*»»^^ J. ^ UMASS AMHERST 3iaDbb DEbE fliESQ 3 i 'Pm . . !ilV "I lAKij WFTfKt'Q"'!",'?^ ;lv* * .5?. '" - %^-^ *: '"^^'l¥' '•"^^ir fe^'/^ e LIBRARY "fRST"'* UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LIBRARY s 96 N43 v.lO 1851 CHAPEL Date Due (ttj PRINTED IN U.S^. I TRANSACTIONS AMERICAN INSTITUTE CITY OF IE¥-YORK, FOR THE YEAR 1851. ALBANY: chari.es van benthuysex, printer to the legislature. 1852. 60 4, i^s-i AMERICAN INi^TITUTE. TRUSTEES AND COMMITTEES FOR 1851. JAMES TALLMADGE, President. LIVINGSTON LIVINGSTON, ) ROBERT LOVETT, }- Vice Presidents. ROBERT L. PELL, ) EDWARD T. BACKHOUSE, Treasurer. HENRY MEIGS, Recording Secretary. ADONIRAM CHANDLER, Corresponding Sec'y and Ag't. COHMITTEE ON FINANCE. John Campbell, Cornelins L. Sidell, John A. Bunting, George Bacon. Gordon L. Ford, MANAGERS OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL PAIR. William Hall, Thomas W. Harvey, Joseph Torrey, Henry Spear, Jas. R. Smith, John G. Bell, Isaac V. Brower, Geo. C. Mann, Heman W. Childs, F. W. Geissenhainer, Jnii.« Martin E. Thompson, Lewis G. Morria, Edwin Smith, John M. Reed, Wm. Ebbitt, Peter B. Mead, H. P. Blackman, Paul Stillman, Wm. C. Arthur, M. L. Ward, Jacob C. Parsons, Benjamin Aycrigg, Gordon L. Ford, C. F. Lindsley. John A. Bunting, COMMITTEE ON ACtRICniilURB. Lewis G. Morris, R. S. Livingston, David Banks, James De Peyster. Charles H. Hall, COMMITTEE ON COMMBECB. Freeman Hunt, Geo. F. Barnard, Joseph Torrey, George Dickey. Luther B. Wyman. COMMITTEE ON UANUFACTURES, SCIENCE AMD ARTS. Jas- Renwick, Henry Mei?g, T. B. Stillman, H. R. Dimhiua. John D. Ward, a^7J9 [Assembly COUUITTEE ON TBS ADMISSION CV UEUBERF* Alangon Nasb, George F. Rarnard, Henry Meigs, John Campbell. Henry P. Blackman, COMMITTEE OH COURESPONDENOB. Geo. Bacon, Chas. Henry Hall, Alanson Nash, Kobert L. Pell. , Ralph LookwoocI, COMMITTEE ON THE LIBRARY. Liringston Livingston, H. P. Blackman, Ralph Lockwood, Gordon L. Ford. Jacob C. ParsoDs, Sbtfltt 0f 'WetUss^Ot^fe* ^Jo. 129. IN ASSEMBLY, MAR. "29, 1852. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE AMERICAN INSTLrUTE! New-TorKj February 3c?, 1852. To the Hon. Jokas C. Heartt, Speaker of the House of Assembly : Sir — I herewith transmit the Tenth Annual Report of the American Institute of the city of New- York. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, ADONIRAM CHANDLER, Corresp07idi?ig Secretary. TENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE, In conformity to the law passed May 5, 1841, the Trustees of the American Institute present herewith a report of their pro- ceedings in the department of agriculture for the year 1851, con- taining detailed statements of their exhibitions of pure breed and other useful farm stock, and of the agricultural productions of our country, as presented at their late 24th annual fair, held at Castle Garden, in the city of iVew-York. We did not anticipate at our annual Fair for 1851, a very ex- tensive display of the products of agriculture, owing to the oe- currence of circumstances, during a large portion of the season, unfavorable to tillage ; particularly in that region of country from which the materials composing our exhibitions are mainly derived. We have been, however, very agreeably disappointed. The exhibition in all the departments of agriculture, horticulture, pomology, and floriculture, was very full, presenting specimens of superior quality, in some respects, to those of former years. The cereals, and the various modes of preparing them for tlie purposes of food and transh.ipment, are marked with impiove- ment, as the various details to be found in the fjUowing pages will more fully explain. The display of agricultural Implements was very completcj among them we would particulary notice as new and deserving attention, the flax and hemp breaking and dressing machine of S. 0. Clemens, of Springfield, Mass.; the grain drill of li. J. Gat- ling, of Indianapolis, Ind.; the Self-sharpening straw and brush cutter of Reuben Daniels, Woodstock, Vt. 8 [Assembly David J. Millard, from the Paris Furnace Co., Clayville, Onei- da county, N. Y., exhibited a large assortment of scythes, cutters, hay and manure forks of various kinds, &c., ^vhich for beauty of workmanship and finish stand unequalled. Mr. II. L. Emery, from his agricultural warehouse in Alba;iy, exhibited the greatest variety of implements, all of excellent quality. The exhibition of cattle and other farm stock, which took place on the 15th, 16th and 17th days of October, at Madison Cottage, was unusually full and attractive, and deemed by a large concourse of agricultural men who attended, to be the best exhibition ever held by the Institute, the details of which will be found in the report of our agricultural committee. It is an admitted truth that at the close of our revolutionary war, the knowleds;e and practice of agriculture, the arts and manu- fectures in the United States, were extremely deficient and unpro- ductive. The agricultural societies of Boston and Philadelphia kept alive a spirit of inquiry, but for practical purposes, their doings did not reach the doors of the working farmer. In 1791 a few patriotic men, influenced by motives of public utility, in- stituted in the city of New- York a society for the advancement of agriculture, the arts, and manufactures. To the efforts of Robert R. Livingston, E. L'Hommedieu, Samuel L. Mitchell, James Kent, Simeon DeWitt, J. S. Ilobart, John Jay, Richard Va- rick, and a few associates, we are indebted for this organization, probably the first which appears on record in the State of New- York. In 1794 it was incorporated by the Legislature, to con- tinue until 1804. The efforts of these gentlemen undoubtedly gave rise to very important investigations in regard to tillage, the rearing of stock, &c., and laid a foundation for the organizations which have succeeded it. No effort of a public character, designed to aid agriculture, ap- pears to have been made from 1804 until 1819, when the act of OTir Legislature for the advancement of agriculture, arts and manu- factures, was passed. This act appropriated $10,000 per annum for two years, to be distributed to the respective counties of the State, pro rata ; depending, however, on the raising and expend- ing a like sum by the count> for the same purposes. The act No. 129.] 9 was extended at the session of 1820, to continue four years from the termination of the first act. The law met Avilli very strenu- ous opposition when before the Legislature, and it was continued in various ways during its existence ; arising as has been alleged, from want of information and ill-founded jealousies. It was per- mitted to expire in 1824 by its own limitation, without an effort to resuscitate it. The sincere friends of these great interests felt it to be hopeless to expect further aid from the Legislature ; and nothing was done until the organization of the American Insti- tute in 1828, which stood alone in its efforts until 1841, when the law which now exists was passed by the Legislature. This law called into existence the N. Y. State Agricultural Society, and the county societies, of which there is now one in almost every county of the State. It is extremely gratifying to the members of the American In- stitute to witness the demonstrations now annually made ; they feel assured that the plan originally adopted and pursued by them was better calculated to awaken latent genius and infuse a gene- ral spirit of emulation among the producing classes, than those previously pursued. And also to witness the increasing zeal manifested in the cause of agriculture, whicli now seems to per- vade, not only our own, but many States of the Union. They believe that their efforts, thus commenced and persevered in, have exercised no small agency in producing benefits to our country which will be enduring. ^''ew^Yo?% Dec. 1851. JAMES TALLMABGE, LTV. LIVINGSTON, ROBT. LOVETT, ROBT. L. PELL, E. T. BACKHOUSE, LI. MEIGS, ADONIIiAM CHANDLER, Trustees. 10 [Assembly FINANCES. The following is the financial condition of the American lusti- fititute on the 1st day of February, 1852 : Balance in the treasury, February 1,1851, $3,579 77 The receipts of the year liave been, From managers of the 24th fair, $6,938 16 Treasurer State of New- York, 950 00 Members, 2,1 54 00 Certificates of awards, 56 00 Use of chandeliers, 30 00 Duplicate Medals, 44 00 Sales of Transactions, 6 00 Rent of premises. No. 351 Broad- way, Nov. 1850 to Nov. 1851,.. 3,000 00 Interest on bond of $5,000, Dec. 17, 1850 to Jan. 1,1852, 311 67 13,489 83 $17,009 60 PAYMENTS. Real Estate. Interest on bond and m'tgage, $25,000, Nov. 1850 to Nov. 1851, $1,625 00 Insurance on building, 90 00 Taxes, 403 51 Stone coping tor wall, CI 78 Water and waste pipes, 44 84 $2,225 13 Committee en fitting np rooms. Carpenters' work making book cases, locks, ice, $542 39 Carried forward, $542 59 $2,225 13 $17,069 GO No. 129.] 11 Brought forward, $5i2 39 $2y225 13 $17,069 GO Chandeliers and gas pipes, ... 21900 Desk, 35 00 Iron safe, 110 00 Painting, 55 75 Blinds,. 26 CO Other disbursements, 86 67 1,074 81 On account of 22d Annual Fair. Shafting, pullies,&c., 39 44 On account of 23(^ Annuel Fair. Shafting, pullies, pipes, build- ing foundation (3fengine,&c., |574 03 Orator's expenses, 36 10 Printing, advertising, &C.5, .. 207 86 Premiums, 7* 6 63 1,594 62 Lihrarrj. Books, $372 2G Subscription to Newspapers, . . 72 00 Printing catalogue of library, 313 79 Extra services in library, .... 42 54 Blank books, 9 00 819 59 Miscellaneous bills. Expenses of Farmers' Club, Sec'y report- ing 21 meetings,... $210 00 Pap'rs for distribution, 131 25 $341 25 Insurance, 65 83 Portraits fur Transactions,. . . 135 63 Printing, 76 55 Stationery, 12 12 Fuel, 48 50 Gas, 26 45 Cariicd forward, $706 33 $5,753 59 §17,069 GO 12 [Assembly Brought forward, $706 33 $5,753 59 $17,069 60 Freight, &c., 22 65 Lecture on geometry, 18 50 Duplicate medals, 43 00 Filling up certificates,.. 5 00 Ice, 15 00 Petty cash — postages, cleaning, subscription to small pap'rs, advertising, &c., 264 12 1,074 60 Salaries. Agent, $1,050 00 Recording Secretary,. ..... 350 00 Clerk, 691 66 Librarian, 430 00 Messenger, 150 75 2.672 41 9,500 60 $7,569 00 Loaned on bond and mortgage, 5 ,000 00 Balance in the treasury February 1, 1852,. . , , $2,569 00 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL FAIR, 1851 The Board of Managers of the twenty-fourth Annual Fair of the American Institute, respectfully REPORT: The twenty-fourth Annual Fair was opened at Castle Garden on Wednesday, the 1st day of October, 1851, and closed on the 25th. The attendance of visitors, was as usual very large, and though the cash receipts does not quite equal that of last year, yet this was one of the most successful exhibitions of the Institute. It may be safely stated, that no preceding fair ever elicited a higher degree of interest and certainly none was ever more de- serving of it. Let it be borne in mind that a greater number of fairs were held during last fall than have ever been known be- fore, and it will be clearly perceived that the subject is losing nothing in public interest, and it need create no surprise that persons living at a distance should be satisfied with having a fair at their own doors. Though we may thus have lost a few visitors we have the satisfaction of knowing that the great cause for which we labor has gained in public esteem. The many articles of utility, taste and elegance there displayed and the competition in the various branches of manufactures are certain proofs of the benefits arising from the encouragement given them by the American Institute. 14 I Assembly The Cattle Show was probably the most Interesting that has ever been held in our city, and we are pleased to see the in- creased interest created in this important department of our exhi- bition. The number of entries in the Manufacturing and Mechanical Deparlment, were, 2,025 In the Horticultural Department, ... 256 Making, 2,281 entries at Castle Garden. The number of exhibitors at the Cattle Show, 110 Making a total of, $2,391 The following is a condensed statement of the Receipts and Expenditures of the twenty-fourth Annual Fair. For details, you are referred to the Report of that Committee, which accom- panies and makes a part of tliis Report. RECEIPTS. To cash received from sales of tickets at Castle Garden, Wednesday, October 1, $210 00 u a (( II (( <( u u ci u u u iC ii tc u Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday, a ci a a u (I u a a a (( (C a a u 2 -'5 • • • 3,... 4,... 6,... 7,... 8,... 9,.., 10,... 11,... 13,... 14,... 15,... IG,.,. 17,... 18,... 20,... 458 00 345 50 378 50 938 00 1.072 56 1,344 00 1.282 00 1,096 00 1,023 25 838 00 1.283 50 1,552 00 1,436 25 1.073 25 605 85 1,000 00 Carried forward, $15,936 66 No. 129.] 15 Brought forward, $15,936 66 To cash rec'd Tuesday, October 21, 8-12 75 " Wednesday, " 22,., " Thursday, " 23,.. " Friday, " 24,., " Saturday, " 25,. 551 00 831 00 773 50 744 35 $19,679 26 To cash received at Cattle Show, " Wednesday, October 15,... $140 29 « Thursday, " 16,. .. 341 81 « Friday, " 17,... 225 43 707 53 " Rent of stands, 250 00 " Sales of Catalogue at Cattle Show,. . . 13 50 " Premium on silver, 10 30 " New Jersey Exploring and Mining Co. for Premiums on zinc Painting, . . 175 00 " Broken show case, 2 00 " Over deposite and to balance, 12 $20,837 71 Less Discount, $67 . 21— Bad bills, $7, 74 21 Total net Receipts, $20,763 50 EXPENDITURES. By Printing and Publication Committee. Printing Circulars, Blanks, Invitation tickets, Hand- bills, &c., $321 33 Advertising, 258 18 $579 51 By Committee on Light. Gas, $381 62 Oil, use of lamps and candles, 240 36 Gas pipes on bridge, 43 75 Lighting lamps, &c., 121 27 787 00 Carried forward, $1 ,366 51 $20,763 50 16 [Assembly Brought fjrward, $1,366 51 $20,763 50 By Police and Labor Committee. Superintendent, $1 95 00 Clerks, 180 50 Police and night watcli, 1,072 00 Laborers, , 240 00 1,702 50 By Finance Committee. Ticket sellers and counter, 165 00 By Ticket Committee. Ticket receivers and counter, 120 00 By Agricultural Committee. Erecting sheds, pens, &c., $271 00 Plan of do do .... 15 00 Printing catalogue, 14 00 Advertising, (extra,) 170 00 Clerk, laborers, &c., 56 00 Expenses by committee, 13 00 Rosetts for cattle, and ribbon, 12 29 Refresliments for judges and committees, , 88 37 Tubs, pails, rope, Sec, 25 48 665 14 By Horticultural Committee. Clerk, S52 00 Assistants, 307 50 Use of crockery, 13 43 Painting stands, boxwood and sundries, 43 23 416 16 Carried forward, $4,435 31 $20,763 50 No. 129.J 17 Brought forward, $1,435 31 $20,703 CO By Committee on Machinery and Steam Power. Superintendent, engineer and laborer in engine room, .... $235 8S Coal, wood, lighterage and labor, 130 19 Croton Aqueduct Department water, 10 00 Iron pipe, labor, &c., 42 44 Repairs of roof, painting, &c, . 167 99 Truck, 20 00 606 50 By Music Committee. Bloomfield's band, $781 00 North Carolina band, 18 00 799 00 By Committee on Fireworks. Fireworks, 100 00 By Refreshment Committee. Dinners for Managers while detailed on duty, and guests from a distance, $410 75 Refreshments for Managers and committee, 124 54 535 29 Miscellaneous Bills. Rent of Castle Garden 22 days at $100 per day, $2,200 00 Carpenter's work, covering bridge and fitting up inte- rior, 761 54 Carried forward, $2,961 54 $20,768 50 [Assembly, No. 129.] 2 18 I Assembly Brought forward, $2,96154 $20,763 50 Glazing broken glass in show cases, 36 32 Muslin for tables and flags,. . 93' 11 Flag poles and mounting,... . 55 46 Broadway Tabernacle for ad- dress, 62 00 Orator's expenses, 5163 Stationery, blank books, &c. 5 . 36 13 Bill posting, 17 00 Sundry expenses for items, (see report,) 84 40 3,402 59 By Premium Committee. Gold and silver for medals and striking, |1,865 84 Engraving, . . . .• 278 50 Silver cups. 581 00 Medal cases, 122 00 Diplomas, printing and paper, 81 00 Filling up diplomas, 82 00 Silver ware, 22 43 Books, 153 88 Cash premiums : Instead of cups and medals, |410 00 Apprentices and minors, 105 00 Van Schaick prem., 20 00 N.J.Ex.&Miu.Co., 175 00 Fire works, 50 00 ■— 760 00 3,946 65 Making a total expenditure of. 13,825 34 Which being deducted from the receipts, leaves .... $6,938 16 No. 129.] 19 Brought forward, $6,938 16 Of Avhich amount there has been paid into the trea- sury of the American Institute, 4,948 50 Leaving a balance on hand this day, of |1,989 66 By the above statement it will be seen that the sur- plus, after paying the bills, was $6,938 16 There are still some unsettled claims, amounting to about 200 00 Which will leave a surplus of $6,738 16 Last year the amount paid into the treasury, on the 1st of January, was |7,724 63 From which deduct bills then outstand- ing, and since paid, , . 1 ,594 62 Making the surplus of the 23d fair, 6,130 01 Which exceeds the surplus of the 22d fair, by $608 15 The Premium Committee, of which Mr. James R. Smith was chairman, reported that the awards of the late fair were as fol- lows; 74 gold medals, 78 silver cups, 310 silver medals, 680 diplomas, 110 volumes of books, $20 and 3 bronze medals. Van Schaick premium, $175, the N. J. Min and Ex. Co. premium, $50, premium on fire works, $28, cattle premiums, * $115, minors' and apprentices' premiums. By a rule adopted, the successful competitors in the agricultural and horticultural department had a choice of receiving their premiums in cash, in place of cups and medals. A number have 20 (Assembly embraced this method of receiving their premiums ; the amount 60 paid has amounted to $382. The committee estimated the cost of the premiums at four thousand dollars, the amount of bills"paid hy the Finance Committee, is $3,946.65. Respectfully submitted. WILLIAM nALL, Chair*nan. WM. EBBITT, JOHN G. BELL, GEO. C. MANN, F. W. GEISSENHALNER, Ju., LEWIS G. MORRIS, JOHN M. REED, , PETER B. MEAD, PAUL STILLMAN, MARCUS L. WARD, BENJAMIN AYCRIGG, C. F. LINDSLEY, ADONIRAM CHANDLER, ex-qfficio, Managers, JOHN W. CHAMBERS, S9r.. *o Board of Managers. ^ .IVew-York, Janioa/ri/ 15, 1852. JOSEPH TORRBY, JAS. R. SMITH, ISAAC V. BROVVER, MARTIN E. THOMPSON, F.DWIN SMITH, U. P. BLACKMAN, WM. C. ARTHUR, JACOB C. PARSONS, GORDON L. FORD, JOHN A. BUNTING, THOMAS W. HARVEY, HENRY SPEAR, REPORT OF THR COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE. The Agricultural Committee of the American Institute, on its 24th annual exhibition of cattle, submit the following report: The exhibition was held as announced in the programme, on the 15th, 16th and 17th of October 1851, at Madison Cottage, on the 5th avenue, between 23d and 24th streets, occupying at least one third more ground than on any similar exhibition, and for which we were indebted to Mr. Samuel Howland, who kind- ly consented we should use it without charge. The arrange- ments for the accommodation of stock were made in accordance with a plan furnished by your committee, and submitted to sun- dry carpenters for estimates. These estimates varied from $250 to $1,200 ; the contractors to furnish all the materials necessary, and to do all the work required for the stalls, pens, coops, &c.j and to remove the same at their own expense. Messrs. Christie and Bogart's estimate being the lowest, w^as accepted by us. The work was not only well done and within the time limited, but to our entire satisfaction. When we consider the great increase of horses, horned cattle of every description, swine and sheep, compared* with the ex- hibition of the previous year ; and the superior arrangement for their accommodation in every particular, we feel that your Com- mittee have been benefited by carrying out the suggestions made in the report of last year, on the subject. We attach a draw ing of the plan with specifications to this report, marked A. for the benefit of future reference. The whole number of horses enter- ed were 54; horned stock 147 j sheep 130; swine 46; mules and Jacks 7 ; poultry 44 entrances ; dogs 12. There were in addi- tion to the above 17 head of horned stock on exhibition, be- longing to a member of the committee, the rules of the Institute prohibited members of the committee from receiving any pre- miums, or to be consldi red competitors for any stock they may ex- hibit ; for this reason they were omitted tobe named in the catalo- gue On reference to, and comparing the last year's report with the 22 [Assembly present, you will find an increase of, 37 horned cattle ; 73 sheep ; 43 swine, 2 mules and jacks ; and 10 of poultry, in favor of the pre- sent year. Notwithstanding the excessive drought, the quality and appearance of the animals (with the exception of beef cat- tle) was as much better as their number was greater than at any former exhibition. We will here remark that the cause for the falling off in the beef cattle and fat sheep department, was ow- ing to a rule adopted by the Board of Agriculture : that all per- sons entitled to a premium for fat cattle and fat sheep, should be breeders of the same, and the owners at the time of exhibition. This is an error, and will be corrected in our next annual list for premiums ; which as a rule is very seldom the case, as a fatten- ing farmer is very seldom a breeding farmer. We also recom- mend an increase of the number and amount of premiums to be awarded on farms and gardens ; and especially in the horse de- partment, which were not provided for heretofore. Your com- mittee would further recommend that a much larger field be procured next year, especially for the use of the horse depart- ment, to give room to display their qualities in action. We propose to raise the admission fee for visitors to 25 cents, instead of 12i cents, and that the catalogue of entrances should be printed with pedigree, breeder and owner, and sold as it was this year ; for the making up of which we are entirely indebted to the exertions of Mr. George S. Riggs, who also kindly assisted us in many other ways in carrying out the exhibition. We would further recommend that in preparing the pro- gramme for the next year, that the horse should be first in order, as his noble, and useful character justly entitles him to be ; and that a regular list of premiums be offered on native stock, which was altogether omitted the present year. Attached to this report will be found the names, and resi- dences of the successful competitors, and also the names and residences of the acting judges ; and where any special remarks were made by judges out of the ordinary report, it will beset forth under the proper head. We had delegates from numerous state and county societies. Several members of the Board of agriculture were in attendance and aided us materially. We are much indebted to Mr. Thomas Bell of Morrisania, No. 129.) 23 whom we solicited to perform the arduous duty of locating the horned animals as they came in, also to act as superintendent of that department, all which he did to admiration, giving satisfac- tion to all exhibitors. The following is a statement of the receipts and expenditures at the cattle'show : Receipts- From sales of tickets, $707 53 " " of catalogue, 13 50 Expenditures. $721 03 Erecting sheds, pens, &c., |271 00 Plan of ground, 15 00 Printing catalogue, 14 00 Advertising, (extra,) 170 00 Clerk, laborers, &c., 5G 0( Printing, (38 60 Rosettes for cattle and ribbon, 12 29 Refreshments for judges and committees,. . 88 37 Tubs, pails, &c., 20 23 Expenses by committee, 4 50 719 49 Excess of receipts and expenditures, $1 54 We suggest and strongly recommend, that all the arrange- ments for preparing the next year's premium list, should be completed at a much earlier date than formerly, and that it should be published in outline or detail in all the principal agri- cultural journals throughout the Union, and that a catalogue of premiums be addressed, to all the officers and prominent mem- bers of every State and county agricultural society throughout the Union. All of which is respectfully submitted, LEWIS G. MORRIS, DAVID BANKS, JAMES DE PEYSTER, ROBERT S. LIVINGSTON. Commute e on JJ^riciiUure. 24 [ASSEMBI."! Plan of the ground^ with stalls, sheds, pens, &c., erected by the Agricultural committee of the American Institute for the accommodation of the Annual Exhibition of pure breed and other stock, October 1851, the whole occupying an average space of 200 by 250 feet. The horned cattle and horses were all protec- ted from the sun and rain by adequate roofs. 9mt»/iY — -i ' II 1 g N "^ 1 1 -H. ti' ^ .J^. to tf K =^4^ ~M *.;^ s 1^1 Diddiwifj', 'r'-'i I J 1 1 ,_ J ,; i i ^ i^ . 1 1 S3 1 - ... -^ 1 -.^'=^1 1 1 1 1 =H H — 1 1 bo bo .e sfptgjo^ V^OJJ tQ J k=js=x< jiMjgULLftTini; No. 129.] 25 SPECIFICATION For the carf enter's xoorkf in consiruciing sheds ^ pens^ stalls^ If c.^ for the Cattle Shew- Lumber to be furnished by the ccntiactcr. Boards 1 inch rough spruce ; 1 J plank for plates for the roofs of sheds j the roofs to be laid with rough boards with battins over the joints j partitions between the sheds for cattle to be three boards high, say tliree feet six inches, with three posts in depth ; roofs to have sufficient pitch to c^rry the water off; mangers the whole width of the stalls for feed, two feet six inches from the ground ; scaffold poles or timber fixed for tying the cattle to ; the posts to he three by four joists ; the stalls for horses to have the partitions between each closed up tight with three posts in depth ; stalls for aged bulls to be the same as for horses, with rings and staples for tying ; pens for sheep and hogs to be without roofs ; the partitions to be three feet six inches high with three by four joists for posts, all to be pnt up strong and in a workmanlike manner ; the mate- rials to be removed by the contractor within ten days after the close of the fair ; the work to be done to the satisfaction of the committee ; rings and staples to be furnished by the committee -. contractor to put them in, and return them to the committee at the close of the fair. HORTICULTURAL REPORT OF THE Tweaty- Fourth Anafial Fair of the Ameii«aa [astitute. The year 1851 will always be remembered for the number and magnitude of its fairs. Aside from the stupendous exhibition in London, in which American industry and skill l)ore a distin- guished part, and carried ofl" a large share of honors in compe- tition with the world, there was a larger number of fairs in our own country than has ever been known in any former period of our history. This circumstance is peculiarly gratifying, as show- ing that the subject is beginning to take a strong hold of the public mind, and will receive that attention which its importance demands. Several of these fairs I visited, and notwithstanding the unpropitious season, was much gratified with what I saw, as well as with the spirit manifested at these interesting gatherings, Having had abundant opportunities of judging, not only the pre- sent season, but for many years past, I am prepared to claim for the Twenty-fourth Annual Fair of the American Institute a high place in the first rank of industrial exhibitions. Eefore proceeding with the proper subject of this report, I would allude to a statement going the rounds of the papers, that we are to have a World's Exhibition in New- York, in 1852. I have learned from other sources, that an appplication will be made for Madison Square, where it is proposed to erect a glass structure some six hundred feet in length ! What a World's Fair that will be ! Why, New- York alone would have no chance at all of being fairly represented in it. My experience gives me a right to speak, and I wish to state, briefly, my decided convic- tion that the movement is premature, ill digested, and ill con- 28 * [Assembly ceived. TJie world will not be prepared for another World's Fair quite so soon ; and the political horizon indicates pretty clearly, that the world, for some time to come, will be busied in getting up something very different from peaceful exhibitions. No ; the year 1852 will be ho time for holding a World's Fair ; 1855 will be time enough for that. This movement is certainly not of the right kind, and did not have its beginning in the right place. Unless it is proposed to make us supremely ridicu- lous, this subject must be based on larger conceptions, and be somewhat national in its character. At all events, this petit World's Fair in Madison Square will do us no credit as a nation, and I therefore hope the matter will be dropped for the present. One word more. I have also learned that Mr. Paxton is to be employed as the architect of the six hundred feet Crystal Palace proposed to be erected in Madison Square. I hope Mr. Paxton will iiave the good sense to decline, not only in this, but in any other case. He can well afford to rest on the well-earned fame he lias already acquired, and let us see what we can do. But to proceed with the proper subject of the report. I have already stated that the 24th Annual Fair, as a whole, deserves a high place in the first rank of industrial exhiliitions. The display in the horticultural department, exceeded my most sanguine expectations; indeed, it seemed almost impossible, under the circumstances, to get together so many articles of de- cided merit. The long and remarkable drought bad filled me with apprehensions of a failure ; but these very apprehensions led to redoubled efforts, and the result was one of the best liorti- cultural exhibitions we have ever had. On'-all hands, I was met by friends with the remark, " that they would do their best," and the event was most creditable to them and to the Institute. I desire here to thank them in the name of the Institute. It is worthy of remark, that most of tlie finest horticultural products, such as potatoes, carrots, beets, cabbage, &c.,';jwere grown on low, alluvial land, which may be relied on for abundajit crops in the driest of seasons. Tiiere are thousands of acres of alluvial land in tlie vicinity of New-York, whicii still reniain in a .state of nature, its real value being little compreliended hy tliC great majority of our farmers. A few more droughts like that of the past No. 129.] • 29 season will perhaps Sftrve to convince them of its importance, and show them conclusively, that for clearing and draining they will be amply remunerated. Some little observation has con- vinced me. too, that the past drought has not been without its use- fulue=s in another particular : it has shown clearly the great value of sub-soil plowing. Experience has convinced me of the many and great benefits of working the ground deep and thoroughly, and not the least of its benefits is this, that in a dry season it enables the ground to absorb freely the moisture and gases in which the atmosphere always abounds. I will nuw glance briefly at some of the more important pro- ducts exhibited in the horticultural department. And first of agricultural products, among which Indian corn must take the first place, Of this most useful and important of the cereals, the display was much larger, and, as a whole, much finer "than we have ever had before. . The varieties shown were very nu- merous, but it seems to me that some of them might very well be dispensed with in this and surrouuding localities. I should like to see the varieties in this vicinity reduced to five or six of the best, and the attention of our farmers directed tp the impor- tance of these. Stowell's evergreen sweet corn attracted a large share of attention. It is certainly a most desirable variety for the table, and by far the most prolific that I have ever seen ; but in one particular it has been^somewhat over estimated. Though it retains the milky state for a long time without any unusual care, it cannot be kept through the "winter without a degree of trouble which few will bestow upon it. The chief difiiculty is its tendency to mildew ; and this is so great that it is necessary to dry it in an oven or by a stove in order to preserve it for seed. In regard to its prolificness, I will state that I grew it in a mode- rately stifi" loam, which had been used for several years as a cow yard. This was trenched two spades deep, and sprinkled with ashes. The corn was planted about the middle of June, in rows four feet apart, and three inches only in the rows; and yet, not- withstanding the late period at which it was planted, the drought, and its closeness in the rows, it grew ten feet high, and produced Jive large, well filled ears to the stalk. I will just add, that no earth was drawn to the stalks. I never hill either corn,' 30 - [Assembly potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkins, or any thing of the kind, except on low, wet ground : it is labor thrown away, if not worse. I will next notice the wheat. Of this important cereal, the display was exceedingly fine, and I noticed two new kinds of great excellence, the Australian, and another, the name of which has escaped rae, both samples, however, too small for com- petition. This is the more to be regretted, since they were both of great merit, and I must in justice add, that the Australian wheat was pronounced by the judges to be decidedly the best in the room. In addition to the above, there were samples of Bergen, Mediterranean, &c., of superior quality. I have a new feature to present here, which gives me no little gratification. A new class of farmers are rising in our midst j I mean lady farmers. For instance, the lady of General Sandford, of Sing Sing, sent a barrel ol Wlieat, which, though not the best, was a good solid article of fine quality. I give her the credit, because I have the best of authority for saying that she is the farmer, and not the general. And then, again, the first premium on rye was taken by a lady, Mrs. Harris^ of Matteawan Point ; so also, the first premium on Barley, a splendid article,*^ was taken by Miss Emma R. Purse, of Newark, N. J., who had also on exhi- bition several samples of Wine. With the exception of the splen- did Emir Barley mentioned above, the samples of Rye, Oats, and other Agricultural products, were much the same as at former exhibitions. It may be added that we had a very tall specimen of Oats from California, measuring some six feet in height. The stalks were cut while green, rolled up, packed in a small box, and travelled thus 6,000 miles, being suflBciently elastic when they arrived, to assume their upright habit. This sample was more valuable for its straw than for its grain. There was also a sample of Oats from Scotland, brought by Mr. Bell, with other Agricultural products, on his return from his late visit to Eu- rope. I will now pass to Flour and Meal. The samples were not quite so numerous as at our last Fair, but there was no falling off in quality, or in sharpness of competition. Most of i lie san.ples exhibited were manufactured specially for competition, and were No. 129.] 31 surpassingly fine. Even the fourth best would, in the market^ be denominated extra superfine. As on former occasions, Messrs. Hecker & Brothers were first in the field. There were some beautiful specimens of steam-dried Meal. The process of steam- drying seems now to be generally practiced, and possesses thi& great advantage, that it dries the meal more thoroughly than others without destroying its intrinsic qualities. Meal is an arti- cle of large consumption, and when properly dried will find a good market abroad ; the great drawback now is, that on long voyages it becomes musty and useless; we should, therefore, offer every induce- ment for improvements in the process of drying it. It will be pro- per to state here, that there were fine specimens of Hominy, &c., from the American Phalanx, but in quantities quite too small for competition. It is much to be wished that those who intend to send articles for competition would possess themselves of one of our premium lists, in order that they may knoAv the quantity of each article to send ; this would obviate one cause of dissatisfac- tion, and relieve us from much perplexity. Where the article is intended for exhibition only, the quantity is of no consequence whatever. Quinby & Co.'s prepared Flour should not be passed over. This would seem to be a very useful article for domestic purposes, whether for bread, cake, or pastry, being coiiverted into either by a very simple process, and in an incredibly short time. The bread and cake I know to be good. Dr. Chilton has analyzed this preparation^ and pronounces it to be a wholesome ai-ticle of food. There were several fine samples of Buckwheat^ and one from Piatt's mills of extra superfine quality. Passing over articles of less importance, I must allude to a large and beautiful display of Farina, Wheaten Grits, Samp, Hominy, &c.y from Hecker & Brothers. Though the display of Flour and Meal has always been large, I have good reason to know that it could be greatly increased. The difficulty is, that some of the exhibitors, at great labor and expense, andby oft repeated manipulations, prepare their speci- mens expressly for competition ; this the majority of makers are not willing to do ; and knowing that otherwise they stand no chance at all, they keep away altogether. I have been assured that they are willing to exhibit a fair sample of the brands they 33 [Absemdlt generally send to market, if others are compelled to do the same, but not otherwise. I can only repeat here what I said on a for- mer occasion, that this is a subject in which the public feel uo little interest, it being important to them not to know how fine flour can be made, but who sends the best to market. It ought to be legitimately inferred, that he who can make the best, really does send the best to market, though it maybe that such is really not the case. All I am anxious for is to have this matter placed upon a proper footing. Of Dairy Productions the display was very respectable. There were numerous samples of cheese, some of very superior quality^ many that would pass for good any where, and a fevt decidedly bad. Why men will send such rank specimens to an exhibition of this kind passes my comprehension ; they must have wretched bad taste. The samples of butter were not quite equal to those of last year. The season had doubtless much to do with this. The display of vegetables was very mucli better than could have been anticipated; indeed, I doubt whether finer potatoes, cattle roots, beets, carrots, parsnips, salsify, tomatoes, onions, &c., have ever been seen. Most of these, however, were grown on low alluvial land, where the influence of the long continued drought was not much felt ; and such a drought, we have had nothing'^like it in twenty years; wells were dried up, springs ceased their bubbling, running brooks were nowhere to be seen, the fields changed their green robes for a Quaker drab, the forest trees dropped their foliage before the time of the " sear and yel- low leaf;" many fine specimens of shrubbery were killed, and all nature seemed to be dying under the influence of the withering drought. May we never see its like again. Under such circum- stances as these the peculiar value of low, alluvial lands makes itself apparent. But to proceed. In addition to the products named above, I must mention particularly some enormous heads of Cauliflower. These were raised at Cambridge, near Boston, and were the most beautiful I ever saw. The display of Cabbage was not large, but there were some flat Dutch and American Bergen of great size, and as solid as a stone. The show of Pump- kins and Squashes was remarkably fine. Some weiglied uut far No. 129.J 33 from 200 pounds ; but, notwithstanding their great size, the flesh was fine and tender, and made capital pies, as I have abundantly satisfied myself. Among other things, I must make mention of specimens of three varieties of Beets, curious, but very pretty, and of the most brilliant colors. They were presented by a lady of Westchester county, who grows them as ornamental plants. From what I saw, I should judge them to be rather fibrous than tap rooted plants ; but it seemed to me that the leaf stalks, if properly blanched, would make a tender and delicate table lux- ury. As the lady has kindly promised to send me some seed, I shall be able to satisfy myself in regard to this in the course of another year. There were several other varieties of vegetables, which, however, it is scarcely necessary to mention here particu- larly; but I must add a few words more in justice to exhibitors. After the judges have given their decisions, there always remains a large number of articles of much excellence, and some of them almost, if not quite as good as those which have received their appropriate award. For example : ' after the judges had selected the two best lots of potatoes, there remained some twenty odd samples unprovided for, at leat two-thirds of which were very excellent, with little or no dilference between them. It cannot, of course, be expected that all should receive premiums, and I only allude to the subject to let exhibitors know that all articles of excellence are duly appreciated, though all do not receive an award. Wliat is here said of potatoes will apply to a great many other things. The display oi fruit was really superb, and brought to re- membrance the grand show made during the sitting of the Pomo- logical Congress. It would have been considered a beautiful ex- hibition even in the most favorable season, but under the cir- cumstances could scarcely have been anticipated. Messrs. Mack- intosh, Hovey, Bailey, Colt, and other extensive exhibitors de- serve a large share of praise for the really beautiful display which they made. There were many very fine specimens of apples, and among them some seedlings of merit. The show of pears was , uncommonly good. More beautiful specimens of Duchesse d'An- goulcme, Seckel, White Doyenne, Bartlett, Bergamot, &c., have iiever been seen. The display of peaches was not as large as that Assembly No. 129.] 3 34 [ASEEMBLY of last year. The drought had ripened them prematurely, but, notwithstanding, we had some beautiful specimens, of large size and fine flavor, the best of which were seedlings. The display of quinces was unusually large and fine. The largest exhibitor was Mrs. Eliza Peck, of Southington, Conn., who deserves much praise for her enterprise and energy. Though her's were not the best specimen quinces, they were remarkably fine, and only sur- passed hj those from Croton Point. There were many other samples decidedly good ; indeed, I never before saw so many fine quinces on any occasion. The drought and the curculio made sad havoc with plums ; still we had a sample of seedlings of much excellence, and remarkably prolific. We had, singularly enough, quite a fine show of raspberries. The drought, and some genial rains early in the autumn, had the effect of causing the Antwerp raspberry, in some localities, to produce a second time quite abundantly. This may have been the ease with other varieties, but all that I saw were Antwerps. We had some fine samples from Mr. Jordan L. Mott, of Motthaven, Mrs. Woolsey, of Bed- ford, L. I., and others. Several plates of large and well-ripened Figs added considerably to the interest of our exhibition, and still more so, a large sample of well-matured and excellent Madeira Nuts, raised in New-York city by Mr. Tonnel6. Mr. Knowlton, of Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn, ripens not only these, but also Almonds, Prunes, and other novelties. V/hen it is well ascertained that these things can be matured with tolerable cer- tainty, their general introduction will add considerably to the interest of the fruit garden. The display of Foreign Grai^es, though remarkably good in regard to quality, was not as large as it should have been, but still quite as large as we usually have. There should have been more samples^ because more Foreign Grapes are now grown than ever before, particularly in the vici- nity of New-York; but their culture is generally expensive, and a silver medal is scarcely enough to bring them out for a four weeks' exhibition. This remark will hold good of many other things. The display of Jfalive Grapes, however, was large and real- ly beautiful. The stasou was favorable, and better Grape^, as re- spects both size and flavor, I never saw. The bunches and ber- ries wero uncommonly large, and the flavor superb. A seedling No. 129.] 35 of much excellence, resembling the Calawba, promises to be an acquisition. The Native Grape must be our chief dependence for general consumption, and it is gratifying to see a small vineyard springing up here and there, the beginnings of something more to come. The Grape, in my opinion, is one of the most profita- ble crops that can be raised near a large city, as it is one of the most certain, audit is a little surprising that more do not enter into its culture. I predict " a good time coming," however, when the Grape will be so extensively cultivated that every man, woman, and child will be able to eat of the vine, though they may not repose under a fig tree. Passing over things of less importance, I must allude briefly to a magnificent display of Model Fruit, prepared by Mr. Townend Glover of Fishkill Landing. In order to give some idea of its magnitude, I will mention that he exhibited 108 spe- cimens of Apples, 153 of Pears, 201 of Strawberries, 66 of In- sects, 15G of Cherries, and 217 of Plums, Nectarines, Apricots, &c. — in all 901 specimens. The above are only about h^ilf that he sent, there being no convenience for showing the remainder. These model specimens attracted a great deal of attention j and they were made with such inimitable truthfulness, that it was difficult to distinguish them from real fruit. A fruit-grower who visited the WorldV Fair, and who examined these specimens with a critical eye, informed me that he saw nothing there that equalled them. This is high praise, but well deserved. The great utility of such a collection of .truthful specimens will be readily understood by the merest tyros in fruit growing. Every horticultural society in the country should have a collection ; and I may add that Mr. Glover is now employed in making one for tlie Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and others. Let me here earnestly call the attention of the Institute to the pro- priety of possessing itself of such a collection. It needs ni ar- gument from me to prove its great value, for this must be well understood and appreciated by all. It does seem to me that a sum appropriated to this purpose will better subserve one of the Important objects for which the Institute was founded, than in any other way whatever. May I not hope, that at the least a committee will be appointed to inquire into its expediency? 36 [Assembly One of the most interesting features of the Horticultural De- partment still remains to be noticed. Nothing would be so much missed, nothing would detract so much from the general charac- ter of the Fair, as the absence of Flowers. Being, as they are, objects of universal admiration, they excite more interest, and attract a larger number of visitors, than any other one thing, not excepting even the Fruit. The Fruit and the Flowers may be said to constitute the chief center of attraction. So long as a good display of these interesting objects can be secured, so long will the Fairs of the American Institute retain their- interest in the public mind. On the present occasion we had not only a large, but a very^^beautiful display of Flowers ; much better, in- deed, than the season gave promise of. The much-needed rains in the fall insured us a fair representation of Dahlias and Roses, which constitute the chief objects of interest at this season of the year, though there are others of great beauty. Dahlias, at the opening of the Fair, showed the effects of the drought very plainly, being small and badly developed ; but this did not con- tinue long, for in a few days a decided improvement was clearly perceptible, both in size and form. I ought to state, however, that two or three stands were good from the beginning ; but the exhibitors, in l^these cases, had watered their plants freely with Croton; a labor of no small magnitude. Altogether, the display of Dahlias was a very beautiful affair. The show of roses was very large, and^ every way fine. Two of the exhibitors kept on their stands upward of 500 Roses, during the whole four weeks of the Fair, making a magnificent disj^lay of this lovely flower, for which they deserve much praise. There were other stands of smaller size, but still very pretty. The great beauty and grateful fragrance of the Rose, and the many associations connec- ted'with it, have made it the universal favorite among flowers, and there is no probability that another will ever usurp its place, so that in one particular it may be taken as the emblem of constan- cy. There was a grand display of Bouquets, very much the lar- gest and finest that I have yet seen. I ought to state, and I do it with much gratification, that Mrs. Smith of Sydney Place, Brooklyn, sent us upward of twenty Bouquets of much beauty, and containing many choice flowers. The most interesting fact is, that many of these Bouquets were arranged while she was No. 129.J 37 confined to her bed by illness. So much energy under such cir- cumstances, deserves more praise than mere words. Two large Bouquets of Natural Grasses, presented by Mrs. , of Will- iamsburgh, were arranged with much good taste, and made a unique and beautiful appearance. lu connection with Bouquets may be mentioned several Baskets of Flowers, one of which, of large size, and most tastefully arranged with the choicest flowers, presented, during the whole Fair, a 'most charming appearance. It gives me pleasure here to acknowledge the receipt, on the last day of the Fair, of a splendid basket of Flowers, most tastefully arranged by Mrs. Henderson^ of Middle Village, L. I. Here, too, may be mentioned several Pyramids, one of which, of great size, and in the temple form, was beautiful in design, and elaborate in finish. A great many other pretty things might be noticed, such as Passijloras, several blooms of Cereus triangularis, Salvias, kc, &c., ad infinitum ; but a mere allusion to them must suflSce. The special exhibition on Monday, Oct. 13, brought out a rare and beautiful display of dahlias, roses, bouquets and baskets. The dahlias and roses Avere remarkably fine, the number of exhibitors large, and the competition spirited and close. The bouquets and baskets were a new feature in the special exhibition, and one that should be continued. Besides adding immensely to the in- terest of the scene, an opportunity is presented for a display of taste which will never be seen at our general show, at least until we can afiford to be a little more liberal than we are at present. It would be absurd in the highest degree to expect it. The bouquets shown on this occasion were surprisingly beautiful, and elicited a degree of admiration that I have never seen called forth on any occasion before. The flowers were the rarest and choicest, the arrangement exquisite, and the form, without stiff- ness or formality, seemed every thing that could be desired. Of course all were not alike perfect ; I am now only speaking of the best. Among the baskets, one, which may be called a rock work basket, was pre-eminently beautiful. There were others, of smaller size, which were gems of their kind. As a whole, this special exhibition was much the most beautiful and interesting that we have yet had. t8 [Assembly In closing this brief description of flowers, I must return the thanks of the Institute to Messrs Thorburn, Hogg and others, for several large contributions of rare and beautiful flowers, which served very materially to increase the attractions of the Horti- cultural department. The liberality and public spirit of those gentlemen are well known, and need no comment from me. Miscellantous articles nejt claim a small share of attention. With two or three exceptions, I have not the remotest idea of enumerating these, farther than to state that their name is legion. Pickles and Preserves deserve to be specially noticed, not only because they were got up in beautiful style and made a fine show, but because of their intrinsic excellence. The Plums, Straw- berries, Raspberries, &c., were excellent, but the Peaches were superb. While among the sweet things, I will dispose of the Honey. A sam] le of wild honey may have been very good ; it had a rich smell, but was so wormy that the judges declined tasting it. The best honey was made from artificial food in one of Gilmore's patent aviaries. This aviary has been examined with much care by competent judges, and it is their opinion that it possesses important advantages, over any other now in use. It is constructed somewhat on socialist principles, being, in fact, a community of hives. The advantage of this is, that an indefinite number of swarms can work in one inclosiu'e without interfering with each other. Its mechanism cannot well bo understood without a model or a diagram, but I have had opportunities of satisfying myself that it possesses, practically, all the merits claimed for it. One of the advantages of the artificial food is, that being placed near at hand, there is a great saving of labor and time, and consequently, a corresponding increase in the quantity of honey made ; that is to say, the bees thus fed, will in a given time make more honey than by any other mode now known. The cost of the food is said to be trifling ; it is of differ- ent qualities, and so of course, is the honey, but the best is of fine flavor and very superior quality. In conclusion I will notice some Flower Pots, and a display of Rustic Work. The flower pots were something of a novelty, •without the usual hole for drainage, but having instead a false No. 129.] 39 bottom perforat-ed with small holes. It seems to me that these pots are well adapted for growing some kinds of plants, particu- larly iu rooms; but I shall refrain from giving an opinion in regard to their merits until I have had an opportunity of trying them. The Rustic Woik was a curious, but, on the whole, pretty display, embracing some articles of great utility, such as bracJiets, stands, chairs, &c., and others of no utility at all. The materials used were principally knots and gnarled branches, which were w^orked up into various forms, some pretty, some classic, some grotesque, and some quite repulsive. The labor bestowed on these articles was very considerable, and in many cases a great deal of ingenuity and taste was displayed, both in form and finish. Rustic work has so many attractive features, that it is greatly to be regretted that its expensiveness has hitherto pre- cluded its general introduction. I must here state that a small glass jar of " Kentish^s Prepared Guano" was exhibited, marked " For Competition." Now com- petition supposes comparison with something of a like kind, and in this case comparison based upon the results of a series of ex- periments covering no inconsiderable space of time, and embrac- ing a great variety of vegetable productions ; but it must be ap- parent to all that no such comparison could be instituted in the circumstances under which this Guano was exhibited. I make ^this statement to show that the subject was not overlooked. If the proprietor will furnish the Institute a suitable supply at the proper time, I will answer for it that it receives a fair trial with other fertilizers of a like kind. I have thus briefly attempted to give some general ideas of the character of the various objects exhibited in the Horticultural Department during the 2-lth Annual Fair, and I feel greatly re- lieved now that the task is done ; for though full of pleasant re- miniscences, the labor has not been light, with many other cares pressing upon me. I did what I could to make the Exhibition respectable, and I am not without my reward in the conscious- ness that I succeeded in some tolerable degree. To the exhibitors, more especially of fruits and flowers, belongs a large meed of 40 [Assembly praise, and I render it with peculiar gratification. And here, at this particular point, I would again urge upon the Institute the propriety, and even necessity, of taking another step forward. Comparisons are said to be odious ; some are so decidedly, and I do not mean to make them ; but I do take upon myself to say, emphatically, that in some particulars the premiums offered in this department are still of too low a grade, and altogether in- adequate, not only to the merits of the articles shown, but to the labor and loss sustained by the exhibitors themselves ; and I will add, that, comparatively, they are less than in any other depart- ment of the Institute. Let the importance of each, and its bear- ings upon the wants and necessities of mankind, be borne in mind, and then tell me if there are not some articles in the Hor- ticultural Department quite as deserving of a gold medal as a Daguerreotype. I repeat that the time has arrived when it be- hooves the Institute to take another step forward in the path of justice and liberality, and it can now afford to do so. Should I be connected with this department another year, it will become my duty to present to the Institute a premium list, so modified as to meet an existing necessity, and which, I entertain not a doubt, will receive its approval. I think this can be done so as to subserve the ends of justice without materially increasing our expenses. I had hoped, in presenting another Report, that I should have the pleasure of eoiigratulatiig the Institute en the incorporation of an Agricultural College, but the hope has proved a vain one. Some inquiry has convinced me that, for the present, the project must be laid aside, but not abandoned. I have examined most of the arguments urged against such an institution, but, to my apprehension, none of them are insuperable. I am still of opi- nion that an Agricultural College, properly planned, is a great desideratum, and I shall therefore do what I can to keep the sub- ject fresh in the public mind. I have heard a plan suggested? by which many of the advantages of an Agricultural College can be secured in a very desirable way ; but as the gentleman who has this project in hand will soon bring it before the Institute, I ^kall not forestall him. No. 129.] 41 There remains still another way in which the Institute can pro- mote the cause of Botanical Science, as well as some other sci- ences intimately connected with it : I mean by the establishment of a Botanical Garden, with the aid of the State, if it chooses to aid us ; without it, if it will not. During the last session of the Scientific Congress, this subject presented itself to my mind in a very forcible manner. Some topic, I now forget what, came be- fore this body of learned savans, in the elucidation of which was wanted precisely that kind of knowledge which a Botanical Garden is peculiarly fitted to afford. I thought then, and think now, that the establishment of such a garden should be made a leading object with the American Institute. I had intended to indicate some of the benefits to be derived from a Botanical Garden, and to mark out a plan for one ; but I have neither space nor time to spare to the subject at this moment, and must conse- quently defer it for a brief period. I hppe to be able to convince the members of the Institute, that it is both feasible .and desir- able. In conclusion, let me add once more my best wishes for the continued prosperity of the Institute, and the interests committed to its care. All of which is respectfully submitted, PITER B. MEAD, Chair, of Com. on Hort. REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON FARMS. Report of the Committee on the Farm of Elijah H. Kimball, at Flatlandsj L, L The Committee on farms, appointed by the Board of Agricul- ture of the American Institute, to examine the farms offered in ompetition for the »premium, "For the best cultivated Farm,** respectfully report, that Your Committee on the 6th of September, visited the farm of Elijah H Kimball, Esq., in the town of Flatlands, Kings county, Long Island, about 7^ miles from Fulton Ferry. This farm is bounded on the south-east by a creek or bog, north-east by a small fresh vrater creek running into the bog, and westerly by a broad aven«e, and contains about 100 acres of arable or plough land, not including a large tract of salt meadow covered with a rich crop of black grass. With the exception of the boundary fence, there are none on the farm. Mr. K. has adopted the soil- ing system, so common in England, it having many advantages on a farm like his. The cattle are kept in a yard, and fed from one quarter of the ground required to pasture them, if permitted to run at large in the field, to destroy more than they consume ; they will give more milk and keep in better order, especially ia hot weather, as they can resort to the sheds, and be protected from the scorching rays of the sun. There is another important item gained by yarding cattle — the saving of the manure. This alone is worth all the labor and expense of cutting and carrying the grass to the yard. The lawn in front and the yards in the rear of the house, con- tain about four acres; the former contains almost evety species 44 [Assembly of evergreen, and other trees, so arranged as to present a most agreeable variety at all seasons. There are about twelve acres devoted to the cultivation of fruit and vegetables. The fruits consist of strawberries, raspberries, currants, gooseberries, peaches, pears, quinces, and grapes. The peach orchard has about 260 trees, covering less than one acre, and was set out originally with a view to test their growth on that side of Long Island, and to raise sufficient, at least, for home consumption. Your Committee walked through this orchard with great pleasure, and found the trees in perfect health and vigor, with no symptoms of disease, no appearance of gum or blight, and most of them loaded with fruit ; and it is needless to add, we helped ourselves most bountifully to the delicious fruit. Mr. K. informed us that this orchard, this season, yielded 145 baskets of beautiful fruit, and that his experiment has been not only successful, but profitable. His treatment of the peach tree is as follows : every spring the earth is removed from the trunk of the tree two or three feet, and Moss Bunkers, or bony fish de- posited around them ; that simple process gives the trees abun- dance of food, keeps them in health, dispels the worm, and they yield good crops every year. Your Committee cannot recom- mend too highly this mode of treating the peacli tree, wlierevev this material can be procured. Mr. K. has gone extensively into the culture of the pear tree, of which he has more than a thousand grafted upon the quince stock, containing the I^est varieties, and all were imported from France. We examined about two hundred Virgalieu, or White Doyenne engrafted on the quince stock, which were set out about eighteen months previous to our visit, and upon a ni;ijority we found growing from four to twelve pears, all large, beautiful, and free from cracks, to which the Virgalieu has been subject for many years past. These trees are set out eight feet apart, in rows, and the rows are twenty feet distance from each other. The land between the rows is kept in good cultivation, and in addition to the pears, fine crops of strawberries, spinach, cabbage and toma- toes are raised ; the quince roots being sure to find their share of the benefit of the top dressing, which is principally intended for their neighbors. No. 129.] 45 He states that he planted the present year fifteen acres of po- tatoes, principally Mercer j the average yield was about 125- bushels to the acre ; the first potatoes were sent to market on the 20th June, and brought $2.25 per basket ; at that time they were not full grown, but the extra price more than compensated for the loss in size. From this time potatoes were sent to market almost daily until the bulk of the crop was sold. The entire crop averaged about one dollar per bushel. The early potatoe ground was cleared of the vines, weeds, and other rubbish and prepared for a second crop, and there is now growing on the same field the Rutabaga and Red top turnip, which are in a flour- ishing condition, and he estimates that the receipt of the second crop will pay all the expense of cultivating the first. We next visited his cornfield, containing about sixteen acres, and walked through it in various directions and found, on an average, about four stalks to the hill ; the ground was well cultivated— very clean and entirely free from weeds. The white flint corn was planted three feet and-a-half distant each way, and the yellow corn three feet; the ears were large and well filled. The corn was planted from the 5th to 20th May, manured in the hill with good barn yard manure and leached ashes mixed. We estimated the yield of the whole crop from fifty-five to sixty bushels the acre. Seven acres of this farm are devoted to the culture of sugar beets, carrots, parsnips and turnips for cattle, all of which took remarkably well and seemed not to have suffered much from the drought. The hay crop was very large. Kings county has long been celebrated for the superior excellence of its hay, and judg- ing from the appearance of the meadows, and the hay in the barns, we are confident that none could excel it in point of quan- tity and quality. Mr. K. estimates his entire crop will average two tons and-a-half to the acre. The crop of wheat was five acres, sowed upon ground from which a potatoe crop had been taken the last season, and manured thoroughly with a compost of barn-yard manure, decayed drift and leached ashes. The seed was the white Bergen wheat, en- tirely unmixed. The product was thirty-two bushels to the acre, 46 [Assembly and weighed over sixty pounds. At the time of sowing the wheat the ground was stocked with limothy, and in the spring clover was sown, both of which were in good condition. On the farm there are about 300 feet of hot beds, and Mr. K. stated that he sold annually lettuce and cucumbers to the amount of about $400. They furnish employment for the men during the winter months, and the same manure is used in the latter part of the summer for a crop of celery, of which he has about twenty thousand plants in a thrifty condition. Whilst we award to Mr. K. unqualified praise for his good husbandry, fine taste and economical arrangement, we feel bound to say that nature has done much for his farm. In the first place it is level, not a stone upon it, and has very little, if any, waste ground. The soil is a rich sandy loam, continually enriched by the decaying of oyster and clam shells upon it; from the locality, sea weed and drift is thrown directly upon it in great profusion, furnishing a large supply of material for manure, which, from appearances, is turned to the best account. For the convenience of farmers and others in this neighborhood a dock has been built at the extremity of the road, not more than one quarter of a mile from Mr. Kimball's farm, at which dock, sloops, schooners and smaller craft can at all times land their cargoes j all kinds of market stuff can at little expense be carried to the city of New- York, and articles of necessity, and particularly manure taken from the streets of IVew-York and elsewhere, can be brought back at a very cheap rate, thus affording a ready and ea,sy way of communication to and from the city by water. We cannot help alluding to another valuable appendage to this farm, although in its nature it partakes more of the maricul- tural, than of the agricultural. On the southeast boundary line, lies a beautiful oyster pond of about 20 acres, which is kept planted with those celebrated oysters, known in our market as the mill pond. Nature has made this pond almost perfect, it requiring only a very small dam in one or two places to make it complete. Two years ago Mr. JC planted 1200 bushels of ?mall oysters, which in addition to the previous stock, filled it, and now supplies his family, and furnishes a large quantity for market. No. 129.] 47 always finding ready poroliasers at good prices. The fresh water creek flowing into this pond, is found to be of great ad- vantage in fattening the oysters. Clams, crabs, and fish are found in abundance in the bay adjoining. In conclusion, your committetj report, that (aside from the great natural advantages this farm possesses,) the high state of cultivation to which it has been brought by judicious, practical, and scientific husbandry, entitles Elijah H. Kimball, Esq., to the first premium awarded by the American Institute, for the " best cultivated farm of one hundred acres." D. BANKS, JAMES DE PEYSTER, ALANSON NASH, Committee on farms. Jf€w-Yoris^ October 21, 1851. REPOKT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE FARM OF JAMES BATHGATE, FORDHAM, N. Y. The Committee of the American Institute, who were appoint- ed to view the farms for premiums, respectfully report, That they visited the farm of James Bathgate, of Fordham, Westchester county, on the 11th day of September last, upon his request. That this farm consists of one hundred and six acres, and is devoted mostly to the raising of stock and for dairy purposes. That this farm is situated in the northerly part of the town of Fordham, and where the Croton aqueduct is carried through the entire length of the farm from north to south. The dwelling house of Mr. Bathgate, is situated on a small hill or rise of ground, beautifully surrounded with trees of various kinds, all enclosed with fences, with the barns and out-houses so situated, that they stand on descending ground, freeing the dwel- ling house of all nuisances and annoyances from such a source. 48 [Assembly During the last winter, Mr. Bathgate and his son, kept and wintered on this farm 90 cows. The milk of these cows in sum- mer and winter is sold at the New-York market. No butter or cheese except what is used by Mr. Bathgate's family is made on this farm. The stock is graded and mixed from the Native, Durham, and Ayrshire races. Some of the milk from Mr. B's farm is sold as high as six cents a quart ; his stock are many of them large and extraordinary milkers, he sold one of his fine cows at the Fair of the American Institute, 1850, for $130. The present season Mr. B. keeps 60 milch cows, 5 horses, 1 pair of oxen, 4 heifers. The cows yield 400 quarts of milk a day, which is sold in New- York, averaging five cents a quart. Mr. B. states that he has sold fruit from his orchard on the farm to the amount of $600 the present season, and estimates that he will sell $500 worth of hay the coming winter. The manure which Mr. B. makes on his farm is about 500 cart loads, and is used for the growth of vegetables, and for top dress-, ings of his meadow lands. There is about fifty acres of meadow land on this farm, producing, as he states, 150 tons of hay a sea- son, an apple orchard of ten acres, and a peach orchard of six acres. Mr. B. first planted his peach orchard with early pota- toes, which are dug for the New-York market, and then raised turnips on the same, producing two crops a season. He estimates his turnip crop 1,000 bushels. The peach orchard contains 600 to 700 trees. At the time your committee visited the farm of Mr. B., the country was suffering from a long and severe drought, which gave the same a dry and unpropitious appearance ; that on passing over a large portion of this farm and seeing it, your committee were well pleased with the fertility and productive- ness of the same. Mr. B. and his son kindly pointed out the stock and showed some of their best milkers, which were a cross of the native Ayrshire and Durham races. One extraordinary cow which they showed was a cross from the recent Dutch im- ported stock and the native. Indeed, as far as your committee have been able to judge, they have come to the conclusion that foreign stock, when crossed on the native cow, produces an off- spring far superior for milk and fattening, to eitlier of the ori- ginals. No. 129.] 49 We found the farm of Mr. B. well fenced with stone wall ; the same was divided into lots and fields. The stone had been taken out of the lots and used for fencing, which is at once economical and permanent. Mr. B. senior is a gentleman 84 years of age, and of Scotch birth. He came to the United States when young ; is now in good health and full of activity ; has been on the farm which he now owns some twenty years. He formerly was extensively engaged in raising blood horses, some of which he sold at very high prices, but such was its precarious returns that he has abandoned it for the milk business. He and his family entertained your committee with kindness and hospitality, and they found Mr. B.'s residence to be a home for his guests. Your committee would report that he is entitled to the second premium awarded by the American Institute on farms of 100 acres. All of which is respectfully submitted. ALANSON NASH, DAVID BANKS, JAMES DEPEYSTER, Committee on Farms. J^ew-York, Oct. 2btk, 1851." KEPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FLOWER GARDENS. The committee of judges appointed to examine Flower Gar- dens entered for competition, in connection with the Twenty- fourth Annual Fair of the American Institute, report that three entries were made. The first was a meagre affair, and unworthy of further notice. The second was a garden of some magnitude, and well stocked with choice plants; but as a considerable number of these plants belonged to the chairman of your com- mittee, it was deemed unwise to admit it into competition. Your committee will add, for the sake of justice, that this garden would [Assembly, No. 129.] ' 4 50 [Assembly not be entitled to the first premium, even if it had been admitted, for, notwithstanding it contains many choice plants, it has not been laid out with a view to permanency, and hence with little reference to taste, though the plants are cultivated with much care. The third was that of Edw^in G. Stevens, Esq., of Castle Point, Hoboken, for whom Mr. Wm. Cranstown is gardner. This is a really magnificent place, surrounded with beautiful shade trees, and adorned with fine Italian statuary. The garden proper is in the form of an amphitheatre, stocked with the choicest shrubbery and flowering plants. A variety of beautiful figures are cut in the green sward, and the grass kept close shorn, and the edges well trimmed ; the Avalks are kept well rolled, and entirely free from weeds. The whole garden is a model of taste, neatness and order. When viewed from the terrace, the effect is charming indeed. In connection with the garden is a range of green and hot houses, and perhaps the rinest Grapery in the country. The whole grounds are alike creditable to the taste and munifi- cence of Mr. Stevens, and the skill and ability of his gardner. Your committee take great pleasure in stating their opinion,- that the large Cup is well merited by Mr. Wm. Cranstown, gar- dener to Mr. Stevens and they so award it. The second premium is awarded to Mr. S. Knowlton, of Clin- ton Avenue, Brooklyn, for a well cultivated garden of choice plants. Mr. Knowlton is an amateur, who occupies a part of his leisure in cultivating his garden, which is kept in remarka- ble neat order ; and though the arrangement of his beds is very •simple and unpretending, his plants are choice and well grown. It should be mentioned, also, that he has a collection of very choice fruit, all grown by himself from the graft and bud, among others, Almonds, Madeira nuts and Prunes, which ripen well without protection. Mr. K's garden, was, in fact, entered last year, but owing to the lateness of the season, and other causes, it was deemed advisable to let it lie over till the present. All of which is respectfully submitted. PETER B. MEAD, JAMES A. DEPEYSTER, H. MEIGS, Commiitee. Vo. 129.] 61 REPORT OF THE JUDGES ON. TESTING PLOUGHS. The undersigned judges on testing of ploughs at White Plains on the 7th inst., under directions of the Board of Agriculture of the American Institute, report that we award the following pre- miums on ploughs : B. Myer, STewark, N. J., plough No. 9i, furrow 16 inches wide and 8 inches deep. First premium. John Moore, N. Y., plough No. 21, furrow 16 inches wide and 8 inches deep. Second premium. John Moore, N. Y, plough No. 19|, furrow 12 inches wide and 6 inches deep. First premium. John Moore, N. Y., plough No. 19, furrow 12 inches wide and 6 inches deep. Second premium. We also recommend a special premium or diploma to Messrs- Minor, Horton & Co., for their clipper plough, being well adapted for clay soil and deep ploughing. We also recommend a special premium or diploma to Messri. Eddy & Co., of Union Village, Washington county, for their iron plough, being a superior plough for rough land. The great importance of deep ploughing requires a suggestion, that in future premiums on ploughs, no premium be awarded foir less depth than eight or seven inches ploughing. RALPH HALL, THOS. BELL, NICHOLAS WYCKOFF, JYew-York, October^ 1851. Judges, REPORT OF THE JUDGES ON FINE WOOL SHEEP. Your committee would favorably notice the very fine Merino stock imported by A. S. Bingham, Esq.,ofMiddlebury, Vermont, and Isaac N. DeForest, of Dover, Dutchess county, to whose suc- cessful enterprise the sheep raisers of our country are indebted 52 [Assembly for such valuable means of improving their stock. We would call upon Americans generally to patronise domestic industry in the encourage m'ent of manufactures of fine cloth, and as we have evidence that the finest of wools can be raised here, and manu- factured into the best of materials, is it not just that we, as Ame- ricans, should wear them to the exclusion of foreign articles ? Your committee in dischargiijg their duty cannot fail to ex- press the very high gratification they have experienced at the excellence of the stock exhibited, and flatter themselves, that ere long, both sheep raisers and manufacturers of fine cloth, will alike meet their just awards from the hands of their fellow citizens. OBH. ELLIOT. CHAS. A. HULL. JOHN HAROLD. mw-York^ October 16, 1851. REPORT ON DR. BLiVKE'S LESSONS IN MODERN FARMING OR ArxRlCULTURE FOR SCHOOLS. The committee to whom was referred the book entitled " Les- sons in Modern Farming ; or Agriculture for Schools ; contain- ing scientific exercises for recitation, &c., &c. By Rev. John L. Blake, D. D., New-York. Mark H. Newman & Co. 1851." Respectfully report : That this work is happily a series of quotations (for the most part) from the j^est writers and speakers of modern times on Ag- ricultural chemistry. Education, by Judge Euel. Implements, Agriculture, &c., by Edward Everett, James Tufts, Henry Cole- man. Agriculture of Maryland, by Willoughby Newton. Agri- culture of France, Europe, civilization. Tlie American Farm- er, by Josiah Qiiincy, Jr. Mrs. Hemans. Moral Dignity of American Labor, by Rev. Dr. Tyng, Braynard, Holmes. Ver- planck on the American Schoolmaster. On Animal and vegeta- ble food. Bryant. Approved modes of Tillage. Animal Physi- ology. Animal Manures. Trees, by Howitt. Agriculture, by No. 129.] 'S3 Mac Neven. Birds, by Washington Irving, Wilkie. Change of Material Substances, by Dr. Alexander H. Stevens. Chemical Analysis, Mrs. Sigourney. Goldsmith on Decomposition. On Agriculture, E. H. Derby, Longfellow, D. A. Ogden, Rev. E. H. Winslow, Lewis F. Allen, Professor Mapes, Charles'^ Sprague, Professor Norton, A. H. H. Stuart, Secretary of the Interior, Wolcott, Eliza Cook, Alden Bradford, Professor Sanborn, Isaac Hill. History of the Horse, Professor Emmons, Miss Brewer, Marshall P. Wilder, &c., &c. The author has combined a very large amount of the best ma- terials for giving to young readers — aye, to old ones too, the just appreciation of the noblest work of man, the cultivation of the earth. Instead of a system claimed as usual by authors as ori- ginal, this book is as much better than an ordinary one man book, as the many distinguished authors collated here, are more val* liable than any one of them alone. We have no hesitation in saying that it is a book worthy the making by any intelligent and honest man — and is worthy of pe- rusal by all men, as well old as young. HENRY MEIGS, A. NASH, Commit tee. American Institute^ July 3, 1851. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON |COMMERCE ON BART- LETT'S COMMERCIAL AND BANKING TABLES.; The Committee on Commerce of the American Institute, to whom was referred the work of R. M. Bartlett, entitled " Com- mercial and Banking Tables, &c.," respectfully report : That your committee regard the work of Mr. Bartlett as one of uncommon extent and excellence. For practical purposes, it is entitled to the highest consideration. Its comprehensiveness, its scrupulous accuracy, its simplicity of method, and its beau- tiful appearance have excited our surprise and admiration. Its 54 I Assembly distinguishing merits consist in the introduction of some highly- valuable features in its tables. The combination of time and interest affords the greatest possible rapidity in their application. Thus, the interest account current, time, and averaging tables, present, at a glance, the number of days that intervene between the day of settlement, and the day each item of an account be- comes due, both backward and forward, together with the inte- rest or discount upon the same. By the adoption of the decimal system, it is alike applicable to any currency of any country. The answer is always given in units, tens, hundreds, or thousands, whether the question is in federal currency or sterling, or francs, or marks. This admira- ble generalization prepares it to serve as a standard for mercan- tile calculations, and an excellent medium through which to secure that extremely desirable object — a uniform and harmo- nious system of rendering accounts throughout the world. Your committee have examined this work in comparison with a great variety of other tables, all of which are useful, but chief- ly for one or more purposes. The tables of Mr. Bartlett embrace everything of importance to be found in others, and much that is valuable not to be found in any work within their knowledge, whilst they surpass all in utility. No brief report like the present can give an adequate idea of the value or contents of this work. We have no hesitation in saying that every person whose duties require facility, accuracy, and dispatch, will find it an admirable resource; and to the banker, the accountant, and the merchant, we cordially recom- mend its adoption ; as by that means a uniform system of render- ing accounts would at once be secured. It is an original work of the highest order, worthy of full con- fidence, and entitled to general patronage. FREEMAN HUNT, GEORGE DICKEY, JOSEPH TORREY, LUni R B. WYMAIC. Comntittee on Commerce. Xmo-York, Sept. 4, 18&L Ko. 129.] 55 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ARTS AND SCIENCES ON J. K. FISHER'S STEAM CARRIAGE. Your committee, to whom was referred the consideration of Mr. J. K. Fisher's improvements for plank road steam carriage, beg leave to report as follows : / The carriage, as a whole, presented by Mr. Fisher, embodies a number of new and important improvements, both as regards the application of steam and its general arrangement. Mr. F. has introduced a new method for working steam expansively in the peculiar arrangement of gearing for the same, operated by means of levers connected to the cross head of another engine ; and in this case where two engines are used, we think highly successful and effective ; the arrangement for cutting off" the steam at differ - ent parts of the stroke, in connection with other movements of the valve, is equally effective with its main movement. The combination of the radius and parallel rods to afford steadiness to the machine even at high velocities, is certainly a very great improvement, particularly if the machinery and carriage are sus- tained on springs similar to the arrangement presented in the model ; by this arrangement it should be observed that all the weight of the hitherto heavy framing is suspended, thereby giving greater capacity for carrying additional weight or passengers. The whole of the machinery in this plan is under the control and direction of one person, including the tiller for steering the car- riage, thereby placing the whole under the guidance and obser- vation of the person in charge. We consider the model presented by Mr. Fisher for the above purpose, capable, by some slight modifications, of affording a very superior plan for steam carriage on a good level road. JAMES RENWICK, HENRY R. DUNHAM, H. MEIGS, ConrniiUee on Arts and 8 deuces, J' York, Sept. i, 1851. 56 [Assembly REPORT ON THE AMERICAN SCHOOL OF MINES, Proposed to be established under the auspices of the American Insti- tute of JVew-York. Dr. C. T. Jackson, Director. From the rapid career in which our republic has attained its present elevated rank in the scale of nations ; the unbounded re- sources in agricultural and mineral wealth which lie dormant in its vast domain ; the increasing demand for active young men, ef- ficiently educated and capable of developing those resources by means of an enlightened knowledge of agriculture — by the dis- covery and successful working of quarries and mines — and by the construction or opening of suitable thoroughfares for advantage- ously conveying their products to a ready and profitable marketj and, above all, from the unsurpassed growth, prospective in- crease, and accessibility of this great emporium, the American Institute has been sensibly impressed with the importance of es- tablishing a " School of Mines," in which can be taught the arts of practical and scientific agriculture, mining and civil engineer- ing, where the sons of farmers, merchants, manufacturers, and others may be properly educated and fitted for a calling respecta- ble and useful to themselves and an honor to their country. Actuated by these patriotic motives, as well as by the desire to encour^ige every effort that will tend to promote the true inte- rests of our common country, the Institute cordially approves of the plan contemplated by Dr. Charles T. Jackson of establishing a School of Mines at the city of New-York, and confidently re- commends this laudable enterprise as highly worthy of the con- sideration and patronage of the public. Dr. Jackson proposes to commence such a school as soon as prac- ticable, with two courses of popular lectures, one on Geology, Mi- neralogy, Metallurgy and Mining, and the other on the Principles of Chemistry, to be given on alternate evenings ; and also with the opening of a laboratory in connection with a lecture room, in which it is proposed to give specific instructions, at stated periods in the day time, in the various branches appertaining to Agricul- ture, Geology, Mineralogy, Jlnalytical and Applied Chemistry, Mi- nings Civil Engineering and Mautical Astronomy, together with the No. 129.] 57 use and application of the requisite instruments necessary to be employed in the practice of the sciences named above. The undersigned take pleasure in stating that Dr. Jackson is in possession of an extensive laboratory, complete in all its parts, in apparatus and books, and a splendid collection of minerals, metallic ores, rocks, and organic remains from the most interest- ing and important localities in the United States, as well as from other parts of the globe, which will be used as far as may be necessary to illustrate the several branches it is proposed to teach. He is favorably and widely known for high attainments and the distinction which has been conferred on him both at home and abroad for the useful and scientific discoveries he has made. He has also been actively employed for many yearsin ma- king geological surveys of several states of the Union, as well as Mineralogical surveys of our public lands. And, as a practical miner, or as an agricultural and analytical chemist, he is enti- tled to confidence, and may be safely consulted as occasion may require. GEORGE BACON, H. MEIGS, F. S. KINNEY, LIV. LIVINGSTON, Com. of the Am. Institute* JN'ew-York, J^ovember Sth^ 1851. HON. CLARKSON CROLIUS, SEN., Late Vice President of the American Institute. It is not our intention to prepare a lengthened or very minutely detailed biography of Colonel Crolius. The services which he rendered in endeavors to promote the industrial interests of our country, his determined and long continued efforts in support of our manufacturing interests, as the true policy of our government the earnestness with which he devoted his time in efforts to bring out the latent talents of our artisans, his services with others in founding the American Institute, and his active and honorable 58 [Assembly membership, which was continued to the close of his life, require at our hands at least the tribute of a passing notice. Col. Crolius was a native of the city of New-York, descended from German ancestors, who settled here one hundred and fifty years since. His grandfather established the first stone- ware manufactory in the United States, and his descendants have con- tinued the business, with much credit, to the present time. During our Revolutionary war, the father of Col. Crolius, a deci- ded whig, was compelled to leave the city after the defeat of the American troops on Long Island, when Sir William Howe took possession of the city of New- York. His property fell into the hands of the British, and did not come into possession of the family again until the peace of 1783. The two elder brothers of Col. Crolius took part in the Revolutionary war ; one in the commissary department, the other as a volunteer, was in the bat- tles of Brooklyn, White Plains, and Monmouth. On the day of the last battle he attached himself to the company of his friend. Captain John Van Dyke, in Colonel Lamb's regiment of artillery, which regiment bore its full share of the brunt of the battle. This was John Crolius, who died a few years since, having reached the age of eighty years. It will readily be perceived that our friend Colonel Crolius, born of whig parents and nurtured amidst the trying scenes of the Revolution, could not be otherwise than deeply imbued with the principles of Republicanism. He commenced his career in political life at the time our country became divided between federalism and democracy. Although some portion of his family adhered to the views of the former, he early avowed his predilections for the latter, which he supported with great energy and devotion. He was elected a member of the common council from the sixth ward, in which he was born, about the commence- ment of the present century, and at the time of his demise wa8 the oldest ex-member of our city commonalty. In 1803 he offi- ciated at the laying of the corner stone of the City Hall in the Park, then called the Fields, and was the last surviving member of the common council that performed that ceremony; he was a Mo. 129.] 59 strenuous advocate for the erection of the edifice. Col. Crolius / remained in the common council several years, and was an effi- cient member in the advocacy of all measures tending to benefit the city. At the commencement of the war of 1812 he was major in one of our militia regiments, known as " the Adjutant Grneral's Regiment," that oflElcer officiating as its colonel. Col. Crolius resigned his commission in the militia and received an appoint- ment to the same rank in the regular service, was ordered on duty at Governor's Island, in the harbor of New- York. During the absence of Colonel House he had command at that post, as well as the stations at Bath and Sandy Hook. At the close of the war he resumed his regular business. In 1811, May 13th, as General Sachem of Tammany Society, he laid the corner stone of Tammany Hall, that celebrated building which has figured largely in the political history of the times. Colonel Crolius was early and favorably known as a champion in the ranks of his party ; springing from a working ancestry he was with the people as well as one of the people. His party advanced him to a seat in the Legislature, where he most faith- fully applied himself in promoting the general welfare. He was for ten years a member of that body from the city of New- York. Colonel Crolius was opposed to the canal scheme, under an honest belief that the State was not at that time in a condition to sustain the expense and debt of its construction ; but when it was decided on, he was among the first to meet its advocates in voting the necessary means to continue and complete the gigantic under- taking, and no one greeted its completion more cordially than himself. In 1825 Colonel Crolius, who was a favorite with the country members, was requested by a committee at the opening of the session to run for the speakership of the Assembly, which he at first declined, but, being repeatedly urged, he consented and received the unanimous vote of the House — an occurrence unpre- cedented in that body. As presiding officer, his impartiality gave great satisfaction to the members. From that peried he mani- fested a desire to retire from active politioal life. 60 [Assembly In 1828, he engaged with zeal in the formation of the Ameri- can Institute, and was placed at the head of its Executive com- mittee. In 1829, he was one of the committee appointed to pro- cure its charter. In 1830, he was elected one of its Vice Presi- dents, which post he held by annual re-election for a period of seven years, when he resigned, but continued an active member of the Institute. There was no member more prompt in his at- tention to the duties devolving on him, than Colonel Crolius. As an evidence of the estimation in which he was held by its members, on his resigning the Vice Presidency in 1837, we copy the following resolutions which were unanimously adopted: " Resolved, That the thanks of the American Institute be ten- dered to Col. Clarkson Crolius, for his faithful discharge of the duties of Vice President for many years, and for his uniform, in- defatigable, and able support of the protective system as well at the meetings of the Institute, as in the halls of the Legislature in the early periods of that controversy." " Resolved, Thfit it is due from .the members of this Institute, that a permanent record be made of their estimate of the char- acter and services of Col. Crolius, and that these resolutions be inserted on the minutes of the proceedings of the Institute, for a permanent memorial of the estimation in which he was held, and the gratitude which is entertained towards him by all his co-laborers of the Institute.^' It is not an every day occurrence that we are called upon to note the departure of a friend or an acquaintance, full in the measure of years allotted to man, of whom we can truly say, " his long life has been devoted, with a singleness of purpose, to the prin- ciples he professed." Such, we believe, is strictly true in rela- tion to the gentleman of wnom we are speaking. We have been associated with Col. Crolius in the labors of the American Institute, from its formation until his demise It is undoubtedly true that his inflexible adherence to principles con- No. 12^.] 61 stituted a prominent trait in his character, and his indefatigable efforts in promoting the objects of the Institution, merited, as they received, the approbation of all its members. Clarkson Crolius, sen., was born in the city of New- York, October 5th, 1773 ; was married to Elizabeth Meyer, October 8th, 1793 J died October 3d, 1843. His respected consort sur- vives to this day in the enjoyment of comfortable health. A. C. DONATION OF BOOKS FROM ALEXANDER VATTEMARE, ESQ. Paris, June 24, 1851. To A. Chandler, Corresponding Secretary American Institute : Dear Sir — I have forwarded to you, care of E. Irving, Esq., the books and pamphlets contained in the enclosed list, presented to the American Institute in the name of the distinguished scientfic gentlemen. Professor Becquerel, Dr. Herpin and Mr. Audot, as a token of their respect for the Society and their hope of seeing uninterrupted scientific intercourse well established between the American Institute and the societies to which they belong, viz : the Central and National Agricultural and Horticultural Societies. With great respect, yours, &c. ALEXANDER VATTEMARE. CATALOGUE OF BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS, Received by the American Institute from Mexander Vattemare^E$q.y Paris, June 24, 1851. [Translated by Henry Meigs.] History and culture of the Pansy, (Pensee,) the Violet, Auricu- la and Bear's Ear, with plates, by Ragonet Godefroy. Duo- decimo. History of the Rose, its culture, its poetry, with plates. Duo- decimo. Ry Loiseleur Deslongcharaps. 421 pages. Manual for the cultivation of Dahlias. Duod'o. By A. Le- grand. 2d edition, revised and corrected, by Pepin, Chief gardener of the Jardin des Plants, Paris. Pages 155. Plates. Of the genera of Camellia, Rhododendron, Azalia, Acacia, Epa- oris. Erica, and of plants of the cold conseivatory, in gene- ral, their history and culture. By Mr. Ch. Lemaire, aided by Mr. Paillet. Paris. Duod'o, pages 174. No. 129.] 63 The Fuchsia, its history and culture, with a monograph (brief memoir,) containing a description of 520 species and varie- ties. Pages 88. Duod'o. Paris. By Mr. Felix Porcher. 2d edition. Inorganic Manures in general, and of Marine Salt (chlorure of sodium) in particular. By M. Becquerel. Paris. Duod'o. pages 262. Grease in Wines. By J. Ch. Herpin. Pamphlet, pages 40. Paris. Duod'o. Researches on means of destroying the Alucita, (a species of moth,) an enemy of grain. Pamphlet. Duod'o. Paris. Pages 30. By Herpin, of Metz. Instructions for the use of Proprietors of Vineyards. Paris. Pamphlet. Duodo. pages 12. By Herpin. Means of destroying the Pyrale, (a worm) in the grape vine. Paris. Pamphlet, pages 8. By Herpin. Agricultural considerations on the importation of foreign stock into France. Pamphlet, Octavo, pages 20. By Herpin. A collection of memoirs relative to the uses of Salt in Agricul- ture. Octavo. Pages 112. Paris. Central National Society. A Memoir on the amelioration of the Sologne, (a large unhealthy swamp on the river Loire.) By Becquerel. Octavo. Pages 24. Paris. Experimental Researches as to the action of Salt on vegetation, and the uses of it in agriculture. By Becquerel. Octavo. Pages 35. Paris. Memoir on the Electro-Chemical application of the Oxides of Metals, and of metals upon metals. By Becquerel. Octavo, pages 24. Paris. Pamphlet. Experiments on the Development of Electricity by Pressure, and the laws of such development. By Becquerel. Pamph- lets. Number 4. Pages 170. Duplicates of the 3d No. Paris. Economical researches on wheat bran and others. By Herpin. Pamphlet, duodecimo, pages 36. Paris. Central and National Society. A memoir on the European Dod- der. Premium, the gold medal. Pamphlet octavo, pages 23, Paris, by Herpin. &4 I Assembly Central and National Society. Memoirs on the destruction of the moth and wevil. Premium, the gold medal of 1850. By Herpin ; octavo pamphlet, pages 12. Paris. Notice of Malt Meter. By Herpin. Pamphlet, pages 32 ; octavo. Versailles. Essay on the turning of wine (souring.) Pamphlet, octavo, pages 20. By Herpin, Paris. New Filtering Fountain for domestic use. Herpin. Pamphlet, duod'o, pages 7. Paris. Description of a new Alembic for the use of apothecaries and liquor dealers. By Herpin. Pamphlet, duod'o, pages 23. Paris. Memoir on the quantities of salt (chlorure of sodium,) contained in the plants of salt earth and earth not salted, &c. By Becquerel. Pamphlet, octavo, pages 16. Paris. The Amelioration of the Sologne. Reports presented to the general council of Loire, 1850. Becquerel and others, octa- vo, pages 62. Paris. Memoir on various insects injurious to wheat, rye, barley and clover, &c. Pages 50. Six very valuable plates. Paris. by Herpin. Electricity. By Becquerel. Pamphlet, octavo. Extracts from the Encyclopedia of the 19th century, in 32 large octavos. Paris. By Becquerel. Institute of France. Memoirs on Electricity. By Becquerel. Quarto, ten numbers. Notice of a bed of lignite (a sort of wood coal,) containing amber and crystals of a substance analogous to mellite, (a yellow colour, called so from the honey stone.) By Becquerel. Quarto, pamphlet, pages 8. Funeral Discourse by Becquerel, on the late Lieutenant General of Engineers, Vicomte Rogniat. Quarto, pamphlet, pages 7. Paris. On the decomposition of the neutral salts in the bases of potash and soda, Becquerel. Quarto, pages 4. Pamphlet. Paris. On the uses of plaster and charcoal dust for disinfection of fecal matters. Herpin. Paris. Pamphlet, pages 15. Paris. No. 12^.] €5 Reports to the Society for the encouragement of national indus- try on bleaching linen. Herpin. Quarto, pamphlet, pages 31. Paris. Two plates of apparatus. Notes on the varieties of form of carbonate of lime in the chalk deposits of Clameey. By Becquerel. Quarto pamphlet, pages 8. One plate of crystals. Paris. Eeport to the Royal Academy of Sciences on the memoir of Mr. J. Payer. On the tendency of the stems of plants towards light. Quarto pamphlet, pages 3. On the disengagement of he&t by friction. New researches, by Becquerel. Pamphlet^ quarto, pages 18. Paris. A. Legrand's manual of the Dahlia cultivator. 2d edition with plates. General considerations ou tlae electric condition of bodies by tlae action of lieat. Terrestrial electric currents. On the eleetro-cliemieal circuits in liquids only. On the precipitation of metals by other metals. On the application of electro-chemistry to the study of the phe- nomena of the decomposition and re-composition of terres- trial bodies. On the application of the Physieo-Cliemical sciences to the study of natural history, to the arts, and to industry. New application of Eieetro-Chemistry to the decomposition of mineral substances. Heport on the treatment of ores of copper. On the re-production of the precious metals of Mexico, considered ia its relations to geology, metallurgy, and political economy. Memoir on the ^colors of metak. [Assembly No- 129.] 66 [As^SEMBLT NOTICE OF ARTICLES AT THE 24th ANNUAL FAIR 185L AGRICULTURAL. Improved Corn and Cob Cracker. This is an improvement on Real and Hale's patent, for crack- ing corn and cob together for purposes of fodder. It came in at our last exhibition too late for examination and premium. The machine, however, was put in operation, and as far as we had an opportunity of examining it, did its work satisfactorily. The importance of a machine of this kind, and the very frequent in- quiries made at the Institute for one, warrants us in making a brief notice of this. We think it possesses superior merit to othei; machines we have seen, intended for the same use y it may be applied to other purposes, such as cracking drugs, hemlock bark for tanning, and various other substances. 0. Nichols, & Co., Lowell, Mass , are the proprietors, A. C. C/tuims. The attention of many ingenious men has of late years been directed to the invention of some method by which the labor of churning might be materially lessened. The products of in- genuity, thus directed, have been numerous, and the success va- ried. We have witnessed the operation of several churns within the last few years, whicli produced butter in the space of from four to seven minutes. There, seems, however, to be a very general doubt expressed, whether butter, churned in so short a space of time, possesses as much sweetness as when more time is consumed in the process of churning; and also whether it does not sooner deteriorate. These are important considerations, and a solution of them is of consequence to dairymen, as well as to the consumers of butter generally. Mr. J. B. Tillinghast presented, for the first time, at our late Fair, a churn of novel constiuction, denominated by him ' the Premium Churn,' which possesses some good qualities. It may be constructed of wood, or Rockingham ware, which is better,. oS No. 129.] 67 any desired capacity ; on tlie inner side of which there are placed at intervals, angular flanges, or projections of about two inches wide, running in an angular direction from top to bottom, or nearly so. The cover of the churn is in two parts and close- ly adjusted to its top, on which is permanently fixed an iron frame of light construction, for sustaining the driving wheel and dasher shaft, on the top of the shaft is a bevelled multiplying wheel which is put in motion by the driving wheel. The dasher shaft passes near to the bottom of the churn, from which, cross arms, to any desired number are attached, extending horizontally so as nearly to meet the flanges on the side. The driving wheel being put in motion by the hand with a crank, communicates very rapid motion to the dasher shaft, and thus butter is pro- duced in about six and a half minutes; then with a slow revers- ed motion of the dasher shaft, the butter is very soon collected in a mass. Ry removing one-half of the top, the whole appara- tus is easily dismantled, and it occurred to us that it presented facilities favorable to cleansing and purification, which is all im- portant in good butter making. This machine obtained the sil- ver medal of the Institute. To our mind, were we engaged in practical agriculture, we should consider Si;j:pson's Pendulum Machine a valuable ac- quisition to our stock of tools. This may be applied in operat- ing all kinds of churns, patent as well ^^ the old daslier, in any required space of time. We have just been informed of the result of a test, made in a neighbouring city, where nine different churns, one being the com- mon churn, were put in operation at the same time, with milk at 62° F; Tillinghast's was not of the number; and it ig reported that butter was made in each of them in about the same space of time, say six to eight minutes. A. C. FLAX AND HEMP BREAKING AND DRESSING MACHINE. Mr. S. 0. Clemens, Springfield, Mass., exhibited at the Twenty- fourth Annual Fair a machine of novel construction for the above purposes. This machine was in operation during the fair, and performed its work much to the satisfaction of those who exam- 68 [Assembly ined it. It is very portable, occupying a space of about 3 by 9 feet and 3 feet in height. The proprietor claims, that with the application of one horse power, it can be driven with a rapidity requiring two hands to supply the material and one t» take it away as dressed. We judge, from witnessing its operation, that it subjects the material to smaller loss than other methods, and does its work with greater rapidity without injury to the fibre. It merits the attention of those interested. A. C. CATLING'S GRAIN DRILL. It is claimed for the machine, of which the above cut is a good representation, that it embraces economy and efficiency in accom- plishing what has been aimed at by many inventors in this depart- ment of agriculture for several years past. It consists of six seed boxes placed on a frame and secured to the axle of the wheels, upon which the machine is moved. In the bottom of each of t! ese boxes, which are of an inverted pyramidal form, there is placed a revolving endless screw, auger shaped, which regulates tlie quantity of seed to be dropped, and it may be varied from half a bushel to three bushels per acre. These No. 129.] 