $38; sheep, $31; swine, $8; butter, $44; agricultural products, $54. The county newspapers of that time said "The exhibition was in the highest degree creditable to the agricultural interests of the county. The people assembled in thousands to witness the exhibition, and thronged the streets in numbers equaled on but few occasions before. The exhibition of domestic manufactures graced the interior of the new court house."

The third fair was held October 4, 1843. Five thousand persons were estimated to have been in attendance. One hundred and thirteen premiums were awarded amounting to $325, besides twenty-eight publications. The following extract from the annual report of the president, Hon. Frederic J. Retts, is a reminder of changed conditions: "About thirty samples of butter were exhibited, and the committee of judges announced that twenty-six of the specimens they believed could not be beat in the world. In superlatives there is no comparative degree, and it is difficult to say, therefore, who stands first in such a category. Our wives and our daughters are our dairy-women, and while they so ably sustain the agricultural reputation of the county, Old Orange need have no fears for her rank as a farming county."

In 1846 the society for the first time held its fair on two days. In that year the first plowing match took place and was an interesting feature of the exhibition. Each competitor was required to plow one-fourth of an acre in seventy-five minutes, including two rests of five minutes each.

At the annual meeting in 1847, mainly through the efforts of the Newburgh members, the constitution of the society was so amended that the annual fair was thereafter to be held at Goshen every alternate year and the rest of the time at other places.

In 1848 it was held at Newburgh. The mechanical display was made on the porch of the court house, the grain and vegetables in the main hall, the fruit and domestic manufactures in the court room and within the railing, the horses were shown on Liberty street, and the cattle on a lot west of it. The plowing match took place on the farm of Captain Robinson. County Judge A. M. Sherman was one of the competitors--he held his own plow, performed his work in the shortest time, and received one of the premiums.

In 1850 the fair was held at Montgomery. The articles were exhibited under a tent, the cattle were loose in an adjoining field, the horses were shown on Union street; $95 were awarded in premiums on cattle, $57 on horses, $60 on sheep and swine, $14 on butter and $27 on plowing.

At Middletown in 1852, the fair grounds were located in the eastern part of the village and were known as the Ogden Track. At the suggestion of Colonel Israel H. Wickham (then president), the society had purchased a large tent, in which all articles were exhibited. Nearly all the cattle were tied to posts, and the horses for the first time were exhibited on a track.

The fourteenth fair was held at Chester.

The second fair held at Newburgh, October 8 and 9, 1856, was a great success. The society's tent was erected on grounds attached to Washington's Headquarters, north of which were posts with ties for cattle and pens for other animals, the adjacent lot on the south was used for loose cattle. Arrangements were made with the trustees of the village, and with the owners of property on South William, Liberty and other streets, for the exclusive use of portions of these streets for the exhibition of horses. The plowing match and a trial of plows took place a short distance south of Headquarters. Special attractions were for the first time provided--there was a parade of the entire fire department of the village and a boat race under the auspices of the Newburgh Regatta Association.

In 1858 the second fair at Montgomery was said to have been one of the best then held in the county. One hundred and ninety-seven premiums were awarded.

In 1860 the fair was again held at Middletown. The published accounts represent it to have been still more successful than it had been eight years before.

During these first twenty years of the society's existence it was customary for the executive committee to meet at an early day, fix a date for the fair, prepare a premium list, select judges, and have all published gratuitously in the newspapers of the county. These early fairs were generally satisfactory. The grounds not being enclosed, no admission fee was charged. Articles were exhibited in public halls until 1850, and after that in a tent. The expenses were light, the premiums few and payment was obtained from membership fees and the State appropriation, supplemented by private contributions procured by personal importunity.

At the annual meeting in 1861 the executive committee was empowered to raise by stock subscription a sum of money sufficient to purchase or lease suitable grounds, and to erect buildings and fences thereon--the grounds to be in the vicinity of Goshen. The committee leased the grounds known as the Goshen Driving Park and issued certificates of stock, in shares of $25 each, bearing interest at the rate of ten per cent, per annum. The number of shares was fixed at 100, and no person was permitted to subscribe for more than one share. All the stock was promptly taken, and the building (Agricultural Hall) occupied by the society from 1862 to 1874. During this period the interests of the turf were predominant and not entirely regarded as creditable exhibitions of the products of the farm, the workshop, or the home.

