EPIDEMIC HOSPITAL, OR PEST HOUSE. There were nine persons remaining in this branch of the Hospital on the 1st of January, 1849, and 254 have been admitted since. Total number, 263; of whom 159 have been discharged, 68 have died of small pox and other diseases, and 36 remain. There were remaining, in both Hospitals, on the 1st of January, 1849, of all classes, 661 persons, and 2,284 have been admitted since. Total number within the year, 2,945; of whom 2,124 have been discharged, 2 of the insane were transferred to the Lunatic Asylum at Columbus, and one to the Asylum in Lexington, Kentucky. Of the whole, 454 have died, and 364 remain. Of those remaining, there are as follows: Resident paupers of the township......... Nonresidents. Boatmen 112 .179 16 Lunatics___ 57 364 Of those in the Hospital during the year, there were as follows: Resident paupers of the township 658 Strangers 1,818 Boatmen 324 Lunatics 145 -2,945 Of resident paupers there have been discharged. -1,328 87 Resident paupers remaining.- 112 658 Total number provided for in the Hospital during the year... 2,945 Total number discharged... sent to other asylums. -2,124 3 454 1 24 57 145 remaining of all classes, Jan. 1, 1850, 364 -2,945 Since the above was written, the undersigned have been informed that an application is now before your honorable body for a change in the medical supervision of the Hospital. Our objections to any change in the existing laws in relation to medical attendance upon the sick, were expressed at length in our last annual report. If the charters of the College and Hospital should be set aside as being opposed to equal rights, and the promotion of medical science, at what point are we to stop? There are, in this city, those known under the various names of regulars, botanics, homeopathics, Indian doctors, root doctors, negro doctors, mesmerists, and "eclectics." Are they all to be admitted? If not, how is any change in the law, to enforce the doctrine of equal rights, to be effected? The second reason advanced in the memorial of the Eclectic School is superiority of medical practice, especially in the treatment of cholera. This superiority is naturally claimed by each class of practitioners, and each denounces all the others. We shall not decide between them; but it is our duty to state that there are no facts within our knowledge which will induce the belief that the eclectics were peculiarly successful in the treatment of cholera. In conclusion it may be proper to state that our Hospital is so constructed, that if several faculties were admitted, as attendants upon the sick, they must necessarily occupy the same rooms. Each facul ty must have its own nurses, apothecaries, resident physicians, &c. Thus would the expenses of the hospital be greatly increased without any corresponding good. It is the earnest wish of the undersigned that the Legislature will not endanger the best interests of the hospital by the passage of any new law to gratify any class of individuals. All of which we respectfully submit. CINCINNATI, January 1, 1850. WILLIAM CROSSMAN, CONTENTS: 1. Remarks of M. L. Sullivant, Esq., President. 2. Proceedings of the Board during the year 1849. 3. Treasurer's Report for 1849. 4. Report of D. Lapham, Assistant Treasurer. 5. Names and residence of the Members of the Board for 1850. 6. Law relating to Public Shows, with explanations. 7. Instructions and Rules for the formation and management of County Agricultural Societies. 8. Abstract of the proceedings of the several County Agricultural Societies, and answers to the circulars by individuals. 9. Report of the New York State Fair, by D. Lapham, delegate. 10. Agriculture and Science: An Address by Professor Henry 11. Abstract of J. H. Salisbury's Analysis of Indian Corn. 12. Advantages of Thorough Cultivation: An Essay by Levi 13. List of premiums to be awarded at the Ohio State Fair for 1850 FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. To the General Assembly of Ohio: In compliance with the provisions of the law creating the Ohio State Board of Agriculture, the undersigned respectfully presents the fourth annual report of the Board. The most important feature in the "Act for the encouragement of Agriculture," and which is exerting the greatest and most beneficial influence upon the farmers of Ohio, is contained in that part of the law providing for the establishment and usefulness of County or District Agricultural Societies. More than fifty counties have availed themselves of these provisions of the law, and have organized active and efficient Agricultural Societies, which are auxiliary to the State Board. A majority of these societies, during the last autumn, held annual fairs, which were generally well attended, and the competition in the various articles exhibited, was active and spirited. And from the reports of the Board, and from the answers which the Board have received, in reply to their annual circular, from various intelligent and public spirited individuals who have replied to them, and which form a part of this report, the Board are pleased to learn that the spirit of agricultural improvement is evidently fast developing itself among the farmers throughout the State, and they have no doubt but the good effect of these exertions will, in a few years, be seen in the reports of increased productions, which may be looked for in those parts of the State where these societies are most actively engaged. There have also been organized in several counties, Township Farmers' Clubs, which hold weekly or monthly meetings for conversation and interchange of opinions and views on subjects connected with their avocations. It is a marked feature of the present age, that nearly all great improvements are carried forward and sustained by associations of individuals. Living so widely dispersed, farmers have heretofore but rarely availed themselves of this great means of human improve ment. As the country improves and becomes more densely settled, they begin to see the advantage to be derived from associated effort, and the influence of mental attrition of the conflicts of mind upon mind, in the discussion of facts, principles and opinions, at the meetings of these associations. The mental excitement produced thereby, may be likened to that appetite which "grows with what it feeds upon." There is a great amount of mental energy lying dormant and almost useless, in the minds of the farming community, which requires some kindling spark-some power to give it life and motion, and when made to act in conjunction with their physical powers, their capacity for usefulness and progress are wonderfully increased. These associations, therefore, should be encouraged and fostered, until every county shall have an Agricultural Society, and every township its Farmers' Club. The past year, except in wheat and fruits, has been one of great productiveness, and general prosperity and progress have characterized the great farming interest of Ohio. The wheat crop, usually of so much value, and which ordinarily reaches to an annual aggregate of twenty millions of bushels, will not exceed one-third of that amount. Until within a few days of harvest the farmers were rejoicing in the prospect of their usually abundant crop. The wheat had successfully passed the ordeal of the winter's frost, and the ravages of the fly in autumn, and was about to reward the labors of the husbandman with its usual treasure of golden grain, when suddenly and mysteriously, the fond anticipations of the farmers were blasted, by the appearance upon the leaves and straw, of the indications of the destroyer, called the Red Rust. This disease was very general throughout the State. From the reports, we find, that in the north-east quarter of the State, the disease was not quite so destructive as in other parts; but in that section, the crop was reduced onehalf below its usual average. In the south eastern quarter, it was reduced to one-third; and in the west half of the State, to one-fourth of the usual average; reducing the crop in the whole State to a little over one-third of its usual aggregate of twenty millions of bushels. Thus we find a total loss to the productive industry of the State, of thirteen millions of bushels, or about eight millions of dollars, in a single year. No effectual means are yet known, by which to avoid a recurrence of this disaster. All the reports, however, agree in recommending early sowing, of the early varieties, which will become ripened before the usual advent of that peculiar weather, or whatever other condition it is which engenders the disease. In doing this, how |