69 augers receive their motion from gearing attached to the axle, which revolves with the wheels when the machine is in full operation, but the whole is readily thrown out of gear, in wliich case the wheels revolve on the axle and the dropping of seed is suspended. The seed, thus delivered by the augers, passes into leather tubes extending below into six hollow coulters, through which it is deposited at the bottom of the drills The augers pass the regular quantity of seed into the coulters without injury and with precision. The construction is such that the coulters may be arranged at any required distance from each other, and being placed in two rows of three each, the rear row being oppo- site the spaces in the front row ; thus the liability of the machine to collect stubble is avoided. The coulters are secured to the levers by means of wooden pins which break in case of coming suddenly in contact with obstacles, and the wooden pins can be replaced on the spot in a few minutes, without injury to the machine. One or all the coulters may be raised out of the ground at pleasure to avoid obstacles, or in turning at the end of the rows, and when thus suspended the planting is stopped. The machine received Ike gold medal of the Institute at its twenty- fourth Annual Fair. A. C. REUBEN DANIELS' SELF SIIAHPENING STRAW AND STALK CUTTEK. This machine is designed for cutting straw, hay, stalks, roots and brush for fuel, into any lengths below four inches. It consists of a series of knives placed on a revolving cylinder and adjusted to a stationary knife attached to the end of the feeding box ; the feed is carried forward by means of a tcolhed rol.er whic]i 1 Its so ss to accommodate the space to the size of the material to be pressed forward to meet the cutters on the revolving cylinder ; the self sharpening process is thus managed, the knives on the cylinder are pressed forward by means of set screws so es slightly to n:eet the stationary knife, the edges of which being touched with oil and fine emery, the cylinder is put in operation with a reversed mo- tion until they wear themselves sharp and easy. In large tstab- lishmtnts where immense quantities are required it occurs to us that this machine would be very effective. A. C. 70 [Assembly SMUT AND SCOURING MACHINE. tisv;d()rA»i""^« Messrs. F. Harris & Sons, Elizabethtown, N. J., exhibited an improved machine for this purpose, which met the unqualified approbation of tlie judges. The machine may be sharpened "with facility as often as required, has stones for scourers, the shape and dress of which are changed so as to increase the sur- face on the periphery for scouring and beating the grain ; the case is made of wire work instead of sheet iron, leaving greater space for throwing off' the dirt. The frame is of iron instead of wood, thereby increasing its durability. It received the Gold Medal of the Institute. A. C. VvINE. Numerous specimens were presented at the fair, made from native grapes ; there does not appear to be any decided improve- ment over former exhibitions. We make the following extract from the judges' report : The sparkling Catawba of N. Longworth, Esq., Cincinnati, is decidedly the best wine offered. It possesses qualities peculiar to itself, and bids fair to become a general favorite. No. 12^9.] 71 Three specimens of wine from Mr. Harold, Hempstead, L. I., made from th€ Catawba. These we considered good, and will be improved by age. Four specimens from Mr. Isaac Merrell,Port Richmond, Staten Island. That from the Catawba we consider a good imitation of the ordinary Rhenish wine, and would be an acceptable wine in our market. The wine from the Muscadine approaches very nearly the foreign Muscat wine, and may be considered a good article. Two specimens from Mr. W. H. Hughes, Matteawan Point, N. J. Catawba and Isabella. Good attempt at wine making. One of these specimens resembles Malaga, and would improve with Age. Three specimens from Mr. W. H. Simonton, Brooklyn, L. L, from the Isabella. Good imitation of the Mosselle, preserving well the flavor of the fruit. Elderberry wine from Mr. Harold, and Currant wine from Mrs. E. R, Purse, are Doth of good quality. A. C. MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING. Blake's Artificial Slate. Tills article has been four years before the pubMc, and used for the purpose of covering roofs and the sides of buildings. In addi- tion to its properties for these purposes, it has recently been dis- covered that it adheres with greater tenacity to cast iron surfaces, and iron thus coated with it may be variegated with colors so as closely resemble various kinds of marble, and will bear a polish equal to that material. The proprietors are about introducing it for mantle pieces, table tops, columns, &,c. Specimens were exhibited at our last fairj in imitation of Verd Antique, its appearance was good. A, C. 72^ [AsS£MBl.T Carriages, Sleighs, ^'c. In this department of mechanism, our exhibition "was much improved this year. The managers deeply regret that the limit- ed space in Castle Garden, is so inadequate to an extended dis- play, which undoubtedly would be presented did our space ad- mit of it. It will be their endeavor on future occasions to pro- vide greater accommodations. The coach exhibited by Williams & Dingee, 14 Amity Place, attracted very great attention, and deservedly so, as it was a highly finished and beajitiful piece of workmanship. Our judges pronounced it a very superior article. A shifting top wagon, with carved panels, from John H, Wood; Mainard k Stephens, Agents, 368 Eroadway. An excel- lent article, good in model and finish. An omnibus carriage, from E. J. Jimmerson, corner of Avenue C. and 10th street, was commented upon by thousands. It ap- peared, in all respects, to be constructed in the most substantial manner, and the painting and finish were exquisitely done. The judges pronounced it a very fine and superior article. A one horse sleigh, from John G. Ostrom, Rhinebeck, N. Y. ; Wood, Tomlinson k Co., Agents. An excellent production, fine in all respects. Coach mail axles, from W. H. Saunders, very fine. One bun- dle o^ carriage wood bows, from Saunier & Crane, 16 Amity Place, very fine. Patent hub fastening, from Galpin &; Foster, Green- port, L. I , a new article. Billing's patent band wrench, Smith, Van Horn k Co , Agents. This also is a new article. A. C. COTTON GOODS. We cannot present to the public a better view of this departr ment of the exhibition than is to be found in the report of our judges, which we copy almost entire, and for which, we beg leave to assure them that the managers feel under obligations. No. 129.] 73 The committee report, that the exhibition of cotton goods for 1851, although respectable, affords nevertheless but a feeble rep- resentation of the extensive variety of fabrics produced from this great staple in the manufacturing districts of our country, many of which, although not exhibited, might justly be regarded with pride by all who feel an interest in the prosperity and success of American manufactures. From the specimens presented, your committee are enabled to report a steady progress in the arts of weaving, dyeing, printing, and finishing, which affords an encouraging prospect of a degree of ultimate perfection which will one day place our domestic fabrics in the front rank in competition with the world. Having carefully examined the articles submitted to our in- spection, we have decided as follows : The brown sheetings, from the Williamsville Co., Providence, R. I., are the best exhibittd, of good cotton, fine texture, beauti- fully made, and not easy to excel. The bleached sheetings from the Wamsutta mills. New Bed- ford, Mass , are a vast improvement on former exhibitions from the same source, and from tlieir exceeding fineness and pure bleaching deserve high commendations, and are, in the former respect, unrivalled by any other specimen presented. They compare favorably with the choicest styles of British and French shirtings ever seen in our market. It was insinuated that tliese goods were made from imported yarn expressly for exiiibition. But we learn from the most reliable source that they are made from yarn of their own spinning, and that the same quality of gnods from the Wamsutta Co., are now sold in the market to a considerable extent. Bleached Shh tings from the New-York Mills. These goods maintain their standard excellence, and although not as fine as the specimens from the Wamsutta Mills, are made with uniform perfection, and from their superior weight and firmness, are justly distinguished for their durable qualities. 74 I Assembly Bleached Shirtings from the Lonsdale Co., Providence, R. I., are very fine and handsome. Bleached Shirtings from the Utica Steam Mills ; from their ex- traordinary weight and firmness, present important advantages to the consumer. Bleached Jeans from the New- York Mills, are without doubt the best goods of this description made in the United States, and perhaps cannot be improved. Cottonadcs from the Ida Manufacturing Co., are the only style exhibited. Tliese goods have such decided merit, as to entitle them to particular favor. The colors are permanent, the texture is firm and strong, and not disguised with artificial appliances to deceive the eye or tlie touch. Ginghams from the Ida Manufacturing Company, are bright, handsome colors, and good honest fabrics — highly creditable. Ticking from D. Lam mot & Son, Philadelphia, is the only spe- cimen exhibited. It is in all respects very superior. Printing Clvth from J. C. Dodge & Son, Dodgeville, Mass. No- thing remarkable in the fabric excepting an uncommonly 'perfect selvage, (said to be the result of some recent improvement in the loom for weaving,) a matter of no little Importance in producing a perfect print. Madder Prints from tiio mills of A. W. Sprague, Providence, R. I., aflbrd tlie best specimens of printed calicoes exhibited. Some of these are on fine wide cloths, colors well combined and developed, and executed with great perfection. A few more strides in the art cf jifeparin:^ and fipplying colors, and originating de- signs, will remove all temj)!ation lo introduce foreign calicoes to our marktts. It is therefore desirable to stimulate emulation in the production of an article of such universal consumption. The Printed Calicoes from the American Print Works, Fall River, Mass., are handsome designs, the colors tajtel'uUy com- bined, and printing very well executed. No. 129.] 75 The Linen Diapers and Crash, from H. H. Stevens, Webster, Mass, were the best specimens on exhibition. The case of Linen Diapers and Cotton Diapers, from D. G. Scott, Paterson, N. J., presents several excellent specimens. The ma- nufacturing of these descriptions of goods having been but recently commenced in the United States, every successful effort in their production deserves commendation and encouragement. Mrs. H. Weir, of Pittstown, N. Y., exhibited a variety of goods, the result of female industry, among which were samples of plain, twilled, and diaper brown linen, of excellent and rare fabric, all highly commendable. TABLE AND POCKET CUTLERY. It is extrepiely gratifying to note the advances which are an- nually made by our artisans and manufacturers in this depart- ment ; the time cannot be distant when their success will be complete. Even now, in some important articles foreign compe- tition has been set at defiance. Thanks alone to the indomitable energy and perseverance of our people, which halts not, as long as there is the slightest ray of hope pointing in their countless paths to ultimate success. The display at our last fair was ani- mating. There was a case of fine pocket cutlery from the Waterville Manufacturing Co., Waferbury, Conn., on wiiich the judges thus report, " we sr.y witli confidence that they rank with the best makers of Skcffield.'^'' This company has now ia employment two hun- dred men, of whom one-half are Americans. They make up this year in value $150,000 of pocket cutlery; the bhides, and all other parts of the work, are made in their own factory. The proprietors of this establishment ha^ie been engagpd for nine years in accomplishing its present condition ; during which they have labored under extreme difficulties, in competing with the accumulated skill and experience of the foreign manufacturers, as well as the low price of labor in Europe. Nevertheless they 76 [Assembly have succeeded in establisliiug a reputation for superiority, and we sincerely hope they will soon defy foreign productions. We have reason to believe their cutlery is preferred wherever it is used, and they certainly have the strongest claims to the patron- age of their countrymen. One case of table knives and forks, and a variety of knives for other purposes, from Lamson, Goudnow & Co., No. 7 Gold-street, New- York, was on exliibition, on which the judges thus report; " these specimens are not excelled by the table cutlery from any country^ either in fashion, taste, or quality. ^^ Lamson, Goodnow & Co 5 of Shelburne Falls, Mass., in 1845 commenced the manu- facture of butcher knives with six workmen, and since that time have been increasing gradually, adding various styles of cutlery, until the present time. They are now operating successfully with an increased number of workmen in the manufacture of cook, butcher, shoe knives, and table cutlery, embracing a num- ber of grades, from the common to the first quality sold in the United States. Their workmen, with few exceptions, are Ameri- cans. They manufacture tlieir own fuiks, and all their knife blades are made from solid cast steel, and not welded to iron, as is the case with the foreign article. They manufacture and finish all tlieir goods in their own shops, and claim for them the honor of being entirely of American manufacture. It is not long since it was deemed impracticable to establish the manufacture of these articles in the United States, with any probability of being able to compete with the f.-reign articles. Yet the perse- verance of this house, in less than six years, has overcome all difficulties, their work is preferred whenever it is used, fast grow- ing in public favor, and like the axes, hatchets, scythes, chisels, tailor's shears, a:id other articles of American hardware, will soon be beyond foreign competition. Pratt, Ropes, Webb & Co., Meriden, Conn., also exhibited a case of very superior Table Cutlery. ./I ca:,c of Tailors^ Shears, from tlie well-known manufacturer, Roscius Heinish, Newark, N. J., Agency at 91 Nassau-st , N. Y. The reputation of this manufacturer is too Avell known to require comment at this time. The shears of Mr. Heinish have been No. 129.] 77 used by tailors in London for several years ; they have long since driven the foreign article out of our market. A case of Tailors^ Shears was also exhibited by Leonard & Windt, 29 and 31 Gold-st., New- York, bearing a close resem- blance to those of Heinish, and are deemed an excellent article. We copy from the report of our judges the following remarks, which, from the known capacity and intelligence of those gentle- men, should have their influence with the public : " The fine Table Cutlery of this country is quite equal, and be- lieved to be superior to that made in England. Our finest blades are entirely of cast steel, and beautifully ground. A. C. DOOR SPKLNG. Mr, R. W. Inman, of Brooklyn, Long Island, exhibited a door spring which has been patented by him. It consists of a small steel rod and three brackets, working perpendicularly on a twist in the rod. It may be attached to any door so as scarcely to be per- ceived, not likely to get out of order, and works most effectually. It has neatness, simplicity and cheapness, in a very eminent de- gree to recommend it, and where such ajipliances are required, it merits ceneral favor. A. C. EDGE TOOLS, &c. The display of edge tools at our last Fair was very extensive, and distinguished for varied improvements, surpassing in many respects the imported articles in quality and cheapness. The display from Mr. D. R. Barton, Rochester, N. Y., as a whole, was the best ever exhibited at our fairs. It consisted of Carpenters' and Joiners' tools, Coopers' tools, cleavers, improved hay knives, fiirmer chisels and gouges. The latter articles have only lately been brought info successful competition with 78 [Assembly tlie foreign articles; they were deemed to be very superior in quality and finish, and the whole fully sustained the reputation they have obtained. All the goods from this establishment are warranted; giving employment to one hundred hands, who turn out annually, in value, $130,000. Brass Kdtles from the Waterloo Co., Waterbury, Conn. These are manufactured by a new process, having the bottoms stronger and more durable than any heretofore made. The improvement in American kettles, and their cheaper cost of production, has, within a short period, stopped the importation of English and Dutch battery kettles. Case of Files from John Russell, 22 Cliff-st., N. Y. Mr. Russell now employs over one hundred hands at Sing Sing, (outside the prison,) in the manufacture of files. They are deemed by our judges equal to the bast imported, and are sold at less price. The business promises to become an important branch of Ameri- can industry; one that, despite t!ie embarrassment arising from the fluctuating policy of our government in regard to protection, has forced its way up, and now bids defiance to foreign compe- tition. R. Hoe & Co. made a very beautiful display of Saws of their manufacture. It embraced almost eveiy variety. The reputa- tion of Messrs. Hoe & Co. for superiority in this deparment is too well known to require particular comment. Tinned Iron Wire from T. B. & S. S. Clark, Sheridan, Con. This wire is covered with tin by a new process without drawing the wire. Part of it was annealed, the tinning of which has, we are told, not been done before w^ithout destroying the annealing properties. It was all well manufactured, and must successfully compete with the imported article. Enamelled stair rods, from A. K. Pattison, 407 and 409 Cherry street, New-York, were very beautifully ornamented and well manufactured. We should suppose tliat these articles would go into extensive use. They are certainly preferable to brass, or any other stair rod with which we are acquainted, being equally strong, and superior in point of cleanliness and beauty. A. C. No. 129.] 79 EMBROIDERY AND NEEDLE WORK. We feel called upon to tender the sincere thanks of the Board of Managers to the Ladies who composed the committee of judges on these articles. The list committed to their care and examina- tion was very full, and the well considered and detailed report returned by them, Ave are happy to say, has given entire satisfac- tion. We copy from their report the following remarks in rela- tion to Cloaks and Mantillas : " They are, in the opinion of the judges, superior to anything of the kind ever exlubited in this country, and equal in every respect to those imported from France. As they form a very im- portant part of the dress of the ladies of the present day, and large sums are annually expended in importing them from France, the " ladies judges" wish to encourage their manufacture at home. They therefore particularly request the Premium Committee to award, in this instance, a gold medal. The em- broidery is perfect and worthy the award." The exhibitors of Cloaks and Mantillas, were George Brodie, 51 Canal-street; Molyneaux Bell, 58 Canal-street, and Beekman & Co., 66 Canal-street. To Mr. Brodie the gold medal was award- ed ; to Mr. Bell the silver medal; to Messrs. Beekman & Co., a diploma. The white satin opera cloak from Mr. Bell was much admired and reflected great credit on Ms exertions. A. C. EQUATORIAL TELESCOPE. Mr. Henry Fitz, of this city, exhibited at the last fair the third complete Equatorial instrument of his manufacture. We allude to this with pride, for it appears to us tliat this self-taught Ame- rican artist bids fair to render our country indepCi^dent, in this important article of the products of European manufactures, not excepting the successors of the world renowned Frauenhofler. The object glass of the Telescope under consideration, has eight and a quarter inches aperture, with a focal length of eleven feet. 80 [Assembly It is furnished with Huygen's eye pieces magnifyiug from CO to 2,000 time?, and anannular micrometer for measuring comets and faint objects which do not admit of illumination. It lias a filar micrometer furnished with a set of Ramsden's, or position eye pieces, magnifying from 100 to 2,000 times, and also a clock for moving the instrument corresponding with solar, lunar, and sidereal time, by which the object is kept accurately within the field of view. The hour, or right ascension circle, measures elev- en inches in diameter, divided by half degrees and reading to minutes. The declination circle is thirteen inches in diameter, divided to half degrees and reading to minutes. There is also a comet seeker of three inches aperture attached to the tube as a finder. All the glasses are made from Guinand's disks. This instrument is the largest which has been made in the United States, and in all respects accurately and most beautifully finished. The base is made of ash in the form of the Munich in- strument, and veneered with rose wood. It was made, we under- stand, for Wm. Van Derzee, Esq., of Buffalo, for private use, at a cost of $2,200. In our volume for 1819, w^e noticed an object glass C| inches aperture, made by Mr. Fitz for the United States government, to be used by the astronomical expedition. We are now permitted to make the following extract from a letter written to IMr. Fitz by James M. Gilliss, Esq., in charge of said expedition, dated at Santiago de Chile, February lt5t, 1851. " There is no doubt whatever, that the object glass made by you has sliown me more minutely and satisfectorily difficult stars than that at Washington ever did ; yet it is prpper to say at the same time, no systematic trial has ever been made by me of the capacity of either glass. With your lens six of the satel- lites of Saturn have been seen and the sixth star in the trapezium of Orion without difficulty. There are occasions when the instru- ment would readily bear a power of 800 or 1,000, and its con- stant use would be amply repaid ; but the numerical force of the expedition in assistants does not permit its employment except for the series on Mars and Venus, and occasional occultations." A. C. No. 129.] 81 FIRE ARMS. In this department of meclianism, the contributions at our last Fair were more numerous than usual ; the display of ingenuity and workmanship was extremely interesting, and the competition spirited. We are much obliged to our judges for the time and attention bestowed by them in their examinations. The construction and improvement of fire arms has undoubt- edly attracted the attention of ingenious men from the period of the invention of gun powder to the present time. The earliest form of the musket, which was fired with a lighted match, and must have been exceedingly clumsy, after a period of more than three hundred years, has succeeded to the light and elegantly finished musket, with the percussion lock of the present day, through a series of improvements which have been from time to time adopted. During this period the rifle has been introduced, claiming advantages over the musket for greater accuracy and range ; but not suited for the general purposes of infantry on account of its greater weight and want of celerity in loading. This led to the invention of the revolving breech, in which there are six charges which may be fired in the most rapid succession, and is probably the greatest improvement thus far obtained. However, after the six charges are fired, considerable time is consumed in replacing them, and this might prove variously disadvantageous. This leads to a desire for some method by which the great celerity for six discharges, obtained by the revolver, may be made continuous. So that of late we have had presented to us a variety of inventions by which the arm may receive its charges in rapid succession at the breech. In regard to these improvements, however feasible and perfect they may appear upon slight examination and trial, it would be exceedingly improper to adopt them, for military purposes par- ticularly, but upon the most careful experiments and use in the hands of the soldier a sufficient length of time fully to test their qualities. Of the arms exhibited we shall nMice two specimens. [Assembly, No. 12 9. j 6 82 [Assembly The case of revolving pistols exhibited by Samuel Colt, Hart- ford, Connecticut, was deemed to be decidedly superior, and unsurpassed in workmanship. This arm is too well known to require at this time a particular description. SJiarji's Patent Breech Loading Gun. Ordnance Department, ) Washington, December 17, 1850. ) Hon. C. !Vf. Conrad, Secretary of War: Sir — When the Board of Ordnance Officers was convened to examine and try repeating pistols under the resolution of the Senate of the 30tli of September last, there were various arms, other than those specially mentioned in the resolution, which had been presented to the notice of the War Department by their inventors, who claimed for them many advantages over those in use. The meeting of the Board presented a good opportunity to make trial of such arms : they were accordingly directed to do so, and to report the result of their examinations and experi- ments. I respectfully enclose a copy of that report from which it will be seen that but one of the arms tried, viz: Sharp's with Maynard's primer, is considered suitable for public service. My opinion of Sharp's gun, formed from an examination of its construction, is favorable to its superiority over all other breech- loading arms which have come to my notice, especially wlien combined with Maynard's improvement for priming, and I think it may prove a valuable arm for the military service. But the only sure way to establish or refute this opinion is practical trial of the arms, in the hands of troops in active service in the field. I therefore recommend that tlie purchase of a small number of these arms, say two hundred, be autliorized, and that they be issued to the troops on the Western frontier ; after they shall have been in use by them, for a sufficient length of time, to test their practical utility, an arrangement may be made for intro- ducing them regularly into the military service to such an extent as experience may render advisable. * * f « * Respectfully your obedient servant, (Signed) G. TALC0T1\ Brevet Btigadier GenH, Col. of Ordnance. No. 129. J 83 REPORT t Of Board of Ordnance Officers on Patent Smnll Arms other than Repeating Pistols. Waspington, D. C, Jfovember 27, 1850. Iii addition to their report on the trial and examination of repeating pistols, the Board have agreeably to their instructions, to report the result of their examination of the following arms, being all that -were presented for that purpose : 1st. Sharp's Rifle and Musket. 4th. Jennings' Rifles. 2d. Klein's Prussian Rifle. 5th. Perry's Rifle. 3d. Jenks' Carbine. 6th. Welch's Rifle. Isf. Sharps^ Rifle and Musket. This is an arm loading at the breech, which is opened and closed by a vertical slide or shear cutting off the end of the cartridge. This arm has withstood all the trials the Board has considered necessary to make with it. It was fired several hundred times without cleaning, during which the movements of its machinery was not obstructed. The arm is loaded with great ease and rapidity by using a simply prepared cartridge which Mr. Sharj) has arranged ; and also the ordinary rifle and musket ammunition with its percussion caps can be used with facility. The penetration, range and accuracy of fire from the rifle thus arranged, with a cartridge and conical ball prepared for it, were superior to that of any other breech loadicg piece oflered to the board. With Maynard's primer (which, as well as the cap, may be used) this arm was tired ten times per minute, and when discharged over the water, a second charge was fired before the ricochet of the first had ceased. From their observations of the use of tkis rifle, the Board are of opinion that it is superior to any of the other arms loading at the breech, and think it would be well to have further trials made, and to put some of them in the hands of troops to deter- mine whether they are suitable to the military service. 2d. Klein's Rifle. This is a Prussian rifle, understood to be at present under trial in the Prussian service. It is loaded at the breech, and the charge is fired by means of a needle which pierces the iVietion 84 [Assembly priming attached to the cartridge, and although by its pecu- liar construction, and that of its cartridge and priming, it may be fired with rapidity, these peculiarities the Board believe render the arm objectionable, and its ammunition, from its com- bining the charge and priming, is considered unsafe. Under the most favorable circumstances, the Board consider this rifle not as well adapted to the service of troops as Sharp's. Sd. Jennings' Rifles. One, a repeating rifle with a tube parallel to the barrel for carrying twenty-four cartridges; the other similar to it, but without the tube. These arms are loaded at the breech with an elongated ball, in the cylindrical part of which the charge of powder is contained ; they prime themselves from a magazine of percussion pills. The Board object entirely to the use of a magazine of percus- sion priming pills, as is used with these arms, and they do not tkink it safe or useful to carry a number of cartridges, attached to a gun. From the peculiar arrangement of the ammunition, the charge is not sufiicient to give the necessary force. The arms exhibited to the Board were not considered by the Inventor as perfect, and the trials were not made with a view to establish their durability, but the Board are of opinion that the principle of construction of these arms, is not such as would be suitable for the military service. Ath. Jenks^ Carbine. The carbine now offered by Mr. Jenks, is slightly altered from tbose that have already been tried in service. The Board are of opinion that the objections, which have been found against these arms, have not been removed by his recent modification. bth. Perry^s Rifle. Its construction is similar to the pistols briefly described in the report on that subject. The inventor had not completed the arrangement for using a cap instead of the percussion pills, to which the Board object. Only limited trials were made with the arm in its incomplete state. The principle of its construc- tion, however, the Board do not consider suitable to the service. No. 128. j 85 6^^. Welches Rifle. An arm of rough construction, merely shown to the board, t© illustrate his method of loading at the breech and firing with a magazine of percussion pills. The principle and arrangement of the mechanism do not, la the opinion of the Board, render it suitable for the service, and their objection to a magazine of percussion pills has already been stated. All of which is respectfully submitted, (Signed) R. L. BAKER, Major and BH Vt Col., PresH of Board. A. MORDECAI, Captain of Ordnance and Brevet Major. BENJAMIN HUGER, Captain and Brevet Colonel. W. A. THORNTON, Captain of Ordnance and Brevet Major. G. H. TALCOTT, CapVn of Ordnance and BH Vt Colonel. J. L. Reno, Second Vt arid BH Captain, Recorder of Board. MAYNARD'S SELF PRIMING LOCK AND PRIMING. This method of priming is intended as a substitute for the per- cussion cap. It consists in a coil of substance resembling thiek paper, rather more than one-eighth of an inch in width, in which, at proper intervals, spots of detonating powder are placed. The whole apparatus is contained in a small chamber in the lock, and the primer for each disci] arge is carried forward to its proper position on the top of the cone each time the gun is cocked. The advantages claimed for this lock and priming are various and important, some of which we will state. It may be applied to old arms by substituting new locks or by altering the old ones. By the motion of the hammer from half cock to cock, the gun is primed with mathematical accuracy, the state of the weather, temperature, or position of the gun, having no influence. When the hammer is down, or at half-cock, the gun is not primed, and consequently cannot be fired by accident or carelesness. All the manipulations required for other methods of priming, (among 80 [Assembly which cold fingers and caps are particularly annoying,) are here dispensed with. The hammer is carried resting upon the cone with perfect safety, and the celerity of firing is greatly increased. No pieces of metal are thrown off, or other annoyances, which re- sult from the use of the percussion cap. The charges are sepa- rated from each other by incombustible matter, so that no ex- plosion of several can result from firing one. The lock for using this priming may be adapted to any kind of military or sporting guns, or to cannon. Such are the claims of this newly invented lock and method of priming. From the examinations we have had, together with the report of our judges, we feel safe in endorsing them as valid. It received the gold medal of the Institute. . C. HAT, MADE OF PINE LEAVES. Miss J. H. Hudson, of Franklinville, Long Island, presented at the last Fair a Hat made of the long leaves of our Southern Pine. This is to us the first intimation of any practical purpose to which this product, so abundant at the soutli, may be applied. There are some thousands of the femaks of our country who find partial employment in manufacturing hats from the palm IftSf. The leaves of the pine may be wrought into hats of a bet- ter quality, as to appearance an*! durability, and they may be bleached, we are told, to any degree of whiteness. Put together after the fashion of the Leghorn hat, we cannot conceive a more: acceptable covering for the head, for summer w^ear, than these leaves are capable of thus producing. This we hope may con- stitute another branch of domestic industry, both in fabric and material. A. C. MACHINERY AT THE LATE FAIR. The Board of Managers feel impelled to return their most sin- cere thanks to the gentlemen who served on the various commit- tees, as judges at the late Fair. Impartial decisions from com- petent men, are of the very highest importance in promoting the objects of the Institute. To obtain such, the Managers have No. 129.] 87 been unremitting in their efforts. In our brief notices of the most prominent and new articles on exhibition, we shall avail ourselves of the opinion expressed by our Judges generally, with such remarks as our own personal examinations may have sug- gested. From the Lowell machine shop, Lowell, Mass. — An engine lathe, slotting machine, planing and drilling machines. An ex- cellent display of tools. The planing machine is new for many kinds of work, and the whole reflects much credit on the manu- facturers. From E. & S. D. Gould, Heddenburgh Works, Newark, N. J. A compound planing machine ; wheel tooth cutting machine, and vertical drill. These tools as a whole are made well and creditable to the manufacturers. The machine for planing, for some some kinds of work, can be made very useful. From Scranton & Parshley, New Haven, Conn., nine lathes ; drill press, kc. These tools are all of the common kind, of good quality, and oifered cheap. Persons wanting small tools of the kind would do well to examine them. From M. Sault & Co.') New Haven, Conn. An engine lathe with an improved method of attaching the slide rest to the shears, whereby the whole height from the centre to the shears, can be used for the work to be turned. It is an ingtnious arrangemeot, and merits attention. From E. & T. Fairbanks, & Co., St. Johnsbury, Vt. Thirteen scales, including those for railroad tracks, depot warehouses, counters, and platform. The exhibition sustained the well-es- tablished reputation of the manufacturers, and are entitled to high commendation. From S. G. McDougal, 238 Pearl st. Platform Scale ; this is an improvement, as it does away with the weight generally used on the lever by an ingenious arrangement of two levers. For light weights it is deemed to be preferable. From Isaacs & Barling, 101 Wall st. Self clearing anchor. Deemed by the judges a good article, less liable to get foul as the vessel swings round. From Augustus Williams, Stillman Allen, & Co., Novelty works, agent^^ An alarm wat^^r guage. Valuable as affording 88 [Assembly additional security against the explosion of steam boilers. The judges are of opinion, however, that the guage cocks should in all cases be an appendage to a boiler. Patent Governor Valve. Junius Judson, Rochester, N. Y. This is a good and efficient arrangement for controling the quantity of steam upon the steam cylinder when the power is thrown off, or on thus rendering the motion more uniform. Fire Proof Iron Safes. Those exhibited by Silas E. Herring, from No. 135 Water St., were deemed the best by our judges, who observe that many from Jhe same manufactory have proved themselves most valuable. ^ Iron Burglar Safes. From the World's Safe Co., Troy, N. Y. These are made of chill'd cast iron 1^ to 2 inches thick, making it almost impossi- ble for a burglar to enter it by the sides. The greatest objec- tion to it is its great weight. It is worthy of a' trial, and may turn out an important improvement. The inventor deserves credit. Bulkleyh- Electro Magnetic Enunciator This is a very beautiful thing in theory, and although the committee are not fully satisfied as to its practical value, they consider it a very ingenious device for getting rid of the trouble and cumbrous arrangements attending the ordinary Bell Hang- ing fixtures, and the effort, whether successful or not, deserves commendation. Steam Pressure Guages. Joshua Lowe's, J. S. Pirsson, agent. A well made article, and an improvement upon those in former use, especially for locomo- tives, to which we should consider them a very good and useful appendage. Show at all times the exact pressure much more nearly than can be known by the spring balance attached to the safety valve. Self-centering and self-releasing Lathe. Thomas W. Bailey, Lockport, N. J. This lathe possesses valuable features which may well claim attention, and which are adopted to make it useful in turning wood of irregular forms. No. 129. j 89 Chill Irons or Moulds. Ezra Ripley, Troy, N. Y. lutended for casting Rasps, Mill plates for grinding corn, coffee, &c. A very useful invention. Water Metre and Water Wheel. Samuel Huse, Boston Mass. A good article and well made, exhibiting in the inventor a good share of knowledge and skill, our judges tested its correctness. Ice Cream Freezer. S. C. Seaman, Philadelphia. Our judges pronounced this the best machine for the purpose they had ever seen. Iron Planing Machine. Aldrich Tyng, & Co., Lowell, Mass. This machine has a heavy cast iron bed 14 feet long, and will plain 11 feet long, and 3 feet wide. The cross beam is raised with two screws geared together by a cross shaft on the top of the posts. Tlie table is moved by a rack and gear, the movement strong with quick re- turn motion of the table. It has both horizontal and vertical feed motion arranged so as to vary at pleasure and both put in motion together will plain any desired angle. The weight of this lathe is 12,500 lbs. It came in too late for competition, consequently our judges did not express an opinion upon it. The machine to our view appeared an adctirable piece of Me- chanism. A. C. COMPOUND CAPSTAN AND VERTICAL WINDLASS, INVEiNTED BY CHARLES PERLEY. The base of this windlass is formed by a short metal cylinder, having a wide foot flanch fitted to receive bolts by which the capstan may be secured to the deck in almost any position in the ship ; the upper face of this cylinder is fitted as an annular rachet bed. Within the base, and cast with it, are arms that connect the exterior with a strong hub, in the centre of which the main spindle is secured. Between the arms, within the cylinder, are 90 Assembly two or more levelled pinion wheels, each mounted on the inner end of a short shaft that goes through the base, and receives on the outer end a metal disk, the rim of which is formed as a fe- male ratchet wheel, each keyed on, and rotating with their own shaft ; over each there is a metal plate, fitted inside, with a pair of pauls, that take the Inner ratchet teeth in opposite directions. On the outside each of these plates is cast with a socket to receive the end of a handspike or capstan bar, and each plate is secured by a pin through the outer end of the sliaft on which it rotates. The barrel or body of the capstan is made as a hollow cylinder, the section of which approaches the form of two parabolic curves, the largest curve forming the base of the cylinder, the smallest the top. Within the base, an inverted bevelled spur wheel is so secured that the teeth gear into the pinions beneath, and the hub of this wheel is fitted to rotate on the main spindle ; and the up- per part of the barrel is fitted with « flanch or arms, bored to fit the upper end of the spindle, and a key or pin through the spin- dle keeps the barrel secure from lifting while in work ; and around the base of the barrel are pauls on pins ; the moving ends of these take the ratchet teeth around the top of the fixed base, and these te«th are made with each side at an angle of about 45°, so that whichever way the capstan is rotated, the paul ends, turned in the ©pposite direction, hold every inch that is gained in heav>ng roiind. On the top of the barrel, an ordinary capstan drum-head com- pletes the machine, and is fitted with holes to receive the like capstan bars that are used with the sockets beneath. When used with the bars in the drum-head, the barrel carries the gear wheels with it, but the slight friction of these parts is not found to inter- fere with the work; the gearing sockets do not come in the way, and the machine is merely an ordinary capstan convenient for light work. But on placing the handspikes into the lower sockets and set- ting the pauls the right way, the barrel can be rotated in either direction, and the machine becomes at once a powerful vertical windlass. The pauls ou the inside of the socket plates, taking the ratchet teeth on the pini..n shafts, force t lese, with the pin- Na. 129. 91 ions, the main wheel and the barrel, round with a multiplied leverage, by which four men, standing in a small space round the capstan, can raise more weight, without moving a foot themselves, than four or five times their number can move, by wliat is nauti- cally termed loalking round the capstan, that is, travelling round pushing the bars in the drum-head before them. The form of the barrel will, in most cases, compel the rope to " fleet" itself, that is, work upward^ as it winds on, maintaining nearly an equal leverage in work, and if it should by accident do this suddenly, or as the seamen say, surge upwards, the men cannot be thrown down by the foreshooting and recoil of the bars they are working with, so that they work with an increased confidence, that greatly facilitates their labor ; and all this is done without carrying the spindle through the deck, as has be?n the common practice. A. W. GARY'S ROTARY PUMP. This marhine, for the 'purpose of raising and forcing water^ has beta before the public since 1848. It was exhibited at our last fair for the first time, and after an examination of its con- struction, with the opportunity afforded of witnessing its opera- tion, we think it fully justifies all that we have heard in its favor. One of the principal merits of the machine is the simplicity of the Method of packing so as to keep the chambers perfectly tight. and at the same time friction, to a large extent, is avoided. It is easily repacked when required, and we do not perceive In it the usual liabilites to get out of order. Viewed as an ordinary 92 [Assembly pump for raising water, we consider it superior to any heretofore in use ; for ships' purposes, we believe it would be found extremely valuable ; for extinguishing fires it may be used to great advan- tage, and it may be esteemed as an important appendage in factories, stores, public buildings, gardens, &c. These pumps may be obtained at prices varying from $35 to |1,400, depending on size and materials. Those costing the low- est sum will raise 30 gallons per minute at 120 revolutions. The Institute awarded to the inventor its gold medal in 1851. ICE MARKER AND CUTTER. Ic€ has now become an almost indispensable article in our domestic economy, consequently every invention which facilitates the acquisition of it, is of interest. Messrs. J. k D. Ascough & Co., exhibited at our late fair two instruments which are used with great effect in procuring ice during the period when it is laid up for use through the warm season when it is most required, or for transhipment. These instruments are denominated as a Marker and Cutter, and are constructed thus : the frame work, which is made of wood, re- sembles the beam and handles of an ordinary plough, with the handles permanently attached to the beam. On the under side of the beam, extending the greater part of its length there are fixed a series of cutters made of steel and placed in succession, gradually extending deeper from the front to the rear of the beam, the longest being about 4 inches ; this instrument is used as a marker, cuts about two inches deep, and with the services of one horse and a man will mark off from 1000 to 1,500 tons of ice in 10 hours. The cutter is similarly formed, except that the cutting instruments are made to cut much deeper, say from 8 to 12 inches. This also is operated by one horse and a man, and follows in the small furrow made by the marker, and will cut from 500 to 750 tons in 10 hours; thus it requires two cutters to complete the work of one marker, and together they will accom- plish the work of 75 men with saws, which has been the usual mode of cutting ice in use heretofore. A. C. No. 129.] 93 SELF-STRIPPING CARDING MACHINE. In tlie operation of cotton carding, that part of the process called stripping, has heretofore been done by hand. Under this mode various accidental delays are constantly occurring, and often serious damage by carelessness and otherwise ; besides the necessity of employing hands to perform the operation. It is computed that the labor of one man is required for every 12 carding machines, and 12 carding machines to every 1000 spin- dles. The machine under consideration proposes to perform the whole operation of carding and stripping. It is, we understand^ the invention of Messrs. Charles D. Wilcox, (deceased) and J. P. Stillman, and A. Stillman, all residents of Westerly, Washington county, R. I. The machine was exhibited in operation at our last fair where it attracted much attention, and received the gold medal of the Institute. We find in the Scientific American of December 6, a very accurate description of it, which we copy. A. C. Fig. 1. Figure 1 is an elevation of one end of a carding machine, with the improvements attached. Figure 2 is a side view of the 94 [Assembly stripper. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machinery which operates the stripper. Figures 4 and 5 are small parts of the machine, which will be explained hereafter. Similar letters refer to like parts. As there are a great number of peculiar movements in this machine, it will require a long description to give a definite idea of its peculiarities, and at the same time it will demand the closest attention on the part of our read- Fig. 2. m ^ ers. A self-stripping carding machine has been a desideratum ; those in common use are stripped by hand. The carding machine re- presented does not dilfer materially from other carding machines except in the mode of attaching the top cards. A A is the framing ; B is the main cylinder ; D are the arches which support the cards. This invention relates to certain mechanical means, by which the top flat cards of a single carding machine, or of any number of carding machines, may be stripped, one after the other, in regular succession, while the machine or machines are in opera- tion, without detaching them from the said machine or machines, and without requiring any manual aid ; the operation of stripping proceeding during the whole time the carding machines are in operation. E E are the top cards which are of precisely the same con- struction as those in common use, but are attached in a different manner, being hinged or jointed by pivots, c c, at each end of their front side to the standards, a a, which carry them ; resting, when in position for operating, upon screws, b 6, screwed in the arches, but being capable of swinging upwards and forwards, or turning over, so as to lay on the next card in front of it, and present its teeth upwards, (fig. 1,) where one of the top cards is in the act of turning over, and fig. 2, where one is represented turned over, the position of the tops or backs of l)\s ■ ilier top cards being represented on the latter figure by the line, d d. No. 129 j Sf) Hanging on each of the pilots, c c, of the hinges at the end of the cards, is a small tumbler, G, which is divided into two parts, the outer part being visible in figures 1 and 2, and the inner part in figures 4 and 5. The outer part is of nearly elliptical foi-m? and the inner part of nearly the same form, but has a portion of its periphery (indicated by e in fig. 4) concentric to the pivot, c, upon which it hangs, and has angular projections, i i' at each end of the said portion, e, (see figs. 4 and 5.) The tumbler turns freely upon the pivot, but on being turned a certain distance in either direction, one of the angular projections will come in con- tact with either the upper or under side of a part of the plate, /, of the hinge, which fits close up to the part e, and by means of these projections, the top card, to which the tumbler is attached, is turned over to present its teeth upwards for stripping, and returned to its working position. It is presumed that the construction of the carding machine is now intelligible, and the description of the means by which the top ;cards are stripped, the means by which the tumblers are operated upon for turning over the cards, and the means by which ■j^he stripping apparatus is operated, will now be described. The stripping is performed by a comb or flat, card, F, which is of the same length as, and suspended above the top cards, its teeth being on its under side, inclining downw'ards in the same direction as those of the top cards incline upwards, when turned up. This comb is secured firmly by screwed rods, g g, to a bar, H, which extends across the top of the carding machine, between two sweeps or swinging arms, one on each side, 1 1, which are hung so as to turn freely on the ends of the shaft, 29, of the main cylinder. The screwed rods admit of the combs being adjusted at a proper height above the top cards ; and it can be still further adjusted, as the sweeps I I, are made in two parts, screwed together by screw bolts, h, which pass through slots in one part. In connection with the comb or stripper is a brush, j, which may be made of a strip of leather or any soft material, for the purpose of sweeping off the waste stripped from the top cards. This brush is attached to two arms, k k, which hang loosely and turn freely on the bar, H, and is confined between metal plates, I /, 96 [Assembly extending its whole length, which is equal to that of the cards. It is capable, by means hereafter described, of being swung or thrown upwards during the operation of stripping, and brought down into position for sweeping of the waste at a proper time. The mechanism employed for the purpose of turning over the cards, is attached to a plate J, which is attached to the inner face of the front sweep, by screw bolts, m w, which pass through slots in the sweep, and admit of its sliding on the sweep ; the plate itself is distinctly shown in fig. 2. A lever, K, working on a fulcrum pivot, «, secured in the plate, J, carries a stud, o, which is adjustable in a slot, and is caused by movements given to the sweep to operate on the periphery of the outer parts of the tumblers. This lever is operated upon two springs, one, p, of which is attached to the opposite end to that where the stud, o, is placed, the last named end of the lever being bent in a hook form, and the end of the spring being bent inwards back of the lever, so as to come in contact at certain time, with studs, q 5, placed around the front arcs of the frame of the carding machine at Intervals corresponding with the distance between the top cards ; the effect of these studs is to raise the end of the lever carrying the spring, and depress the stud, 0 ; this depression being necessary at certain times, which will be hereafter explained, for the purpose of allowing the stud, 0, to pass under the tumblers. The other spring, r, is of a hook or bow form, and is attached to the plate, J, above the lever, bearing upon the lever at the back of its hook, in a suitable manner, to raise the stud, 0, the stud being prevented from rising too high by a projection — not shown, but easily understood — at the back of the plate, J. The plate J, is connected by a link, ic, to the front arm, k, carrying the brush, or to a short lever or arm appended to k. The lower one of the screw bolts, m, is turned down at its end to form a stud, z, which extends some distance through the plate, J, and on this stud hangs a catch, a:, which has two notches, 1, 2, in one edge, at a short distance apart, either of which is capable of catching on a stationery stud, 3, secured in the sweep. A spring, y, is secured to the plate, which acts on the catch to keep it on the pin, and while it is so held, the plate. J, will be station- No. 129. 1 97 ary in relation to the sweep. In figure 1, the lower notch is shown on the pin, 3, that being its position during the entire ope- ration of stripping the cards, the brush being raised, but when the cards are stripped, and the waste is to be swept away, the movement of the sweep brings the upper part of the catch, a; , above the stud, 2, into contact with a stop, and releases it from the pin, 3, leaving the plate, J, free to slide on the sweep ; the stud, z, then comes in contact with the incline, w, (fig. 1,) and in passing along it draws down the plate, J, and with it the catch. The plate, J, draws down tjie brush by means of the link, w, and by the time the brush is drawn into position for operation, the catch, .r, passes a stop, (not shown,) and the spring, 3/, throws its lower part forward, and the notch, 2, which is now opposite to the pin, 3, catches on it and holds the plate down, and keeps the brush in position for operation. The incline, t, is for the pur- pose of throwing up the brush again, the stud, c, passing upon it after the waste is swept from the cards ; no stop is shown in con- nection with t, to release the catch as it can be dispensed with. The operation of stripping, and all the operations connected with it, are performed by the movements of the sweeps, 1 1 ; the means by which these movements are produced, will now be de- scribed : Attached to the sweeps or to their hubs are toothed sectors, L L, in dotted lines, figure 1, which gear into other toothed sectors, M M, secured upon a shaft, N, below the main cylinder ; these sectors are shown. All the meclianism which has now been described, requires to be attached to every carding machine to which the improvements are applied : but the remaining portion of the mechanism which is yet to be described, will serve for as many carding machines as can stand in one line, if their shafts, Nj are all connected, and may serve for a still greater number by adding gearing to give the necessary motions to the shaft, N. The sectors, M M, receive their motion through a lever, 0, which is secured upon their shaft, the motion being communicated to the lever by a train of mechanism upon a frame, P P, which is [Assembly, No. 129.] 7 98 [Assembly ■ distinct from the frame of the carding machine ; of this train of imechanism, Q, is the driving shaft, receiving motion through a band running over the puliey, E, and communicating the same through a toothed pinion, S, and wheel, T, to a shaft, U j on this shaft is secured a boss, V, having two arms, 4 4, and also an end- less screw gear, W, and fitting loosely on it there is a boss, X, having one projecting arm, 5, to which, parallel with the shaft, 4s secured a stud, 6, which passes through holes bored in the arras, 14 4, and causes the boss, X, to revolve with the shaft; this /Stud, 6, when the bosses are close to each other, projects beyond the back face of the fixed boss, V. The endless screw gear, W, gears into a toothed wheel, Y, on a vertical axis : this toothed wheel carries on its upper face a number of vertical studs, 7 7, corresponding with the number of cards in the machines. Each of the studs, in its revolution with the wheel, comes in contact with a stud, 8, secured to one end of a bent lever, 9, whose ful- crum, lOj is in an arm, 11, secured to the front top rail of the frame. The opposite end of the lever to that carrying the stud, 8, bears against the side of a lever, 12, which works on a fixed fulcrum, 13, and is furnished at its end with a pin or stud, 14, which fits in a groove, 15, in the boss, X. A spring, 16, is at- tached to the lever, 12, and to the frame, which always keeps it forward, and slides the boss, X, on the shaft, U, so as to bring the end of the stud, 6, within the back arm of the fixed boss, V, and leave none of it projecting through, excepting at such times as the studs, 7 7, are bearing up(.»n the stud, 8, when the tension of the spring is overcome, aad the lever, 12, is forced back by the bent lever, 9, so as to slide the boss, X, forward, and cause the stud, 6, to project beyond the back arm of the fixed boss. At a suitable distance from the shaft, U, and parallel with the said shaft, there is a shaft, Z, which carries a circular disc, (E, having a number of slotted openings, 17 17, in its periphery, the number of the said slotted openings, being two more than the number of cards in the machine or machines. Upon the same shaft, Z, at the extreme back end, outside the frame, P P, there is a cam, M, in which there is a slot extending all round, and in this slot works a stud, 18, wliich is secured in one end of an arm, 19, whose opposite end is hung on a fixed pivot, 20, secured in a post of the No. 129.] 99 framing. The stud, 18, is connected by a rod, 21, to a stud, 22, which is secured, but adjustable in the lever, 0, on the sector shaft, N. In the slot in the cam, M, there are a number of un- dulations or steps, the number being one more than the number of cards on the machine or machines, and the said undulations or steps being of suitable form to give the required motion through. the stud, 18, rod, 21, stud, 22, lever, 0, and sectors, M M and L L, to the sweeps, to turn over or open, strip, and close every card in succession — to perform which there is one undulation or step, 30, for every card, and afterwards to return the sweep ready again for commencing operation, to perform which there is one greater undulation or step, 31 ; the latter undulation or step is shown by dotted lines, as are also all parts of the slot that are concealed. The cam, M, receives a part of a revolution every time one of the studs, 7, on the wheel, Y, comes into operation on the stud, 8, of the lever, 9, and causes the stud, 6, to move back- ward, as every time the stud, 6, is forced forward, it is brought, by the revolution of the shaft, U, into one of the openings, 17, of the disc, and caused to give part of a revolution to the disc. In order to hold the cam steady at those times when it is not in motion, a paul, 23, is hung on a pin, 24, in a standard, 25, below the disc, and a lever, 26, is attached to the paul, and connects by a spring, 27, to the frame ; the spring acting on the lever holds the paul up, and causes it to catch in one of the slot openings, until the stud, 6, is coming into operation on the disc; the said stud, 6, previous to entering an opening, comes into contact with the lever, 26, and throwing it forward, releases the paul, and holds it clear of the disc, until it is itself leaving the disc, when the spring, 27, is allowed to operate. The several parts having been described, and their duties ex- plained, we will proceed to explain the manner in which their operation is conducted. 100 Fig. 3. [AsSEMLBY The carding process is the same as in other carding machines, therefore it is not necessary to describe it. We Avill suppose the operation of stripping to commence with the first card or the one nearest the dotfer. The sweeps must be brought to their most forward position, which would be to the left hand in fig. 1; the cam, M^ would then be in such a position as to bring that part of it^ slot marked X^, to the stud, 18. As it is only necessary that the top cards should be stripped at certain intervals — say once in fifteen minutes— the cam is not required to revolve con- tinuously, but only to move a sufficient distance to cause one card to be stripped, at such intervals as to make each entire revolu- tion occupy that space of time. The driving pulley revolves continuously, and so do the shafts, Q and U, and the wheel, Y- but as the stud, 6, is drawn forward by the lever, 12, and spring, 16, except when a stud, 7, is in contact with the stud, 8, under the bent lever, it (the stud, 6,) passes the disc, (E, without touch- ing it, until a stud, 7, acts on the stud, 8, and bent lever, 9, and drives back the lever, 12, and stud, 6, after which the stud, G,as it revolves, comes into a slot in the disc, and gives part of a revolution to it and the cam ; the distance moved by the cam being just sufficient to make one undulation or step, 30, pass the stud, 18. As the first or rising part of the step passes the stud, 18, it raises it, and the rod, 21, raises the lever, 0, which causes the sectors to give motion to the sweeps in the direction of the arrow, 32, in fig 1. %.^.. No. 129.] 101 As the sweep moves it brings the stud, 0, on the lever, K, in operation on the upperside of the front part of the tumbler, G, of the first top card, E, and carries it tip or along it. depressing the forward end of it and bringing the angular projection t, to bear under the hinge plate /, causing the top card to be open- ed [or thrown upwards. Almost as soon as the stud, 0, com- mences running up the tumbler and depressing it, the spring, p, at the hooked end of the lever, K, runs over the first stud, q, on the arch, D, and raises that end of the lever depressing the stud 0, and causing it to throw down the tumbler still further, until at last it (the stud) turns the tumbler so far around as to turn the top card completely over with its teeth upwards and then pass under it. The turning over of the top card is illustrated in figs. 1 and 2 ; fig. 1 showing one of the cards in the act of turning over, and fig. 2 showing it turned completely over ; all the cards except the first one fall over on the next card in front ; the first one falls on a screw, 33, provided to receive it. The sweep moving on after the card is turned over, carries the comb, F, past it, but owing to the inclination of the teeth it does not yet strip it. By this time the comb has passed the card, the cam has has brought the stud, 18, to the top of the undulation or step, and it then causes it to descend the opposite or falling side, which depresses the rod, 21, and lever, 0, causing the sectors and sweeps to return a short distance. During the return of the sweep, the comb strips the w^aste from the open top card, and as soon as it has passed it, the pin, 0, (the spring, p, of the lever, K, having previously passed over the stud, q.) is brought into operation on the tumbler so as to make the angular projection, i, act on the upper side of the hinge plate and throw over or close the card. By this time the cam has turned so far, that the stud, 18, will have descended the falling side of the first step, or undulation, and at this moment the stud, 6, will, by its revolu- tion become free from the slot in the disc, and the disc and cam will become stationary, the stud, 7, will also work clear of the stud, 8, and the spring, 16, will draw forward the lever, 12, and draw the stud, 6, forward, so that it will not gear into the disc until the proper time for stripping the next card. The waste is depo- sited on the top of the machine, and on the backs of the cards, and should any hang in the comb it is loosened by the next top rli02 [Assembly card as it passes over it the first time, preparatory to stripping it. When the next stud, 7, on the wheel, Y, acts on the stud, 8, of the bent lever, 9, the cam^will make another movement and car- ry the pin, 18, over the next undulation or step, 30, this will bring the sweeps, 1 1, and their appendages, including the comb, in operation on the next card, and turn or open it, strip, and return or close it, in precisely the same manner as the first. Thus the operation proceeds, every step, 30, of the cam causing a card to be stripped, until the cards have all been acted upon, and the commencement of the long undulation or step, 31, arrives at stud, 18. One of the studs on the wheel, Y, marked for distinction, 7^, is elongated in the direction of its revolution, so that it remains in contact with the stud, 8, on the lever, 9, for a considerable time, long enough to cause the stud, 6, to operate in two slots of the disc without being withdrawn forward j it .being necessary to give two movements of the same length as all the others to the disc and cam, in order to carry the whole of the step, 31, past the stud 18. As the first or ascending part of the step, 31, passes the stud, it raises it, and causes the sweep to move on in the direction of the arrow, 33, and bring the catch, X) against the step, behind the sweep, fig. 1, to release the 21ate, J, and then carry the stud, c, down the incline, «, which draws down the plate, J, and brings the brush into a position for operating as described. When the top of the step, 31, passes the stud, 18, the descending part comes into opejation on it, and carries it down, depressing the rod, 21, and lever, 0, and moving the sectors sufficiently to carry the sweeps back to their first described position, sweeping all the waste on to the cover of the doffer. During the latter part of this last described movement of the sweeps, the stud, s, travels along the incline, t, and raises the brush. The next movement of the cam is the same as that first described, and the succeeding operations of the machine are repetitions of those just explained. No. 129.] 103 JOB PRINTING PRESS. Mr. George P. Gordon exhibited a Press, patented in 1851j designed for small job printing, which did its work admirably. It is capable of printing 1 ,500 impressions per hour, and is adapted to print from a single line to a form the size of half a foolscap sheet. It is worked with the foot on a treadle, or steam may be used. The space occupied by it is three feet square, rising about four feet from the floor. The platten of this press presents itself directly in front of the operator, nearly in a horizontal position, upon which the paper to be printed is laid. The platten has a rotating and reciproca- ting motion, that is, it has a quarter revolution, which brings the platten into a vertical position directly opposite to the form and point of impression, and then a return motion, which brings it again to its horizontal position. This motion is communicated by means of a cam, sectional arm, and its own segment geared with the sectional arm, causing the platten to move in the arc of a circle when passing from its position where the sheet is placed upon it, to that where it receives the impression. The bed vibrates, and is fixed upon its own axis, so that it may recede into the proper position for receiving the inking rollers on the face of the form. Its position is vertical, standing parallel to the face of the platten when the toggle is straight and the im- pression given. The rollers are held by two side arms, so combined as to form. a frame to carry them, and motion is communicated both forward and backward, passing twice over the form for each impression during the rest of the other parts of the machine. By this ar- rangement, the carriage with the ways for it to travel in, which is in common use, are dispensed with. The inking cylinders, vibrating distributor, &c., are placed upon the top of the press, so that they are constantly under the eye of the operator, being convenient for cleaning, change of ink, &c. The machine is operated by one person with apparent ease. A. 0. 1 04 [Assembly MODELLING. A very superior specimen of modelling was exhibited at our last fair, which justly attracted general admiration. It consisted of a colossal dog in bronze, representing a large dog, who having broken his chain is roaming at large and suddenly stops at the sound of a familiar voice. The idea is most beautifully illustra- ted in this production. As a work of art it possesses great merit, is decidedly original, and reflects honor on the artists. It was designed and modelled by Thomas F. Hoppin, of Provi- dence, R. I., and cast in bronze by the Messrs. Audubon at the Minnesota Foundry, under the direction of Messrs. Bogardus & Hoppin, of New- York. A. C. MODEL OF A DISABLED SHIP. Capt. J. G. Lawton exhibited a well constructed model of the ship Warren, as she arrived at the port of New'-York during the winter of 1850-51, having been 109 days on her passage from Glasgow to this port. After being 31 days out, the vessel lost her rudder, and was rendered almost a complete wreck, in one of those severe gales which swept tlie Atlantic ocean during that winter. She remained at the mercy of the storm and rode it out. After 15 days Capt. L. had constructed a rudder out of a hemp cable, and attached it to the vessel, with the assistance of which, and tlie few sails they were enabled to spread, she reached her port after a further space of 63 days. A model of the rudder was also exhibited, and the method of attaching it to the ship. The whole reflects great credit on the commandant of this vessel, and strikingly illustrates the influence of dire necessity on the faculties of our race. A. C. No. 129.] 105 NAVAL ARCHITECTURE. The original model of the yacht America, by George Steers, was placed on exhibition. It attracted much attention, and our judges reported the model as " worthy of all praise and entitled to the highest premium." It received the Gold Medal of the Institute. The model of the steam ship Illinois, designed by Messrs. Smith & Dimon, of New- York, the model executed by Mr. Henry Owens, 1 58 Lewis street, New- York. The judges reported the design as the best on exhibition, and that the execution of the model in point of workmanship was the best they had ever seen. The de- sign received the Gold Medal, and the artizan for the workman- ship displayed in constructing the model, the Silver Medal of the Institute. The model of a clipper ship by L. H. Boole, 191 East 15th St., New-York, was reported favorably on by the judges, and receiv- ed the Silver Medal of the Institute. PALMER'S IMPROVED PATENT ARTIFICIAL LEG. Messrs. Palmer & Co., Springfield, Mass., exhibited their im- proved artificial leg, of which the judges on surgical instruments speak in terms of the highest commendation, and close their re- port by saying, " it is superior to any other ever constructed, and merits for science and humanity the highest testimonial of the Institute." The body or skeleton of the leg is made from pieces of solid willow wood, it being the lightest and strongest material appli- cable to such purpose. The thigh, leg, and foot pieces are made hollow, and carved externally so as to imitate the natural leg in size, form, and symmetry. The knee, ankle, and toe joints have the motions of the natural limb, including the ball and socket formation ; this is an ingenious improvement over the mortice and tenon and metalic joints. The ball and socket joints are re- 106 [Assembly tained in their relative positions by strong metalic plates attach- ed vertically and immovably to the sides of the leg, through the ends of which strong hollow bolts pass and are also immovable, and upon which the thigh and leg pieces receive tlieir bearings in their flexions and extensions, through the whole diameter of the joints in solid wood substantially bushed. By this new and substantial arrangement, no motion of the metalic parts where they unite, is permitted; friction is reduced to the least possible degree, oil is dispensed with, and all the lateral motions and noise, peculiar to other kinds of joints, are prevented. The internal arrangements are strikingly in keeping with the anatomical structure of the natural limb. Through the ingen- ious application of springs, cams, eccentrics, and cords, the en- tire limb is moved, controlled, flexed, and extended with the most perfect ease and reliability. The movements very closely resemble the natural limb. A lever and spring adjusted in the lower part of the thigh and attached to the leg, serves to extend and control the knee joint, thus answeiing the extensor muscle of the natural leg ; while opposite and opposed to the extensor, a strong cord is inserted behind the knee joint which suspends the action of the leg when sufficiently extended, answering the action of the semi-branaceous and crureus muscles or ham-strings of the natural leg. This arrangement prevents that unpleasant concus- sion peculiar to all tenon and mortice joints, as used in previous constructions. A large and very strong heel curd, answering to the gastroo- nemii muscles or tendo Achillis, extends from the heel up into the calf of the leg, where it is connected with a cam playing upon an eccentric, which in its turn is connected by a lesser cord with the thigh, by which it is operated to extend the foot and also enabling the \^earer to throw his whole weight upon the ball of the foot, as upon the natural one, in walking, lifting, getting into carriages, ascending flights of stairs ; and at the same time affording a strong and life-like elasticity in walking. The foot and toe spring, and cord, which answer to the flexor muscles of the ankle and toes, to elevate the one, and firmly com- press the other to the 'ground, as experienced in walking, is a compound arrangement, flexing the foot upon the ankle and ele- No. 129.] 107 Tating it, thus antagonising and alternating the action of the heel cord which extends the foot and enabling the wearer of the limb to carry the foot easily and freely over any obstacle in its path- way, and at the same time have the artificial leg precisely of the same length as the natural leg, an arrangement long desired. The entire external surface of the skeleton or frame work of these limbs is covered with a green parchment indissolubly at- tached to it and apparently seamless ; which prevents the possi- bility of the light casement splitting and renders it perfectly re- liable. The surface of the parchment is covered with a water- proof cement, colored to resemble the natural limb, which may be kept perfectly clean by the use of soap and water as often as required. We saw a gentleman at our last fair wearing a pair of these artificial legs, having lost both the natural ones. They were nicely adjusted, enabling him to walk without limping or halt- ing, so much as scarcely to be perceived, and without a cane. We should not have entertained the slightest suspicion of the fact, indeed would not have believed it, had not the gentleman exhibited to us the veritable limbs made by Palmer & Co., upon which he had been walking with so much apparent ease. PEARL AND SHELL WORK. This is, comparatively, a new branch of manufacture in the United States,;' and we are not a little surprised at the perfection to which it has recently been carried. The specimens of pearl work boxes, handles for dentists' in- struments, &c., from A. Ruddock, Philadelphia, were very supe- rior, and reflect the highest credit on the artists. They excel any former exhibition made in the U. States. G. R. Chowlwell, 26 Maiden Lane, exhibited an assortment of pearl and shell card cases, pearl and leather porte-monnies, of the most exquisite workmanship, superior to anything of the kind 108 [Assembly heretofore made in the United States. We are exceedingly glad that these arts are making such progress with us, they will fur- nish employment to a multitude of workmen, and retain at home large sums of money which heretofore have been annually ex- pended abroad. To whatever extent we are enabled to indulge in luxuries, let us produce them at home, and theircost may be counted as clear gain. MANUFACTURE OF LINEN THKEAD. The display in this department at the last fair, surpassed all former exhibitions. The report of the judges is very full, con- taining facts of sufficient interest to warrant us in publishing it entire, which we do with thanks to the committee. " The committee on linen thread are happy to announce the triumphant success of Messrs. F. W. Farnham & Co., in produc- ing an article of thread, (as exhibited in numbers 1877 and 1878) which, after a careful examination, we have reason to think is in all respects not only equal to the best foreign brands, but vast- ly superior to the great majority of imported threads so largely consumed in this country. This company having availed them- selves of the latest improvements in Hax machinery, and aided by the ability and practical experience of Mr. G. K. White, have thus, at the outset of their enterprise, surmounted every difficulty in producing an article in this new and important branch of American manufacture, which challenges the admiration and merits the patronage and good will of every friend to American interest. This thread possesses, in an eminent degree, the fol- lowing essential requisites : 1st. Strength; 2d. An even, glossy, wiry surface j 3d. Pure, brilliant color. In the dying department, this company have accomplished wonders, not only in the great variety of shades presented, but in the richness and delicacy of a large majority of the colors. No. 129.] 109 We are indebted to a member of the company for the following statistics : Their factory is situated at Cohoes, N. Y. Capital invested, $100,000. The building is 220 feet in length, and has two water wheels of 85 horse powder each. The preparing departments for flax and tow are calculated for 6,000 spindles. In the spinning and twisting department, they are now running 2,000 spindles, and intend, in due time, to run the full complement of 6,000. They at present employ 120 hands, and when in full operation will employ 150. They now produce about 2,000 lbs. of thread per week, and will soon be able to increase their production to 3,000 lbs., or about 150,000 lbs. per annum, averaging in value, say $100,000. It is to be hoped that such an undertaking wall not be permit- ted to falter or fail for lack of patronage from dealers and consu- mers, especially when the article in question excels, in so many respects, a vast proportion of the linen thread imported and vend- ed throughout the country. Let this new and promising branch of industry be duly encouraged, and the working of our own flax and spindles will, inevitably, and at no distant period, blot out a large item of our present imports. The two cases of linen thread from Coflin, Bradley & Co., also afford very creditable specimens of the same article, which de- serve encouraging notice." TREDERICK A.|LEE, WM. E. SHEPARD, ^ HAYNES LORD, Judges. PROTEUS CHAIR. A chair, under the above designation, or rather a lounge for invalids, was exhibited at the last fair by Mr. P. O'Niel, Phila- delphia. It can, with very great facility, be adapted to almost any required position for the human body, having twenty-five 110 [Assembly distinct changes produced by mechanical arrangement, and ex- ceedingly simple. For invalids it would seem to be invaluable, and its appearance in any room is not objectionable. It received the Gold Medal of the Institute. A. C. ROCKINGHAM WARE. No stronger indication of the power and will of our great and growing country to supply her own wants, can be found in any department of the industrial art, than in that of Potting, as now carried on in the United States. Gradually, but surely, are we gaining ground upon our com- petitors of the old world in this art, no less than in that of spin- ning, weaving, forging, and the higher walks of Sculpture, Lite- rature and the Pencil. From facts, as well as efforts of the intellect, are we to judge of the ind^endence of a people ; and the annual exhibition of our own Institute, we deem, above any and all other schemes, best calculated to bring before the nation and the world the true source and firm foundation of our nation's pre-eminent position. In our immediate neighborhood potting has been carried on to limited extent for a considerable time, but with indiflerent and varying success. It has remained for the Qreat West to add another branch to the already cumbersome wreath, by springing into active operation on the banks of the Ohio, a community of nearly two thousand souls, supported entirely from the profits of successfully manufacturing various articles of use and ornament from the soil upon which their city is built. The difficulties with which our eastern manufacturers have had to contend in the pro- curing of coals and materials, are there entirely overcome by the benificent hand of nature, and we now witness the strange anom- aly of Eastern potters importing ware from the West at cheaper rates than they can manufacture, notwithstanding the heavy cost of transportation. No. 129.] lU Our late exhibition waa remarkable for tte display which com- petition in the perfection of various improvements recently intro- duced, has brought from the works of Messrs. Lyman & Fenton, Bennington, Vt., Messrs. Bennett & Brother, Pittsburgh, Pa., and from Messrs. Woodworth, Blakely's & Co., East Liverpool, Ohio. The Committee, in awarding the premium, could not overlook the soundness which has always characterized the ware of the Messrs. Bennett — they having taken the highest premiums here- tofore given — nor could they withhold their admiration of the beautiful coloring produced in the Bennington ware, yet, on find- ing the specimens from Woodward & Blakely's & Co., combining the quality of the one with the beauty of the other, coupled with the most exquisite modeling, they could not but award them the highest and best honor of the Institute — a Oold Medal. There are at present eight manufactories in full operation in the town of East Liverpool, of which the largest and mcst impor- tant is that of Messrs. Woodward, Blakely's & Co., their property covering acres of clay which ages will not exhaust, and their present works consisting of a range of brick buildings three hun- dred and fifty feet in length, with sheds and out-houses covering the square, and three mammoth ovens in constant blast, turning out from ten to fifteen hundred dollars in value of merchantable ware per week, and giving employment to nearly one hundred hands. CLAI'S PATENT ROLLED TAPER IRON. Wrought iron in this form has heretofore been produced only by the slow and expensive process of forging under hammer, and it has been considered impracticable to roll it. We believe the first attempt at rolling tapered iron, was by means of eccentric rolls. But the length of the taper being always limited by the circumference of the roll, and the pressure being unequal in the difierent parts of its revolution, (the whole taper being necessarily given in a single revolution) this plan was soon abandoned. The next attempt was with bevel wheels placed on the heads of the screws which holds down the top roll. This succeeded to a cer- ■ 112 [Assembly tain extent, but was found to be liable to some of the same objec- tions as the preceding plan, and the shafts and gearing were much in the way of the workmen. Revolving eccentrics were then proposed to be placed at each end of the roll and bearing on the journals. These presented no substantial advantage over eccentric rolls. Then a hydrostatic press was suggested to force down the roller as the iron was passing through, but it was found not to act with sufficient promptitude. Mr. Clay's plan is more simple and more efficient than any of these, and at the same time is unlimited as to the length or rate of taper that may be obtained by it. The principle on which it acts is that of hydrostatic pressure by means of a small chamber set on top of each housing, the plunger of which acts downwards, but instead of forcing water into the press, the chamber is first filled with water, and the pressure of the iron in passing between the rolls, tends to lift the top one, which is held down by the plunger of the press. An escape pipe, provided with a valve, is placed on the top of the chamber. When any upward pressure acts on the top roller, it is communicated by the plunger to the water, which then is forced out through the valve and the roll rises. By partially closing the valves, the water escapes more slowly, and the rise of the roll, and consequently the taper of the iron is more gradual. Thus it will be perceived that any rate of taper may be had by simply regulating the size of the opening in the escape valve. If the water is all drawn out before the bar is entirely through the rolls, the top roll ceases to rise, and the iron is parallel from that point. Then if the bar is turned end for end, and again put through the rolls, the parallel portion will be tapered. By this arrangement there can be obtained a bar regu- larly tapered from end to end, or tapered part of its length and parallel the remainder; tapered from both ends to a point any where in its length; tapered at each end and parallel in the middle, or alternately tapered and parallel, by opening and shut- ting the valve as the iron is passing tlirough the rolls. Wrought iron thus pressed, enters into the following uses : It \ is applied for iron knees in ship building. Vessels constructed with iron knees, will stow a greater bulk than when wooden knees No. 129.J 113 are used. Paddle wheel arms for steamers are flats tapered edge- wise. The leaves of elliptic springs are tapered at both ends and parallel in the middle. Short switches and pointers on railroads are regular tapers. Locomotive pedestals are forged in straight bars tapered at each end and parallel in the middle, and after- wards bent. The common form of carriage axle, known as the patent axle, is square next the journal and tapered to the middle of the axle. Straps for walking beams and connecting rods, and all kinds of levers are tapered ; anchor shanks are tapered, rounds passed through flat rollers, making them tapered ovals. Wind- lass necks are tapered squares. The specimens exhibited at our twenty-fourth Annual Fair were the first and only ones rolled in the United States by this process. Iron thus manufactured, we are informed, can be furnished at three cents per pound, whilst the same material, forged under the hammer, will cost six cents per pound. The works are estab- lished at Phoenixville, Pa., under the direction of the proprietors, Messrs. Reeves, Buck & Co., Philadelphia. TERRA COTTA, OR ARTIFICIAL STONE. When composed of good materials and well manufactured, forms a substance of great durability, being apparently indes- tructable in all situations. It is composed of pipe or potter's clay, with a due admixture of fine-grained sand and pulverized broken pottery. These ingredients, mixed to the consistence of paste, are modeled or moulded into a great variety of forms, such as statues, architectural decorations, vases, garden ornaments of various kinds, &c., and having been slowly dried in the air, may be fired to the hardness of stone in kilns constructed for that pur- pose. This material has been made for many years successfully at Berlin, and Dr. Ure describes very minutely the kilns used there by Mr. Feilner, which are economical in the use of fuel. It appears, also, that Mr. Keene obtained within a few years, a patent in England for making an artificial stone paste, in the following manner : " He dissolves one pound of alum in a gallon [Assembly, No. 129} 8 114 I Assembly of water, and in this solution he soaks eighty-four pounds of gypsum calcined in small lumps. He exposes these lumps in the open air for about eight days, till they become apparently dry, and then calcines them in an oven at a dull red heat. These lumps being ground and sifted, afford a fine powder, which when made up into a paste with a proper quantity of water, forms the petrifying ground. The mass soon concretes, and after being brushed over with a thin layer of the petrifying paste, may be polished with pumice, &c., in the usual way. It then affords a body of great compactness and durability. If half a pound of copperas be added to the solution of alum, the gypsum paste, treated as above, has a fine cream or yellow color." We have made the above statements introductory to a notice of the exhibitions in tliis department of art which were made at our last fair. The principal exhibition was made by Mr. Alexander Young, of the city of New- York. It consisted of the entire trim- mings of a door, somewhat elaborately finished, with a variety of architectural and garden ornaments. Mr. Young has been en- gaged in this manufacture about two years, endeavoring to intro- duce it for building purposes ; he refers to several buildings which have been trimmed with it, here and elsewhere, as a sub- stitute for stone, particularly to the St. Denis Hotel, a large building on the corner of Broadway and Eleventh-street. It is claimed for Terra Cotta that, it is as strong and as endu- ring as brown stone or marble ; it can be elaborately finished at half the cost of eitlier ; its natural color, although it may not suit the taste of every one, is far from being objectionable ; it will stand the fire better than any stone used for the same purposes ; paint adheres to it with great tenacity, consequently it can be made to imitate other substances very closely. Mr. Young in- forms us that pulverized pottery is not used in his composition, but all the materials are abundant and at hand. The Gold Medal was awarded to Mr. Youus?. 'o- Mr. Edward Roach, of New- York, also made a good display of this material, in vases, ornamented capitals, garden ornaments, &c. No. 129.] 115 Mr. George Saul, of Melbourn, N. Y., exhibited specimens of bronzed Terra Cotta. It has occurred to us that this material is admirably adapted for enclosing and ornamenting plots in rural cemeteries, more enduring, and preferable to iron railings. A. C. ZINC PAINTS. The New Jersey Mining and Exploring Company, made an in- teresting display of the zinc Paints manufactured by them, and which the company are now ready to furnish in any required quantity. These paints consist of the following : Zinc white ; this is the pure white oxide of Zinc, and . we sincerely rejoice that it is capable of being produced in sufficient quantities and at prices that enable it to compete with white lead as a pigment. The use of white lead, particularly for the inside finish of our dwellings, cannot too soon be .discarded. There is no doubt in our mind that white lead has had a tendency to aggravate the diseases of the invalid members of every family in the domicile of which it has been permitted to be used, from its commence- ment to the present day. Light brown paint j this is a pure metalic oxide, having zinc for its base. Dark brown paint ; this also is a pure metalic oxide, having zinc and franklinite for its base. These, as coverings for metalic surfaces, are unequalled. Black zinc paint, is produced by the addition of lamp black. There is also a delicate blue paint produced in the process of manufacturing zinc metal. The New Jersey exploring, and mining company, offered a spe- cial premium of $175 through the American Institute at its last Fair, for the three best specimens of pannel painting with the zinc white of their company ; to be divided thus : $100 for the best ; $50 for the second best, and $25 for the third best. The work to be done in gloss and dead -work, and finished with a brush. This offer, which was made at rather a late period, brought forward nine competitors. The work they exhibited was admirably done, and it required experienced workmen to 116 I Assembly discriminate as to quality. The decision was submitted to five competent painters, who after a faithj'ul examination, made the following awards : First premium to J. W. Jones, Brooklyn, L. Island. Second do to Aston & Seabury, New York. Third do to Radcliff Carman, New York. A. C. COMMUNICATIONS. To the Board of Managers of the Twenty-fourth Annual Fair of the American Institute. Gentlemen : — Agreeable with the requirements of your insti- tion I hand you a few remarks on the agricultural and garden products grown by me, and exhibited at your late exhibition. Indian Com. The cultivation of the thirty-four varieties was the same as that of the previous year, a detailed statement of which you have in the last number of your transactions. All were grown on clay loam and a portion of the land employed has f(»r the last four years been under cultivation for this exhausting crop, which to me is another evidence of the importance of the system of manuring as recommended by the most intelligent agricultur- ists of the present time, which in substance is furnishing the soil with the constituents of the plants, or in other words supply- ing the plants with proper tood to feed upon, and a good return is a sure result. The important rank occupied by this grain in the agricultural products of our country, its great capabilities of production for sustaining animal life and being, as I believe now conceded, indi- genous to our soil, it justly claims the attention of every tiller of the land and notwithstanding the great improvement made by cultivation, we may still suppose that it is far from its zenith and its capabilities for production not yet fully known. To trace its rapid advancement we scarcely need go further back than the commencement of your annual exhibitions which no doubt have given a stimulus to this as well as other important 118 [Assembly productions of our republic. Seldom a year that does not bring to your exhibitions new varieties of maize orjmarked improvement in those previously known, many of which as objects of curiosity are worthy of our admiration, but more important are the splen- did ears which annually notes its progress '; as for example the specimens of white corn from Monmouth county, N. J., and Long Island, evidences of improved seed and superior culti- vation. It has been stated that the numerous varieties were the repre- sentatives of but one specieSj but have we not as strong grounds for claiming for the white, yellow and sweet corn, distinct speci- fic origin, as we have for many specific distinctions in other departments of Natural History. It is not to be expected that every cultivator, especially those who look for immediate pecuniary returns, will indulge in many varieties during one season, nor would it be advisable, but of a grain so important too much cannot be known, and while testing the capabilities of a large number of varieties, grown under cir- cumstances equal, some good results may be obtained, or at least it is worthy of the effort. The remarks on the growth of the several varieties of com plants, are given from actual measurement taken from the ave- rage height when at maturity. * We are aware that the length of stalk as well as ear, is more influenced by circumstances, but believe that the measuretnents generally, will be found corresponding with those grown in other localities, on average good soil, under fair cultivation. The large number of varieties grown on the comparatively small extent of land, prevents giving a satisfactory statement of the respective product and cost. Sufficient, however, has been ascertained, to govern the producer in selecting those adapted to circumstances, such as soil, situation, and opportunity for pro- curing a sufficiency of manure, and if answering no other pur- pose, trust that the following synopsis of this extensively culti- vated grain will not be uninteresting. No. 129.] 119 VARIETIES OF WHITE CORN. " Long Island or Douglass?' Of all the varieties of White Flint, I prefer this for general use. It grows eight and a half to nine and a half feet high, producing five to six ears to the hill of four plants, and ripens in four and a half months. Ears ten to twelve inches long 5 rows, eight. Introduced to Long Island by Mr. Douglass, whence its name. " Elmgated White Flint.''' This is an elegant variety, highly deserving of cultivation, and by some considered superior. It requires five months to mature in ; stands ten to ten and a half feet high ; produces one eight- rowed ear, (seldom more,) thirteen to sixteen inches long, and I have occasionally seen them eighteen inches. " Twelve-rowed Jersey White Flints Grows nine and a half to ten feet high ; ears usually eleven to twelve inches long -, rows regular, and well filled out ; ripe in five months. A rich variety, requiring good soil, and thorough cultivation. " Slender White Flint. ''^ The growth of this variety, remarkable for its slender ear, is eight and a half to nine feet. The grain is of medium size, closely set in eight rows, on ears eleven to thirteen inches long, which taper slightly towards the apex, terminating in an abrupt point. It ripens in sixteen weeks, and is well adapted to tke northern States. ^^ Rhode Island Cap." This variety much cultivated in the northern and eastern States is, I am induced to believe, identical with "Canada Cap,'' and freely grown in Canada, w^here it is greatly esteemed on ac- count of its early advancement to maturity, happily answering the requirements of the short corn-growing season in that coun- try. 120 [Assembly It stands seven tx) seven and a half feet high, produces one and two ears, seven to eight inches in length, well cover- ed at apex ; rows eight at base, ten forming a cap, from which circumstance, as well as being fully covered at summit, we trace the origin of its name. " Large Virginia Denty Requiring a long season to mature in it is better adapted for cultivation in the southern states. With me it grew ten to elev- en feet high, producing stalks of unusual stoutness, the leaves broad and heavy, and in view of fruit and foliage it is a most luxuriant plant. It rarely produces more than one ear which is from ten to twelve inches long, twelve rowed and well filled out. At the expiration of five months the sheaths were still green and requiring a large supply of manure to sustain it until maturity — do not even as far north as the present locality consid- er it desirable for general cultivation. " Ohio Dent:' This as I learn, the favorite of the tarmers of the State from which it receives its name, attained the heighth of thirteen to fourteen feet ; stalks comparatively slender and very straight supporting its fruit four and a half to five feet above the ground, producing one, occasionally two ears eight to ten inches long and from twelve to sixteen rows ; grain milk white ; the depres- sion on the crown continuing to the summit, which is not fully covered. Though better adapted for cultivation in the south-western States, it is nevertheless a rich variety. Its stately and hand- some gnjwth renders it attractive on the field, and no doubt when grown on the rich alluvial soil on the margin of the Ohio, yields to the cultivator a return equally if not more remunerative than our best varieties do to the growers in the northern States. Time required for ripening five months. Resembles the Oregon ; the eajps, however, are not so stout, and the rows more regularly set. ' " Oregon^' A large variety said to be in general use on the western side of the continent ; grows twelve to thirteen feet high ; ears usually No. 129.] 121 one, nine to ten inches long, some sixteen to twenty, and in some specimens have counted twenty-six ; rows at base irregularly set, hence toward the summit straight and closely setj grain large, much wedged, crown depressed, which marking is fainter at base and toward the extremity. Full five months required for ripen- ing " Small Denty Ears six to seven inches in length, tapering abruptly toward the summit, which usually is not well covered ; rows twelve ; grain irregularly set at base, with a marked depression on the crown, the entire length of the ear; cob light red ; stalk nine and a half to ten feet, seldom producing more than one ear ; planted first of May, ripe middle of August. Freely grown in the Western states, where it is prized as an early variety. Seed from Sciota valley. " Tuscarm'aP A substantial table variety ; grain large, wider than deep ; cob red ; ears eight to nine inches j rows usually eight ; height of plants six and a half to seven feet; ears fully six to four plants ; well known to garden cultivation ; sweet flavor of sugar corn absent; much prized on account of its whiteness when ground into meal, hence the name of flour corn ; grain smooth when dry, with slight depression on the crown ; ripe in twelve weeks. " StoweVs Evergeen Sweet Corn." The cultivation of this variety superior when green for table use, is in our section quite recent. It was first introduced to the markets of Philadelphia by Mr. Stowel, of ibat vicinity, and if allowed I would add to its already lengthy name by calling " Stowel's evergreen prolific sweet corn. In regard to its producing qualities I can only say that it yields more generously than any variety of maize which has come under my observation excepting the unimportant orna- mental " nonpareil." 122 [Assembly In good soil it grows seven to seven and a half feet high pro- ducing from two to five ears and a specimen exhibited at the last fair, by Professor Mapes, had seven all well formed. The ears are six or eight inches long containing twelve to six- teen rows and in some examples a larger number. It also recommends itself to oar notice by possessing the pro- perty of continuing of it for a much longer period than any other kind adapted to similar purpose which great advantage will be readily appreciated by those who grow corn only for table use. A striking peculiarity with this variety is that it will not ger- minate until kiln dried, which feature is still more remarkable wlien we reflect that all seed requires moisture before germina- tion can commence. So irreconcilable did this now ascertained fact appear, not- withstanding the high authority from whence it came, I ven- tured the first planting without such preparation and the result was that every grain rotted, while seed of an ordinary variety planted at the same time under similar circumstances came up as usual. Subsequently on procuring seed properly prepared through the liberality and public invitation of the editor of the " Work- ing Farmer," I made the second lrinl and am not aware that a single grain failed. It was as dry as horn, nearly transparent and by many doubts respecting its ability to germinate, were ex- pressed. " Twelve Rowed Sweet Com.^^ Growth seven to seven and a lialf feet, ears one and two oc- casionally three, six to eight inches long, rows twelve not un- frequently fourteen, grain large and like all other varieties of sweet corn shriveled when dry, which circumstance* Mr. Salis- bury author of prize essay for best analysis of Indian corn, at- tributes mainly to the presence of a large percentage of albumen and dextrine. Planted first of May, suitable for table twenty-seventh of July. •See Trangactions New-York State Agricultural Society, 1848, page 838. No. 129J 123 '■^ Early Burlington.'''' Growth five to five and a half feet ; ears stout, usually are five to six inches in length ; grain, dull white, irregularly set, crowns depressed, apex not well covered; general appearance of ears rough; good for early use; sweet flavor of sugar corn wanting; ripens in nine to ten weeks. " Early Canada.'''' Plants five and a half to six feet ; ears one and two, tapering ; rows eight, regular and firmly set, apex well covered ; appear- ance smooth and handsome, flavor mealy ; ripens in about the same time as the former, desirable only for early garden cultiva- tion ; length of ears six to seven inches. " Rice Corn.''' Until recently this beautiful variety was grown almost entirely for ornament, but has now obtained a marketable value, to sup- ply the demand for " pop corn." The traflic in which I learn is yearly increasing, possessing a hardness above all others ; it is best adapted to such purpose, and in fact I believe the only kind used. It readily commands one dollar per bushel, of ears, and being quite productive, am not sure that a few acres devoted to its cultivation would not be profitable. Requiring a long season to ripen in, it should be planted early In good ground and well attended, it will grow seven to seven and a half feet high, and produce four to six ears, and sometimes more, to each plant. The ears have fourteen to twenty rows, and are furnished with an unusually heavy coating of sheaths or husks. Tlie rows are regular, with deep channels formed by the corneous portion of the grain, which greatly predominates ; length of ears five to six inches. " Mandan, or early six week's Garden Corn." For the seed of this interesting variety, I am indebted to Mr. John G. Bell, to whom agriculture and other departments of science, especially Natural History, has received much valuable aid. It was procured by Mr. Bell, at the " Mandan village," on the upper Missouri river, and appears to be the only variety known to the rude cultivators of that country. ' 124 [Assembly Its chief merit is its rapid advancement to maturity. I have had it suitable for the table in seven weeks after planting, and am of opinion it can be brought forward in time to justify the propriety of its extended name. Its growth is four to four and a half feet ; stalks very slender, tapering to a whip like form, supporting at six inches from the ground one and two ears, eight rowed, from five to seven inches long. JVonpareU. The pearl, or chicken corn as it is more generally termed, is the smallest variety known. Its cultivation is confined to gar- dens, and is grown for ornament. It appears in various shades of color, and is one of the varieties annually sent to England, where it is exhibited in the windows of the seedsmen and florists, and admired as a vegetable curiosity. Growth four to five feet, ears three to five, and have known thirteen perfect ears produced on a single plant ; grain hard and firmly set in regular rows on a slender cob from four to five in- ches long ; ripens in four months. VARIETIES OF YELLOW CORN. " Golden Sioux." This, the richest and most elegant of the yellow corn, will, in good soil, attain the height of nine and a half to ten feet, pro- ducing, usually, one splendid twelve rowed ear from 12 to 14 inches long. Grain* bright yellow, lighter on the crown ; corneous portion predominating, forming distinct furrows entire length of ear j apex well covered ; ripens in five months ; requires thorough cul- tivation, of which it is highly deserving. « Dutton." Height of plants seven to eight feet, ears one and two, rows twelve to eighteen ; when well grown the apex is completely cov- ered J ripe in fourteen to fifteen weeks ; a well known variety, much esteemed on account of the short season required for matu- No. 129.] 125 ring, as well as its capability for large production. When plant- ed early, will arrive in condition to sow the same ground with late turnips -, length of ears 8 to 9 inches. " Large eight rowed ?^ Grain dull yellow, lines deep and four broad, ears eleven to thirteen inches, seldom produces more than one apex ; height of plants eight to nine feet j foliage dense ; ripe in five months ; an excellent and productive variety. " Medium eight rowed.'