In 1866 the society was reorganized and incorporated. Having failed to secure a renewal of the lease for the grounds, it was determined that the fair building should be sold at auction, and on the 20th of December it was sold for $300. The proceeds of the sale were in part applied to the payment of debts, the balance was divided pro rata among the stockholders, who, as an element of the society, then ceased to exist.

In 1874 the society was therefore composed only of members. It was without grounds. It was out of funds and out of debt--having neither assets nor liabilities. Its exhibitions held many years at Goshen, the residents of that village had tired of them, and the people in other sections of the county took but little interest in them. Several of its leading managers were so absorbed in horse trotting that other departments had been neglected. The number of entries had been reduced to less than 400. The attendance of visitors was comparatively small, and the membership had dwindled to about seventy.

Under these discouraging circumstances, such of the officers as continued to take an interest in the society accepted the invitation of citizens of Montgomery to hold the thirty-fourth fair in that village. The result fully vindicated the wisdom of their action. More than 1,000 entries were made. Many new members were enrolled, prominent among whom was the Rev. L. L. Comfort, whose influence and example did much to elevate it from the condition into which it had fallen. The fairs continued to be held at Montgomery for four years, during which time the treasury was replenished and a surplus fund formed which in 1887 amounted to about $8,000.

The memorable fair in 1878, held at Washingtonville, was the beginning of a new era. For the first time in twenty years no trotting or racing was seen on the grounds. It was in all respects a legitimate and successful exhibition, and was only excelled by that of the following year, held at the same place, when nearly 2,600 entries were made, and 800 premiums, amounting to more than $1,500, awarded. During these two years the Orange County fair was raised to the high plane that it has since occupied.

At Warwick in 1880 and 1881 the excellence of its exhibitions were fully maintained. The additions then made to the society's membership rolls, and to its council board, were of great value, and were largely instrumental in securing the successes of subsequent years.

In 1882 the fair was located at Middletown, where it remained three years, exceeding in magnitude of display all former ones. The record of over 1,100 membership fees received, and of 379 entries of horses the third year, have not since been broken.

The status of the society not being in harmony with the articles of association, at the annual meeting in 1884, new articles of association were adopted and signed, and a new certificate of incorporation and reorganization filed with the secretary of state and with the county clerk.

The next three fairs held at Newburgh witnessed such exhibitions of the results of industry and skill as had never before been seen in this county. The visit of Governor Hill in 1887, was the first time the society bad been honored with the presence of the chief executive of the State on its fair grounds.

In 1888 and 1889 the fairs were held at Goshen. The number of entries was fully up to the average of recent fairs, while the quality of the exhibits in several departments had never been better. At the first of these fairs the society was honored with an address by the Hon. Norman J. Coleman, United States Commissioner of Agriculture.

The semi-centennial fair at Port Jervis in 1890, and that of 1891, were in all respects, very successful. In the latter year the whole number of entries was 5,120, nearly 700 more than at any former fair. In the domestic department nearly 1,200 entries were made, evincing in many ways woman's inventive genius and patient industry. The exhibition of articles of historic interest has never been equaled in this county.

The society's second visit to Warwick was in 1892 and 1893. The presence of Governor Flower, with the 5th and 10th Separate Companies of Newburgh as his military escort, was a noteworthy event.

The fairs of 1894, 1895 and 1896, held at Newburgh, are said to have been the greatest the Society has ever held. The number of entries in certain classes will give some idea of its magnitude. Cattle, 272 entries; horses, 116; poultry, 1,502; bench shows, 208; mechanical, 238; grain and vegetables, 849; fruit, 1,144; flowers, 204; culinary, 310; domestic 990; miscellaneous, 223. Total in all classes, 6,084. The exhibition of school work not entered for competition was a revelation to thousands of visitors of the work now being done by the pupils of public, private and parochial schools.

After the fair of 1896, the managers of the society being unable to obtain a satisfactory lease of the grounds for a term of years, purchased the Campbell Track Grounds at Middletown, April 16, 1897. These grounds are well adapted to fair purposes, and when contemplated improvements are made they will compare favorably, in convenience and beauty, with any fair grounds in the State.