*'' A good variety, and extensively cultivated ; differs from the preceding in the reduced size of the entire production, and ripens in a shorter season. " Early Canada or Canadian Yellow Flint.'''' Plants five and a half to six feet ; ears six to eight inches, fully six to four stalks, and under favorable circumstances, a larger yield ; rows, eight regular, and extending over the summit ; ripe in fourteen weeks, and well adapted to cultivation in the northern States. Not extensively cultivated in this section, generally considered unimportant in consequence of the reduced length of ears, but with thorough cultivation, will produce largely. The moderate heighth attained by the plants with corresponding foliage, it admits of close planting, and have been informed that on the well conducted farm of Dr. Crispel, of Ulster county, N. Y., it has, when planted in hills two and a half feet apart, and the cul- tivator kept actively employed, produced one hundred and twelve bushels of shelled corn to the acre. ^^Slender Yellotv Flint?^ A handsome eight-rowed variety, growing seven to seven and a half feet high, producing one and two slender tapering ears, ten to twelve inches long, much attenuated towards the summit ; rows regular, and well tilled out ; grain deep orange ; ripe in fourteen weeks. 126 [Assembly ^^ Kentucky Dent:' A rich variety freely grown in the western States, where it is familiarly known as the long grain and small cob ; ears usually one, situated feet from the ground ; rows generally six- teen, with deep furrows between ; grain bright yellow, lighter on the crowns, which are much depressed ; cob red ; ears eight to nine inches. With me it grew eleven to twelve feet high, and ripened in five months. " Orange Coney A well defined and attractive variety, growing six and a half feet high, producing midway on the stalk, one and two ears six to seven inches long, and fourteen to eighteen rows. Grain fur- nished with a projecting pointed flap, forming broad and deep furrows between the rows, which are regular and well filled out. Crowns deeply indented; ears conical. Grown from a single specimen procured in Orange county^ State of New- York, but could obtain no further information respecting it, and believing its place in the long list of maize un- occupied, have in the mean time, from locality, color, and form, introduced it under the above title. Ripens in four months and is deserving of cultivation. " Flesh colored:^ In regard to the propriety of recognizing this as a distinct va- riety, I have doubts, and am of opinion from specimens now before me grown from seed said to be pure, that it is a recent cross with the medium eight rowed yellow and hematite, which further cultivation will better determine. Grain redish yellow on the sides, lighter on the crown ; rows eight ; growth, produce and time required for ripening corresponding with the medium eight rowed yellow, of which we have spoken. HEMATITE VARIETIES. " Large twelve rowed.'''' This as well as all the others of similar complexion is better known as the velvet or brown corn. No. 129.) 127 In this section it is not much cultivated, notwithstanding it is elegant and productive, and recommends itself to our attention by maturing in a shorter season than is required by its lighter colored representatives. It attains the height of nine to nine and a half feet, and like all the other large varieties produces usually but one well form- ed ear; rows twelve, in some examples fourteen, firmly set on a red tapering cob, with the apex .generally naked. Length of ears eleven to thirteen inches. * " Medium eight rowedy Height of plants seven and a half to eight feet ; ears one and two ; rows well filled out ; length of ears ten to eleven inches. " iS'>7ia// eight rowedy Distinguished on the field by its reduced size and assuming at an earlier period the autumnal hue ; grows six to six and a half feet high ; ears seven to eight inches long, fully six to four plants ; ripe in fourteen weeks. " Hematite Sweet Corn?'' A good variety but not so desirable as the twelve rowed, out- striping it in growth, attaining under similar treatment eight and a half to nine feet ; average produce six ears, six to eight inches long and twelve to sixteen rows to four plants ; cob red ; grain faintly marked with the same color, which no doubt is fully de- veloped when pure ; not possessing so highly the sweet flavor of the former it is not cultivated for general use. "Rice Corn:' This as well as the " Mandan" and " Nonpareil" is the proto- type, excepting color, of the white varieties previously described and grown under similar treatment. Blue Corn — " JVonpareiP' and Flint. Of these, familiarly known as " Pigeon Corn," we have noth- ing excepting color to especially notice. It is usually mixed on the ear with white grains, and unless grown as a matter of fancy is not cultivated. ■J 28 [Assembly Pure specimens I have rarely seen, and an attractive object in the horticultural department of the last exhibition, was an ear of pure blue sweet corn from Canada, which I have procured for seed, and another year will endeavor to obtain a supply for those who take other than a pecuniary interest in this variously formed and colored grain CATTLE ROOTS. • Beets. The red and long yellow mangold wurzel, and white sugar, were grown on deep loomy soil, from seed sown on the twenty- ninth of May, in drills eighteen inches apart and the plants thinned one foot distant in the rows. The ground wds prepared with a good supply of yard manure and deeply worked. The superior growth on that portion, furnished with manure collected when feeding beets, has after trial the second year, sat- isfied me in regard to the good result attending this course of cultivation, a full account of which is to be found in your Transac- tions of last year. Carrots. These were grown on soil similar with the preceding, prepared in the same manner with perhaps rather more attention to its thorough pulverisation and the addition of a light dressing of wood ashes between the rows when the plants were about six inches high. Of the five varieties cultivated, the " Belgian white" gave the largest yield. The " big orange " were of handsome growth and the return remunerative. It is a highly desirable and long estab- lished variety and by many esteemed superior. The result of the Altringham was not satisfactory, notwith- standing, I had some good specimens, the growth was very un- even, the rows containing many inferior roots, and either I have expected too much from it, or else have been furnished with im- pure seed, which is probable, as this is the second season I have endeavored to grow it and have not yet had an approach to what No. 129] 129 I am led to believe it capable of producing, and am aware of no cause why it should not thrive as well here as other varieties 1 have successfully cultivated. The " large lemon colored " attained an important size and is beautiful in appearance, but regret on cutting, to find it watery, and doubt its remaining sound during winter, having never grown it before, I am not aware that this objectionable quality is char- acterestic. The "blood red," though not extensively cultivated, I highly prize ; it is capable of attaining a valuable size and have always found it to keep sound during winter. On cutting, the odor is much stronger than either of the preceding, and in the absence of an analysis, am inclined to the opinion that it contains properties more nutritive. It has, however, a propensity to run to seed and should not be sown until at least the last of May. Turnips. In consequence of the long continued absence of rain, my Rutabaga and yellow Aberdeen turnips, up to the first of October, made slow progress with the loss of many plants, and notwith- standing subsequent rains brought them forward, the roots at the close of the season were only tolerably well grown. Regarding the cultivation of turnips for cattle use, I cannot view it with that importance many claim for it. I read with pleasure the interesting accounts from England of the attention paid to this crop and the various fertilisers employed to obtain the greater weight from the acre, the results showing that climate to be better adapted to its production. With us, in order to ap- proach a corresponding growth, the seed should be sown in the month of May and the roots remain in the ground during Octo- ber, when, in an unusually favorable season, large and solid roots may be obtained ; but in ordinary seasons our summers are too severe. The plants become stinted, the roots hard, woody, and not unfrequently entirely destroyed. However valuable in Great Britain where its requirements are better met,, our soil can be [Assembly, No. 1"29.] 9 130 [Assembly more profitably employed in the cultivation of mangold wurzel, and carrots, both of which are more nutritious and, with proper attention, will no doubt give as large a return as the best culti- vated fields in Britain. It appears to me that, with us, turnips should rank only as a secondary crop. They do comparatively well when sown after early potatoes, early Indian corn and other grain, thus keeping the land employed the entire season, but, in my opinion, should not be made a leading crop. Turnip-rooted Cabbage. Requiring rich soil, a long season to mature in, and its produc- tion being less valuable than either of the preceding root crops, it is perhaps as well that its cultivation in our climate should not be more extensive ; but when grown under circumstances where the ground and labor employed is not of the first import- ance, it affords a good variety and I should prefer it to turnips when for such purpose. In order to have a good crop the ground has to be occupied the whole season. In the early stage of its growth it is used for culinary purposes, and in England, accord- ing to Mr. Bridgeman, "it is cultivated for feeding cows and sheep as well as for table use, and the bulbs often grow to up- wards of twenty inches in circumference and weigh from ten to twelve pounds." Garden Products ^ Few things are more striking than the usually neglected con- dition of our farmer's gardens. Grounds artistically laid out and embellished with costly shrubbery, to say nothing of the artificial and expensive means employed in producing fruits and flowers that bloom and fruit only, without such care, in tropical climates, has, we are aware, however agreeably associated with country life, nothing to do with farming ; but every farmer should have a small enclosure devoted to the cultivation of culinary vegetables beyond the coarser and few common-place varieties he is unnecessarily too generally confined; and with the view of No. 129. 1 131 stating the number of varieties produced in an abundant supply for a family of ordinary size at small cost from a piece of ground one hundred and twenty feet in length by seventy-five in breadth, have transcribed from my memorandum book the following, with a few remarks on some that, in this section, are not generally cultivated : March 21th. — Sowed in double rows '^ Prince Albert," " Cedo nulli," "Early Emperor," " Hairbeard's Champion of England," and " Carter's Victoria " Peas. The " Prince Albert" is the earliest variety with which I am acquainted, fruiting a few days in advance of the " Cedo nulli," both of which are desirable for early table use. The " Early Emperor " comes in a week or ten days later, pro- ducing larger fruit, and yielding much more abundantly. It is the best of the early varieties for general cultivation. The " Champion of England," justly celebrated for its many fine qualities, is for general use superior to all the others I have grown, moderately early, very prolific, full size, and excellent flavor, it will meet the expectations of any who may grow it. The vines, however, are lengthy, attaining in good ground, 7.8 feet, and should be well sodded, or else in garden cultivation, it will prove troublesome. " Carter's Victoria " is a late variety, vine extensive, stout and branching. The seed should be sown six to eight inches apart in the drills. Fruit large, well-flavored, and good for a succeeding crop. March 27 th. Planted " Windsor Beans" between rows of peas, which are four feet apart. However much prized in Great Britain, where it is the prin- cipal table bean, with us, in the possession of so many others bet- ter adapted to our climate, and so much superior, their cultiva- tion, especially where ground is an object, had as well be omit- ted. 1 32 [Assembly For sake of variety, however, and handsome appearance of their full and well-marked blossom, I grow a few, planted be- tween the rows of peas with the view of protection from the sun, and in this way succeed in obtaining a fair return. Under ordi- nary circumstances its cultivation would not be remunerative, re- quiring a moist and temperate climate, our summers are ill adapted to its wants, the hot and not unfrequently dry weather at the fruiting season destroys the blossom before tlie bean is set, and total failure is too apt to be the result. It is very hai'dy, admits of much earlier planting, and are ready for use in advance of those more extensively cultivated. Still, in consequence of the strong flavor, it is not generally liked. March 28th. Put out lettuce plants, " Hardy green," from seed sown last October. Requiring only a short season, it can be grown on ground in- tended for melons, egg-plants, &c. The curled varieties are preferable, but will not so well endure the winter. They should be forwarded in a moderate hot-bed, or sown as early in spring as the ground can be brought in condition. A supply can also be obtained for autumn use by sowing the seed in the early part of September. The cop lettuce should be blanched before cut for use. It is then very tender and in high esteem. March Slst — Sowed white and red solid Celery, also Celeriac. In Scotland it is said the red celery is extensirely cultivated ; in England, as with us, the white is most popular and the turnip rooted or celeriac but little known. In France and Germany it is freely grown, chiefly for the value of the bulb, the stalk is also suitable for table, possessing a peculiar sweetish flavor, and to a limited extent in private gardens is worthy of cultivation. In preparing the trenches recent manure must be avoided. Select that which has passed through fermentation, and let it be thorougly incorporated with the soil. Green manure will cause the plants to rot and too large a quantity of any kind is apt to produce similar results, I have derived great benefit from ma- No. 129. 1 133 nure from the liog pen, and prize it highly for this plant. If the plants when about six inches high, are transplanted into a for- warding bed and there remain until time to put them out in the trenches, they will acquire strength and the product will be much finer. March 31st — Sowed radish, early turnip, pajsnip and salsify seed. In order to have handsome roots of salsity or oyster plant, the ground should be deeply spaded, and thorougly pulverized; the plants early thinned six to eight inches apart, and the rows dis- tant one foot and a half. If sown early in spring it will be ready for use in September, and being hardy, will, like parsnips, remain in the ground with- out injury during winter. It admits of transplanting, but with me has never done so well as when allowed to remain in the permanent bed. ^pril 1st — Planted red, yellow and white silver skin onion ^ets. The best fertilizer employed by me in growing onions is guano, resulting in handsomer bulbs and earlier maturity. For private use I prefer the white, and have found it to keep as well during winter as the other varieties. Jljyril 2nd — Sowed long orange carrot seed, for borders. No garden can appear well without finished margins to the ■walks, and in a kitclien garden I know of nothing better than carrots. It is present early in spring, is uniform in growth, and its handsome cut leaves letains its thrifty appearance until late in the autumn, when the roots well repay the attention you have ijes towed upon them. ^pril 4th — Put out sea kale roots procured in the vicinity of Philadelphia, where to a limited extent it is cultivated. In this section it seems to be entirely unknown, and I have Jiever observed it in the markets of New- York. A prevailing opinion exists that it wiil not thrive well in our climate, and 134 [Assembly also tliat it requires deep sandy soil to grow in, both ol which I am inclined to the opinion, is incorrect ; at all events those in my possession have done remarkably well, and next spring con- fidently expect to cut a moderate supply of this vegetable so much esteemed in various parts of Great Brittain, where it is extensively cultivated to supply the markets and also grown in most private gardens It comes in earlier than asparagus and said to be superior. April 4th — Sowed Scorzonera. This is another vegetable seemingly but little known in the United States. It produces a blackish root, in flavor not unlike the oyster plant, which, in form, it resembles, and like which it is hardy and requires a long season to grow in and similar treat- ment. The leaves, however, are much more abundant, and the plants should be thinned farther distant in the rows. April bth — Sowed Seakale seed with the view of obtaining a iurther supply ot plants; two years at least from the seed is re- quired before it can be cut for use. Sowed Parsley, Summer Sa- vory, Sweet Majorara, Thyme, Globe Artichoke and Cardoon seed. Planted Melon seed in pots in hot-bed. For weeding Melon plants in frames I have found very advan- tageous ; you not only have the fruit earlier, but the plants, when put out, are in rough leaf and too far advanced to be destroyed by insects, which is tuo frequently their fate when^sown in the open ground. April lOth—Vnt out Cauliflower plants. Notwithstanding all that is said in regard to the unsuitable- ness of our climate for this superior vegetable, if healthy plants from seed sown in September are put out early in April (and if provided with hand glasses early in March) in rich ground, and kept in a forward state by careful attention, seldom fail produ- cing good heads or flowers in June. In the event of a*dry season they should be freely supplied with water, and for private use so few are required, say twenty-five or thirty plants, the trouble is trifling and well repaid. No. 129.] 135 April 14th. — Sowed Nasturtium. When not grown on a trellisse, the dwarf is preferable ; the fruit is equally as good, and the vines not troublesome. In ad- dition to the value of the berries, a row or two in a conspicuous position is ornamental. April 24M. — Sowed Kidney Dwarf Beans and Endive. The latter is now freely grown for market by the French gar- deners in the city of New- York. It is a good substitute for Let- tuce, and like the Coss variety, should be blanched before it is brought to table. If allow^ed to seed, it will attain the heighth of four feet, and produce handsome blue flowers. April 2Sth. — Sowed Swiss chard, Sir John Sinclair, or green spinach Beet seed. Cultivated for the value of its leaves, which supply the place of spinach, when that excellent vegetable cannot be procured. The leaves are about two feet long, very broad and tender, fur- nished with a wide groove like stem, purely white. By some it is called silver beet, in distinction from the golden and scarlet varieties which I have only met with at the recent exhibition, said to be natives of South America, and but lately introduced to the horticulture of the United States. May 9th. — Sowed " British Queen " and " Monastery Marrow" Peas. Fruit of both very large, and good late varietiei. May \4th. — Sowed purple cape Brocoli Cauliflower, "fawn colored " savoy, and red cabbage in seed bed. Planted Lima Beans. In order to have a longer continuance of this fine vegetable, without being too far advanced, I allow only two vines from the first planting to stand, and about three weeks afterwards plant again in the same hill, adding one or two more plants for later supply. May Ibth. — Sowed in open ground, large yellow, large red, smooth red, fig shaped red, and yellow cherry tomato seed. May nth. — Planted Garlic, off sets from fine bulbs, procured at the last Fair of the. American Institnte. Cultivation similar to that of Onions. 136 [Assembly May 27^A— Put out melons. Smooth red and large yellow to- mato plants forwarded in hot bed. As suggested last year in a communication to the American Agriculturist, I grew the above toraatos on ^an arched trellisse and found it attended with many advantages over the usual mode. The fruit from being freely exposed to the sun ripened earlier and is of handsomer growth, and being kept from the ground is not subjected to premature decay, whicli when grown in the ordinary way is too apt to be a cause of great waste. May dOih — Planted Okra and Marty nia. As far north as the State of New- York the cultivation of okra is quite recent, or at most sparingly grown, and at present I am not aware that it is extensively used. In the Southern states it is common and freely used for culinary purposes. It is employ- ed in the preparation of soups, and served up in the popular dish familiarly termed " Gumbaud." Requiring a degree of heat seldom prevailing before the first of June, it is not safe to venture planting the seed earlier. All my attempts at an earlier period have resulted in loss and disappoint- ment, but when deferred until warm and settled weather, have never known it to fail. Sown in drills and thinned twelve inches distant, with an additional hoeing, is all the cultivation required. In good ground the white variety will grow six to seven feet high. The green is comparatively dwarfish, and I observed in the Northern states most generally cultivated, but the capsules are more fibrous, coarser and not so well adapted to culinary use. The okra blossoms are large and handsome, and the plant is not inappropriate to ground devoted to ornamental purposes. Mar- tynia, better known as the bufifalo or unicorn plant, I have only grown as an object of curiosity, and am not prepared to speak of its merits as a culinary vegetable, and was not aware that it was used for such purpose until observing at the late fair a few speci- mens labeled " West India pickle," It is a stout growing plant, and when fall grown is about two feet high, spreads fully four feet and produces its fruit abundantly, having when green the hooked horn entire, whicli when at advanced maturity splits No. 129.] 137 forming two branches, from which circumstance we may suppose the above synonims have originated. " Dedicated to Professor Martyn of Cambridge, a well known botanist of the last century." (See Gray's Botany of the Northern United States.) June 2d — Put out Egg Plants. Being very tender, and not unfrequeutly destroyed by cold wet weather, they should not be put out until the weather is deter- mined, and then if placed in rich ground, free from shade, they will, with little attention, fruit freely, and can be as easily pro- cured as the most simple garden product, with the exception that, to have them early, the plants must be forwarded in a hot- bed. The early purple will, however, do very well from seed sown in the open ground in the month of May. The analysis of the fruit, giving a large per centage of phospho- ric acid, potash and soda, bone-dust and ashes, on most soils, can be safely employed in its cultivation, or ashes alone if the ground has been previously prepared with a good supply of yard ma- nure; and I have observed the good effect of guano in forward- ing the plants when their growth has been retarded by exposure to unsuitable weather. A few plants, incidentally procured last spring, gave yellow^fruit ; whether it is a distinct variety or not, I cannot say. During tlie eiirly growth, the color is light pur- ple, and it may be the violet egg plant, a variety much cultiva- ted in France: assuming the yellow hue as it advances toward maturity. I have before occasionally had specimens of the same color, and viewed it as accidental ; but in this instance, all the plants obtained under the same circumstances, produced similar fruit, and having no means of ascertaining where or by whom the plants were grown, have placed the seed in the hands of several -growers, with the view of better ascertaining its true character. June I8tk. — Put out Pepper plants. Plants forwarded in a hot-bed and put out in Jime, will with little attention, produce abundantly. The fruit is conspicuous, -and if not required for use, a few plants is an embeslishment to the kitchen garden. 138 [Assembly July bth. — Put out Brocoli plants between rows of onions which are at about maturity. The purple cape being best adapted to our climate, it is most cultivated. The seed should be sown about the middle of May, and the plants put out early in July, to flower in October. If put out earlier, the heads, if they form at all soon run to seed, thus rendering them unfit for use. Where a small quantity only are required, it is best to raise the plants in pots, then they can be put out without checking their growth, and if attended to at proper intervals, a supply in ordinary seasons can be obtained during the months of October and November. Being an excellent substitute for cauliflower, and more likely to succeed, I grow it more freely, and rarely fail having an abundant supply for au- tumn use. In this climate the flowering of the white Brocoli is more un- certain, and though well to try a few, it is not safe to depend upon it for the main supply. Like cauliflower? the varieties of this species of brassica, re- quire rich soil, and in other respects similar treatment Brocoli and onions I grow on the same ground by putting out the plants in July, the same as if the ground were unoccupied, and before they spread to any important extent, the onions are r«ady to be taken ®ff. July i)th. Put out Globe Artichokes; put <^)Ut cardoons in trenches with the view of convenience for blanching. For the former two ye^rs from the seed is required before the plants produce their globular heads, which is the part used. The seed should be sown early in spring, and the plants, when six to eight inches high, transplanted into a permanent bed, in rows five feet apart, and the plants three feet distant, when with proper attention they will last for several years, producing their fruit annually. Like the former, the Cardoon artichoke is freely grown in France, where it is used chiefly in the preparation of soups. No. 129.1 139 In good soil, it will grow four to five feet high, and if allowed, the tops will spread to a circle of five feet. As it progresses in growth it should be earthed up for blanching, and in order to have for such purpose a sufficient supply of earth the plants should be at least four feet distant every way. Stems stout, leaves lanceolate, cut 5 lower surface silver white, upper, dark green • their margins furnished with sharp thorns, and in ap- pearance it is not unlike the thistle. As a variety it is attractive, but with us not much esteemed for culinary purposes, and its cultivation is limited. July \^th Sowed Eseulenta (turnip rooted cabbage below ground or French turnip,) Red top, long white Tankard, yellow Malta and Swan's egg turnip seed. July I9th — Put out Celery in trenches, in ground on which early peas were grown. Sowed Endive, Silesia and Coss Lettuce for autumn use. ^ug. bih — Sowed Peas. Although the flavor is not so fine as in spring they are nevertheless desirable, and it is as well to sow a few for autumn use. Sept. 17th. Sowed Broad-leaved Spina«h," and "Hardy GreeB Lettuce," to stand out during winter. Very respectfully, JACOB P. GIRAUD, Jk, Bergen, J^. J., D^c. 3, 1851. To Jamrs R. Smith, Esq., Ck'n Premhi Com. Fair of American Institute : Sir : — In compliance with your suggestion at the time I in- formed you that I should hereafter withdraw from competition in the cook stove departments of future Fairs, I proceed to lay my case before the premium committee, and through them be- fore the American Institute. Anthracite coal was first brought to market with the view of being introduced as fuel in the year 1820, during that year 365 tons oi Lehigh coal was mined, it was not uijtil 1825, that the 140 [Assembly Schuylkill mines were worked for that purpose, in that year about 6,500 tons of coal including Lehigh were brought to market, some of whieh reached the city of New- York. The mining operations for 1851, will exceed 3,000,000 tons. With the view of showing how and in what way the doings and interests of the subscriber have been identified with the coal mines of Pennsylvania, and the introduction of their coal into use, particularly for the mass, the many he refers to the following extract from a deposition made by himself in the year 1847, in certain matters then pending before the Hon. Secretary of State of the United States. And also to the report from the examiner and commissioner of patents, confirmed by the Hon. James Buchanan, to the effect that' the invention of the subscriber produced a distinct era in fuel sa.- ving. City and County of New- York, ss : Jordan L. Mott, applicant &c., being duly sworn, doth depose and say that soon after the anthracite coal was brought to the city of New-York, he commenced a series of experiments for the purpose of devising some mode by which it might be used for domestic purposes ; the apparatus then eojployed for burning bituminous coal or wood not being adapted to this new fuel ; that his first experiments were with the large sized coal, which he soon abandoned and confined them to the small sized nut coal, which was accumulating in large quantities in the yards, and at the mines, was but little or no value, in most cases given away. To contrive an apparatus in which the poor could use this seem- inirly worthless coal was the chief object of this deponenVs experi- ments, which he continued with varied success for the period of five or six years, during which time he tried almost every con- ceivable form of fire-place or grate. One serious objection to the use of large coal was the great length of time required to make an availiblo fire. In the win- ter of 1829, this deponent contrived a stove in wliich he could make a fire with small coal in from five to ten minutes, using a« kindling wood a small white wood segar box. No. 129.] 141 At this period it was a matter of great curiosity with the public to see a hard coal fire kindled with so small a quantity of wood. " From this stove this deponent discovered the importance of burning coal in thin layers which led to the theory, that to ob- tain the maximum amount of heat from anthracite coal, the depth of the stratum should he governed by the size of the lumps and the amount of air used in its combustion; that to secure the most per- fect combustion in a stove or furnace constructed with an ordi- nary draft, if the pea sized coal, the depth of the stratum should be from two or three inches ; for nut sized coal from four to five inches ; for egg sized, seven to eight inches; increasing the depth of stratum as larger coal is used ; with these depths the gaseous products will be carbonic acid, the result of a perfect combus- tion, with a much increased depth the gaseous products will be carbonic oxyde, a combustible gas, which flames with renewed oxygen, as witnessed by the blue flame at tlie top of the smoke pipe of nearly all the steamers that use anthracite coal, 'wast- ing a large amount of heat.' This deponent found that in burn- iag small coal in thin horizontal layers it would soon cool out, leaving the grate covered with unignited coal, the outside burnt to a cinder, the inside but little affected by combustion. This being at the expense of a great W' aste of fuel, time and labor, he tried an inclined grate with better success, but not what he thought was requisite to induce the public to relinquish their long cherished wood fire for a fuel of which they could know but little." "During the winter of 1831 and 32, he experimented witl various modifications upon the stove for which he (subsequently) applied for and obtained letters patent of the United States." " This may be classed among the compound stoves ; it having a double furnace, a deep, and a thin fire, an upper or close stove, a lower or open stove. By this arrangement all the advantages of burning coal in thin layers are preserved without the con- stant fear of the coal burning or cooling out. The crude- coal being placed in the front chamber, out of the line of draft be- comes heated and gradually slides into the line of draft as com- bustion progresses. The most perfect combustion being at the thin part of the fire at the forward part of the grate ; more air 142 [Assembly passing the front and upper part of the grate in consequence of having a less depth ot coal to pass through; air like water pas- sing where there is the least to obstruct. The coal as it gradu- ally slides from the front is less compact and thus facilitates the draft. The draft through the bottom and the deep part of the grate is necessarily sluggish. The deep grate serves as a reser- voir for the coal that has undergone nearly complete combus- tion, as also for the ashes, clinker, slate and other foreign mat- ter, affording sufficient depth to prevent the fire cooling out, an evil that cannot be avoided with a thin fire of a uniform depth ^^either horizontal or inclined.'''' " When this deponent had perfected and secured his inven- tion, he had great difficulty to introduce it. He had to contend with the prejudices of the public against a new article. As he was not a practical mechanic he had also to contend with supe- rior skill and economy of manufacture. He offered the inven- tion to some of the trade at their own or in fact without price, for a few years, but being unwilling to incur the expense of in- troducing a new article, or not appreciating its utilities, they de- clined to accept it upon any terms." " Many persons could not be persuaded that a small quantity, of coal would afford more available heat than a larger quantity, whatever might be the construction of the furnace. Others would not use small coal ; as late as 1835, a lady when informed by this deponent that she must use nut coal, refused to purchase his stove, saying that she would not have a load dumped at her door by day light, as it was a cheap coal fit only for the poor; at that date it was selling at about half the price of broken coal," &c.,&c. Sworn to on the 24th of November, \ 1847, before \ Alexander Watson, Commissioner of Deeds. Again: "Anthracite coal has been known for centuries; in Wales there is said to be a bed 7 to 8 miles in width and from 70 to 80 miles in length, and yet it is not used in England for domestic purposes ; they suffer all the annoyance of the smoke and dust of bituminous coal for no other reason than their igno- rance of the immense value of the Anthracite and tlie want of a proper apparatus for its use ; that their anthracite is equal in No. 129.] 143 quality to the anthracites of this country for domestic purposes, can and will cheerfully be proved at the store of the subscriber should your committee desire proof, at any time that will suit their convenience, as he is in possession of a parcel of Welch an- thracite. Letter of the Commissioner- of patents to the Secretary of State of the United States. Patent Office, May 5, 1835. Sir — In reply to your letter of the 3d 'inst., requesting my opinion^whether or no the stove invented by Jordan L. Mott, for burning refuse anthracite coal is useful and important, I have the honor to state, that in my judgment it is both useful and im- portant. . In my opinion the invention involves a beautiful ap- plication of philospliical principles to the purpose for which it was designed, and was at the time it was made new, and has since proved by practical experiments to be of great utility I submitted the matter of your inquiries to the examijjer who has charge of that class of inventions, and he concurs with me in the opinion above expressed, as you will perceive by his report to me herewith enclosed. I have the honor to be, . with great respect, your ob't serv't, (Signed) EDMUND BURKE. Report of the Principal Examiner of Patents. Patent Office, May 5, 1848. Sir — In compliance with your request for my opinion as to the utility and importance of the stove invented by Jordan L. Mott, for burning small coal, I have the honor to state that I have for several years been well acquainted with this invention, and regarded it as highly useful and important. It appears to stand quite prominent among the great collection of improve- ments in stoves, as making a disti?ict era in fuel-saving. To the best of my belief and knowledge, the kinds of coal for which this stove was contrived, were considered useless before this in- vention. Respectfully submitted. (Signed) CHAS. G. PAIGE, Examiner of Patents. Hon. Edmuwd Burke, Commissioner of Patents. 144 [ASSEAIBLV Endorsement of the Hon. Secretary of State. I concur entirely in the foregoing report of the Commissioner of patents, in regard to the great utility and importance of Mr. Jordan L. Motfs invention for burning refuse anthracite coal. (Signed) JAMES BUCHANAN. Washington May 8, 1848. The evidence confirming that of the subscriber and vrhich led to the report from the Secretary of State, were affidavits kindly furnished by Prof, Ren wick, Dr. James R. Chilton, Gen. Thomas W. Harvey, and other gentlemen of scientific and practical knowledge including those from stove dealers in Boston, Phila- delphia, Albany, New-York, and the person who made his first patterns. Prof. Renwick in his affidavit says : 1st. "Mr. Mott, so far as I am able to learn was the first person who successfully used as fuel, anthracite coal broken into small fragments" again, « 2d. '• Mr. Mott's apparatus for burning coal of this descrip- tion is not only the first in point of date, but is as far as my ob- servations have reached, the best of all those used for the pur- pose." Doct. Chilton, after stating that he had " assisted in making a series of practical experiments to test the value of the improve- ment," says. " By its peculiar construction no doubt that a greater amount of available heat can be obtained for domestic uses from a given weight of coal, than by any other arrange- ment with which I am acquainted." The Compound Furnace referred to in the foregoing extract, is the same as that embodied and combined with other most im- portant practical improvements for the application and economy of heat in the stove made by the undersigned called the " In- vincible," and entered on the books and catalolgue of the late Fair of the "American Institute as number one.'''' It is the same furnace to which the American Institute award- ed a discretionary premium by the managers of the fair held at Masonic Hall in 1833, in the following words: No.129.] 145 To Jordan L. Mott, for a "Self supply Coal Stove, simple in construction, of good appearance and burns well." It is the same furnace combined with other improvements which has, year after year since 1833 won the awards of the Institute. If memory serves I have repeatedly in conversation with you stated that if I were to make a stove to be used only in my kitchen or by those who had the mind to manage a complicated affair, that it would be different from and necessarily more costly than one for the many. My object has ever been to make a stove that will meet the wants of the mass. In getting up a new set of patterns, in all cases I aim to make the stove, not only economical and efficient^ but so simple in management, that the girl who arrives from Europe one day may use it the next. More than 25 years have passed since 1 commenced experi- menting for the express purpose of constructing some mode by which anthracite coal could be used by the mass; 10 years of which period I continued my mercantile business, depending upon the profits of that to aid in introducing a most valuable fuel. When I commenced the stove business I was looked upon by dealers of that day, as an interloper, I was so called, but few of them would commune with or deal with me ; for the past 7 years I have been the oldest wholesale manufacturer in the city. For nineteen years I have been a competitor at the Fairs of the American Institute ; and of the many persons who have ofiBicia- ted as judges, scientific or practical, who have been changed from time to time as the managing committee have changed, all, all, have awarded credit to the stoves of my manufacture, whilst others who have had their day have abandoned or ceased to manufacture theirs. My invention has stood the test of time every year adding new claims to its utility and importance. Two of the judges of the late Fair were dealers in stoves, not those of my make, as I could not sell to them without interfer- ing with those to whom I confine sales, and yet their report under these circumstances is more flattering to me than many of [Assembly, No. 129. J 10 146 [Assembly their predecessors. They say of my stove number one on the catalogue. " This stove is judged to be the most useful for the great mass of the people whose means ■will not enable them to ob- tain No. 358." With great respect. Yours, JORDAN L. MOTT. JVew-York, JVov. 26, 1851. Ghjn. a. Chandler, Cor. Sec. American Institute^ Jfew-Ycrk, Dear Sir — In submitting to your consideration the following tacts and theories which as a member of the press have passed under my revision, it may be necessary to state my reasons for laying the same before you. Although I am no socialist, except as regards Literature and the Arts and Sciences — in which I should rejoice to see every civilized nation in existence closely united in the fraternizing bonds of interchange and the communion of knowledge — the com- mon capital of all who desire an interest in the same — I presume to consider that no man has a moral right to keep to himself the knowledge which he may have acquired ; the thoughts and ideas produced by study, or resulting from observation and experience. In order, however, that these thoughts may be rendered availa- ble to the human family at large, it is necessary that they should be submitted to analysis, and the best of all analyses is the con- tinuous and successive experiments of the dilferent laborers in science and the comparison of their various processes through the medium of friendly interchange and communication. This is assuredly a desideratum for all who are engaged in the labors of art, science or literature ; and it should be the object of every institution founded on the broad and general principle for ren- dering men wiser and consequently happier, to offer to every thinking man the readiest medium for this communication with his fellow laborers in scientific inquiry. I may be permitted here, to advert to the noble example af- forded by the New-York American Institute, which has ever No. 129.] 147 evinced the most generous philanthropy m their efforts for hu- man happiness and advancement. If it should be inquired by the envious what has the American Institute of New- York done more than other institutions ? I would reply — and I think con- sistently— look around and tell me what they have 7io^ done! Sir, the " Farmer's Club,'' the meetings of which are held within the walls of the American Institute is the parent of every similar union in the United States ! The advantages offered to agricul- turists, &c. by the professional c^^mmunications and exchanges made at these meetings are most honorable to the Institute and must result in the highest practical advantages to the people of this great country ! Sir, there is an imperative necessity for an interchange of this nature, which I trust you will readily admit when we reflect for one moment how much has been lost to mankind in every branch of science by this unfortunate neglect and inobservance. I re- member that the late William Dunlop, of the New- York Drug Mills, — with whom I was engaged when I first came to this coun- try— and who was always experimenting in some way or another, discovered a process for rendering steel particularly, I may say adamantinely hard! He died in 1833, and the secret of his dis- covery was lost to mankind. The principle he employed was of course contraction, but further, as to the particular method he employed, we know not ! This is an instance which came under my own observation ; but how many other lights of science of which we have neither record or conception, have been oblitera- ted by this — I cannot call it less than idle neglect of the discov- erer. A writer in a late work of distinguished excellence, has feel- ingly lamented that the men of science of the present day are so deficient in earnestness, and that they have satisfied themselves with the mere statement of facts, without pursuing the inquiry to what additional powers these facts may be regarded tributary ; 'that profession supplies the place of performance, and that words have usurped the stern dignity of thought ! This sir, is a sweep- ing accusation, but let us inquire if it is not founded on truth ! We boast of the present as a religious age, and yet we have in too many instances lost sight of the divine power in nature and 143 [Assembly the infinity which belongs to it; although it is presented to us in every natural formation, and set forth in every combination which we make in our laboratories. The fulfilment of the duties thus virtually imposed upon us for the acquisition and difi'usion of knowledge, require an unceasing industry in seizing on the facts and circumstances at the moment. This immediate attention is further implied in the portrait which the aii'^ients liaye left us of opportunity, who is painted with a profusion of locks over his forehead, but with not one solitary tress behind ! It is left to us sir, to supply the moral. " I pity the man," say Sterne, '-who can travel from Dan to Beer- sheba, and cry it is all barren !" Nor was the satirist unjust in this observation, for it would be difficult to fix upon any man, whatever his grade in education or society, but who must from repeated opportunities of observation have possessed himself of some points of knowledge worth imparting as new^, or not gene- rally known. It is the determination to record the facts that we have gathered in our progress through life, the waifs and strays floating on the current of our existence, which every man is bound in the common feelings of humanity to secure and con- tribute to the general stock of information ; and which, though not perhaps immediately available for practical purposes, should nevertheless be recorded, for the hour will certainly arrive, and generally when we are in least expectation of it, when it must necessarily be observed in principle ! Tlie Chinese have a max- im, the gist of which it would be as well for some who pride themselves as more enlightened to remember; "That something is learned, that is by the thinking and considerate, every time a book is opened !" and another sentiment of that proverbial na- tion reads, " with time and patience the mulberry leaf becomes satin ! The same people call pen, ink, paper, and marble, as the medium for recording their thoughts and observations, Pau-tsee, i. e. the four precious things ! Gentlemen the Chinese are much wiser in their philosophy than the western world has been in the habit of supposing. Our industry, however, must have an end and object in its design ^ or we shall vitiate the results we desire to establish ; and though No. 129.] 149 we were not to imagine every difficulty is a lion in our path, at the same time it may be as well to remember that, in the Bodleian collection of manuscript letters, we have an instance of an en- thusiast following a butterHy for nine miles before he could secure his prize. Now, unless this was a very rare specimen of entomology, or one whose existence was either unknown or doubted, this "pursuit of science under difficulties" was a mere Avasting of our energies, and a diversion from more useful pur- poses. Again, Sir, permit me to reiterate that the acquisition and diffusion of knowledge is imperative on every man; and when we consider the infinite variety of tastes and inclinations which accompany humanity, the truth flashes upon us as self-evident, that there is no thread in the great tapestry of nature in which the process of induction, the art of reasoning from particulars to generalities, may not be employed with honor, inteiest and profit. In fact, in our aspirations after elementary principles, we must, from the continuance and stedfastness of our application, arrive at results, the permanent value of which we could not, at the moment, have possibly dreamt of or imagined. It is the mere principle of selfishness to suppose that we have done all that it is possible one can do ; nay, it is the essence of irreligion to indulge any such imaginings ; for if we look into tlie works of creation with the proper spirit of inquiry, we shall there learn the great truth that the Divine Creator, so far from expending his creative power on this wonderful world^ has left us evidence that numberless new forms of matter could be pro- duced from the same elements by any expression of his will. Now this is a remarkable truth, and one on which we should do well to ponder before we attempt to influence our minds with the delusion that we have done all that, in our sphere, it is in- cumbent on us to do in the acquisition and diffusion of knowl- edge. Such a belief is a contracted prejudice; and, sir, we have no moral right to mak^ ourselves the prisoners of prejudice. Of the necessity for this constant interchange of thoughts and acquirements in science, and the results of our different experi- 150 [Assembly ments, it may be stated here, that the first public announcement of the cellular structure of plants, which has only lately (1849) been thoroughly examined, was made by Robert Hooke in the early part of the 17th century — a fact that is at once both curious and impressive, as atibrding an instance of the length of time that a great scientific truth may lie dormant for want of detailed observation. Dr. Edward Clarke, the celebrated traveler and improver of the blow-pipe, was a man of such untiring industry in the pur- suit of scientific knowledge, that, on a friend's hinting to him one day that he "had too many irons in the fire," he replied that such application was imperative for success in any study, and that a man, so far from placing the poker into the fire, would do well to put the shovel and tongs there also; "and, sir," continu- ed he, if there is any room left, put the coal scuttle over all." It must not, however, be supposed that this continued industry is to absorb all the finer feelings of our nature. To Dr. Clarke's imperishable honor, he was to his aged mother the most loving and affectionate of sons. The Mohammedans have a saying that we can have but one mother ; Dr. Clarke, however, has shown us by his exampLe that he had two affections — liis mother and science. But, sir, we -will come a little nearer home, and bring forward on our canvas the two great apostles of industry of this coun- try— the lamented Audubon and Elihu Burritt. I am confident, sir, you will support me in the opinion that the unwearied per- severance of these two great men has covered the whole world of idleness with " shame and confusion of face." You may possibly consider me an enthusiast in these remarks; I have, however, good and sound authority for my opinion. Dr. Beck, in one of his clinical lectures, observed to his pupils one day that, without enthusiasm in any and every pursuit, we must fail in our efforts for any favorable results. . And now, sir, with your permission we will, for a few moments, glance at a few notices which I have gathered in my desultory course of reading. "No. 129.] 151 Apples. — Of this great staple fruit of our country, I find some varieties mentioned by Malte Brun "vyhich may, perhaps, merit our attention. On the subject of the different species grown in Central Russia, he notices that they were brought from Astrachan, Persia, and other sections of the eastern country. The European kinds are very rare. The apple of Kircusk^ though very large, is agreeable to the taste, and some of them weigh from three to four pounds. The transparmt apple, to which I would particu- larly call your attention, thrives in the governments of Vladimer and Moscow ; it is said to have been imported from China, though many consider it indigenous to the Crimea. This apple is so permeable to light that the seeds are distinctly seen through it. It is not a little extraordinary that the gardiners of Rostorn, in the government of Jaroslau, are superior to any in Europe. Though unaided by the lights of science, and without resources, contending againit a rigorous climate, they supply the entire cities of St. Petersburgh and Moscow with every variety of early vegetable. It is probable, however, that these industrious mea are the descendants of a foreign colony; as the real Russian gives himself but little trouble about such pursuits. Scottish Orchards. — Cobbett, speaking of the Scottish orchards, describes them as sources of prodigious profit. All the space ground is planted with gooseberries, currants and, in some situa- tions, with raspberries, the whole of which are kept entirely clear from weeds and spurs that the air may have thorough access to the fruit and branches, so that tlie berries are kept from what we call sioeat or scurf. This is worthy of remembrance. These orchards frequently realize from £80 to XI 00 sterling per acre; and Mr. Gavin, of Hamilton, told Cobbett that his orchard, less in extent than an English acre, yielded him in good seasons <£80 clear profit. Proprietors frequently sell by auction the fruit of ten or a dozen acres at prices closely approaching .£100 per acre. Tlie French champaign growers (!) are notorious for their com- mercial visits to the pear countries in England, and particularly Hereford, when they sweep off all they can purchase for the use of their wine factories in their native countries. 152 [Assembly We have some spleudid apples in America j but I fear we do not experiment sufficiently in our grafts and flower buds, or we should surely root out every poor and unprofitable apple in the country. The advantage of these continual experiments was shown at the Guernsey Fruit Exhibition last fall (1847) where a Chaumontel pear was presented from a graft on a quince stock, weighing two pounds four ounces and-a-half avoirdupois. No artificial means had been employed to increase the weight of the fruitj of which there was in addition a fair crop on the tree. With respect to these experiments in grafting, particularly in hybrids, we may refer at once to the successful results of the strawberry on the Eglantine, recorded, if I mistake not, in the reports of your institution ; and I am induced to believe that vast improvements can yet be made in our peach orchards^hoih. in size and quality, by a continued series of crosses and experiments on hardy stocks of plums, apples, pears, and quinces of an acid quality; this I believe to be an essential observance in order to prevent deterioration in flavor. I have the pleasure of stating that a new J^eciarvie has re- cently been introduced into England from Syria. It is called the Stanwick Nectarine, and is recommended in almost extrava- gant terms. It is pronounced by the best fruit growers, in ex- ©ellence as far beyond all other nectarines, as a green-gage is be- yond all other plums. The flesh is white, exceedingly tender, juicy, rich and sugary, and without tlic slightest trace of the prussic-acid flavor. Melons. — The next I find on my list is the melon, a noble fruit, could we but add an acid to the flavor ; and I do not see why we could not accomplish even this, by mixing the pollen of dif- ferent varieties, or even of extraneous fruits. The melon is especially rejected by some on account of its sickly sweetness ; now a process by which this fruit could be acidulated would re- move every objection even of the most fastidious. On the subject of frame culture I may mention, that white glass is found highly disadvantageous as admitting the scorching rays of the sun ; this is now remedied by employing green glass No. 129. j 158 which admits the luminous and ehemical effects necessary for vegetation, and excludes the inconvenience complained of. Tomato. — The same results from acidulation could probably be effected by experiments on the tomato, by which this fruit could be advanced from our sauces &c., to the dessert. As a vegetable accompaniment nothing can be more delicious, but by the addition of a sacharine acid, the merits of the fruit would be greatly increased. At any rate the experiment is worth a trial. Blackberry. — The blackberry comes under the same category for improvement. We have no conception here of the vast size which the berries of Normandy bear in comparison with our own. It appears that the plants of that country assume the form of large bushes growing wild under the shelter of the lofty forest-trees. The fruit from these bushes is as large as fine mul- berries, and of an exceedingly delicious flavor; valuable as a medicinal syrup for sore throat and for dysentery. It is sup- posed that the increased size of the Norman berry is owing to the absorption of the superabundant moisture by the overhang- ing foliage of the forest trees. In England high banks and dry soils appear best adapted to the perfection of this fruit. Possi- bly a graft on the mulberry or plum would produce the result desired. Raspberry. — Of the raspberry I would suggest the inquiky whether we have given this fruit all the attention u deserves ; from its general size and appearance I am inclined to think we have not. Many years ago I read that the ashes of common seaweed produce great effects with regard to size ; and some ac- counts lately published speak of the valuable results produced by the application of powdered charcoal. Potatoes. — With regard to seaweed as a manure for potatoes, it appears from some experiments made at Penzance, in Corn- wall, that this application produced an abundant crop, and the potatoes when dressed were one ball of meal, with a taste like new flour. Butter-nut Sugar. — An experiment I find by a communication to the American Agriculturist for last month, (Aug.,) has been 154 J Assembly made to test the sacliHrine qualities of the butter-nut sap. The writer states that late in the spring he sapped several trees stand- ing in an open field, and obtained from each tree about four gal- lons of sap, which on evaporation yielded 5 oz., grained sugar to the gallon, of a peculiar honey-like flavor. It was thought to make better molasses than any other kind the writer was ac- quainted with. It required to be well strained from the jelly- flakes when very dilute. This sugar did not partake of the medicinal properties of the bark ; and the amount of sap it was supposed would be equal to those of any maple of same size and soil. Tlie gathering it was stated, would furnish employment for the early spring, befjre the oommencement of the regular farm labor. Poultry. — My next memorandum refers to poultry, of which I learn that Mr. Giles, of Providence, R. I., has lately imported some very fine specimens, from the aviary of Messrs. Baker, Pic- cadilly, London. The prices it appears were for Malay roosters, $3.25 to 18.75 each; hens $2.50 to $3.75 : Cochin China roosters, |10; hens, $5 to $7.50: speckled Dorking roosters, $5; hens, $1.75 to $2 : Spanish roosters, $6.25 to $7.50 ; hens, $2.50 to $3 : Sussex roosters, $5; hens, $1.75: golden and silver Pheasants, each, per pair, $17.50, and English Pheasants $« to $7.50 per li)air. Steam Boilers. — From poultry to machinery is somewhat of a bound, but sir I have no alternative. To prevent corrosion in steam boilers, it was proposed at the annual meeting of the Corn- wall Polyt-echnic Society, to pour a small quantity of coal tar into the water, just before the steam is to "get up." The expe- rimenter (Mr. Williams, of Helstone,) stated, that this substance, whea thrown into boiling water, parts with its volatile constitu- ents, and its carbon is deposited upon all sides of the boiler with singular uniformity, adhering with great firmness to the iron plates by the peculiar action of the forc^, which appears to con- dense fluid matter on solid surfaces ; thus forming a kind of gra- phite coating, which most effectually protected the iron from all corrosion. No. 129.] 155 One more suggestion, and I shall conclude my notices in this communication, already I fear too long an intrusion on your patience. Paper. — The refuse of the British cotton and flax mills, which has generally been rejected, as useless from its absorption of grease &c.,is now by a treatment of alkaline solution, thoroughly cleansed, and produces a very excellent and cheap writing papQr. I trust, sir, I have not in my enthusiasm been too intrusive in the facts and speculations I have had the honor of laying before you. It will readily be admitted that every well intentioned person should be desirous of being considered a useful citizen, and the readiest method we can adopt to prove the sincerity of our profession, is to exert all the energies we possess to render our fellow beings wiser, and consequently better fitted to enjoy the happiness we are thus enabled to confer on them. We can take the very best authority for our support of this opinion, when we remember that tlie angels themselves, though the highest created intelligences are continually employed in the service of their Great Creator for the beneficent supply and protection of his creatures. A poet of North Carolina, in a late issue, makes this inquiry in one of his pieces — '•'When was gonius e'er gvegaiious ? "' Now, sir, though I greatly admire poetry, I must at the same time express my conviction that there is too frequently a g-reat gulf between poetry and gospel, and as regards the confluence of genius in that Institution, one of whose leading offlcers I have now the honor of addressing, I feel confident that we have the power, wholly and absolutely, to reverse this gentleman's asser- tion ; every man must be something in life, now let us determine to be working genii, fact collecting, fact recording genii ; a very hive of busy genii, and in a very little period of time we shall be enabled to show to the world that however sound our poet may be ia syntax, he has failed most woefully in fact ! 156 [Assembly In conclusion, I would say, adopting the sentiments of one oi the most extraordinarily gifted writers of the present day, "As we thus read lessons from the great book of visable matter, in its infinitely varied characters, let us not neglect that other Book which has been given to man to study his progress through life, to secure his happiness on earth, and to enable him to die in the hope of an interchange of pure intelligence ! " I beg to subscribe. My dear sir. With must respect, Your very ob't serv't, E. G. LANGDON, Jfew- York^ Sept. 2, 1851 . 545 Hudson-st. OSWEGO COUNTY. To the queers of the American Institute^ Gentlemen : In compliance with your invitation, I attended as a delegate from the Agricultural Society of Oswego county, your 24th Annual Exhibition. held in October last. It was to me a plea- sure to be present as a guest at the National Banquet which you had prepared, and to which you invited, not only the family of New- York, but the numerous family of the entire United States. On looking round, it appeared to me that every branch had re- sponded, even distant California was there with specimens of her mineral and vegetable treasures, and all contributed something, so that the entertainment was varied and bountilul,eacli particu- lar taste must have been suited, and I trust all received plea- sure and profit therefrom. I came as the representative of one ot the youngest sisters of the family of New-York ; who, though she has barely passed her minority, desires to be received into your society and become a competitor for those })enefits which you are so liberally dispen- sing through all our wide and extended country. We cannot, like the balmy regions of the south, present you with the spices, nor with the luxuriant fruits of the tropics. We are from the extreme north of our vast possessions, where we have a hyperborean cli- No. 129.] 157 mate to contend with when compared with the localities of a large proportion of our brethren. Added to the disadvantages of climate ; our county was not blessed with a particularly invi- ting /ace, which operates disadvantageously in regard to early engagements. Although tlie general aspect of our county, in a state of nature, was forbidding, yet through the persevering in- dustry of those whose lot was cast in this region, they have so far overcome natural impediments, that many parts of it have become desirable as places of residence, affording not only an equal share of the comforts of life, but a fair share of the luxu- ries also. We feel bound to make the best we can of our locali- ty, and improve the talents committed to our charge by a wise Providence. I am delegated to represent the agricultural and horticultural interests of our county ; but it affords me gratification to find that the progress of arts, in it, are favorably represented here. Our starch and flour occupy conspicuous niches in your exhibition. Of these two articles we manufacture more than four million of dollars in value annually ; and we also produce respectable quan- tities of butter and cheese for the eastern markets, together with beef, pork, wool, and many other farm productions. From our orchards we are now sending and are prepared to send to this market Jiffy thousand barrels of apples of the finest quality pro- duced in the United States. Situated as Osv/ego county is between 43" and 44" of north latitude, on a parallel with the southern part of Maine, an infer- ence might be drawn that the climate was too frigid for the suc- cessful cultivation of the finer and more delicate fruits of the middle States ; but such is not the case. Bordering as we do upon Lake Ontario, whose waters never freeze, the influence upon the surrounding atmosphere is such that the temperature never falls more than 8^ below zero, hence the cherry, apricot, nectarine, and peach, thrive and perfect their fruits as well, or better, than in the New England States. The commercial advantages of Oswego county are already commanding considerable attention. In addition to our domes- tic trade, which bears a large proportion to that of all the lakes, we have an increasing foreign trade with the Canadas, which 158 JASSEJSIELY merits, not only a fostering care from the State of New- York, on account of the tolls paid to her canals, but the freights thus se- cured to American bottoms on the Atlantic, and the revenue ac- cruing to the United States at the port of Oswego, demand a cor- responding action on the part of the general government. The foreign trade of the port of Oswego, which four or five years since did not al!brd sufficient revenue to pay the expenses of the collector's office, has increased the present season to over five hundred thou- sand dollars in duties paid on foreign articles, with a fair prospect that it may hereafter be counted by millions, should our govern- ment respond to the wishes of our Canadian neighbors. There is no port on our northern frontier that would command as great a proportion of this foreign trade as Oswego. The waters of Oswego county, for hydraulic purposes, are not surpassed by those of any other county in the State of New- York. On the north, traversing the whole width of the county runs Salmon river, with a heavy body of water, passing over a rocky bottom with rocky bank and a sufficient fall to drive the machinery for a nation. Near the western part of the county we have Oswego river, the pride of western New-York for hy- draulic purposes. This river, which receives the drainage of some twelve of our western counties, and, as if to economise its expenditures, the water is first entered into as many lakes which serve as so many equalizing reservoirs, sending their steady sup- ply at all times, unfrozen during winter, clear and limpid during summer, unobstructed by ice floods in spring time, nor swelled to any great extent by the early or late rains of the season, and bidding defiance to the droughts of summer, flows on in one un- ceasing current, sufficient for driving all the machinery that this part of the State may require for generations to come. For inland commerce and transportation, Oswego county is not behind the age. We have two railroads traversing the county from north to south, and it is said we have more plank roads traversing in various directions than any other county in the State. Thus you see, that although we have not thought proper till now to " come out," we hope through } our kindness to be somewhat extensively introduced to the world. Yours respectfully, N. GOODSELL. [No. 129. 159 DRAINING TILE. A. Chandleej Correspondiug Secretary of the .■^m. Institute : Sir — I have to acknowledge the receipt of a " Silver Medal,'^ awarded by the " American Institute " for the best " draining tiles," and at the same time beg to express my gratification at their having received the approval of your honorable society, which gives me hope tliat agriculturists will eventually see the great advantage to be derived from draining with " tile," in pre- ference to any other method hitherto in use. The subject of draining has for many years occupied the atten- tion of our farmers. The late Judge Euel, spoke strongly in its favor, and it has been since frequently urged by our most scien- tific men ; but where a large amount was frequently expended in stone draining, considerable disappointment was experienced; for, by the second or third year, when the benefit of draining was beginning to develope itself, the drains would become choked and useless through the ravages of vermin. This has been one reason why " thorough draining " has not been more generally adopted in the United States ; but the intro- duction of " drain tiles " offers an effectual remedy to this diffi- culty. I allude more particularly to the round or pipe tile, and the horseshoe with sole attached. The simple horseshoe laid with a broad sole, may last a little longer than the stone drain, but the board rots, and you are again at the mercy of whatever vermin may frequent the locality. There are advantages in draining with " tile," which should not be overlooked, first, they cost much less, as it is impossible^ even with stones at hand, to construct a foot of drain for one cent, which is the cost of an excellent sized tile for that purpose, and as they can be carried to the drain on a hand-barrow, it pre- vents the ground being cut up with waggons. Then, it is un- necessary to dig so wide a trench, which again saves cost ; and principally, the durability of the drains. 160 ("Assembly Great care should be taken to insure that the tiles are properly hardened in burning. We now test all that are sent from the factory. In cases of doubt, dip the tile several times in water, and allow them to dry ; if they stand this, they may be laid with safety. With regard to the depth at which the drain should be laid, opinions are divided. If the top thirty inches of soil can be cleared of superfluous water, the crops will be safe, but three feet may be recommended as a good average depth, and the ordinary drains, leading to the main drain, should be from fifteen to thirty feet apart. The main drain should be dug first, and deeper, and larger than the others, (for which we have, tiles up to 6 inches diameter,) allowing the others to slope into it at the least possi- ble inclination, and the main drain must also slope to the outlet, where the water may be made available for cattle, artificial ponds, or ornamental purposes. In digging the trench, the top soil should be laid on one side, the subsoil on the other, so that in returning it, there may be no inequality of the land. The trench should be as narrow as it is possible for a man to work in. Lay the tiles moderately close together, and over each joint place a sod, which prevents any dirt getting into the drain, then return the soil and the labor is completed. It is an error to suppose there is any land that would not be materially benefited by draining, and every garden would derive benefit from a proper system of drainage. How often do valua- ble fruit trees, without apparent cause, become unhealthy, or die, Is it not that the roots have penetrated to where the water, (which should have been drained ofi",) has become stagnant and impure ? I need not remind you how much is thought of this subject, in England, where there are companies formed who drain farms for those who are unable to make the outlay, taking for remunera- tion, a portion of the extra produce for a limited period^ and from this are realizing a handsome profit. In conclusion, I would state, that the Staten Island Drainage Tile Company has been estab- lished to supply drain tiles of the best construction, at tlio lowest No. 129.] 161 possible rate, having in view the interest of agriculture, more than present profit. I am, sir, Your obedient servant, H. R. BALL. Siapleton, Staten Island, Dec. 20th^ 1851. I suppose it unnecessary to add, that drain tiles should be porous, but I have heard of vitrified pipes being used for that purpose. IMPORTED STOCK IN 1799. The following letter, which we are permitted to publish, is interesting, as containing facts in relation to the efforts which were early made to improve the breed of our cattle. It has often occurred that animals are presented at our Fairs, claimed to be purely native, and at the same time, to the practiced eye, present every appearance of a cross, which the facts stated in the letter may serve to explain. XexD-York, Dec. 16, 1851. David Banks, Esq., Dear Sir — In answer to your request, made during the late cattle show in this city, relative to the introduction of the breed of short horned cattle in the county of Dutchess, I state that previous to May, 1799, Dr. Samuel Bard, General Morgan Lewis, and John De Witt, then residing in the town of Clinton, in Dutchess County, together with either Richard de Cantillon or Colonel William Barber, who were neighbors of Dr. Bard, hired a short horned bull from Alexander Peacock, imported by Mr. Heaton, an Englishman, residing in Westchester Co., and paid him for the use of the bull for one season, the sum of £60, or $150. I hold the receipt from Dr. Bard for the part paid by my father, in the following words : [Assembly, No. 129. J 11 . 162 [Assembly " 1799, May 18— Mr. De Witt, To Samuel Bard, Dr. To I part of X60, paid by S. Bard to Mr. Peacock, for the use of his bull, £lb 0 0 To I of 56s. paid by S. Bard, for the passage and ex- penses of the bull from and to New- York, 0 14 0 Rec'd in full, Samuel Bard." This bull was in Dutchess Co., I think as early as 1797 or 1798. In one of those years my father purchased a full blood bull calf about six weeks old, from Mr. Peacock, for which he paid him |50, and thus secured | blood. My cousin, Levi Van Vliet, who has always resided in Dutchess Co., within two miles of the farm and mills formerly owned by my father, well recollects the in- troduction of the breed by the bull " Sampson," and the calf " Julius," and while on a visit to me this month, informed me that the descendants of these two animals in Dutchess Co. are yet distinguishable. It may be observed that the gentlemen who hired Mr. Peacock's bull, had for several years paid particular attention to the selection and breed of cattle, and were possessed of stocks of superior native cows. In 1803 my father purchased of Mr. Peacock a lamb, for which he paid him $20, and although the stock of sheep in Dutchess Co. were generally very fine, yet the best of native lambs could then be purchased for |1.50. Mr. Peacock's receipt for the price paid for the lamb, is as follows : " Received of John De Witt, twenty dollars, in full for a lamb sold him. Dec. 5, 1803. Alex'r Peacock." Yours truly, PETER DE WITT. No. 129. j 163 RELIC OF THE REVOLUTION. Mr. Jordan L. Mott presented to the Institute in June last, the remains of a musket recently raised from the wreck of the British frigate Hussar, which vessel was sunk on the 14th of November, 1780, about one and a half miles above Hurl Gate, in seventy • feet of water. Nearly all the st©ck remains covered with the rust of the iron part, during its process of oxidation. The brass plate which covered the butt, the guard plate and tubes through which the rammer was inserted, all of brass, are all in the most perfect state of preservation, whilst of the iron, not a particle remains in a form that can be recognized as constituting' any part of a musket. The wood of the breech is sound, the other part of the stock would fall in pieces but for the rust which encircles it. Messrs. Howe & Pratt, two enterprising men from New-England have been exploring the wreck for some time. They use a sub- marine armor, make three descents every twenty-four hours, and remain down about an hour each time. Whether they find enough in value to compensate them for their labor, we are not informed, but infer it to be so, as it would not comport with the character of these people, to spend a whole summer at hard and hazardous labor for nothinsj. A. C. PROGRESS OF INSTITUTIONS FOR PROMOTING SCIENCE, AND THE INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS OF MANKIND. An examination of the subject comprised in the above title would undoubtedly be interesting and instructive, and might perchance be made to conduce essentially in exciting the zeal and adding to the number of those already engaged in these use- ful pursuits. It is not, however, our intention to trace such pro- gress, or attempt an illustration of its utility, at the present time ; but design merely to record an event connected with their his- tory, for the future use of those who may find leisure and incli- nation to investigate the subject more fully. The north west 164 [Assembly coast of America, from our infancy until within a very recent pe- riod, has brought to our mind little else than an extended waste of ocean shore, or an uncultivated wilderness of savages. True, we have known of the mouth of the Columbia river, and of the capacity and excellence of the harbor of San Francisco, and of the scanty and miserable number of inhabitants of Spanish descent, scattered around its shores. We have fancied, looking to some very remote period, that a day might dawn upon a happy thriving population, destined to occupy these places, where the arts and sciences would be cultivated and flourish ; but, lo ! as if through the instrumentality of the magician's wand, these things have sprung up in a day! The indomitable enterprize of the descen- dants of the Pilgrims is as conspicuous theie as here. The " Schoolmaster" is there, and under the guidance of his teachings, the desolate shores of the Pacific will be made fruitful, hospita- ble, and inviting. We are led to these remarks by the receipt of a circular from San Francisco, announcing the establishment of an institution there for promoting science and the arts, which we wish to re- cord. It is most beautifully printed in letter-press, in a style which cannot be exceeded even here. A. C. <' THE WESTERN WORLD INSTITUTE." ( CIKCULAR. ) This Institute, having been formed by Mr. C. A. Shelton, and his associates, for the purposes hereinafter named, they invite the co-operation of their fellow citizens and the public generally in the promotion of the objects of the establishment. The objects proposed to be accomplished by the establishment of this institution, are — the promotion in this State of Internal Improvements, and the advancement throughout the entire Pacific coast, (but more especially here) of all the great interests of Agriculture, Commerce, Horticulture, Mining, Manufacturing, and the Arts and Sciences ; improvement in the breed of Horses, Cattle, and all other useful animals — and, generally, the develop- ment of all the varied resources of this State, and of the whole Western coast and its neighborhood. No. 129.] 165 To the present museum, projected and established by Mr. Shelton, they propose continual additions of all the rare and wonderful productions of this State and its vicinity, in Mineralogy, Botany, Conchology, Entomology, Ornithology, Ichthyology, &c.; the inventions and improvements produced by Mechanical and Scientific industrial labor and skill, and the collection of every rare and wonderful product of the South Sea Islands, Asia, Australia, &c., both for utility here and for distribution and interchange with similar institutions in the Atlantic and other American States and Europe. Connected with the Institute is a Conservatory, embracing a large variety of the choicest grains, seeds, shrubbery, plants, fruif, and ornamental trees, and the most rare and valuable Horticultural and Agricultural productions. To aid in the promotion of these objects, they solicit from Ag- riculturists, Manufacturers, Miners, Inventors, and all others feeling an interest therein, contributions in any department of Natural History, Science and Domestic Industry, with a particu- lar description of the article contributed, its discovery, origin, properties, location or manufacture, or other information relating tliereto. An Annual Fair will be held for the exhibition of Natural, Artificial and Scientific productions, and the awarding to sub- scribers, of gold and silver medals, diplomas and other appropri- ate and suitable testimonials of merit, for successful competition in any branch or department. Lectures, also, and addresses on Agriculture, Commerce, Geol- ogy and Mining, together with Pliilosophical, Chemical, and other experiments, are intended to be given at the halls of the Insti- tute. Subscribers at ten dollars for the current year, ending Novem- ber 15th, 1852, and also contributors to that amount in books, maps, charts, specimens, curiosities, or other valuables to enrich the collection, will have at all times during the year, free admis- sion to the Museum, Library, Lectures and Annual Fairs. 166 [Assembly Information on all matters connected with the above objects, will be cheerfully given gratis, at the rooms of the Institute, in the fire-proof building of Buckley & Morse, Clay street, (near Montgomery,) in this city, to applicants personally, or in answer to letters (post-paid) addressed to the subscriber. ALDEN A. M. JACKSON, Actuary of the Institute. San Francisco, JYov. 15, 1851. ETHERIZATION. The following communication from Dr. Charles T. Jackson- cannot fail to be interesting to our agricultural friends, as well as others. From the testimony which we have examined there is no room to doubt the fact that Dr. Jackson w^as the original discoverer of this important agent in alleviating the sufferings of mankind under painful operations in surgery ; and it is a mat- ter of congratulation that through the perseverance and humanity of the Doctor, its benefits have been extended to domestic animals. If any proof Avere w^anting to substantiate Dr. Jackson's claim to the originality of the discovery, we think the most fastidious ■would be satisfied when it is known that the government of France constituted him a Knight of the national order of the Legion of Honor, for this very dicovery, on the report of the Academy of Science of that nation, l)efore which his claim was subjected to the most searching scrutiny. He received also the medal of merit from the King of Sweden, where hi? claim under- went a thorough examination. A. C. To A. Chandler, Esq., Corresponding Sec^y of the American Institute : S]R. — As you requested, I have employed a few leisure mo- ments in drawing up a statement relative to the application of the vapor of sulphuric ether and chloroform mixed with air, administered by inhalation into the lungs, as a means of render- ing man and animals free from all sensation of pain in surgical operations, which I place at the disposal of the Institute. Respectfully Yours, CHARLES T. JACKSON, M. D. mw-York, Dec, 6, 1851. No. 129.] 167 ETHERIZATION OF ANIMALS AND OF MAN. During the winter of 1841-42 I discovered that the nerves of sensation could be temporarily paralyzed to all sensation of pain by the pulmonary inhalation of the vapor of pure sulphimc ether (oxide of ethyle,) mixed with air, and that while the human body was thus affected, that any surgical operation could be per- formed upon the etherized patient without producing any painful sensations. In 1846 I caused this discovery to be practically exemplified by applying it in surgical operations both in this country and in Europe, where it was also used by my directions. I also indicated its use in preventing all sensation of pain in domestic animals, upon which surgical operations were to be per- formed either for the cure of diseases, or for rendering them more serviceable to man. In the Veterinary College of Alfort, in France, this latter ap- plication was fully tested and verified by experiments upon horses belonging to the French army, and it was found to be both effi- cient and safe, no serious accident having taken place in any of the operations. In this country but few experiments have been made in the use of this means of alleviating sufiering in animals, and therefore I propose to call the attention of the American Institute to the importance of tkis subject. In many cases fractured or dislocated limbs of valuable ani- mals could be cured if they were rendered managable during the operation so that the proper adjustments might be made and the dressings applied. This may readily be accomplished by rendering the animal insensible to pain, and unconscious by the administration of ether vapor as I shall describe. Severe surgical operations such as the division of nerves ; the application of actual cautery; the removal of tumors and the castration of domestic animals may also be rendered entirely painless by this method. Humanity to the brute creation requires it of us that we should inflict no unnecessary pain upon them, and it is our duty to avail 168 [Assembly ourselves of this means of renderiug them insensible to pain whenever we are obliged to perform upon tliera any severe surgi- cal operation. The means is easy, safe and efficient, and any intelligent person can administer the ether as I shall describe the method. We may make use of pure washed sulphuric ether, or of a mixture of it with chloroform, the mixture being preferable on account of its greater power and concentration, while pure chlo- roform is dangerous and ought not to be employed alone, its vapor being so dense as to be with difficulty removed from the lungs in case an over dose is administered, while sulphuric ether vapor is light and is easily removed. The mixed vapors also act more kindly on account of the slightly stimulating property of the ether overcoming the deadly sedative effect of pure chloroform. In actual practice, I have never known of a single fatal accident from the administration of the vapor, or of this mixture, provided air was also admitted into the lungs mingled with the vapor so as to sustain the functions of life as required for respiration. No unpleasant accident has ever happened under my hands from the administration of either of these aneesthetic agents though my experience has been most extensive, and my observations have been made on persons of all ages and temperaments. I have found that a mixture of four or five measure? of pure sul- phuric ether, and of one measure of pure chloroform (ter-chloride of fermyle,) produced the best effects upon man and upon ani- mals. In administering this mixture to man I make use of a folded square towel with the edges pinned together so as to form a hol- low cone leaving the apex of the cone open so as to admit freely the air and to allow the addition of more of the fluid as it eva" porates from the cloth by inhalation. The base of the cone is extended over the nose and mouth, so as to enclose thenrf, and the patient is made to breath freely and deeply and as much as possible by the mouth so as to admit in- to the lungs as directly as possible the vapor mixed with the in- haled air. In a few minutes the patient's eyes roll up, the pupils No. 129.] 169 dilate more or less and he falls into a most agreeable artificial sleep, or trance, dreaming most frequently of journeys over rail- roads, in steam boats or in coaches, and is often quite angry at being awakened from his pleasant dream. Now the ansesthetic state commences before unconsciousness, and is perfect and entire in the unconscious state, insomuch that any of the most painful operations known to surgeons, may be performed upon him, without his manifesting the slightest sensation of pain, or suffer- ing of any kind ; he will tell you even after the red hot iron has been passed over the most tender parts of his body that he felt nothing, that he had a very pleasant dream, &;c. In labor, women who have been rendered even partially in- sensible to surrounding things, will inform you that they feel no pain though they know that the uterine contractions are going on at the time, and when rendered unconscious they do not feel the agony usual on giving birth to their offspring, but were in a pleasant dream and felt no pain whatever. The nerves of sensation only, being rendered insensible by etherization, it is obvious that those of motion and particularly those of organic life and of muscular contractility of the uterus, remain imimpaired and perform their usual functions ; owing probably to the membranous, and less muscular character of the uterus of quadrupeds and the less muscular force required for the extrusion of the foetus, thus animals suffer but little pain in giving birth to their young, and hence it is unnecessary, except in rare c^ses of difficult labor, to administer ether to them ; there are cases however, where the saving of life in a valuable animal, may require us to employ instruments and force, and then ether may be most advantageously administered, and will render the animal passive and the operator may safely and deliberately perform his work. In more usual surgical operations upon animals, particularly in that of castration of the bull, stallion, hog and ram, we should always apply the ether vapor by the lungs, as I shall de- scribe. There is no danger in administering the ether to any animal that has sensible perspiration, but to those which do not sweat we must apply it more cautiously, thus the ram and bull 170 I ASSEMBLY will bear a very high dose -without the least danger to life, while the cat is readily killed by a full dose of chloroform. I have not seen deatli produced by the use of pure ether vapor mixed wit]i air in any case or in any animal, and yet I can conceive how an animal having no free perspiration should retain for a longer time the absorbed vapor of that liquid as well as of chloroform. Dogs have a perspiration mainly from the tongue, and hence they do not get rid of the absorbed vapor so readily as those animals having a free cutaneous perspiration, and are therefore more likely to suffer ill effects from retained chloroform. All animals excrete the absorbed vapor by the skin, lungs, and kid- neys, in their perspiration, breath and urine, and thus after the effect of the anesthetic agent, is over, the system clears itself very soon of all traces of it by the above named channels ; this I have proved by numerous analyses and it is obvious to the senses that the urine of a person who has inhaled ether vapor is charged with portions of it for several hours afterwards, and we can smell the ether in the breath and also in the cutaneous perspira- tion In administering ether and chloroform to animals, I make use •f a wire muzzle, or basket, which is fJastened around the nose and mouth of the animal and fixed im its place by proper straps. On the horse or ox a lieadstall is all that is required to fix the wire basket in its proper position. Into this basket I first put a very coarse open textured sponge, which has been soaked in water so as to soften and swell it, and then it is i-(iueezed dry. The basket and sponge being put in the proper position, I take this mixture — pure sulphuric ether one pint, pure chloroform one gill — and mix them in a bottle ; then I pour upon the sponge, from time to time as needed, this fluid, an ounce at a time, re- newing it as it evaporates. The animal breathes it freely into the lungs and soon gently falls down in a deep sleep of insensibility and unconsciousness and is entirely passive, so that any opera- tic»n may be performed and without any struggle of the animal or any sign of pain. A very refractory horse may by this means No. 129.] - 171 be made to submit to the farrier in being shod, and will soon learn to submit afterwards, and probably without the repetition of the ether. Any one will see how important it is to be able tlius to con- trol animals during many operations that they may be required to submit to. The apparatus for etherizing a bull will of course be fitted to the form of his nose, and should be in other respects like that for the horse ; lie will bear the ether perfectly well in full doses. The hog I have not seen under etherization, but I doubt not he will readily come under its influence, but I do not think he will bear so well a high dose as a horse or ox. Sheep bear it perfectly well, at least they do the breathing of pure ether, I do not know how chloroform may aifect them, and should be a little more careful in the administration of that agent. It is probable, however, that the admixture of chloroform with ether will prove safe and efhcieut. Sheep have been operated upon under ether in Esgland successfully, since the publication of my discovery. Wild and ferocious animals of the menagerie, have been ethe- rized successfully in Europe, and surgeons have fearlessly per- formed upon them surgical operations while they were in an etherial sleep. It is supposed that the tiger and leopard are very susceptible to the influence of anaesthetic agents, like all the cat kind. In administering anaesthetic agents to such animals, I sup- pose a sponge would be attached to a strong rod, so as to be placed near the nose of the confined animal which should be fastened by a chain so that he could not successfully resist the application. In Berlin, chloroform was administered to a bear without due admixture of air and it killed him. 172 [Assembly It must be kept iu view that air must be freely admitted in administering all amei-thetic agents, then there is little if any dauger to be feared. In consequence of this accident in Berlin, etherization was for a time in bad odour, but so soon as I learn- ed the facts I wrote a letter which was translated into German, and published in Berlin, and set all right again by show- ing the way to avoid such accidents. If after the administration of ether or a mixture of chloroform and ether to man, we find the pulse reduced about 10 beats a minute only, and that it is gradually rising and the respiration gees on easily, we may feel no apprehension even if the person should remain unconscious for an hour or more. But since this long sleep is not necessary, excepting in cases of violent insanity, when it is often beneficial, we generally recover our patients by suddenly applying a cloth wet with ice coldvmter to the face, forehead and head. This gene- Tally brings them quickly out of their etherial sleep. I should not omit to mention one very important precaution in etherizing human beings, and that is not to administer the ether when the patient has a full stomach, for troublesome nausea and unpleasant symptoms are not unfrequently the result. We should not administer the ether to a person who has been drinking ardent spirits for it is likely to make him quite troublesome and he is not easily put under the proper influence of the ether. It is a curi- ous and important fact tliat persons who habitually make use of an excess of ardent spirits withdraw themselves from the benefits of etherization, and that strictly temperate people are always most Jcindly affected by the ether. An habitual drunkard is merely made wild and boisterous by a dose of ether vapor that would put any temperate man into a most delightful state of sleep of insensibility, with pleasant dreams, or into an unconscious state of deep sleep. This fact has its Tiioral signifcance,a.iid it also proves that etherization has no anal- ogy to drunkenness, as had been falsely supposed by some medical men. We do not perhaps know exactly what is the real proxi- mate cause of etherial insensibility, but tlius much I do know, it is not analogous to drunkenness, nor is it any form of asphyxia. It is a peculiar state of the nerves as yet little known, but differing wholly from narcotism by opium, &c. In this hasty No. 129.] - 173 sketch of the method of etherizing man and animals I have avoided many details that might prove entertaining to the reader, and an array of cases which might have been required at the time I first made this curious discovery known to the world, but which are now unnecessary, since the public know that the effects here stated have been produced in hundreds of thousands of cases in Europe, Asia and America, in all lands where I have made known this means of alleviating sufferings in man and in animals. The unfortunate substitution of pure chloroform for ether and for the mixture of ether and chloroform, has caused all the fatal accidents that have happened, and thus the use of ether itself, so unfortunately confounded with that dense and dangerous agent, has been in a measure checked, because people do not discrimi- nate between them, and know that etherization by means of pure sulphuric ether vapor and even with a small poportion of chlo- roform mixed with it, for the ether vapor lightens that of the denser vapor. Shortly before publishing my discovery of the anaesthetic effects of ether vapor, I made use of a solution of chloroform in alcohol, called at the time strong chloric ether, but it was^ found to be a very uncertain preparation, and one that is readily decomposed by the action of water in a wet sponge, hence it is" not thought so proper for surgical use. It is however employed to some extent in the Mass. General Hospital, but very unskilfully, as it is applied on a very large wet sponge, so that nothing but pure chloroform is really administered when the surgeons sup- pose they are administering alcohol with it. The water in the sponge really holds back every particle of the alcohol, so that none of it is volatilized, and therefore it is not inhaled with the chloroform. When chloroform is dissolved in sulphuric ether, the two liquids volatilize together, and this is truly a scientific conbination of nearly equally volatile ingredients. CHARLES T. JACKSON, M. D., Chevalier de la Legion D^Honneur, Jissayer to the State of Massachusetts^ kc. 174 [Assembly DRAINING AND UNDERDRAINING. [Communicated by S. Van Wyck.] No laud is fitted for agricultural purposes generally, that is for producing the grasses and grains healthily and abundantly, if there is a surplus of water lying on the surface or near it, in the season of germination , and growth of the plants . Th i s may be ow- ing to the stiff tenacious character of the surface soil, or from springs beneath it, or exuding to the surface. In lands which are usually called uplands, and which lie pretty high, and a portion of them descending more or less, these in our county, are rarely trou- bled with superfluous water. Valleys sometimes without proper outlets, or where these are obstructed, the water flows back on to the upper parts, and renders them too wet for plants ; this may be remedied in most cases by making new outlets or cleaning out the old ones. Marshes, morasses, or swamps, also are frequent- ly inundated with water most of the season, this water is apt to be fed by springs underneath the surface of such morass grounds, it is caused in a great degree by the drain of the higher lands, and sometimes its swampy character is owing partly to both. In our county where we have such a quantity of hot sun, that one day in any of the summer months with us, will probably exhale as much moisture from the earth on an average of seven years together as the sun does in Great Britain, in eight or ten days. If the rains that fall from the clouds are nearly equal in tlie two counties, the dews from the cooler and more temperate climate of Great Britain are heavier and more frequent, and keep the earth much cooler. There is more alumina or clay in the soil of the latter county generally, than Avith us, this, most geological accounts confirm. This with the superabundance of moisture from the causes mentioned, makes the soil much more retentive of moisture, both on the surface and a considerable deptlr be- low. If clay lays below the suface some distance, it increases the water in certain localities and holds it like a dish. This in very wet seasons gets full and runs over and in places exudes to the surface, and keeps it too wet and soft for stock, or teams to move upon. These poach and cut it up, and render it uneven, unsightly, and useless for most farming purposes. Neither the No. 129.] 175 grasses or grains, will grow healthily upon such a surface in sum mer, and much of the farming lands of Great Britain, are or would be in this state the year through. The general remedy to meet this difficulty there, is draining either on the surface, underneath, or both. Now the general pactice is underdraining. This with those Avho are able to meet the expense, as it is pretty heavy if perfectly done ; it is found to be the cheapest, first, it lasts the longest without requiring repair, the land can be rode and travelled over with teams and cattle, it is made more smooth and level, looks better, and what is most essential it is a saving of land, as the drains from this depth can be ploughed over and tilled. This is important in Great Britain where land is scarce, and very dear. The drains are made from two and a half, to eight feet deep, according to the soil, the shape of the surface, the falls and variations of these, all to be calculated and allow- ed for in making the main drain, the fittest place in the ground for this, and also the lateral drains, how many of these last the ground requires and their points of intersection with the main drain. It requires some knowledge of enginery, so far at least as relates to the taking- of levels, attended with nice mathematical and arithmetical calculations, and all to make the draining lasting and useful, accompanied with great experience in the art, and the soundest judgment. It is admit- ted by all who have both practiced and written most scientifi- cally on the subject, that draining when it is done, should be done well, or it had better not be done at all. A little additional expense must not be regarded, or the whole instead of being beneficial may be a total loss, or may possibly be injurious to land, or at any rate, to restore this to its former tolerable condi- tion, might cost more than good draining would in the first place. We are speaking of draining as required and done in Great Britain, where from the great moisture of the Soil and climate, and the low temperature of this last compared with ours, artificial means must be resorted to_, to lead ofi" or get rid of its surplus water or moisture. This too is necessary with by far the greater portion of its land to get abundant crops of any kind. There are several tables given of the expense of drain- ing in Great Britain by able authors, and well acquainted practi- 176 [Assembly oally with the art. We will give a few specimens for a better understanding of the subject. Mr. Carmichael as much relied on as any, stated they cost per acre £6 7s l|d, about $32 ; X7 13s 7^dj about $38 ; c£4 9s 8d, about $21 . 50 ; the diiSerence of expense is owing to the depth and number of lateral drains. This was in 1845 or 1846. Since this they have made improvements, and drain some cheaper. Labor for this work would be in England, from 2 shillings, to 2 shillings and 6 pence per day and found ; the commonest laborers Is 3d to Is 8d ; in our country much more. Yet with us, the few gentlemen who have done anything at it say they do it considerably cheaper, but whether as tho- rough may be questioned. Mr. Colman, in his last book, enti- tled, " Travels in Europe," gives estimates of the expense of tho- rough draining on the estates of the Duke of Bedford, in 1841, 2,3,4, £9 1 2s Od, about $46; to X5 Is 0d,about$25. Mr. Colman states generally, that great agricultural improvements have been made of late in every branch, and among others the important one of draining, that the tile and pipe are now almost exclusive- ly used, and that it is done for nearly or quite one half the ex- pense it used to be ; he gives no other estimates of any lower in actual practice, than those extracted from the records of Wo- burn Abbey, of the Duke of Bedford's estate. Perhaps he means that these are a specimen of the great reduction of ex- pense in the art of late years, as '44, '45, and 46, are not a great "while since. Cheap as these may be considered by Mr. Colman and some others, of our countrymen, they are by far too high for our farmers generally to adopt, and would be if they were re- duced one-third, or even one-half from the highest estimates. There are other reasons besides the great expense, although this of itself is of sufficient weight, why, underdraining will not be adopted generally in our country probably for many years to come ; first, as we before stated the far greater quantity of hot sun we have here during summer, and a part of spring and fall, than they have in many parts of Europe, and especially Great Britain, it follows that much more moisture is exhaled from our soil, and we are less likely to have a surplus of it, and make it necessary to convey this ofif by artificial means, and certainly not by means so expensive as underdraining ; secoud, we have No. 129.J 177 more sand in our soil take the whole surface of our country, than they have in Great Britain. This is of a hotter and more drying nature than clay, and aids the sun materially in evapora- ting moisture ; it is also more loose and porous, water runs through it easier and either passes off on the surface or near it, or runs down into the earth and is carried off, oi lost in chan- nels of considerable depth. Land called uplands or lying pret- ty high, cannot pay for underdraining them admitting they pro- duce some more, will this increased production pay for thorough draining a farm of some size with drains several miles in length^ It is said land holds manure better, it retains moisture longer, stands droughts better, admits from that great store house of manure, the atmosphere, some of its valuable ingredients into its bosom, ammonia, carbon, nitrogen kQ., keeps and imparts these to plants as they want them. All these descend from the Heavens into the surface of the earth and remain there, for the use of plants with sub-soil ploughing, pulverization and proper tillage generally. Nor do we think a half dozen miles of good pipe and tile draining on a good upland farm, without excessive moisture at a cost of from $25 to $35 per acre, would do this more effectually ; at any rate not so effectual as to remu- nerate the farmer for his outlay, which is here* put down at rather a moderate rate whatever may be said to its being done much cheaper. There is nothing in the material of these pipes or tile, placed from 3 to 5 feet under ground and well covered with earth, to attract these gaseous manures from the atmo- atmosphere and retain them more powerfully than a good sub- soil, well pulverized without them. Carbon, hydrogen and am- monia, come down from the regions above in the daily oppera- tions of nature, and have done so from time immemorial and probably will continue to do so ; rain, snow and hail, bring them down, and dews as they rise up from the earth in the shape of vapor, are condensed and fall back upon it at little lower temperature in a liquid state ; these contain more or less gaseous manures and contribute their aid from the great store house, the atmosphere, to enrich the earth. Some earths benefit more by these extraneous supplies than others, according to the state they [Assembly, No. 129. j 12 178 [Assembly •tae in, nature has been more liberal to them and they possess move of the organic and inorganic manures from their great ^storehouse within. Alluvial earths for instance, are a compound of the rich sedi- ment of rivers, brought down for hundreds of miles, and in some ♦cases thousands, like some of our western rivers, and depositing at upon their banks and extensive bottoms below. This has been rgoing on for centuries in some sections of our country, and the •soils formed thereby considered as nearly or quite inexhaustible. 'The only drains these lauds get are made like their soils, by small .natural rivers, carrying off their superfluous waters into the main 'Ones, like the Ohio, Mississippi, Missouri, and others. These natural drains are the only ones which our country, generally •speaking want, at any rate any other system will not pay, or will not pay as well as those made to our hands. We find them more or less performing the useful work from the Aroostook to the Rio xdel Norte, and from the Atlantic to the Lakes and the Rocky Mountains. Outlets could be made or cleared out from swamp, morasses, and low grounds generally, where water is apt to stand too long for the health of man, or useful plants, and the water from these led into small streams, and from these into the larger, and conveyed away. The small streams could be improved in many cases, and in some made new, so as to carry a larger volume of water, and without injury to the banks or the land, and thus made more efficient drainers. This could be done at little labor or expense, compared with underdraining a whole country with tile, pipe, and stone, or large sections of it, whether it lies high or low, wet or dry — whether the soil consists of pure sand or pure clay, or something like a suitable mixture of both. We think such a system in practice, would be tapping that great magazine of manure, the atmosphere, to get a more liberal dose froin it at a pretty dear rate, when it is questionable, too, whether nature would not furnish the most liberal supply from the store-house of manure in the clouds, and al.«;o a more useful one, with proper tillage, than pipe and tile buried some several feet under ground. These would be likely to make a considerable rent in the farmer's No. 129.] 179 purse in constructing them and letting the contents of this out more freely than the manure from the skies would repair and replenish for a very long period. Swamps and morasses, or very low wet ground receiving the drains of hills or high lands around, might sometimes be drained on the English plan to advantage, especially when accompanied with a long purse, or plenty of means. A gentleman on the banks of the Hudson, in this State, a good scientific and practical farmer, and with ample means, lately informed us that he had drained according to the most approved English system within the last summer (1851) about twenty-six acres of such ground — a perfect swamp covered most of the year with water, in doing which he struck, in the sub- soil, a rich marl bed, composed a greater part of lime, which would make an excellent manure for his dry upland. He also informed us that he had so managed his drains as to collect water enough from them, and preserve it, for irrigating, to a considera- ble extent, some of his grounds ; that from all these advantages, including the increased production of these twenty-six acres, he had a fair prospect of being speedily remunerated for his outlay in the operation. Others, in following such an example, might not be so fortunate as to strike a rich marl bed ; but still, by proper management, they might procure water enough from their drains to serve the purpose of irrigation. This gentleman also informed us that he had underdrained upland of a peculiar char- acter and soil, aud meagre in its products, so as to ameliorate it to such a degree as to yield him abundant crops. Most European travellers and writers on agriculture say, that underdraining on the continent is practiced to a very limited extent compared to what it is in Great Britain. The soil there is generally much drier, especially in France, Italy, some parts of Germany and the low countries. These depend more upon the natural drains, large and §mall rivers, aud improving them as we do here to a certain extent, and must do more to make them more ejQicient drains. Like us, in France, Italy and Switzerland, they have more and higher mountains than England; these make more and larger rivers, which sweep over a greater extent of country, drain a greater surface and, at the same time, make 180 [Assembly more alluvial soil. A more powerful sun, too, on the continent, or large portion of it, drys its soil, much of it of a sandy loam, sooner and fits it earlier for tillage. Swamps, morasses and stiff clays they sometimes improve by both open and underdrains when there is a prospect of their being remunerated in a reason- able time for the outlay. Mr. Colman states that some of the best farmers in Europe are in Flanders, and where there is no regular English uunderdrain- ing ; this is done by sub-soiling, with the spade and plough ; the Flemish call it trenching — they go from twenty to twenty-three inches deep ; they rely much on deep culture and keeping their laud loose and friable so as to admit tlie water and air freely through it, both of which they consider great fertilizers. Water, they say, must not stand upon the surface of land, or underneath near it ; when it is so great as to do this they convey it off by open ditches or drains. In some places these are so large, and yet so filled with water, that they serve to convey off their crops in small boats, and bring back manure for their farms. The Flemings manure very high, principally animal and vegetable matter made on their premises ; they buy these too wherever they can get them, and of every kind. If under-draining, ac- cording to the English system, was profitable in Flanders, the Flemings would be the first to perceive and enter into it. Their agricultural knowledge appears to be derived generally from practice and little from books; a few journals or periodicals on farming are mostly the books they readj their science on the subject appears to be collected from these, close observation and daily practice. Colman says, an intelligent Flemish farmer has in view from his tillage and crops " that which he can obtain with the largest profit, the least expense and the smallest injury to the land." The farms are small compared with most of ours- -from six to one hundred acres kept clean, free from weeds and in the most perfect order ; and as their chief implement is the spade, the whole is like a garden and "executed with a neatness and exactness the most particular and delightful to tlie eye." The quantity of produce they get from these small farms, Mr. Col- man says, is wonderful ; the most untiring industry and rigid No. 129. J 181 economy are the leading features in every branch of their hus- bandry. We will quote here the opinion of Liebig, the great German agricultural chemist on the system of English under- draining. He says : " The system of draining which has been so extensively followed in England brings the land into a state of a great filter through which the whole soluble alkalies are drawn off in consequence of the percolation of rain, and it must there- fore become more deficient in its soluble efficacious elements. Attentive farmers must have observed that after a certain time the quantity of grain on land laid dry according to this principle, that the produce of grain bears no due proportion to the produce of straw." If this is the case in the wet moist soil of England, it must be much more so in our comparatively dry soil, and the straw still more increased at the expense of the grain with us by the English system of under-draining. We Americans are a people in many respects peculiar to ourselves. These peculiari- ties arise, in a great measure, from our happy form of govern- ment, and the tenure by which all our land devoted to farming is held. Every man may be said, with us, to be the owner of the soil on which he lives. Yes, every man, for the exceptions are so few compared with all the lands of the nation and owners of them, that they are hardly worth noting. No landlords to look up to for orders and pay rent to as in most parts of Europe; each man with us is his own landlord, and he is truly one ; as many farmers, in every section of our immense country, live better, more happy and independent than many princes in Europe. Here with us, if one man has the means of living a little more expen- sively than his neighbor, the latter possesses means enough to give him all the necessaries and comforts of life without its su- perfluities; both classes feel equally independent and equally satisfied with their lot. No absolute distress meets the eye iu scarcely a neighborhood of any farming section of our country ; not, as in many parts of the old world, a thousand mouths peti- tioning for bread, or ready to do any thing they may be told or bid to get it. This is not only the case in the large cities and towns there, but in many of their agricultural districts. Two or three enjoying, if they could enjoy with so much distress around them, the comforts and luxuries of life, and thousands starving 182 [Assembly because they cannot get land of their own to work, nor pay enough for working that of others to keep them alive. If such poor dependents can live by the pittance they get by their labor, their lives are made only a little less miserable than death. Our farmers, from this circumstance alone, cannot cultivate their farms on the expensive scale that landlords do in Europe. Farm labor with us is three to five times higher than it is there. This affords a comfortable living for the laborer and his family, and this is more gratifying to our farmers than to see him toiling and suffering to fill up their garners and enable them to live in splen- dor with starvation and misery around them. Our farmers cannot with the price they pay for labor and the present low rate of produce adopt the expensive systems of farm- ing pursued in many parts of Europe. At any rate not more than cue in a thousand take our whole country through can aflbrd to do it. Some improvements where the additional expense is light compared with others, will be tried by a portion of our farmers, and if found to pay on trial may in time be generally adopted. To urge an early or immediate adoption in ever such vehement language will make very little or no impression on them, unless perhaps it may be to make a large majority of them more stiff in adhering to their old systems and ways of culture. It is not meant by this that they will not listen to reason and be readily convinced of truth and right like most other intelligent people, but this must be kindly done with a manner evincing the best intentions and divested of all appearance of dictation. Besides it may not be convenient for him to commence operations on any new plan quite as soon as the scientific farmer recommends or thinks he ought, he may not be prepared with means to meet the expense however small it may be, or other similar causes. These may be important to him and a sufiicient reason for delay howev- er trifling they may appear to others, and they should be so re- ceived by his learned advisers. This would be much better than to sneer at him and set him down at once, when speaking of him, and all of his class as ignorant, and men of narrow contracted notions. At any rate whether what he says or does on such oc- casions be well or ill received he is the best judge of his own af- fairs and he will act according to his own judgment, and not be No. 129.] 183 deterred by ridicule or any thing else from managing his affairs as he thinks best. This is according to his usage and habits grow- ing out of his calling, pursued by him and liis ancestors perhaps, for many generations, that of an independent American farmer. We further liope that this same class will continue to increase in our country in strength and numbers for ages to come, and espe- cially in the strength of their habits, as we believe them to be the safest reliance for the permanence of our political institutions. We question the morality too of recommending and encouraging in strong decided language such an expensive system as under- draining generally to our farmers on all lands, no matter where located and how their soils may be constituted. Not that we have the least apprehension that many of them will be influenced by such recommendations, but a few might and try it, and without suflicient means to do it well. Thus they would sustain a doub- le injury not only for doing what their land did not require and probably never would if properly tilled, but doing it badly and thereby positively injuring it irreparably. Here is not oniy the unnecessary expenditure on their shoulders whether done well, or ill, but a serious damage to the land if badly done, and alto- gether would certainly weigh down any ordinary farmer and end in his ruin or inevitable embarrassment. It cannot be moral to advise, much more, vehemently urge upon the community a sys- tem attended with such ruinous consequences. We believe most of those, and the whole number we think, are few who recom- mend it, do it with the best intention, and because they believe sincerely in the utility of the system. These we think, in time will see the impolicy if not immorality of continuing publicly to support and advise it and will desist from it, especially when they all see the few converts they make, and these likely to pay so dearly for being influenced by their advice. In England and Scotland where the system of underdraining has been brought to the greatest perfection and where their soil and wet moist climate require it perhaps more than any other country, and where they have done so much of it, we say even here they have millions of acres yet undrained and which require it as much probably as any they have drained, but the great expense in addition to many other burthens which weigh so heavy upon the tenant far- mers there deter them. Labor there is not much more thaa a. 184 . . I Assembly quarter of what it is here, and they can do it much cheaper than we can. In addition they have at this time and they begin to feel it most sorely the consequences of tlie/ree trade system bear- ing upon them, this gives double weiglit to their burthens. The products of their soil have been reduced by it nearly one half in value by free admission of all similar articles from every country in the world, free of duty. Every agricultural periodical that reaches us at this time con- tains bitter complaints against the free trade system ; it presses, these say very hard upon the farming interest of Great Britain, it has only commenced ; as it progresses and increases in years, it must in weiglit, and will, if continued, finally weigh them down, and they must be crushed under it. In eloquent and forcible language, these say, the farmers cannot go on improving their farms as they have done, no increased production arising from such improvements, will remunerate them for their outlays at the present price of their products. In these, in a great degree, they must stop. In underdraining, which is the most expensive, and so essential for the amelioration of the British soil they must necessarily cease. It is the continual progress of Great Britain in all these, for more than fifty years that has made her soil a garden ; the abundance of its products, and their richness and beauty the admiration of the world, all must be suddenly checked, if not entirely stopped, to give the visionary system of free trade a trial. Let it be so, they say, as long as the law exists it must be obf;yed, that existence they predict though, will be short, yet it may be too long for the speedy reparation of the serious injury it is sure to cause. There is a new plan lately announced in England for underdraining by means of the plow plain drain, which it is said will diminish the cost nearly one half. This, if true, is important for Great Britain at this time, when the free trade laws are in full operation, she may go on perhaps with her underdrained portion of improvements, and not stop there. Although the plan is spoken favorably of as practi- cal, time and experiments with it are necessary to establish its character, and bring it into general use. This, if true, would help our American advocates of underdraining, they could then No. 129.J 185 recommend it as an improvement for its cheapness', but if unne- cessary, as many contend, it would be dear at any price to Ameri- can farmers. To recapitulate the substance of what we have said, we do not think underdraining ought to he recommended to the adoption of our American farmers. First, because our climate does not require it, it is not so moist and wet as the climate of Gt. Britain by considerable, even if we have as much rain to fall on some sections of our country as they have on some of theirs, take the average of the whole of the two countiies, take any month in the year, or the whole year. Second, we have a far more powerful hot sun here, than they have there, from May to November, this exhales the moisture from the earth rapidly, and dries it some distance beneath the surface, and there is very little surplus water, comparatively, to be conveyed away by artificial means, either from the surface or underneath it. Third, there is more sand in our soil generally, than exists in the British soil, this is of a drier and hotter nature than clay, and aids the sun materi- ally, in the process of drying and evaporation. Fourth, the great expense of underdrains, labor is more than three times as high here as it is in Gt. Britain, and our farmers will not under- take an improvement that costs so much to do it well, and whose necessity at all, is a serious question. Besides if it is necessary, and they are to be benefited by it, that benefit, it is pretty cer- tain, will not meet the expense at the present price of their products, and what they have been for several years, and what they are likely to be. Fifth, when from the whole operation exclusive of gain therefrom, it may with all the pains and ex- pense bestowed, be executed so imperfectly as to make it an equal chance that such an injury may be done to their land, without any advantage, as to occcasion serious embarrassment and perhaps total ruin. Sixth, from the habits of an independent American farmer, acquired partly from the free government under which he lives, and being his own landlord, and partly from his asso- ciates around him all of the same class, that he will not have these broken in upon, and persuaded suddenly to adopt any new project or experiment, whether it be productive of good or ill. He must, and will take his own time for it, if on reflection he 186 [Assembly sees fit to adopt it Seventh, from the quantity and cheapness with us, open draining will answer his purpose either in upland, or in case of swamps, morasses, or very low wet ground, the value of ground lost by this is trifling, compared with the ex- pense and hazards of underdraining, the former costing from $5 to $8 per acre, and the latter sure to cost, if done well, from ^25 to $35 per acre. Besides from the cheapness of land with us the farmer can change with little difficulty, we are not so wedded to localities here as they are in Europe, he can sell out and buy another, and often for less than it would cost him to improve his old one, and possessing equal, and often greater advantages for making money on. ON FENCES AND FENCING FARMS. BY R. L. PELL. Any continuous obstacle interposed for the purpose of sepa- rating one field from another, is called a fence ; and the material with which it is constructed, differs according to the soil, as well as animals that are to be confined, or excluded. Fences are either dead or alive, except when they are compounded. When alive they are planted in hedges, and pruned in the shape of a wall, composed of rows of shrubs planted closely together, such as privet, hawthorn, locust, willow, apple. Dead fences are made of wood, stone, earth, sods ; and compound fences, such as a ditch with a hedge on the side of it, or a bank of earth. I will admit that some fencing on a farm is indispensably necessary, such for instance as an outside fence or enclosures around a gar- den or barn ; but when you come to the interminable cross fences you usually meet with on most farms in America, I consider them a perfect curse and plague, entirely unnecessary, except to restrain cattle and horses within certain bounds, and they should never be permitted to run at large except in the western prairies, with a brand on their backs, to be recognized by their owners. I would even say outside fences should not be tolerated ; we are compelled to make leagues along our public roads, to keep out No. 129.] 187 a few stray cattle belonging to some unjust neighbor who keeps more than he is able to feed, and therefore permits them to forage upon the just man's premises, which is burdensome and tyranni- cal. If proper laws were passed by our State Legislature, this difficulty would be obviated, and outside fences even would be abolished. I have travelled hundreds of miles in Germany, without ever seeing such a thing as a fence in any direction. There the cattle are housed or sent to the hills with shepherds to attend them and the farms are divided by monuments ; few fences are now found on the continent of Europe, large tracts in Great Britain are entirely free from the nuisance,, and six years hence people there will almost have forgotten the meaning of the word. I have been frequently struck with the beauty of the immense fields in the vicinity of the Connecticut river, in Connecticut ; which are free from fences, from the fact that the annual overflow of that river renders it impossible to build a fence that will withstand the flood ; they manage to do without fences, by placing the cattle they wish to pasture, in the care of a man who gives bonds for the faithful performance of his task, which is to keep the animals within given bounds, on the com- mons selected for that purpose. A large portion of the south, and east and of Long Island, owing perhaps to the scarcity of materials, is unfenced, cattle are there seen browsing under the care of proper persons, who keep them without that nuisance, a fence within certain bounds. A large portion of Nantucket is unfenced, and cattle are pastured in the same manner. If the inhabitants of those portions of Connecticut, Long Island and Nantucket, can keep their cattle on unfenced lands, what is to prevent their neighbors in other Stated from doing the same -, the costs of fences in Pennsylvania^, now constructed, amounts to 100,000,000 of dollars j you will find a calculation in Mr. Al- len's agriculturist to this effect, suppose the State of New-York, to contain a surface of 30,000,000 acres, deduct one-half for un- enclosed lands and water, and it leaves 15,000,000. We are of opinion that the average size of fields here is about 15 acres; call the average 20 acres. To surround one of these fields, would require 230 rods of fence, we will make allowances for lanes, &c., and call 120 rods sufl&cient for each 20 acre field. 188 [Assembly Divide 15,000,000 acres by 20, they make 750,000 fields. These multiplied by 120 rods, the length of fence necessary to enclose each field, makes 90,000,000 rods. Say they cost on an average 75 cents per rod, this would amount to the sura of $67,000,000 for fencing the State of New-York alone. Allow this to be one- twentieth the cost of all the fences in the United States, and the result w^ould be $1,350,000,000! these fences on an average would last 25 years ; the cost would then be |54,000,000 per annum, which, with !|81, 000,000 of interest at six per cent, on the first cost, amounts to |135,000,000 annually, expended in the United States for fences. The farmers in the United States were 'born and educated under this erroneous and hurtful sys- tem of fences, and consequently they imagine that there is no possibility of existing without them. There are numerous other reasons why they should be abandoned. 1st. Tliey entirely destroy the landscape beauty of the coun- try, and are decidedly odious to all beliolders. 2d. They form a receptacle for snow, and collect drifts on either side of them, delaying the operations of the husbandman in spring. 3d. It is difficult to till the land successfully in their immedi- ate vicinity. 4th. They cause an inconvenience to the farmer when drawing manure to, or crops from the field. 5th. They cause disputes between neighbors, which sometimes end in death, and alw^ays in bitter feelings, law suits, &c. 6th. They induce the growth of all sorts of injurious weeds, which distribute themselves over the contiguous fields of grain. 7th. They form a place of concealment for many varieties of vermin, inimical to the operations of the husbandman. 8th. They cover, and thus render unavailable to the farmer, about four acres of land out of every hundred. 9th. And if the agriculturist is induced to borrow money, nine times out of ten the object is to build with it what he con- siders the fiijt req^uisite on a farm, innumerable fences. No. 129.] ISa During the past year I have removed miles of fence and intend to continue the work of destruction until the outside fences only remain. So soon as our Legislature pass a law making it incum- bent upon all to keep their cattle within their own domain, that too shall follow the rest. I am convinced that the only way to keep stock, such as horses, milch cows and working oxen, when land is valuable, is to soil them. The advantages are numerous : 1st. No cross fences are required on the farm. 2d. The cows give twice as much milk as when running at large. 3d. They are fit for the butcher in the fall, being fat. 4th. They are always on hand to be milked. 5th. They are never worried by being driven to and from the pasture. 6th. All the refuse grass of the farm is eaten. 7th. Eight acres will keep them longer than forty would de- pastured, 8th. The fields are always in order, not being poached by their feet in wet weather. 9th. Food may be cut and carried to them in about the same time usually consumed in driving them long distances to and from pasture. 10th. The amount of manure made is enormous, each cow voiding 12,000 pounds of urine in a year, which is absorbed by the refuse on the yard, and the carbonic acid and ammonia, re- tained by means of sulphate of lime aiid charcoal dust. If the farmer would adopt the soiling system, he would obtain at least nine times more manure than he does by depasturing ; and I here assert without the fear of contradiction, that without the aid of manure no man can make a living in our section of the United States by farming. '190 [Assembly IRRIGATION. BY S. VAN WYCK Irrigation is, in its great feature the reverse of draining, in tillage this is used by farmers to convey or lead water on land that is deficient in moisture, or has not enough in ordinary sea- sons for the healthful growth and maturity of plants. Not that in common seasons good land well tilled would not produce moderately good crops without a supply of moisture by artificial means, beyond the supplies of nature, but with this it produces more abundant and perfect crops. The system of irrigating dry lands is as old as the earliest records of history. The Israelites made use of it and considered land at that day, as barren and desolate without it. The soils of many oriental nations were of a similar character and are to this day. The sandy soils of Ara- bia, Egypt, the English East Indies, and of China, the peopla are obliged to irrigate a large portion of their lands to obtain any- thing like good or even tolerable crops from them, and ever have done. Dr. Shaw, in his book of travels in the East, a work of reputation, says : " The following is the modern mode of raising and using the water of the Nile for the purpose of irrigation in Egypt. Such vegetable products as require more moisture than what is occasioned by the annual inundations of the Nile, are refreshed by water that is drawn at certain times out of the river, and lodged in large cisterns made for that purpose. The screw of Archimedes seems to have been the instrument formerly made use of for that purpose, though at present the inhabitants either supply themselves with various kinds of leather buckets, or else with a sJciah, as they call the Persian wheel, w^hich is the most useful and generally employed machine. Engines and contri- vances of both these kinds are placed all along the banks of the Nile from the sea to the cataracts, their, situation being higher, and consequently the difficulty of raising the water being greater as we advance up the river." Dr. Clarke, another eminent traveller and writer, and later than Dr. Shaw, says: " A machine similar to the Persian wheel is still employed in China by the cultivators for the purposes of irrigation. The early employment of irrigation by the Egyptians. and Chinese, was most likely the No. 129. J 191 result of the good effects which were observed to be produced by the overflowing of the Nile and Chinese rivers ; as in China, irrigation, it seems, has been practiced, according to their histo- rians, from a period long before the flood." If the system has been in use in the latter country, for three or four thousand years, it is a long time. In Italy, especially on the banks of the Po, the cultivators of the earth have certainly employed this process from a period previous to the days of Virgil, as this au- thor, and the writings of M. P. Cato, Collumella, and the elder Pliny testify. In the early part of the middle ages it was re- sumed in Italy, first by the monks, in their religious establish- ments, they monopolized all the wealth and learning of that day, and knew best the use ot irrigation. The princes and chief men of Italy, especially Lombardy, patronized and folio »ved so useful an example, in extending the employment of water in all possible directions. The waters of the chief rivers of the north of Italy, such as the Po, the Adige, the Tagliamento, and of all the minor streams, are used in irrigation. There is no other country which possesses an extent of rich water meadows equal to that of the Lombards. The entire country, from Venice to Turin, may be said to be one great water meadow. The irrigation system is not confined here to grass lands ; the water is conveyed on to higher ground, where corn and the cereals are grown, into the low lands where rice is cultivated, and around the roots of vines. These last generally required a dryer soil, and will perhaps flourish with less moisture than many other plants, yet they must have a portion of it to produce clusters of the largest size, loaded with the richest fruit, and of the highest flavor. We have the records of holy writ for this. And Moses said unto his commission of twelve whom he sent to spy out the laud of Canaan, " See what the land is, -whether it be fat or lean, whether there be w^ood therein or not, be of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land ; now the time Y\^as, of the time of the first ripe grapes. And they came unto the brook Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bore it between two upon a staflf." Most assuredly a large cluster which took two men to carry it between them on a pole. This great growth was no doubt owing, in that dry climate and soil, to the influence of the moisture of the brook Eshcol, on the banks of which these 192 [Assembly grapes grew ; this moisture was felt by the vines, above and be- low the earth on the banks of the brook, by the roots, leaves and branches. Italy for nearly two thousand years, and to this day, produces fine grapes, her soil and climate are congenial to them. From Italy, tlie practice of irrigation extended into the south of France, into Spain, then into Britain. In the states of Lom- bardy the waters of all the rivers belonged to the state. In those of Venice the government extends its claims to that of the small- est springs, and even to collections of rain water, so highly for the use of the cultivator is water of every kind valued in the north of Italy. It is paid for by the peasants, to the state, in the shape of tax, according to the quantity used. Thanks to the wisdom and foresight of our ancestors, which are evinced in the happy form of government they framed for and left us, we are not so restricted in the use of the two essential elements, air and water. The former we can freely use as it hangs over and en- velopes us in a dry or moist state, and where the rains descend from it upon our land we can freely collect and use the water as we please without paying tribute to any power for the privilege. As to the manner in which water acts to improve when flowing over land, Davy thought it was owing a good deal to the higher temperature of water while standing upon or running over land, that it kept plants warm during winter. This he ascertained by a thermometer, placed at the bottom, near the roots, when it rose ten or twelve degrees above freezing point. In general, he says, " those waters which breed the best fish are the best fitted for watering meadows, but most of the benefits of irrigation may be derived from any kind of water." Davy stood high as an agri- cultural chemist ; no man in his day stood higher ; he seems, though, from his writings, never to have thorougly investigated the chemical properties of river water, as respects its uses in irrigation. This great man was cautious, too, in giving his opin- ion on subjects chemically, which he had not well examined, es- pecially if they bore any relation to his favorite one, agriculture. On this account he could have had little knowledge of the value of many of the impurities of river water to vegetation. Since Davy's time, it has been clearly shown by the best scientific and practical farmers, that the value of water depends not only on the No. 129.] ' 193 moisture wnicli it affords them, but greatly on the different foreign matters which it holds in suspension or solution. These consist of both organic and inorganic, or mineral, animal, and vegetable substances j of the former, carbonate of lime, sulphate of lime, common salt, muriate of soda, and magnesia, sulphate ot soda and silica. Vegetable matters in infinite variety are con- tinually washed or falling into streams and decaying, and carried down, mixing as they move with the other materials, and form- ing a rich compound and sediment, and deposited on land, make a first rate aliment for most if not all plants. On correct analy- ses of these last, it will be found tliey all yield ingredients simi- lar to those enumerated, or most of them, and that these are the food or natural constituents of all plants, and especially the grasses. We have innumerable examples and proof of this great benefit land receives from water passing over it. Our American rivers, some of a large size, from 100 to 1,000 miles in length, deep and wide, much more so at some parts of the season than at others, but never ceasing to run and carrying down in their beds a greater or less quantity of water. These wash lands and shores of every variety and quality, they cut their way through large mountains, v;ash their bases on both sides and carry down in their bosoms, either in a state of solution or suspension the debris or ruins of rocks and minerals of every kind- Animal and vegetable substances of ever}^ species, land animals as well as water animals ; the former are thrown or fall in, die and decay, fishes of various species, shells, &.C., and all fresh water animal products. Vegetable matter of every kind grows luxuriantly upon the banks of these rivers, mature, ripen, and fall or are washed in ; all are more or less thoroughly de- composed by the action of the water, mixed and intermingled and rolled down together for hundreds and in some cases for thou- sands of miles. Compost manures are here formed by the opera- tions of nature, of the richest and mostefiiclent kind for all plants that grow more perfect than fallible man could combine them and without labor or expense. Minerals, and animal and vegetable matter of every kind known perhaps in the world, broken into minufe parts by the continual action of water and attrition. These are deposited on the banks and shores of great and small [Assembly, No. 129.] - 13 194 [ASSEMBLT rivers, during their floods and make what are called the alluvial soils of the south and west. We car.not be surprised that some or most of these soils, said to be from ten to twenty ft^et in depth and formed of such materials, should be considered by those who have located and tilled them, as inexhaustible. Some of tliese rich sedimentary deposits have perhaps been thousands of years in forming, and extend from one mile to one hundred miles into the interior, from the bed or banks ol the rivers, from which they were conveyed and accumulated. These deposits, no doubt most of them contain a sufficient quantity of that important in- gredient ascertained of late to be so essential a part of the food of plants, phosphoric acid or hone earth ; this was not in the analysis above given of water, by distinguished chemists of Europe. This was water of some of the European rivers ; these are short and small compared with many of ours, and do not hold in their bo- soms such a vaiiety and quantity of mineral, animal and vegeta- ble matter. Ours it has been observed contain all the ingredi- ents of which hone earth is formed ; rocks and earths of a certain kind contain it ; vegetables more or less of it ; animals are the great source of it, and contain it in the greatest purity, their frames cannot be built up without it. The waters of most of our " rivers, it is thought, if properly analyzed would be found to con- tain it. Certainly the material wouklbe found among the depos- its on tlie various shores where they are cast. New chemical combinations would be continually going on among these where they lay imbeded, and the article would be found in sufficient quantity here. Dr. Thompson, M. Saussure, Hassenfratz, and others, Euro- peans, all of great reputation in their profession, agree as to the chemical qualities of most rivers ; some streams of water contain more foreign matter in quantity and variety than others and of course yield more food for plants. This depends somewhat on the soil they flow over or through, such for instance as chalk, limestone or slate soil; the more of these and especially the chalk kind tliey disiiitegrate and bear their particles in their descent^ and flow over land the more it is benefited all river waters inclu- ding springs contain more or less organic matter. To ascertain whether pure water alone could accomplish all the magic elfects No. 129.] 195 of irrigation it was necessary to employ other water than that of riverSj lakes or even-springs. These gentlemen tried pure water, as obtained by distillation and as a supporter of vegetation, but it was found totally inade- quate, plants merely v-egetated for a time, but could not be made to mature and perfect their seeds. Facts like this strongly con- firm the conclusions of some of the most sagacious cultivators that the chief advantages of irrigation are owing to the foreign sub- stances with which water is charged. The United States, or by far the greater part of them, situated in a considerably higher latitude than a greater part of Europe has a more powerful sun the greater part of the year, therefore it exhales moisture more rapidly from its soil. This, with otlier causes, subjects portions of our countiy to severe droughts in sections where these pre- vail, and some years they are extensive, no rains to be of service often for many weeks ; plants suffer greatly for the want of mois- ture, their yield is diminished at le: A liencan and English milch cows within the last fifty years known. These to be collected from the best records of the two coun'ries. We have endeavored to comply with the request as well as we were able, such lists have been given at various peri- ods as the cows made their appearance, and must be seaiclied for in various volumes that treat on the subject, to ascertain some particulars of their history and qualities. We believe it was me nt to have this information condensed in as small a compass as possible, that it might be embraced by the mind at once with- out much time spent in perusing the article itself, or search in many volumes f^r the fucts they contain. We have also given the average produce in milk, butter and cheese, of the best farm dairies of the two countries. No. 129.] 201 3 -5 a' <5 n ,•* fi i/ a ^ 0 '(J tt ti >-• • ti A ^^ Pi I is, 0 ^ 5i G 0 0 o -1 00 o^ 5 a a ^. S3 ■^ a cj -< 0 Ptlt, ■^^^ g m C 2 « 0 -^ ■" '^ t2 .*" 0 ^ ? s c g £ o^ 0 t> » ^ - > a 3 1^ c c --i c ^iC»0^0O(M iOOOO'^ O O O ^ O C3 i>r M c^ e-1 ct c^ iM f — , ^~ ./^ .(~ f"i r/1 c^ »^ i-^ ^ 1- cc c c:> e-) Nlfi C5^« 1— I (N ^ 7-1 r-l O C ^ III s 5 c- '^ Sj Qg • " « s ^ • &F k:s : £2 5 ?. E = •r- 0) *j-CJ rt , • _2 . ;J o '^ ^ •f ^ c 0) C ^ ^ ^ r- - o t> c P k'l c/. w To' ^ - -^ S C 0 = > S - " "5 • t»- ,_ ^ 8 ^^ © 0"^ c ei -3 0^3 £-F ^^ c;^ 5 ^ f s; e; 5 ^ a a o<;p<;<;t> •"^Mt-l 203 [Assembly In making out the above table we found rather more difficulty than we expected when we undertook it. This was principally owing to the great number of American and British authorities we had to consult for facts and data to make the calculations upon. This was not all according to the plan we adopted in embracing the whole year for the products, we had to compute these from the daily, weekly, and monthly produce, as, in a very few cases only were the former put down ; most of them were confined to the latter ; and where the yearly products were put dowa, in almost every case, the daily, weekly, and monthly, were the data on which the annual were made, and not from actual fact. This was from necessity, as in not more than two or three cases out of the great number in the books, was the quantity for the year based upon actual fact. Computation liad to be resorted to, and allowances njade. All cows give more milk at one season than another, and this during grass. After August there is generally a great falling off. Some cows' milk is much richer than others, almost as rich again, — considerably less, though, in quantity. Indeed, the same cow's milk often diflers in richness, for all which allowances must be made, and thus the annual quantity made up. Men often differ in their rules of taking averages, and making allowances, or may err in computing the quantity. Hence contradictions in the books, all done too with the best intentions of coming at the truth. In making out our table we have been obliged to adopt a similar course, and may have made mistakes, and most probably have ; at any rate we have meant to do what was right. We will give the titles of some of the numerous books we have consulted on the occasion, and refer those wlio differ from us in opinion, to them, to examine for themselves, and thus far aid them in setting us right if we are wrong. American author dies. — Col man's works ; Transactions of State Agricultural Society, and American Institute ; American edition of the Farmer's Encyclopedia, with valuable additions. British authorities. — Scotch Encyclopedias, under the heads Butter and Daries ; Farmer's Library ; Stepliens' latest w^ork on the Farm ; Doyle's Practical Husbandry. No. 129.] 203 To show how mistakes occur in these matters, in the case of the Cramp cow, (England,) where no calculation of moment was necessary. The owner. Mr. Cramp, Lewes, Sussex Co, made a statement, for public use, of her products for one year, in milk and butter, daily and weekly, and published it as his This ac- count we found in the British work last cited, and is the one adopted in our table. It diflfers somewhat from several other ac- counts, and the most considerable difference, we believe, made it above 400 quarts of milk more, and nearly 100 lbs. of butter, than Mr. Cramps' statement. There are several states south and west of us, not here cited, that have, no doubt, at different times produced individual cows and herds of cows, whose pro- duce in milk, butter and cheese, have been nearly or quite equal to the states or sections of states named. A NEW ENEMY TO INDIAN CORN. Pelham, Westchestei- Co., Oct., 9, 1851. Gen. a. Chandler : Sir — The accompanying ears of corn were taken from the western part of a field of corn in this town, of which about one- third of the ears have heen stripped of their kernels. The field presented the appearance of the ears having been husked on the stalks, which had been topped some ten days previous. On examination it was found that the husks had been stripped and the kernels eaten by insects, specimens of which are in the box herewith sent. As far as my knowledge extends it is a new species of insect, or rather a new enemy to the most important of our agricultural productions. By referring these specimens to a committee of your Agricultural Board, a better knowledge of the insect may be obtained and a mode suggested for the prevention of its most serious depredations. Very Respectfully Yours, PH. SCHUYLER. The insects forwarded by Mr. Schuyler, are of the Coleopte- rous order, about one-quarter of an inch in length ; the first, or 204 [Assembly upper pair of wings are of a serai-transparent straw colour, with six oblong spots of a dark brown on each sheath, making twelve in all, placed longitudiually. This is the first instance that has come within our knowledge of an attack on Indian corn by in- sects of this species. The specimens will be disposed of as re- quested by Mr. Schuyler. A. C. TEA FROM BRAZIL. Luis H. F. d'Aguiar, Esq., Consul General from Brazil, pre- sented at the rooms of the Institute, specimens of Brazilian Tea for examination. It was denominated as hyson; young hyson; gunpowder; hyson skin; and black tea Specimens of this tea, amounting to about forty, were distributed at the Far- mers' Club, with a request that those who tried it would express an opinion as to its quality. Returns have been received from twenty, in which there is a general concurrence as to the black, that it is very good. Of the other specimens the opinions are va- rious, generally admitting it to be of fdir quality, but inferior to Chinese. We are indebted to the polite attention of Mr. d'Aguiar, for various contributions to our library, among Avhich are a series of publications by tlie Auxiliary Society of National Industry, at Rio de Janeiro, andM ercantile and Industrial Almanac of Brazil for 1851, 12mo. 7U0 pages. A C. JOHN R. ST. J')lIiN'S VARIATION COMPASS AM) VELOCI- Mi-rri'ii. This instrument was awarded a gold medal by the American Institute in 1849, and has since receired a prize medal at the great exhibition, London. Mr. St. John's improvement consists in placing two small needles upon pins equi-distant from and at right angles to the No. 129.] 205 centre of the main needle. These small needles have brass arms or pointers fastened to them, Avhich reach inward toward the centre of tlie main needle, and move over semi-circular gra- duated scales. These scales are graduated both ways from their centres outward, the nonius being in the centres. The three needles are so charged and constituted to each other, that when the main needle points in the magnetic meridian, the pointers stand on the nonius of their respective scales. But when the main needle is moved from the magnetic meridian by any course, either to the east or the west, the pointers will as- sume positions on the scales toward the letters at their extremi- ties, either E. or W., these letters indicating the character of the deflection, and the figures over which they stand being added together and then halved, give the amount. This instrument shows promptly and actually the effect of all local causes, whether magnetic or mechanical forces, in carrying the main needle from the magnetic meridian. Mr. St. Johns' Velocimeter consists of a frame made to rise and fall at pleasure, in a pipe inserted through the bottom of a ship, in which the water runs equal to the draft of the vessel. This movable frame covers a spiral wheel, which, dropping below the bottom of the vessel, is made to revolve by the motion of the vessel through the water. The revolutions of this wheel are carried by shafts and wheels up to a train of groovipgs in the up- per part of the vessel, covered by a dial over which the hands revolve, one of which goes round once in one mile; the next goes round once in one hundred miles; and the third goes round once in one thousand miles. This instrument, under test at the Washington navy j^ard, has been ceitiiied as an accurate mea- surer of the velocity of the ship at any tim.e and the true distance traversed. 206 [AsSEilBLT PLUMBAGO AND FELDSPAR OF MORRIS CO, NEW-JERSEY. Ameuican Institute, ? J\'ew-York, Jan.^ 1852. \ Wm. a. Bradley, Esq. : My Dear Sir. — Understanding that you liave recently devoted some portion of your time to the investigation of certain soils in Morris county, New-Jersey, said to possess unusual fertility, re- sulting, as is supposed, 'rom a natural adipixture of mineral sub- stances ; I take the liberty of soliciting, should your time permit, such information relative thereto as you may think proper to place in the hands of your friends in the American Institute. Very respectfully, yours, &c., ADOxVIRAM CHANDLER. Corresponding Secretary. Newark, January 23, 1852. General Chandler: Dear Sir — Your letter was duly received, and it would have afforded me much pleasure to have replied at an earlier date had I been able. The sulject mentioned by you is one of which I know but very little, and the weather has been so severe that I have been unable to visit the localities in question for the pur- pose of obtaining further statistics. The few facts which have fallen under my observation I am most happy to place at jour disposal. The excellent qualities possessed by the soil of a certain tract of land in Morris county, New Jersey, have for a long time been a common subject of remark with practical men and others fa- miliar with the locality. These soils seem to possess the most essential qualities desirable to farmers in an eminent degree, so much so that farms situated witliin this tract will command a much higher price than others not so located; in some instances these naturally fertile soils have obtained double the price of the more ordinary land in the immediate neighborhood. No. 129.] 207 Although these facts have long been known to those living in that section of country, yet the probable cause of this unusual fertility have only recently been explained. It appears to be owing to the cropping out of a vein of plumbago or plumbagin- ous feldspar tJiroughout the whole extent of the fertile tract by the gradual disintegration and decomposition of which the soil has been formed. This soil is quite light and easy of tillage, and when moist, is of a deep black color. It will in many places produce, without the application of manure, crops fully equal if not supeilor to those raised on manured land only a short distance beyond the limits of the vein, and possesses the power of with- standing, in a remarkable degree, the exhausting effect of long continued and heavy cropping, receiving in the meanwhile only scanty supplies of manure. When applied in any considerable quantities, manures are found to act with great energy, seemingly stimulating vegetation to an unusual degree. These phenomena, occurring as they do only at isolated points, and only in connection with the outcrops of this and similar veins of plumbago and feldspar, are manifestly owing to some pecu- liarity in this soil derived from the subacent materials. The veins in which the mingled minerals occur are of varied extent and richness, and the included plumbago generally of the granu- lar variety. Often the entire vein is composed of nearly pure plumbago, with only a few nodules of the feldspar disseminated throughout; in other cases the feldspar predominates and some- times'almost entirely displaces the plumbago. The proper posi- tion of these veins is among the primary rocks in Morris county, generally in granite and gneiss. Although they may occur among the newer formations, their lineof directiun is from the northeast to the southwest, and their extent is from a few inches to nearly a mile in width. This peculiar combination of plumbago and feldspar is found to decompose very readily under the influence of the various atmospheric agencies. This readiness to decompose seems to be owing more to the feldspar than to the plumbago, as it is observed that where there is little or no feldspar present, there the action of frost, rain and other aids to decomposition has been produc- 208 [Assembly live of little or no effect, while at other points where the decom- position is far advanced, the two minerals are found in more nearly equal proportions. Feldspar, it is well known, is a mineral very prone to decom- position, as in the ease of those varieties affording the kaolin and other clays used in the nianufacture of porcelain. In the present instance the feldspar decomposes first and, by its decay, sets free the plumbago, rendering it more or less porous, so that the frost and rain more easily crumble it to a gravel, more or less fine in proportion to the original quantity of the feldspathic cement. This gravel, by a continuance of the same process, becomes the dark colored and highly productive soil, the peculiar properties of which have been already noted. These focts possess a much higher interest, when we consider in connection with their practical value, the chemical principles which have combined to produce the effects noticed : Plumbago or Graphite (as it is often termed) consists mainly of carbon, with a variable quanity of Iron, with which it is supposed to be mechanically combined ; when crystalized it is nearly pure carbon, iu a very compact state, it is quite infusible whence its value as a material fwr the manufacture of crucibles and other utensils destined to support a high temperature, al- though it may be burned provided the air have free access. Its composition as found hy analysis is as follows : Carbon, 9^.4 Oxide of iron, 1.4 Silica, 2.6 With variable proportions of water, it may however, be practi- cally considered as carbon, the other ingredienis being scarcely in sufficient quantity to produce any sensible effect in the soil. This carbon as first liberated by the gradual decomposition of the beds of plumbago is, owing to its compact state, quite inso- luble, and until the processes of decomposition shall have re- duced it to a very fine state of division, it may be said to be quite inert in the soil, or to have at least only a mechanical action, as a loosener, making the soil lighter and more pulverulent, and rendering it more absorbtive of heat and light. As soon however as No. 129. J 209 sufficiently fine, it begins to develope itself as carbon in a new series of actions, it absorbs and retains the ammoniacal and other gases, resident in the atmosphere in contact with it, and brought down by the showers holding them in solution, once in the soil they are retained by the carbon, with a power which yields in intensity, only to the energy of a growing plant, at the same time by the combined action of heat, air and moisture, a portion of it receives oxygen from the atmosphere and becomes carbonic acid, which is condensed and absorbed by the remaining carbon, un- til required by the plants growing upon it The extent and ra- pidity with which these actions take place is only directed by the degree of fineness to which the carbon is reduced, and its action as an active manure is also in the same proportion. The more perfect the mechanical division, the more rapid and energetic will be its chemical action. A further advantage ari- sing from the presence of carbon in any form in the soil, is its property of absorbing both heat and light, rendering the soil warmer and more stimulating to the growing powers of plants. Heat and light are both powerful incentives to chemical action as the whole history of chemical science will teach, and it is most of all evident in the chemistry of organized bodies ; the influence of heat and light seems to be essential to the life and proper growth of plants ; nor are their effects merely confined to those portions of the plant above the surface of the soil ; it is highly probable that their action upon those parts beneath the surface may be quite as important. The lives of plants are but a series of the most complicated and interesting chemical actions, all of which are more or less powerfully controlled by these two agents, light and heat, hence the value of any substance calculated to enable the soil to retain these highly important stimulants. All practical men know the value of a warm soil, and to such the value of a means of correcting the opposite property will be at once apparent ; plumbago of all other means, seems from its powerfully blackening properties best calculated to produce this so highly desirable result ; a very small proportion is sufficient to perceptibly darken the color of the soil, and in a correspond- ing degree to increase its power of absorbing light and heat. [Assembly, No. 129.] 14 210 [Assembly The great value of graphite in this aud many other respects, should prove an inducement to farmers residing near localities of itj to use it on their farms ; it is found at various points through- out the whole granite and gneiss region of New-Jersey, and at many other localities in districts of a primitive structure. It also occurs frequently in connection with veins and beds of ser- pentine and other rocks of similar origin and character. When- ever it can be obtained at a moderate cost, its eflfects will not fail to repay the outlay, since, when finely ground, its value as a di- visor for manures, would not be far below that assigned to char- red peat, charcoal dust, &c., for all these purposes it would re- quire to be reduced to fine powder. The feldspar, also, is in many respects a highly useful mineral ; it is an essential ingredient of common granite, and always oc- curs with it in greater or less abundance. According to Rose, it consists of, Silica, 66 Alumina, 18 Potash, 14 Lime, 1 Oxide of iron, 1 100 Several varieties of this mineral are known to collectors ; of these, that known as potash feldspar, (the composition of which is given above,) is by far the most abundant. This mineral takes its specific name from the potash, which enters so largely into its composition ; it is thus called in order to distinguish it from the soda feldspar, in which the potash is wholly or for the most part replaced by soda, to the first of these divisions, the potash feld- spar belongs he mineral occurring with the plumbago of Mor- ris county. These feldspars owe their ready disintegration as much to a species of chemical decomposition, as to the erosive action of moisture aud changes ot temperature. Feldspars con- sist of a combination of silicate of alumina, with the silicate of either potash or soda ; these latter silicates are decomposed with varying rapidity by the carbonic acid of the atmosphere, forming No. 129.] 211 in the place of an insoluble silicate of potash, a very soluble car- bonate of the same base ; the silica thus set free by the dissolving out of the bases, is readily washed away by the rains, together with the insoluble silicate of alumina, forming that well known substance, clay. The proportion of silica and alumina is very near that required to form a soil suitable for cultivation, but the chief excellence consists in the large percentage of potash which it must contain. To add anything in this connection with respect to the impor- tance of potash, or any material containing it in large quantities, is, I trust, at the present day, superfluous ; its beneficial efiects have long been seen by all those acquainted with the astonishing effects produced by the contents of the green sand deposites in Monmouth county, if judiciously applied. These effects it is now admitted beyond a possibility of question are owing to the potash contained in the green mineral. The usefulness of this feldspar, judging from the results of analysis, promises fully to equal that of the green sand, its pro- portion of potash is in many cases larger, the green sand contain- ing in the average specimens, but six or eight per cent, of alkali, while the feldspar rarely contains less than ten per cent. The decomposition of the feldspar is also quite as rapid and complete as that of the green sand, and its abundance is equal to supplying the largest demand. It is also highly probable from the result obtained by Fownes and others, that these minerals also contain a minute proportion of phosphoric acid, which, although making but a small figure in the analysis, would still be of incalculable benefit in a soil. In the feldspar from the northwest parts of the State, in the vicinity of the beds of mineral phosphates of lime of Sussex county, it is probable that the percentage will be much larger. The phosphate of lime occurs almost uniformly associa- ted with feldspar, and those portions of the vein consisting largely of the latter mineral, still contain much phosphate of lime, and it would seem as if the feldspar fi-om this locality, must be admi- rably calculated to supply the wants of soils deficient in the two important elements, phosphoric acid and potash, these elements occurring as they do, already combined, and requiring only to be 212 [Assembly pulverized and applied to the soil to produce their appropriate results. To those persons, therefore, who from residing at a distance have not been able to avail themselves of its beneficial effects, these beds of feldspar cannot fail to prove of the highest value, combining as they do in one mineral so many desirable quanti- ties, being at the same time an absorbent from its plumbago, and a stimulant from its potash and phosphoric acid. In using this or any other highly alkaline manure, farmers should take care to see that their lands are well provided with a supply of organic matter, else the soil will speedily be impoverished rather than benefited by the highly stimulating properties of the potash, organic matter must be present in large quantity for the potash to expend its energies upon ; where the plumbago exists with it, to a certain degree it will supply the deficiency. There will still, however, be a lack of nitrogenous matter, which must be supplied if we would succeed. In cases where the plumbago is wanting, there the contents of the peat swamps must be com- posted with the calcined and pulverized mineral, and after that it has expended its caustic powers in decomposing the muck, then it may safely be applied to the soil, and good results be expected. WM. H. BRADLEY, mwark. Gen. Adoniram Chandler, American Institute. FOUNDATION OF THE FRENCH MERINOS. Tht following is a translation of a letter from Mons. Gilbert to S. W. Jewett^ of Vermont. My fiather was born a farmer, and busied himself in his youth in breeding sheep. In 1786 the Queen of Spain made a present to the King of France, of a flock of Merino ewes and rams, selected from the best blood in that country. This flock were equally divided, and one-half were placed at Rambouillet, where they have always No. 120.] 213 remained ; the other half were presented by the King to a pro- prietor, M. de Chauorier, who placed them on his farm at Croissy, four leagues from Paris. My father was twenty-seven years of age at this date; he visited the flock soon after its arrival, and each succeeding year, to satisfy himself in regard to the acclima- tion of the flock, and to compare the produce of wool and flesh with the native breeds. After satisfying himself that our climate agreed with this fine wooled race, and that they offered a greater inducement and advantage from the extra product of wool, as well as their flesh, compared with the then existing flocks of France, he purchased a buck and eight ewes at Croissy, in 1800, at the first sale. The ram was four years old, weighed one hun- dred and twenty-four pounds,* and carried twelve pounds of wool; the ewes averaged nine pounds in its pure unwashed state. He bought yeailyTrom two to four sheep, until 1810; in 1811, fifty ewes and five ram lambs. In 1818 the whole flock of Croissy were sold, fifty-five of the ewes to my father, who paid on aver- age from 120 -to 300 francs. At Croissy the pasturage and hay was of a better quality, and more suitable for sheep than at Ram- bouillet. The sheep were superior, and for this reason, my father made all of his purchases at Croissy. In 1821, he bought one ram at Rambouillet. Notwithstanding these two flocks^'were of the same family, he obtained a great advantage in alliance of blood, as there had been a complete separation for 35 years; up to 1827 be bought five rams from this branch , at this date, ceded to me his flock, which numbered two hundred and nine ewes^of three years and upwards, and one hundred and seventy-six ewes one and two years old, and ninety yearling rams. In 1832 I bought fifty-five ewes at the public sale at Rambouillet, and since then have bought a few ewes and two rams to mix the blood with my flock, always choosing my reproductors among those which carried the greatest quantity of wool of the best quality. By this means I have increased the fleece upon my whole flock. The ewes, many of them, yielding eighteen pounds,! and the rams^twenty-four pounds. Our com- •One hundred and thirty-eight pounds Engliah. t Ttrentj and tventj-serea poonda English. 214 [Assembly mon practice has been to use no ram till well matured, say two years old, and not allow the ewes to drop any lambs till three years old. We have thus improved the form and size of our flock, which inherit a stronger "constitution. No American gentleman visited us previous to the 11th May, 3846. We then had the pleasure of seeing Mr. J. A. Taintor, of Connecticut, to whom I sold two rams and seven ewes. Since then I have yearly made shipments of a few bucks and ewes to Mr. Taintor, who has made my sheep prosper in the States as they do in France. I have also had the satisfaction of receiving a visit from Mr. Isaac de Forrest, of New- York, Mr. Sanford of Orwell, and Mr. S. W. Jewett, of Middlebury, Vermont. The latter purchased of me, in 1851, eighty-two ewes and eighteen bucks. In 1852, 1 sold him ninety-four ewes, and to deliver in 1853, 1 have sold him ninety ewes. I have also had a visit from Mr. Howard and Mr. Parker, of Ohio, to whom I was not able to sell any sheep this year or next, to their great regret. From the various essays made by my father to ameliorate the Merino race, and those which I have continued to effect on the same principles, we arrived at this conclusion, that in order to improve the breed it was necessary to let them graze on good land, preferring dry to wet, and renew the blood of his flock every five or six years. If a longer time expires before you renew the blood, you can maintain the flock in the same quality, but you cannot improve it. Before the ewes are fleeced, I assort and separate into as many lots as I have rams, and avoid using rams with any defect, to ewes of the same defect. It is with these means, put in good practice for many generations, that we have obtained the amelioration of our flock. It was only in 1844 that I decided upon letting my flock com- pete with others for the prize. Upon this occasion, the Agricul- tural Assembly of Paris, appointed a commission to visit the best flocks of the country. After the commissioners made their re- port, the Minister of Agriculture awarded me the great medal of gold. No. 129.] 215 The agricultural exhibition for 1845 took place at Grignon. I sent there three hundred and fifty ewes and four bucks. The first prize was given me and my father, then eighty-six years old, who received it at the hands of the Duke of Nemours, conducted there by his two sons. The great general exhibition which took place at Versailles in 1851, 1 and my colleague, Monsieur Cugnot, sent there, each of us, three rams ; the first prize was granted to us. VICTOR GILBERT. Windeville, Commune de Crespieres Seine ef Loire, April 7, 1852. DEATH OF CHAS. HENRY HALL. At a special meeting of the American Institute, held January 15, 1852, at the rooms of the American Institute, No. 351 Broad- way : Mr. Nash, announced to the meeting the late decease of Charles Henry Hall, Esq., at his mansion house at Harlem, in this city, and moved that on this subject, a committee should be ap- pointed to prepare resolutions expressive of the sentiments and feelings of the members of the American Institute on this melancholy occasion. The Institute thereupon aj^pointed Messrs. Alanson Nash, Ralph Lockwood 'and John A. Bunting, said committee ; and the said committee presented the following preamble and resolu- tions, relative to their deceased friend and brother. Preamble. During the month of January 1852, the American Institute has been deprived of one of its most distinguished and intelli- gent members. Mr. Charles Henry Hall, became a member of the American In- stitute in the year 1835. He was a gentleman of enlightened and elevated sentiments possessed of great mental endowments, and his 21 6 [Assembly experience in mercantile knowledge has been rarely excelled. He visited in early life most of the European countries, and was engaged in extensive mercantile operations in England, Portu- gal, Spain, and in various parts on the Mediterranean. He re- turned at a later period to the United States, and became asso- ciated with one of the largest houses in this country, carrying on the China and north-west trade, from the port of New-York. His agricultural information and knowledge, which he had acquired by his intercourse, social and commercial, were inval- uable to the American Institute and the public, and while living he freely communicated to the Institute for its volumes of tran- sactions, his extensive knowledge and experience on this or any other subjects. He had been an alderman of this city tor some years, and a member of the State Legislature, while the introduction of the Croton water was a subject of discus>ion among the people of our city and State. Mr. Hall was one of the earliest and most ardent friends and advocate of this unparalleled improvement. By his travels in Europe, he became acquainted with the system of making roads, and public highways on the macadamised principle. It was owing mostly to his intelligence and efforts that the avenues of this Island were graded and macadamized. He was an early friend and mover in the Harlem railroad, and its extension to Albany. And the great improvements now making beyond Harlem river, were the projects of his active mind. Few men have left behind them stronger proofs of in- telligent and useful enterprize, or higher claims of public re- spect and gratitude. We feel a just pride in the attainments of our distinguished fellow member and brother of the American Institute. His several qualities and amiable deportment in private life, endear- ing him to his friends and acquaintances, and to us his associates in the Institute. This occasion is a fit and proper one for his bereaved friends and the members of the Institute to give utte- rance to their unfeigned sorrow, and to testify their respect for the memory of the deceased. No. 129.J 217 Resolutions. Resolved, That we hold in high estimation the intelligence, the integrity, the services and the civic and private virtues of the late Charles Henry Hall, and deeply deplore the loss vs^hich we and the public have sustained by the death of one so emi- nently a friend and useful member of our Association. Resolved, That we sympathize with his bereaved family in their affliction, who mourn the loss of an affectionate husband, a kind parent and an intelligent and enterprising citizen. Rvsolved, That from the respect to the memory of him who was in life so useful and intelligent a member, we direct that these resolution and preamble be entered upon the records of the American Institute and published in the transactions of the same, and that they also be communicated to the family of the de- ceased, by the presiding officer of this meeting, and authenticat- ed by the Secretary of the Institute. All of which is respectfully submitted, ALANSON NASH, New-York, Feb., 5, 1852. JOHN A. BUNTING, RALPH LOCKWOOD. Committee. The report was unanimously adopted. OPENING ADDRESS At the Twenty-fourth Annual Fair of the American Institute, at Castle Garden, October, 1851. [by L1VING9T0K LITIKGSTON, ESQ., VICE PRESIDENT.] Ladies and Gentlemen : — On behalf of the managers of the Twenty-fourth Annual Fair of the American Institute, I bid you welcome — a hearty welcome — for there cannot be any one in this vast assemblage who does not feel proud and rejoice at the present exhibition, surrounded as he is on all sides by specimens of the skill, energy, and enterprise of our citizens — tokens of our country's glory and prosperity. The great object of the American Institute is to encourage and promote the domestic industry of our country in all its branches, in agriculture, commerce, manufactures, and the arts ; by hold- ing fairs for the exhibition of the products of the soil, specimens of manufactures and the mechanic arts, and by bestowing premi- ums and rewards on those who shall have made improvements or excelled in any of those branches. "What success the Institute has met with in its arduous under- taking, after twenty-four years' labor, it is not for me to speak ; that must be left for your decision. The first Fair of the American Institute was held in the year 1828, at Masonic Hall in this city, in a room of about one hun- dred feet long by fifty wide, and at the time, so doubtful was the experiment, and so low was the pecuniary credit of the Institute, that the managers were compelled to pledge themselves to pay the expenses, and it was with considerable diflSiculty that a suffi- cient number of specimens of American industry and ingenuity 220 [ASSEMBLT could be collected together to make a respectable show even in that limited space ; but thanks to the progress made by our man- ufacturers, our artisans, our mechanics, and our agriculturists, we are now enabled to fill this immense building with an almost endless variety. In the Machine-room are exhibited steam engines, machines for planing, spinning cotton, &c.; and in the floral and agricul- tural department, elegant specimens of fruits, flowers, and vege- tables. The specimens of pianos, tapestry carpeting, cloths, shawls, hardware, silverware and glass, almost defy competition. There are numerous other beautiful specimens of American skill which cannot be enumerated in this short address, but which will am- ply repay the trouble of a careful examination. To show the progress of the Institute let us examine the receipts and expenditures of the Fair held last year, and contrast them with those of 1835. In the year 1835, the receipts were $5, 156.70, and the expenditures $3,005.14. The managers then awarded as premiums sixteen gold medals and ninety-one silver medals, valued at $905.40. In 1850 the receipts were $21,955.17, being four times greater than the receipts of 1835. The expenditures were $14,694.51, nearly five times greater than 1835, and the premiums awarded were ninety-two gold medals, eighty-five silver cups, and three hundred and twenty-six silver medals, amounting in value to |3,527.09, about four times the value of those awarded in 1835. The value of the premiums awarded last year amounted to five hundred dollars more than the total expenses of the Fair of 1835. It has been charged against the Institute, and most unjustly, that gold and silver medals were awarded to exhibitors only nominally, and that they were not furnished except at the expense of the exhibitor. Such may possibly have been the fact at one or two of the early Fairs, when the receipts barely paid the ex- penses ; but from the year 1835 to 1850, inclusive, the money No. 129.] 221 expended for gold and silver medals awarded by the managers, and actually delivered to exhibitors, has amounted to over $25,000. The Institute has increased in its receipts, expenditures, con- tributors and visitors, in all and every thing except the price of admission to the Fairs, which has invariably been twenty-five cents. The receipts show that the Fair of 1835 was visited by about 22,000 persons who paid for their admission tickets, and the Fair of last year by 88,000, and if we include those admitted on free tickets, to wit : members and their families, exhibitors and invited guests, we may safely say that the last exhibition was seen and examined by over 300,000 persons. What greater facility can be afforded to the honest and hard- working mechanics and artisans for the display of their skill and ingenuity 1 As the public have contributed each year more than the ex- penses of the Fair, it may be asked by them, what has become of the surplus 1 The managers pay the same over yearly to the Treasurer of the Institute. The accumulations, after paying salaries of agents, secretaries, clerks, librarian, and other inci- dental expenses in 1849, amounted to about $15,000, and the Institute then purchased the large brown stone building, No. 351 Broadway, for the sum of $45,000, on which they now owe only $20,000, and which, in a few years, they hope to pay off by the continued patronage of the public. The second story is occupied by the Institute as a place for meetings, and as an office for the agent and other officers of the Institute ; the third story as a reading-room and library, which is handsomely fitted up for that purpose ; the library contains 5,860 volumes, among which are many rare and valuable works; and the fourth story is occupied as a model room. The first floor and basement are leased at an annual rent of $3,000. Since the close of our last fair, the manufacturers, artizans, and mechanics of the Old World have had an opportunity of displaying their skill and ingenuity at the World's Fair. It could hardly be 232 [Assembly expected that our manufacturers and mechanics should enter into competition in those articles which are most calculated to make a gorgeous display ; and at first it was thought that the Ameri- cans might as well have kept their contributions on this side of the Atlantic, yet our Yankee notions have, on inspection, turned out better than we could have expected. While the operatives of France and England were perfecting themselves in the manufacture of silks, satins, velvets, and other articles of luxury, in what have the operatives of America been engaged? why have they not been busy preparing for the strug- gle— engaging for the mastery in the competition which was to be held at the Crystal Palace? why have they not there made^a display equal to that of France and England? The answer is easy, plain, and apparent ; they have been more busy in the use- ful and practical than the ornamental ; their works have been on too grand a scale, and too permanent in their character, to be transported across the Atlantic ; no room could be found for them in the Crystal Palace. While the operatives of the Old World have been becoming expert in the articles of fancy and finery, ours have been building the Erie canal — the Croton Aqueduct — cc'nnecting all the States of our glorious Union, with iron bands, enabling our citizens to travel from one end of the nation to the other with almost incredible velocity, and spreading a net work of wires in the air, (the railroad of the mind,) by which inter- communication of thought can be had with all parts of the Union with lightning speed — annihilating space. We have not only per- formed these things in practice, but the inventive genius of our peo- ple has been aqually active. In the art of painting we can name a West; in scuplture, a Powers ; in literature, Irving, Cooper, Bancroft, Prescott ; in science, a Franklin ; in mechanics, Ful- ton, Whitney, Morse. Our Franklin drew lightning from the clouds, and Morse taught it the art of penmanship. The first vessel propelled by steam made her trial trip from the wharves of our city, and have we been loiterers by the way in steam navigation ? Let our floating palaces on the Hudson, on the lakes, and on the Mississippi answer. Where in the world can their equal be found ? No. 129.] 223 And if even in ocean navigation we for a short period appeared in the back ground, no sooner had the genius of our mechanics come in competition with the ocean steamers of England than they were beaten. Our Collins' line of four steamers have in two years made five trips across the Atlantic in less time than any of the Cunarders, though they have been running over ten years. The fastest steamers in the world were built in this city — thanks to the energy of our merchants — thanks to the energy of our me- chanics, an American cannot but exult when he names the steam- ships Pacific and Baltic. But it is not only in steamships that we rival and surpass all competitors. We have for years built the finest and fastest sail- ing vessels. Our Baltimore clippers are world-renowned ; our fleet of new clipper-ships are on every sea. We had scarcely beaten the English by steam before the once haughty mis- tress of the seas was again to be humiliated and beaten by the Yankees. A few months since a small schooner built in this city made her appearance in the waters of England, and challenged the whole nation to a trial of speed. Trials took place, and our little skimmer of the sea was victorious over the whole yacht squadron of Britain, even in presence of England's Queen. And the commander of that little vessel, our fellow townsman, had the proud satisfaction, after the victory, of receiving Victoria on board his little craft, with Prince Albert, the projector of the World's Fair. He politely dipped his colors to the royal guest, and it is now acknowledged that the fastest sailing vessel in the world is the Yankee schooner America. The veteran yachter, the Marquis of Angl«sea is said to have re- marked, on seeing the America, "if she is right, we are all wrong." And after the race it was asked, "Which is first?" — " The Ame- rica." Which second? — "Nothing." These triumphs alone would compensate for the raillery and ridicule which were heaped on the American department in the Crystal Palace, extorting as they did from the Tory paper, The Times, the admission that all the substantial triumphs of the year 1851 belonged to the Yankees. But the tone of ridicule once held towards us because of the want of show and the absence of 224 [Assembly articles of luxury in that department, has been moderated since our citizens have been awarded some of the highest prizes given at the Crystal Palace for articles of inventive genius. C. H. McCormick, of Chicago, Illinois, received at the Crystal Palace the highest award for a reaping machine to harvest cereal grains, invented by him, which, when first exhibited, was view- ed as an ingenious machine, but no mechanic or agriculturist there could be found who would believe that it would be prac- tically useful — but seeing is believing ; and after it had been fully tested, they were compelled to award to the Yankee the highest premium for the best and most ingenious agricultural imple- ments. Yes, fellow-citizens, in Old England, where they pride themselves as having made the greatest advance in the science of agriculture, we have carried off the palm. The repeating firearms invented by Samuel Colt, of Hartford, Connecticut, received honorable mention at the Crystal Palace. Coitus guns and pistols far exceeded anything presented by the ingenious mechanics of France and England — nations whose ex- tence has been to make war a pastime, yet the ingenious son of peaceful America has gained the prize in the munitions of war. B. F. Palmer, of Meredith, New-Hampshire, received a pre- mium at the Crystal Palace for the best specimen of an artificial leg, having thirty-four competitors. It may be asked what has the reaping machine of McCormick, the repeating firearms of Colt, and the artificial leg of Palmer, to do with the fairs of the American Institute. I will tell you, the repeating firearms of Colt were exhibited at the American Institute fair held at Niblo's Garden in the year 1837, and then received a gold medel . The reaping machine was exhibited at the fair held at Castle Garden in 1849, and there re- ceived a gold medal ; and the artificial leg was exhibited at the fair at Castle Garden in 1847, and received a gold medal. Although these ingenious inventions were made by our me- chanics so long since, and publicly exhibited and open to the competition of the world, they have not as yet been equalled by those of the old world. No. 129.] 225 How and why is it that America is so rapidly advancing not only in population but in the mechanic arts? It is owing to the institutions of our country, the breaking down of all restrictions, allowing every man to pursue such trade or occupation as he pleases, the political equality of all our citizens, the universality of common school education, the knowledge that each man has that it depends solely on his own exertions and talents as to what station he occupies in the community. Here there are no privi- leged classes in society. The man who labors for his living is not despised and degraded as in the old world. In this country the rule is changed, it is only the lazy drone who meets with the contempt of his fellow men. This stimulates men to exertion, some in one branch and some in another. What is it that constitutes the real wealth of a coun- try but the labor of its manufacturers, mechanics and operatives ? Without this what would America have been ? where would have been her canals, railroads and steamships ? The idle rich man has his wealth, but what does he add to the wealth of the coun- try 1 Nothing. Not as much as the industrious but humble op- erative. The tilling of the land and making it produce an hun- dred-fold, the manufacturing of the raw cotton, iron ore, and other substances, by bestowing labor on them, increasing their value and usefulness an hundred or thousand fold, it is that which enriches and benefits a community, and our thanks are due to our mechanics and laboring men for their aid in the pro- gress made by America, and we hope that they will ever be ac- tive and industrious, making our fairs and exhibitions every year more and more varied, and worthy of the patronage of the public. No where on the face of the earth is the divine command, " in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread until thou return unto he ground," so fully kept as in these United States, and no where are the people so well supplied with the comforts and necessaries of life. In other lands the nobility and aristocracy endeavor to alter the command and live by the sweat of the face of those they hold in bondage. They consider that the labor which they are commanded to perform by the Allwise Providence is a degrada- tion. [Assembly. No. 129] 15 226 [Assembly But in those countries where labor is considered a degradation, the people are the least happy and the least civilized ; and it is only in those countries where, and in proportion as tlie laborer is elevated in the social circle, that we witness the greatest advance- ment in civilization, and the greatest progress in the arts and sciences. It is only in our country that the right of the laborer is fully acknowledged, and here has the greatest progress been made that has ever been made. In seventy- six years the Repnblic has in- creased tiom three millions to twenty-three millions, extended her territories from the Atlantic to the Pacific, sprung in that time from infancy in the mechanic arts to a full competitor with all the world. What has produced this great and glorious result ? It is the full recognition and acknowledgment by the people of this repub- lic of the DIGNITY OF HUMAN LABOR. TWENTY.FOURTH ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS, Before the American Institute, of the city of New- York, at the Tabernacle, on the 16th of Octoher, 1851. BY CHARLES T. JACKSOV, M. D., F. C. S. F. Mr. President and Gentlernen of the American Institute of ^ew- York : Ladies and Gentlemen — From the urgent duties of an active professional life, surrounded by the calls of Manufacturers, Mi- ners, Agriculturists, and Merchants, I come from the fumes, acids, alkalis, and salts of the laboratory, to address you this evening, near the close of your grand exhibition of the arts and manufac- tures of our country. Deeply impressed with the inadequacy of my own learning or talents to do justice to the rich display of the products of Ameri- can art which you have laid before an admiring public, I must ask your indulgence toward the few thoughts which I shall endeavor to bring for your consideration, concerning the Ekcouragemext and Ctltivation of the Sciences in the United States. Any attempt to offer more than the most simple and elemen- tary view of this important subject, will be out of my power in the short space of time we shall have to spend together in this hall I have chosen this subject because I deem it one of vital iat«- rest to all concerned in the practical arts 3 for science has beem 22^ [Assembly defined to be the "Hand-maid of the Arts," and as such is most assuredly a " maid of honor," for certainly there is no higher vo- cation than that of ministering to the wants of the arts, on which the comforts and refinements of civilized life depend, and without which civilization itself could have no existence. Science may claim still more — it may be considered as the very soul of the arts, giving to them life and progressive power, creating new means of human advancement, multiplying arts, and re-acting again upon the mind of the discoverer or inventor, endowing him with still higher powers of discernment and application. The time has long since passed when the dignity of a science was reck- oned by its uselessness and it inapplicability to the so-called vul- gar uses of life. No longer is learning to be banished from the workshop and shut up in cloistered cells or in colleges, there to be kept beyond the reach of the workingmen of our land. No longer is science to be kept confined in her drowsy halls, or to be limited to the easy chair of a professor, and to be exhibited only to astonish a stupid and ignorant people ; but on the contrary, she now walks abroad with her working dress on, and is found in the workshops of our artizans, in the field v.ith the husbandman and in the depths of our mines, giving life to the arts and inspiring intelli- gence and conscious power among a sensible, practical, and by no means uncultivated class of our fellow citizens. The college is now outstripped by the common high school and academy in the walks of science, which are vainly denounced as not the ways of liberal education. One of our Phi-Beta- Kappa orators said, a few years since, " It is not expected of a scholar that he should hang with trembling anxiety over the vibrations of a balance." That gen- tleman, who at that time expressed the views entertained by one of our oldest seminaries of learning, has, doubtless, long since changed his views, and is willing to allow that accuracy is one of the highest qualities of a scholar. It is too late for antiquated scholars to denounce the cultivation of science, or to expatiate on the superiority of a little knowl- edge of Latin and Greek, for the world now bears witness to the higher achievements of modern science ; and instead of delving No. 129.) 22» forever into the history and precedents of the past, Young Amer- ica presses forward to her brilliant future, unmindful of the checks which conservatism in error would place in her way. A democracy of science must and will overcome all obstacles, and regard as milestones of the past many of our so-called institutions of learning. Reform is loudly called for, and the only answer we have had from many of those sleepy institutions is, that " We are going to reform," and then turn over and go to sleep again. In one of our colleges — I name it to its honor — the requisite steps have been taken to meet the wants of this progressive age. I refer to Brown University, and i trust tliat every encouragement that can be given will be afforded to enable that institution to c^rry forward its designs, that other institutions of learning may be encouraged to follow in its steps, to vie with it in extending the benefits of learning to all, and to "give to every one that asketh," what he may need, without forcing him to learn those things that will be of lib benefit to him before he can obtain his parcliment roll with two of the fir*t letters of the alphabet after his name, to be followed by two others when he has forgotten his Greek. I would not have jou suppor-e that I despise classic learning. On the contrary no one loves it more than I do, however little I may have of it ; but I do object to the idea that a liberal educa- tion depends wholly upon a mere smattering knowledge of twe dead languages with a mere elementary knowledge of philosophy. Far be it from meto discouraging any kind of learning. 1 would that every man should have all possible mouns of ac/]uiring the kinds of knowledge most conducive to his happiness and useful- ness ; but I do think that the public have neglected their own interests in not awaking from the dream they have been in for so long a period, and in not seeing that our supposed institutions of learning are far below the wants of the age, and are not in har- mony with the other institutions and the customs of oui- country, being irresponsible, though somewhat limited monarchies in the midst of a Republic. If we cannot effect the reforms wd desire — and I cvv n tnat seems difficult, if not impossible to do so ia institutioio iioi re- sponsible to the people — let lis establish independent Institutions 230 j Assembly of learning, and have them adapted to the country and to the wants of the age. Let every gre^^ city have within its limits a liberal university, open to all who desire to learn • and let the abundance of science which each of our cities contains be brought into active operation ; and let the common high schools prepare their pupils for more extended instruction in the halls and lec- ture rooms of your new universities. Open your doors to all who desise to learn, and keep your teachers employed each and every day in full and practical teaching in the recitation rooms, and laboratories of science. This must be done, and I venture to predict will soon be at- tempted ; and if our citizens are true to their own interests, it will prove one of the most important steps that our country can take in the march of improvement. Let the unfounded preju- dices against book learning be driven from the minds of men by making books still more worthy of being read and studied. Let theory and practice join hands " now and forever in indissoluble union." Are not the arts living illustrations of the principles of science ? Is not the world a great book of wisdom, as yet but partially read ? Is not the field of the farmer full of wonders but little known to him, for want of scientific light? " Give me to see," should be the cry of every intelligent man. There may be men, who, through indolence, are unwilling to take the trouble of learning the scientific principles of the arts which they daily practice ; but there are more who earnestly de- sire to know all they can learn, not merely fur the sake of gain- ing more wealth but for the gratification of a laudable curiosity and for the improvement of their minds. The iron master naturally wishes to know the nature and pro- perties of every kind of iron ore, how it was formed, where it is found, and all the geological facts connected with its history, as well as how to reduce the metal to its most marketable form at the least cost and most profit. Though he can refine cast iron in the forge and puddling furnace, he is not content with a mere empirical routine, but desires to know the changes and the causes of the changes which take place in the conversion of the crude and brittle metal into tough and tenacious bars. He is No. 129.] 231 also interested in knowing how arsenic, sulphur, phosphorus, and manganese affect the quality of the metal ; and is not this knowledge valuable to the community if it prevents the loss of human life from the bursting of a steam boiler, the fracturing of an axle of the railroad car, or of the mariner's last resort upon a ler shore in a storm — the great sheet anchor and iron chain ? Though he may not be a manufacturer of steel, is he not inte- rested in knowing what it is and how it differs from soft iron ? Is not every man who owns a penknife or a razor interested in knowing what those implements are made of, and on what their excellence depends? Is it enough for the ircn master to know that somehow, or other, heat and fuel change iron orcn into cast iron ? Has he not an intelligent curiosity to know exactly what takes place in this conversion 7 Will it harm him to know how his fluxes and fuel operate, and in what the differences between hot and cold blast, anthracite, coke, and cl arcoal-made iron con- sist *? Will not science aid him in attaining the desirable result of making iron as cheaply, and as well, on this side of the At- lantic as on the other ? Can we not make as good cast steel from our excellent American irons as is made from similar metals from Sweden and Russia by the people of England ? Although we have learned to smelt lead advantageously, our working men do not know how to extract the silver which it often contains in considerable proportions, and the profit of its extraction goes into the hands of European refiners. So with respect to alloys of copper and silver; we abandon the business of extracting the precious metals to Europeans, and have not a single cupelling furnace in the United States. Only a few years since, we were wholly dependent on England for copper ; but now we produce about one-tenth of the quantity required in the United States, by working a few of our own mines, and by smelting ores brought from other parts of the world. There is room for the extension of this business and, in time, we shall become independent of foreign min^s and furnaces. Gold we have in abundance on both shores of our continent ; but unfortunately, this delusive metal has led too many to ruin 232 [Assembly on account of their ignorance of tlie liistory of gold mining, and a want of scientific skill in operating. A knowledge of the fact that veins of the precious metals decrease in richness as they de- scend into the earth, would have saved thousands from plunging into erroneous speculations. Baron Humboldt confidently predicted that the gold mines of California would prove of little economical value to the United States; and notwithstanding the $60,000,000 worth of gold that^ our new territory pours into the lap of commerce every year, if I am not erroneously informed, more than double that amount ii expended in obtaining it! By scientific skill, profitable returns can be obtained in this branch of industry, both in California and the southern States, and also in Canada; but there is but little knowledge of the art of mining among the operators. Metalic zinc has never yet been profitably distilled from the ores of this country, owing to want of skiJl in the operatives ; but we shall soon learn how to prosecute this art, and shall then bring our numerous rich zinc mines into action. Already citizens of New-York and New-Jersey have made a beginning, and have succeeded in the manufacture of an innocu- ous white paint from the ores of the Sussex Mines, and will, ere long, render Le Clair's discovery economically valuable in the Uaited States, and we trust that this discovery will banish lead paralysis from the hands of the painter, and eholic from his bowels. Metalic tin is not produced in this country for want of the dis- covery of mines of its ores, only five small veins having thus far been discx)vered in the United States, Turn the attention of mineralogists and geologists to our meta- morphic rocks, and let them search with practical views, and we shall doubtless soon know if we are to be wholly dependent upon England and the East Indies for this valuable metal. ^ Iron ores we have in abundance, and to America is due the honor of discovering the method of reducing thpm by means of anthracite or hard coal. No. 129.] 233 The finer kinds of iron which are smelted bj means of charcoal fuel from the best kinds of iron ore should not be confounded in our markets with the coarser varieties, but should be reserved, as in Europe, for particular purposes. We have much to learn in the science and econoray of the furnace before we can produce iron at sufficiently low cost to dispense with tariff laws. If half the time and money that is expended in political electioneering, had been devoted to the im- provement of the art of the iron smelter, we should long since have produced this indispensable metal at a lower cost than it can be obtained for from Europe. Of the art of mining, our people know but little; and notwith- standing the multitude of absurd speculations Ih the formation of stock companies for working mines, we have but very few successful operations in progress. Few are aware that a mine must first be constructed before it can be advantageously wrought, and that a considerable amount of money must be expended in making the requisite preparations, before profitable returns can be expected from even the richest mines. Hence, through want of knowledge, and unreasonable impatience, a good mine, instead of being won, is lost, with all the capital expended in attempts to open it. Thus far our successful mining has been the Avork of Cornish operators; and I regret to say that there are but few that have given profitable returns, owing to the want of scientific skill and economical management. Let us now turn our attention to the most important of all arts — to Agriculture. In this we ought to take the highest rank ; but unfortunately the art requiring the best efforts of science for its improvement has too generally spurned the aid of those who were most desirous and most able to advance its interests. But the farmer is now awakening, and begins to see and believe that the skill of an agricultural chemist is of some value in the man- agement of the soil. He finds that by his old method his soil that once yielded him more than forty lushels of wheat to tlie acre, no longer produces more than ta»!v4. 234 [Assembly He asks the chemist to analyze his soil, and finds that certain substances which formerly constituted important elements of it are gone, and on analysis of the grain he sells, those substances are found. It becomes clear then to his mind, that he has sold the elements of fertility with his grain. His land is exhausted. What shall he do ? Must he abandon his homestead with all the endearing associations that cling around it, and plunge into the western prairies to find a virgin soil to exhaust in a similar man- ner, and thus proceed like the caterpillar consuming and destroy- ing, as he moves westward ? No ! The chemist informs him how to replenish his exhausted soils, with the elements of fertility, at a low cost, and thus enables him to cultivate more profitably than ever his old farm. The old and exhausted plains of East- ern Virginia, are now undergoing this process of renovation, and lauds bought a few years since for six dolars per acre, are now worth fifty. Did our time permit, I could recount hundreds of similar improvements, brought about by men who are little known among the farmers, but whose labors slowly and silently creep into the fields through the pages of printed books and ag- ricultural journals. Indian corn, the golden harvest of America, so rich and pro- lific, is one of our most valuable crops, and being a hoed grain crop, is peculiar to American agriculture, and changes altogether the rules of rotation taught in English books on the art. The cultivation of this valuable grain is a matter of the highest im- portance to our agricultural friends, and they should learn liow to raise from 75 to 130 bushels, where they now produce only from 12 to 20. I need only say that high manuring with well- made composts, is all that is needed to insure this desirable result.* I must not forget to call your attention to the study of the sci- ence of Botany, which, in its higher branches, teaches the struc- ture and functions of all the organs of plants and the mode of their development; while the examination of the habitat and pe- • Mr. Jolin Erown, of Long Island, in Lake AVionipiiaeogo, ha? an average yield of 80 bush- elB of shelled corn to the acre, and in one instance, by high manuring and a peculiar mode of cultivation, he raised 136 bushels, for which he received a premium. Similar crops have been, raised on the same and the a'ljac<;nt islands by Messrs. Lamprey, Pillsbury, Boody and oth- ers.— Sec my Final Report on the Geology and Mineralogy o/Ncir Hampshire' No. 139.] 235 culiar conditions for most favorable growth of different genera and species suggests to the ingenious husbandman various methods of obtaining the most desirable results in cultivation. Entomology teaches the nature and habits of insects, and although their name is legion, and we may not be able to control their depred?/.iuns so much as we could desire ; still we can do much by knowing their habits, and their metamorphoses in re- production. I need not say that a knowledge of comparative anatomy and veterinary surgery is highly useful to the farmer ; for it is too obvious to require argument. Many valuable animals would be saved, if the farmer reflected that they, like men, have bodies subject to disorders which rest and timely aid would cure. Cer- tainly, we owe much gratitude to the animals which furnish us with food and clothing, and add so largely to our comfort and happiness in various ways; and though we may be willing to^ submit ourselves to the practice of quacks, let us spare our ser- vants of the brute creation. In addressing men familiar with mechanics, I need not dwell upon the importance of the cultivation of the science of Mechan- ical Philosophy and of Mechanics ; for the history of all the arts shows how deeply they are indebted to these societies. It is said by one of our most eminent agriculturists, that all the improve- ments in the plough were made by mechanics and mathemati- cians. Our power looms, spinning jinneys, self-acting muks, cotton gins, carpet looms, printing presses, and thousands of other ingenious machines, resulted from the application of the science of mechanical philosophy. Steam engines, the combined result of chemistry and mechanics, demonstrate the power of those two sciences, when joined hand in hand. The sailing ship, which for ages has been an object of just admiration, as she ploughs the deep, and works up against the opposing wind, is a splendid result of science reduced to prac- tice ; but now she stands still to admire that marvel of the waters, the steam ship, as she marches through opposing currents and 230 I Assembly head winds, straight for her port, cuttiag hurricanes asunder and leaving them behiud, •* Asking no aid of rail or oar, Fearing no spilo of wind or tida." Who tliat regards the railroads which now cover our country with their reticulated web, recognizes their origin in tho tram road of the miner, emerging from the dark levels of a coal mine? Now that they have become, through the skill of the engineer, the paths for those iron steam horses, which were the laughing- stock ot the whips of London a few years ago, as they attempted to run over the pavements, and split their sides with jolting over the stones, and came to a dead halt amid the jeers of the tri- umphant coachmen. On these iron rails, the locomotive engines were at home and whizzed away whistling as they went, while the ominous warning — "Look out for the engine when the bell rings" — tells us of the speed and power of this new means of locomotion. Chemistry and physics gave to the world the electric and elec- tro-magnetic telegraphs — those marvelous means of communica- tion which enable us to use the lightning for our Mercury, in transmitting intelligence quick as thought! This product of science was the work of many heads and hands, and belongs to no one man, but to the scientific world. To Oersted, of Copenhagen, in Denmark, who first suggested it, to Joseph Henry, who improved the electro-magnet, and still more to Daniel and Grove, of London, who invented the sustaining Galvanic battery, the chief credit is due; while to several others is to be credited the different modes of recording the signs by which numbers and letters are denoted.