The last eleven fairs have been held on these grounds. They are events of such recent occurrence that historic interest does not yet attach to them. It may, however, be well to say that these eleven exhibitions have been in magnitude and excellence highly creditable to the society.

The society occupies a prominent place in the front rank of the agricultural societies of the State. Organized to promote agriculture, horticulture, the mechanic and household arts, it has not lost sight of these objects. During the sixty-eight years of its existence, in times of prosperity and seasons of adversity, in peace and in war, it has never failed to hold its annual fair. It is a society whose reputation is unblemished, whose honor is bright, whose record is clean; a society that has not sacrificed right for expediency nor won temporary success at the expense of principle; a society that has never repudiated its debts but has honorably discharged all its obligations; a society that has always paid its premiums in full and never paid them pro rata; a society whose fair grounds have not been noisy with the voices of fakirs, defiled with the devices of gamblers nor desecrated by immoral shows, but have been consecrated to legitimate exhibitions; a society whose management during the years that are gone has been such that no rival society (town or district) has ever been organized within the limits of the county, to sap the sources of its prosperity, limit the sphere of its operations, or lessen the extent of its influence--a fact without a parallel in the State.

Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers of The Orange County Agricultural Society from 1841 to 1908.

_Presidents._

John Caldwell, Blooming Grove 1841 Frederic J. Betts, Newburgh 1842-1846 William Murray, Jr., Goshen 1847 Henry Robinson, Newburgh 1848 Robert Denniston, Blooming Grove 1849 Allen M. Sherman, Newburgh 1850 Edward. L. Welling, Warwick 1851 Israel H. Wickham, Wallkill 1852 John J. Heard, Goshen 1853 Seely C. Roe, Chester 1854 John H. Morris, Goshen 1855 Henry Robinson, Newburgh 1856 Seely C. Roe, Chester 1857 Hamilton Morrison, Montgomery 1858 Alden Goldsmith, Blooming Grove 1859 William H. Houston, Warwick 1860 James S. Hopkins, Hamptonburgh 1861 Alfred B. Post, Goshen 1862 Thomas Edsall, Goshen 1863 Alanson Gillespie, Goshen 1864 Charles M. Shons, Blooming Grove 1865

_Vice-Presidents._

One from each town 1841-1861 Hamilton Morrison, Montgomery 1862-1865

_Corresponding Secretaries._

Samuel Wait, Jr., Montgomery 1841 Joseph W. Gott, Goshen 1841-1847 Daniel D. Boice, Newburgh 1848 Benjamin F. Dunning, Goshen 1849 William F. Sharpe, Goshen 1850 Hamilton Morrison, Montgomery 1851-1857 David A. Morrison, Montgomery 1858-1865

_Treasurers._

Charles Monell, Goshen 1841 Charles Downing, Newburgh 1842-1846 John J. Heard, Goshen 1847 Charles Downing, Newburgh 1848 Benjamin F. Duryea, Goshen 1849 Charles Downing, Newburgh 1850 David F. Gedney, Goshen 1851 William M. Graham, Goshen 1852 William M. Beakes, Goshen 1853 George W. Roe, Chester 1854 William M. Sayer, Goshen 1855-1859 Archibald L. Beyea, Goshen 1860 William M. Sayer, Goshen 1861-1865

Reorganization--1866.

_Presidents._

Ellis A. Post, Goshen 1866-1872 Alden Goldsmith, Blooming Grove 1873 Hamilton Morrison, Montgomery 1874 Alden Goldsmith, Blooming Grove 1875-1877 Rev. L. L. Comfort, Montgomery 1878 Hon. A. Dennison, Blooming Grove 1879-1908

_Vice-Presidents._

Hamilton Morrison, Montgomery 1866-1873 Alfred B. Post, Goshen 1870-1874 Hamilton Morrison, Montgomery 1875-1881 Virgil Thompson, Wallkill 1875-1881 Aug. Denniston, Blooming Grove 1877-1878 Henry C. Weir, Chester 1879-1884 W. Egbert Arnout, Wawayanda 1880 Grinnell Burt, Warwick 1880-1882 Henry E. Alvord, Cornwall 1884 Moses D. Stivers, Wallkill 1881-1888 Lawson Valentine, Cornwall 1887-1888 Benjamin C. Sears, Blooming Grove 1889-1901 William D. Barns, Newburgh 1889-1898 Edward A. Brown, Middletown 1899-1908

_Secretaries._

David A. Morrison, Montgomery 1866 Roswell C. Goleman, Goshen 1867 George W. Millspaugh, Goshen 1868 David A. Morrison, Montgomery 1869-1908

_Treasurers._

George W. Greene, Goshen 1866-1867 Jason W. Corwin, Goshen 1868-1876 Benjamin B. Johnston, Montgomery 1877-1880 Samuel S. Van Saun, Warwick 1881-1882 William B. Royce, Wallkill 1882-1892 Samuel S. Van Saun, Warwick 1893-1894 Harry M. Waring, Newburgh 1895-1897 Henry M. Howell, Middletown 1898-1908

_Directors._

Alden Goldsmith 1866-1873 James S. Hopkins 1866-1867 Charles B. Seely 1866-1872 Virgil Thompson 1866-1868 Nathaniel Van Sickle 1866-1878 William H. Ward 1866-1870 Alfred B. Post 1868 Charles M. Thompson 1869-1874 William H. Houston 1869-1871 John S. Edsall 1871-1873 Virgil Thompson 1872-1874 Alfred Wells 1873-1875 Daniel M. Wade 1874-1875 Alfred B. Post 1874-1878 Augustus Denniston 1875-1877 Ebenezer Van Alst 1875-1892 Rev. L. L. Comfort 1876-1877 John C. Shafer 1877-1879 Benjamin C. Sears 1878-1888 William H. Hallock 1878-1908 Daniel Smith 1879-1883 Pierson E. Sanford 1880-1890 J. Edward Wells 1880-1905 W. Egbert Arnout 1882-1889 Leander Clark, Jr. 1883-1897 Horace McBride 1883-1889 Henry M. Howell 1883-1899 Joseph Van Cleft 1885-1898 Daniel S. Waring 1885-1890 John M. Burt 1886-1893 Charles E. Johnson 1889-1897 E. G. Fowler 1890-1892 Samuel B. Hill 1890-1898 Theodore Moore 1891-1896 Edward B. Sanford 1891-1895 William H. Nearpass 1893-1895 Joseph S. Dunning 1893-1895 Edwin T. Skidmore 1894-1896 Sidney H. Sanford 1896-1905 Edwin L. Requa 1896-1897 C. Emmet Crawford 1896 E. G. Fowler 1896-1898 George A. Swayze 1897-1900 Horace D. Thompson 1897-1905 Emmet E. Wood 1898 Oscar W. Mapes 1898 William H. Clark 1898-1903 Charles Mapes 1899-1905 Samuel D. Roberson 1899-1901 V. Edgar Hill 1899-1908 W. A. Lawrence 1899-1908 Joel W. Houston 1900-1908 Charles L. Elwood 1900-1902 John I. Bradley 1901-1908 William B. Royce 1901-1908 Leander Clark, Jr. 1902-1906 W. G. Davis 1903-1905 William H. Nearpass 1903-1908 William C. Hart 1904-1908 W. O. Minturn 1904-1908 John W. Sanford 1906-1908 Rev. Andrew Schriver 1906-1908 Dr. M. A. Stivers 1906-1908 Howard D. Seely 1906-1908 A. F. Storey 1907-1908

Wallkill Valley Farmers' Association--The following brief sketch was furnished by Mr. William C. Hart, Secretary of the Association. In 1889, the late Chauncey A. Reed suggested to the writer the advisability of the farmers of the Wallkill valley uniting in an effort to secure the appointment of a Farmers' Institute, to be held under the auspices of the New York State Department of Farmers' Institutes. An hour later, in consultation with Nicholas J. Fowler, it was decided to invite representative agriculturists to meet at his office on the evening of November 11, at which time a local society would be formed. The result of this meeting was highly satisfactory. William C. Weller was appointed chairman, William C. Hart, secretary, and Nicholas J. Fowler, treasurer, with committees on finance, music, addresses, etc. On November 25, at an adjourned meeting, the executive committee reported an enrollment of one hundred and sixty-eight members, with liberal responses in contributions to defray expenses.