* Astronomy has given us the means of determining the position of any spot upon the surface of the globe, and has placed in the hands of the navigator, the simplest methods of tracing his devi- ous way across the deep, to places he has never seen. The me- * S6€ depositions of Dr. W. F. Chacning, Profe«Bor Joacph Ilenry, B. A. Uoald, l>r. C. T. JMYaoo, and others, in tho trial of F. 0. J. Smith and others, vs- Downing and others; abo, 'F^enoh and others, vs. Baiji and others, 6o»too and PbiladelpU^ No. 139.] 237 chanic has furnished him the sextant and chronometer, by which he measures his latitude and longitude, with wonderful precision, Eclipses of the sun, formerly the terror of superstitious and ignorant people, are now regarded as the mere crossing of the hands of the great siderial clock of the heavens, and as the indi- cator? of the longitudes of places upon the earth's surface. At the suggestion of Arago, the talking wires of the electric tele- graph are made to measure the longitudes of places inland, with greater accurary than any astronomical measurements by lunar distances and occultations of stars, as formerly practised with the aid of the sextant and chronometer only. The recording electro-magnetic clocks of Bain, Wheatstone, Locke, and others, give precision to astronomical observations never known before, and divide the second of time into a hundred parts, measurable by the dividers upon a strip of paper ! It is by no means certain that there are not more worlds for science to conquer; and it is more desirable to march onward, than to stop to quarrel about the priority of discovery of those which have already been made. Time and the scientific historian will do justice to all who have contributed in bringing about these valuable results, regardless of every unjust monopoly at- tempted by patent laws. An occasional retrospect of the scientific men of our land is much needed, to prevent abuses, which have become too prominent in this and other countries ; for the rights of discoverers should be held sacred. It is not to be expected that men of science will* devote their lives to increasing the sum of human knowledge, if their labors are not appreciated and honored. If ingratitude and base envy meet them at every step, and sordid avarice appropriate their discoveries and give them in return nothing but insult and injury, can they fail to be disgusted ? A sense of duty, and fondly-cher- ished hopes that their memories will be honored when they are no longer living, may still stimulate them to proceed with their labors ; but why should their happiness be destroyed by base and wicked men, full of low cunning and artful imposture'? It re- quires no small amount of moral courage in a man of science to 238 [Assembly lay his discoveries before the. worid, and abide the storm of abuse that is sure to fall upon his head. ' ' He who ascends to mountain tops shall find The loftiest peaks most wrapt with clouds and anow ; He who surpasses or subdues mankindj Must look down on the hate of thoee beluw, Though high above the sua of glory glow, And far beneath the earth and ocean spread, Round are icy rocks, and loudly blow Contending tempesta on hia naked head, And thus reward the toila which to those sunimitji led.'' The history of scientific men most painfully impresses us with the truth of these lines. Gallileo, Harvey, Jenner, and Scheele, all suffered persecutions severe, in direct ratio to the importance of their discoveries ; and the day is not yet come when persecu- tion for doing good shall cease. It is true of the great men I have just named, that the world ultimately did justice to their discoveries, though not during their lifetime. We now know that Watt discovered the composition of water ; but it was not until 66 years after his death that the honor of this discovery was awarded to him by the instrumenta lity of the researches of Arago and Dumas, who were sent to England to learn all the particulars of his scientific career, for the purpose of preparing his eulogy for the Academy of Sciences of France. Every attempt was made to rob our own Franklin of the honor of the discovery of the identity of lightning and electricity, and of that of cjiscovering the means of protecting our ships and dwellings from the thunderbolt ; but, in time, the award was made to him by the unanimous consent of the scientific world, and the words '^ Eripuif fulmiyia calo, sceptrumque tyrannis,''^ re- cord his services to science and his country 1 I need not say more of injustice done to scientific men. The subject is a painful, and the facts are discreditable to our race. It is better that we should set about the work of preventing the repetition of them in our own land, and of rescuing mankind from the crimes brought on by selfish ambition, unprincipled avarice, and hateful envy No. 129. j 239 How can this be ac<;omplished 2 First and chiefly, without doubt, in cultivating a high morali- ty in the community and a sense of justice toward our fellow men. Secondly, by requiring full and decisive proofs of a discovery before any man's claims to it shall be allowed. Third, by having recorded, in the archives of science and in permanent institutions, the exact history of every important dis- covery, with the evidence of the facts alleged. It should not be enongh that a mere speculator in inventions, should go to a patent office and swear that he has made a dis- covery and invention, when he may have stolen it from some unsuspecting man of science, or from a more humble artizan. No true man of science will ever disgrace himself by asking for a patent, even though he might not know what to do witli his discovery more than the tailor did who drew an elephant at a raflle. He cannot and will not leave his scientific pursiuts to turn showman, mechanic, or merchant j and it is better for him and for the world that he should continue his favorite pursuits and bring out more from the unexplored depths of human in- genuity and skill. The poor artizan cannot afford to enter into long tedious and expensive lawsuits to obtain his rights, and therefore has to lose them for a time at least. The patent office affords, (as too many whom I now address well know,) but very inadequate protection to the discoverer and inventor. A patent entitles one to spend the rest of his life in law-suits, and that's all ! What then shall be done ? How can we protect the true dis- coverer and inventor? This is the subject I will now consider; and I think the means I shall point out will prove most satisfac- tory to all who have honest and just claims. I cannot say that it will be a perfect method, but it will undoubtedly be better an any we have tried. 240 j Assembly There was a discovery of a most curious and wonderful nature made in France a few years ago — one that astonished the world more, perhaps, than any that was ever made ; one, too, of uni- versal importance, and very diflBcult to protect by letters patent. This was the discovery of Photography, or of causing objects in nature to paint their own pictures by the light of the sun. This discovery was made by a Frenchman, named Niepce, who on his death entrusted it to his son. It was then quite imper- fect, though the principle was well established. Niepce commu- nicated this discovery to Daguerre, a Parisian painter of dioramas, and it was arranged that they should perfect it by their joint la- bors ; and since Daguerre promised to render it available to their interests, Niepce agreed that the art should bear Daguerre's name. By the aid of chemistry this wonderful art was brought to such a degree of perfection as to be ready for publication. To Daguerre came the happy thought of entrusting this discovery to one of the most honorable members of the Institute, M. Arago, thq astrono- mer of France, and this savant at once offered to lay the discov- ery before the Academ}^ of Sciences, and to make it free to the public on certain terms. This was soon arranged, and the fact of making a picture by sunlight was instantly demonstrated to the academy. An award was then voted of 6,000 francs pension per annum to Mr. Niepce during his life, and 4,000 francs per an- num to Daguerre for this discovery and invention, and forever after it was to be free to all men and all nations ! Thus the world became forever indebted to France for the most beautiful art that has surprised this wonder-loving age. Who, that has taken out letters patent for trifling improvements in this art, does not feel ashamed of himself when he contemplates this noble gift of the French nation? Gentlemen, I doubt not many of you have caught the idea which I have the honor to suggest lor your consideration. If we would encourage the honest dis- coverer and inventor, we should have some institution as noble as the Academy of Sciences of France j and without abolishing the Patent Office, we would leave to inventors and discoverers the choice between the two, and I doubt not most American inven- tors wonld prefer the academy. No. 129.] 241 Let us have, then, a JVational Academy of Sciences to act as an umpire, and as the advisers of Congress in all matters of scientific discovery and invention. Let this academy thoroughly examine into the merits of all discoveries and inventions laid before them, ascertain the rights of the discoverer or inventor, and the value of the invention, and then recommend to Congress a suitable award, on condition that it shall be made free to the world. This award would, doubtless, be most valuable in the form of an annual pension. Once passed upon by the academy, there would be no lawsuits for infringements, no controversies to fatigue the public and an- noy the families of parties in dispute; for the award would be final, and the discovery should be made free. I need not enter at this time on the manner of forming this na- tional academy, nor advise as to the frequency of its sessions and precise mode of operation. The members might be nominated by the President of the United States, and be confirmed by the Senate. Due care, of course, would be exercised in the election of men to offices of such high responsibility and trust. Certainly, there eould be no more difficulty in selecting suitable men than there is in choosing the Judges of our Supreme Courts, who have thus far proved unimpeachable and most noble men. I may, perhaps, be allowed to say a word as to the method of laying a discovery before the proposed institution ; and in this I would follow that pursued in the Academ} of Sciences of France, of enclosing specifications in a sealed package. The sealed pack- age should be duly and cautiously endorsed with the nature of the discovery, &c.; but should keep secret the precise means, which are to be detailed in the enclosed papers. The academy, by its publication, is to notify the world of the reception of such a package, and call upon all claimants to file their claims and their evidence, and fix upon the time for breaking the seals. It is obvious this system would prevent subsequent reclamations, and insure priority of discovery. On due and careful investiga- tion of the evidence, a committee charged with the duty could report to the academy, and then that body might vote the proper JAssembly, No. 129.] 16 242 [Assembly recommendation of award, and see it laid before Congress at a proper time. In many cases, men of science would only require recognition of their rights of discovery, and then give the results of their labors to the world. In other cases, where the inventor required payment, it should be honorably made. This system once introduced, we should see the end of those, impositions that are too frequently practised upon government and the people ; and science and art would walk in open day, honored by all men, and America would march rapidly in the way of scientific improvement. It will be understood that my object in proposing the estab- lishment of a National Academy of Sciences, entrusted with the executive powers of a legal tribunal is to promote the cultivation of the useful sciences and arts, and to afford just protection to the rights of discoverers and inventors. The transactions of this body would give to the public the most valuable knowledge of new discoveries, and in a reliable form, and thus save the world from the artful tricks of impostors, and our courts of justice from the labor of investigations which should not be required of gen- tlemen devoted to the practice of the law, who are not always the most competent persons to pass upon questions of science and of scientific discovery. You have, I doubt not, understood that this method would augment our means of scientific education ; and I trust that ere long the practical arts will receive a new impulse, in their march of improvement, from accumulated power derived from scientific methods of study. Science is systematized knowledge ; and, as you well know, is power of the most valuable kind applicable under new conditions, and in cases often of great importance to the arts, to manufa§- tures and agriculture j while, at the same time, this high power of the human mind is capable of saving the country from the horrors of war, by warning all nations that there is not a means wanting for our most eifective defence against the aggressions of an enemy. Napoleon knew that science was full of resources applicable to war; and had he possessed a fleet of steamships in No. 129. J 243 advance of England, you, I doubt not, can imagine the direfUl results that would have happened to that country. Gentlemen, in closing this very imperfect address, allow me to say that it was out of my power to do more than to offer sugges- tions which your more mature wisdom may render useful. Any one of the arts, represented by machines and products of industry, would have required more than an hour for its exemplification and eulogy. Therefore, as I walked through your halls and wan- dered amongst your rare show of beautiful and useful products of artistic skill, and contemplated the valuable animals collected in your stalls, could not but fold my arms in despair at any at- tempt to do justice to your magnificent exhibition. But I cannot fail to express my admiration on viewing those wonderful instru- ments * which cut as easily as the scissors would a piece of paper, and without more noise, the thick plates of steamboiler iron, and with a precision as accurate as the finest drawn line on their surface; nor can I omit to mention the "improved ring-spinner," that forms so delicate, even, and true a thread, and gathers upon the spool its charge of fine yarn for the power loom, while the broken threads, which, in ordinary machines for this purpose, incumber the spinning gear and olog the rolls, is by this almost thinking and prudent machine, quickly wound up, torn off, and packed away so as to give no trouble either to the machine or to the fingers of the attentive girl who waits upon and tends this benefactor of her sex. I must not forget to mention the new hydrostatic machine of Mr. Huse, which, by a head of cold water, supercedes steam in moving machinery, printing presses, &c., wherever a Croton river or a Cochituate lake lends its surplus waters from its aque- duct— a machine saving all fuel, firemen's and engineer's wages, and dangers from explosions and from fire. Nor should I omit to notice that curious and most ingenious method of priming a guu by Dr. Maynard ; a method which en- • Dick's press and shears, an instrument that received one of the great medals ftt tbs World's Fair, ia London. 244 [Assembly ables the sportsman to fire as rapidly as he can load his gun, and for forty or more shots, without the affixing of a single cap to the cone of his fowling piece or rifle, and w'ithout exposure of his priming to moisture or accident. So far as war can be rendered less frequent by augmenting its terrors, and in making weapons more destructive, this new method of gun priming will have an influence not to be misunderstood or undervalued. Shall I attempt to pourtray the beauty of your New- York tap- estry carpets, and those most perfect imitations of Gobeline tapes- try pictures, which adorn the walls of Castle Garden, or to describe those beautiful fabrics and fine work placed by fair hands in your halls, or expatiate upon the delicacy, fineness, and silks which lay in such profusion on your tables, or call your attention to the newly introduced manufacture of linen thread, which I at first mistook for silk, so even in its fibre and so glossy on its surface, or express my conviction of the superiority of linen thread over cotton, or even silk, in making firm and substantial work,aud in afiixing the buttons on our shirts and coats,! should but repeat thoughts that passed through many a mind as the objects in your exhibition met our view. I cannot, however, pass by the model of the American yacht that stands proudly over the splendid Victoria silver vase won by an American sailing craft upon English waters, in her contest •with all the clippers that the former, though not now only mis- tress of the seas, was able to bring to the race, without feeling proud of the achievements of my countrymen and of their efforts at the World's Fair, and at the same time a respect for the mag- nanimity of Mother England, in her noble acknowledgment of her defeat in an art for which she has so long been justly renowned. What shall I say more ? — Dazzled and bewildered in your labyrinthine alleys of tables, crowded on all sides by the beau- tiful and useful products of American art, now meeting a tower of beautiful gilded porcelain and stone ware, next bending over No. 129.] 245 glazed cases full of costly jewerly and richly chased silver and gold, then stooping curiously to admire the delicate needle work which pourtrays a garden of flowers upon delicate lace or mus- lin, or on the bosom of some bridal shirt, or richly adorned kerchief for some fair maiden's neck, I turned suddenly and find myself amid a load of Flora's, Cere's and Pomona's stores most enticing and provokingly made of tinted composition, and placed in competition, as it were, with the originals, to puzzle the cu- rious in distinguishing them. Again, I find myself surrounded with the more cumbersome implements of husbandry, but all in gala dress, and come with bright faces to the fair. The plough here shines with unwonted lustre, and the scythe equals the razor or the surgeon's knife in edge and polish. A stack of long square bars of American cast steel, equal to the best of English make, looms up before me to indicate that the prediction hazarded in a former part of this address is already accomplished. I pass by a series of glass jars and casks filled with white oxide of zinc, and shining pannels, easily mistaken for white Chinaware, exemplify its value as a pure and spotless unchanga- ble white innocuous paint. This, too, is a new American pro- duction from the New- Jersey zinc mines, and a true bringing home to our country of Le Clairs's most valuable discovery. I turn again into a room filled with whizzing, hissing, clank- ing machinery, driven by the power of fire and water, where this accommodating steam spirit, invisible to the eye, lends his giant strength and hundred hands to every kind of machine that the ingenuity of man has devised for manufacturing useful products. Here planing iron, there spinning cotton, braiding silk and knitting bobbin in a dance of spools, while, at the same time, he piints his " bill of the play ," chews iron in sport, turns a hundred lathes with his foot, and saws and turns wood for exercise, and goes into all kinds of arts and manufactures without danger of failure, and with no disposition to " strike," 80 long as his attendants allow him wood or coal, and water, for food, and drink. 246 [AS8EMLBT Who can look on these things and fail to admire the science, skill, and ingenuity of man, and to adore that being who mad« him and the mind that has accomplished such wonders 7 Go on, gentlemen ; encourage art, science, and skill, and let the world see that America is not behind any of the nations^ of earth in enterprise and active intelligence. ADDRESS Delivered at the closing of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Fair of the American Institute, at Castle Garden, October, 1851. [BT the HON. H. MBIGS.] Ladies and Gentlemen : In the unexpected absence of our venerable President, General Tallmadge, who has been expected here for the last hour, I ap- pear, by request of the managers, to endeavor in some measure to fill the vacancy. We all feel amazed at the rapidity of improvement in these latter days; many new, and almost every invention improved. You will here find, on close examination, a great amount of the latter before you. Within the last two years you have seen here the McCormick Virginia Reaper take one gold medal; Dick's Press also; either of them worth a royal revenue, and both taking the Council medals from all the world. You see also Borden's Meat Biscuit take another. You saw here, long ago, St. John's Compass and his Excelsior Soap, which have taken the Jury medals of England. In such a climate as England, the "Reaper" would be cheap at a million dollars a year. You behold here Dodge's Cop Spinner, unrivalled for its wonderful performance. Let us proceed in the order indicated by our charter. To pro- mote, first, agriculture; second, commerce; third, manufactures; fourth, the arts. Looking back some thirty years, I had the pleasure of urging the necessity of giving to all the implements of agriculture the best form, temper, and perfect polish, and I en- joyed the getting up by my learned friend. Dr. Samuel L. Mitchill, a plough of the best workmanship and figure of that day, and polished as bright as a razor, which was sent as a present to the 248 [Assembly Emperor of Russia, who was so wise as to appreciate its worth, and presented to Dr. Mitchill his grateful thanks and a diamond ring worth some thousands of dollars. Now, look at the polished instruments before you. Look at the delicious fruits and flowers in tlie gallery. Look at the faith- ful copies of them by Glover, of Fishkill, fixed as lasting models fac similes of the originals. Examine further the insects injuri- ous to the fruits, and become accjuainted for the first time with these little destroyers, so as to be able to exterminate them and not another class of insects which destroy these enemies but never touch fruit. Think of the large supplies of delicious grapes now spread be- fore us — thanks to the persevering labor and science of Dr. Uu- derhill, of Croton Point, and others — no longer a dessert for the rich man's tal)le, but good for a few cents in the hands of the poor boys and girls. Who ever heard of a peach crop until of late years. Let us be grateful for the peach millennium which has lately arrived, for never, since the time of Adam, is it known that any people ever had such a universal supply of that delicious fruit. Ultimately this great republic, having all climates and soils and sui'faces, will be a wonder indeed ; so great in extent that all seasons are experienced at once — from heat to cold, storm to calm, rain to drought. Some portions always able to supply the needed pro- ductions, not only in quantity, but by science and care vast improvements in quality of every thing. So much for a mere hint at agriculture. Our next theme is commerce, foreign and domestic. What a scene of thousands of river, and lake, land, and ocean steamers. Hundreds of thousands of ions of coal borne swiftly from their mountain beds to our fire-sides. Passengers, gold, and goods transported across oceans at a speed that continually astonishes us. Measure the speed by a coach and horses; only imagine the steamer Pacific passing through seas as lofty as your two story houses at a pace of twelve miles an hour, and let the horses try that speed on Broadway, and every body will see that they have No. 129. J 249 run away. Admire the new and strange lines of that model yacht before you! and Victoria's silver vase, its prize! The America beat all the yachts — some eight hundred af them, and, over and above them, 25,000 sailing vessels. All, all ! that England has afloat. As to our third article, manufactures, this castle teems with thousands of evidences of American advancement. How you admire them ! How much do I, and those of my generation — the men of seventy years of age — when we compare the very few and imperfect manufactures of our early days. What a total revolution in the manufacture of cloths, of cotton, wool, and other materials. To enumerate would require volumes. What works in iron ; our locomotives by thousands running here and in Russia, and what mountains of iron ore, and what mines of coal. Why, within a short time past scientific men have found in Iowa, and thereabouts, twenty thousand square miles of coal additionally to our former stock. After covering our planet with Rail-roads, we could furnish all our sister planets with a net-work of rails. Although our mills and hammers are at present check- ed, yet a brief future will renew their movement and redouble their work, and the fires of the furnace will be re-lighted never again to stop. A straw cutter was a desideratum to the farmers; a root-cutter, and, at last, look at that one cutting hickory hoop- poles an inch and-a-half thick into inch pieces as easily as the corn stalks, to all appearances. We used in old times to admire the polished steel ornament of ladies, and the little mathematical instruments in their shagreen cases. Now look into that case of polished tools. What gems of art from the broad axe^ which hews the hard live oak for ships, to the cooper's adze. They are fit charms to be suspended from the watch-chain of the goddess of American liberty, and she will add those radiant steel saws of our fellow citizen. Hoe. May she wear such charms a thousand years. Bramah, of England, like some oriental deity, held the implicit faith of England till Hobbs dispelled the charm ; Hobbs of Massachusetts. London comes here for her tailor's shears. The best cut cloths of Londoners are cut by New- York shears. In elegant manufactures for ladies' apparel, from crown to foot, 250 [Assembly how rich, fine, and tasteful ! they are worthy of the lovely per- sons of our lovely ladies. In painting anfl sculpture our headway is great. A Greek slave, by a Yankee sculptor, stood before the world an object of admiration. Unions are doing nobly in the arts of design, fast going from good to best. Our recent fashion of unions and clubs in our country excites the attention of intelligent Europeans. A French scientific journal says: "They have among them for instruction what they call meetings at which some unknovm samebody is expected to rise and say something entirely new to the savansV This meetings called the American Institute, by the zeal and knowledge of its members, by integrity, by never having such a thing (as our worthy President says,) as an absent dollar, has done good in its working. Many of you will live, I trust, to crown its great edifice with the Braucli of Palm. It never has envied others; it has always urged like wee^tngs every where. It has always appealed to the South to do likewise, and it will rejoice to be beaten in every good thing by meetings in every State in the Union, except one, and that is in good intentions. Ladies and Gentlemen^ — We now bid you good night, and may God bless you all, and keep you till the next Fair. PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. American Institute, ) Farmers^ Club, May Qth, 1851. ^ Judge Van Wyck in the Chair. Henry Meigs, Secretary. The Secretary read the following papers, translated and pre- pared for the Club by him. [From the Revue Horticole, Paris, January, 1851.] ON THE CULTURE OF MELONS BY SLIPS. At this time when the cultivation of melons has become very extensive, I think it a duty to give the details of my successful practice with slips, and the comparison of them with those from the seed. On the 25th of April last, I took the slips from a Prescott melon of the last season — it is a ^^pure white fruit. I put the slips under glass as often as necessary to protect them from bad weather. They soon took root, and in ninety days gave ripe fruit, equal in every respect to those raised under frames from seed. The advantages of the slip is its early fruit, plenty, and very few leaves. Melon seed, planted under the same conditions on the 8th of May, grew very vigorously ; but the fruit w^as much later — so that on the 8th of June the melons on the slips were as large as hen's eggs, while the seed plants hardly had one fruit set. I have set out the slips at various sea- sons, and have always had excellent results. LAMARTINE, Garderier of Louviers. PRESERVATION OF FRUITS. This is important to fruit gardeners, for the best fruits can be kept in perfect condition for the whole year. Much may be done by having the fruits ripen in succession, and when they are near- 252 [Assembly ly ripe, to be gathered, (the cherry when perfectly ripe, the oth- er fruits three or four days before maturity.) The seed fruits of Autumn should be gathered from eight to twelve days before perfect ripeness, for they contain the necessary elements to per- fect their ripening, which is nothing more than an independent chemical action. Ey separating the fruit from the branch, and stopping its supply of sap from it, it elaborates more perfectly the juices contained in its tissues, the sugar principle is no longer subject to added water of the sap, and now becomes of richer taste. The suitable time to gather these fruits is when from green they commence on the sunny side to turn yellow. Gooseberries and raspberries must be picked when perfectly ripe. Seed fruits which ripen late, in September or October, should be gathered when fully ripe, for after that they lose qual- ity and are more difficult to preserve. The fruit on the lower half of the tree should be gathered first, for that on the upper half in eight or ten days after will be ripe. Fruit on old trees should be gathered sooner than that on young and vigorous trees, which are later than old ones in dropping their leaves. The time to pick is easily known by the fruit coming off easily. Grapes for preservation should not be picked until perfectly ripe. Fruit for keeping ought to be picked in a dry, clear day, between noon and 4 o'clock, P.M. The best known method of gathering fruit is the hand. There should be no pressure on it for the least bruise leads to rot. They should be laid on cloth in the basket, and only three deep, for more than that is apt to hurt the lower tier ; each layer must be separated by leaves — wrap every peach with a grape-vine leaf. The basket must be carried carefully without any jarring or shaking. The fruit must be spread on tables, covered with leaves or moss, very dry, in dry, airy rooms. The peaches must be cleansed of their down. The Preservation. — The room to contain the fruit must be con- tained in an outer wall — space between walls about twenty inches. The walls should be a foot thick, of pise or clay, which is better for this purpose than any masonry whatever. Straw or marl may be mixed with the clay. Such walls cost but little, and are very bad conductors of heat. Double doors and windows are of course No. 129J 253 necessary to pass two walls. The roof, supported by prop pillars, must be covered with moss contained between thin rafters, well covered above and below by thick coats of plaster, to shed rain and prevent the transmission of heat. This cover must be at least a foot thick. [Revue Horticole, Paris, June, 1850.] Gremechela, 23d May, 1850. DATE PALMS OF AFRICA. Extract of a letter from M. Paul Merat, an officer of the French army, to his father. Dr. Merat: — " We are here on the confines of the great desert, in the Aures Mountains, on the south of the Province of Constantine, where few Europeans have penetrated. The climate here is extremely variable. In day time, we have a temperature of 30 to 50 de- grees centigrade, equal to 70 or 80 degrees of Fahrenheit; and yet the nights are so cold as to require fire. On the 29th of April last we had snow, and the highest elevations have it during summer. The land appears to be very fertile, as it bears a luxuriant vegetation ; but there is very little cultivation here, and I hardly see anything but barley and a little luzerne. Not far from here, in the desert, there is an oasis of date trees, which furnishes part of the subsistence of the neighboring tribes. There are two sorts of date palms, you know, — the male, which gives no fruit, but which fertilizes the female palms, which yield the dates. This distinction was known to Pliny. Of about 1000 or 1200 palm trees which compose this oasis, there are but twelve or fifteen males. At Sidi Akla, further ofl' in the desert, in an- other oasis, there are but two males. The organs of fructification of this vegetable are contained, for each sex, in an immense pod or spathe, which, at ma.turity, bursts with a report like a pistol. That of the male opens fifteen days before the female. As soon as the female flowers are open, the Arabs cut off the male flowers and shake them over the females, or attach the male 254 [Assembly flowers to the launches of female flowers. If the wind does not convey the pollen to the female, they cover the male with the houmous or cloak, or mats, so as to save pollen for the barren females. It is interesting to see the care taken of these opera- tions— to see them remove the bournous or mats as soon as the wind is fair for the pollen to reach the barren females. The dates are gathered in November, and the best of them, when preserved, will keep 12 or 15 years. The inferior dates are fed to horses, mixed with barley or with safsa (luzerne, I sup- pose.) The Arabs pretend that neither beast nor man should eat dates alone. They mix camel's milk or cheese with dates. When a date tree is barren, they make incisions, and extract the sap, of which they make a sort of wine, which intoxicates when taken to excess. It is, in moderation, an agreeable beverage. One tree will give at least a pail full per day, for many months together. When it stops they shut up the holes with sand, secured over with camel's skin. The Arabs say this renders the tree fertile. The natives say that seedling date trees are generally barren, and of a less fine growth than those from offsets. When the tree is as high as a man, it throws out shoots; these are taken off and planted in the soil — I should say sand — constantly watered by little rivulets of water. At six or seven years old they begin to give their fruit. This date tree serves to the men of the desert as the cocoa-nut tree does to the men of islands." Extract from a lecture by Mr. Brockedon, at the Royal Institu- tion, London, March 24, 1851 : " Caoutchouc is a vegetable constituent, the produce of several trees. The most prolific in this substance are siphonia caoutchouc, urceola elastica, ficus elastica, &c. Of these the siphonia caout- chouc extends over a vast district in Central America, and the caout- chouc obtained from this tree is best adapted for its manufactures. Over more than ten thousand square miles in Assam the ficus elastica is abundant. The urceola elastica (which produces the gintawan of the Malays) abounds in the islands of the Indian Ar- chipelago. It is described as a creeper of growth so rapid that No. 129.] 255 in five years it extends two hundred feet, and is from twenty to thirty inches in girth. This tree can, without being injured, yield, by tapping, from fifty to sixty pounds weight of caoutchouc in one season. " A curious contrast is exhibited in the tardy growth of the tree from which gutta percha is obtained: This tree does not come to its prime in less than from eighty to one hundred and twenty years. The produce cannot be obtained but by the sacri- fice of the tree. It is found in a concrete state between the bark and the wood, after the tree is cut down, and it is in this condi- tion that, having been scraped out, it is sent to our market. When coagulated by evaporation or agitation, caoutchouc sepa- rates from the ligneous portion of the sap of the trees which yield it. The solid and fluid cannot afterwards be reunited, any more than butter is capable of mixing with the milk from which it is separated. Caoutchouc is a hydro-carbon. This chemical character belongs to all varieties of the substance, and many other vegetable constituents, though they differ materially in physical qualities. Some specimens are harder than gutta percha itself, while others never solidify, but remain in the con- dition of bird lime or treacle. " A cube of two-and-a-quarter inches of caoutchouc was sub- jected to a pressure of two hundred tons. Great heat appeared to have been evolved, and the excessive elasticity of the caoutchouc caused a fly wheel of five tons weight to recoil with alarming violence." The Chairman stated the subjects for discussion to be subsoil ploughing and draining. He requested Professor Mapes (who had proposed those subjects,) to gives his views. Professor James J. Mapes, of New- Jersey. I cheerfully com- ply with the request of the Chairman. In the first place, I call attention of the Club to the effects of atmosphere upon the soil. The changes which are caused in it by atmospheric influences are obvious to some extent, but on a more close investigation, 256 [Assembly we find that it penetrates in well ploughed and subsoiled lands to a far greater depth ; we find that, however dry it appears to be, yet it imparts moisture, and with it some of the vital ele- ments of vegetable growth. It is well understood that the im- portant one, ammonia, descends in showers, but not so well known that a constant supply is conveyed into soil by the invisi- ble atoms of water containing ammonia, in the dryest day — so much so, that deeply pulverized soils do not suffer in hard droughts. When meadows are thus ploughed and sub-soiled, their grasses never run out. When, in shallow ploughed land, the root of wheat touches the hard subsoil, it ceases to tiller, and the ends of its delicate roots which have touched the sub- soil, on close microscopic examination, are seen to be blunted and injured. To show the constancy of moisture in the air* of the dryest days, a bar of iron at a temperature of only two or three degrees below that of the air, will show the small drops of water condensed upon it ; this effect is constantly going on in the particles of the soil. The effect of air circulating in drains is seen at the ends by a more fresh and vigorous growth than in the middle sections of the drains. Besides ammonia from the air, we are constantly receiving that great element, carbon, derived from the carbonic acid of atmosphere ; this and ammonia are thus constantly entering free soils. Some ask whether subsoil- ing is good for very wet lands. I say no, unless you uuderdrain the land. Soils properly underdrained and subsoiled give plants an early start, for they take in the heat as well as the atmosphere, with its carbon and ammonia. The brassica family (cabbage) will not give you a large crop without deep tillage. You must plough deep, and subsoil under that. Hitherto we have not had a proper figure in our subsoil ploughs. Mr. Weir, of New-Jersey, has now, under my advice, produced one, which I like, and which I here lay upon the table for examination. You see, gentlemen, that this lifts the subsoil at its heel about two inches and a half, which is all sufficient for breaking up the whole of it, and that this gradual and moderate rise from the share point renders the draught easy, in fact it is less by about one-half than some others that I have tried. I am asked, what then, after your underdraining and subsoiling, what increase of No. 129.} 257 product have you 1 1 say at least twenty-Jive per cent I and this profit is by no means limited to wet lands ; almost all soils are greatly improved by this truly scientific operation. Underdrains receive the water through the soil ; no opening is necessary on the surface of the drains ; they are made of unglazed clay, and are so porous that the water forces through the pores, and the drain is constantly filled with pure water, and so carried off — all the elements of manure are left in the soil above. Make drains eighty feet apart, five feet deep, and then the water will be drawn off between them to that depth, except at the middle part, t so that a section of the land would show a level surface, while the water line would be a curve five feet below the surface at each drain, and somewhat less at the middle. But these five feet cuts at 80 feet apart are as good as three feet cuts at 20 feet apart. All drains should follow the natural slope or inclination of the surface — not after the old herring-bone plan. The drains need not be wide ; a few inches is as good as feet. Draining tools are now in use with which a man can dig a five feet deep drain of a few inches wide. I have paid ten cents per rod for digging my drains, so that, with the cost of the tiles, they have cost me twenty-five cents per rod, the outside expense. Dr. Underbill, of Croton Point — The remarks just made by Professor Mapes are very important to farmers. The constant .robbery of the soil is lamented deeply by all good men. How is it to be prevented 1 How are the requisite supplies to be re- stored to the lands ? One grand source is the atmosphere, that |s an immense magazine of the elements which are drawn by vege- tating power. These float in solution in the air, leaves of plants take them in and they breath, but the root of a plant is its stomach, there the food, the pabulum must be applied. The roots incline to reach depths in the land which atmospheric air cannot reach. By deep tillage and pulverising of soil the air enters deeper and roots there receive a bountiful supply, all of which is impossible in shallow cultivated lands. I must say that within ten years past my mind has undergone alteration as to sub-soiling and draining. It is certain that in [Assembly, No. 129.1 17 258 [Assembly wet lands, shallowed, the roots deluged with water cannot find and take up mucilage and sugar as in properly pulverized soils. I would say so of my grape vines. Much water makes poor grapes and poor wine. When the moisture is right, the saline consti- tuents of manure give a deliglitful character and flavor to wine j this is due to the mineral elements. 'The roots will not do well in an undue proportion of water ; blasting of the fruit is very apt to follow. Apples loose flavor. What a taste has the pine apple 1 What a flavor a pippin apple would have if grown un- der like circumstances '? You would not be able to tell by taste what it was 1 Hay, grain, and all feed grown in too much wet show the defects in your milk and in the butter. They fail for the lack of activity, nourishment and high flavor of the feed. The necessary amount of the saccharine matter is not in it. You will find this proved in all the grapes, clovers and fruits. A load of hay can easily be grown worth as much as two loads of another crop. It is now important that drain tiles should be made cheap as well as good. I am convinced of the great importance of their use, especially in all dense soils, and those are plenty. On high as well as on low lands deep tillage and under-draining can be, in great numbers of farms profitably used. The American In- stitute should offer such premiums for drain tiles as would lead to their extended manufacture and so lead to great improvements in our agriculture. Professor Mapes. — There are a few exact points here settled. It was once thought that only very wet or very compact soils re- quired draining. Now it is thought that even sandy lands are profited by it. Daniel Ellis, of Freehold, N. J., and John Black, of Burlington, N. J., have sub-soiled their sandy lands I They found that contrary to usual experience their corn blades did not roll when the summer's drought came on, and that in an unsuita- ble season for corn, the sub-soiled sand fields gave fair crops ! There is no such thing now as had luck in farming; there is too much good sound sense and science brought to bear on this subject to admit any longer the had luck system to stand. We have tried the benefit of clover turned in as a fertilizer ; but Indian corn No. 129.] 259 sown broad cast and turned in is far richer. Plants have roots so small that in some cases they are almost invisible ; and on microscopic observation we find that when the delicate ends of these minute fibres touch hard pan, or can no longer go their way, they become blunted, enlarge, and become diseased — so far injuring their plant. This delicate system we must provide for by insuring to them all their proper pabulum or food, for, unless we do so, we might as well undertake to feed a man by putting all his provisions on top of his hat ! The roots of Indian corn extend five and a half feet. Lucerne loves a subsoiled and underdrained land. You cannot over- dry a soil by under-drains. You cannot rid it of the water wanted by plants. Every rain brings down the ammonia, &c.; the soil takes that all up for the plants and lets nothing but the pure rainwater pass off. I have subsoiled to the depth of seven- teen inches under a soil ploughed seventeen inches deep, making the whole a thorough tillage of thirty-four inches deep. This labor pays in the very first year's crop. The special manures, such as phosphates, give to a Ruta Baga crop more firmness of consistence, a longer keeping and bet- ter quality for cattle, and they bring more money than those raised the common way. You will see that subsoiling and un- derdraining take away the sourness from land, so that you may ^see that sorrels will not grow on them. Drains have been made with boards, &c., but they are poor things. Underdrains might be covered with what are called saddlers' chips, for these bits of leather will last under ground fifty years. President Tallmadge wished to know how water penetrated these tiles. Prof. Mapes replied — If you take this tile and cork up both ends tight and put it under water you will find it full of water in two minutes; it percolates through the pores of the unglazed tile. The tile should not have this flat bottom or sole ; it should be formed like the long section of an egg, and the sharp end ought to be down so that the smallest stream of water could make its way along it. President Tallmadge — How would you drain level land 7 260 ( Assemble Prof. Mapes — By digging a well down to water, to this drains fe)be led from the confines, all the water in ordinary cases, would flow otf by the well at the common level of the well-water. I have used a well at the rate of four tliousand gallons an hour without materially sinking the surface. So if I had poured into it the same quantity in the same time it would all have gone ofif to the common level of the water in the well. President Tallmadge — Do you consider uuderdraining proper and necessary in soils having gravel underlaid ? Prof. Mapes. — I consider it useful in all cases to loosen the land deeply, to enable the roots of plants to penetrate as deep as they like, and that depth is far greater tlian is commonly suppos- ed, and gives greater advantage to the plant especially in drought, to draw moisture frc>m a depth, and in all weather to draw a uniform supply. No matter if the subsoil be pure gravel, we all know now that our fertilizers will not descend. Examine the earth directly under an old barn yard whose manure has lain an hundred years, and you will find it as free from all manure as gravel of the surface, which never was touched. Unless this was true, our wells would become saturated with manure. President Tallmadge. — A few years ago I had a barn consumed by fire, and since that the site of the barn and yard is distinctly visible in the crops growing on the field where it once stood. This is in confirmation, it seems to me, of the fact that manures remain at the surface, or do not descend below the soil. Prof. Mapes. — The progress of fertilization over under-drain lands is from the surface over the drain towards the middle; between drains this increases every year until they meet. Ruta Bagas will be four times larger over the drains than in the mid- dle between two drains. The Secretary noticed the condition of the gravelly subsoil nnder the barn yard of the Bayard country seat, which had been occupied as a manure yard for about two hundred years. On that spot to cast it into the Hudson river, som No. 129.) 261 twenty-years ago, he remarked that the gravel under laid was as free from all signs of manure as the sand of the sea shore. Prof. Mapes. — The whole experiment is readily tried, as I have done it, in a barrel of sand, with surface soil, clay, &c. Th© liquid manure will all be taken up, and nothing but pure watej will pass through. President Tallmadge. — I am delighted at this method of gain- ing information. Let me comment a little. On the surface of land we have a few inches of soil commonly dark in color^ then below some clay, perhaps yellow ; then often either some- hard pan, dense, or perhaps sand or gravel. Through all theses the atmospheric influences hardly penetrate. Then we till it deeply and thus enable them to enter their powerful fertilizing, properties, give room to the entrance of the roots of plants. The system of roots of plants is beautifully seen by subjecting them to a gentle but complete washing. We are astonished at their wonderful construction, and learn lessons most important as to their actual functions in supplying their plant with all its pabulum, and also how we should prepare our soils for theraj, and how we avoid trespassing on their indispensible ramifications,. I feel more and more strongly the value of science faithfully and practically applied to agriculture. All show the necessity of closes- study. The Secretary said, that he had very often reflected upon th^ great principle, by which our greatest, as well as our least plants^ contrary to the constant power of gravity, rise from an inch high to nearly three hundred feet of altitude, carrying up weight aitei weight, 'til at last, like the great gum tree of Australasia, the weight lifted upwards is four hundred tons!! Even small plants lift stones, throw aside the earth, force room for their roots, &c. The Chairman observed, that heretofore he had been opposed to under-draining on account of the expense, and of our peculiarly dry climate ; for such was the quantity of hot sun we had during summer, and the warm seasons generally, that we had no surplus HMHsture left to be conveyed off by artificial means, especially 262 [ASSEMBL means so expensive as under-draining. In case of swamps, morasses, or very wet farms, situated low, receiving the drains of hills and higher grounds, it may be necessary to under-drain these. Such cases, though, are few compared with our whole country. From the account Professor Mapes gives us, of the expense of draining his farm, (about fifteen dollars an acre,) it is certainly lower than it has been generally thought it would be, in our country. Professor Mapes. — This reduction of expense is owing to better implements and system. The narrow drain is just as effectual as a large one, so that by less digging, and a well adapted ditch- ing spade, a man can dig several feet deep, the cost is lessened to one-half of that of only one year ago. Dr. Underbill, of Croton Point, offered the following resolu- tion, viz : " Whereas, the benefits of under-draining, by which a greatly increased production in our crops may be secured, have not been obtained by our farmers, from the difiiculty of procui'ing suitable and cheap tiles for the purpose. Therefore, " Resolved, That it be recommended by this Club, to the Amer- ican Institute, to offer a premium for the best and cheapest tiles, to secure all the benefits of under-draining for agricultural pur- poses." Carried unanimously President Tallmadge moved that the next subject for conside- ration of the Club, be " Education of Farmers." He remarked, that in making this motion, his purpose was to call forth intelli- gence from all who may please to give it — for some positive im- provement in agricultural intelligence, for I am pained to say that we are backward. It is a melancholy truth that we are so notwithstanding all our boast. France has about one hundred and thirty such schools, and the culture of the crops -f the fields, and the fruits of the garden, are cared for by her ruiersl They are cherished! We need a little of all. Massachusetts and Connecticut have just asked the question — ''Has New-York an Agricultural School yet?" lam No. 129.] 263 pained to reply, no. There are more than thirty in Ireland, established by the local government. If the members of this Club will come prepared at the next meeting, we may cause great advantages ultimately to flow from this small beginning. The aids of chemistry must form part of the ordinary business of the farmer. I hope that if this proposition be deemed useful, a competent committee may be appointed to examine this subject thoroughly and report a plan of a character so practicable as to satisfy public judgment. Some four years ago, we had made a provisional arrangement for the purchase of nearly two hundred acres for an experimental farm ; the cost of this was to be about twenty-one or two thousand dollars. We made earnest application to the Legislature for aid to coniplete this. We failed. The same land is now worth about one hundred and fifty thousand dol- lar si We had assured the Legislature that the State could not lose by the purchase! That opportunity has gone away. Now let us look out for another. Professor Mapes hoped that this subject might not be pressed at present. Several States are now endeavoring to create such schools. Let us see how they succeed..' I think that schools are first wanted to make suitable legislators. I have spent six weeks in laborious attempts to persuade our New-Jersey Legislature to commence a proper system of instruction in agriculture in vain. It was opposed by so-called farmers, who canH raise oats that woii't lodge! England now, without such schools, beats France! We should begin by teaching farmers as far as possible in their own way, on their own farms. A simple competent teacher could do more with them in that way than colleges can. General Chandler approved of the proposition of the President and wished that it might not be deferred. It is time that this important subject should be amply discussed, and, if possible, a practicable plan for the diffusion of agricultural knowledge arrived at. Professor Mapes moved an extra meeting of the Club for Tues- day next. Carried. Subject — Use of phosphate of lime in agriculture. Adopted. The Club adjourned. H. MEIGS, Secretary. 264 [Assembly Farmer's Clubj May 20th, 1851. UNDER DRAINING.— PHOSPHATE OF LIME IN AGRICULTURE. Judge Van Wyck in the Chair. Henry Meigs, Secretary. The Secretary remarked that at the last meeting Professor Mapes, of New-Jersey, gave a very important lesson in under draining, proving that by hand implements, ditches can be dug at about half the cost hitherto experienced. That resulted from making them only a few inches wide, instead of many. I now have the pleasure to read from the May number of the London Farmers^ Magazine^ an important article on the same subject, printed in London, you perceive, only twenty days ago: EXTRACT. The grand desideratum — cheap drains. Mr. Cotgreave, of the Rake farm, near Eccleston, in the neigh- borhood of Chester, has at length vindicated his county, long stigmatized as the most backward of all English counties in adopt- ing the improvements of the age, in everything which relates to the amelioration of the soil. By proper drainage, the clay farms will become very productive, and now it can be executed for less than half cost. The Marquis of Westminster, who is extensively engaged in draining his estates, and other eminent agriculturists in the neighborhood, approve Mr. Cotgreave's ingenious inven- tion. Mr. Cotgreave's principle consists of a series of ploughs derived from the carpenters^ plane; with the exception of the main drains all the work, even to the obtaining the perfect level of the drain, is performed by the plough plane. Mr. Cotgreave has so adapted his plough that with four horses he can throw out a drain from four to five feet deep. The saving of time is another material object. The work by this process is almost incredibly expeditious, and very little damage is done to the surface j indeed, in grass lands a heavy roller will repair all damages. The cost of workmanship is half the price of manual labor on the present system, and the time occupied one-tenth, while the work, to say the very least, is as eflBiciently and durably performed. No. 129.) 265 The working of the plough plane many will doubt. We did so; but we saw and were convinced of its powers and efficiency. All who have witnessed the operation of it are unanimous in their approbation of the plan and their conviction of its full and com- plete success. Ten men and four horses constitute the staff. Without distres- sing either men or horses, Mr. Cotgreave commences draining two statute acres — 4,840 square yards, or 43,560 square feet, each — in the morning, and finally completes, that is, cuts the drains (in- cluding the main drain,) lays the pipe, fills in and makes good the surface of one statute acre, and half prepares the second to be ready for work the next day. These plough planes have regu- lators, which are screws, and by which the plane can be made to shave two, four, five, or six inches thick. When a stone or other obstruction is in the way, the coulter of the plough plane protects the share, and a hooked instrument with a lever is used to ex- tract it before the plough comes back again. One of its great recommendations is, that it is adapted to every variety and con- dition of soil — can be worked almost independently of the weather unless the ground be too deeply frozen. In fact, those who have witnessed the plough at work are at a loss which most to admire, the absence of complexity in the contrivance or the rapidity and perfect success of the operation. The land owner ought always to have the pipes of the maius and the tributaries on tlie field ready to be laid down. Cotgreave begins the work with the spade and completes the mains before he begins the tributaries ; these he commences by casting out by the plough a sod six inches wide, on the left side of the intended drain over the two acres. This is an immediate service in wet land for that immediately begins to drain off. He then returns to the first acre and runs his plough plane, casts out the soil and subsoil on the right hand of the drains. In four drafts he cuts down .to eighteen inches deep by six inches wide. The first shave being six inches, the last three, four inches each. He then takes another plough which cuts six inches deep by two wide ; he then lays the pipes by threading them on a half inch iron bar, one end of which trails in the drain. The rapidity and perfectness with which the pipes are then laid is surprising. A man follows with a sort of paddle with which 266 [Assembly lie completely adjusts the pipes, and supplies the place of dam- aged pipes with sound ones. The drain is now ready for filling in, which is rapidly done, and then the whole clod, first turned up in almost one entire piece, is rolled on to its bed. We esti- mate the benefit of Cotgreave's plan to be a saving of one-half the cost, and nine-tenths of the time hitherto required. The Secretary read his translatioQ of an article on the plant louse, in the Annales de la Societe Centrale ©'Horticulture, Paris 1851. " The wool louse, the aphis mali or apple louse. All the enemies of plants are for the most part as ancient as the plants themselves. For we do not believe that divine power creates now-a-days new physical enemies as the world grows older. Europe, Asia, and Africa were known for many thousands of yearsj but America was for the first time discovered by the Genoese Christopher Columbus in 1492. The fourth part of the world has now been known less than four hundred years. Be- fore this discovery the plant louse was utterly unknown, cer- tainly in Europe. It arrived (we know not how) sometime about the commencement of the present century. I first re- member it in Paris in 1830, and published an account of it in the Annales. Since then it has multiplied and committed great ravages among our young apj^le trees in the nurseries of Paris and its environs. The London Horticultural Society has de- ■scribed it under the name Eriosome. Academies offered pre- miums for its destruction Fumigations, cream of lime, powder- ed lime kill many but left more untouched — the impossibility of applying remedies to large trees. An Englishman rubbed his trees with old urine, and got entirely rid of the louse. Soft soap has been tried. Mr. Viaril, nurseryman at Rouen, says that he has found out an infallible remedy which destroys them all -, he demands a high price fot his secret, so high that I dare not ask the Society to ask him for it. He says : ' My nursery of sixty thousand trees has not a plant louse in it, while my neighbors' are devoured by them." No. 129.] 267 Chairman. The subject for this day is the use of lime in agricukure, proposed by Prof. James J. Mapes of New- Jersey, who has not arrived. We shall be glad to hear Dr. Antisell on the subject. Dr. Antisell. I cheerfully comply and will call the atten- tion of members to the clear proof of the necessity of the pre- sence of phosphate of lime in soils. We observe that when ani- mals pastured on meadows fall off in flesh it is ascertained to be owing to the fact that the meadow has been exhausted of its phosphate of lime. A large animal takes from the pasture an hundred pounds of it to construct his bones. This eminent loss must be supplied or the meadow loses its value. So that is the business of an intelligent farmer to attend to this or let his land go to unfertility. We should apply in this case urine, calcined or raw bones, salt, or phosphoric acid. In a lake in Thibet there is contained so much phosphoric acid that being used on the meadows it continually fertilizes them. All classes of plants are benefited by it ; all the cereals, grapes, sugar cane, seeds or the sugar in them, the potato, tuberous plants, and almost all plants. My experience has found the important part it performs in vegetation. In Ireland, some years ago, I was applied to for instruction how to raise large crops of turnips on a particular farm of thirty-five acres. I analyzed the soil ; it was rather good clay ground, drained and wanted nothing, for any ordinary crop, but for a prize crop, I recommended one hundred and five pounds weight of crushed bones per acre , for a turnip crop, ground ploughed twice and the bone spread broad-cast. .That land had commonly yielded from twenty -five to thirty tons of tui'nips per acre, and now gave fifty-two tons oj titrvips per acre, and it gave wheat in increased amount afterwards. Phosphate of lime increases the power of plants to fill their grain with more gluten — ^nutritive matter. When well applied to wheat land the wheat will be found to contain seventeen per cent of gluten, in place of the common proportion of twelve per cent. Both quantity and quality of the flour are gained. A like benefit is found in grasses which are duly supplied with this phospliate. Animals fed on these grasses soon show their great improvement by arriving at maturity a year sooner, and of better flesh. Fifty 268 [Assembly pounds weight per acre are commonly taken off alluvial lands per annum. All that is to be done is to add, say fifty-six pounds, equal to about one bushel of phosphate of lime, to every crop. It is not to be deemed an amendment of soil, but as a manure. Guano and Poudrette contain in it considerable quantities. When we have a due share of moisture, this phosphate forces vegetation rapidly. In very hot, dry weather a good deal of guano is lost by evaporation. The animal matter of guano is not a durable element of this manure, but the phosphate is good for the following year. In bones this is different ; crushed bones, or bone dust, are good for the first year's crop. Meadows should be top-dressed with it. When dissolved in sulphuric acid, one-half the amount of bone is wasted. We allow two hundred pounds weight of crushed bone to an acre, and but one hundred of the dissolved bone. Put a cask in the ground, put in one hundred weight of bone, and sprinkle them witli water. After twenty-four hours they begin to smell and bubble ; then dilute ten pounds weight of vitriol in three or four times as much water, and pouj' over the bones j stir them well, and they will soon be reduced to a creamy state. Make a compost of bones, mucl:, leaves, &c. Of this, seventy-five pounds of bone in the compost answer well for one acre. The strongest effect will apppear the first year, but it is good for thre« or four years after. Chairman. — ^Where can the mineral phosporite be obtained? Dr. Antisell. — Professor Emmons has discovered a mine of it near Crown Point, Lake Champlain. On analysis it is found to contain ninety-two per cent of phosphate of lime, with salts and fluate of lime. He says that there is enough of it there to serve the whole United States for many years. There is a considerable mass in Jersey, near the zinc mines, which contains about ninety- three per cent of the phosphate. This phosphorite is readily crushed to powder, almost by the pressure of a pen-knife blade. The vein of it is said to be about three or four feet under the surface, to be about eight feet wide and is traced about two and a half miles in length. The transit from the mine to New-York is by water, with the exception of some two miles and-a-half land No. 129.] -269 carriage. This article, as manure, would be profitable to such farms as require the addition of this phosphate, at seventy cents a bushel. There is but one large mine of it known in Europe, and that is in Estremadura, in Spain. That phosphorite is veiy white. A few tons of it have been sold at fifty pounds sterling a ton. There is no water carriage for it. In Hungary, in some places, it is found encrusting the surface of the ground annually. In England the coprolite is found in considerable quantities in green sand. This coprolite is an excrement of the antediluvian Saurians — the monster lizards of that early period. Phosphorus is extracted from these coprolites for use in fire works. Chairman. — Phosphate of lime is one of the most important of the special manures ; it is found more or less in all plants and especially the useful ones. This shows that it is generally their food and is necessary to their vigorous growth and fall develop- ment. Some of them, it is said, will not mature perfectly with- out it, and a considerable portion of it too ; most of the cereals or grain plants contain it ; wheat a good deal of it ; Indian corn, oats, etc. All the nutritious grasses contain it. It is the bone forming element, and the animal frame could not be built up without it; this at once shows the necessity of it in plants, as all animal creation feed and live upon these, or on such animals as do. Plants look sickly and do not thrive if they cannot get it, even if the soil is good in other respects but deficient in this. Here is the wisdom of Providence that man may see in an early stage the symptoms of disease, and exercise his intellect and industry to discover the cause, and, like a good physician, prompt- ly apply the remedy. Professor Antisell has given us a luminous and correct history of phosphate of lime and its uses in agriculture, where it exists and how procured, and the best way of preparing it for use. It is to be found in the mineral as well as the animal and vegetable world. If animals and vegetables could be kept in the localities where reared and grown till decay and death, then, perhaps, their remains would keep up a supply of the article ; but they are sold off and removed to distant places, and much of their remains wasted and lost by removal, and others applied to new and remote 270 [Assembly localities ; hence the deficiency must be made up wherever it occurs by these changes, from other sources. Farmers must look abroad for the article, and with this as with most other things that are essential to their comforts and the prosperity of their business, buy it wherever they can get it cheapest or best and purest. Here I think it my duty to make known (as I have done on previous occasions,) the hazard farmers run in buying not only this article of phosphate of lime, or bone- earth, but most other special manures. It is the imperative duty of this Club, located as it is, in something like a watch-tower, this great com- mercial city, whenever good information arrives from any quarter for the farmers of the land, to announce it, that they may avail themselves of it, if they see fit. It is equally its duty, too, when evil threatens the same important interest, no matter from whence it comes, to sound the alarm, that it may be shunned, if thought proper. One of the latest London periodicals brought us an account of the official proceedings of a meeting of the Farmers' Club of London, in March last, on the important subject of the adulteration of special or artificial manures. Among those most adulterated, or where the practice has prevailed to the greatest extent, are phosphate of lime (the very article under discussion) and guano, and the reason why these had been selected for such abominable frauds is that they are most in demand and most wanted. Professor Nesbitt, chemist of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, who lectured before the Club on the subject, says that Professor Way, who stands high as a chemist, found on analysis, the best Peruvian guauo to contain seventeen per cent» of ammonia. He (Professor Nesbitt) had examined many sam- ples of guano, and only a few had come up to that ; generally it contained from fom-teen to fifteen per cent. There may have been good reasons for this difference : guano is sometimes dete- riorated on the voyage, or in putting it on board of ships. The professor further states that ordinary Peruvian guano contains from eighteen to twenty-two per cent, of phosphate of lime. Ammonia and phosphate of lime are by far the most valuable ingredients of guano. The professor also examined many speci- mens of adulterated guano. Some of them contained only a trace of ammonia, and ten or twelve per cent, of phosphate of No. 129.] 271 lime , others two and three per cent, of ammonia, and a trace of phosphate of lime. Chemists mean by a " trace^"^ a particle so small that it is not to be appreciated, it is worthless. Professor N. stated that he had received letters from various gentlemen lately on the subject, including Professor Calvert, of Manchester, and Professor Anderson, of Edinbuigh, corroborating the fact of the immense adulteration of special or artificial manures. These gentlemen have both analyzed samples of guano highly adulter- ated. Professor Calvert stated in a letter received that very day, that he had lately analyzed some that contained from seventy to eighty per cent, of sand. "Numbers of men in London," says Professor Nesbitt, " are now making from two to three thousand pounds sterling per year by the sale of adulterated special ma- nure. I have placed the matter," says the Professor, "before you because I think it ought to go torth to the agricultural world that farmers are being regularly and systematically cheated, that they are imposed upon in this matter, that they are constantly buying sand for guano, and oyster shells for bones or phosphate of lime." The Professor further states that he had received letters re- cently from eminent chemists in France on the adulteration of manures there, where some roll seeds in powder, and others steep them in certain liquids, and pretend that the seed will grow and mature after this without any further trouble, imparting to them a certain mysterious charm. The French savans say this is too ridiculous to last, the evil will cure itself. It is not much more ridiculous than the system proposed a few years since, and that by men eminent as chemists, to make use of only mine- ral manure, to reduce all the farm yard manure to ashes by burning, make use of the ashes, and thus have all the virtue of one thousand tons of barn yard manure concentrated in a small compass ; that this would save the expense of labor and carriage in moving it about. This system, it is believed, is pretty much abandoned \ at any rate, very little has been heard of it lately. It was either too ridiculous to try, or the few practical converts, if it ever had any, gave no account of their experiments, as they must in doing this have exposed their own weakness and credulity. The rebuke the Scotc-h laird, who was a convert to 272 [Assembly the system when it first came out, met with from his steward or manager of his estate, was excellent. "Well, Donald," he says, "if these improvements go on, the time will soon come when we shall be able to carry tlie manure for our farms in our snuff- boxes." Donald replied, "When that time comes, my lord, I think we shall be able to carry our crops in our vest pockets." This reply of Donald's probably saved the credulous laird from the mortification of being convinced of the ridiculousness of the system by his own experiment. Our friend, the Secretary of our Club, who is ever on the look-out for such things, has introduced to us information received by one of the last arrivals of a new system of under-draining in England, which will reduce the ex- pense more than half, perhaps two-thirds, of what it was on the old plan. This is important to the agricultural world, if correct, and it appears to be from experiments actually made. This will enable our farmers to go into it here more extensively, if they see fit, so they can do it without ruining or embarrassing themselves by the operation — another proof of the advantage of a Farmer's Club located in such cities as New-York and London, where all information centres, and where it can be diffused at the earliest day ; not only that which relates to the commercial world, but to all the industrial branches of a country. Another occurrence Professor Nesbitt relates, which actually happened, to show the extent of the adulteration of special ma- nures in England. A farmer from the interior arrived in London to purchase guano ; he had been cheated before, with some of his neighbors, and he was determined, if possible, to get a pure arti- cle. Shortly after his arrival, he saw in the papers an account of a vessel coming up the river Thames, direct from sea, with a cargo of fresh guano, and which would reach a particular wharf at a certain hour. He had no time to lose ; he procured a horse and rode down under whip and spur, and got there just as the vessel was hauling in. He went on board, and, as all seemed fair, he made his purchase. Alas, poor man ! After his superior activity and cunning, he was cheated, as the vessel had been sup- plied by small boats from the shore, while coming up the river, with sand and clay, the usual articles of adulteration, which were speedily and dexterously mixed with the guano, and which the farmer was afterwards satisfied of, to his loss and mortification. No. 129.] 273 Some of these adulterated manures we fear reach our country, as most of the guano which comes here is from England ; and complaints are often heard that farmers among lis receive no bene- fit from guano, and pay pretty dearly for it too. The same, no doubt, happens with phosphate of lime ; and this, or some of it, receives a pretty liberal dose of oyster shells or something else more worthless, before its sale. Oyster shells are generally used in England to adulterate phosphate of lime, and resemble it more, perhaps, than anything else, and make the fraud less liable to detection. The best way for our farmers, in case of phosphate of lime, is to buy bones in their natural state, and break them up into small pieces, or dissolve them in sulphuric acid, or oil of vitriol, in the way Prof. Antisell has so wtII described; then they will be sure of getting a pure article. As to guano, our farmers cannot so easily protect themselves against fraud, as at least nineteen-twentieths of what comes to America comes from Europe, and no doubt most of it comes well adulterated; if thej must and will liave the article, the only way to be safe is to have it analyzed by a competent person before purchasing it. Mr. Mei"S. — The adulteration of manure is an atrocious crime. The s 1 that does it deserves to be prohibited the use of bread. There is another adulteration which our general Government has done well to destroy; that is the adulteration of drugs. If Gov- ernment should protect our farmers likewise, it would be in the first order of its duty. Dr. Antisell remarked that the adulteration of guano in Eng- land was extraordinary. It was found that when some justly- suspicious farmer w^ent down the Thaaies to see the cargo of guano, and was satisfied of its purity, he was, nevertheless, cheated; for as the vessel came up, she was supplied with marl and sand to mix with it, so that when she landed her cargo the poor farmer paid his pound sterling for tons of English dirt instead of foreign guano. This mixture of guano and dirt was very deceptive, for the smell of the mixture was much stronger than the true guano. To one load of guano tliey added two loads of marl. A scientific analysis is first made of the cargo; this is [Assembly, No. 129. J 18 274 [Assembly printed for the security of the good but jealous farmer. After the analysis they adulterate with marl, Lc. The urine of cities is all wasted. Sewerage should provide tliat it be run upon masses of carbonate, which mixed with it, is easily managed for transportation to the lands. The animal mat- ter in it is very valuable, as well as the phosphate of lime. In Aberdeen, Scotland, the sew^erage is adapted to this purpose, and each human being is valued at two shillings and nine pence per head, or about five shillings of New-York currency. Subjects for next meeting — Phosphate of Lime, Draining, and the proper way to teach agriculture. Adjourned to Tuesday next, at noon. H. MEIGS, Secretary. (The following letter from General Dearborn was duly received and read to the Club. • We publish it as containing a merited com- pliment to an esteemed friend and co-laborer, as well as valuable suggestions on matters pertaining to the diffusion of agricultural intelligence. The idea of appropriating Mount Vernon as a national agricultural school and garden of plants, meets the most cordial approbation of tlie Club.] Hawthorn Cottage, ^ Roxhury^ Masa., May 7t/i, 1851. ^ My Dear Sir, — During the past four or five months, I have oc- casionally received — and I presume from you — numbers of the newspaper called the " .A^etc-- For/cf r," containing accounts of the proceedings of the Farmers' Club, and have been deeply interested, and derived very valuable information, from the statements which have been made, at your weekly meetings, in relation to the numerous departments of rural economy. It is thus instruction is concentrated, and then diffused, over the whole country; and you are eminently entitled to the thanks of all your agricultural colaborers, for the efficient services, which you No. 129.] ■S'ZS' have rendered in all the branches of rustic industry. Professor Mapes has been one of the most useful — aye, the most distin- guished disseminator of intelligence, in relation to the scientific principles to the practical operations of the cultivation of the soil. Being himself a farmer and gardener, the results of his experi- ments are precious TRUTHS, which cannot be ascertained and established in any other manner. He does what science dictates, as> a SKILLFUL TILLER OF THE EARTH, Instcad of merely inforining the uneducated farmer and gaidener what abstract principles of chemistry and geology can be usefully applied in the prosecution of their labors. The latter can adopt the process, when instruct- ■ed as to the nwde^ and the learned Professor has a very remark- ably lucid and intelligible method of imparting knowledge, to all •classes of people, who can read and are accustomed to work in a field or garden. Like all men of real genius and intelligence he «an come down into the rank and file of the multitude, and re- late to them what it is important they should know, in terms leveled to their capacities. Many may understand the laws of science, but never having applied them, are unqualified to teach otheis. To do this is an important art, and all can comprehend a proeesss when it has been practically illustrated, by him who knows and can execute what is required. The account he gave of his experiments on subsoil ploughing and draining is of the first consequence, and cannot fail of indu- cing thousands of farmers and gardeners to adopt both of these important modes of increasing the fertility of their grounds. One such practical chemist can do more in aid of cultivation than has been accomplished by all the theoretical books, and all the societies which have appeared in this, or any other country. For to render a book useful in the arts, it must be written by a scientific artist. Art without science is impotent, and science without artistical application is worthless. The efforts of societies are unavailing unless they collect and reflect back upon the people the results of the experiments, the investigations and the inductions, and demonstrations of illus- trious individuals. There are no other modes of arriving at facts and truths. Thus it is, tliat the French National Academy have done so much. Mere theory is not tolerated until established 27'6 [.ASSEMBLT by one of the methods which have been named, and it is the cul- tivation ot science and art in the work-shop, and the culture of the soil, as well as every other branch of Imman industry and inquiry which has accomplished somucli witliin the last half cen- tury. Philosophy now w^alks side by side with every man, who works well, whetlier physically or intellectually ; and the march of the human race is consequently so energetic, direct and confi- dent, that the ultimate height it will attain can be confidently anticipated from the glorious resul^ which have been realized in our own day. As the basis of all other departments of industry — of our pros- perity, wealth, power, and national grandeur, is agriculture, why has it not commanded more attention ? Why has it not beea more honored 1 No patriotic citizen can doubt that it is the most important subject wliich can claim the consideration of the government. Washington was fully impressed with the magni- tude of that chief source of aggrandisement, and repeatedly recommended it to the serious attention of Congress; but as yet nothing has been done for its promotion. We rightfully and wisely have established military and naval academies, fortifications, arsenals, armories, navy yards, artificial harbors, sea-coast and lake beacon lights, and at last a " light- house of the skies" — but no school, no experimental farm, nO' garden of plants for the development of the resources of our agricultural domain and for giving an impulse to that labor which feeds and clothes ike u hole people, and furnishes over $100,000,000 of products for expoi-tation — a labor w'hich occupies at least seven- tenths of the entire population. We must hope on and ever, that the day is not distant when public opinion will induce a more enlightened policy on the part of Congress, and then we shall be distinguished for our agricul- ture, as w^e are for our navigation and our internal and foreign commerce. Your translations of articles from French works upon the *' Culture of melon from slips," the " Preservation of Fruits,'* No. 129.J 277 and the acco'iint of the Date, are valuable contributions to the fund of horticultiir-^1, pomological, and botanical information. Witii assurance of most sincere respect and esteem, jour most obedient serv't, H. A. S. DEARBORN, To Henry Meigs, Esq., Secretni, so often applied to this practice. As a confined space of air is the best non-conductor of heat, a slight mulch causes a portion of air at least to remain in a state of rest, and therefore the soil is protected from sudden differences of temperature and the effects (f the noonday's sun, and the chilling cold of night are rendered less dissimilar. Mulch is used by pear-growers in n)id-summer, to prevent the moisture received by the tree from being too hot, and thus causing blight. It also prevents the loss liy diiy of the ammonia received from dews at night, and in winter prevents the early- rains from heing frozen in the immediate surface of the soil, and debarring the easy ingress of water and atmosphere. 298 [Assembly Soils mulched are more fertile, and if a board or }»hink lie loosely on sward all winter and be removed in the spring, the summer's growth of gra^s will show the Jbrm of the boaid. Some strawberry growers place slabs with the round side up on the ground, cutting notches in the edges of the slabs at a dis- tance of u foot apart, for the plants to grow through. This pre- vents the growth of all weeds, and keeps (he ground fully cov- ered. In localities wiiere salt meadow and other coarse grasses are phn'y, n)any fields are mulched, and the only objection ever ui-ged to ihis practice is the harboring of mice during winter. Strawberries can doubtless be enlarged beyond what they now are, and a new kind is now being raised in France called the Pele J^lellcville, which measures six inches in circumferance. The Black Prince is one of the be>t .strawberries, but is a shy bearer. The British Queen and Prince Albert are good when cultivated properl}'. Wild stiawberries are always said to have the richest flavor. Not so when the tannic acid is used on thegarden straw- berries. The Prolific llautboy has a high and peculiar aroma and fiavor. Tannic acid aids ihat too. Chaiiman — As tlie subject of teaching agriculture is for this day, we should like t» hear gentlemen upon it. President Tall- mriilge is not here — will Professor Mapes give some of his ideas upon the matter? Prof. Mapes — I think we are doing harm by attempting an Agricultural College 7.0W. If a Normal School was established to make teachers of agriculture it might do, but I believe that if the Legirdaturc of New- York should appoint a sufficient num- ber of Competent teachers to visit farmers and talk with them on their iarms in a plain way good would rapidly flow Irom it. I have ju.-t returned fioin a visit to Eoston wliere I was invited to addiess a meeting of the T.cuislature. Their bill fur a College had been lost, but the Governor asstu-ed me tliat ihe real mind of the majority was for ir. Any great exprnse in relation to a College woul I be a deah blow to it. Fourteen Agtieulinral So- cieties of Mass ic!iusetts sent rejir. si-fjtatives to a meeiing which advised a College. They agieed upon it as we sliould if such a No. 129.] 299 meeting was held here. We m.iy be able to employ one teacher fir^^t, and then anolher, until tlieie are enough to leach all — it wouhl soon make farmers at work without teaclurs. Take such men as Bement, Ambrose Stevens i\>v cattle, &:c., A. Brill llr root crops, Norton lor agricultural science generally. Lectures should be delivered in every toAvn and district by conjpetent persons uho were scientific and of course practical. Mr. Gc'Tge Dickey — Would it not be •well to get up suitable petiii'ins now-, addressed to the present Legislature in relatiun to this lm]x>rtant question? Professor Mapes — T have delivered about one hundred and fifty agricultural lectures, and soaie of my hearers have become rabid. A sort of furor on tlie subject of agricultural improve, ment has seized them. Dr. J. Marshall Paul went to look at a tract of fuur thousand acres of poor land on sale at about fue dollars an acre. He bought four hundred acres at that price. He has underdrained two hundred of them and they are now worth une hundred and fifty dollars an acre. Mr. Meigs — As to drain?, I notice an advertisement in the London Times of 27th of May last, of an exhibition of a machine laying drain pipes at once without trouble. Place of exhibition three milts from the Crystal Palace. Professor Mapes — There is a plan now in operation (as I under- stand,) by which it can be done at one operation, five feet deep, and Willi economy. As to drain tiles we can now have them from a manufactory on Stateu Island, by application to George H. Bnrr, at No. 25 Cliff street. The tiles of two inches bore are Sold fur nine dollars a thousand, those of larger calibre for more. Dr. Antisell — I find that the phoFphorile or apatite contains ninety-two i»er cent, of ph( S})hate of lime. I have since that seen I he Apatite from Crown Point described by Professor Em- mons. It is siirrouiuled by serpentine which, ground with it colors ir, and it is of less valne. The pure Apaiite is white. The niHSs in Jer-ey is equal to the example which has been ex- hibited here ; it is contaiutd, in mine, in a gangue of feldspar. 300 [Assembly Prof. Mapes — The Crown Point article is said to have sulphate of iron mixed with it. Doctor Jackson, of Boston, sa} s that he can partially purify it by removing that sulphate. Alger, of Boston, is said to have bought that mine. Dr. Jackson says they produce from it the super phosphate of lime, which is bet- ter than the phosphate. I apply it, and find much better effects than guau'i and charcoal. Ohio wheat crop has already fallen from thirty-five bushels per acre to fifteen, and that of 2C«vv'-York from thirty bushels to twelve per acre. Only add the super phosphate, &c., and the crop will be restored. Now, what an amount of these are carried olf from Ohio in wheat, bone, pot- ash, Sac. It may become difficult to obtain an adequate t>upply ot the phosphate hereafter. If the bone used for manure is about three-fifths dissolved it becomes honey-combed and the roots of plants readily penetrate it and tear it to pieces. What special manure I use, I buy here. Dr. Antisell — Many of Western New-York farmers say they prefer leached ashes ! to it as manure. Prof. Mapes — Yet notwithstanding that error they have what they don't understand ; they have the soluble silicates in them and therefore furnish the coat of grain stems, so that the farmer who puts leached ashes on his oat fields has oats that won't lodge, although he knows not wliy. We see thrown away here thou- sands of tons of sulphate of potash. Why, I have known a gut- ter carefully made to get rid of precious liquid manure into the North River. Let a lecturer on scientific agriculture beware. He will be told that he is crazing the heads of young men. The old violent prejudices are alive yet ! At Princeton, in New-Jer- sey, the door of the lecture room (cm Agriculture) isthown open, but no farmers enter it. If a lecturer use such words as oxygen and hydrogen he might as well cut his own throat. If he would succeed in gaining the ear and the belief of these men he must get at them gently. The late Judge Biiell combined knowhdge and method in giving it out, and he thus was enabled to render fliat vast benefit to the cause which he did. Guano is good on the "Virgitiia lands generally, but to put it on and plough it into soils deiicient in organic materials, is a perfect No. 129.] 301 waste. Many European cities now save their sewerage matter, which is properly thrown over peat, muck and like matter. I notice a great waste in the rear of our city hall, for there all the eiforts of such a multitude of patriotic individuals are allowed to be utterly wasted. There are but a few farms on which water cannot be raised by the water ram for irrigation and for diluting manure. A tube of cement can be made cheaply, capable of conveying the water from the springs up hill. The meadow flats in my own vincinity are in depth from one foot to sixteen feet of organic matter. Boats might be employed to receive the matter at the mouths of the sewers. Dr. Antisell. It is easy to collect the materials of many sewers. Allow them to settle, then pump off surplus water, and convey the residue to farms. I proposed this plan to the autho- rities of Dublin, and private parties use it to some extent. In the city of Antwerp they estimate the value of each man at two shillings and nine pence a year, and the expense of the city government are about paid by it. The gas companies here and in snme other cities throw away great value in ammonia. We thus throw away and then have to buy it. Prof. Mapes. The companies can save the ammonia if they please. Some persons think it is the production of the gas which causes so great a cost ; but it is the serving the gas out to the customers which is so expensive. In my mode of farming I find difficulty in procuring a man to do as I want him to do. I make them plough in the manure the same day it is put on the land. I would discharge a man who would leave it exposed one day. When it is left on the ground for any length of time all the good you get of it is a mulch only. Mr. Meigs. John Taylor of Carolina, a Senator of the United States and a Governor of Virginia, published a small essay of distinguished excellence, under the title of J2rator, (the plough- man,) in which he taught the inestimable value of inclosing, as he calls it, all the organic manures, immediately. Every cab- bage stump, waste leaves, straw, wood, bush, stalk, every vege- table and animal matter, ploughed in quick. He commenced on a large field burned up bj tobacco — a sterile waste. In a few 302 [Assembly years lie made it give the largest crops of wlieat ever yielded by the richest lands iii Virginia. Mr. George Dick'^y, proposed for tlic next meeting the subject of '^ Summer management of Fruit.'"' — Adopted. Professor Mapes then distributed his strawberries among the members of the Club. The circulars of cattle sale of Lewis G. Morris, on 24th of June, were then distributed. Adjourned to the regular day, the third Tuesday of June. H. MEIGS, Secretary, A Fdrmeri> American Institute, } ' Club, June nth, 1851. \ Austin Church, M. D., in the chair. Henry Meigs, Secretary. Mr. Geo. S. Rigg^s, of Baltimore, a member of the Institute, said : Mr. Chairman — In company with Gen. Cliandler and Judge Meigs, I had the pleasure of visiting, on Tliursday last, our worthy Vice President's (Mr. Pell) farm— tlie best cultiva- ted, most beautiful and enchantingly picturesque place my eye ever rested upon. I will merely mention a few ot many wonder- ful productions that came under my especial notice. Mr. Cun- ningham, his intelligent gardener, showed me a basket of Hovey seedling strawberries that he had picked to pre-ent to a neigh- bor. Thirty nine were laid on a Hat surface and covered a space of nine inches by eleven, that is one to every two and a half inches. I saw one weiglied, and found it two ounces, and eight and three-eighth inches in circumference. I say, without fear ot contradiction, that this is the largest and heaviest Hovey seed- ling strawberry ever grown. A pie plant leaf measured thirty-one and a half inches by twenty-six and a half inches in diameter; the stalk four and a half inches in circumference, and the whole diameter of the plant sixty-eight inclies, and that, too, in one year. The Cala- fornia potatoe presented to Mr. Pell, by this Institute and plant- ed in twenty-seven hills — one of which, the first (hill.) 1 came to — was forty-five inches in diameter. This Mr. Chairman, i3 No. 129.] 303 great growth, when we consider it was only a month since it left this ciij. His garden is exceedingly rich,weedless, and as light as scientific culture can make it. Of his apple trees it is use- less to speak, as their fruit has a world-wide reputation. His orchard contains 21,000 trees, young, healthy and vigorous. With the useful Mr. Pell combines the ornamental. His fish ponds are eight in number, of spring water and encircled by flowers and willows, and contain forty-two different varieties of fish. The sturgeon is there ! the rarest fish of Europe are ! and there is to be found fresh shad every day in the year ! "Who, Mr. Chairman, ever heard, before Mr. Pell tried the experiment, of a pond one hundred and fifty feet above a river, of spring water, containing shad ? Histoiy tells us that the Aztec monarchs daily ate in the city of Mexico fish caught in the Gulf and brought thence by swift runners, a distance of some two hundred miles. Here fish of the most choice kinds can be, at a moment's notice, placed upon the table. His crops are cultivated upon the widest and most approved scale. If all farmers would throw away principles long since known, by intelligent men, to be false, and read, think and reflect, what would this country become? Why, sir, its fondest lover, its most romantic dreamer, could not " look into the womb of time" and picture to himself the beauty of the scene ! ■ The plants of the tropics would be ate upon the moun- tain's top ; fleets of vessels would bear abroad the rifh products of America ; and but let science be the handmaid of the tillers of our soil, and the inhabitants of now almost unknown countries would ask, like the Peri at the gate, to be admitted into our heaven. Will we slumber on ? must we be content with the crops now grow^n 1 must foreign countries find a market on soil that nature made with no sparing hand '? No! no! "twill not be so! Our farmers are shaking oft' their lethargy, and America is just rising, soon to look down upon countries of an older birth. Gen. Chandler — I did not intend, upon this occasion, to make any allusion to my recent very pleasant visit to the farm of our friend Mr. Pell. Under the circumstances, however, I feel called upon to say that I tiiere saw much to admire, much really to as- tonish me, of which I may avail myself on some other occasion to speak more at large. Mr. Pell merits the highest commendation 304 [Assembly not only for the beautiful and scientific cultivation which his farm manilestly presents, but as the pioneer in a system of culti- vation, which really opens now views in regard to agriculture, and renders that pursuit additionally inviting and attractive, from considerations whicli heretofore have not been found in the estimate. The received opinion is, " that a man with a frood farm, well stocked, may, with industry and frugality, be some- what independent." But this is not all, for in my opinion, by uniting scientific knowledge to diligent supervision, a man with tolerable judgment cannot make a more profitable or safe invest- ment than in tlie soil. It is diiierent, however, from every oth- er investment, for tlie first annual return being no more tlian the sixteenth of one per cent., should produce no discouragement. Your annual income may be carried Irom tliis small beginning to 10, 15, or 20 per cent., depending entirely upon your own perse- verance and intelligence. I will conclude by saying that Mr. Pell carries forward one principle, which no one should forget or neglect — he pertinaciously returns to the soil annually all that he takes from it. I do not mean in dollais and cents, for a tithe of the money value of his crop will return to the soil all it re- quires. Neglect this, and your fields will very soon yield you only a titlie of what they ought to do. The Secretary — has never seen any farm where so much of the true farmer is manifested by the work. It is a principality— of which the soul is the master, R. L. Pell. At the very prime of life, with a wife and children, all in perfect health, he is in the midst of every luxury as temperate as a hermit. Looking at the farm in all its details from dawn of morning to sunset, everyday, using with judgment all the modern means discovered by science, managing the finances so as to be just and properly liberal, but with perfect control of every dollar, he presents to his fellow man an eminent example of that prosperity which health, wealth and sound morality can give. And a rare example it is, for it is a melancholy truth that too many of our young men, as well as those of the old world, make brief dispatch of the blessings heaped for them by their fond fathers, making quick and fearful dilapi- diition of wealth, and health and morals too. No. 129.] 305. What Mr. Riggs has stated of the great strawberry is not to be doubted, and I implicitly believe it. Professor Mapes — For irrigating purposes, a pump has been invented by Mr. Carr, with which one man can lift (and drive through a gutta perchapipe) water twenty feet high from any spring or other supply — as for instance from a hogshead sunk in the low ground. In such a hogshead put some guano, and then pump and sprinkle over the land. The idea of restoring to the soil all that grows on it as neces-' sary to retain its fertility, is a mistake. Clover for instancej takes carbon from the atmosphere and solidifies it, takes from the land a portion of its inorganic constituents. So that when we examine by analysis we find what a moderate amount of these go to the plant, while the carbonaceous portion is large. This word is equivalent to the word charcoal. Now this is from burnt or charred vegetable matter, and is as perfectly charred by the natural process of decay or by what Liebig calls eremacansis slow ccnihustion. The farmer wants but one name for all this and that should be carbonaceous matter — and this constitutes ninety per cent, of all dry vegetable matter. It is indispensable to return to the land the whole of the inor- ' ganic matter carried off, as well as a portion of the organic. The atmosphere is the great laboratory whence vegetation is sus- tained. Soil should be of a dark color in order to imbibe heat. If land should be covered with white, the crop would be very poor. Mr. Silliman — I have expended much in the purchase and ap> plication of manure on my farm. I have used leached ashes and pure ashes. The former contains some of the valuable inorganic matters. Chairman — Sulphate of soda, potash, and spent ley are impor- tant as fertilizers and nearly equal in value. Prof. Mapes — Our print works throw away a large amount of the sulphate of soda. It ought to be saved for the soil. Chairman — Is there any manganese in it ? [Assembly, No. 129.] 29 306 [Assembly Prof. Mapes — Not much. Not enough to do any harm. Spent ley contains a great deal of common salt. Chairman — The regular subject of the day is the management of summer fruit. The Secretary — said that the most recent doctrine in Europe was that the gathering of fruit was almost as important as the raising it, so great a proportion being ruined by bad handling. That no implement or contrivance was equal to a careful human hand to pick good fruit. Prof. Mapes — We have learned to practise one good thing on our fruit trees, that is to scrape the bark perfectly clean, the old notion that the rough old dead bark was of any advantage to trees is utterly exploded. I have stripped the old bark off my Isabella grapes as often as it appears, even once a week if it ap- pears, it is good for them. Trees which have once been used to have clean bark> give up their old habit of producing bad bark. I brush them all over with a mixture of urine, potasli and salt. Robert Rennie, of Lodi, New Jersey, has the bark of his plum, peach, apple and pear trees scraped, as if polished. His gardener ' brushed them well with a saturated solution of soda. It does not hurt live plants, does none to the smallest extremities of branches, but cleans all, and they appear as if in a new bark. Rennie's trees gave the best fruit. The cherry tree so treated does not become hide-bound after it. The practice of slicing the bark is a bad one — almost as bad as to slice a man's sliin. I use the same so- lution upon my gooseberry and currant stems, which I keep single instead of letting them bush. I have no mildew on my plants so treated. My neighbors have the mildew on theirs. I have tried it on alternate trees and plants, so as to be able to see the exact worth of it. I put one pound of soda in one gallon of water and let it dissolve to perfect saturation, and I see that some soda is always left undissolved, to assure the saturation. The soda costs three and a half cents a pound — the bleachers' JYb. 1 soda, so called. Sulphate of ammonia costs about four cents a pound here. No. 129.! 