The Institute held at Scofield Hall, December 19, 20 and 21, proved successful beyond the anticipation of its promoters and immediately suggested the desirability of forming a permanent organization. The idea was greatly strengthened on February 10 at Coldenham, N. Y., when Mr. George T. Powell, of Ghent, N. Y., gave a stirring address on the importance of carrying forward the movement, which appealed strongly to all. Thus started the movement which has resulted in the present organization--an association that has done more to unfold the beauty and charm of the Wallkill Valley and spread its fair name to remote localities than all efforts put forth by similar attempts in this direction.

OBJECTS OF ORGANIZATION.

The realization of the inestimable majesty; the unspeakable goodness of God as revealed in this marvelous valley, thus indirectly leading the thought of humanity into the valleys and rivers of life eternal.

The attainment of knowledge which comes of well ordered discussion. Increased skill in the methods of labor.

The mutual improvement of its members by disseminating reliable and valuable information tending to promote the best interests of the Wallkill valley.

Such advantages as may be derived through associated effort to promote a higher degree of excellence in farm, garden and agricultural affairs generally. The introduction and testing of flowers, shrubs, forest and ornamental trees.

It is the primary object of the Society to awaken interest in and promote the progress of that noblest of all human callings, agriculture, and it is the policy of the board of managers to interest all in its annual outing--not only as an exhibition of the prosperity and progress of the farming section, of the growths of field and orchard and garden, of intelligent competition in stock-breeding and dairy interests, but as a demonstration of the public spirit, intelligence and prosperity of the entire productive and business community.

THE OUTING DAYS AND OLD HOME WEEK.

As the society grew and prospered it was decided to establish a social side to the many interests represented. Arrangements were made with much enthusiasm on the part of its membership to hold beneath the open sky an outing that would have a tendency to attract the farming community with their guests and friends that might prove advantageous to all.

MEMORIAL DAYS--DATES AND LOCATIONS OF THE OUTINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION.

1893--August 25, at Woodlawn Farm 1894--August 15, at Borden's Home Farm. 1895--August 21, at Woodlawn Farm. 1896--August 13, at Woodlawn Farm. 1897--August 26, at Woodlawn Farm, Walden. 1898--August 10, at Scofield's Grove, Walden. 1899--August 9, at Gillespie's Grove and Walden Driving Park. 1900--August 8, at Gillespie's Grove and Walden Driving Park. 1901--August 14, at Gillespie's Grove and Walden Driving Park. 1902--August 13, at Gillespie's Grove and Walden Driving Park. 1903--August 12 and 13, at Gillespie's Grove and Walden Driving Park. 1904--August 17 and 18, at Gillespie's Grove and Walden Driving Park. 1905--August 16 and 17, at Gillespie's Grove and Walden Driving Park. 1906--August 15, 16 and 17, at Gillespie's Grove and Walden Driving Park. 1907--August 14 and 15, at Gillespie's Grove and Walden Driving Park.

Highly artistic booklets have been issued since 1894, under the supervision of William C. Hart. The fifteen volumes are classified as follows:

1894--Borden's Home Farm. 1904--Gems from the Hudson. Famous 1895--Historical " " Horses of Orange County. 1896--Tributary Streams of the 1905--The Hudson and Wallkill Wallkill. Rivers. City of Middletown, 1897--Indian Localities and In Art and Story. Hostilities. 1898--Battle of Minisink. 1906--Lake Mohonk, profusely 1899--Churches of the Wallkill illustrated. Orange Blossoms Valley. and guests at Gettysburg. 1900--Beautiful Landscape Views. Walden in Profile. The 1901--The Wallkill Valley at Catskills and Queenly Hudson. Gettysburg, Orange County Agricultural Society, 1907--Wallkill Valley Farmers' Mountain Drives of Mohonk. Association. Lake Mohonk Snow 1902--Through the Valley of the bound. Wallkill, profusely illustrated. 1908--The Hudson River. 1903--Companion Volume of 1902.

Officers, 1889-1907.