307 The Secretary observes in the latest English papers extensive advertisements of special manures for sale to farmers. They looked like advertisements of wholesale druggists. The Chairman offered the following extract from the North- ampton Gazette : STRAWBERRY CULTIVATION. " Those who know anything about the magnificent strawberries, and the immense quantities of them raised on a bed about thirty feet by forty feet, for several years past, in the garden formerly owned by me, in King-street, may like to know the process hy which I cultivate them. I applied about once a week, for three times, commencing when the green leaves first began to start, and making the last applica- tion just before the plants were in full bloom, the following preparation: — Of nitrate of potash, glaubers salts, and sal soda, each one pound ; ol muriate of ammonia, one quarter of a pound, dissolved in thirty gallons of rain or river water. One-third was applied at a time -, and when the weather was dry, I applied clear soft water between times of using the preparation, as the growth of the young leaves is so rapid that, unless well supplied with water, the sun would scorch them. I used a common watering pot, and made the application towards evening. Managed in this way, there is never any necessity of digging over the bed, or setting it out anew. Beds of ten years old are not only as good but better than those of two or three years old. But you must be sure and keep the weeds out." Professor Mapes. — Something has been said of the extensive adulteration of guano. I have found but little of that. It is not used as much as it ought to be. I have mentioned the liberal course of Mr. Babney, of Virginia, in the purchase of heavy amounts of it, and loaning it to neighbors. Our sugar house skum is a good manure, and the cartage of it costs but little. Any small farmer can do better by composting the special manures than by barn-yard manure only, on account of the saving of labor in cartage, &c. I have some land which I guanoed four yeaJES 308 [ ASSEMBLV ago, and the good ejEfect has not gone yet I added to my com- posts bones dissolved in sulphuric acid. Apple orchards require lime, for the dry matter of the bark and leaf of the apple tree contains fifteen per cent, of lime. Long growth of apple tre^s exhausts the lime within their reach, and th^ must have a new supply. Give it to them properly com- posted with muck. Use the lime freely whenever there is plenty of organic matter for it to act on. Judge Van Wyck. — Insects are the greatest evil to our fruits.. Cleanliness may do much to prevent it — but yet some plan must be fallen upon which will destroy them. The Aphis, or plant louse, is a wide-spread mischief. I have dusted plants with pow- dered lime, when the dew was on, with some success. Birds help us greatly — they are known to scrape them off in great numbers with their bills. They pick ofif the ants which some- times largely infest fruit trees. I saw a tree hurt by the ants who occupied a hole in it. The birds eat them up, and made their nest in the hole, and that tree again gave good fruit. Professor Mapes. — Certainly, keep the trees clean if you can. Pat six bushels of common salt on an acre and it will destroy the grubs. Unhealthy trees attract insects! J^incty per cent of theml I have on my farm, placed in fruit trees, one hundred and fifty boxes for wrens ; they are now all occupied by the industri- ous little insect destroyers, and I suppose if I had five thousand boxes they would all be inhabited by wrens. Harlem oil is good to drive oft' insects ; they hate the smell of it. When we do not manure well enough our cabbages are apt to be club-footed and be full of the aphis. Scotch snuff" does good among them. For caterpillars I use a copper tube, in which I put some of the burn- ing fluid — touch the nest when they are in and destroy them. You will always find the family at home at certain times of the day, so that then you may make one swoop ! repeat this and you will find the next nest more silky and delicate, and soon they will disappear altogether. The fruit coming of late years to this city is so great, I under ook a comparison between it and the supply of fruit to London. I find that the city of New- York No. 129.) 309 last year, received as mach fruit in one day as London did in a week — not equal to our peaches of one day. Chairman — ^They cannot so well afford to buy fruit as we can. Professor Mapes. — The truth is that our people eat too much. Many gormandise on it. We have also many poor peaches brought in. The valuable crops are, for a short time, from an orchard. These are worth two dollars a basket, while the resi- due are really not worth two shillings — better thrown away than brought here. Peach trees can as well last fifty years as five. They do in India and become hard wood. Shorten the head of the tree, when young, until you have nearly made a walking stick of it. Make its head like a horse chestnut* tree, round. I have one that has a fine round head; it is about twenty-five years of age. It had stood where horses bit it freely; it has a round head. % Judge Van Wyck. — There are said to be at the South sone peach trees of one hundred years of age. * Professor Mapes. — From the pit. But not one scarcely ia a thousand are good for any thing. Harker^s seedling is a yeiy remarkable one — one of the best peaches known. This tree has been almost denuded by the multitude of grafts taken from it. The fruit is yellow on one^side, the other fine red. Professor Mapes proposed as the next subject — " Root crops, their culture and uses." George Dickey. — Add ''the best mode of collecting and pw- serving seeds.^' Adopted, The Chairman suggested the propriety of taking into socoimf: the age of the tree from which w© take grafts or buds. Tb« Club then adjourned. H= MEIGS, S$oreiary, 310 [Assembly AwiaicAN Institute, ) Farmer ^^ Club, July 8tk, 1851. ] Judge Harris Scoville in the chair. Henry Meigs Secretary. Tlie secretary read the following papers prepared by him for the use of the club. Professor Mapes, who proposed the subject of the day, is ab- sent, and his views of it would be especially valuable to the club. The ancient world had no conception of the root crop as realized in modern times. The potato was utterly unknown, and we have no evidence that they ever fully understood the carrot, beet, par- snip, or turnip? The carrot has only within a very short time become known as equal to oats, measure for measure, for horse feed. The beet has obtained an extraordinary celebrity since the French revolution for its sugar. The turnip was* used to some extent by the ancients, who occasionally raised some of the largest dimensions ever known. It is doubtful whether we fully under- stand now what are the full value of these roots. But there is one aspect in wliich root crops magnify their importance in a way visible to all men, and that is the enormous amount of mat- ter they provide for us on one acre compared with the trifling amount of food furnished by the seeils of plants. A bushel of wheat, GO lbs., 30 bushels an acur — 1,800 lbs. An acre of tur- nips, at twenty tons, -10.000, lbs.; carrols, at 500 bushels an acre, 39,000 lbs. The root salsafie, xf£rtr]-:'-r^ oyster, is not under- stood. It is tlie veriest resemblance in flavor of the oyster that can be imagined. What may not its use be when properly pre- pared as a substitute for shell fish or flesh, as a food? That sal- safie should supply the place of an oyster is not more surprising than that the carrot should be equal to oats. Bread, to an Irish- man, or to any other gentleman, is not always better than a fine mealy potato. I find my taste so balanced between them that I cannot decide on giving up either of them fur any consideration. Nor is this Irish potato, now the s^ine qua ncn on exeij table, whether loaded wiih fish or flesh, alone a capital article. Let the sweet Carolinas, as the sweet potatoes were Ibimeily called, come in for their share of praise. A preparation of flour, sugar aad juice, forming a delicious and wholesv'm<' p'.Klding, and such No. 129.] 311 puddiEgs, 300 bushels on an acre. Of this delicious root there are varieties of which some are very superior to the rest. Intel- ligent and careful farmers would never have any but the best, and yet very little talent has ever made its way into the raising of our delicious Carolinas. There is not the shadow of a doubt but the best of the sorts may be greatly improved. We are as certain of this as we are of the positive improvement in all our animal and vegetable food, by dint of science and industry. The ox of England, some 500 years ago, averaged less than 400 lbs. weight. The present race are entirely the result of knowledge and care. The same is true, to a great extent, in poultry, in swine, sheep, &c. The originals of many of our most important plants were, compared with the present, small and of very infe- rior quality. This truth is easily made manifest now by subject- ing any of the animals or vegetables to the deteriorating effects of ignorance and carelessness. We can now as readily brutalize our races of all sorts, as was anciently done, and among savages is now done. The root crops show us the men that make them with stern certainty. The starved, meagre, tough, coarse beet, carrot, turnip, parsnip, tell the story of the wretched soil, the lazy, ignorant, stupid booby who ruins his land, his roots, and his wife, children and self. You may read his whole character in a peck measure of his roots. So of his animals. The regular form, full growth, smooth skin and perfect leaf testifies that the farmer who made it must make other things relatively good. The lessons of these good farmers, teaching by glorious exem- plary evidence, how greatly wisdom][is handling the land, caus^ the triumphant crops to bless the owner and his fellow -citizens, while the other poor creature makes his land like himself, shal- low, ragged and patched. These most precious lessons are often preached in vain ; and they ought, like our religious doctrines, to be dealt out to us daily and weekly, for they are very hard to attain, although so rich in the possession. To know all that can be known of the best means of amending, fertilizing soil and keeping it so ; to have that soil deeply tilled, perfectly freed from weeds j to care for every plant in the whole field ; see that each has his wonted room, depth of tillage, proper •.U3 I Assembly depth of planting, full space on all sides, proper time ('f sowing the seeds as well as the previous care of seeds and preparing them for sowing. What a large amount of car© is necessary after all the knowledge has been obtained. The intelligent lovers of agriculture have recently been look- ing after new roots to be brought into our service. Many have been named^as likely by cultivation to grow, like our potato, from a worthless original to a delicious Farina : even from poi- sonous originals to wholesome ones. In reference to this point allow me to repeat what I have frequently said before, that in 1795, when [I was a member of an University, my father also found me full employment for leisure hours in our little farm. On a fall evening a French physician of some sixty years old walked with us through it ; and on taking his seat at the tea ta- ble asked my father why he did not have tomatoes on the table; The reply was, " We don't know it ! we have none." " Oh, yes,* cried the Doctor, " you have them in your garden, now." " Im- possible." " Eh bien ! I will show you. Aliens !" We follow- ed him into the garden, where, in one corner near the barn, grew a love-apple bush with some ripe ones on it. " Ah ha," says the little Frenchman, " here they are !" He took some down to the tea table, cut them up, put on a little vinegar, salt and black pepper, and we tasted with no small reluctance, and with a deci- ded opinion that it smelt like bed-bugs and had a nauseous taste. He said very solemnly that custom would render it delicious and eultivation improve it ; that it was not, like other vegetables and fruits, subject to the acid fermentation, but that it operated on the liver like calomel, but not only without the slightest evil consequences, but most favorably for the general health. There is no doubt of the existence of other plants able to contribute greatly to the pleasure and welfare of man. There is one advan- tage in root crops over all others, and that is in the event of very severe droughts, when the surface crops are all lost, much of the root crop will be available for us and cur cattle, I repeat also what was said in the Parliament of England in 1844, about the value of British agricultural products fjr that year. That the whole value was three thousand milJioas of dollars, of which the No. 129.] 313 turnip should be credited, for all its ases for men, cattle, &c., one half^ Now surely we may claim for the root crop all possible care and respect, when the turnip of one year alone can furnish a United States revenue of fifty millions per annum for thirty years ! And when we shall fully cultivate California, our tur- nip crops will be truly singular for their weight and bulk, for turnips have often attained the size of three feet in circumference, with a weigh! of twenty pounds each. An acre of California tur nips, each one of the size mentioned and growing close together, could yield the weight per acre of about 840,000 pounds, or 420 tons, so that one acre would yield the weight of 467 acres of wheat at 30 bushels the acre. The large figures are, nevertheless, avail- able, to show the monstrous difference in quantity between the surface and the root crops. Some have said that the large proportion of \vater in roots di- minishes greatly their nutritive quantity, in comparison with grain. Now, it appears that, while in the potato three-fourths of it is water, yet in the best bread of Paris, Dumas found, by analysis, 45 per cent of water, which was deemed to be hardly possible, yet it is now known to be correct. Strong flour having in it the greatest proportion of gluten, absorbs and retains the greatest proportion of water. It is true, on experience, that the weight of bread or of the roots taken into the stomach by men or animals, does not very widely differ in quantity. [From th« Lonisville Joartoetl.] L. Young, Esq., has information of a new sweet potato from Peru (as supposed) altogether different from any other. White as snow inside, dry, mealy, has the saccharine resembling virgin honey, grows to prodigious size, even on the poorest sandy land. The roots remain without change until the following May. Grows equally well from slip or vine See Commercial Adver- tiser of July 1, 1851 H. MEIGS. ROOTS Leibig remarks that — " All substances in solution in a soil are absorbed by the root^ of plants exactly as a sponge imbibes a No. 129.] 314 liquid, and all that it contains, without selection'. The substances thus conveyed to plants are retained in greater or less quantity, or are entirely separated when not suited for assimilation." Decandolle supposes that the roots of plants imbibe soluble matter of every kind from the soil, and thus necessarily absorb a number of substances v/hich are not adapted to the purpose of nutrition, and must be subsequently expelled by the roots, and returned to the soil as excrements. Now, as excrements cannot be assimilated by the plants which eject them, the more of these matters the soil contains, the more unfertile must it be for the plants of the same species. These excrementitious matters may, however, still be capable of assimilation by other kinds of plants, which would thus remove them from the soil, and render it again fertile for the first. And if the plants last grown also expel sub- stances from their roots which can be appropriated as good by the farmer, they will improve the soil in two ways. The tobacco administration in France have used chemical analysis as a test of the value of tobacco. They burn a portion, and the relative quantity of potash found in the ashes decides the relative value ; the greater the amount of potash, the better the tobacco. [From the London Farmers' Magazine, June, ISaO.] How far it is possible to recover exhausted lands without manure. By M. M. M. — There is not a better understood fact in agricul- tural science than this ; that if we take off from a soil its ferti- lizing qualities, and none are returned, it must by and by become barren ; and not only is this true in its widest and most extreme sense, but it is also equally true, that the more you take away from a soil the elements of the growth of plants, the greater will be the difficulty of obtaining the crop, and the smaller will be the produce of that crop year after year. It is true, some soils will bear much more severe cropping than others. Either there has been a greater per centage of the ele- ments calculated to produce crops present in the soil at the com- mencement, or there has been a much greater depth of soil with the ordinary percentage, which Is in fact the same thieg ; and it No. 129.] 315 only requires the plants to search for the food which they had exhausted above, in order to obtain the quantity necessary to their growth and development. Thus, in a deep alluvial soil, where the surface only has been scratched for years, and may be for centuries, and where the su- per soil is thoroughly exhausted of all the elements of crop-gro vis- ing, while perhaps the sole of the plow has managed to make a firm pan, a few inches below its surface, it is not necessary to manure at all. Only break the pan and plough up the fresh soil, and all turnip disease and clover sickness and root-swelling of oats will be prevented. In fact, the soil below will contain a pi*oportion of the food of plants suited to their wants, and hence on such soils it will not be necessary always to carry back the elements of which it is exhaused, because they are already pre- sent, only locked up from the plant, and liberated and brought within its sphere by the fad alone of deep cultivation. But on poorer and thinner soils this process would be unavail- ing. The subsoil below is poorer than the soil above. To deepen here were only to add to the previous poverty, and hence the cultivator must hit upon some other mode of restoring fertility than mere deep cultivation. Nay, we have seen the more deep ploughing of ordinary land operate against immediate produc- tiveness, and have for the time exactly the opposite tendency. But there are hundreds of means by which more or less of the missing elements are restored by natural processes alone ; and though it may be necessary to modify crops, so as to be assisted by nature, still there are scarcely any of the known elements of plants which are not provided for their use in a greater or less degree in the wild field of nature. If we first take ammonia — the symbol and vehicle of the nitrogen of plants — the staple of the wheat plant, and perhaps the real test of the fertility of a soil, other things being equal — of this Liebig is so certain that he not only asserts its presence in the atmosphere, but declares that it exi^sts in all soils in quantities more than sufficient to produce any crop of corn, or graiu,or plants whatever. Mulder questions this, it is true. Ee states that the atnaosphere contains an acci- •ilC (Assembly dental quantity of animooia, and " that it ought not to take any higher rank, as regards organic manure, than many other substan- ces accidentally mixed in remote quantities with the atmosphere." But then the question naturally enough arises, is not this one of the compounds, which being accidentally mixed with the air of the atmosphere, nature ha? provided to restore to worn out soils t^e elements of which cropping has deprived them. Now, wheth- er the amount in the atmosphere be great or small — and it will be doubtless varying as to the dry or wet condition of the atmos- phere— there is no doubt but it is there, and from thence is supplied to plants by the soil which has shown such very decided tendencies to absorb it. Now it is not at all material whether it is formed from the nitrogen of the atmosphere, combining with the hydrogen of water, or whether it is derived from the decom- position of nitrogenous substances, so that it really comes there, and that it is also contained in the water of our brooks and riv- ers, and so in a greater or leijs degree is applied to plants. • Carbon, again, of which, as we shall show hereafter, so much is abstracted from the soil, is supplied from the atmosphere, where it exists as an integral part of the air we respire, and which our respiration, combustion and decomposition are constantly sup- plying, and also from the water of our rains and snows, which brings it down with it to the earth. Hydrogen can easily be sup- plied from the water of springs and from rain as well as from va- por. Then again, even sulphur, which is liberated by combus- tion as sulphurous acid gas, will be condensed by vapor and de- scend to the earth," or will escape in the shape of sulphuretted hydrogen from decay of vegetable matter, and will be liberated doubtless by the earthquakes and tha volcanic actions of the Mounts ^tna, Vesuvius and Hecia to afford a never failing sup- ply. It will also be carried as dissolved sulphurets in the water of springs. Ohlorine will be supplied by the tennpests, which drive the sea spray tor miles across the country*, and which thus afford a sup- ply of the minerals v>h%ck mcy last a gejxeration. Phosphorus, also, •During t)>e great Btorm from the BOutb-rCft rn .Temiary, 1S39, tfco Bait spray from U>ewc8t lOftSt formed a BuHrAi incrcstatfeD uk tfc« frhodcns at A.laltt>c« Kvu^g acrops tbe wbole ia]'^d. No. 129.J 317 that most necessary of all the elements of plants, will be supplied by the atmosphere by the accidental presence, if it is so pleased to be expressed, of phosphoretted hydrogen j but it is from the decomposition of the rooky particles of the soil that by far the greatest supply of the mineral elements of plants is to be obtain- ed. Thus, if we take the native rocks, even of the deepest lying iharacter^ the granite, we shall J5nd that it is only necessary to allow these to disintegrate, and we shall have some very impor- tant food for plants provided. It contains Silica, 74.00 Peroxide of iron, , 3 . 00 Alumina, (clay) 12.20 Lime, , 0 .22 Magnesia, .,.......,., 0 . 46 Potash and soda, , 9 . 33 Fluoric acid and water, , . . . . 0 . 50 Here are at once the very elements of success in plant growing, potash, soda, lime and magnesia, and the first named in as large a proportion as nearly ten per cent. If again we take the basalt, we have these constituents: Silica, 53.70 Alumina, . ..,.,..,.,...., 25 .41 Lime, 4.55 Magnesia, ....<..,=......,.,...,,.. 1 . 37 Oxide of iron, ..,...,, «,...... 8.95 Sulphuret " , traces. Water,.. ,,,....,,.... 4.30 If we take sandstone, again we have Silica, . , 0 ... . .... 54 .34 Peroxide of iron, . . , , . 3 , 90 Alumina, , 4.35 Carbonate of lime, ....,..., 30 . 00 Carbonate magnesia, 2.49 Phosphate of iron, ,,, 0 , 20 Alkalies, traces. Water and loss,.*?.'.'.';':.''.^ .V .'-^.'Vv: ; 4 .72 318 [Assembly Enough has been said to show that if the decomposition of these rocks could be waited for, there is in them abundance of supply for the wants of plants, and that it only requires judicious cultivation to bring out these so far latent elements, existing truly in the soil, but so locked up as to be immediately unavailable to plants. Now, these will all disintegrate by the action of oxygen, of frost and water, and it is only necessary so to adapt cultiva- tion as to bring them into a state favorable to the reception of the gases of the atmosphere, on the one hand, and the locked up ele- ments of soil on the other. To cultivate such soils so as to foster and bring out the principles of self-supply, to grow sucli plants as shall take the least of what is so supplied in the smallest de- gree, is to carry out, as far as possible, the restoration of exhaust- ed land without manure. It is with great pleasure that we take these remarks from a pamphlet, which will never be seen by more than a few dozen men, and diffuse them in our newspapers, for the benefit of tens of thousands of readers. H. MEIGS, Secretary. [From the Loadon Farmers' Magaxin«> June, 1851.] Frauds in Manure. — An " eminent Professor of one of the Uni- versities" recently certified that a preparation of bones and acid contained 43 per cent of soluble phosphoric acid, a quantity which he must have known was impossible! An eminent chemist signs his name to any analysis sent to him, provided it be accom- panied with a post-office order of ten shillings and sixpence! An- other gentleman of the same cloth refused to certify that a mix- ture, 90 per cent of which was soot, was not the best possible manure for all and every crop without a fee of twenty guineas! With such doings among scientific men it would be surprising if the practicals were far behind. Accordingly we find some enter- prising individuals, at a little town in Norfolk, grinding tanners' bark and selling it as guano for £Q 6s. per ton, (upwards of $31.) In a town in Yorkshire, a large manufactory is now going on pre- paring a mixture of soot and human excrements, and for which, whilst the intrinsic value may be JEl, they have no difficulty in No. 129.] 319 procuricg £>b sterling per ton. In a town in Corn-nail, a fortu- nate vagabond managed to dispose of several hundred tons of su- per-phosphate of lime last season ; his only means of preparation being an up-stairs room and an Arnott stove, an arrangement ca- pable of producing about ten or twelve tons (only) in as many months. In fact, there are three towns which have now attained an unenviable notoriety in this respect, viz: Hull, Newcastle and Wolverhampton. In one of these we saw a steam-engine which had been at work several weeks, both night and day, driving a pug mill, mixing Patagonian guano and chalk together ; the guano, of even this inferior quality, being in about the same pro- portion to the chalk as the water was to the brandy in the Dutch- man's mixture. And in another of these towns there is now a large manufactory very busy preparing super-phosphate of lime, the result being the dried refuse of a tan yard or glue manufac- tory, which would be costly at ten shillings and sixpence per ton. Lecturers are hired who say that their manures have sold for four times as much as the best tea, because they will supersede the use of the manure altogether. Dr. Peck, of Lakeland, Long Island, presented specimens of rye, of golden Australasian wheat, and eight rowed white flint corn, grown on his farm, at Lakeland, 48 miles from New-York. These samples were deemed to be as good as could be produced by any fertile land whatever. The land producing the wheat was last year cultivated in potatoes, and the year before it was covered with the shrub or bear oak, grown there from time im- memorial. The doctor put fifty bushels of shell lime on an acre, costing seven cents a bushel, and nothing else. It is now decid- ed that a beautiful land, condemned by want of knowledge to the singular charity of sterility, is as capable of good crops as any other land, better than the hundreds of thousands of acres burned up by tobacco, cursed by ignorant culture in these United States. An island so level, from a hundredmiles south-west to north-east, that it is, par eminence^ the ground for horse-races. And it is more eminently the ground for intelligent farmers and gardeners. 320 [AsSfiJVIBLY to supply the great city of the west, which can be drawn thencf by its railroads, from end to end, in four hours. Marcus L. Ward, one of the managers of the 24th annual fair of the Institute, presented two bottles of Longworth's sparkling Catawba wine of 1848. This wine is prepared by a Frenchman by the name of Fourier. Would that all the Fourier prescrip- tions were half as good as this. Seventeen members tasted it, and their unanimous opinion was that it was superior to nine-tenths of the wine sold as champagne. Now if our great country will provide such a wine in the quantity of which it is capable, it can feast the human race with potations unequalled except by the lUtle patchy (as Webster would call it) champagny. The millions of dollars lost by us in the vain effort to naturalize foreign grapes here are not spent in vain, since it has taught our aspiring coun- trymen to look for their wine from native sources. A new era in the history of wine has now opened upon us ; we can grow Catawba grapes on millions of square miles, but we cannot grow a single European grape ! The frauds which make false cham- pagne wine will be unnecessary ; our Catawbas will be so abun- dant that honest men as well as rogues will have good wine. Prof. Mapes, who proposed the root crop for discussion, being unavoidably absent on business of importance, the club continue that subject to the next meeting. Root crops, their culture and uses. The club adjourned. H. MEIGS, Secretary. American Institute, ) Farmers' Club, July 15, 1851. ^ Judge Van Wyck in the Chair, H. Meigs Secretary The Chairman said that, before entering on the regular subject of the day, he wished to state a few facts as respects the kind of farming which he witnessed lately, on a visit made to an old neighbor and friend of his, in New Jersey. He is a real working No. 129.1 321 fanner — does miicli of his work himself — is almost constantly with or near those whom he occasionally employs to assist him — his farm is in excellent oi-der, and ever has been — it lies about four miles southwest of Newark — as fine grain, wheat, rye, In- dian ■corn and grass as I have ever seen growing anywhere — wheat, I should think, would produce from twenty-five to thirty bushels an acre. I speak within bounds — stem healthy, very plump and promising weight, hardly ripe. His rye he was cut- ting, and no man need swing a cradle through finer — thick and tall on the ground — some of the stems nearly or quite six feet — h^ads long and well stored with the best berry — this was easily proved by taking a bunch in the hand and feeling its weight. Or ass, of the same character, and principally timothy — some of this cut and made, and some standing — a few spears pulled more than five feet in length — heads of some twelve inches long, and which I here exhibit to the club He has fine orchards on his farm, and stands, at Newark, and elsewhere, high for the excel- lence of his cider in bottles or draught, and always commands the highest price. This season the trees do not look as healthy and promising for fruit as I have seea them — the apples, many of them, are shrivelled and gnarled, plainly showing assaults from that growing evil among us, insects, many leaves of the trees dead and dropping off. I saw indications of aphides, or plant lice, and some otlier insects^ still, there may be a tolerable crop. I brought one with me, and here present it, called the ox apple. When growing, healthy and ripe, it is of the largest class, and fine flavor, good for cooking, fair, smooth, outside. This is one of the largest I could get ; its surface, you see, is knotty and rough ; and on being cut open, insects were found in it. There is a beautiful vale running through a part of this farm ; its sides and bottom are level, ornamented with some of the most useful forest trees, rich in their foliage, and of the most graceful form; the ash, Vt'hite wood, elm, oak and hickory ; the sides and bottom also covered with the richest verdure. A small stream runs through it, fed, partly, by a copious spring in the vale, bursting out from the sides of the latter, and boiling up from tlie bottom in consid- erable volumes, and partly from the drain of the valley, as it passes into the interior above and forms a junction with the stream issuing from the spring, and a few yards below it. The gentle- [Assembly, No. 129.] 21 322 [Assembly mail has made a dam on the stream near his buildings, which makes a pond for watering his stock, and other purposes. There is deposited in this pond a rich sediment j he lets off the pond occasionally, to get this as manure for his farm. I saw the effects of it on some of his grass land, put on this season ; where the manure from the pond was spread, the grass was nearly or quite a third larger and stouter, every way, than that beside it where there was none. We took a ride to see a friend near New- ark, on the heights, in sight of it — a farmer; his farm was in similar order to the one described, in every way equal, and some might think superior — the grains and grasses full as goo^l. This gentleman's farm, and a few of his neighbors, have recently been invaded by an army of grasshoppers. They were making dread- ful ravages, especially in gardens ; grains and grass (that is hay) would not be so much injured, although they might some. Indi- an corn and the second growth of grass would probably be much injured. The potato tops and vines appeared to be eut to pieces. These gentlemen, neither of them, raised vegetables for the Newark market, or any other; that is, to make that their sole business; they farmed, in the main, as farmers do fifty or one hun- dred miles in the interior, for the grains, grasses, hay, dairy, &c., There was some open draining. They manured well, plowed deep and thorough, and tillage generally of the best kind; their soil is rather of the stiff order, perhaps a clay loam, sand enough probably, to make it mellow and penetrable. If there were un- derdraining, it w^as not gi^at, nor of the expensive kind, such as are made with tile and stone, and built tip like the walls of a cellar, costing from $15 to $20 per acre. They have prospered, under this prudent and judicious course, as all their neighbors know, and many other circumstances would show, if I chose to adduce them. Other systems of farming may be attended with as much success, and perhaps some more ; all I wish is, to state facts, and spread them before the great farming public. It must be admitted by all that the greatest economy and industry mvist be pursued in any and every system to succeed. Prof. Mapes, editor of the Working Farmer^ made the follow- ing remarks : The cultivation of roots as food for cattle is rapid- ly increasing. Both the economy and profit of root feeding is no No. 129.] 323 longer a question. Many of them may be raised as second crops in the same season with otliers, and are good preparations of the soil, taking from it such constituents as are not wanted for the earlier crops of the following season ; indeed, with the use of proper inorganic amendments to the soil, turnips, kaulirabas, and some other roots, are equally beneficial with a bare fallow. In districts where salt meadow and coarse hay is fed to cattle, the use of roots is nearly indispensable, and for milch cows they are found to add materially to the quantity of milk, and if pro- perly fed, not to injure the quality. Thus either strap-leaved red top or ruta-baga turnips may be fed to cows immediately after milking without imparting any bad flavor to the milk, while carrots and parsnips may be fed at any time, and they not only improve the flavor, quality and quantity of the milk, but the for- mer will add to the color and flavor of the butter, rendering that made in winter fully equal to summer-made butter. For fatten- ing cattle, I would refer to the experiments of Mr. James Camp- bell, of Weston, published in my paper, by which it will be seen that the ox, when ready for the butcher, does not cost more than two-thirds the usual cost when fed without the use of roots. For horses carrots are highly valuable. They cure heaves in most cases, and when used in place of one-third the usual quantity of oats, they are found to equal them fully in value. Some writers have disputed this fact, because by analysis the carrot is not found to contain so much nutriment as the oat, but they have overlooked the fact that the carrot contains pectic acid, which has the peculiar property of gelatinizing the contents of the sto- mach of the horse, and thus facilitating digestion, so as to enable the animal to appropriate all the constituents of its food, instead of voiding many valuable constituents in an indigested state. When carrots are fed to horses with oats and hay, the dropjtings will be found to be homogeneous, instead of being mere masses of cut hay and the shells of oats. For sheep no food can equal turnips, and parsnips are well known to contain so much saccha- rine matter, that, either cooked or raw, they equal any other food for the use of cattle or hogs. The cultivation of sugar and other beets is daily increasing, and those who have used them most are loudest in their praise. The mangel wurtzel is also gaining in 324 [Assembly popularity, and on soil of an indifferent quality, Mr. Robert Rennie, of the Lodi Print works, New-Jersey, raised sixteen and a half tons to the acre last year. I will postpone any further general remarks, rather tlian detain the Club from the discussion of modes of cultivation of roots, kc. The Secretary presented the following, prepared by him : Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. March, 1851. On the cultivation of Mangel Wurtzel, a field beet, by Hugh Raynbird, steward to Melville Portall, M. P. Premium, five sovereigns. " I will now make a comparison between the turnip and man- gel wurtzel, and then describe the method of cultivation which has been practised with almost uniform success upon a farm where beet root formed about one-fourth of the root-crop. The two great properties which recommend the beet as a field crop, are, that it will succeed upon soil too heavy and retentive for the turnip; and that its earlier maturity, and the absolute necessity for its early removal from the soil, to be stored for use, render it a better preparation tlian the turnip upon those soils for the fol- lowing grain crop. Another recommendation is, that it improves by storing, and that it does nut come to its full perfection for feeding until late in the season. When turnips or swedes are either consumed or become unpalatable, and almost useless for fattening cattle, the beet root has arrived at its greatest perfec- tion, and it may then be used with great advantage, as well as safety, for fattening animals. Early in the season it seldom forms a large proportion of food. " Some of the most experienced graziers in the eastern coun- ties, use white turnip until Christmas, then Swedes until Febru- ry or March, keeping the mangel wurtzel in reserve for feeding in March, April, or May ; and indeed, we have ourselves fre- quently reserved mangel for beasts as late in the season as July. In the spring, our fatting sheep have mangel cut for them when feeding off clover and rye-grass, and the box-fed beasts have a supply in the same manner, in addition to grass, clover, or tares, which are daily brought to them from the field. No. 129.] 325 " We have never made any comparative trials as to the feeding merits of beets; but those already published at least prove it to be equal to swedes, and much superior to the common turnip, and if we may judge from personal experience of its use, and from daily observation, we should consider it inferior to the swede for early use, but that no other root will bear comparison with it for spring feeding ; and this is the opinion of a practical farmer, whose name I would give with pride and satisfaction if I were at liberty to do so, who has grown this root for nearly thirty years, both upon a stiff clay loam and upon gravelly and sandy soils, and with as much success as any farmer in the neighborhood. From what has been said it will be seen that I do not conceive that beet (however valuable it is,) will ever supersede the turnip, or any other root generally grown ; but that it possesses many qualities which will render its more extended cultivation a val- uable boon to the farmer who holds land that is favorable to its growth, whether upon the adhesive loams and alluvial soils of the East of England or those of other districts, and even as far North as the far-famed Carse of Gowrie. We cannot doubt that the growth of the beet will extend to a much greater degree than any other root yet brought into notice. Its recent introduction — scarcely half a century — will justify this opinion. The varieties of beet worthy of attention for cattle feeding are the long red, the long yellow, the red globe, and the white sugar beet. It is thought the globe are most ap- plicable to light soils. The land for beet requires an earlier, though not widely different preparation, from the land for turnips. It is sufficient that the land is clean and well pulverized • and upon all soils, but more particularly those of an adhesive nature it is essential that this preparation should be made in autumn^ and that upon stiff soils more dependence should be placed upon the frosts and rains of winter for a finely pulverized seed-bed than upon any spring cultivation. Upon free working soils, of course this is of comparatively trifling consequence ; therefore, upon stiff soils we would recommend the land to be well worked in the autumn, as early as possible after the removal of the grain crop, and that farm-yard manure should then be ploughed in and 326 [Assembly the land allowed to remain without further tillage until the time of drilling th • seed in April or May, when a tine or two of the grubber and harrows may be of strvice in loosening and levelling the surface soil. Upon all tolerably free-worliing suils we would adojit the ridge or common drill system of growing turnips, ap- plying a good dressing of farm-yard dung, and from one to two hundred pounds weight of guano or superphosphate of lime, sown broadcast previously to splitting the drills upon the dung. Upon land prepared in this way, in April or May, we drill about four pounds weight of seed, which is covered in .rather deeper than turnips, by having a light roller to follow the drill. The future cultivation by horse and hand hoeing does not dilfer much from the turnip, though more attention is required in singling the plants ; and upon rich soils, when the roots may reasonably be expected of a large size, the young plants must of course be singled out at proportionally wider intervals. A deficient plant may be filled up with transplanted cabbages or swedes, or if this be thought too expensive, the less costly, though less advisable plan may be adopted of drilling the ridges over again fur swedes or common turnips. In October or early in November, previously to the frost setting in, (which will injure the roots very much,) the crop will be ready to store, and dry weather must be chosen for the work. Considerable attention is required to secure the crop in first rate condition. With us the three or h ur days of beet harvest is deerai d of equal importance as the busiest time of corn-harvest, and it is a season of equal activity. Five or six men or women are employed in pulling the roots, twistii;g off the leaves, and laying each in small heaps for filling into carts, to be removed to the storing heap, which is generally conveniently placed fi)r the homestead. The roots are stacked in a ridgelike heap, having a base of about five feet. This is fiist covered with a good coating of straw, and then with a layer of soil. In this manner the roots are kept from the frost and keep sound through- out the winter. In the spring the heap requires looking to, as violent heating, consequent on the vegetation of the young shoots, may come on, and be succeeded by a rapid decay of the roots; but nothing but common attention in removing the soil from the heaps is required to prevent this; and in many instances, when No. 129.] 327 the roots are stored perfectly dry and free from soil, even this care is unnecessary-'''' He concludes by a statement of the cost of cultivation, which it is not necessary to state, so great is the difference between their labor and ours. The crop he estimated at twenty tons per acre. P"rom the same.] Analysis of Soot. — Oae ton, of 2,240 pounds of it, contains in its natural state, lb. OS. Moisture, , , , , . ... 237 14 Organic matter, 1002 H Chloride of ammonia, (sal ammoniac) 20 14^ Sulphate of ammonia, 80 3 Chloride of sodium, (common salt,) 5 2| Chloride of potassium, 11 4^ Oxides of iron and alumina, 351 7^ Sulphate of lime (gypsum,), 237 9^ Phosphate of lime (bone earth) 11 13| Carbonate of lime, 25 4^- Lime (in a state of silicate) 51 4|- M igne.via do 8 11^ Soluble silica (combined with lime and mag- nesia,) 89 141 Insoluble silicious matter (chiefly sand.) 93 2h 2,236 11 [Acalcmie dea i-'ciences, TftriB.] Preservation of Milk. — M. Martin de Lignac has been the first to do this well practically. He lives in a district abounding in milk of the finest quality, and there has esiablished a man- ufactory to prepare milk for the navy. He has a patent. A large sheet copper pan, placed within a larger one containing water. In the bottom of this outer pan is coiled a tube, pierced with a great number of small holes. This tube communicates with a steam boiler, the steam from which heats the water. ■When the water is at the boiling point, fresh pure milk is poured in, so as to cover the bottom about the third of an inch deep ; a 328 [Assembly small portion of powdered white sugar, 75 grammes (about tw© ounces) to a quart ; stir continually with a wooden spatula. The evaporation is continued for two hours. When the milk is reduced to one-sixth its original amount,, and is about as viscid as honey, then the steam is shut off and the thickened milk stir- red violently for four or five minutes ; after this, it is transferred to a copper, heated up to boiling water ; and lastly is put into cylindrical tin boxes, the covers of which are fastened down by a strip of lead, which surrounds them. The boxes are then left in repose for twenty-four hours, and then the slip of lead is sol- dered down, to seal them hermetically. They are then placed in an apparatus in which they are subjected to a boiling tempera- ture for ten minute:? or a quarter of an hour. It is now com- plete. To use it, heat it with five or six times its bulk of water^ and it resembles milk of the first quality in all respects. Extract by H. Meigs. Dr. Antisell : The sugar beet of France is relatively small, but contains more sugar; another sort has none at all, and the latter yield great crops. Sugar cane gives 17 per cent of sugar, the beet 7. The sugar beet of France has destroyed the importa- tion of the foreign cane sugar. The manufacture of beet sugar was tried in Ireland. Commerce contrived to get from govern- ment a duty on it of fourteen shillings per 100 lbs. This stop- ped the beet sugar ; but recently that duty has been taken off by government, a million of pounds sterling have been invested in beet-sugar making in Ireland. Professor Mapes remarked that during the continuance of that duty, Mr. Guppy made a syrup out of the beets which was sold as British honey, not liable to duty. Mr. Meigs wished the club, at its next meeting, to be prepared with statistics showing for the last twenty-five years the state of the agriculture of the United States; in order to show how the good old method of farmers had, in thousands of farms, almost wholly sterilized them, and also what modern amendments in this matter have done to restore or add to the original richness of land. No. 129.] 329 The Statistics Jjpproved. — Mr. Meigs repeated what he had be- fore stated, that by a report to Parliament, in 1844 or 1845, it appeared that the entire agriculture of the year in Great Britain was worth three thousand millions of dollars, of which the tur- nip amounted to nearly one half. So much for one root! Judge Van "Wyck : They cannot raise our Indian corn, if they could they would find it superior feed to roots. Mr. Meigs : Carrots are equal, bushel for bushel, to corn or oats, and 800 bushels can be had off an acre, and at most, a hun- dred of corn, or fitty of oats. Prof Mapes : If England was compelled to exchange all her roots for crops of Indian corn it would bankrupt her As to car- rots, parsnips, &c., experiment has distinctly shown that in feed- ing for pork, the roots make it for four and a half cents a pound, and corn for twelve and a half cents a pound. Campbell, of New Jersey, has fully demonstrated this and so have I. The carrot fed to cows in winter along Avith other feed, makes rich yellow but- ter in winter, equal to summer Goshen. Grow ruta baga on the best old farming plan with the richest barn -yard manure, and try the super phosphate of lime, and you will find the crop dou- ble and of far better quality, and more durable to keep. In feed- ing cows with roots we should avoid giving them near the time of milking. The taste and smell of the milk is not afiected if the roots are fed to the cow some time before milking. The carrot aids the digestion of the horse so as to make his dung homoge- neous— digests everything. Corn, (Indian) although cracked, commonly enough is, much of it, passed undigested, and other an- ima-lsf^ed upon it. To sick animals I give carrots two days and they get well. American Instittte, ? Farmers^ Club, Jhig. 5, 1851. ) Judge Van Wyck in the Chair, H. Meigs, Secretary. T. Selleck, of 51 Liberty street, New- York, produced speci- mens of Patent Zinc Paints, manufactured by the New-Jersey Mining and Exploring Company. These paints are made at New- ark, New- Jersey, of the zinc mineral of Sussex county. The dark 830 [Assembly colored paints are made by grinding the raw ore of tlie zinc to fine powder. The pure white is formed by heating the ore suffi- ciently to sublime the zinc ; this impalpable flour is caught in large sacks of cotton muslin. This beautiful article is about from sixty to eiglity per cent, of the ore in weight. Any colors may be ground with it in oil. This flour of zinc is entirely pure from all grit. The paint, when dry, retains a polished surface like porcelain. The flour has no smell, is free from all those delete- rious matters which render white lead so dangerous to painters and others exposed to the fumes of the lead. The unbounded extent of these mines and the richness of the ore will soon render it impossible to produce white lead in competition with it, on ac- count of its far greater cheapness as well as its other good quali- ties. As far as trials have been made, it stands all weathers far better than white lead. Many painters who have used it, have already abandoned, chiefly, the use of white lead ; some wlioare largely employed prefer the zinc; this painter is crowded with ordejs for the zinc paint. The comparative qualities of white lead and zinc are properly as follows, viz : briefly, White lead is pernicious to health. Zinc white is perliectly harmless. White lead turns quickly yellow. Zinc white }reserv< s perfectly its original purity. White lead has an offensive smell. Ziac white has no odor. The workmen in white lead works are seeking employment in the zinc works, owing to the dangerous qualities of the white lead. It is said that the zinc paint has received the approbation of the French Academy, the snnitary councils of Paris, and of distin- guished painters and architects of Europe. It has bee i used for six or eight montlis in the cabin of the steamboat Erie, which plies between our city and Piermont — the Erie Railroad boat. It has been repeatedly washed and exposed to the causes in the cabi 1, heat, sm>ke, &c. ; it is fjr any one to visit and examine that Si)ecimen and he will see that it is worth all that has been said of it. The boat is at the foot of Duaiie street. This paint No. 129.] 331 is now used extensively by our ocean steamers and others. There is nothing equal to it for painting iron and preserving it from rust J roofs of metal, wire fences, shutters, &c. The Secretary read a letter from the Hon. Reverdy Johnson. This letter was in answer to mine, asking if this admirable result of science applied to farming was truly stated in the newspaper, Evening Post of Philadelphia, of July 5th, last. The letter of the Secretary to Mr. Johnson, and his reply : [From tho Philadelphia Saturday Eyening Post, July 5, 1851.] Food for Plants. — A specimen of a soil of good appearance was given to Sir Humphrey Davy, from Lincolnshire, England, as re- markable for sterility. On analyzing it he fuund sulphate of iron. He recommended a top-dressing of lime ; and the sulphate of iron was forthwith converted into the sulphate of lime ; a nox- ious i^ubstance was at once changed into an object of fertility. It was the boast of Franklin that he stripped lightning of its perils and chained the thunderbolt. Chemistry does more. Poisons are changed by its alchemy into the means of subsistence. The Hon. Reverdy Jolmson purchased, in 1849, a small farm near Baltimore, in the last stage of impoverishment. Such was its reduced condition that the last crop of corn was not more than one peck to tlie acre. He states that all tlie vegetable matter growing on the two hundred acres of cleared land, including the brier, sassafras and other brushes, if carefully collected, would have been sufficient fur the manufacture of one four-horse wagon load of manure. He applied to Dr. David Stewart, of Ealtimore, an able chemist, who rode out to the farm and procured speci- mens of the soil, which he carefully analyzed. He found that it contained an abundance of lime, potash, magnesia, iron and or- ganic matter, duly mixed with alumina and sand. One element only of a fertile soil was wanting, piiosphoric acid; and of this there was no trace. He recom:nf:'nded an application to ihe soil of the biphosphate of lime, a preparation of bones, as t!ie best mode of supplying the deficient element. The remedy was given at the expense of ten dollars per acre. It was the one thinly needful. Health was restored to the exhausted patient, and the grateful soil yielded laat year twenty-nine bushels wiieat per 332 [Assembly acre to the proprietor. Nothing else was wanting. Here was a beautiful triumph of science. There was no doubt about the facts ; the experiment came under our observation. America JVew- York SRicAN Institute, ? 'c, July^ 29th, 1851. J My Dear Sir — I have seen in a newspaper a statement that you had recently purchased a sterile farm, and by amending its soil, by adding one inorganic constituent, which it had been deprived of by cropping, you had reaped some twenty bushels of wheat per acre where hardly any could be had before. This is so valuable an experiment that we cannot forbear re- questing from you a statement of it fjr our Farmers' Club, for ultimate publication in our Annual Report, published by the State, for 1851, which we will take great pleasure in sending to you, if acceptable. Your most obedient servant, H. MEIGS, Secretary of the Farmers^ Club. Hon. Reverdy Johnson. {Copy.) Baltimore, Slst July, 1851. My Dear Sir — I have this moment yours of the 29th. The experiment on my farm, to wjiich you refer, was fully stated in the American Farmer of this city, and I will with pleasure send you a copy as soon as I can get one from the editor. It will gratify me to receive a set of your Farmers' Club Reports, which you do me the honor to offer for my acceptance. With regard, your obedient servant, (Signed) REVERDY JOHNSON. H. Meigs, Esq., Secretary, ^r. Sfc, JVew-York. The Secretary read the following extracts : [From the London Farmers' Magazine, July, 1851.] Manures. — "As far back as 178-1, the ever inquiring and indefatigable Arthur Young was employed on a series of experiments on the comparative value of manures, in which No. 129] 333 nitric and sulphuric acids were included. In these curious ex- periments, even the salts of ammonia, charcoal, and other fertili- zers, which have too long been neglected. * * * * While I am at work on soils, the component parts of which I am ignor- ant of, for want of a laboratory, I am forced to form trials that take years to perform, in order to gain results that might be had in a day." The first experiments with dissolved bones were made in 1841, by Mr. Fleming, of Barrochau, who dissolved the bones in muri- atic acid, and applied them to moss oats. [From the Journal of Agriculture, Ac, Edinburgh, July, 1851.] Bone Manure. — First of all, bone dust was found to be an excellent fertilizer, and forthwith bone mills were erected, and the osseous gatherings of towns and country were poured into them, in order to eke out the refuse of the byre (cow shed.) Nay, wide Europe was ransacked for this new and potent agent of fertility; the fields of the Continent were robbed of their long buried stores to grow the grain of England. The scenes of un- forgotten strife, where the grass still grew rank and long, were opened for the sake of their hidden treasures, and a "valley of dry bones" would then have been prized like a golden mine. Leipsic, Waterloo, and far Borodino; Eylau, Lutzen, and Fried- land, and many other bloody fields of fight, were thus ransacked; and not seldom did our wondering millers lift from amid the bone heaps fragments of shivered swords and rusty breastplates. But even the hundred battle fields of Napoleon failed at length to yield an adequate supply. Bone mills began to stand idle, and yet the ground clamored loudly for more. Then comes the guano, and that becoming scarce, search is every where made for something else. Soon, a rich though limited mine of manure was discovered in -the beds of coprolites, which pass, like verdant zones, across many parts of England. The farmer's eye first rested reflectively on the superior luxuriance of these bands, and, with the eagerness of the gold seeker, he dug into their depths, to lay bare the cause. In those depths he found, strangely found, nodules, the fossil dung of enormous lizards or crocodiles, which, 334 fAsSEMELY in prijnevcl ages, had roamed over the south-eastern parts of our island. Analysis proved that those coprolites contained a much large?- quaniUy of phosphoric acid than the best bones. Tlie countless herds of cattle that overspread the Brazilian Pam- pas (plains) used to be slaughtered solely for the sake of their hides. Now, tiie best of the llesh and tallow are saved for use, and the remaining mass of dry flesh and bones is exported for manure. [From the Annales De La Societe Centiale, Paris, 1850.] Nursery Trees. — I have been long ago struck with a thing to which no one seems to have paid attention, and that is, upwards of one hundred years ago. nurseries of fruit trees were establish- ed at Vitry,at Paris, at Orleans, at Antwerp, at Rouen, &c. &c. All these nurseries have delivered for setting out, many mil- lions of pear trees every year, to be planted in France only. Now if all these pear trees had prospered, France is not large enough to contain them ; and still the nurseries sell every year millions of them. A pear grafted on a quince ought to last 30 or 40 years if properly taken care of j and those grafted on pear stocks, should last from CO to 100 years when planted in proper soil. So that there must be something about this matter not well understood — seeing how few pear trees are now to be found in France. I have them in London, large, fine and full of fruit j I never saw any thing like it in the environs of Paris. Translations by H. Meigs. [From the Annales De La Societe Ccntrale, Paris, 1850.] Knight, of England, an excellent author, in reference to horti- culture, says that almost all our pears are in an alarming state of degeneracy. Plant all seeds of apples and pears in their 7nash — they grow much more promptly. Van Mons sent me 84 kinds pears. As I tasted them I laid their seeds seperately ; let them dry on paper without washing them. In the next Spring I planted them in suitable pots, (60 kinds of seeds) and kept them from frost — not a seed grew that No. 129.] 335 year. In the fall I put all the pots side by side out of doors, and exposed to all the rigor of winter. In the following spring, all the seeds germinated and have been set out in the gardens of the Society. See how I explain this. When you take a seed out of the fruit it is all covered with a viscous fluid, and as I did not wash the seed, this viscous matter concreted on them, forming an en- velope strong enough to resist the developement of the germ for a year. A gardener of Loisson tells me that the same thing happened to him in seed planting. Statistics of U. S. Agriculture, from 1826 to 1851. — As the value of Agriculture when compared with the other business of men, has greatly risen in the estimation of the civilized world within the last ten years. Governments, and the wisest men in all countries give new encouragement, by honors and by rewards. In 1810, there had been commenced, on the exhausted land of the South, by a very few intelligent citizens, among whom John Taylor of Carolina — Virginia shines bright. He restored large fields to fertility, and hundreds of acres which had refused to give a bushel of wheat, gave twenty and more. The view on each side of the roads, from North to South, twen- ty years ago, was melancholy indeed. A desert made by man's own hands, the garden of Eden smitten with man's disobedience to the great original mandate to till the garden and keep it. Like the army worm and the locust, they alighted upon a rich field to lay it waste — and as they became unable to live on it, removed to new lands but to recommence their ravages upon its natural riches. Nor was all tliis tlie only evil. Disease kept pace with the moves. Few, if any, remained long enough to en- joy the health resulting from long clearing — much less the beau- ty and profit of long continued, good cultivation. But all this darkness of that period begins to disappear. The Profession 336 [Assembly heretofore confined within the walls of Colleges fi"ora the most ancient days, now find profit and fame in carrying their Science into the fields — and men of wealth open their purses and give out tlieir sovereigns or their dollars, to reward the farmer for his good deeds, and yet more, associate with him. No longer treating him like a boor, but as a citizen of distinguished im- portance. It is true that the opinions of farmers having been derived from their ancestors, generation after generation, and they but little used to free intercourse with men — rarely traveling beyond their own country — are exceedingly deep rooted, like their own oaks, they resist all changes. While all other works of man have changed, while the low narrow cottage has changed to a beautiful farm dwelling, while the barn has enlarged to t!ie size of a church, A'here the farming is good, still tlie mass live on and wear away the soil and life, in the midst of ignorant, careless, slovenly existence. Reform! reform! — the outcry of modern nations for change of government or religion — had better be for universal emancipation of the glorious land given to us by the Lord our God, from the piteous abuses to which human ignorance and vice have hereto- fore doomed so mucli of it. About forty years ago, among other -wise men, John Taylor of Virginia, a distinguished member of the United States Senate, and Governor of the State, made use of the following language in his '■^ Aratoi ^ the jjloughman," a duodecimo book of his. The Senator was a practical farmer on a large scale, and restor- ed fertility to a large body of land worn out by bad management. He begins his little book by quoting an Englishman. Mr. Strickland, an Englishman, reputed to be sensible and honest, published at London, in the year 1801, a pamphlet upon the agriculture of the United States, being the result of his own observations during a considerable period spent in traveling through the country, for the special purpose of investigating it. No. 129.] 337 The judgment of this impartial stranger appears in the following quotations : Page 26, "Land in America affords little pleasure or profit, and appears in a progress of affording less." Page 31 , " Virginia is in a rapid decline." Page 38, "Land in New- York, formerly producing twenty bushels of wheat to the acre, now produces only ten." Page 41, "Little profit can be found in the present mode of agriculture of this country, and I apprehend it to be a fact that it affords a hare subsistence." Page 45, " Virginia is the southern limit of my inquiries, because agriculture had there already arrived to its lowest state of degradation." Page 49, "The land owners in this State are, with a few exceptions, in low circumstances; the inferior rank of them, wretched in the ex- treme." Page 52, " Decline has pervaded all the States." Upon reading the opinion of this disinterested foreigner, my impressions were indignation, alarm, conviction; inspired suc- cessively by a love of country, fear for its welfare, and a recol- lection of facts. The terrible fact that the strongest cord which vibrates on the heart of man, cannot tie our people to the natal spot, that they view it with horror and flee from it to new elimes with joy, and lead to an ultimate recoil from this exhausted re- source to an exhausted country. A patient must know that he is sick, before he will take physic. One fact apparent to the most superficial observer is, that our land has diminished in fertility. It is the object of agriculture, as an art, not to impoverish, but to increase its natural fertility. Its object being to furnish man with articles of the first necessity, whatever defeats that object is a crime of the first magnitude! Had men the power to obscure or brighten the light of the sun, by obscuring it they would imitate the morality of diminishing the fertility of the earth. Is not one as criminal as the other? Had the products of agriculture kept pace with the increase of population for the last sixty or seventy years past, (that is, since about 1750,) the native agricultural exports of the United States, [Assembly, No. 129.] 22 338 [Assembly instead of being as they now are, about seventeen million of dollars, would have been one hundred and twenty million of dollars. Let us boldly face the fact : Our country has drawn out of the earth three-fourths of the vegetable matter it contained within reach of the plough. If we suck our mother to death we must die ourselves. Though she is reduced to a skeleton, let us not despair J she is indulgent, and if we return to the duties revealed by the consecjuences of their inlraction, to be prescribed by God, and demonstrated by the same consequences to comport with our interest, she will yet yield us milk. We must restore to the earth its vegetable matter before it can restore to us bountiful crops. Forbear, oh, forbear, matricide ! not for futurity, not for Ood's sake, but for your own sake. The labor necessary to kill the remnant of life in your hands will suffice to revive them, and give plenty and happiness. Deep Ploughing. — It is at enmity with shallow ploughing, be- cause it admits atmospherical manure into the earth by water and air to it; it accords with deep ploughing because it enables the earth to absorb more atmospherical manure through the two great vehicles, air and water, and because it buries deeper the ma- nure deposited on the earth, inhaling thus more and exhaling less. Pumpkins, by means of shading the earth with their leaves, are good for the land. G urney ism — Meigs . Same subject continued — Statistics of Agriculture. The Club then adjourned. H. MEIGS, Secretary No. 129.] 339 American Institute, Farmers' Club, Aug. 19, 1851. J. T. Walden, Esq., in the Chair, H. Meigs, Secretary. The Secretary read the following translations and extracts, prepared by him : Taylor on Draining Forty Years Jgo. — The Campagnia, and some other flat and marshy districts of Italy, are recorded in history as having been made so delightful in the flourishing period of the Koman Empire, by draining, as to have been selected by the opu- lent for country retirement, and for splendid palaces. The drains neglected by the barbarous conquerors of Italy, have never been re-established by its modern inhabitants ; and the swamps and the marshes have restored to these districts an uninhabitable at- mosphere, by having their waters, their trees, their verdure re- stored to them. • As new countries are cleared and ploughed, health improves. I long since concluded that we should resort to every species of draining, and having removed some years past to a farm, reported to be extremely liable to bilious fevers, I threw several small streams into deep ditches ; dried a wet road leading to the house, by open and covered drains, and I drained and cleared some acres of springy swamp, closely covered with swamp- wood, lying four or five hundred yards, south of the house. The multitude of springs in this swamp, made deep central and double lateral ditches entering into it, every six yards, necessary throughout the ground. The labor was great, but the wet thicket is now a clean, dry meadow. Perhaps an attachment to a theory may have caused me to imagine that the improvcDient in the healthiness of my family, and the draining improvements have kept pace with each other ; but I am under no delusion in asserting that the healthiness of no part of the world, (according to the tables of mortality which I have seen,) has equalled it. And the swamps, bogs and marshes constitute one of our best resources for recover- ing the exhausted high lands, as furnishing employment for labor and funds for manure. If the bounties of draining include an improvement in salubrity, in subsistence, in profit of exhaust- ed lands, they ought to excite an ardor which will presently leave 340 [Assembly behind the few and plain remarks which I shall make upon the subject, or at least to awaken great districts of country, to the facts that their best lands, those capable of yielding the most profit, if not those capable of yielding any or much profit; lands able to support more people than those at present under culture, lie wholly useless — except it be to kill people who are employed in killing land I and thus shelter the survivors, in some measure, against the evils of penury. The senator might have added to his list of the benefits of draining, one fact of a most consoliug kind for the cost and labor of the work, and that is, the delightful reflection that when the good work is accomplished, it is done, and the blessing is fixed for ages. [From the London Quarterly Review, April, 1851.] We are pleased to see in this distinguished work'the subject of poultry, the first article, extending to eighteen pages of double columns. The American Institute was the first institution offer- ing premiums for improved poultry, as it was likewise for the best spading. The Quarterly heads the article, ^^ Poultry Lite- ratureP " Every body knows that there is a fashionable world, a literary world, a sporting world, and a scientific world; but every body does not know that there is a poultry world, with its jealousies,, excitements, preeminences, and interests, just like any other world, which revolves cycle on epi-cycle, orb on orb, in the midst of the great universal w^orld itself. Not a few renowned naturalists have disdained in toto the scru- tiny of domesticated animals. We Cockney purchasers of poultry at Leadenhall market are made easy prey. Poultry and plagiarism seem to be bound together by some mysterious relationship or mesmeric aflinity. Nor is this alliance at all a recent one. The Romans were as bad as the French and English. For instance, Varro, lib. III., chap. XX., tells us how No. 129.] 341 an expert goosemaster would proceed in choosing his breeding geese. The parallel instruction in Columella is at lib. VIII. , chap. XIV., where we find just enough of amplification and alter- ation of phrase to deprive the latter scribe of all chance of the beautiful supposition that he had made a quotation and forgot to acknowledge it. But in these passages we have double classical authority for the two important facts — that the domestic goose will not sit on any eggs except those she herself has laid, and that the gosling must be cautiously tui-ned out to pasture, lest he break his neck by tugging indiscreetly at the tough herbage. A fact of a different class to be gathered from them is, that geese, two thousand years back, were exactly what they are hodie (to-day.) Some parti-colored, supposed to be mitigated from the wild sort, and others white, which t/mi, as 7ww, were held in highest esteem as breeders. As to the origin of our various breeds of domestic fowls, for they are no longer found wild, any more than the camel is. With the pedigree of domestic turkeys and Guinea fowl we are well acquainted. Most, though not all, naturalists agree that the domestic goose is the direct progeny of the grey lag ; and farm-yard ducks, according to the nearly universal creed, are nothing but tame mallards. Walter B. Dickson, in his Poultry book of 1838, patronizes Sonnerat's cocks^and hens as the Adam and Eve of all fowls. " This species," he says, " which is three feet four inches in length, inhabits the great forests of India, continue to reproduce there, and is clearly distinct from the domestic races reared by the Hindoos (that is quite true,) as these resemble, in all respects, the other tame breeds in every quarter of the globe." Mr. Sonnerat, however, thought very differently. There is no evidence of a greater number of kinds of domesti- cated animals now in the world than have been from the earliest period of history. It is taken for granted that every domesticated bird and ani- mal must have passed through the wild state — have been primi- tively shy, intractable, and unattachable, and been made docile. 342 [Assembly domestic, and confiding by the cares and wisdom of man. [They were all created some time before man. Vide Genesis — H. Meigs.] The proposition assumes that the Almighty Creator could not, or would not, make a tame animal. We, in these latter days, can make neither the shy bustard nor the gentle guan available in our poultry yards. We cannot harness the zebra, tempting as is his pattern, to our Lord Mayor's coach — nor induce the jackal to point and set, so as to become Gumming Gordon's, instead of Zao's provider. Bnt these har- rassed, toiling, wayworn patriarchs could train for us the horse, the dog, the fowl. Mr. Sundevall says the Bengal jungle fowl is, beyond all ques- tion, the exclusive aboriginal stock from which the whole of our domestic varieties of common poultry have descended. Sundevall is quite wrong in stating that any Hindoos ever breed fowls ; the mere touch of one, or of an egg, is pollution even to the lowest caste of them. Aldovandrus devotes some fifty pages of his large folio to poul- try. He becomes eloquent when he handles the tisus in cibo — their uses on the dinner table. " By this, almost alone, are we aided on the sudden arrival of friends or guests. To this we ought to refer the chief elegancies of our table, whether it be sumptuous, moderate, or sparing." Galen says, that if the cocks are yet tender, namely, cockrels, their flesh is to be enumerated among the fleshes which afford the middle quality as to making lean and fat ; for it is easily digested ; it generates laudable blood; it conciliates aflection ; it agrees with every kind of tempera- ment, especially if the birds are moderately fat, a?id have not ytt crowed. The ancients loved fat hens. Pliny says that the Fat Hen Law of C. Fannius was passed eleven years before the third Punic war, but a mode of evasion was found out. That law for- bade serving at table more than one single hen, and that not fat- ted. The Gauls thought the rumps of fowls were military meat, and called their veteran soldiers uropagiorum voratores — rump devourers. No. 129.] 343 [From the London Qnarterly Reriew of July, 1851.] On Gardening. — "We are pleased to see this subject selected as the first one of this number of that distinguished work. It is another evidence of the growing importance of it. We therefore extract the following : The Poet Cowley said, " I never had any other feeling so strong and so like to covetousness, as that one which I have had always, that I might be master at least of a small house and a large gar- den, with very moderate conveniences joined to them, and there dedicate the remainder of my life only to the culture of them and study of nature. How many hundred thousand times in each of the nearly two hundred years since this epistle to John Evelyn, Esq., was written, has the same ardeat longing been breathed by lips that pant to inhale the fresh breeze of the coun- try, instead of the smoke-laden air of the town ! Give me hut a garden ! is the aspiration sighed forth in cities and in solitudes. by children and their grandsires." I. P. Tupper says, " If sensation be imputed to plants, it may with propriety be asked, wliether they are furnished with organs similar to those which are the the seat of sensation in animals 1 Perhaps this would not be easiiy proved by ocular demonstra- tion ; nor, indeed, is it necessary that the sentient organs of vege- tables should have the same structure, seeing that all those other parts which thej are allowed to possess in common with animals, sensibly differ in their form and character." Dr. Darwin, in his Phytologia, remarks, that vegetables re- semble animals in having absorbent, umbilical, placental, and pulmonary vessels, arteries, glands, organs of reproduction, with muscles, nerves, and brains, or common sensorium — nay, he adds, " It is not impossible, if Spallanzani should continue his experiments, that some beautiful productions might be generated between the vegetable and animal kingdoms, like the eastern fable of the rose and the nightingale. '''' At the present epoch, the horticultural societies and the great nurserymen have their active agents surveying the world from 344 [Assembly China to Peru, the amateur gardener can hardly get on with satisfaction to himself, especially among his tlowers, without ac- quiring some knowledge of botanical arrangement, and, there- fore, at this point of our discourse, let us give the beginner a caution not to be persuaded into the belief that the Linnsean sys- tem is altogether obsolete and good for nothing. Some complaint is made against the system adopted by Dr. Lindley in his vegetable kingdom. Evelyn helps to mark the introduction of several of our cultivated vegetables. Of Arti- chaux, he tells us, (Acetari:) 'Tis not very long since this noble thistle came first into Italy, improved to this magnitude by cult- ure, and so rare in England that they were commonly sold for crowns apiece; but what Carthage spent in them, as Pliny com- putes the sum, amounted to sestertia sena millia, or thirty thou- sand pounds sterling. Note. — That of the Spanish Cardon, a wild and smaller artichoke with sharp pointed leaves and lesser head, the stalks being blanched and tender, are served up a la poiverade — that is, with oil, pepper, &c., as th'e French term is. Of Pompey's beloved dish, so highly celebrated by old Cato, he says : " 'Tis scarce an hundred years since we first had cabba- ges out of Holland. Sir Anthony Ashley, of Wiburg, St. Giles, in Dorsetshire, (ancestor of the Earl of Shaftesbury,) being as I am told, the first who planted them in England. Of the melon he bids us note that this fruit w^as very rarely cultivated in Eng- land, so as to bring it to maturity, till Sir George Gardner came out of Spain, I myself remembering when an ordinary melon would have been sold for five or six shillings, (^1.50.) Spinach was " by original a Spaniard." Zarragon also, and the cauli- flower (anciently unknown,) from Aleppo. Asparagus was a favorite vegetable with Cato. Onions are incrutable. Others are quite modern upstarts. Sea kale is one of these, and a true Britisli dish it is. Mr. Curtis, in his " Directions for cultivating the Crambe Mariiima or Sea kale, (in 1799,) tells us : " Mr. William Jones, of Chelsea, saw bundles of it in a culti- vated state, exposed for sale in Chichester Market in the year 1753. I learn from difi'erent persons that attempts have been made at various times to introduce it into the London markets, hut ineffectually. No. 129.] 345 Rhubarb affords the latest instance of the intrusion and estab- lishment of strange herbage in our kitchen gardens. Cuthill in his practical instruction for t]:e cultivation of the potato, &c., 1850, says, "That Mr. Joseph Myatt, of Deptford, a most benevolent man, now upwards of seventy years of age, was the first to cultivate Rhubarb on a large scale. It is now nearly forty years since he sent his two sons to the Borough market "with five bu7ichesj of which t/iey could sell only three! The next time they took ten bunches, all of which were sold. Mr. Myatt now thought it would become a favorite, and determined to in- crease its cultivation. He was indebted for his first dozen roots to Mr. Oldcare, gardener to Sir Joseph Banks. They consisted of a kind imported from Russia, firm and much earlier than the puny variety cultivated by the Brentwood growers, for Covent Garden. Mr. Myatt had to contend against many prejudices, but time, that universal leveller, overcame and broke down every barrier, and rhubarb is no longer called ^^ physic." If ever our admirable palace of glass becomes a showy, steamy, suffocating Jardin d'Hiver, (winter garden) it will be a capital thing for the apothecaries ; such a vigorous crop of colds, coughs and consumptions will be raised there, that it will be the walk if not the dance of death to frequent it. The subject of gardening occupies the first sixteen and a half pages of the July number of this Quarterly. Beirut, Syria, July 16, 1851. My dear Sir, — I take the liberty of writing you, to inquire concerning a matter in which I have taken some interest since my residence in this country, and which I desire to take hold of in my own ; and that is the culture of silk. It is produced in large quantities in this part of the world, and I have studied the subject with a good deal of interest. My present object in writ- ing is to ascertain whether there are any good places on Long Island, or in New-Jersey, or on Staten Island, or in Westchester county, to be had, which are suited to this business. I should 346 [Assembly like to hire a farm or place of from 50 to 100 acres of good land, from next spring, with the privilege of purchasing at a future day at a given price. I am inclined to think New-Jersey is well suited to the cultivation of the mulberry, as the soil is rather dry, and it is milder there. But your judgment will be superior to mine, and by consulting your friends who understand the matter, you may be able to give me some desirable information. I do not wish to go far from New-York, nor be far removed from the facilities of getting there in one or two hours, by railway or steamer, the nearer the city the better. I have noticed the arti- cles in the Parmer and Mechanic^ some old numbers of which I have here, on this subject, and the reports of the meeting of the Farmer's Club. If Mr. Van Epps is still in Nfew-York he may know of some good place, or Mr. Meigs. I should like your views in regard to a suitable place. I in- tend to take out some broussa seed and such as is used here, and some trees, if I find a vessel going at the right season. You may hear of a place with the mulberry trees already upon it, or know of some party who has the trees to sell. I may go out to the United States this full, if so, will call at the Institute. I con- sider m}St:if a member of it, as I was many years ago appointed corresponding member at Glasgow. An uncle of mine, Juniug Smith, Esq., you know, I presume. I have had the honor to represent my country here as Consul for some time, but think I shall return to the United States next spring, wifh my family, to grow silk, and I shall esteem it a great favor if you will aid me in procuring the information I desire; and I beg you to command my services here, if they can be useful to you or the Institute. I am, dear sir, yours truly, J. HosFORD Smith. P. S. — On reflection, I have decided to trouble Mr. Meigs, as I have the pleasure of knowing him, though he may not remember me, and I beg he will allow me to reciprocate in any way agree- able to him. I should like a place that has been fairly cultiva- ted, and has some fruit upon it. I intend to cultivate also the grape to a moderate extent, the catawba, and may also try some No. 129.] 347 fine varieties from this country, though I have little faith in their success in the United States, though they are natives of Mount Lebanon. I notice a farm of 120 acres in Westchester county, advertised by A. & J. Sargeant, 1 5 Wall-street, and several in New Jersey and on Long Island. Pardon me the trouble I give, and believe me, dear sir, very truly yours, J. H. S. Hon. Eeverdy Johnson's Experiment in Agricultural Chem- istry.— In the last report of the Farmer's Club, this distinguish- ed experiment was mentioned, and fully acknowledged by Mr. Johnson as exactly correct. About thirteen months ago Mr. Johnson acquired the farm on which the experiment was made ; 300 acres about two and a half miles from Baltimore, (west ;) 200 acres cleared, originally good, but utterly impoverished by a long course of bad husbandry. The soil contains a very large proportion of iron. So complete was its exhaustion, that when I first saw it, all the vegetable matter growing upon the two hundred acres of cleared land, fin- eluding the briars, sassafras, and other bushes,) carefully collec- ted, would have been insufficient for the manufacture of one farm-house load of barn-yard manure. The field selected for the experiment contains ten acres, embracing the slope of two hills, and a small valley intersecting it diagonally. It was at that time in corn, and did not produce one peck of corn to the acre, although it had been cultivated in the usual manner and with ordinary care, and the season had not been below the average of seven years. I procured the services of Doctor David Stewart, of Baltimore,^ so justly distinguished for his scientific attainments. He visited the farm, selected samples of the soil, and minutely and carefully analyzed them. He found nothing wanting but phosphoric acid, . which there was not a trace of. He prescribed a composition, which was made up by those skilful gentlemen, Messrs. Kettle- well & Davison, of Baltimore. The corn was then cut up at the ground and removed. The field was ploughed, harrowed, and laid off into sixteen and a half foot lands. The preparation was 348 I Assembly then scattered regularly over it, costing all told, ten dollars per acre. One and a quarter bushels of Mediterranean wheat was sown to the acre, about the first of November, and harrowed in. JVo barn-yard, or other manure wasused. The yield was more than twenty-nine bushels per acre, although the crop was badly har- vested, and the field not subsequently raked. Doctor Stewart states, " the reason for using the bi-phosphate of lime on a soil will be seen by the following careful analysis of that soil. In my note book I made the following comment on the occasion of my visit to the farm. Sample of soil from the farm of the Hon. Reverdy Johnson yielding about half a peck of corn per acre : Sand and bases insoluble, 71 20 Lime, ' . . . 00 30 Magnesia, 00 40 Manganese, 00 10 Potash, 00 23 Water and organic matter, 10 07 Phosphoric acid, no appreciable trace, 00 00 Iron and alumina, 17 70 100 00 I recommended to be added to this soil the purest preparation of phosphoric acid that we can adapt to agricultural purposes. The result has proved, that bones dissolved in oil of vitriol— in other words, bi-phosphate of lime reduced to powder, with slaked ashes, supplies the defect. It is demonstrated, that bones, lime, plaster and salt, are only relatively good, and that even the best guano must fail, if applied to soils that require some other substance, that the experience of the m.ost intelligent and best farmer in the State, with regard to the comparative value of bones and lime, is worthless, except he can also prove that all farms are composed of the same propor- tion of lime, phosphoric acid, &c. But the prejudice against these doctrines is so strong, that personal abuse is frequently ful- No. 129. 1 349 minated against those who deny tke universal application of any means.) or the value to the public of any multitude of experi- ments, except the composition of the soil upon which the various ex- periments were tried, is also given. David Stewart, M. D., J^o. 11 JV. Eidaw-street, Baltimore. The Secretary then read the following extracts and transla- tions made by him : [From La Normandie Agrioole. PreBented by A. Vattemare.] TEA. The journals lately announce that a gardener had found means to make tea grow in the environs of Paris and of Antwerp j and they say that the infusion, taste, and aroma of this tea are in no respects inferior to the tea of China. The only objection is, that when the leaves are dry, they exhale a perfume not so agreeable. This is believed to be attributable to the bad preparation of the leaves. The culture of tea in France is neither new nor astonishing. The tea plant was imported by Linnseus, in 1763. It grows in latitudes where the cold is from six to seven degrees (i. e. about 16 or 17 of Fahrenheit,) and often remains some time buried in snow. Therefore, it is not the temperature, but the climate, which is opposed to its cultivation profitably in France. At various periods attempts have been made here to graw it. The plants grew well, and supported the rigorous winters with- out suffering. Eut, whatever the reasons of it may be, the leaves proved to be of an inferior quality to those of the East Indies. Whether the art of preparing them is unknown, or whether the product costs too much care and money, the tea cul- ture has nowhere been persevered in. The first essays at its culture were made in the year 1765, in Paris and in Corsica, and prospered for 25 years, when, without any known motive, it was renounced. Since that other essays have been made in divers places in France, at different periods, but with the exception of Corsica, it had no success. The vege- tation of the plant was beautiful during the first year, and some- times the second, but the quality of the leaves always degenera- 350 [Assembly teci,and whea dried tkej lost their aroma, yielding but a very middling kind of tea. Up to the year 1831 its cultivation had been attempted, but the result was always the same — poor tea. We find tliat the efi:brts of the British East India Company to grow tea in their Indies is a failure comparatively. [La Normaadie Agricole.] Dietetic Properties of the Carrot. — In all countries where agriculture is in an advanced state, the carrot en- ters into the feeding of cattle and other farm stock for many mouths in the year, and it is a refreshing and wholesome nourish- ment. The German Doctor Haubner considers it, besides, as an excellent preservative from prolonged dry coughs and the stran- gles and other catarrhal maladies, as well as the heaves, and all affections of the breast. The carrot is also, in his opinion, salu- tary agrinst worms in the intestines, is good to restore lost ap- petite and for bad digestion. Preservation of Food. — Experiments have been made of the ejffect of great pressure for preservation. By means of the hy- draulic press, bread has been made as hard as stone, and kept good for a long time. Bread pressed from four inehes to one, was in perfect preservation at the end of a year, and on being soaked in warm water resumed its natural size. Potatoes also kept well as long a time. This process is deemed important both for keeping and greatly reduced stowage. Farther experiments are to be made. Salt as a Manure. — No one in our country has yet made any extensive experiments on the uses of salt as an amendment of the soil. The use of salt in agriculture is of the highest anti- quity. The Chinese and the East Indians employed it to enrich their farms and gardens. Pliny states that the Assyrians of old put salt around the roots of their palm trees. Among moderns, the English have, above all others, studied its agricultural uses. Salt used as an amendment of the soil when added to animal dung hastens its solution and renders it more fit to furnish to plants the elements of strength and growth. No. 129.] 351 Experiments prove that the action of plaster is augmented by the addition of a certain quantity of salt. Many results of the experiments with salt are given. Gourmands testify to the excellent quality of the mutton fed on salt meadow. Salt is essential to the health of cattle, &c. [From the Journal of Agriculture.] The Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. March, 851. Flax Culture. — We have been sedulously laboring to extend the culture of the flax plant to those poor and remote localities, as the four or five millions (twenty- five millions of dollars,) of pounds sterling, now annually paid to foreigners for the material, if distributed at home, would, by creating feelings of self-re- liance among the people, tend to show them that the natural re- sources of the country are amply sufl3.cient, if fully developed, to support her population. From the sowing of the seed to the finishing of the woven fabric, all the operations of this branch of industry are performed at home, affording employment alike to ths farmer, the agricultural laborer, and the artisan : creating an intelligent and enterprising middle class of manufacturers, the want of which is much felt in other districts of Ireland ; and by the export of the products, contributing to the employ- ment of our mercantile navy, and affording an item of exchange for the productions of foreign countries. The Belfast Flax Improvement Society say, " Flax should not be grown on potato ground, but on stubble, which should be ploughed deep in November and let lie over till spring, then second ploughed, harrowed and prepared fine and clean, and the seed (which should be Riga, when attainable,) sown either in the last week in March or the first week in April." 352 [ASSMABLT [Annales de la Societe Central d'HorticuUure de Franco, 1850. Parii.] At the session of the Society, on the 6th of June, 1850, Under the direction of M. Ebelman, the master of the national manufacture of porcelain at Sevres, two young artists attached to that establishment made experiments before the Society of a new process, to be a substitute for the common way of moulding. It consists in pouring the liquid porcelain matter (called bar- botine,) into moulds made of plaster which absorbs water with great avidity. The porcelain paste which remains fixed to the sides of the plaster mould, is afterwards easily detached. In this way they mould medallions and sheets for painting. By this means thej obtain very thin cups by pouring liquid porcelain in paste into plaster moulds of suitable shape. They have suc- ceeded in overcoming a mueh greater diflBculty — that of ad- ding handles to the cups, of the most delicate kind, and every species of ornament. These handles are hollow. They are cast in halves, and then united. The barbotine first flows very clear and liquid, in order to penetrate and perfe«tly fill up all the details of the ornament ; afterwards they pour in two other beds, thicker than the first. The operation, made under the eyes of the Society, lasted about a quarter of an hour. They soldered the handles with porcelain paste,' after having wetted with gum water the points of contact in the cups and the handles. The Society witnessed these operations with great interest, and de- sired the president to express to Mr. Ebelman their warmest thanks. Chairman. — Thinks the difficulty here is the want of cheap labor. Judge Van Wyck. — The same, doubtless, as to soil. Mr. Youman. — Even if the Chinese should come here they will find higher priced labor. Judge Van Wyck. — Brazil has succeeded to some extent for many years. Mr. Youman asked whether the Apatite of Jersey or Lake Champlaiu is yet much in the market. No. 129.] 353 Mr. Selleck. — A railroad is contemplated to the Jersey mine. He proposed the Apatite as the next subject. Carried. Judge Van Wyck. — The falling off of much of our land owing to bad management, is not so universal as some suppose. The Patent Oifice reports show a great increase of amount every year, or terms of years. Can there be, then, so great a degeneracy in farming and soils, on the whole 1 Wheat pays poorer than any other article that is cultivated by the farmer — his fruit, his grass, dairy, Indian corn, &c. He cannot make money by it, and therefore turns his attention to other things, such as those last enumerated. I wish to enlarge on this point at the next meeting. Adjourned to the first Tuesday in September next. H. Meigs, Secretary. American Institute, ) Parmer^s Cluh, Sept.2,\Sbl.l Ira B. Underbill, of New-Jersey, in the chair, H. Meigs, Sec- retary. About thirty members present from Connecticut, New-Jersey, and this State. The Secretary read the following extracts from the Edinburgh Review, of July, 1851. Extracts : " Modern Chemistry — its progress, &c. — Among the modern sciences which in their nature and progress partake most of the character of the advancing material civilization of the nineteenth century, chemistry holds the first rank. Of tliat advancing civi- lization it may even be said to form a main part or element. " One of its special duties is to discover hidden and unknown properties and uses in things — to lay open the unsuspected riches of kingdoms. No branch of positive knowledge can boast a his- tory so full of interest and romance as this, or one which pre- sents a more tempting field for a literary excursion, either to a (Assembly, No. 129.] 23 854 [Assembly isriter or a reader. Not only has the range of pure chemistry, aa a whole, become so vast that scarcely any one mind can grasp it, ♦ or, in a fair measure, master its details ; while by way of sim- ^plification, separate divisions have successively been made into mineral and organic, and the latter again into animal and vege- vtable chemistry ; but so many new arts have arisen from the • application of its principles to useful and ornamental purposes, Jthat it would fill a bookseller's catalogue to name only the latest published and best books which relate to all the separate or spe- ■cial branches. Five-and-twenty years ago, only three or four imen held open schools for teaching its most difficult departments. 'Now, at least thirty professors, scattered over the island, teach it "Systematically, and at least as many more instructed chemists ob- ^in a living by superintending or giving advice on its numerous applications. Of the rate at which the science is now making way, a popular notion may be formed from the contents of a CJerman book, the " Handworterhuch der reitien und Andgewandten Chemie,''^ is a dictionary of pure and applied chemistry, which l)egan to be issued a few years ago. It has now reached the let- ter K, nevertheless, to bring up its accumulated arrears, a sup- plement of 440 pages has been issued. For ages particular streams were famed for their efficacy in steeping flax, and enjoyed the reputation for centuries. But a new mode was devised by Schenck, owing to a chemical discovery. This invention shortened the process of steeping to a few hours. Anotlier chemical process here steps in, tears still further in pieces the single hollow fibres of the flax, and produces a mate- rial which resembles cotton in appearance, can be spun with the same machinery, and according to the discoverer, M. Claus- «sen, may, in all probability be brought into the market at a price low enough to compete successfully with natural cotton. « Among the substances which are contained in and are necessa- ry to the composition and usefulness of the bread of man, is one to which chemists give the name of phosphate of lime. This ma- terial the growing corn extracts from the soil. Without its pre- fience in sufficient abundance in the earth through which its roots spread, tlie plant flourishes poorly, the ear is ill-fitted, and No. n^.] 855 the produce of grain scanty. The bones of animals contain this phosphate of lime, and it has for half a century been customary to apply them in a crushed or broken form to the soil to fit it for the healthy growth of luxuriant crops of corn. But chemistry established the fact that certain stones and rocky masses which occur in various parts of the earth, contain the same phosphate of lime. It has recently, therefore advised the grower of grain to take advantage of these mineral masses. And now, after pre- vious preparation, by a simple chemical process, they ale exten- sively employed to impart fertility to the soil. The proportions constituting the phosphate of lime are 23 lime added to 28 of phosphoric acid. In the account of the temptation of our Sav- ior, the tempter said, " If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." It is done. It is a matter of great gratification that this subject now occu- pies journals of such distinguished rank as the Edinburgh and London Reviews. H. Meigs, Secretary. Maj. Farrington was introduced by Prof. Mapes, and said: — Mr. Chairman — In describing the mine of phosphate of lime, located in Morris county, New Jersey, I shall not long detain you in giving a geographical description. It will be sufficient to state that it is in Jefferson township near the head of Erookland Pond, and that boats navigating the Morris canal, can load within a few hundred yards of the mine. Its geological position is in- teresting, as it appears to be an intrusive mass or vein cutting, through primitive formations. Sienite lies each side of it, and is the prevailing rock of the district. Its course is from N. E. to S. W., having a dip to the southeast. The phosphate of lime is associated with magnetic pyrites. The vein of lime is over four feet in width and widens as it descends. The shaft has not been sunk more than 30 feet. This mine and the mining rights, covering an area of several thousand acres around it, are the property of an incorporated company who are making arrange- ments to work or mine the phosphate on an extensive scale. The supply, hoAvever, will be limited until time is expended in sinking larger and deeper shafts. Not more than one thousand tons per month can be mined at one shaft, working night and day. 356 [Assembly As it may be an object with this society to know the price it will be afforded in this market, I will state tliat the directors consider that the price sold at here should he the same as it will bring in Europe, less the cost of transportation. They have orders at present at |25 per ton, delivered in Liverpool. It has been found a valuable substitute for bone dust for other purpo- ses than fertilizing soils, and will be used extensively for cupel- ling purposes. The article at $25 per ton is about equivalent to bone dust at 36 cents per bushel, and is less bulky, besides con- taining from 4 to 7 per cent, of fluate of lime, an active agent in fertilizing silicious soils, not found in bones. The chemical composition of this substance has so often been given by chemists, that any repetition of my own experiments are unnecessary, and professional agriculturists have so often explained its fertilizing properties that theorizing at this time might be considered out of place. But, with your permission, I will state a few facts in relation to its application that I have ob- served this season, and that liave come to my knowledge from reliable sources of information. First. — Upon a light sandy soil planted with maize or Indian corn about the first of May, the seed having been soaked in a so- lution of nitrate of potassa twenty-four hours previous to plant- ing, alternate rows received in each hill about a table spoonful of prepared phosphate, two weeks ago the appearances indicated a double or treble crop. Where the phosphate was used, the stalks were larger, the ears more numerous and better filled. Second. — Another field of corn, soil considered a lean one, was crossed by four rows each way through the centre, with a dress- ing. In July, these rows were easily distinguished from tlie rest of the field, by their deep green color, and standing higher than the rest. Third. — A field of oats had a dressing of about a hundred pounds per acre on a part of it. Wlien harvested, the weight of straw and grain was apparently doubled by such application. The grain has not been threshed, but the difference was too great to doubt the efficiency of the application. I have also witness- No. 129.] 357 ed the benefits conferred upon timothy and clover fields, by a large increase. Maj. Farrington observed that he had formed the opinion that twenty-five dollars would be the price per ton delivered in Liv- erpool. Another valuable use can be made of this material — that for cupels for refining the precious metals. These have hereto- fore been made of bone-earth. Cups of it containing alloys or mixtures of silver and lead separate the silver from the lead. I have examined the mine at Crown Point— Prof. Emmons' discov- ery— and the effect of the phosphate on vegetation. I saw one tomato plant with all its fruit upon it w^eigning one hundred pounds, which was manured with that phosphate. Prof. Norton of Yale College speaks highly of this material. By proper exer- tion I believe iYidX fifty thousand tons of it can be brought to mar- ket within the next year. Prof. Mapes. — I have experimented with it on a small scale ; that from Crown Point and that of Jersey. All are aware that previous to the use of bone in England the turnips were but in- different, both in quality and quantity ; now the crops are great and of fine quality. This phosphate (or as formed by the English Chemists, within the last twenty years, into a superphosphate of lime) is composed of three of lime to one of phosphoric acid, and is nearly indestructible by fire, therefore it is so admirably suited for cupellation. Bone in soil is slowly acted^upon by plants and their roots, and the bone will remain a long time before it is con- sumed. The mineral phosphate by treatment with sulphuric acid is ready for immediate'^service to plants. The sulphate of lime is also useful to vegetation. We see clearly how w^e have used up the phosj^hate in^our country. We once had 35 bushels of wheat per acre in Ohio, and 30 in New- York. Now it is 15 in Ohio, and 12i in New-York. It has gone from us in grain andin the bones of the cattle brought to our sea-board. While by sci- entific management, the wheat of England has been brought up from 14. bushels the acre, as higli (iu some cases) as fifty bushels per acre. Every fox that has come to the sea-board from our western country, has^brouglit away with^him one hundred pounds of that indispensible[|phosphate in his^bones. For feeding sheep, " 358 |AsSEMBLT it has been decided that one bushel of turnips grown with bone, is worth two bushels grown with best barn-yard manure. Mr. Delafield'S experiments have satisfied me of it. In the Jersey mine, there is some iron pyrites andjsome^feld spar, the latter of which supplies potash. Even in the State of Massachusetts, (ac- cording to the report of the Hon . Mr. Wilder,) the crop of wheat had fallen off sixty thousand bushels last year, as compared with 10 years since, notwithstanding an increase of about one-third the number of acres planted, and a corresponding increase in the number of operators. Plants prefer the super phosphate to tlie^phosphate, as they more readily take it up. The soil holds fast the manure, there is no leading it downward, unless you place it in pure sand. The price of this article must not be so high^as thirty-six cents per bushel. In Cincinnati, bone is far cheaper than that — not- withstanding the high price, a farmer will find it for his interest to pay a dollar, or even "a dollar and thirty-six cents a bushel for it, rather than not have it in all his compost heaps. Hundreds of hogsheads of the burned^bone"used in sugar refining have gone to enrich the soil. That bone has been burned over and over, and there is no gelatine in it but that is easily obtained from the glue factories to be added to the burned bone dust. Mr. Scofield, of Morristown, N. J., has^experimented with bone, and has raised 1,400 bushels of Ruta Baga turnips on one acre, and that too of superior quality, at a cost of not exceeding twenty-five dollars an acre. The manure was equal in point of real value to one hundred and fifty loads of ham-yard manure^ so far as the phosphates are concerned. Clover, treated withMt,^has presented an enormous mass of vegetation, almost a solid mass. Judge Van Wyck. — Phosphate of lime is certainly a veryjra- portant ingredient in soils. A|portion"of it is necessary in^all soils, for the healthful growth of all plants, and especially grasses and grains, upon which most animals live. Essential as it is for the vigorous growth and perfect maturing of plants, otlier mineral ingredients are also necessary, and a number of others. To spread phospliate of lime upon an acre of ground in an unrea- sonable quantity, because perhaps it may be the most essential, No. 129.] 359 will not benefit the soil or plants an atom after going beyond a fair proportion, but, on the contrary, might be a positive injury, if done to the exclusion of other essential ingredients. Some or- ganic or vegetable and animal manures to mix with the iuorganift or mineral, especially if the soil is a lean one, are highly impor- tant for an abundant produce. It is pleasing to have the infor- mation confirmed to-day, which this club received some timeaga^, phosphate of lime, in any quantity and rich in quality, was to be- obtained in two localities — one in the north part of this State, and? the other in New-Jersey, and both convenient to water commu- nication. It is of a mineral origin, and the mines, it has beerif^ stated, can be easily worked and the article got to market so as to be offered at a fair price — this last is undoubtedly essential to a liberal use of it. I do not believe there is such an impoverish- ment in soils in our country and such a falling off in their pro- ducts, as many people suppose. In certain States or sections of these, it is much more considerable than in others. Take th© whole nation, or two or three individual States, and examine th© reports of the patent office at Wasliington — the most reliable source of information on the subject — and it will be found that the nation at large has gone on increasing rapidly in its products* from year to year, or for terms of years, for perhaps fifty yearSj. up to the present. Take 1839, about the first period when regu- lar statistics were kept at this office of the regular agricultural': products of the nation, one or two items will here be given as-ai sample of the whole: Wheat, in 1839— 8458-33,272 bushels; Iil- dian Corn— 377,531,875. In 1848, Wheat— 126,364,600 ; Indiaru Corn— 588,150,000. Take two or three individual States, ancH those about which most has been said as regards this impoverish* ment of soil and decline of its produce. New- York, in 1847, 14|, million of bushels of wheat ; in 184S, 15^ million. Indian corn in 1847, 16 million bushels; in 1848, llh million. Massachu- setts, in 1847, wheat, 256,000; 1848, 260,000; Indian corn, ic 1847, 3,410,000; in 1848, 3,860,000. Ohio, 1847, wheat, 16,- 800,000 ; 1848, 20,000,000; Indian corn, 1847, 66,000,000 ; 1848, 70,000,000, Here is an increase up to the latest time we have returns, (for I have seen none later,) from the patent office, greater, considerably, in the new state of Ohio, than in the old states of New-York and Massachusetts ; this was to have been ex= 860 [Assembly pected. Ohio has been embraced in this estimate, as she is one of the states said to be on the decline in soil and products. Mas- sachusetts never was a great state for wheat, from her earliest settlement ; always excellent for corn and grass. When we speak of the nation, or a particular state, we mean the whole of either. In sections of Massachusetts good wheat, no doubt, has always been raised, and may be now with proper tillage ; but these sec- tions are small compared with the whole state, and the soil much better constituted by nature for wheat than the state at large. This happens every where, in most states and nations. Massa- chusetts has run much wpon manufactures, for the last twenty- five or thirty years. She has drawm off' a large proportion of her population into these, as being more profitable and less laborious than agriculture. If such is the fact, and w^e are inclined to be- lieve it is, they will continue to employ their capital and labor in manufacturing establishments, as long as this state of things exists. No matter what may be said or done about the amelio- ration of soils, so as to cause an increased production, capital and labor will run in favor of that branch of industry by which the most money can be made, and in the easiest way. Farmers often change the raising of bread stuffs or particular kinds of it ; some will not raise wheat at all, no matter how well their land will produce it, because it will not pay, or pays poorer than any thing else ; and this is the case now, and has been for several years. Many buy tlieir wheat flour. If they must have it, they say it is cheaper for them to do this, than to raise it to the exclusion of ether things more profitable. Indian corn, oats, fruits, grazing, or the grasses, the dairy, breeding and fattening cattle, &c., these branches suit the soils of the Eastern States best, and they have been run upon much of late in this and other states south and west of us. Massachusetts consumed in 1847, 2,294,000 bushels of wheat more than she produced, corn 840,000 more. It is the interest of Massachusetts to supply this deficiency by buying of such of her sister states as will sell them to her cheapest and best, and pay for them in manufactures or the profits of these. If this were not the case, so large a portion of her population and capi- tal would not be engaged in manufacturing establishments. Her Indian corn is not so largely deficient as her wheat, and by well No. 129.] 361 directed efforts this deficiency might not only be met, but leave a considerable surplus, her soil being better fitted for corn. New- York and some other states, if they have fallen ofi" in wheat as largely a«? some pretend, it is not owing so much to the impov- erishment of their soils as their people's turning their attention to other branches of agriculture, as paying better than wheat, such a breadth of surface has not been planted with it. In the patent office reports, the number of acres are not put dowm, that I could find, it is only the amount or quantity of each state in the various agricultural products of the nation. Prof. Mapes. — Mr. Van Wyck, forgets that these statistics of the patent office do not give us the product per acre. Allen, of Buffalo, stated, and he was responded to by Delafield and the committee of the State Society on crops, that the New- York yield of wheat per acre, on an average, was now but twelve bushels and a half. The Professor introduced a number of gentlemen, delegates to the fair of the Horticultural Society of New-Jersey, 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th of September instant, who invited members of the Club and Institute to be present, at Jersey City. Mr. Platt, of Brooklyn. — Gentlemen : — Having solicited the appointment of a committee on your part to visit our model Apiary, now in operation in Brooklyn, and having presented to you some specimens of honey made there, you wall allow me to state some of the objects of Mr. Gilmore's invention, and the ad- vantages claimed by him in the management of bees. The object of his invention is the better and more successful employment of the industrious habits of the honey bee. This is efiected, as in all other industrial enterprises, hj multiplying the hands, giving them a full supply of the raw material, and so ar- ranging the fixtures that the whole force of the operators may be directed and applied in the most economical manner, as it re- gards time and labor. It is evident to all that a saving of time is as important to the bee as to man. A bee that is not compelled to fly away to procure food and materials can do (other things being equal) much more in a day than a bee that has to range 363 [Assembly several miles in search of materials, and be subject besides to the casualties incident to the jouiney back and forth. The time spent by tlie one on the road is etfectually employed by the other in storing up honey manufactured from the raw material supplied at tlie hive. You will ask how all this is done. The first thing necessary will be to prepare a house or room, say eight or ten feet wide and of any length required, in which the hives are to be arranged by placing as many as you wish on two shelves, one above the other, in such a manner as to unite them all perpendicularly and horizontally, thus enabling the bees to form one great and powerful community — to work together in perfect harmony, and thus to secure themselves from the attacks of robbing bees, and successfully to contend with their greatest enemy, the miller, at the same time doing away with the well known difficulties and objections to the principle of natural swarming in the open air. In speaking of this subject, Dr. Scudmore, in his treatise upon bees, sa>s: There is no certainty as to the time when the expected rising of natural swarms will take place, by reason of several causes, some of which may prevent it altogether, and the inconvenience to which the proprietors are liable who do not form artificial swarms are consequently many: 1st. They are obliged to watch the departure of swarms very assiduously for six v,ecks, and sometimes much longer. What- ever attention may be given by persons entrusted with this care, many swarms fly away which it is impossible to arrest. Proba- bly one-fourth of the best swarms are lost in tliis manner. 2d. He who has a small number of hives is obliged to watch them with the same assiduity as if he had more, and he who has a greater number is often much embarrassed, because it is no unusual thing to see several swarms go off at the same time. Some escape on the one side and some on the other, or unite themselves together. 3d. A cold and rainy time, which may happen at the moment when swarms are disposed to come forth, often prevents the No. 129. J 363 bees from swarming ', and further, swarms may issue at times when one wishes to be otherwise engaged ; and, on the other hand, although the proprietor may be present, his swarms may settle in places where it is difficult to hive them. Now, it is easy to imagine, and still worse to experience, some of these dif- ficulties. By the arrangement of the hives on Gilmore's plan, all guch difficulties and objections are avoided. The increase of the bees, which is very great, passing from the mother hive into new hives, by uniting them with the main body as before mentioned. A principal feature of this mode of keeping bees is, that an unusually large number are attached to each hive, and, conse- quently, they are obliged to work in the adjoining boxes and jars j whereas, in the case of natural swarming, very often too many go away at once, and consequently leave but few or none to work in the boxes attached. The beauty, as well as utility of this invention, render the care of bees a pleasure and a profit, not only to the professed apiarist, but also to farmers and mechanics, and particularly to gentlemen of leisure, who may have a con- venient spot on which to erect a bower of bees on this plan. The specimens of honey exhibited to you were made at our establish- ment, now in operation at Brooklyn, in which we have seventy-five hives and about one hundred and fifty ordinary swarms. Th& bees are stall-fed, the material costing three and-a-half cents per pound when prepared for use. We would state tliat, by thus feeding them, any sweet fllavor and any desired color may be im- parted to the honey. The longest box of honey exhibited to you weighs thirty-one pounds, and was made in twenty days by one hive. We have another box from the same hive weio-liing thirty-five pounds, made in thirty days — this one hive yielding, in fifty days, sixty- six pounds of the purest and best of honey. This kind of honey is made in jars, or boxes, or tumblers, attached to each hive, after the hive proper has been filled with honey. As to the profits of feeding, our experiment at Brooklyn, although made under dis- advantageous circumstances, is highly eatisfactory. In conse- 364 [Assembly quence of unavoidable delays in the erection of the apiary build- ing, the bees did not commence fairly their work before the first of June. The result, as nearly as can be ascertained, is as fol- lows : Honey in sections, allowing only one section to be taken away from each hive, viz.: one-third of the hive, 2,485 pounds, at sixteen cents per pound, |377 60 Two hundred boxes and jars at $1 . 50 each, 300 00 Increase of bees, 225 00 $902 60 Expense of feeding, 300 00 $602 60 And yet this is made, as we have said, under very disadvan- tageous circumstances. Thus, gentlemen, you have some idea of the advantages claimed by Mr. Gilmore in his bee arrangements. We hesitate not to say that the improvements about to be generally introduced in the management of bees is as far in advance of the old mode as rail- road traveling is beyond the old style of stage-coach conveyance. We trust that the investigations of your committee will show that we are justified in this expression of our opinion. The lioney presented by Messrs. Edwards & Piatt, and that by Roswell L. Colt, of Paterson, by the hands of Mr. Frick, his gardener, were tried. Almost an equal division of opinion pre- vailed as to the several qualities. Both were excellent. The wholesale method of yielding a large crop of honey, of a perfectly uniform quality, by the Edwards & Piatt method is admired, promising as it does to produce a popular supply of that delicious article. The wheat and dark oat sent to the Club by John N. Rose, Esq., of Crooked Lake, are remarkably fine. The oats yield 75 bushels per acre. The subject of the mines of phosphate of lime ordered for con- tinuation. The Club then adjourned. H. MEIGS, Secretary. No. 129.1 ^^^ American Institute, Farmers^ Club, Sept. IQth, 1851, Col. Lewis Morris, of Charleston, S. C, in the Chair, Henry Meigs, Secretary. The Secretary read the following papers prepared by him, re- marking the great advancement in chemical science, applied to useful purposes in the agricultural and other arts. Instance the recent fact of Dr. Stewart of Baltimore, prescribing ten dol- lars worth of phosphoric acid to the worn out land of the Hon. Reverdy Johnson — land which had refused to bear a bushel of corn an acre, although tilled as well as usual and in an ordinary season — by Dr. Stewart's dose, bore upwards of twenty-nine •bushels of wheat an acre, the very next year, without any other manure whatever. This phosphoric acid being obtained by dissol- ving bones in diluted sulphuric acid, and then mixing with leached ashes for the purpose cf sowing it broadcast. And, again, when the world feels the want of this bone-earth far and wide, Che- mists discover it in mines ! CHEMISTRY. It is from 1803 that the researches of Berzelius link themselves with all the main steps in the progress of the Chemistry of the present century. The era of modern chemistry may be said to have dawned when the oxygen of Lavoisier began to get the better of the phlogiston of Stahl, and the balance to be recognized as an indispensible instrument of research. It fairly commenced when the discoveries of Volta and Galvani not only made men acquainted with a new power w'liich evidently influenced the chemical relation of bodies, but put into the hands of the experi- menter a new and most effective instrument of investigation. In the successful hands of Davy this instrument soon after led to the most felicitous results. In 1803 Berzelius published a paper on the decomposition of saline compounds by galvanism. Five years later, Davy, by the same agent, decomposed the alkalies; and while the world was ringing with this latter discovery, " I succeeded," says the Swed- ish Philosopher, "in going a step farther, and by the aid of quicksilver, decomposed the alkaline earths and ammonia, of 866 [Assembly which I informed Davy, who acknowledged, in his reply, that this reduction was previously unknown to him. Thus within twenty years were two revolutions made in chemical knowledga and theory, and each by the use of a new tool. The balance es- tablished the views of Lavoiser ; the galvanic battery wrought the discoveries of Davy. These discoveries were the foundation of the electro-chemical theory, and became intimately connected with what is called the atomic theory, or the doctrine of definite, equivalent^and^multiple proportions. The study of the mutual and relative influences and re-actions of atoms or molecules, insensible^in size and acting at insensible distances. [From the Edinburgh Review, July, 1851.] MODERN CHEMISTRY. "Among familiar examples of slow poisoning is the disease known as the painter's colic. It is produced in lead mines and lead works by inhaling lead dust, and elsewhere, not unfrequent- ly, by drinking-water impregnated with lead. The metal being introduced into the system in a soluble form makes its way every- where among the tissues, and lays the foundation of chronic and frequently returning pains. But diluted sulphuric acid, or sul- phureted waters, like those of Harrowgate, render lead insoluble in water, whether in the body or out of it, and are therefore prescribed as common remedies for the painter's colic. Observa- tion, meanwhile, has shown that these remedies, though they assuage or remove the symptoms of the disease, stili leave the lead which caused it diffused in an inert state through the body, ready, when favorable conditions arise, again to act injuriously on the bodily health. It is only the other day that M. Melsens, of Brussels, perfected this subdivision of chemical physiology, and gave us the means both of detecting the lurking presence of the metal in the system, and entirely expelling it as a cause of disease. A substance, known in chemistry and pharmacy by the name of iodide of potassium, is capable of decomposing the insoluble compounds of lead, and of bringing the metal into a new condi- tion, in which it readily dissolves in water. If a person be poisoned with lead his system struggles to throw it off; the metal No. 129.] 8G7 makes its way through his kidneys, and can be detected in his urine. Cure him by sulphuric acid, or sulphuretted water, and with the pain the lead disappears from his urine, but remains in the system. Give him now a dose of iodide of potassium, and the pains of poisoning return, and lead re-appears in his water. A large dose will prostrate him with colic, but small doses, at frequent intervals will gradually wash away the metal without any sensible suffering. So mercury, after long protracted salivation, lingers likewise long in the system, but the same chemical compound (iodide of potassium) washes it effectually out. The precious color ultramarine, is now produced perfect and abundantly, by chemical processes, from the refuse of certain chemical manufactures. Chemistry analyzed ultramarine, and found its components abundant, and equal to that always hither- to obtained from the lapis lazuli at a great expense. Thus we find constant advancement in the practical benefits of chemistry applied to the greatest of arts — agriculture, to almost all works of art, and to great improvements in medicine. BEE. This wonderful little animal has always fixed the admiration of the most observing and philosophic men in every age. Aris- totle, who was well acquainted with much of the interesting history of the bee, (about 2,200 years ago,) was the first to observe that a bee, during each single excursion from the hive, limits her visits to one species of flower. Modern naturalists have confirmed the general accuracy of this statement, and noticed that the pollen with which a bee comes home laden is always of the same color. The necessity of this instinct arises out of the operation which the pollen first undergoes when collected by the bee. She rakes it out with incredible quickness, by means of the first pair of legs ; then passes it to the middle pair, which transfer it to the hind legs, by which it is wrought up into little pellets. Now, if the pollen was taken indiscriuiinately from different flowers, it is probable that the grains, being heteroge- neous, would not cohere so effectually. Certain it is, that bees 368 [Assembly enter the hive, some with yellow pellets, others with orange, pink, white, or even green colored ones ; but they are never ob- served to be parti-colored. • Through this instinct another important end is gained, in rela- tion to the impregnation of flowers ; the production of hybrid plants by the application of the pollen of one species to the stigma of another is avoided, while those flowers are more effectually fertilized, which require the aid of insects for that purpose. When a pollen laden bee arrives at the hive, she generally walk or stands upon the comb, beating her wings, and three or four of her fellow citizens assist in lightening her of her load; or the laden bee puts her two hiud legs into a cell, and with the intermediate pair, or the extremity of the abdomen, brushes off the pellets. These are then kneaded into a paste, at the bottom of the cell, and several cells are thus filled with tlie packed and softened pollen, which is called bee bread. Besides the honey and farina, bees also collect a peculiar sub- stance like gum-resin, which was called "propolis" by Pliny j and this they obtain principally from the balsamic buds of the horse-chesnut, birch and poplar, especially the Populus halsam- ifera. The propolis is soft, red, and will pull out in a thread, and is aromatic. It is employed in the hive, not only in finish- ing the comb, but also in stopping up every chink or orifice by which cold, wet, or any enemy can enter. Like the pellets of pollen, it is carried on the posterior tibiae, but the masses are lenticular. The bees may be readily detected feeding the young maggot, which opens its lateral jaws to receive tlie bee-bread, and swal- lows it. The queen lays six thousand eggs a month, according to Huber. The formation of the wax is a very singular and complex operation. Huber says : " The wax-makers, having taken a due portion of honey or sugar, from either of which wax can be ela- borated, suspend themselves to each other, the claws of the fore legs of the lowermost being attached to those of the hind pair of No. 129.] 369 the uppermost, and form themselves into a cluster, the exterior layer of which looks like a kind of curtain. Tliis cluster con- sists of a series of festoons, or garlands, which cross each other in all directions, and in which most of the bees turn their backs upon the observer. The curtain has no other motion than what it receives from the intt rior layers, the fluctuations of which are communicated to it. All this time the nurse bees preserve their wonted activity, and pursue their usual employments. The wax makers remain immovable for about twenty-four hours, during which period the formation of was takes place, and thin laminse (plates) of this material may bo generally perceived under the abdomen. One of these bees is now seen to detach itself from one of the central garlands of the cluster, to make a way amongst its companions to the middle of the vault or top of the hive, and, by turning itself round, to form a kind of void in which it can move itself /reely. It then suspends itself to the centre of the space which it has cleared, the diameter of which is about an inch. It next seizes one of the laminss of wax with a pincer formed by the posterior metatarsus (instep) and tibia, and drawing it from beneath the abdominal segment, one of the ante- rior legs takes it with the claws and carries it to the mouth. " The wax has, perhaps, the nearest analogy to the sebaceous (fatty) secretion of the integument than to any other animal secretion. It is formed beneath the scales on the under side of the aMomen, and when accumulated there seems to irritate the part, for the bee may then be observed wagging her abdomen and running round to and fro, as if endeavoring to shake out the little scales; and she is generally followed by one or two other bees, which have been attracted by her movements, and are ready to seize upon the plates of wax as they fall. How they mould the scales into the walls of their cells is not yet exactly understood. Some have supposed that they bite pieces off and join them together, but the smooth and uniform surface of the cell shows that other operations must take place ; besides, the wall of the cell is sometimes thicker than a scale of wax. We must, therefore, suppose that the bees have the power of apply- ing some dissolving or softening menstruum to the wax scales, by which they are enabled to knead and blend them into a doctile paste: [Assembly, No. 129.] 24 370 [Assembly Huber says that the bee holds the lamiua of wax with its claws vertically — the tongue rolled up serving for a support — and by elevating or depressing it at will, causes the whole of its cir- cumference to be exposed to the action of the mandible, so that the margin is soon gnawed into pieces, which drop, as they are detached, into the double cavity, bordered with hairs of the man- dibles. The^e fragments, pressed by others nearly separated, fall OB one side of the mouth, and issue from it in the form of a very Barrow riband. They are then presented to the tongue, which impre-gnates them with a frothy liquor. During this operation, the tongue assumes all sorts of forms : sometimes it is flattened like a spatula ; then like a trowel, which applies itself to the ri- band of wax ; at other times it resembles a pencil terminating in a point. After having moistened the whole of the riband, the tongue pushes it so as to make it re-enter the mandibles, but in an opposite directionj where it is worked up anew. The liquor, Mixed with the wax, communicates to it a whiteness and opacity which it had not before, and doubtless gives it that tenacity which it possesses in its perfect state. Bees have large and complex organs of sight, and always take the shortest road to their object. The bee does not take honey indiscriminately from every flower. In the meadows they are chiefly seen upon the orchidese, poly- gonia,caryophylacea, but seldom, if ever, upon the raniinculacea;, perhaps on account of some poisonous matter in the latter. The oleander, which yields poisonous honey fatal to thousands of flies, is carefully avoided by bees; and the crown imperial, the white nectaries of which are so conspicuous, tempts, but in vain, the passing bee. The finest flavored and most delicate honey is collected from aromatic plants. Those flowers which have a nectar not hurtful to bees, but poisonous to man, are sometimes visited by bees. The description by Xenophon of the intoxicating or maddening honey which so violently affected a number of the ten thousand Greek soldiers in his celebrated retreat, has been confirmed by Tournefort and by Dr. Barton, who, in his account of the poison- ed honey collected from the Kalmia latifolia (so called from the traveller Kalm, who remarked it in North America. It is a beau- No. 129.] 371 tiful p]ant, flower of single petals, white or pink, and leaves ever- green, said to be deleterious) by the bees in Pennsylvania, justly observes, that there is more of poetry than philosophy in the fol- lowing lines of Pope : " ' In the nioe bee wtat sense bo subtly trae, Prom pokonous herbs extracts the healing d«w.'" Economy in the expenditure of wax is very important for the bee, on account of its costly manufacture. They accordingly construct their cells of the smallest quantity — giving the hexa- gonal, (six sides) form to it, because that form makes with the smallest material, the largest reservoir that can be made, and the most pi-ofound mathematicians and most skillful geometers have solved the problem relating to the attainment of the preceding objects, as derived from the infinitessimal calculus, to have a sur- prising agreement with the actual measure of the different angles formed by the walls of the cell. The true honey bee (apis mellifica) was originally of the Old "World, whence it was transported to America and other countries, where European colonies are established. Latreille, the distinguished entomologist says, in his Regne Animal (Animal Kingdom,) that the honey bee of the south and east of Europe, as well as of Egypt, differs specifically from that of western Europe. Hunter's observations on the temperature of bee hives are inter- esting. He found the warmth inside a hive at eighty-two degrees, while the air outside was fifty-four degrees : this was in July. And in December, when the air outside was thirty-five degrees, that inside was seventy-three degrees. And thus, what is ex- tremely rare in the lower animals, they maintain their digestive powers, and subsist on the produce of the summer and autumn. Accordingly, they are always ready to take advantage of any fine mild day — go abroad and enjoy the weather — and while abroad, always void tlieir excrement, for they are singularly clean in all their habits; and when purposely confined to the hive, with abundance of food, they have been known to fall a sacrifice to their instinctive repugnance to defile the hive. 873 [Assembly General Chandler presented ears of wheat from A. H. Ernst, Esq., of Cincinnati, Ohio, for distribution, the production of a sample obtained from England. Mr. Ernst states that he has found it exceedingly productive and hardy, much more so than several other varieties under the same treatment and in the same soil. It is of recent introduction into England, and is attracting much attention there. Its reported product is one-third more than the best varieties in use. Dr. Pcnueli, of Oswego, near Lake Ontario, presented a tobacco plant, with its seed-balls nearly ripe. The largest leaves meas- ure about two feet in length by about one foot of greatest breadth. The whole plant is almost six feet high, and it bears about one hundred and fifty seed-balls. The Chairman observed that smaller plants thaB tJiig were preferred. Judge Van Wyck. — Will the best Cuba tobacco grow herel Chairman. — I think not. The Secretary mentioned the large crop of dark colored oats of Mr. Rose, of Crooked Lake, seventy-five bushels an acre; a specimen sent to the Fair. Chairman. — I have tried northern oats on my Carolina farm, but they do not thrive. The southern oat gives a heavier yield, much. I tilled it well, planted it in drills, and ploughed between them with a bull-tongued plough. I got forty bushels per acre; the season was admirable for it. It is often adverse to oats with us. I have often had poor oats on iny "Westchester farm. I saw fine fields of it lately in Canada ; there are beautiful level lands loaded with various crops. I was surprised at their beauty. Dr. Austin Church. On the subject of the newly discovered mines of phosphate of lime. I observe that very high import- ance is justly ascribed to it. But its value to the farmers is very dependent on its price. If they ask for their mineral twenty- five dollars a ton, they will prevent any large benefit being de- rived by farmers. Why, sir ! bones are now sold at about ten to thirteen dollars a ton Our hard coal (Anthracite,) ashes con- No. 129.J 373 tain all of four per cent, per ton of the same phosphoric. Before using them they should be exposed to the air for some time. Urine contains the largest share of it of any barn-yard manure, and this is to a great degree lost for want of proper care. Dr. Underhillj of Croton Point, said that barn-yards were gene- rally (nine out of ten) badly constructed, they lose one-half of the urine. Dr. Church. — Add common salt to manure, and with the am- monia, it will form muriate of ammonia, thus fixing that volatile substance, and when applied to the soil aiding the growth of plants, preventing the evaporation of the ammonia. Dr. Underbill. — That is right. Ammonia, always in the air, comes down in the rain, colors it yellow. Charcoal takes the ammonia out of the rain water and leaves it clear. Snow brings down ammonia abundantly. Late snows in the spring on grain are well-known fertilizers. Col. Morris was obliged, by business to leave the chair, which was, on motion, taken by Dr. Underhill. Dr. Church.— -It seems to resemble, in effect, the practice called mulching or covering; covered spots favor the collec- tion of nitre. Dr. Underhill. — Where snow lies deep and long, much ammo- nia is collected. In valleys watered by streams of melted snow, the goitre is very prevalent ; this swelling of the glands of the throat may be owing to the quantity of ammonia in the water. Dr. Church. — The experience of Dr. Coventry in the goitre, caused him to refer it to the use of the water of a spring contain- ing alum. Idiocy is a common effect of goitre. Dr. Underhill. — It produces a diminished intellect — a stupor. Cases of goitre are very rare in this country. Judge Van Wyck. — Idiocy is common with goitre. Dr. Underhill. — Chemistry has demonstrated the large propor- tion of the phosphate of lime in wheat. We have been for l&O 374 (Assembly years taking this element away from our soil. We have not returned it. We have sent off to other countries millions on millions of this phosphate in wheat, corn, pork, beef, &c. We have also exportetl very large amounts of bones to Europe. Fif- teen or twenty years ago, farmers hereabout quitted growing wheat. They thought that owing to some malaria or to some- thing else, the fly, &c., wheat would no longer give fair crops; they knew nothing of this phosphate of lime. Long Island made use of large masses of fish, called Manhaden, or Moss Bunkers, for manure. They put them on or near the surface. The odor from them was excessive, and even pernicious to health — occa- sioning in cases, the prevalence of locked jaw. Now, the old notion that all the manure leached down caused all this trouble and an immense loss of the fertilizing properties by this evapo- ration and escape into the air. If they had put the fish down deep all this would have been saved. But, nevertheles-s, they got one crop by it of sometimes fifty bushels of wheat an acre. As soon as our farmers applied bones all the wonderful malaria disappeared. The supply of moss bunkers is unlimited. Dr. Church. — And cheap too, for they are often sold on the beach for ten shillings a wagon load. Dr. Underbill. — We do now return to the country from our city a considerable amount of the fertilizers. Guano is a concen- trated manure made of fish. The use of it is not well known generally. I have injured plants by using guano too strong. It must be well diluted ; my workmen would not at first obey my instructions on that point. That the newly discovered mines of phosphate will prove of vast importance is certain, and it is pro- bable that other mines of it will ere long be found. But, un- doubtedly our farmers ought to be furnished with it at a clieap rate, to make it a blessing. Mr. Van Wyck. — Professor Johnston in his lx)ok of travels in North America, speaks of these mines of phosphate of lime both in Canada and the northern part of New-York, imbedded " in the shape of metamorphic limestone, unusually rich in phosphate of lime." The professor in his book states the conversation he had with a practical farmer of Syracuse, in Western New- York, who No. 129.] 375 said, " if a farmer hires two men, and works with them, and keeps them at their work, he may maintain his family and clear 8 per cent, upon the value of his fai-ra. But if he farms more largely, as a gentleman farmer, leaving the management to an overseer, he will not make more, perhaps, than 2 or 3 per cent. Farming is much less profitable in the county of Onondaga than it used to be four or five years ago. Our land still grows 50 bushels of Indian corn to the acre, and this is the best crop we now get, but it must be manured j much is now laid down to grass to be recruited." This is the substance of what I have stated before in this Club more than once, that wheat wull not pay as well as Indian corn and grass. It will not pay for highly manuring and tillage equal to some other things This is the true reason why the crop of wheat has fallen off, with us and in some other States; there is not so much planted, or if there is as much, or even more, it is not manured as high or tilled as well as some other things. The farmer cannot afford to put phosphate of lime and other mineral ingredients, which his soil may require, and also a good supply of barn-yard manure and the best of tillage besides. AH these must be and ai-e applied at this time to things that will produce more and pay better than wheat. Dr. Underhill. I omitted speaking of another great source of phosphate of lime, and that is one which some few farmers have hit upon. I mean that part of the farm which lies about six inches deep under the farm. There, since the deluge, lies un- disturbed the fertilizer, usually hard. Roots of the grains and annuals cannot penetrate it. There it is and has been accumulating for thousands of years, insoluble, ex- cept when roots apply themselves to it. Not one farmer in ten ever plows deeper than five inches. The roots cannot get at the mine below— it is too hard. He cannot afford to buy guano or bone, but he can afford a subsoil plough. Let him go down fif- teen inches into his good farm below, and he may have a new farm good for fifteen years to come. I never thought until this year, that my loose, sandy, gravelly land wanted subsoiliug ! It is so very light and loose that one almost wades in it. But, nev- ertheless, this year I have subsoiled 12 to 14 inches deep, and • 376 [Assembly my corn on that Milage has given me a double crap. I found the bottom ol my very loose top soil hard packed j the annual plants could not put their roots through it. My double crop has suc- ceeded in spite of a pretty severe drought. I have for many years always ploughed to the depth of from eight to ten inches, but this season I have resorted to the farm tohich lies under mine successfully. Dr. Church.— Is it necessary to enbsoil every year? Dr. Underhill. — I think not ; but I mean to subsoil every acre I cultivate. It operates, also, as a drainer. It also receives the fertilizer from the atmosphere. The first store of manure is our earth; the second one is ovr atmosphere. That from the latter en- ters the earth by means of dew and rains — by dew even in times of drought — when a deep-tilled soil can take it in, while a shal- low one cannot. Up to this day the shallow work prevails. Nineteen out of twenty farms are so abused. A larmer who can neither buy books nor attend Farmers' Clubs, can nevertheless plough deep. Let him try it, and if he fails, let him come to this Club and tell us bo 1 The subject — Phoephata of Lime — was ordered to be continued. The Club then (on aoooont of the 24th Annual Fair,) ad- jonrned to the fii-st Tuesday of November next. H. Meigs, Secretary. American Ik«titute, ? Fimtiers' Club, Atm. 11, 1851. J George Dickey, Esq., in the Chair ; Herjry Meigs, Secretary. Profeesor Map^s — The phosphate of lime haa been long used in England, and many thouFands of bones are imported into that country for the use of farmers ; the value of these bones is due to the phosphate of lime they contain — even the field of Waterloo was rendered an accessory tor'fumishing this amendment. Until a late date the only source from which pl.osphate of lime was obtained was from bones ground and applied to the soil. No. 129.] 377 The first improvement in their use consisted in fermenting them with a divisor before use, so as to render them more easily solu- ble for the use of plants ; other operators boiled bones in a close vessel, under pressure of steam, and with very high pressure they are soluble in water, and may bo added to the compost heap in semi-fluid form — all the gelatine dissolving and the phosphate of lime dividing readily through the fluid. The more recent im- provement, however, is changing the phosphate into the super- phosphate of limej and thus rendering it soluble in water, so that it may be applied to the soil either in the fluid form or through the compost heap. This change is produced by treating bones with dilute sulphuric acid. The phosphate of lime is composed of phosphoric acid and lime, and is not soluble in water, but when treated with sulphuric acid a combination takes place between the lime and the sul- phuric acid, converting part of the lime into sulphate of lime, (plaster of paris) and leaving all the phosphoric acid combined with part of the lime as ^uper-phosphate of lime which is soluble in water and therefore is immediately absorbed by the roots ot plants. When phosphate of lime is applied to soils fifty bushels per acre is required, and ha efiects last for many years, and thus the capital of the farmer is put out at compound interest, which he pays himself. If the super-phosphate of lime be used, the amount resulting from five bushels of bones is sufficient for an acre, and the effect is much greater than when ground bones alone are used. By this treatment the amount invested is readily realised at an early date, and if a larger quantity be applied, as It is not vola- tile, it cannot be lost but remains in the soil until the require- ments of plants consume it. For this purpose the mercantile sulphuric acid should not used, that obtained from the chamber of the manufactures, before concentration, known as cAfiTnifer-adc?, is much cheaper and equal- ly effective. The great expense of sulphuric acid is in its con- centration, and as it requires to be diluted before use by the far- mer, it should be purchased before the expense of concentration has occuri-exi, 378 [Assembly The chamber-acid should be diluted with its bulk of water be- fore being applied to bones or other phosphate of lime. Within a few months two large deposits of native bone-earth have been discovered in this country — the one at Dover, New- Jersey, by Dr. Jackson and Francis Alger, Esq., of Bostou ; and the other at Crown Point, Lake Champlain, by Prof. Emmons. That, in the New- Jersey locality is very pure and compact, it be- ing twice the weight of bone-dust and containing an equally large per centage of phosphate of lime. When pulverized it dissolves readily in sulphuric acid, forming the super-phosphate, and will prove of inestimable value to our farmers. A company has been chartered by the Legislature of New- Jersey for working this mine, and many hundred tons have been shipped to Eng- land, and there bought readily by the farmers at from X5 to jGT per ton, ($25 to |35,) while our own farmers, with but few ex- ceptions, are inactive in its use. Many thousands of acres in the States of New-York, Massa- chusetts, Ohio, and elsewhere which produced large crops a few years since, now refuse to do so, and in many ca.'^es simply from absence of phosphoric acid in the soil, the whole having been parted with as constituents of former crops, and composing the bones of animals raised upon these farms. Experiment has proved that turnips and other crops raised on soils fairly charged with phosphate of lime, are more nutritious and have better keeping qualities than those raiseil by the use of farm-yard mar nure alone; indeed, the nitrogenous manures are always more effective after the application of super-phosphate of lime. I have many acres of ruta-bagas this year raised as a second crop, after early vegetables, by the use of super-phosphate of lime, and yielding more than one thousand bushels per acre. All the root crops are doubled in quantity by its use, while all other crops are materially improved. By reference to the analysis of vegetables, but few will be found the ashes of which do not contain phosphate of lime, and maximum crops cannot be raided from soils deficient in this amendment. To the dairyman, this No. 129.) 379 manure is highly important ; milk contains large quantities of phosphate of lime, and pastures are doubled in value for the use of milch cows by its use. The chairman remarked that the English have for a long time past used for manure all the bones they were able to obtain, and with great advantage to their crops. Judge Van Wyck. All soils are more or less furnished with the phosphoric element which the bone supplies, when exhausted by vegetables, it must l>e restored. Mr. Van Wyck said that the phosphate of lime that had been discovered here, in both localities, that of Dover in New-Jersey, and Crow^n Point in the north of this State, were held too high for the English market. This he Jearned^ from some of the latest periodicals, and the discussions there contained on the sub- ject, which took plac€ in the Loudon Farmers' Club. It was said there, the American phosphate, on investigation, wfis cer- tainly not worth more than the English. This last contained from 45 to 50 per cent, of pure phosphate, and a good deal not so much ; that this, in its raw or rough state, would not bring £5 a ton ; of course so much, or certainly not more, could be given for the American. The trade was then considered as closed. Those who had the American article for sale, to show their courage on the occasion, immediately raised it up to £7. This, as may be supposed, stopped the sale for that time. All or most articles of commerce here, that are the growth and manufacture of our country, are apt to be valued higher here than in Europe, or than they will bring on being sent there. This probably is owing to the high price of labor here, and the article, perhaps, cannot be afiforded for less than it is held at here. Phosphate ot lime in England is to be found in quite extensive sections there, imbedded in lime stone and some other rocks, called coprolites, meaning petrified dung of certain animals of the lizard tribe, monsters in size as well as appearance, and are supposed to have lived before the deluge. This gives it animal properties, and makes it more valuable. It is also found there in certain green sands, worked up, it is thought, from the sea to 380 [Assembly sorao distance in the interior, in ages back, and incorporated with sea animals and other marine substances; some of both kinds are said to bo rich in phosphate. Maj not some of the rocks in New-Jerspy, in which this mineral has been found, have a simi- lar origin to the English, that of coprolitesy or may not some of the green sands found on the sea ooast there, and extending far south, be rich also in this valuable mineral ? I do not think, as I have stated before in this club, that land require more than a certain quantity of this good article, and to apply it beyond this would be useless expense — say from 100 to 250 lb. per acre, according to the quality, as Professor Mapes has said, land gene- rally will probably receive and profit by more of this than any other mineral, such as lime, gypsum, &c., The purest state in which it is to be found is, we believe, bone. This contains con- siderable animal matter, and, if broken, ground, or dissolved in sulphuric acid, all is preserved. Mr. Meigs had observed, with great pleasure, that in the State of Wisconsin, a flax pulling machine had been invented, which can pull twenty acres of flax in one day. This is an immense relief to the flax grower, for this operation was always hard work — hardly ever done at a less cost than four dollars an acre. This invention will be of far greater value to the flax crop than Mr. McCormick's reaper is to that of wheat. Information can be had of 3. B. Goss, of Janesville, Wisconsin. New- York, 10th Nov., 1851. 7o the Chairman of the Farmer^ s Club: In a letter dated the 3d February last, addressed to my rela- tive, Mr. Hooper, Theydon Hall, Essex, England, and published in the Transactions of the American Institute, page 398, under date of the 15th February, 1851, 1 stated a new process of grow- ing wheat, without ploughing or spading the land. I requested him to make a personal examination of all the interesting points of the subject, and to inform me by letter, for publication. His reply is received, and contains such a satisfactory and corrobora- tive evidence of the truth of the former statement, that the reader, if inquiring, like myself, for practical facts and realities, will be well repaid by investigating them in juxta position, and whilst reading the firi>t, refer for confii'matioa to the 6econd. Ko. 129.] 381 Q. In what condition was the land, how cropped and manured in the three last years preceding the experiment 1 A. Cropped with potatoes, 18 years of the 20 years preceding the experiment. Q. What area is thus used 1 A. Two acres, containing 43,000 feet each, Q. What is the surface soil, as eand, clay, loam, gravel, &c. t A. Brown loam. Q. What is the subsoilt A. Bride earth. Q. Is the land plain or in stetohes (ridges,) or lands ; and of what size 1 Unanswered. Q. How many grains dropped in each hole, and how deept A. Three or four grains; about two inches deep, taking IJ peck per acre. Q. What kind of wheat? Unanswered. Q. When is the land seeded t A. Early in October. Q. Are we to understand the dibbling as distant one foot between the rows, and also along e^ch row, i. e., one footsquaret A. The distance between the rows is one foot, and between the holes in each row three or four inches. Unasked. A. Annually manured with 3© or 60 bushels of coal eoot per acre, in March or April. The grower, Mr. J. D. Piper, of Colne Engine, near Colchester, England, has now grown on this same pieoe of land seven suc- cessive crops of wheat, without on any occasion, allowing a plow to turn over a single furrow. The soil, in fact, has not < been disturbed by plough, gpade, orany other implement; the only thing used has been a hoe, and this has not been employed to loosen the soil ; but only to remove tho gujfaae weeds to burn 382 I Assembly them with the stubble. The average produce of the first six years has been forty-two bushels per acre, and of the last year forty bushels per acre. A horse hoe, or cultivator, or broad share plough, might superc^e the general use of the hand hoe, especially when preparing the land for seed. Phosphate of lime, or guano, or dry wood ashes, or salt petre, might (I suppose) be substituted for the soot occasionally. A horse dibbling machine, during the last six years, has plant- ed tliree acres per diem, at nine inckes square, and I presume might be substituted for the expensive hand dibble. The seed wheat should invariably be prepared by brining and liming ; or by blue vitriol, a more recent practice, more suitable for machinery ; but both are preventives of smut, and never, no never submit to its attack. I give the latter method — To six quarts boiling water add one pound sulphate of copperas or blue vitriol ; put three bushels of wheat into a shallow tub, and when the vitriol is quite dissolved, add the compound to the wheat, intermixing them thoroughly. HISTORY OF BOTANY. [From Lindley'B Vegetable Kingdom.] From the beginning, man has been forming names for plants. Botanists have gathered together, have studied and arranged upwards of 82,000 species of plants, a mighty host whose ranks are daily swelled by new recruits. This vast assemblage has not been gathered together in a few years, it is coeval with man, and we cannot but feel that the study of the distinction between one plant and another commenced with the first day of the creation of the human race. The name Botany is modern, but its anti- quity dates from the appearance of our first parents. The classes first stated were " grass, and herbs yielding seed, and fruit tre^s yielding fruit." Theophrastus (about 2000 years ago) had his water plants and parasites, pot herbs and forest trees, and corn plants. Dioscorides had aromatics, gum-bearing plants, eatable vegetables and corn herbs, and the successors, imitators, and copiers of those writers, retained the same kind of arrange- ment for ages. It was not until 1570 that Lobel, a Fleming, im- proved the ancient modes of distinction. He was soon followed No. 129.] 383 by others, amoDg whom the most distinguished were CsesalpinuS; an Italian J who wrote in 1583, the celebrated Tournefort, and especially our countryman John Ray, who flourished in the end of the seventeenth century. He had so clear and philosophical a conception of the true principles of classification as to have left behind him in his Historia Plantarum (History of Plants) the real foundations of all those modern views, which having again been brought forward at a more favorable time by Jussieu, are generally ascribed exclusively to that more learned Botanist and his successors. Ray, however, labored under the great disadvan- tage of being too far in advance of his cotemporaries, who were unable to appreciate the importance of his views, or the fitness of his opinions ; and who, therefore, instead of occupying them- selves with the improvements of his system, set themselves to work to discover some artificial method of arrangement that should be to Botany what the alphabet is to language— a key, by which the details of the science may be readily ascertained. With this in view, Rivinus invented, in 1690, a system depending on the formation of the Corolla, (Flower j) Kamel,in 1693, upon the fruit alone; Magnol, in 1720, on the Caly, (the outside cov- ering of a flower) and Corolla; and finally Linnaeus, in 1731, on variattons between the stamen (the male organ,) standing around the centre of the flower, and the pistil (female organ) standing in the centre. This method has enjoyed a degree of celebrity which has rarely fallen to the lot of human contrivances, chiefly on account of its simplicity and clearness, and in its day it effect- ed a large amount of good. Lindley calls his system the natural one. The work is in one thick octavo volume of 908 pages, con- taining numerous drawings of plants and parts of plants. Addington B. Frye, being requested by the chairman to ex- hibit to the Club some of his specimens of Algae (sea weed,) presented a number of them prepared by himself, firmly placed on drawing paper with perfect neatness and full and perfect form. They were selected by Mr. Frye in the Pacific ocean, within the last three years, from Panama to San Francisco. Mr. F. is now engaged in a classification and nomenclature for them ; his object is to make as entire a collection of them as is possible. While Mr, F. was explaining the beautiful specimens, he men- 384 [Assembly tioned, among others, the lofty Algse, which rise from 100 to 150 feet from the bottom of the sea in some places and entangle the vessels sailing through them, embarrassing the paddle wheels of steamers. He adverted to the practical uses to which some of them may be put, over and above their uses as kelp. Some of them can be cooked as jelly, and it may be considered as good as calves' foot jelly. The colors of some are splendid. The Secretary read from Lindley's Vegetable Kingdom the fol- lowing extracts : Lindley, in his Vegetable Kingdom, makes the following re marks on vegetable and animal life : " And hence it is that thc«e who deal in generals only, with- out descending to particulars, pronounce with a voice of autho- rity that the animal and vegetable kingdoms are sundered by decided characteristics. The Zoologist declares that the power of spontaneous motion, and the feeding by a stomach, are quali- ties confined to the animal kingdom. But numerous plants move with all the appearance of spontaneity ; the spores of those con- fervse, which are sometimes called zoospores, swim in water with great activity ; the filaments of the zygnemata (one of the Algae sea weeds,) combine with the energy of animal life j and as for a stomach, it is impossible to say that the whole interior of a liv- ing independent cell is not a stomach. Chemists once referred to the presence of nitrogen as a certain characteristic of animals. But plants abound in nitrogen. With more reason they now ap- peal to the existence of starch in plants, an organic compound unknown among the animal creation. And this is perhaps the best mark of distinction that has hitherto been found ; for it is universally present in plants, and has enabled Mr. Payen to con- firm by chemical evidence the vegetable nature of certain pro- ductions till lately regarded as zoophytea, and therefore as be- longing to the animal kingdom. But it has been long ago asserted by Bory de 8t Vincent, and others, that there exist in nature organized bodies which are ani- mal at one period of their lives and vegetable at another. Thi« tf true, would forever put an end to the possibility of distingoish- No. 120.1 385 ing the two kingdoms, when they shall each have arrived at their lowest forms. Its truth, has, however, never been denied. On the contrary, Kutzing, in his recent magnificent work of Algfe, insists that it happens in his Ulothrix Zonata. He asserts that in the cells of that plant there are ibund minute animal- cules, with a red eye point and at ranspareut mouth place ; that they are not in fact, distinguishable from Ehrenberg's Microglena monadina ; these bodies are, however, animal only for a time. At last they grow into vegetable threads, the lowerjoint of which still exhibits the red eye-point. This phenomenon, which Kutz- ing assures us he has ascertained beyond all possibility of doubt, put an end to the question whether animals and plants can be distinguished at the limits of their two kingdoms. It is in this microscopic cellular state of existence that the animal kingdom ends and the vegetable commences. While the members of the Club were examining the speci- mens, the Secretary read from Lindley's Vegetable Kingdom fur- ther, as follows : — " It is not easy to settle the limits of the alli- ances of Thallogen, [that is the class Fungus and Lichens (or moss.) ] Linnaeus and Jussieu made but two divisions — Fungi and Algse — and they have been followed by some modern bota- nists, particularlj- Fries and Wahlenberg. In what way those forms can be best defined, is a very difl&cult question. It has been said that Algce are aquatics, while Lichens and Fungi are terrestrial ; but Fungi will develope in water, when they assume the farm of AlgfE. Lichens have been characterized by thei shields or reproductive disks containing spores, lying in the fusi- form spore cases called Asci."' Mr. Frye remarked tliat, so far as lie had experimented, some of the colors of Alga^ — one of them of a madder tint, nearly — have gained in brilliancy by being subjected to soap, soda, ammo- nia, and steam of 2500 Fahrenheit. The Secretary. — The Club will recollect that the Tyrian dye, so famed in ancient times, used to give the imperial purple of Babylon and Rome — was derived from a shell-fish called Murex, on tlie coasts of Syria. That color was celebrated not only on account of its great beauty, but because it was indelible. [Assembly, No. 129.J 25 386 (AsSEMBLV The purple Iodine of our modern chemistry, is obtained from Algae. This article is deemed indispensiWe in Baguerreotyping. What connection is there, if any, between the Tyrian purple and thib Iodine. THE JERSEY PHOSPHATE OF LIME. Prof. Mapes. — The company have orders for any quantity of the native bone-earth, which they can supply at five pounds sterling a ton, but they have raised their price to seven pounds a ton, and that has, for the present, closed the sale of it in England. The Secretary asked Dr. Antisell, what is the specific gravity of bone-earth ? water being sixty pounds the cubic foot. Dr. Antisell. It is three. One bushel of it is equal in weight to four bushels of bone dust. Prof. Mapes — observed that as cartage (>n farms is a very com- mon expense, much is thus saved in the article of bone earth as to bulk and weight. One wagon can carry at once enough of it for many acres ; and almost every farm requires more or less of it as an amendment to their soils. Dr. Antisell. — Green sand, similar to that of New-Jersey, is found in England, but all the phosphoric part of it is deemed to be due to the Coprolites, (the excrements of the monster lizards of the early ages,) with which the green sand is connected in site. In the green sands of New-Jersey, I have not yet found on analysis more than five and a-half per cent, of phosphate, and commonly much less, even as low as one per cent. It should be in every soil or the manure to be put on it. Pusey took out a patent for his artificial manure several years ago ; his plan failed. Liebig and others have been tried. We are thrown back much upon the old barn-yard manure system. By following, which it is known that the important element nitrogen is acquired by the soils. Prof Mapes. — As a general rule it is true that soil has mine- ral manure enough; barn-yard manure cannot supply all that is wanted. No. 129] 387 ' Prof. Mapes proposed as the next subject, " The lelatiFe value of mineral manures, and Algae." The Club adjom-ned to next Tuesday. H. Meigs, Secretary. American Institute, ? Farmeri Club, November 18, 1851. 5 Rev. Joseph Carter in the chair j Henry Meigs, Secretary. Professor Mapes. — I proposed the subject for this day — the relative value of mineral man tires. The importance of these in connection with the barn yard manures, cannot be rated too high. Soils become exhausted of some of the minerals as well as the organics. Science readily settles the question as to what mineral (inorganic) substance is absent from the soil, and how much it is necessary to add. Liebig has been unjustly reproach- ed. When he began his investigations, he soon discovered, on examining the constituents of plants, the necessary proportions of the inorganic elements. He found that in the ashes of all plants were the inorganic parts that belong to the earth, and the organic, which properly referred to the atmosphere; that the latter constitute about nine-tenths of the substance of plants. By decay, by distillation, by fermention, &c., the organics find their way to their atmospheric home. He manufactured manure, and sent it to England, without a sufficient regard to the great difference of climate between his country and England ; conse- quently it failed. Had he added to his manure the proper amount of nitrogen, he would have succ-eeded in England. The barn-yard manure, which always contains it, should be added to the miner- al compound. No two farms are exactly alike in their constitu- tion. One wants what another lias sometimes too much of. This variation may be acre by acre. Many have said that a bottom heat must be had for mineral manures. Dr. Johnston has said so. No doubt exists of the necessity of nitrogen, and that is furnished by the mucous and oleaginous parts of barn-yard manure ; these stimulate the growth of })lants. Common sea sand will, with the proper additions, grow plants as well as the richest soils. Liebig 388 [AsSEiMBI-Y used the term ereruacausis to explain the slow process of com- bustion by which plants lose their furiu and fall to decay. This carbonization produces a dark color, as in pure carbon, (charcoal is a solid example of it,) this carbon, being by this eremacausis finely divided, becomes a coat for every grain of sand, giving, where it abounds, a black tint to soils. Carbon takes up nitrogen and keeps it until plants want it, and then they take it up. The marls of Monmouth county, in New- Jersey, are readily applied to that sandy soil, and render them fertile; but without it those lands are valueless. Still the marls must not be applied over much. Lime is known to injure soils when there is too much of it. So people talk of their lands being tired of lime ; they ought to say, rather, that they want the organic manures. In truth, on every farm there must be a proper meeting of the or- ganic with the inorganic elements. On my experimental farm I have so arranged all these manures, and I have raised on some acres prepared for the purpose more than a thousand bushels an acre of extra solid, well keeping Ruta Baga turnips. I repeat it, Dr. Liebig was not fairly treated in England. He first gave the world the key to the true system of scientific agriculture. The approximations to his discovery were mere dreams; it was never perfected except by Liebig. Those approximations^ were mere badinage. The English chemists have not been fair with him, for he was right as to his own country — faultless; but ii: England, and probably in some other countries, his plan requires some alteration. He commences by saying that carbon cannot be de- stroyed. I should give up my farm if I were to quit the inorganic manures. Burlington, N. J., 11 th October, 1851. Farmers" Clib, American Institute; Gentlemen, — At a recent meeting of your Club the wish was expressed that farmers would make known any case in which subsoil ploughing failed to prove beneficial. As such has been my experience in every case in which I have tried it I send you the following details in compliance with that request. No. 129.] • 389' My first experiraents were in 1844, and I extract the following account of them from vol. 2d, (new series) of the Cultivator, ' page 102, which account I furnislied to that journal at the time. "I procured a subsoil plough last spring and used it on three diiferent crops, viz: corn, potatoes and barley. The corn was planted on a light, sandy loam, tlie potatoes on a rich loam inclining to be clayey, and the barley on a rich mellow loam. One-half of each field was subsoiled to the depth of eight inches (below the bottom of the furrow,) the other half having only an ordinary ploughing. There w^as no perceptible difference in the appearance of either of the crops during the season of growth, and as the difference at harvestiog, if any, was not enough for us to discover it by careful observation and comparison of different parts of the field, I did not think it worth while to make an accurate measure of the wiiole of each division. I made no farther use of the subsoil plough till last year, and was then induced to try it again because the theory of the bene- fits derivable from it seemed to me so rational that I could hardly believe I had not been misled by my own experience. I then tried it on different soils, on which were cultivated tomatoes, beets, melons, cabbages, potatoes and early white corn, all of which I grow largely for the Philadelphia market. With most careful observation I could perceive no difierence in any one of the crops, between that part which was subsoiled and that which was not, except in the field of corn. This contained about two acres on a side hill having a south west aspect and a warm, sandy soil. The whole field was heavily manured broadcast and ploughed as soon as possible after manuring, and one-half of it was subsoiled fifteen inches below the surface. I carefully staked the line of division and labelled the stakes, that there need be no mistake as to which side was subsoiled. A little manure was put in each hill at the time of planting. Before the corn had attained half its growth the part w^hich had not been subsoiled showed a deci- ded gain on the other, and throughout the season it maintained it so that the difference in the appearance of the corn could be seen at a distance, and when cutting it for market the product of the part which had not been subsoiled was about one-third greater than the other. As last year was a wet year, I determin- S90 • [ASSEMBLV ed on another trial, and accordingl} staked off a strip of about one hundred feet wide through the centre of a field of about three acres, which I planted with sugar corn. This was on a rich alluvial soil, with a subsoil inclining to be clayey. The whole field was* treated alike, except that the strip above mentioned was subsoiled fifteen inches deep, the rest of the field being ploughed about seven inches. The result was the same as last year. The strip that was subsoiled was altogether inferior in its growth and produca to the rest of the field. I lay these facts before you for consideration, and 1 wish to be clearly understood that I have no idea of saying that I consider subsoiling a useless process, but only that I think it clearly proved that there are cases where it is useless or worse than useless, and I am the more desirous of taking a firm stand here for the reason that there are men who run to the opposite extreme and cry out at the ignorance of "old fashioned farmers" because they will not believe that subsoiling is useful in all cases. I have borne my share of ridicule among old fashioned farmers for being a «' book farmer," but have not been prevented thereby from trying experiments, neither shall I hesitate to make those experiments known when the results conflict with the theories of scientific men. Of the utility of subsoil ploughing in many soils I have seen too many instances to need any argument to prove it, but, if I am not mistaken, my own experience proved that in some soils it may be useless or even injurious. Very respectfully, your ob't servant, H. W. S. CLEVELAND. Professor Mapes. — I am intimate with Mr. Cleaveland, who is TTorthy of all confidence. His farm is the only one I have ever heard of on which the subsoil plough has not proved distinctly beneficial, and several farmers with soils of similar appearance at but a few miles from Burlington, and near Mount Holly, have ben- efited materially by the use of the subsoil plough. During the drought of last year, corn planted on subsoiled lands did not curl or roll on these farms, while oa soils not so treated the crops suffered severely. No. 129] 391 [From tLi9 Aanaklea in la Societe Coatnvle.] Paris, 1851. Report on the works offered to the Society, by M. A. Vattemaxe, in the names of the different States of the American Union, by Dr. De Bonis. You have received besides, from the State of New-York, three volumes of the Transactions of the American Institute; for 1846, 1847 and 1848. The Institute may well be compared to our Society for the encouragement of industry and science, rather than to our National Institute. These volumes contain a good number of curious and interesting memoirs upon the subjects of human industry, manufactures, agriculture, horticulture, build' ing, machinery. Confining myself to horticulture, which is your department, I despair of giving you any thing more than the tout ensemble — or general view. Agricultural schools for the poor as well as the rich, have attracted the attention of the gener- ous and learned of that country, whose reports here prove the importance which they attach to the enrichment of their soils by intelligent labor, and their careful charity for the poor. At their annual meetings, or (as they call it,) Fairs, they distribute prizes for new inventions, the introduction of the best races of cattle, and perfecting their native stock. You will find on read- ing these reports how much the lovely work of horticulture is practised, and how successfully. Mr. Pell has furnished upon the history of fruit and cultivated plants, information and instruc- tion drawn from the best sources of erudition. The American way in almost every thing is to call a meeting, at which it is always expected that a Mr. Somebody will get up and say something better than the most learned men of the coun- try. They announce the subject of discussion ; those that do understand the subject and those that do not, all go to the meeting. Good sense, with a strong desire to learn, and a habit of reason- ing, do the rest. Each brings his fruits and offerings, points out their location, history, names, &c. They thus seek to establish a synonym, and to reduce the number of names. Among these reports are recommendations of agricultural schools for the State, a botanic garden in Florida, farm work for the poor on Randall's 39^ [AsSEMLBY Island, the farming of the Bloomingdale Asylum, culture of tea, arrowroot, agave sisalana for cordage, the aracacha, &c.,&c. The potatoe olfers (on both continents) a vast subject of stud3^ We find here the good works of Samuel Van Wy civ and others, on the malady of this precious tuber. The cultivation of the grape has of late years assumed a very important and worthy extension, calculated in many points of view to awaken tlie attention of our fellow-citizens. [Translation by H. Meigs.] Le Bon Jar dirtier Almanac pour 1851, presented to the American Institute by Messrs. Vilmorin, Andrielx & Co. In a horticultural work, destined to be used in various locali- ties, it is impossible to give prognostics of weather of any value generally, for they differ essentially according to local circum- stances ; that is, according to the direction of plains, valleys, mountains, forests, water courses, &c. These local circumstances exert a manifest influence over the mean temperature, the general direction of winds, the quantity and frequency of rains, on the number of storms, and in one word, over all the meteorological phenomena so interesting for the farmer to know beforehand. Until it shall become a science, we can place no confidence in their recurrence at the times indicated. A farmer or gardener had much better rely upon long continued observations of the weather of his own neighborhood ; and they should write them down every day. The greater part of popular traditions of weather proverbs, so confidently repeated, are pure prejudices, which in the experience of many years, set down in good faith and intelligence, almost always fail. The meteorology of Paris, for instance, from long observation, is pretty well known. For an instance, the wind goes around the compass from east to west, and after blow- ing from the south, it moves to the west, then to the north, then east, and then south, blowing more or less time from each of these points. The wind rarely retrogrades so much as the semi- circle, and still more rarely around the compass the opposite way. In Paris, the south-westerly winds are generally warm, humid and rainy. Those of the north-east ordinarily are cold and dry; they have often a cloudy sky, well covered over, but No. 129. j 393 rarely rain. We know that very violent winds are obstacles to rain, the fall of which is ordinarily preceded by a moderate fresh breeze. When the mercury in a barometer rises slowly and regularly, it indicates generally fine weather, or perhaps a cloudy sky, but commonly without rain. On the contrary, when it descends regularly and for a long time, it indicates bad weather. A sudden fall indicates violent wind. When the sun at setting, the air is calm and the lower parts of clouds are colored a fine red, it is almost a certainty that the next day will be fine, &c. This volume contains nearly nine hundred pages. I observe, on the subject of raising pine apples, that it treats of no less than thirty-one varieties. About one-half of the volume is devoted to vegetables of use — the other to flowers and plants ornamental. It is valuable for reference as to plants which we may desire to order from Paris, &c. Mr. Borden, of Texas, presented specimens of his meat biscuit, for which he received at the Crystal Palace a council medal, and .he also produced a mince pie in which the biscuit served in place of minced meat ; the members tasted of it and thought it a good substitute for meat, when that cannot be obtained. Mr. Borden said that his method was to take out all the kidney fat, and then, by a powerful machine, cut an ox into small pieces in twelve minutes, bones and all; put these into a cauldron, in plenty of water, boil it about sixteen hours, skim off all the Ikt, marrow and SCUD9. When this soup is well settled, evaporate it uniil it resembles sugar-house syrup ; then mix wheat flour with it till it resembles dough. I do not put in any salt, or any seasoning whatever. If kept dry, it will keep in any climate. No insect yet has touched it. Professor Playfair, at the great exhibition said he would put weevils in it to try it. He analyzed it. Dr. Lindley examined it carefully. A fine soup, enough for six men can be made of it in fifteen minutes, out of only three ounces. It supplies all the energy that meat does. The Secretary remarked that he had translated the report on Masson's prepared vegetables, which would be a proper accom paniment for Borden's meat. 394 I AsSRMBLY Mr. Borden said that Masson had also taken a medal for his vegetable process. The Secretary read the following translations, made by him from the works recently received by the Institute from Paris. [From the Annales d« la Soctete Centrale dHorti«altare, ParU, 1851 .J Report upon the processes of Drying, Reduction, and Preserva- tion of Alimentary Vegetables of M. E Masson, by a Commit- tee consisting of Messrs. Payen, Debonnaire de Gif, Bouissere, Forest, and Bailly de Merlieux, the latter being Chairman [extracts.] When in 1846, this Society gave Mr. Masson its Luxembourg medal for his essays iu preparing vegetables for long voyages, few persons saw in this discovery the germ of great operations, important not only for seamen, but for farmers. Now he has perfected his processes and patented them in most of the states of Europe. A large factory is established at No. 5 Marbeuf-st., under the direction of Messrs, Chollet & Co., and is in full ac- tivity preparing a great variety of vegetables for the marine and for commerce. On his (Masson's) request, a committee was ap- pointed to visit and fully examine the processes. He met there with the committees from the Academy of Sciences and of the Central Society of Agriculture. There is a large space for wash- iu'' and clearing the vegetables of the bad parts. There is a vast stove, with many stories in it, and hurdles on which the articles are put, where they are shaken and handled during the drying as often as is necessary. The temperature is maintained at 87 degrees Fahrenheit to 93 deg. There are chimneys to carry off humid air, and means to regulate at will this as well as the ac- cess of the hot air to various parts of the stove. The processes are not yet as good as they can easily be made — the mode of ad- mitting air to the various parts of the stove, letting off the moist- ure, and regulating the heat. Masson has dried successfully cabbage, spinach, parsley, cher- vil, endive, sorrel, carrot, turnip, parsnip, celery, salsifie, scor- sonera, cauliflower, Brussels cabbage, asparagus, green beans, po- tatoes, pe.as, truffles, mushrooms, onions, leeks, apples and pears. No. 129.] 395 The committee appointed by the Minister of Marine, consist- ing of Vice Admiral Mathieu, Captains Dubernad, Dufour de Mont Louis, Surgeon Senard, and Sub Marine Commissary Test- ard, reported that Masson took cabbage, dried fifteen months be fore, now perfectly dry, steeped in warm water thirty minutes ; the cabbage regained pretty nearly its original size, and seven times its weight, when dry ; it was then boiled for three hours. Wo added, by way ot seasoning, salt and pepper only, and found it very nearly like fresh cabbage, and very good. The committee think that by great pressure the vegetable may be preserved in wooden boxes from all moisture. The experiment tried on board the corvette Astrolabe corroborates this opinion. The report signed by the captain, Gourdon, states that after fourteen years, the dried cabbage made an excellent dish. That cabbage had been kept in a metalic case hermetically sealed. By a report signed by the Director of Administrative Service, Jurien, it is stated that the dried spinach, boiled for twenty minutes, drained, buttered, and then put over heat for half an hour, made as per- fect as fresh spinach. Mr. Van Wyck thought that so far from there being any pre- judice against mineral or inorganic manure either here or in Europe, as has been intimated, the prejudice must be the other way. This must necessarily be the case with all who know any- thing about either scientific or practical farming. The primitive earths, as they are usually called, such as silica, sand, alumina, or clay, calcarious earth or lime, must necessarily be in all good soils to a greater or less extent, and where nature generally pro- vides them. These main ingredients usually contain others of equal importance for the growth of plants, such as soda, potash, gypsum, phosphate, &c. These or many of them, must be supplied by man, when the soil gets exhausted of them by cropping. To these must be added the organic, or the manure made from vege- table and animal matter. These are the material of barn-yard manure, which every farmer knows something about, and has done for ages. When it is said this manure has been very much extolled ol late in Eui'ope, and here, and beyond what it deserves, it has been extolled not only of late, but ages since, and ever will 396 JASSEMBL-? be. It has been spoken of more lately by certain eminent che- mists of Europe, recommending it in preference to certain other manures, such as guano, phosphate of lime, &c., — not that these were not good when pure, but they liad been much adulterated, and the farmers highly cheated and imposed upon in buying them, that rather than be subject to this, the farmers had better use the valuable farm-yard manure, in wMch they could not be very easily clieated j that this was more or less the case with most chemical compounds prepared by chemists and druggists as manure for the farmers. Or if the latter will buy and use these, torget them of persons they can confide in, or have them analyzed by competent chemists before buying them. A great outcry had been raised in Europe against the exposition of the fraud com- mitted on farmers in selling them adulterated, worthless manures. It spoiled the trade of the importers, and nearly broke it up. The shoe pinched, and they cried out. Thus many of the rogues were discovered from their sensitiveness and consciousness of guilt, upon being publicly charged with it. The honest and able portion of the profession and others were not to be deterred from their purpose, but persevered until they made the danger gene- rally known. We hope the example will be followed here by our honorable members of the profession and others, and if any similar fraud should be practiced in manures, it wull be fearlessly exposed, no matter w-hose toes may be pinched, or whose interest injured by the explosion. The Chairman thought the plan adopted by the Institute, of improvement in agriculture by means of its Farmers*' Club, is an excellent one, and ought to extend to every country, and that it would also do great service to other classes, if they, like farmers, should hold clubs, and at hours and places convenient to all. As to the doctrine of sub-soiling, it is not yet well understood. When the subsoil is brought up, and exposed to wind and wea- ther, it takes two or three years to make it good. This deep ploughing has other great benefits, by destroying insects. Our practical farmers ought to come to these meetings. Let science and practice here unite in one of the very best causes — that of agriculture. No. 129. J ' ^397 The subject Of the relative value of mineral manures and AJgfe was continued. A large pan calculated to hold milk was presented for exami- nation. It is of iron, covered by heat with a planish of dark gray color, said to be equal to any earthen or glass ware, while it is vastly superior to either of them in strength. It is a French invention, patented here. Messrs. Hodges k, Co., have the sale of it. Tlie union of wrought iron strength with glass surface is calculated to remind us of the supposed malleable glass of old times. We should fee glad to see here samples of all the best and pre- mium machines, and to keep them here for future comparison, so that, if their inventors choose it, they can annually exhibit for the premium until a better one comes to supplant it. The Club adjourned to the first Tuesday in December. H. Meigs, Secretary^^ American Institute, ) Farmers' Club^ Dec. 2, 1851. ] Chancellor M'Couu was named as Chairman, but not having time to spare for the sitting, Lewis G. Morris was chosen Chair- man, Henry Meigs, Secretary. The Secretary read the following papers prepared by him : [From the Journal of the Highland and Agricul. Society of Scotland — Quarterly. — Oct. 1851.] The Fruits of America — Jipple and Peach. — The old apple coun- try of the United States, the home of the Pippin, the Spitzenberg, and other highly prized varieties, is on the Atlantic border, be- tween Massachusetts Bay and the Delaware. But Western New- York and Northern Ohio have now entered into earnest compe- tition with these old districts and threaten to bear away the palm. By its residents, the new apple country is regarded the finest fruit country in the w^^rld. The mollifying influence of Lake Ontario, wdiicii never freezes as Lake Erie does, extends more or less over the whole level, or slightly undulating region, 398 f Assembly occupied by the lower portion of the upper Silurian rocks, on which the rich soils of this part of the State rest and from which they are generally formed. The fruit is larger and more beauti- ful, but inferior (it is said) in that high flavor which distinguish- es the Atlantic apples. The best apples sell in New -York for three or four dollars a barrel, and in London for nine dollars a barrel. Nearly two hundred varieties of apples as stated by the American Pomolo- gists, are cultivated in the United States. The first conventions held by the American Institute had, and keep in view, a classifi- cation and nomenclature of the fruits. In the United States also, as elsewhere, the apple-trees natur- ally yield a heavy crop every second year. But Mr. Pell — the owner of one of the finest orchards in America — (Yes ! he might have added in the world,) on the River (banks of) Hudson, has recently been investigating whether an annual crop might not be secured from his valuable Newtown Pippin trees, of which he has two thousand in full bearing. (He should have said twenty thou- sand trees bearing and to bear.) His experiments, we are told, were perfectly successful ; only he had begun to apprehend that the life ol his trees might be shortened by this course. Should this be the case, it will still, probably, be more profitable to have a succession of new trees, than to gather a crop only every second year. Mr. Pell cultivates his orchard-grounds as if there were no trees upon them, and raises grain of every kind except rye; which crop, strange to say, he finds so injurious, that he believes that three successive crops of it would destroy any orchard which is less than twenty years old. This is a physiological fact as yet incapable of being explained, but well deserving of scientific in- vestigation. Stephens, in his Book of the Farm, gives the following state- ment, which we take from him with much pleasure. For exam- ple : 5 pound turnips at 7 inches asunder, give a crop of 57 tons and 12^ cwt., whereas the same weight of turnip at 11 inches apart, gives only a little more than 47 tons. Now how easy it is for careless people to thin out the plants to 11 instead of 9 inches, and yet, by so doing, no less than 10^ tons are saciificc-u. Again, a difference of only one pound in each turnip — from 5 to 1 pounds No. 129.] 399 at 9 inches asunder — makes a (difference of 1 1 ^ tons an acre. So that a difference of onlj one pound in each turnip, and two inches in the distance between them, makes the united sacrifice of 21 tons per acre ! Who will deny after this, that minutisp require the most careful attention in farming. Historical Extracts by H. Meigs, October, 1851. Hungary. — Length 300 miles, breadth 200 miles. Lies between East Longitude 17 deg. and 23 degrees. North Latitude 45 deg. and 49 deg. Surface about 37,000 square miles. JVeto- Yoi'k. — Length 300 miles, breadth 1 50 miles. Hungary. — Climate of its southern part unhealthy, owing to numerous lakes, stagnant waters and marshes ; the northern part healthy, mountainous and barren ; air sweet and wholesome. No country in the world has a richer soil than that plain which extends from Presburg to Belgrade, 300 miles. It yields grain, grass, esculent plants, tobacco, saffron, asparagus, melons, hops, peas and beans, millet, buckwheat, delicious wines, fruits of va- rious kinds, peaches, mulberries, chesnuts, wood, wheat in such plenty that it is greatly cheaper than in England . Its horses are generally mouse-colored, and a fine breed ; a remarkable breed of sheep — rams very large. The Tokay wine is from Hungary, one of the best in Europe. Before the Turks took Constantino- ple it was one of the most popular and powerful kingdoms in Europe. Hungary is divided into Upper and Lower Hungary, They are. in general, a brave and magnanimous people, rather indolent, leaving manufactures and trade to Greeks and other strangers settled among them. There are many Faraons or Gyp- sies, supposed to be real descendants of Egyptians, among them. Established religion — Roman Catholic ; although the majority of the people are Protestants, who have full religious liberty. Language— German, Sclavonian, Wallachian and Hebrew. The better ranks speak Latin, middle ranks also. Almost all ranks speak it more or less pure, so that among them, the Latin is, in a measure, a living language. They hate the name of Queen. They always called Theresa King Theresa. 400 I Assembly The Huns subdued this country in tlie 3d century and gave it tlieir name It was part of old Pannonia. The Goths succeeded them ; the Lombards drove the Goths out. The Avari and Sclavi drove ont the Lombards in the 9th century, at the end of which the Anigours left the banks of the Volga and took possession of Hungary, which at first was an assembly of states, and in 997 had its first king, Stephen, who embraced Christianity. In the war with the Turks, Lewis, king of Hungary, was killed in battle in 1526. The Archduke Ferdinand of Austria married the sister of Lewis, and with some difficulty became master of Hungary, which has ever since belonged to Austria. The population has increased in one hundred years from less than three millions to about nine millions ; of which about half a million are nobles. Only three families are princes — Esterharzy, Bathiany and Grassalcovics. In the nobility, all gentlemen pos- sessing real property are included, ipso facio. The peasants, amounting to six or seven hundred thousand, live by farming; with them may be included nearly one million of Hauslers^ who have no lands, but who live by their labor. The piinces and about eight counts are hereditary governors of counties. Fifty years ago the stud of Mezoohegyes consisted of ten thou- sand horses, and supplied one thousand horses annually to the army. The Magyars (pronounced Madjars, came from the banks of the Wolga, are called true Hungarians, form three-fourths of the population east of the Danube. The vandals of Hungary call themselves Sloveni, whose dialect is about tlie same as the Sla- vonic tribes. Agriculture has been little aided by science. Their wheat is mixed with much bad grain. The peasants of Slavonia are too indolent to hoe the ground or sift the bad from the good grain- Their plantations of plum trees have been compared to forests. Madder grows wild ; truffles are abundant. The people do not take the trouble to gather them, but the hogs feed on them. The wool of Hungary has been improved by the Ag- i'^:iltual Society of Merkopail. The olive nourishes. IJo. 129.] 401 The Hungarians are proud of their descent fiom the heroes who formed the bulwark of Christendom against the Mohamme- 'dan infidels. The Botanical Doctrine and Vegetable Physiology taught by Theophrastus, in Athens, in the fourth century betbfethe christian ■era — two thousand two hundred years a^o. Aristotle, devoted much care to th« study ofanimals, their his- tory and anatomy. Theophrastus, his scholar and his successor in the Lyceum, devoted himself to the science of vegetation. Before his time, vegetable physiology was unknown, and wondering ima- :ginations tad made what is mysterious still more profoundly so. Theophrastus relied wholly on close observation and expei'ience. He travelled through Asia Minor, Macedonia, and in Old EgypU His penetrating genius and extensive observations enabled him to ■discover truths before unknown. He produced a most remarka- ble revolution in natural history. He made botany a science, iie created the art of studying structure and organization of vegetables, and the phenomena of their existense, from the moment when the plant begins to grow t-o the end of its «course. In Dioscorides we see more of an empyric than of a naturalist. Pliny did not always understand Theophrastus, and still less did tlie crowd of commentators wlio have pretend- ed to explain his doctrines. I will draw from those great works of his which have escaped the shipwreckof time, and I will show that oui' most celebrated modern botanists have drawn from that source the most ingenious systems which now divide the opinions of the savans of the world. His first work was a history of plants. It is written with a masterly hand. We admire, by lurns, the purity of style and the variety of knowledge, his taste for the most ditfieult researches, and his sagacity in observation and in the -discovery of truth. That work, of which we have the first nine books and a small fragment of the tenth, appeared about the year three hundred and fourteen before Christ, for it is dedicated to Nicodorus of Athens, who was raised to the dignity of Archon of Athens, in the third year of the one hundred and sixteenth Olympiad- He made himself master of the knowledge of five hundred species of plants. He formed two grand classes. First, plants [Assembly, No. 129] 26 40-2 I Assembly of woody fibre, some of which lived to an age beyond an hund- red years, shrubs and trees. Second, plants of a loose texture^ living hardly two years, many but a few days, or less than one year. This class he subdivided into potherbs, corn and grain plant, succulent plants, or rather oleaginous plants. His second book is on the causes of vegetaii&n. We have but the first six out of the eight books of which it was composed originally, and not fourteen, as the scholiast of Nicander says. That treatise is the only one on vegetable physiology which anti- quity has left us. It is as a monument, a most beautiful homage paid to nature. In it he embraces together air, earth and sea. Theophrastus established the doctrine of the relation between vegetable and animal life, on its true basis. The reproduction of vegetable as well as animals (says he) depends upon the inti- mate union of the sexes, which is eifected by corpuscles as fine as dust, found in the male plant : this fecundates the flowers of the female, and causes them to bear fruit. That there is a strik- ing analogy between the odor exhaled by the dust of flowers and that of the seminal fluid of animals. Female plants never bear fruit without the concurrence of the males. The seed of a plant is its egg, in which all the elements of the future plant are con- tained, and which require moisture and heat for their plant to grow. It is by the root that the plant takes from the earth a -part of its nouishment, in that as in the stomach of an animal, the materials held in solution by water there ac(]uire the degree of cooking necessary to enable them to be incorporated in the sub- stance of the plant. It is by the root that the germ breathes in a new life, the body and branches grov/, and the leaves and the fruit appear. The forms^of roots vary infinitely, as well as their peculiar properties. A plant deprived of its root soon perishes. Theophrastus constantly attended to the roots of plants^ and it is regretted that the moderns do not follow his example. The plant begins to grow hy showing seminal leaves, whose form are necessarily roundish and simple. Some plants rise with only one such leaf; others have two. The next crop of leaves are of a different shape ; they are variously acute or composite ; their tints various, often of a deep green above and a whitish green below. Each of their faces is formed of fibres and vessels No. 129.] 403 disposed in peculiar network ; the upper surface having no com- munication whatever with the lower. The leaves nourish the plant from vapors circulating in the atmosphere. It is by them • also that it breathes out and also throws off matter useless to its nutrition. As to the flowers, he regarded them as the seat of sex. The double flowers are sterile. He pointed out perfectly the flowers placed below the ovary, from those placed above it. Fruits succeed their flowers, with the exception of the fig, which grows without any. He also describes the methods for hastening the ripening of fruits or having them early, that one would sup- pose it was written yesterday. He describes the internal structure of plants, as being similar to those of animals — using the same terms. The bark is the outer skin. In herbaceous plants there is but one epidermis which covers the cellular tissue more or less thick, and almost always succulent ; that of ligneous plants is properly called bark, sometimes smooth, or cracked and rough. The bark is very important to the life of the plant — it is there that the nourishing sap is elaborated, and where all the regenerating power of lig- neous vegetables is united. The bark of the grape vine is composed of fibres; especially old vines, contain no parenchyma, and is readily detached from the inner tender bark when the vine is beginning to flower. A like decortication is naturally effected annually on the apple and the plum trees. The body of a plant is composed of fibrous capillary tubes, by means of which the absorbtion of nourishing juices and the nutrition of leaves are effected. These tubes con- tain an assemblage of vessels; these fibrous tubes may be traced even in the flowers and in the fruits. Eesides these fibrous bodies, the plant has larger and thicker vessels, which he called veins, which conduct the sap. They are very apparent in the pine tree, but are absent in some plants. They can be traced in the leaves and flowers. Between the fibres and the sap vessels is the parenchyma (he calls it caps — flesh) which is a matter spread throughout all parts of the plant, abounds in the fruits. 404 [Assembly Wood is composed of fibres and juices; some trees have sap vessels and others are deprived of them. The goodness of timber . depends upon the nature of the soil and position ; that grown on high mountains and places is more compact, harder and more useful tlian that of swampy lands. On this account ship build- ers prefer the timber of Macedonia to that of Eubea, although the latter is much cheaper. Trees exposed to the north wind are worth more than those exposed to south winds. Plants are unequally distributed over the earth. Winds, birds and waves transport seeds at a less or greater distance. Grain is particularly liable to rust. Rye is subject to ergot. Such is the character of the works of Theophrastus. The translation of them by Gaza is very inaccurate, and we must look to the original. Extracts by Henry Meigs from " Exposition de la Doctrine Botanique et du System de Physiologie Vegetale," of Theophras- tus. By the Perpetual Secretary of ihe Liunsean Society of Paris. Arsenne Thiebaut De Berneaud. Presented to the American Institute by the late learned Samuel L. Mitchill. The chairman called upon Dr. Antisell to speak on the ques- tion of the relative value of mineral manures. Dr. Antisell observed that he would have been better pleased to hear from prof. Mapes, who had proposed the question. But, said he, I will state briefly what seems to be the latest and best information. Liebig first began to make analysis of plants with a view to the exact determination of the constituents of them as respects their mineral or inorganic parts. He decided therefore from such analysis of wheat what the constitution of the mine- ral parts of a soil must be in order to grow wheat; so of other vegetables. He supj osed that he had succeeded in making arti- ficial manure adapted to supply the elements found wanting in a soil. He made large quantities and farmers bought extensively. It proved to be a total failure when well tried. Other distin- guished chemists following him, tried such preparations and also failed. Low, Dr. Gilbert, &c., stated that the organic manures, were but secondary to the inorganic or mineral constituents. No. 129.] 405 Dr. Pasey came to the conclusion that the organics were chief and mineral secondary. Liebig, upon commenting upon the sub- ject of fallowing land, said that in the effects produced by time, especially in a fallow, that is the period in which land is at rest, science discovers chemical action going on continuously by the influence exerted by the constituents of the atmosphere upon the surface of the soil. By that of the carbonic acid and the oxygen of the air, with moisture and drain water, the power of dissolv- ing in water some constituents of rocks separate from the inso- luble parts. All cultivated plants require alkalies, though used by them in various quantities. Silicates naturally differ materi- ally in their tendency to solution, &c., Liebig was mistaken in this. Nitrogen, which exists in all parts of vegetables, and with- out which a soil, otherwise rich, cannot grow a plant to matu- rity, must therefore be supplied. As the fallow land absorbs it from the air, and thus lias its fertility regained, and rotation of crop gives it, if the soil be first rich enough for the restoration. Chemical science has now determined to a single pound weight, how much of any mineral manure is necessary for any given crop. In the use of bone manure it is found to be necessary to add the mineral, except that which is always to be found in organic manure. Guano gives to the Swedish turnip more solidi- ty than cow dung does. Wheat, by means of highly nitrogeni- zed manure, lias acquired the great quantity of thirty-three per cent of gluten — the ordinary amount being not more than half that. Tlie ammonia is not present in cow dung. Plants receive warmth from ammonia and with it they make more woody mat- ter and more leaves, and afterwards live on air. All seeds con- tain starch and gluten — these decompose in the ground and am- monia warms the growing plant. By using the organic maiiures we but follow nature. Farmers consider their barn-yard ma- nures as the best of all, but they do not all think that their barn- yard receives only tlie refuse of the crop, that the great mass of vegetation has been sold off the farm and is forever lost to it. The exhausted lands of our State are made so by carrying off the organic, not the mineral constituents of the soil. Sulphate of lime will be taken by roots of plants if they can reach it. I think that the proper relative value of the mineral and the or- 406 [Assembly ganic manures may be stated thus : Organic manures render plants capable of talcing up the mineral manures. Mr. Van Wyck thought that this subject of minerals as manure for landj'their origin and relative value, a very proper one at tliis time, and he hoped the various discussions which had taken place on them, in the Club, would elicit some light on the use of them, and be, in the main, beneficial to farmers. That important mineral, phosphate of lime, or bone earth, or as Leibig, perhaps, more correctly denominates it, pkosp'ioric acid, found of late to be so necessary and useful to form good soil, that is, a certain pro- portion of it. The origin of this, where it is to be found or had in its greatest purity, the process, or different kinds of process for preparing it, so as to act most efficiently on plants, have been pointed out and commented upon. In these discussions it has been necessary to say considerable about organic manure, such as barn or farm-yard, composed of vegetable and animal matter. All good scientific and practical farmers say these, the organic and inorganic, must be used together ; they act with more effi- ciency on laud and its products ; they must be mixed up in due proportions, much more of the former than the latter, for the greatest yield. Prof. Antisell has given us his views on the sub- ject, and he agrees fully as I understood him, on the necessity of the presence of the two kinds uf manures on land, and also the great importance of barn-yard manure in farming. I do not af^ree exactly on the unimportance of cow-dung alone as a ma- nure of the barn-yard; when well preserved and mixed with the usual litter of the yard, and the cows well kept on good feed, it is nearly or quite as powerful as any other organic manure. It has been tried, 20 loads of cow dung of the kind stated, and 400 cwt. of guano to the acre, on different pieces; the former pro- duced the greatest crop. The guano had the advantage at the first start, but it spent its strength on the stems and leaves, the fruit did not mature so well. The dung began to take hold a little later and held out to the last; it possesses a more enduring fertility, as most farm-yard manure does. The secretary has read us several extracts and translations, selected with his usual taste and judgment. I must notice one or two of them. The one, relatin'T to Theophrastus, an eminent natuialist, wlio lived and No. 1219.] 407 wrote more tiian t\ro thousand years ago. The correctness of his knowledge of botany at that day, as compared with modern dis- ella by millions, with little, if any, success. ^ George S. Riggs stated that Father Juan de Ugarte, about the middle of the sixteenth century, introduced into California almost every kind of grape grown in New Spain. President Tallmadge. — 1 do not oppose any mode of preserva- tion that is profitable; but we wish here always to follow a safe leading, and none other should be pressed or urged upon us. We know the distinguished care, skill and experience of Mr. Pell. We must not puzzle the farmers about grapes, or any other culti- vation, I^;t us always encourage production universally. With these few general remarks, let me speak of the Catawba and Isa- l>ella grapes as natives; but our true native grapes ripen a fort- night sooner than the Isabella, and more than that before the Catawba grape. Our wild grapes are foud of the banks of rivu- lets, in alluvial soil. In»our Iruit convention, where I had the honor to i)reside, a catalogue of our grapes was presented, which contained the number of three hundred varieties of our grape vines. It vvaa there agreed that the i>roduct of the seeds was so uncertain as to quality that out of millions hardly a good one can be obtained. Mr. Longworth, of Ohio, has proved this by very large experiments. The niMification of the character of grape by ditferent localities was well established also. On motion of Mr. Colt,of Paterson, to inquire and determine how many of our grapes are worth growing, he said all agreed that only nine of them were wortli growing, and that the three hundred names wf>uld be reduced to about fifty genuine natives. Some members i>elieved that there were no more than fifteen or twenty varieties. The art of naming, for the purpose of selling as new vines, had No. 129. 1 427 gone abroad, and it was well done to put a stop to it. Among our precious grapes, I consider the Black Hamburg the best. I have, from Dr. Ives, of New-Haven, a new grape called the Zin- fendal^ which beairs well in the house, and appears to me very ' clearly to be of the Black Hamburg family — perhaps the third in order. It has not so large a berry as the first ; we find it ex- ceedingly delicious. We cut off three-fourths of the clusters which present themselves on our vines, thus leaving to mature about sixteen clusters on each vine. We find the Zinfendal cluster very close with small berries about the size of buek-shot. By means of slender scissors, we penetrate the cluster, eat oflf berries enough to make room for the remainder to grow^, so that they attain the size of an ounce ball. Many of our visitors select it from the best sorts of our dessert, preferring it to Black Ham- burg. About twenty years ago I commenced raising grapes. We have here but three months real summer — that is, June, July and August, while April, May, September and October are always liable to frost. Now, the precious grapes we have require more than three months to ripen. I found it practicable to make out, this summer, without the expense of artificial heat. I examined the best grape houses in oiu* country,especially of New-England. I have now found the Black Hamburg and others ripen perfectly; and we now believe that two or three acres properly devoted, to raising the fine grapes, in this economical way, would yield as much profit as ordinary farms do, as at present cultivated. We have a house eighty feet long, and twenty-one feet wide, and twelve and-a-half feet high, shaped like the gothic arch, and is all glass. We use the cane pruning in preference to spur. The canes are supported by the posts which constitute the frame of the building. We ventilate by means of a moveable board hinged at the level of the earth, and by like arrangement on the top of the building. W^e water from the rain received on the roof, and preserved in a tank. Light and air reach the bottom of the house, and consequently our clusters are found to b€gin as low as at one foot above the soil, while in many houses the lower part being so boxed up as to prevent this, their vines begin to have clusters at eight to fifteen feet high. A vinery as large as ours can be bnilr, in a plain yet substantial way, for two to three hun- 428 [Assembly dred dollars, add at the end of four or five years, the annual crop will, beyond a doubt, pay more than the entire cost of the estab- lishment. More than two hundred copies of our vinery have been taken. Like houses may, and we hope will, soon be com- mon in our country, and thus supply the people with the deli- cious dessert now confined to a few. Some persons have covered the lower ends of their vines with mats, or other covering, and have found that mice avail themselves of it, and ruin the vines by gnawing them. We cause our vines to be suspended under the glass by wires and strings, at a distance of fifteen to eighteen inches from the glass, to avoid the scorching of the grape leaves by focal rays. Mr. Meigs read the following letter from A. Williams, Esq., of San Francisco. He had read the newspapers containing an ac- count of the establishment of the Western World Institute. {Copy.) San Francisco, December ith, 1851. H. Meigs, Esq.: My Dear Sir — I take the liberty to send to you, from the Wes- tern World Institute, a specimen of the Russian bald barley, weighing sixty-seven pounds to the bushel, and twenty-five to fifty patjkages of California native flower seeds, for experiment for yourself or friends, for cultivation in the Northern States. Our enterprise is of course very small at present, but we are endeavoring to get on old Ogre's boots; to tr}' to follow the An- ohises steps of our "illustrious predecessor," the American Insti- tute, a slight imprint of which you will see in our circular. We can produce big stories, at all events. Only think of a teamster turning round a two-horse wagon on the top of a stump of one of our trees ! What would Old Wouter Von Twiller say to a cabbage head thirteen feet in circumference ? or an onion weighing twenty-one pounds 1 Sinbad, the sailor, will soon be out of print, and Munchausen be discarded from our libraries. Did you read the address? It is all positively, really true. Yours, very respectfully, (Signed) A. WILLIAMS. No. 129.] 