President. Vice-President. Secretary. 1889 W. C. Weller, Chairman. W. C. Hart. 1890 W. C. Weller. J. K. Brown. " " 1891 " " " " " " 1892 " " " " W. H. Gillespie 1893 " " R. B. Crowell W. C. Hart 1894 J. B. Hadden. G. W. Folsom. " " 1895 " " J. D. Mould. " " 1896 " " J. P. Covert. " " 1897 " " H. N. Smith. " " 1898 " " " " " " 1899 " " " " " " 1900 I. W. Decker. " " " " 1901 " " " " " " 1902 F. B. Walker. W. H. Dunn. " " 1903 L. M. Borden. J. W. Decker. " " 1904 I. W. Decker. A. Wiley. " " 1905 " " J. K. Brown. " " 1906 " " " " " " 1907 " " " " " "

Treasurer. Superintendent. 1889 N. J. Fowler. I. W. Decker. 1890 " " " " 1891 " " " " 1892 " " " " 1893 " " " " 1894 " " " " 1895 " " " " 1896 C. R. Fowler " " 1897 A. S. Embler " " 1898 A. J. Fowler " " 1899 " " S. H. Knapp 1900 " " " " 1901 " " " " 1902 " " " " 1903 " " " " 1904 " " " " 1905 " " A. Wiley 1906 " " " "

THE GRANGE IN ORANGE COUNTY.

This modern organization in the rural districts of New York State is strongly represented in this county. There are twenty-two subordinate Granges with a total membership of 2,470 in the county, as reported by delegate John Y. Gerow at the last annual session of the State Grange, and all are in a most prosperous condition. A Pomona Grange, which is the link between the subordinate granges and the State organization, was formed at Washingtonville, April 18, 1903, with 118 members. This has now about 600 members. Mr. Gerow was the chairman for three years and was presented with a gold badge at his resignation. Albert Manning is now the master. Five of the subordinate granges in the county own their halls, three own buildings and conduct cooperative stores successfully.

The first Grange organized in the county was at Unionville, June 27, 1901, with thirty-four charter members. It is known as the Minisink No. 907. W. A. Lain was the first master. The membership has increased to 168. Alva Case is the present master. The Monroe Grange was the second in order of date, beginning December 12, 1901. It is No. 911; there were only eighteen charter members, which was increased lo 147. George S. Bull was the first master and James Seaman is now at the head. Grange No. 912 started at Washingtonville, with John W. Gerow as master. This Grange now operates a general store. Little Britain, Grange No. 913 was next started with twenty members, Charles E. Knapp being the first master. This has now 115 members and William D. Moores is the present master. The Brookside Grange No. 936, began November 18, 1902, with a membership of twenty-two, which has been increased to 173. Clarence O. Warford is the present master. The Mountainville Grange, No. 946, was started December 12, 1902, with twenty-two members. C. E. Hand is now the master. The Warwick Grange, No. 948, was organized January 6, 1903 with twenty-nine members, which has since been increased to ninety-six. C. M. Houston is the master, and a general feed, coal and farmers' supply store is operated. The Hamptonburgh Grange, No. 950, began January 7, 1903, with thirty-nine members, which has been increased to 115, with S. P. Watkins as master. The Stony Ford Grange, No. 951, was organized with twenty-one members, January 8, 1903, Ebenezer Bull having been the master from the first, the present membership being forty-five. The Goshen Grange, No. 975, began March 25, 1903, with nineteen members, which has been increased to 137. William Hughes is the master, and a general store is operated with an extensive trade. The Cronomer Valley Grange, No. 982, built a large meeting hall in 1907; Nat C. Barnes is the master. This Grange was organized, June 20, 1903, with twenty charter members. Mr. Dewitt C. Osborn was the first master. There are now 151 members. Grange No. 916 was organized at Montgomery, February 11, 1902, with thirteen charter members. George Van Alst was the first master. The present membership is 148, and Harry Tweddle is master. The following additional Granges in the county were organized in the order indicated by the number of each:

Present Master 983 G. L. Sayer, Middletown. 984 A. C. Bull, Chester. 1001 J. R. Feagles, Pine Island. 1002 W. E. Weller, Bloomingburgh. 1003 Frank Remey, Slate Hill. 1004 H. T. Baker, Thompson's. 1014 W. H. Burger, Pine Bush. 1018 J. W. Eaton, Westtown. 1020 J. G. Fuller, Otisville. 1053 J. O. Goble, Florida.

The Patrons' Fire Insurance Company of Orange and Ulster counties, has issued policies to the amount of $3,600,000, and it is said to have saved the policy holders $250,000 in the past four years.