429 On Thursday evening the doors of the agricultural and miner- alogical exhibition, on the corner of Washington and Kerrney streets, San Francisco, were thrown open to the public on the occasion of the presentation by Mr. C. A. Shelton of a silver cup, which had been awarded to Mr. Horner for the best assortment of vegetables and grains at the exhibition, and a small hat, made of California gold, to Messrs. Boyd & Dolsen, for the best hats of California manufacture. The committee appointed to examine the vegetables, and report the parties entitled to the prizes, con- sisted of the Hon. Messrs. King, Wright, Fremont, Snyder, and S. B. C. Saunders. The same committee appointed A. Williams, Esq., to deliver an address, on the occasion of the presentation of prizes. After the audience had assembled he arose and ad- dressed them as follows : ADDRESS OF ANDREW WILLIAMS, Esq Ladies and Gentlemen. — Having been invited by Mr. Shelton to present to our fellow citizen, Mr. Horner, a silver goblet, as a premium for his success in advancing the Agricultural interests •of our State,! embrace the opportunity to congratulate you upon the occasion which we are assembled. I congratulate him, whose laudable enterprise and untiring industry in producing so varied and rich a display of the products of our soil and State, have been crowned with such brilliant success ; and especially do I congratulate our State and country upon the first dawn of that development of our agricultui'al wealth and resources, which is destined soon to convert these western '• forests into a garden, and make the wilderness bud and blossom as the rose." It is the first bright ray of that morning sun of American enterprise, perseverance, and industry, and skill, wliose rising beams shall warm into life the young but giant energies of the great West, and whose meridian splendor shall throw its radiance over every nation of the earth. But a short day shall intervene, before the whole of this western coast, from the ice-bound regions of Kamschatka and Lapland on the north, the benighted realms of Patagonia on the south, shall spring, with an electric bound, into life, beneath its vivifying rays — when the swarthy Indian in his sunny isle, the copper-colored Celestial in his secluded 430 [Assembly empire, and the isolated inhabitants of Siam and Japan, shall see and acknow]eed a netting is fastened over as well as under it, to prevent it from coming in contact with either the top or bottom. After being kept in the vat a proper length of time it should be wrung and exposed to the air, when the green color it has imbibed in the vat will be changed almost instanta- neously by absorbing the oxygen of the atmosphere. Indigo, a corruption of indicum, India, and gero, to bear. This is an extensive genus, a beautiful plant. Annual and biennial kinds are raised in hot-beds from seed sown in the spring. The flowers resemble somewhat the pea, sufficiently so to class it with the order Leguminosae ; the vexillum is emarginate ; the keil has a subutate spur on both sides ; stamens diadelphous ; style, filiform; legume, continuous ; more than one-seeded; two valved. The cserulea produces tlie best indigo, the argentea, from Egypt, one of the most inferior. The indigo tinctoria not only yields indigo, but is u?ed in medicine. The indigo is considered a cure for liver diseases. All indigo plants contain a green fecula, which when in the green state, is soluble in water ; it attracts oxygen with immense rapidity from the atmosphere, assumes a blue color, and then becomes insoluble. Indigo was known a long time in India as a dye, and was brought from thence to Europe by the Dutch. It is exceedingly valuable for dying, and has a strong affinity for linen, cotton, silk and wool. Every variety of cloth may be dyed with it, without requiring any mordant, the color produced being permanent. There are two ways of dyeing with indigo — one dissolved in sulphuric acid, forming sulphate of indigo ; with this silk and wool are d} ed. The color given is very beautiful, and is called saxon blue. To form this dye, one part of indigo is dissolved in four parts of concentrated sul- phuric acid ; to the solution is added one part of dry carbonate of potash, and this is diluted with eight times its weight of water. The other method is to deprive the indigo of oxygen, from which it obtains its blue color, this reduces it to a state of green fecula after which it must be dissolved in water by means of al- kalies, which act upon it at once in that state. If green sulphate of iron, lime and indigo are mixed together in water, the indigo loses its blue color, becomes green and is dissolved. This soluble is used in dyeing linen and cotton. Another method is to mix 44J2 • [Assembly indigo in water, with pi:oper vegetable matters, which will im- mediately ferment ; while this is going on the indigo is deprived of its oxygen, and may be dissolved with quick lime. This prep- aration is used for the purpose of dyeing silk and wool. Indigo is divided into several sorts, called first, second, third, fourth and fifth ; the 2d, 4th and 5th sorts, are annual plants, and must be sown in a hot-bed early in the spring, transplanted into pots when two inches high, and then plunged into a hot-bed of tanners' bark. The second and fourth sorts are promiscuously used to make the indigo. The second is the sort cultivated in America, this is the same cultivated by the French, and called in commerce Guatimala Indigo. A species similar to the 3d sort of India grows well in South Carolina, and was much es- teemed some years since, for the beauty of the commodity it produced. The plants are slender and thinly garnished with foliage, con- sequently they furnish but a small quantity of indigo. The pro- cess of making indigo is simple. The vats intended to receive the plant are three in number ; one placed above the other in form of a cascade, so that the second which is lower than the bottom of the first, may receive the liquor contained in the first, when the holes in the bottom are unstopped, that the third may in its return receive what is in the second. The first is called the steeper or rot ; the second is called the battery, and should be half as large as the first. The third which is still smaller is called the deviling or settler. In the first, tlie plant is laid to steep, and ferment, when it soon presents the appearance of rotten manure ; immediately after the salts and substance of the leaf and rind are sufiiciently diffused in the water by the fermentation, which has been ex- cited by the heat and ripeness of the plant, it is drawn into the second vat, where it is agitated, and shaken and beaten, until the salts of the plant, with which the water is loaded is coagula- ted, and throughly united with it. It is then allowed to run in- to the third, where the particles composing the dye are formed^ These are collected, placed in small bags, and then into boxes for commercial purposes. No. 129. 1 443 It has been shown that indigo is composed of the salt and sub- stance of the leaves, and rind of a plant of the same name ; so that we may, with propriety, say that it is a dissolution of the plant, caused by the fermentation it has excited in the water it was laid to steep in. This plant requires a good, rich, well pulverized alluvial soil, which it impoverishes exceedingly. The seeds may be sown one foot apart in the row, and the drills placed two feet apart, and kept clean by means of a cultivator. Quantities of indigo have been sent abroad from the south ; but in consequence of pouring lime water into the fosces of the plant to make it subside, they injured the indigo to such an extent, that it was found difficult to dissolve it. They likewise sowed their seed too thick, which eaused the plant to grow spindling, and devoid of succulent green leaves. They permitted the plant to stand too long before it was cut, consequently, but a small portion was dissolved by fermentation, and that not half as beautiful as the fosces of the young and luxuriant plant. It should be cut just before the flowers come out into blossom, to make indigo worth $1.40 per pound ; that cut at a later period will make an inferior article, worth about thirty cents. It should not on any account, be cut immediately after rain, but during dry weather. Frequently it is steeped too long : a practical indigo manu- facturer can discern by the smell of the liquor, when it is in the proper state to draw ofif; sometimes it is ready in six or seven hours, at other times from twenty to twenty-four hours will be required, owing probably to variation in the atmosphere. This is the point necessary for the operator to attend to, and if he does not understand it, his loss will be inevitable. Another point requiring particular attention is the beating process, which is seldom in this country continued sufficiently long to precipitate all the green particles ; that portion remaining is soluble when coming in contact with water, and is consequently lost. The best indigo ever made in the United States was manufactured by Gen. Hampton, of S. Carolina — with him we lost the secret. Prussian blue is a splendid intensely dark-blue pigment, which was discovered in 1710, by i Prussian chemist, accidentally. It i? 444 [AsSEMBI^Y a combination of persulpliate of iron, and ferrocyanuret of potas- sium. The ferrocyanuret of potassium is made by burning car- bonate of potassa with hoofs, dried blood, or horns, in an iron vessel; which form cyanuret of iron. The soluble portions are then taken out with water, and sulphate of iron added, until the Prussian blue will no longer be decomposed by the potassa. The ferrocyanuret of potassium is then set to crystalize, when truncated octohedral yellow crystals are obtained, called prussiate of potash. There is a process of dyeing a magnificent blue with this material, that does not suffer by exposure to atmospheric air in all its vicissitudes, acids even do not injure it ; and boiling in alum-water has no eflect upon it. Our importations of indigo are large. On the first of January we had a stock of India, numbering 30,332 chests. We have received, during twelve months, 7,838 ceroons of Spanish indigo. Mr. Geo. S. Riggs : Herewith I furnish tables compiled by me from Government works. They show — The imports of indigo from 1st Oct., 1829, to 30th June, 1850, 22,490,859 lbs. Value, §18,618,379 The exports (of foreign growth) from 1st Oct.. 1829, to 30th June, 1850, 3,272,833 lbs. Value, $4,025,048 The exports (of liome growth) from 1st October, 1829, to 29th June, 1830, 10,663 lbs. Value, $7,229 Imported of growth and manufacture of foreign countries. Pound*. Dollars. 1829, to 30 Sept. , 1830, 617,824 715,715 1830, 1831, 803,252 759,012 1831, 1832, 1,114,827 978,179 1832, 1833, 1,140,454 986,402 1833, 1834, 921,894 999,863 1834, 1835, 935,675 893,090 1835, 1836, 1,236,902 1,113,577 1836, 1737, 837,850 868,213 1837, 1838, 401,524 363,406 No. 129.] 445 Pounds. Dollars. From 1st Oct., , 1838, to 3th Sept., , 1839, 1,168,761 1,171,644 (( 1839, u 1840, 1,126,334 1,121,701 11 1840, a 1841, 1,350,037 1,159,887 li 1841, a 1842, 969,597 749,505 a 1842, to 30 th June 1843, 537,618 476,201 From 1st July, 1843, iC 1844, 1,391,708 1,145,067 a 1844, u 1845, 1,131,256 862,700 (( • 1845, ii 1846, 1,292,877 898,518 ({ 1846, a 1847, 985,702 694,956 (( 1847, ii 1848, 1,534,244 961,849 li 1848, Ci 1849, 1,373,062 805,863 a 1849, ii 1850, 1,619,461 903,031 22,490,859 $18,618,379 Exported, of growth and manufacture of foreign countries. From 1st Oct., 1829, to 30th Sept., 1830, 334,624 440,863 (( 1830, a 1831, 238,218 278,997 ii 1831, a 1832, 303,108 358,526 ii 1832, a 1833, 532,422 629,369 11 1833, il 1834, 647,322 857,056 il 1834, 11 1835, 78,308 96,619 li 1835, li 1836, 161,570 228,530 li 1836, 11 1837, 252,544 343,640 11 1837, 11 1838, 17,761 24,961 li 1838, a 1839, 47,365 65,975 ii 1839, il 1840, 132,048 179,210 il 1840, il 1841, 29,149 106,291 11 1841, 11 1842, 94,624 90,865 a 1842, 11 , June 1843, 117,202 121,987 From 1st July ,1843, il 1844, 7,098 7,709 a 1844, C( 1845, 88,263 94,686 il 1845, li 1846, 28,860 34,364 11 1846, li 1847, 3,579 3,201 11 1847, il 1848, 78,281 26,641 11 1848, il 1849, 23,116 21,e05 il 1849, li 1850, 17,371 14,565 3,272,833 $4,025,048 446 [Assembly Exported, of growth and manufacture of United States. Pounds. Dollasi. From 1st Oct. 1829, to 30th Sept,, 1830, 1,140 827 a 1830, a 1831, (C 1831, u 1832, u 1832, a 1833, 300 180 u 1833, 11 1834, 102 148 il 1834, a 1835, 1,031 1,060 11 1835, a 1836, 1,065 * 1,020 u 1836, li 1837, u 1837, a 1838, 50 50 li 1838, u 1839, CI 1839, u 1840, 209 209 (( 1840, u 1841, u 1841, a 1842, 2,200 1,042 a 1842, "June J 1843, 208 190 From 1st July, , 1843, a 1844, 2,500 1,176 a 1844, u 1845, 100 70 u 1845, u 1846, 90 90 u 1846, a 1847, 25 10 u 1847, a 1848, 1,150 1,100 u 1848, u 1849, 493 49 10,663 $7,229 The Chairman requested Dr. Antisell to give his views of this subject. Dr. Antisell observed that indigo was a plant of a temperate climate ) grows wild in Mexico, on grounds elevated about six thousand feet above the level of the sea. Indigo certainly does injure the soil; but so also do other plants — perhaps not so much. The sap of the indigo plant is without color when in full growthj but the indigo begins to be formed as soon as the process of de- composition takes place in the leaves and stems, and is deposited in the cells of the plant. Like madder, it requires lime in the soil. Add plaster (sulphate of lime) to the soil; the leguminosa need it. It is desirable that the indigo plant should* have large leaves and stems. Like tea, the first leaves that are gathered No. 129.] 447 are the best ; the subsequent growths are less and less rich in. the indigo. The process of dyeing is in some measure an imita- tion of the process of nature ; that is, to change the colorless sap by oxidation. Woad is far less sensible to cold than indigo. Great care is requisite in the fermentation of indigo, or great loss is found in the material and quality. There are five colors in the indigo plant, some of which must be got rid of. Indigotine is now prepared in order to produce the finest and richest blue. Chairman. — The public is indebted to those citizens who give their time and care to spread "knowledge, for in doing so they give valuable instruction to thousands who cannot attend lectures or pass their time in libraries . Mr. Van Wyck stated that after the very able dissertation we had just heard on the subject, and the practical and very useful remarks of Professor Antisell, as a chemist, in refation to vege- table dyes, and colors generally, I cannot expect to throw much light on the matters for discussion. I would have wished, also, that our President, the proposer of the question, could have been present, that we might have had his views on it, as no doubt he had given it some attention, and would have assisted us mate- rially in developing some of its more intricate points. It con- tains many of these, and requires considerable research, as well as professional skill to elucidate them to make them of much public use. The best vegetable blue dye used at this day, ac- cording to the best information I have been able to collect, is un- doubtedly indigo. This grows abundantly in various parts of the world ; but the best is grown within or near the tropics, from twenty to thirty-five degrees. It is grown in the East Indies, China, Hindostan, Java, and South America. It grows perfectly well in some of our Southern States, especially South Carolina. Some of the best kind comes from Guatimala, South America. Java grows the article very fine. In most of these countries- it is only used as an article of commerce or trade. Europe is the place where there is the greatest demand for it,-;-England, France, Germany, &c., &c. In most of these countries it is only used as an article of commerce or trade. In all these, population is dense; their manufacturing es- 448 [Assembly tablishments large, produce of these great ; and tliey have arrived at the greatest degree of perfection, especially in woolens, silks, &c.; and, of course, the best coloring matters for these. The French, it is generally allowed, excel in dyes. They are considered among the best chemists of the world ; this gives them great advantages in investigating colors ; the best materials for making these bright and durable. Fourcroy, Bergmann, Berthollet, Chaptal, and many others, stand high as chemists, and in experiments made upon dyes. This, with some other matters, has given the French products, in which the coloring material is used, such great reputation in the world. In giving woolen and silk the blue color, they make use of indigo mostly, although, sometimes, they use several other things with it, ac- cording to the shade of blue, the material to be colored, the con- veniences for performing the work, vats, steeping, washing, air- ing, &c. — the time used in these various operations. The work- men and laborers do not always work as they are told, which affects the color much, and immediately this must be corrected at once, or counteracted by other influences. The French chemist sees if any thing has gone wrong and he sets himself to work without delay to correct it, and such is his acuteness and skill in the art, that he generally succeeds. In Germany there are also some good chemists and dyers. The Prussian blue stood high once, it ii not much used though now. Dr. Bancroft, an English gentleman who stands high as a chemi- cal experimenter in colors, made considerable improvements in Prussian blue. By his method it was made bright and deep, and not so subject to change and show different shades, still it was apt to show creases, dust and change in the seams to a whitish color by wear and use — the least touch of alkali made an ugly spot. The Saxon blue is considered an excellent blue; the color is formed with indigo and dissolved in sulphuric acid; this is ac- cording to the French witli some changes in detail. It is some- times called the chemical blue of Poener, as he gave the directions as chemist. It has been said, and correctly, that indigo was an exhauster of soil, and therefore it was hoped its cultivation would be entirely dropped. It is not here thought so; other plants are exhausters too; manure is used to restore the exhaustion, and it No. 129.] 449 may be in the case of indigo It is true, there is no great de- mand for it as yet, we look to foreign countries for the results of its use, it is believed, though, the time will come, when our pop- ulation gets dense and manufactories more established among us,, there will be a demand for all that is raised and so as to pay our growers The plant grows wild in Pennsylvania, and other mid- dle states, but of an inferior character, still it gives the blue color; it is styled by competent persons who have examined it, wild indigo, or dyers' baptesia. It is necessary for those who su- perintend the process of coloring to be good chemists ; this is th© reason why the French succeed so well in the business. They watch with intense care every stage of the operation, and are often obliged to use several other ingredients ; sometimes they use woad with indigo to give a good blue, almost always sulphuric acid to dissolve the last in. According to circumstances thej use more or less sulphate of iron, oxide of iron, carbonic acid, the alkalies, lime, potash, soda and oxygen ; they make great use of this last, they get it from the atmosphere — and great use of lime in various quantities. These learned operators must often coun- teract one ingredient by another when too much has been used of one, or improperly used in any way, so as to keep up the proper proportion of influence among them all, to effect in the final result, the most uniform^ermanent and brightest blue. Dr. Antisell. — One great advantage in the indigo dye is, that it is good for all textures. Prussian blue is not, for it is apt to turn pale and of a greenish hue on silk and cottons, while indigo blue is always beautiful. The indigo plant does grow wild in this country. The Secretary read from the Boston Journal of the 15th of Jan- uary instant, sent to him for this Club, an account of the forma- tion of the " Massachusetts Board of Agriculture," by delegates from many agricultural societies of the State. An executive committee was appointed consisting of the Hon. Edward Everett, John W. Proctor, J. H. W. Page, Professor Fowler, of Amherst, and Hon. B. V. French, of Braintree. In the report they ask for a State Department of Agriculture, and a National Convention [Assembly, No. 129.] 29 450 [ASSEMBLT for agriculture, for correspondence with all agricultural societies/ and for some system of agricultural education. The members of the Club were unanimous in their high approbation of this measure. The Secretary read the following paper? translated and prepared by himself. There are soils so rich in silicates, prone to disintegration, that every year, or every two years, a quantity of silicate of potash is rendered fit for assimilation sufficient for the formation of the leaves and stems of a whole crop of wheat. In Hungary there are large districts of land on which, since the memory of man, corn, wheat and tobacco have been cultivated in alternate years, without the restoration of the mineral ingre- dients carried away in the corn and the straw. There are other hills, on the contrary, which do not yield sufficient silicate of potash in two, three, or more years. — Liebig, 1813. H. Meigs. We extract the following from the exhibition of the Central Horticultural Society of the Seine, on the llth, 12th and 13th of September, 1851 : AMERICAN PRU^'ES. [Revne Horticolc, Paris, October, 1S51.] Messrs. Jamain & Durand obtained the principal honors in pomiculture." These two able nurserymen exhibited to ns a com- plete collection of prunes of the most celebrated kinds, and among them was the famous Jefferson prune of the United States, which the English and the Am'^rican horticultural journals announce as a rival to our Queen Claude prune. The Coe's Golden Drop, the Tellembay, Queen Victoria, and Pond's seedling were much admired, especially the latter, for its great size. TRANSPLANTING LARGE TREES. [RcTue Ilorticole, Paris, December, 1851.] It often happens that we are obliged to sacrifice large trees, whose place is wanted for other purposes, and yet we fear to transplant them and lose our labor by their failing to live. 129.] 451 And w^ have hesitated setting out large trees, which we wish to have on our places for ornament and for shade, for the same reason. We now believe it to be our duty to communicate to our readers the process which we have used with great success with trees of large dimensions. The process is simple and costs but iittle. Last November we transplanted one hundred poplars, from thirty to tliirty-five feet high, without taking off any part except dead wood and useless twigs. I put them in v;ell-stirred earth, and merely digging at the roots of eacli tree a ditch large enough to receive a drain tile of thr^e or four inches in diameter, and about three to four feet longjincliued from the surface of the soil to the centre of tlie roots. When spring comes, I pour water down these drains, to keep the roots moist constantly. The trees all go on to vegetate perfectly. I continue this watering during the lirst summer, and I find in the following autumn that new gi'owths are on all of them, to the extent of four to five feet. I succeed in the same way with large lilac bushes and others. The results have been as satisfactory as possible. Not one of my transplanted died. (Signed) LEON LE GUAY, STAINDROP FARMEES' CLUB, [London Farmers'' Magazine, Nov./ 1851.] We extract the following on the potato : — '• A native of South America, supposed to have been brought from Virginia to Eng- land by the colonists, sent out by Sir Vv^alter Raleigh in 1584, and who returned in 1586, and •' probably," according to Sir Joseph Banks, "brought with him the potato." Gerarde, in his Herbal, published in 1597, gives a figure of the potato under the naaie of the Potato of Virginia whence, he says, he received the roots; and this appellation it appears to have retained, in order to distinguish it from tlie Batatas, or sweet po- tato, till the year 1640, if not longer. It appears from Gough's edition of Camden's Britania, that the potato was first planted by Sir Walter Raleigh, on his estate at Youghal, near Cork, (Ire- land,) and that it was cherished and cultivated for food in that 452 [AsSEMBLT country long before its value was known in England; though it was soon carried over from Ireland to Lancashire. Gerarde, who had this plant in his garden in 1797, under the name of Batata Virginiana, recommended the roots to be eaten as a delicate dish, not as common food. Parkinson mentions that the tubers were sometiraes roasted and steeped in sack (dry Lisbon wine,) and sugar, or baked with marrow and spices, and even preserved and candied by the comfit makers. In 1663, the Royal Society took some measures for encouraging the cultivation of the potato, with the view of preventing famine ; but no high character was be- stowed upon them in books of gardening published towards the end of the 17th century. A hundred years after the introduc- tion of the potato, they are spoken of rather slightingly. " They are much used in Ireland and America as bread," says our author, " and may be propagated with advantage to poor people. I do not hear that it hath yet been essayed," says ano- ther author, " whether they may not be propagated in great quantities as food for swine or other cattle." Even Evelyn seems to have entertained a prejudice against them. " Plant potatoes in your worst ground ; take them up in November for winter spending; there will enough remain for stock, though ever so exactly gathered:" this was said in 1699. The famous nursery- men, London & Wise, did not consider the potato as worthy of notice in their Complete Gardener ^ published in 1749; and Brad- ley, who about the same time wrote so extensively on horticul- tural subjects, speaks ol them as inferior to skirrets and radishes. It was nearly the middle of the eighteenth century before their excellent tjualities were generally known in England. It is now almost generally that seed potatoes taken up before fully ripe never suffer from the disease. It is therefore desii:^ble to procure seed from moorish or from elevated grounds, where the potato seldom gets fully ripe. We prefer to -plant whole potatoes of a medium size, or if cut, to plant the pieces immediately. Copy of letter from K. B., of Perth Amloy^ JVew- Jersey, to Henry Meigs, Esq., of the Farmers^ Club, dated Ifecember 16, 1851. " Dear Sir — The ready interest you have ever shown in my several attempts to improve an old garden, encourages me to No. 129,] 453 state an experiment I attempted' the past year upon a large cherry tree that was planted sixty years ago, and for the past ten years has been condemned as fit for nothing but to shade the gar- den. It was ever full of leaf, but bore scarcely any fruit, and when it did was imperfect, and ripened prematurely. The tree is a late bearer, ripening in July ; The fruit heart-shaped, large, and very dark red, of the Ox-heart species. It had stood so long in the midst of the garden, I could not bear to order the axe — it looked like an old friend in childhood. I had often studied my school lessons upon the branches, eat the fruit, and remembered faces thei"e, now long since passed away ! <' Turning over the leaves of the Horticulturist, I was prompted to try what digging and changing the earth might do, and my proceeding, I must premise, was anything but a scientific one, I first ordered the ground to be cleared and broken up, laying the main roots bare to about three feet all around from the trunk of the tree; then putting in three or four wheel-barrow loads of manure, fresh from the cow-yard ; next putting in the same quantity of fresh earth from the road near a smoke house, from which refuse had often been thrown ; this was worked in,addino' some of the old soil, and for a top-dressing, a bushel of shell-lime and the same of coal ashes mixed together was added. " This was done in the tail of 1850, In the following spring the earth was turned over, and I added a bushel of ashes and lime. The result was beyond my expectations. The tree was one mass of bloom, and the fruit ripened fully and abundantly, I was obliged to have a sheet held under the tree and the fruit shaken down, and a pretty sight it was. A brother-in-law of mine was so delighted as to beg me to take a drawing of the fruit, saying he would have it lithographed, for he had never seen finer or handsomer cherries. Tiais is encouraging, and this fall I have had the earth again well turned over, adding manure &c.,&,c , and am making the like attempt upon some old pear trees — virgalieus and bergamots — tliat are diseased. They put out abundantly of blossoms and leaves ; but as soon as the fruit forms, a sort of hard, black spot forms on one side ; the fruit ripens prematurely, and not one ever had been of some eight or * 454 [AsSEMBLt nine trees fit to pick up, much less to eat. Their leaves about that time will have a black spot, almost every one throughout the trees. Can you tell me what would be better than the mixture applied to the famous old cherry tree? I see many directions in the different papers, but none that satisfy me as- suitable for a worn out garden ; and with but one hand, I cannot undertake anything that requires much looking after or expense^ interested as I am in everything that can be raised in a garden. " If you wish to make use of the above imperfect account, I have no^'objections,except that you will be so kind as to withhold my name. " And now, believe me, your sincere friend, "K. B." American Institute, ) Farmers' Club, Feb., 3, 1852. J Present twenty-three members. Hon. James Tallraadge in the chair. Henry Meigs, Sec'y. The Secretary read a letter from A. Williams, Esci-, of Cala- fornia : San Francisco, Dec, 31, 1851. H. Meigs, Esq. — My dear Sir : I send you by to-morrow^s steamer a little specimen of the Russian bald barley, raised here near the Bear river (an appropriate name for Russian produc- tions,) which is said to weigh sixty-six pounds to the bushel. I would be pleased to have you try the experiment of its growing at the North. In an agricultural address recently delivered here, a beet was described as being ficenty-eight inches in cir- cumference, and weighing/o/-?y-serm pounds; but I sent to-day, or rather Mr. Shelton sends to Francis B. Hart, one forfy-fovr inches in circumference, alid weighing when dug sixty pounds. Mr. Hart will probably exhibit it as a Californian monstrosifyy but a large garden here was filled with such. Your Institute is the appropriate place for their exhibition. (Signed) A. WILLIAMS. Mr. Williams is a life member of the American Institute, and has been one of its Vice-Pjesidents. Captain Barnard, of the In- No. 129.] 455 stitute, caused the beets to be placed on the table of the Farmers* Club to-day ; they more resemble stumps of trees tlian garden vegetables. The bald barley received from Mr. Williams is a splendid grain. The clerk of tlie Institute, John W. Chambers, weighed it in our Chondrometer, and it proved to be sixty-^wo mid a half jwunds to the bushel. The best barley of the United States is from forty-eight to fifty-one pounds per bushel. The Secretary read the following translation made by him : [L'Allemagne Agricole, luduBtricUc et Politique.] From Alexandre Vattemare. Germany, her Agricultural In- dustry and Policy : Journies in 1840,1841 and 1842, by Emile Jacquemin, Member of the Carlo-Leopoldine Academy of Natu- ral Science, Germany. Printed in Paris, 1842, at No- 22 Rue Coquilliere (Shell street.) Extracts translated by Henry Meigs. Preface. German agriculture has hitherto remained almost entirely unknown, and yet, however, it offers a vast and fruitful field of study for us, and which it is our interest to look into. It is certainly not my intention to propose German agriculture as an accomplished model for us ; but I must sa}' that we shall find mucli to borrow, and that it presents an ample harvest of facta worthy to be gathered by us. Numerous experiments followed by happy results, agricultural societies, congresses of economists, agricultural legislature, all these have come to a union in Germany, to give birth there to a distinct literature, which la sufiicient to fill vast libraries, and which it is our duty to endea- vor to know. Germany, by its regrovving industry, by the tend- ency of its policy to re-constitute the ancient German Unity, by the total reform in which it is now in labor, merits in the highest degree our attention. Having lived there eighteen years and travelled much in it, I am enabled to know their manners and taste, and the charactear and intelligence of her people, and what the relations of the na- tions of which it is composed are in their respective governments. And it is not from the inside of a post-coach, or in large citle8| 456 [Assembly that we learn a country. Germany has unhappily too often been studied that way. These unfortunate essays do not agree with my long, reiterated "and impartial studies. I wish to dissipate illusions and to produce a small volume of positive and real utility. Germany was first aroused from a dream of passed ages by the grand movement of nations around her, coming from the West, under the standard of Napoleon, and Germany has profitted more by it than all the other States of Europe. Recollect wliat she was hardly fifty years ago, and behold what she now is. What an immense progress in every thing ! 1 say that the continental system has revived German industry^ hitherto paralysed. I entered Germany by Rhenine Prussia, which is, without contradiction, its most beautiful Gate. Almost all the villages which presented themselves on my right, frum the frontier as far as Aix-le-Chapelle, bore a strikingly graceful physiognomy, gai- ly seated in the midst of an abundant, fresh vegetation — the houses small, convenient, and almost entirely hid by leafy vines ; each house with its little garden designed with good taste, and in the midst of all this a people vigorous and well dressed. The general aspect of the agriculture is smiling. It is no longer that a few wealthy lords and rich farmers pos- sess the land. Prussia on the Rhine is now divided into 11,215,- .527 parcels, divided among as many families, whose members are workmen, or agriculturists and proprietors. This extreme division of the land will astonish persons habit- uated to the calculation of agricultural wealth by the number of great farmers; and, above all, it will astonish England, whose land is possessed by about six hundred nohle families only. Cer- tertaiuly it is not an evil that land should be possessed by a great number of owners. The parcels of land mentioned are, on an average, about one acre ; but on the banks of the Moselle, only twenty perches (the eightli of an acre, or two city of New- York lots.) In the circle No. 129.] 457 of Coblentz alone, they have made every year six thousand new parcels. There are parcels of meadows and of vineyards which pay a rent of only one pfenning (a liard) equal to the French farthing; so that the land is almost divided into dust. This is, however, as it is in France, a melancholy state of things. Under such a system, what must become of stock and grain-rais- ing ? And the improvement of meadows becomes almost impos- sible. In the most fertile but most parcelled lands on the Mo- selle, the peasant is poorest — his poverty excels that of the peasant of the lands of Luneburg. On the lelt bank of the Rhine, espe- cially in the circles of Ooblentz and Treves, the lands are the most dividedj generally the farms are about from eight to twenty acres each, worth, on an average, two hundred dollars an acre, and. frequently two or three times that. In the four hundred and fifty-nine square miles of Rhenine' Prussia, there are but four hundred and twenty-one proprietors, whose taxes amount to sixty dollars each. This gives to the owners the privilege of beino- chosen deputies of the province. After leaving the fertile plains of Treves, Cologne and Coblentz, and entering the mountains of the Eifel and the Hundstruch,you find in the midst of this beau- tiful country a striking example of the want of intelligence in agriculture. In the mountains of the Eifel, the peasant, a rou- Hniere par excellence, is behind modern improvements many cen- turies, and the fine example of his neighbors in the adjacent vallies does not affect him at all. He goes on with the habits transmitted to him by his ancestors, and if any one of these peas- ants venture to take a little step towards amelioration, he does it with desperate slowness. There are in Germany two hundred and thirty-three agricultu- ral, horticultural, pomological, vine, silk, bee, horses, cattle, kc, societies, the members of which amount to 466,000, more or less instructed, of whom a great number are very learned men, some able, practical men, and all of them Avith the most ardent desire to give progress to agriculture. "We live (said the President, M. de EUrichshaussen) in an epoch of reforms of a serious nature and of bold emancipations. 458 [Assembly Agriculture, which has been asleep for ages, is now awakening, thanks to the progress of chemistry and the natural sciences ; every thing having an intellectual origin shows, and is disembar- rasing itself of those fetters which prevent its free development. Agriculture has been the last to answer to the call of science; but its turn has at last arrived, and it is now ready to commence receiving instructions which will cause it to make a rapid career. Is it not sure of being sustained by all the sciences of nature? " There does not exist, as yet, a book which contains a complete histserved that gre-at attention is due to the condition of the fruit, in the first place ; for, if it is deficient in maturity, or is over ripe, j;iiccess in nuiking good jelly from it is out of the question. Judge Livingston presented Catawba grapes off Ms iarm, in good condition, preserved by him in oak saw dust. Pres. TAL.J.MADGE invited the members to prepare subjects for next meeting. He was pleased with the method of making jelly just described. Science is here also. On motion, ordered unaninjously, that Prof. Mapes be request- ed to grow seed ironi the onion given by Consul Tinelli, and to return some of it to the club for distribution. Judge LivrNtJsTOiN proposed as the next subject — Pruning. ^ Prof. Mapes.— ^'a\ peach trees too. Adopted. Charles Loosey, YiccConsul of Austria, on the request of the Secretary, presented statistical tables of the agriculture, animals, &c., of Austria. In these tables the Elmer is about 12 45-IOOths gallons j Met- zin, 211-lOOOths of a quarter. The quarter being eight bushels. The metzin is aboui two Imshe/B. The Joch is 1 and 422- 1000th ot an acre, or nearly an acre and a half. ^ -t>:^ tihow 476 [Assembly The Klaftir is a long measure of a little more than six feet. The Secretary remarked that these tables are from the best authority, and will cause surprise in those who studied Germany but a few years ago, and compare with this. President Tallmadge adverted to the great division of land' as stated by Jacquemin, showing close population and great pro- duction. He mentioned the capabilities of Russia, where he had seen the vast extent of lands comparatively level, with a village population so condensed, that between villages scarcely an individual is seen. Happily for us, all the people of our Re- public can have farms. It is true that the lands of England are in the hands of a comparatively few Ambrose Stevens. That results from their law of primogeni- ture. Subject for next meeting Pruning and Culture of the Peach. The Club then adjouraed. H. Meigs, Secretary. JV*. B. The tables of Mr. Loosey are to be published as soon as possible. ^ American Institute, Farmers'' Club, February 17, 1851, Hon. Jameb Tallmadge in the chair; H. Meigs, Secretary. The Secretary said that he had known Charles Henry Hall for the last thirty or forty years, and having been connected with him in public Life so closely as to know hi5 views and conduct on several important occasions, he wished to say that the first striking proof of Mr. Hall's public spirit was the introduction of fine merino sheep from Spain, at great risk of the voyage from Spain, with great expense and with great difiiculty in the obtain- ing of the pure blooded animals, as Spain desired to keep her monopoly of these golden fleeces, out of which she had been in the habit of manufacturing some of the richest broadcloths in the world for a long time past. No. 129. 1 477 Mr. Hall also took deep interest in establishing in our country the best breeds of horses and cattle. He acquired more than common knowledge of these subjects, and expended great sums of money on them, and by success recovered large sums by the speed and noble qualities of his horses, and the high qualities of his cattle. I had the pleasure to act with him in the board of aldermen of this city, in 1831 and 1832. He was deeply engaged in the noble plan of completing, orer dales and through hills of rock, the splendid Third Avenue. Great oposition was made to it on two grounds. One was the enormous expense, and the next, that it was a speculation to improve his own lands of Harlem ; the answer to which I gave was, that it is much to be desired that the majority of our citizens felt an equally deep interest in thus making all the avenues to our city as perfect as science can make them, in which every citizen has as great an interest as Mr. Hall. At the same time, Mr. Hall gave the whole weight of his abil- ity to the establishment of our glorious Croton Aqueduct; and his observations on some of the European aqueducts gave force to his arguments for our Croton. Mr. Hall was acquainted with, and much attached to, the fine arts; his judgment in painting, sculpture, &c., was excellent. With all this, his prudence had great trouble in restraining his inborn liberality. He rejoiced in being bounteous, and la- mented at times the restraints some times imposed on it, in strong terms. He delighted in giving. May such men continue to be born among us, for such have always been the product of the best eras of our race. His Third Avenue is a monument to his memory, which, like the Appian Way, will forever be admired. He was a member of the Institute and of its Farmers' Club. He was an enlightened patriot, devoting largely his time and money to American improvement. The Secretary read the following translation by himself: 478 j Assembly [RcvUB Hortioola, Boptembcr, 1S51, Paris.] Wo are muoh pleased with the fui-ther information relative to the immense water Lily, the Victoria Regia, and the gigantic trees of Tasmania. Flowering of the JVelumbium Speciosum in the Museum at Paris. Of all the precious vegetables with which horticulture has been enriched of late years, none is more remarkable than the Nelumbium by the celebrity attached to it traditionally, which has attracted in a lively manner the attention of the savans. This magnificent plant, which has now flowered in Paris for the first time, has, however, given its flowers and sometimes ripened its fruit in the open air, at Montpelier. The Nelumbium Speciosum was originally from India. This was known about the beginning of the seventeenth century; be- fore that time, however, it was considered as peculiar to Lower Egypt, where no person had ever met with it. Anciently it bore the name of Bean of Egypt^ Lily of the JVile^ or Lotus. The an- cients ate it, roots and seeds. It is to Charles de I'Ecluse (Clusiua) we are indebted for the first indications of this celebrated plant. He sought out all the old texts in reference to the Nympheacea of the Nile. Theophrastus and Herodotus describe it with pre- cision under the name of Bean of Egypt, or lAly of the .ffUe. N, B. Lindley, in his vegetable kingdom, says, that the seeds are eagerly sought for by the wild people where they grow, in times of scarcity; that the taste resembles that of poppy seeds and are, like millet, eaten either boiled or raw. The Victoria Regia is the most gigantic, and the natives of South America call its seed water maize. [Anfiatea De La Boeiote Oenfawe, Paria, 3alj, 18J>1.] Translation by H. Meigs, November, 1 851 , on the Victoria Regia by Mr. Neumann. We read in the number of May Slat, of the London Illustrated Journal, that an attempt made by Messrs. Meeks & Co., Garden- No. 129. j 479 ers of Chelsea, near London, to cultivate this magnificent plant in the open air, has completely succeeded. They constructed a basin twenty-one feet in diameter and three feet deep. They set out in good loam mixed with river sand, a young Victoria plant about the third of March. It then had three leaves measuring (the largest) eighteen inches in diameter. Since that it has grown considerably and seems robust. The number of leaves now (May 31) is seven, which are from three feet and-a-half to four feet in diameter, and as the season increases in heat, they may be expected to attain the greatest diameter. The petioles (foot stalks) of the leaves are from eight to twelve feet long, throwing their leaves to a considerable distance from the base of that plant. The first flower opened partially, on the 16th, and for some hours before its full bloom, it exhaled a very sweet and very powerful perfume. It was in full bloom in the evening of the following day. It was then admirable and displayed all its beauties before a great number of visitors. The colors of this Jfenuphar are two, white and carmine. The exterior petals are white, and the interior ones carmine — very red and rich. The flower measured from nine to twelve inches in diameter. The duration of the blooming was short, it lasted only during two successive evenings. The flowers succeed each other all the season. We add, that it has a more noble appearance in the open air than in hot-houses, the leaves becoming hypocratenform (cup shaped,) is very interesting. The basin in which this plant is growing is warmed by means of tubes conveying to the basin warm water. The tubes are in two rows on the bottom, and com- municate with the boiler, which warms besides a range of glass- houses. The temperatui'e of the water in the basin is kept up to from 75° to 90° of Fahrenlieit. A constant current of clear water is entering the basin. A temporary cover is placed over the basin at night to protect it from high winds. A row of blue, yellow and white nenuphars is placed around the Victoria. In this note we are given to understand that tlie Victoria may be cultivated in open air, provided you keep the water warm ! But 480 I Assembly now see what my son, Louis Neuman, states to me from Belgium, where he has lately passed some days : " On entering the garden of M. Donkelaer, the Director, he conducted me to his Victoria, which he kept in a small frame of double slope. An alley in the middle of the frame divided it into two patches. On the right side was a basin about twelve feet long by five wide and three deep: his basin was oblong bowl-shaped. The temperature of the water in it ordinary warmth — not more than 53° Fahrenheit. "Mr. Donkelaer explained this as follows: — He had treated this plant for a long time, and he says, that when a row of tubes had been placed on the bottom of the basin, in order to warm the water, after having used them three or four times, at moments when the surrounding temperature was too low, he finished by not using them at all, and found the plants growing just as read- ily as before. . " He remarks, also, that the plants we have are mere dwarfs compared with his, one of the leaves of his measuring four feet and-a-half in diameter, and will be larger. I forgot to say, that the small wheel which he had used to agitate the water, had at first been laid by in a corner of the house. I would advise the covering of the plant at night with a cloth or something else." Since Clusius, the researches of travelers, historical testimony, the comparative study of the religions of India and ancient Egypt, have confirmed the views of one of the most illustrious botanists as to its re-discovery. The name jSfelumbo is the one it bears in the island of Ceylon: Jussieu called it Nelumbium. This plant is regarded as sacred by many of the sects of India, China and Japan, where, in the eyes of the Budhist Priests, it is a7i emblem of the world 7-ising out of the waters. They cultivate it in precious vases to ornament their temples and altars. We find it represented, now a days, m all the paintings wliich come from India and China. Egypt once had it and bestowed upon it particular attention, but like the famed bird Ibis it disappeared with the old religion, which prob- No. 129.] 481 ably introduced it. It was in vain that Prosper Alpin and tlie savans, attached to that memorable commission to Egypt, sought for it in the lakes and canals where it grew abundantly in the time of Herodotus. It is seen on the medals of the Ptolemies. Its stalks grouped into bundles decorate the bases of the colossal granite Egyptian figures now at the Louvre, Its leaves served as models for the columns of temples, its young fruits and flow- ers surround the head of Antique Antinous, and they are sculptured on the base of the statue of the Nile, copied from that of Home which we see in the garden of the Tuilleries and in our national museum. Finally, when Plutarch speaks of a crown of mellilot, and when he ranks that plant among those which grow in the Nile, he evidently means a crown of the flowers of Nympheacea, and not the leguminous plant which at this day bears the name. The Nelumbium of ancient Egypt grew in the lakes and canals where boats sailed. Strabo says the leaves were as large as Thessalian hats. They used them as plates, as goblets, and that the shops were provided with them, for sale. The seeds con- tinued to be known by the liomans for a long time and as a sort of food, but at length, little by little, the plant has disappeared from the waters of the Nile, and no trace is left but its figure on medals and hieroglyphs. The leaves of this plant yielded a sweet milk, white like that of the poppy, and in abundance. The form of the leaf is that of a large vase resting on the water, and is often filled by rain. The inside of this vase has no stomata, (mouths,) so that water stands on it like mercury, the drops of water roll up and never enter the leaf The flower was well described by Herodotus, I can- not compare it to anything better than an enormous tulip, and the comparison is better still as to the buds. At the time of full bloom they measure about one foot eight inches in diameter, or five feet in circumference. The flower is supported on a stem more than three feet in length. The petals are imbricated, that iSj resemble scales. The color at the extremities is a very lively rose; there are 12 to 15 of these scales, the numerous stamini disposed in many rows, are like white thread. The flower opens two days in succession, but closes up at night. Its odor resem- [Assembly, No. 129.] .31 482 [Assembly hies that of the rose. The singular structure of the fruit has much occupied the attention of botanists. It consists of an ob- conicol receptacle, which is fleshy, of a dark green color ; in it are enniched from 15 to 30 pistils. Some have compared it to a hand water sprinkler. On the end of the pistils, are formed small, blackish nuts to which the name of beans was given. Theophrastus has left us a most accurate and perfect description of this plant. The Eucalyptus Globulus of the Island of Van Diemen. The colonists call this tree Swamp gum, or Blue gum. It is certain that there is but a single species of it. It is of the myrtle family. The stories of travellers about its immense size excited doubts; but at the Crystal Palace we have seen some small segments— one at 184 feet high, is nearly three feet in diameter. Other large trees, such as boab, dragon, chestnut, oak, &,c., are generally of moderate height. The Royal Society of Van Diemen state, that six miles from Hobart Tow'n, there is a Eucalyptus Globulus which measures at the level of the ground thirty feet in diame- ter; at six or seven feet from the ground, twenty eight feet in diameter ; and its whole height is nearly three hundred and forty feet. There are many others in that locality as large, or nearly so. The common heights of them are from 190 feet to nearly 300 feet. The cli ate much resembles that of Ireland and the south of England. Mr. Van Wyck said, the proper cultivation of fruit trees in our country, so as to get the finest quality of fruit, is highly important. This applies with peculiar force to the peach tree, one of the most delicate and delicious of our fruits. Forty or fifty years ago there was no difficulty in having the peach tree grow thriftily, live long, and produce fine fruit in abundance. Various causes are assigned why, within the last thirty or forty years, they will not live more than three or four years, or at most more than six or seven. Some think it is owing to their not being properly nursed, or not nursed enough, or planted with sufficient care, and they go to work and manure well, not only with organ- ic, but many special or artificial and mineral manures, and prune, trim, and cut stems, branches, and limbs very liberally. I think with some others who have experimented much more upon the No. 129.] 483 peach than I have, and with some success, that they are too much nui'sed, too much pruned and dosed with food, solid and liquid'; washed, rubbed and scoured to death, like a pet animal, they are often nursed into disease. Plant the young tree well as you would any other. The peach does not require a rich soil to thrive: it does best on a thin soil, with none or very little trim- ming and cutting. Let nature have its course with the peach. The stem, foliage and branches should be permitted to grow in all their native luxuriance and wildness. It is believed the tree will live longer by this system than by overdosing it with too much and great a variety of medicine, and produce more and better fruit. It is a refinement in care and nursing which the character of the plant does not require. If any of tlie branches interlock or cross each other so as to cliafe or rub, apply the knife if you cannot turn them in a different direction by the hand. Some years ago I was at the South, and was shown peach trees there said to be nearly or quite one hundred years old, still bear- ing and looking tolerably thrifty. I inquired what they did to make them live to such an age. They answered, nothing; let them alone. Nature was the doctor, and it was the only one the plant required ; and this system they pursued with young ones as well as those that they budded ; both those they raised from the pit and by inoculation. Fine peaches, too — plenty of them, and some of the best quality : no premature decay from disease. Sometimes the disease of a hundred years old v.ould produce decline and death, as it does vrith every thing possessing life, plants as well as animals. The southerners always planted their peach orchards on the poorest land they had — a rich soil they considered as hostile to the health of th'. pl.-'ut. Mr. Elliott had resided in the neighborhood of the celebrated Cramp cow and believes the report of her remarkable case exactly true. She had during the day five changes of food, as of clover, tares, lucerne and hay in summer even. She was kept clean in a small paddock; her bag was well washed with cold water always before milking. She was of the pure Sussex breed. Professor Mapes. — Tlie regular subject of the day, or rather, one of the subjects being the peach, I will make a few remarks. It is a native ot Persia, where it 'is of slow growth, producing a 484 j Assembly hard and compact wood, and is used by the Prusian cabinet makers for ladies work-boxes, and other small and bijou-like cabinets. With us the peach tree is of rapid growth, and from bad management, is ill-shapen and carries with it the element of its own destruction : all these faults can be remedied by proper culture. The plan proposed by the large peach growers of New Jersey and Delaware gives them but three crops of good quality and two of inferior, when they are removed and replaced by oth- ers. We believe that by proper management, the peach tree may be made to yield its delicious fruit of unimpaired quality for many years. The pits used for planting should be selected from districts where the yellows, as a disease, is unknown. They should be placed in the ground point downward, and not buried below the surface; if this is done late in the summer, the freez- ings and thawing of fall and winter will burst the shells. Mois- ture entering the soft or upper end of the shell as provided for by nature, and swelling while congealing so as to rend the shell asunder in the striation of its natural cleavage. In the spring each kernel will vegetate and, if positioned as directed, will not be constrained to give a curved direction to the young shoot, to enable it to pierce the surface and reach the light, which would be the case if placed in any other position in the ground. These pits should be planted, as directed, in rows two feet apart, one foot distant in the rows. For mode of budding see Downing's Fruit Trees of America. While in the nursery rows do not permit the earth to be piled up about the trunks, and as the young bark, from want of circulation of air, sometimes becomes scurvy near the soil, wet them with a solution of one pound of soda dissolved in one gallon of water, a month or more before the time of transplanting them. Treatment of ike trees vjhen taken from the nursery roics. — Cut off every branch close to the main trunk, leaving the tree in a single shaft like a straight walking-cane ; remove no roots unless bruised or broken, then cut ofif, with a sharp knife, the bruised parts in such direction as to leave the exposed part of the cut facing downward. The object of cutting all the limbs close in to the trunk, is first to prevent evaporation of moisture from No. 129. 1 485 limbs before the roots can beccme established in their new loca- tion for its reception ; second, to get a more equable balance of limbs greater in number and more evenly divided about the trunk than could occur in the nursery rows, for there the close prox- imity of other trees in the same row would cause all the branches to grow towards the next row, whereas, when set in place for final growth, with plenty of room and no disturbing causes, branches will put out more evenly and in all directions. Preparation of holes for planting. — Dig the holes large, and do not, because the tree is small, suppose that the hole must be small ; also, in replacing the soil, do not return that which came out of the hole, but fill it up with surface soil, and leave the subsoil removed from the hole on the surface of the surrounding ground, to be improved by the combined action of the sun and air. Be careful to place the tree no deeper in the soil than when it left the nursery row ; and to prevent the settling of the earth in the hole, and thus burying the tree more deeply, hold fast the trunk by the hand and settle the surrounding soil by a stream of water. Each of these holes should be three feet deep and three in diam- eter, which, if filled with sui'face soil alone, will furnish pabulum for the tree and room for its roots to gain strength before reach- ing the hard soil and becoming disfigured from want of firmness to enter it. Such a cistern of loose soil will be forever the recip- ient of the moisture and the gases of the atmosphere. Dressing around the immediate trunk and on the surface of the soil of the lime and salt mixture we have so often recommended, will prevent the entrance of the peach worm into the tender bark of the tree. Remove the earth slightly from around the trunk each fall, to prevent the secreting of the worm and the too early swelling of the buds in spring. Mew Growth. — The tree, positioned and treated as above di- rected, having been transplanted in early spring, will put out a large number of branches, very few of which need be removed. The following spring every branch should be shortened in two- thirds of its length, cutting next and close to a wood bud and never to a fruit bud; if so trimmed, the wood bud will continue the growth, healing over the end without change of direction ; 486 [Assembly whereas, when cut next to a fruit bud, the limb will die down to the first wood bud, which will grow in a new direction, leaving a dead stud, and engendering disease in the limb from the en- trance of moisture into the dead and absorbent stud. The following spring shorten again in one-half the growth of the new wood, and so continue each year, always cutting next to a wood bud. By the third year you will have a round headed tree like the horse chestnut, with a great number of short branch- es capable of sustaining the weight of a heavy crop of fruit; whereas, if left to grow in the usual manner, the tree would bear its first fruit on the end of a very few long, straggling branches, which would be bent down by the weight of the crop, and either be broken off at the trui.k or close tlieir capillary tubes on the lower side by bending, so as to prevent the travelling out of the sap tlie year following for fruit making. Peach trees will not bear fruit profitably, unless the soil be thoroughly disturbed about them every year. Such trea,tment as we have here recommended, we believe, will render the peach long lived and fruitful. It is with us an exotic, and cannot be treated like the apple or other native trees. The bark should be kept clean by the soda wash. Cold manures not fermentable in their character, may be occasionally added, and the worm carefully removed from the earth collar, if it should enter from neglect of applying the sslt and lime mixture. On our farm we have a few trees so treated, which are double the size and strength of those planted at the same tine and treat- ed in the ordinary way. Solon Robinson.— I cut close from the ground and let the tree branch out from the ground. I do not make a cane of it. I carried the pit5 for my orchard three hundred miles, to Indiana, and have raised almost all varieties from them. I spaded the ground two feet deep, put in a good qiiantity of horse manure and the black soil over that. I never saw iintr fruit than I had in 1836, and tlie trees bore last year, but not a very large crop. They are bushes of five parts, and some of them bend to the ground. INfo. 129.] 487 Rev. Joseph Carter. — I bought a farm on Cheesequakes creek, Prince's Bay, New Jersey, on which was a handsome peach orchard. The trees along the fence, in good bearing, are said to be about forty years old; some of them, however, showed signs of decay. We worked around them, but lost them. The fence trees are good yet, at sixty-four years of age. These were produced by planting pits on the intended line of fence. I believe in plant- ing pits two inches deep, and at a year's growth cut them down to the ground and bud them and cover the buds with soil lightly. And it is the best way for apple-trees, too.. Mr. Elliot. — I have known peach trees annually pruned in England, sometimes leaving only two buds. It keeps them healthy. They are generally treated Espalier fashion; but they have some standard trees. Professor Mapes proposed the apple tree as the next subject. Adopted. A distribution of seeds from California took place. Members were requested to bring some of their best seeds to the next meeting for exchange. One member, who brings but one sort of seed, may take away many, according to the constant plan pur- "Sued at the Club. The Club then adjourned. i ■ H. Meigs, Secretary. AmEPvICAN iNyTITt'TE, \ Farmers'' Club, Tuesday, Ji'hrch 2, 1852. \ Rev. Joseph Carter in the chair. Henry Meigs, Secretary. The Secretary read the following extracts translated by him from the volume presented, (among others,) by Alexandre Vat- temare. [Preeeptes D'Agrieulturo Prat^ue de J. N. Schwerz.] Precepts in Practical Agriculture, by J. N. Schiverz, director of the Royal Institute of Wurtemberg, for agricultural instruction and experiment. One volume 8vo. Translated bv P. R. De 488 [Assembly Schauenhurg, deputy from the lower Rhine, pages 330. Paris, 1839. From Alexandre Vattemare. This small book is almost entirely devoted to manures. It commeilces that subject by saying : "All things formed of parts, whether organic or inorganic, are destined to decomposition and transformation. Bodies are de- composed with more or less slowness and difficulty, according to the more or less variety of the parts. Under the first condition are found living beings, animals, and plants ; under the second condition, minerals. Those elements . of bodies which are free from the law of de- compositioUj are, however, subject to that of transformation, on account of their tendency to form combinations between them- selves. There reigns throughout the organized world, movement and incessant working, attraction and repulsion, growth and decay, formation and dissolution. No organized body can exist two in- stants in succession in an exactly same condition. Life itself depends upon an entire transformation, continued even after death, Indefatigable natui'e undoes their tissues, decomposes their elements and restores them to their priniiLive i'orras, in order to create, with the same materials, new combinations. Nothing that ever has been is lost in its marvellous laboratory. That which is, has been, and ever shall be. Like the Phoenix from its ashes, the debris of beings again become beings. There is nothing altogether new. The power of things are changing, but their elements are imperishable. When we remove a forest of great trees from the ground, we wonder whence the matter they c-ontain came, considering the small quantity of humus which they grew in, but we find in- fallibly that the forest has enriched the soil where it grew in- stead of diminishing it. Vegetable Green Manures. — Lupin merits the first rank among these. A field of it, at a distance resembles very thickly planted hemp. The fertilizing properties of the Lupin were No. 129.] 489 tnown in the highest antiquity, and it was employed as a green uianure. It came original!}" from the warm parts of Europe. It succeeds also in Germany, particularly in the wine districts. It doubtless succeeds in less temperate countries, but it does not ripen its seed so easily. The Lupin (says Burger,) is not only contented with a bad sandy soil, but developes itself with a rapidity and surprising extension ; this gives it great value as a green manure. In hot countries they destroy the germinating power of the seeds by heat, and then place them about the roots of Orange and of Olive trees to restore health and strength. The peach and apricots 1800 years ago. — The Secretary stated that in Pompeii and Herculaneun there have been found plenty of the pits of peaches and apricots. Freezing of vegetables and animals. — R. L. Pell said that, Hunter says animals must be deprived of life before they can be frozen ; and that plants in a state of actual vegetation, must be deprived of their principle of growth before they can be frozen. He says that every tree and shrub is dead that is frozen, and if the frozen part is thawed it will be found so. We think Mr. Hunter is mistaken, as animals have been found whose bodies were completely and absolutely frozen, yet, on being brought into a warm room and thawed slowly, have returned to life. Reptiles and fish have been frozen without losing their vital prin- ciple. Perch and mullet were recently taken from Lake Cham- plain and frozen till they were solid, when they were placed in cold water and soon uecame active. Numerous species of fish were discovered frozen in the Polar regions by Bell, Pallas and others, which were restored to life on being thawed by them in cold water. Hearne mentions in his travels from Hudson's Bay to the Northern Ocean, that he found frogs so thoroughly frozen that their legs were as brittle as pipe stems, yet they resumed their natural movements when exposed to genial heat; but if permitted to freeze again, after having been thawed, they never recovered. He found spiders and grubs in a similar frozen con- dition, with the same powers ot revivification on exposure to a warm atmosphere. 490 [Assembly The larvse of insects are found to be equally tenacious of the vital principle. Lister, Bonnet, and others, are said to have found caterpillars so frozen that when dropped into a glass they chinked like stones; but that they, nevertheless, revived on being brought into warm quartentact with it. If tremor is communicated, congelation commences and the temperature starts up to thirty- two degrees. Eminent physiologists say, that the sap of trees and shrubs, which are uninjiu*ed by extreme cold, aie never frozen. I have known cabbages to freeze to the very centre without sustaining injury; so do other plants too numerous to mention. On the Apple. — R. L. Pell said, that the raost useful of all our fruits is the apple, because it comes witliin the reach of the humbler classes of mankind, is hardy, consequently can be grown universally without the aid of artificial heat. It is employed in the dessert, the culinary department, and for the manufacture of cider, and has a decided advantage over all the known fruits, that is, it remains a long time in seasoriyand can be kept through out the winter without difficulty. The Romans set an extraor- dinary value upon fine bearing apple trees. It came originally from Asia, and was introduced into Europe by grafting upon the crab apple, which was indigenous to that country, where there are now trees one thousand years old. In 1831 tke ITorticuhu- ral Society of London enumerated fifteen hundred sorts in culti- vation, ripening from the first of July to the last of November. In 1629 there were but fifty-eight varieties known in Europe. Apple trees cannot be made to grow and bear fruit in tropical countries, neither is it known in Lapland; it extends to the lati- tude of sixty. Like the oak, it is the growth of temperate and cold climates alone. Many imagine that the splendid apples known to our ancestors are now debilitated and partially worn out; among others they instance the Golden Pippin, and even go 90 far as to say that, whea the mother tree of the apple dies, all derived from it die also. I consider this idea entirely erroneous, and know it to be S'O from the fact that the original Newtown Pippin tree died some years since on Long Island, and the mother ^§2 1 Assembly Spitzenburgh tree, which originated in Esopus, Ulster county', this State, died some years ago. The progeny uf these tre<3S are as healthy and flourishing as they ever were, and with care will so continue for two centuries to come at least. If any gentleman in this Club will take the trouble to visit some of the orchards in New-Jersey, Long Island, or our own Empire State, he will not be surprised that they sometimes die; they are never trimmed, never scraped, never plowed among, never manured, and never looked at except with disgust, when, in fact, they require almost as much care and attention as a man's children. What farmer would treat his corn in this manner? For that crop he enriches the land, plows- and harrows it thoroughly, plants his corn, ashes and plasters it, hoes and suckers it, plows and hoes it again and again. Does he give the quarter of this care and attention to his apple orchard? I answer, without fear of contradiction, nol He plants the trees in holes half the size they should be and leaves them to nature, then wonders why his apples are few in number and inferior in quality. Apples should be divided into three divisions : First, Those which are sweet and fit for eating, called table apples. Secondj Those which are acid and proper for tarts, termed kitchen or baking apples. Third, Cider apples. All apples contain, in their composition, malic acid, sugar, mucilage, woody fibre, earbonic acid, silica, phosphate of iron, phosphoric acid, sulphuric acid, chlorine, soda, potash, magnesia, lime, and from sixty to eighty per cent of water. One thousand pounds of fresh apple pomace contains over eight hundred pounds of water. How can a neglected apple orchard be expected to produce abundant crops of fine fruit when all the albrementioned substances are required, but never supplied by the horticulturist? By maturation the juice of the apple is converted into sugar by a chemical process called saccharine fermentation, which rapidly passes into the putrefactive stage, when the sugar is changed to a bitter principle aad the mucilage moulds j the fruit then becomes No! 129.] 493 oflensive. If an apple is cut across and placed in a moist situa- tion for several days, the surface will become covered with fungi, having an arborescent form resembling the mosses, consist- ing of upright stalks surmounted by bulbs ; when the fungi arrives at maturity the bulbs burst and scatters its contents, con- sisting of small black seeds, lar and wide through the atmosphere ready to fall on apples, bread, or any other substance in a condi- tion to receive it. In preparing land for an orchard, I would plow previous to winter to the depth of sixteen inches, followed with a subsoil plow to the depth of sixteen inches more, and deeper if I could. The land should remain in this rough state all winter to pulver- ize the soil by the action of the frost; in the spring draw upon it a prepared composition composed of muck, stable manure, salt, charcoal dust, bone earth, ashes, soot, &c., at the rate of forty loads, of thirty bushels to the load, to the acre ; spread the same and plow it under, plant potatoes manured in the drill, market them and sow turnips ; when they are taken oft" dig your holes twenty feet apart, six feet in diameter, (square form,) place composition in the bottom, cover it with surface soil, plant your tree, spreading all the roots fan shape by hand, and fill all the interstices with pulverized earthy after which pursue the mode recommended for peach tree planting ; till the ground annually with potatoes, corn or cabbages; manure every other year; keep the trees well trimmed and staked, wash the trunks annually with soft soap ; when the branches of the trees meet, cut out, or plant out, every other tree, which will leave your orchard forty feet apart, the proper distance for an apple orchard of large trees. All limbs crossing each other should, from time to time, be taken out with a long handled chisel and mallet that the centre of the tree may be thrown open to the sun and air. Suckers must be cut off, or thumb pruned in July when they are particularly ten- der, and if the tree becomes bark bound, which will rarely happen with this treatment, split the bark with a sharp knife through to the inner wood, from the surface of the ground as high as a man can reach with an out-stretched arm. Cattle, horses or sheep must never be allowed access to the orchard; ii<3gs will d® no 494 j Assembly harm. Wheat, rye, barley or oats must not be sottii; buckwheat ma^ be, and so may all sorts of root crops, with advantage ; plowing among apple trees with oxen will serve them. Atten- tion is necessary to keep the land always free from weeds. When the trees require trimming perform the operation early in June if possible, because the sap is in motion upwards to develop the leaves and fruit-buds at that season, and the consequence is, a covering immediately extends itself over the wounded portion, preventing decay of the wood, which scarcely has an opportunity afforded it of becoming dry. When the bud is first excited to grow in the spring, the fluids contained in it are increased in den- sity by evaporation ; endosmose at once takes place between it and the lower tissue, which parts with the thin portion of its contents and immediately acts by endosmose on the tissue adjoin- ing, and in this way the entire fluid matter in the tree is put in motion from the extreme end of the branches to the minute points of the rootlets and spongioles. When they are alfected the fluid substances in the soil are attracted through their pores, thus forming motion throughout their system. Therefore, it will be perceived that the leaves and buds of trees in the spring is not the effect of the ascent of the sap, but the cause of it. An apple tree eighteen years old probably perspires several hundred pounds of moisture each day, which must be restored from the earth by means of the roots. To prove this take, for example, the leaf of a grape vine in a hot day and place a glass next to its under surface; within an hour water will run down the glass in streams. A cabbage perspires over one pound of water in a day. This fully explains the phenomenon why transplanting trees in summer causes their death ; the spongioles become dry and utterly inca- pable of absorbing moisture from the earth as rapidly as it is given off by the foliage, therefore the tree is in a short time emp- tied of its fluid and death is the natural consequence. I will mention two recipes, that may be useful to the Club, before we leave this subject of the apple tree. The first is an invaluable composition tjiat we have compound- ed for curing wounds in fruit, or forest trees, caused by the plow. No. 129.] 495 harrow, mice, or trimming. To thirty pounds of hickory wood ashes add ten pounds of sand, ten pounds of charcoal dust, two pounds of alum, one pound of sulphur, thirty pounds of slacked lime; sift these compounds and mix them perfectly with thirty pounds of fresh cow excrement; convert them to the consistence of thick paint by adding strong soap suds to the mass, and put it on with a stiff brush. The second recipe is Columella's mode of preserving apples. He directs that they be picked before quite ripe and examined carefully to see that they are sound, and without blemish or worms ; they are then placed in earthen jars, which are to be filled with raisin wine, or with must, that is, the expressed juice of the grape before its conversion into wine by fermentation, boiled into a third of the first quantity, so that all the apples may be covered by the liquor, then put the cover on and plas- ter it. Peach Tree, — Among the most delicious of all fruits may be named the peach, {Amygdalus Persica.) The Nectarine is a va riety of peach produced by cultivation. I have seen peach trees bearing smooth skinned Nectarines on a portion of their branches and rough downy skinned peaches on others, and in one instance a peach covered with down on one side and a smooth skin on the other. No difference can be discovered between the two trees when growing near each other, even the blossoms are alike. According to the Romans the peach tree originated in Persia, where it is said to grow wild; they consequently called it Persica, by which latter name it is usually known by modern botanists to distinguish it from the Amygdalus. They require a long warm season to bring their fruit to perfection, so much so that in Eng- land glass houses, or walls enjoying a southern exposure, are requisite to perfect them. There are but few fruits superior to a peach, if the skin is thin, flesh firm and thick, pulp yellowish and the juice flavored. If a peach is covered wdth a thick down it is invariably of inferior quality ; if the flesh separates imme- diately from the stone on being broken, the peach is called free- stone, or melting; if, on the contrary, it adheres strictly, it is called clingstone. There is a. village in France known as Mon- 496 I Assembly treuil, where peaches of a very superior quality are grown iij large quantities, and have been for ages. Nearly all the inhabit- ants are engaged in this business; from it they derive their maintenance. There are no peaches raised in any other part of France equal to those of Montreuil ; but in Italy they are far superior. From the young leaves of the peach tree a delicious Noyeau is made by keeping them in sweetened brandy ; from the Nectarine a drink called nectar, and used by the gods, was made in former times, and from the kernels prussic acid is developed by combining them with water. The function of the woody tissue of the peach tree, physiolog- ically speaking, is to support the numerous organs for respiration, digestion, &c., containing the sustenance necessary to form por- tions of the tree before communicating directly with the soil ; this tissue is made up of long, thin, membranous, hollow globules invisible to the naked eye and bundles of tubes more fine than the hair of women — the most solid portions contain the largest number of these; then there are concentric rings, which form numerous hollow cylinders, one within the other, making a yearly addition of a circular layer of new Vi'ood indicating the age of the tree. If the tree is so located that one side obtains more light and heat than the other, the favored side will show an in- creased thickness of layers and more vigorous growtli, the leaves will be richer and the branches more luxuriant. When the tree is equally favored on all sides the limbs will be equal and the layers will be the same tliickness all round. The best location for a peach orchtird is on a side hill with a south or south-east exposure, sheltered from the north and west winds. The climate of such a situation is always warmer than any other and the sub soil is more apt to be dry. The best soil is a rich calcareous loam, which should be always kept under the plow, cultivated with some crop requiring constant hoeing, and this ground cannot possibly be too rich. The yellows, in my opinion, is caused mainly by starvation. The tree bears a luxu- riant crop, to perfect which it requires constant enriching together with excessive pruning. After the fruit is taken oft" the dirt im- mediately surrounding the trunk must be removed and the peach No. 129.] 497 worm sought after and destroyed ; three or four ■wheelbarrows of rich compost may then be placed contiguous to each tree and covered with earth to prevent the escape of ammonia and other gases. In the month of February cut off many of the branches that have borne fruit, as they never yield a second crop, and thus throw the tree as much as possible into new wood for the suc- ceeding year. When trees are selected from a nursery for orchard planting, such as have a single strong clean stem that has been once headed in should be chosen, as small stemmed trees produce weak shoots. Shoots must not be allowed to grow long the first yearj they can be pinched off with the fore finger and thumb early in the sea- son— if left later it will cause wounds upon the tree to tear or cut them. The second year you may top and prune the tree in proportion to the strength of the stem, leaving the shoots from nine to twelve inches long; the third year they may be allowed to bear a few, and if the growth is vigorous, you may take off some of the strong shoots, which will induce side shoots to grow and make fine bearing wood for the ensuing year. If these are permitted to grow their full length they will be spongy and in- capable of producing fruit bearing wood. When weak trees are pruned they should never be cut at single flower buds, if they are, the whole shoot will die. In peach trees coming to the bearing state, you will invariably see two flower buds close together, and in the centre between them, a wood bud; this produces the shoot that yields fruit the follow- ing year. Summer pruning should be constantly attended to as all the side shoots, near the top of the tree, must be taken off while tender ; if permitted to grow, they weaken the fruit bear- ing branches for the next year. Borders for wall fruit should be made three feet deep and from four to six feet wide, of good, lively, light, fresh loam, raised from nine to twelve inches above the contiguous ground to allow for settling ; when the tree is placed in the hole prepared for it, fill all the interstices under and around the roots with the rich- [Assembly, No. 129.] 32 498 [ASSEMBLT est and best mould — a short, sharp stick may be used to advan- tage for this purpose ; fill the hole to the top without treading, then pour on as much water as this light soil will absorb 5 place a strong stake near the tree and tie it firmly thereto; let the tree remain in this condition until the next day, when fresh mould may be thrown on and the Avhole consolidated as much as possi- ble by treading; rotten leaves, or barn-yard manure, may now be placed on the surface around the tree, which will shade the ground from the sun's rays and prevent the rapid escape of moisture. A gentleman in Kentucky says the yellows is caused by a grub worm one inch long when full grown, largest at the head and tapering down. It is propagated by a long, slender, dark colored fly about the size of a yellow jacket. The eggs are laid at the foot of the tree in July and August, and when hatched, the mag- got descends and enters between the wood and bark of the roots, on which it feeds until the leaves turn yellow and the trees ulti- mately die of yellows. His remedy, which he has piu-sued eight years successfully, is to place stable manure, closely packed three or four inches high, about the trunk of the tree in May or June. This worm of which the gentleman of Kentucky speaks, is the common peach worm. It never enters the hard wood of the tree as the apple borer does, but confines its depredations entirely to the pulp between the wood and hard bark ; he may be easily discovered from the fact that gum always oozes out near the sur- face of the earth in his immediate vicinity. The fly invariably selects young trees with soft bark in preference to other ones. In my opinion it is the enrichment of the earth contiguous to the roots of the peach tree that prevents the yellows to a far greater extent than the attack of the fly. If the proper ingredients requisite for its growth, and the formation of its fruit, are annu- ally supplied without stint, the yellows will rarely make its appearance. Professor Mapes presented for distribution some of his Stowell ever-green corn, much valued ; he had sold it for a dollar a quart, equal to thirty-two dollars a bushel, /or seed. He also presented No. 129.] 499 a jar of jelly made by him from his Catawba Grapes. The mem- bers of the Club (some thirtj'^-five in number) tasted it and gave their opinions. Some said very good, excellent and delicious. The Professor said, the attendance of practical fruit growers is larger than usual and much information has been elicited, Mr. R. L. Pell made remarks on the culture of the apple and gave a succinct history of his experiments and their results. Our readers are aware that Mr. Pell is the owner of the largest apple orchard in the world, and no grower of this fruit has been more successful. He was the first to discover that apple trees might be made to bear every year by supplying the necessary pabulum for producing fruit. Mr. Pell and some other members stated that those trees to which they had given liberal supplies of manures of the proper kind, were not deteriorated in quality by bearing every year instead of every other year, but that, in every respect, they were improved ; the tree as well as the fruit was advanced in quality, and the gain by rendering them more fruitful was very great. The bark of the trees should be kept clean by scraping off the old and dead bark, washing the trees with a solution of one pound of bleachers No. 1 soda in a gallon of water, &c. The trimming, when necessary, should be performed in June, and the suckerg should be removed in midsummer while green and tender bj rubbing them off instead of waiting until they are large enough to require the knife. Orchards should be as thoroughly culti- vated as other crops, and should not be used for the raising of such crops as require similar constituents to those composing the apple tree or fruit. Mr. P. stated that, in his early experimentSj they were conducted without an analysis of the soil or fruit, but he was well aware that, whatever the necessary constituents might be, they would require amendment for increasing the crops, and he therefore made a compost as general in its character as possible, and containing the greatest variety he could get together of such ingredients as he could presuppose to be proper ; that he removed the surface soil from the roots, applied the compost near the roots so as to be within distance to be reached by the spon- 500 lAsSEYMBL gioles and covered again with the soil. From the large quantity of lime which the barkand leaves of the apple tree were known, even at that early day, to contain, he had limed liberally, which doubtless operated in promoting the decomposition of the organic portions of the compost and in rendering all portions soluble in water for the use of the tree ; that the portions of his orchard thus treated had produced good crops of fruit every year instead of every other year as was the case with unfed trees. The great age of tlie apple tree was spoken of; some were known in England two thousand years old. A member present stated that he had cut down a tree on his farm the year after its having given a full crop of fruit and found the trunk to have two hundi'ed and fifty annual rings. It was stated that one thousand pounds of apples contained one hundred and seventy pounds of organic matter, which must necessarily be used from soils containing apple trees and therefore required renewal ; nor must this organic matter be of a fermenta- ble or heating kind: muck, river mud, woods-earth, chip manure or other cold composts — fully decomposed tan and, indeed, any ot the results of vegetable decay which had lost its power of re- heating by additions of moisture. The inorganic requirements also require renewal; thus, one hundred pounds of the ashes of apples would yield four pounds of lime, twenty-four pounds of soda, two pounds of chlorine, and probably a still larger amount of these ingredients for forming the leaves, bark and wood. Among other constituents the phos- phates are required, sulphuric acid is also necessary to ensure fruitfulness ; potash must be added and therefore the latter mate- rials should be added to the muck, mud or wood-earth, so that, in addition to furnishing the inorganic amendments, they might assist in the decomposition of the organic matter and render the whole fit for use in the orchard. Phosphoric acid, sulphuric acid and lime will result from the solution of bones in sulphuric acid ; chlorine, lime and soda from the decomposition of common salt by lime, while the potash may be added in the form of wood ashes— -either or all these render organic matter slowly soluble No. 129.J 501 in water and ready for the use of the trees. Frequent plowing of orchards was recommended, and the raising of root crops by liberal manuring was also recommended as a ready, cheap and self-paying method of giving health to orchards. The loam, leaves, &c., from woods were generally admitted to be useful for orchards, being the results of decompositions of organisms not dissimilar to fruit trees. Fruits of many kinds preserved by Mr. Curtis, of Massachu- setts, were exhibited ; among them were several kinds of choice pears of superior quality with all the fine flavor and beauty of appearance of fruit freshly ripened. The process of Mr. Curtis is as yet a secret, but it is hoped he may be induced to make it public. Jelly from the Catawba grape was also exhibited having all the flavor of the fresh grape, the mode of preparing which will be made known in our May number. A quantity of Stowell's evergreen corn was distributed among the members, and the subject of apples agreed to be continued for the next meeting. On motion, the culture of pears was added, and the Club adjourned to the third Tuesday of the month, when the public is invited to attend. Mr. Van Wyck. — The apple tree may be said to be a native of our country. The crab apple tree grows wild in many of our forests. The crab apple, differing in size, flavor, and appearance, — for there are many varieties of them — will grow well only in a northern climate. Hence, our numerous kinds grow best, pro- duce more abundantly, and of a finer quality, from 38 to 45 and perhaps 50 degrees north, although most of those growing in our country, no doubt, came from Europe, and consist of many dif- ferent kinds, and some of the best qualities. We could have had them here in time, in equal numbers and variety, by cultivation, as we have now by exportation. We have their origin here, the crab apple, from whence they all sprung in Europe, and these, probably, finer and of more various kinds, than ever they were there. Besides, it is admitted by most European writers on fruits, that the apple in America prospers better in every way than in any other country. This embraces longevity, cheapness of raising them, abundance, variety and flavor. I agree with 502 [Assembly Mr. Pell on most of the important points contained in his essay on the apple, and the best manner of cnltivating it for profit. He certainly has had great experience and success. This shows that his system of treating them, is in the main, correct. They are a hardy tree, will grow to a considerable size, stand almost any degree of cold. They require a rich soil, and manure of various kinds, to produce abundantly. I think that probably he may make those trees, or some of them, which produce fruit in any quantity only every other year, yield it every year, by treat- ment with, certain kinds of manures, mineral and organic, of which bearing trees exhaust it. It is well known that this is the habit of most fruit trees, to produce in quantities, only every other year. Nut trees, hickory, chestnut, &c.. will produce only every other year. These grow, too, in forests, wild, in a state of nature, where the earth is rich, and every kind of manure de- rived from leaves, old wood, grass, &c. This shows that it is natural to the fruit plant to do this, especially when the habit so universally prevails among them all. It seems to be required by nature for rest ; after the eifort of giving one great crop, it requires repose for a year. Tliere is among most orchards, and indeed, all kinds of fruit, whether it grows in the forest or field, a few trees that bear every year. I have observed myself, and have been told by others who have observed the same thing, that those trees which bear a full crop every year are subject to an earlier decline. They decay and finally die before those that bore only every other year. This is natural ; the year of repose and rest, by some freak or sport of nature, they have been de- prived of, and they sink sooner under the effort. Reasoning from analogy, it is a question with me whether the fruit trees that are forced from their natural course of producing every other year, by an unusual quantity of special, artificial, or mine- ral and organic manures applied to them, would not be exhaust- ed, decline, and die considerably sooner from the same cause. It has been said in answer to this, that making the orchard pro- duce every year, would give so much more fruit as to pay for the loss of the trees earlier in life. This is rather speculative. Many things are to be considered in estimating this damage, accompa- nied with contingencies. The cost of the extra manure, the la- No. 129.J 503 bor of procuring and applying it, the cost of planting a young orchard to supply the place of the old one, the time it would be before this began to produce so as to be profitable, how many years would be lost, by this extra effort of the old one to produce every year, as it would be pretty difficult to tell the year or time they would die — whether in ten, fifteen, or twenty years. These philosophical or scientific experiments in agriculture, that re- quire so much time, cannot be easily made with any accuracy. In ten or fifteen years a new system may be discovered and con- sidered a great improvement on the present one in raising fruit and other agricultural products. Those of the present day may be cast "aside as visionary and of little worth, compared with what science and progress may discover hereafter. Even those who by their superior acuteness and diligence brought them into notice and use, would almost blush at their own short-sighted- ness, in not seeing as far into principle and improvements as those who came a few years after them. The regular subject of the day being the apple, strictly, the debates should have been confined to this. It has been joined, though, with the peach, somewhat difierent in character and principle, and facts stated, in regard to the last fruit, which do not meet my views. I must therefore notice some of these facts. It has been said the peach tree requires a very rich soil and liberal pruning, more or less every year. The peach is a native of a liot, dry climate, the sandy plains of Persia and the Persian Gulf, deserts of Arabia, some parts of Egypt. It is said they will not grow on the banks of the Nile — it is too rich for them — made so by the annual inun- dations of this river. When brought north in Europe or Ameri- ca they thrive best, and live much longer on a light sandy soil, and very little manure. The thrift of the peach in our southern states, and the great age to which they generally live there, proves this. One object in not pruning much, is to let them have the benefit of all their leaves and branches to protect the fruit'and tree generally from our hot sun, which injures both. In England, and countries far north, they prune more ; they want the sun on their fruit ; it matures better. A rich soil makes the tree grow up rank and rapid, full of juices, its sap vessels distended and surcharged with sap. These often burst, and the regular flow of the^sap up and down, in the natural channels is 504 [Assembly intercepted, its whole organization thereby deranged, and decay and death soon follows. The sap ascends from the roots to the leaves, and is there elaborated and descends through similar channels, and in its descent after elaboration, a portion of it is assimilated with the tree, and increases its wood and growth, and preserves its life. The eleven or seventeen ingredients which it is said all, or most plants require to make them live and grow, would not help the peach tree thus afflicted ; they would not any of them touch the seat of the disease. Perhaps these or some of them might have assisted ia producing the cause, that is, too sud- den and rapid a growth of the tree, occasioning a superabund- ance of juices, and thereby surcharging its sap vessels and mak- ing them explode. It is not unlikely that every disease to which the tree is subject, arises from some such eause, some maltreat- ment in its culture, it may produce the yellows. We do know that the tree in the middle and eastern states is and has been forty or fifty years, short-lived, where it did not use to be so. If any one could discover a remedy for this grievance he would be conferring a great benefit on his fellow citizens, in increasing largely their health and happiness, profit and comfort. Mr. Manice, of Long Island. — I know that the early harvest apple which is accustomed to bear a crop only every second year, is now made to bear fine crops every year. In some fruits this constant production of fruit is found, and not at all with any injury to the trees. An orange tree will give three crops a year. A member asks : How is it in forest trees ? Another replied : Hickory gives nuts only every second year. Professsor Mapes. — When they are mulched they bear every year. Their own leaves covering the ground all about them, does this. Single trees, where the leaves are blown away from them, bear biennially. The Chairman gave an invitation to all the members to bring at next meeting some of their best seeds, grafts and cuttings for ex- change. Each may bring but one, but he may carry many away. And besides, when brought by honorable citizens they are far more reliable for quality. No. 129.] 505 The Chairman said that potatoes left in the ground during the winter, produce next season more tops than tubers. That when the natural ones were transplanted by a farmer of his acquain- tance, he had good crops from it. and no rot! He took the growth from the eyes of the potatoes. R. L. Pell. — That is my method, successfully practiced for ten years past. I take a piece of the [potatoe, at the bottom of the shoot, and set it out. The effect of this method is, to give potatoes about five weeks earlier than by the common way of planting. Professor Mapes remarked, that in Beatson's pamphlet, pub- lished 20 years ago, this method was fully settled, and a conclu- sion as to its results well founded, viz : that it will not give large crops ; that it is, however, well enough for small families desi- ring very early potatoes. Subject for next meeting — The Apple continued, and the Pear added. The Club then participated in the Catawba Jelly and the divi- sion of seeds. A drawing of the circumference of a potatoe exhibited at the Western World Institute Fair, was exhibited to the Club, being two feet four inches in circumference, and its weight seven pounds and a quarter. This drawing is sent by Andrew Williams and B. F. Stevens, Esq., of California. The pears preserved by W. Curtis, of Boston, were presented by R. L. Pell, and tasted by the Club. The 'opinion that they had retained their ripe delicious flavor was unanimous. The ex- ternal appearance of some of these pears was that of being just picked full and fresh from the tree. The Club then adjourned. H. Meigs, Secretary. 506 [Assembly American Institute, ) Fanner's Club, March 2dd, 1852. ^ Hon. Robert Swift Livingston, in the chair; Henry Meigs, Secretary. Subject— r/ie Cherry Tree. Professor Mapes remarked, that the cherry tree was generally of rapid growth. The black and heart shaped cherries are always vigorous, have fine large spreading heads, forty or fifty feet high. Acid and red cherry trees are of low stature, more bushy, and of tardy growth. The cherry came originally from Asia. Lucullus brought this fruit from Cera.sus into Italy in the year 69, before Christ, accord- ing to Pliny; 100 years after this the Romans had eighty varie- ties. It was introduced into this country from England and Hol- land. Uses. — A good dessert fruit ; early ; the acid kinds good for cooking; the Kentish and the early Richmond may be stoned and dried. Our Virginia wild cherry is used to give flavor to brandy. These cherries are worth four dollars a bushel in the New- York market. Kirschwasser, Ratafia^ cordial of Grenoble, and Maras- chino^ the favorite liqueur of Italy, are all made from the Black mazzard, or jean. Cherry gum resembles, and is used for similar uses with the gum arable. The wood is hard and durable. The Virginia, or wild wood , resembles mahogany, and takes a polish. Large black cherry is the fruit shade tree ; has a large sized blossom of fine form, and its shade fits it for a roadside tree. Avenues of cherry trees on the continent of Europe ; they are tabooed trees ; prop- erty of the people. Soil and situation. — This tree delights in a free soil, and is there long lived, even if the soil be light and thin. It bears more lux- uriantly in deep loam. In over rich alluvial soils, like those of the west, it runs too much to wood and bears shy ; the trunk overgrowing and splitting. It is short lived in damp places. When No. 129.] 507 planted in warm vallies and soils it should have the northern ex- posure to prevent too early blossoming. Propagation. — Bud on the Elack mazzard. Prepare the seeds of the Black mazzard for raising stocks ; place the cherries in a pile to decay ; wash off the pulp ; plant the seeds in a nursery in drills ] cover them one inch deep ; they will vegetate in the fol- lowing spring, and be fit to plant out in nursery rows, twelve inches apart, in autumn or in the next spring. In the following August bud them, separate the small from the large stocks, put them in separate rows. Our cherries are generally with us as standards. In good soils the buds will make stocks six or eight feet high in one season. For dwarf trees, the Morello seedlings are used for stocks ; for very dwarfed trees, the perfumed cherry (cerasus mahaleb) is used. Dwarfs must be headed back in the nursery in the second year, to secure lateral shoots. As to cul- tivation, the cherry trees require but little. Manure old trees slightly ; prune out too thick heads or dead and crossing branches, but only when it is really necessary; prune always in midsum- mer, for tliat is the only season when the gum is not exuded. It is not a very long lived tree ; averages 30 or 40 years. The train- ing of it is not much in use here. The Heart and the Bigarreau are the only kinds trained, and those horizontally. The proper distance between the trees sliould be 20 feet for strong trees, and 18 for the slow growing kinds. Trained cherry trees are cut off twice in each season, in May and July. When bark bound wash them with Rennies' mixture — 1 lb. soda to a gallon of 'water. The mixture ascends the capillary vessels, and is much aided by the motion given to trees and plants by wind. A rattan with one end placed in water and then bent to and fro raises the water to its top. [Portsmonth Journal, March 8, 1852.] A recent discovery has given to commerce and household con- sumption, a cheap and effectual agent for deodorising and disin- fecting localities, where the disagreeable exhalations of ammonia and sulphuretted hydrogen prevails, such as sick chambers, yards, manufactories, privies, &c. The article is a kind of peat found at Cape Elizabeth, four miles from Portland, Maine, which con- 508 [Assembly tains various saline matters, having the properties of pecipita- ting sulphuretted hydrogen and ammoniacal gases, and render- ing them perfectly inodorous. Besides these valuable qualities of the peat it is also one of the best fertilizers extant, containing as it does large quantities of phosphate of magnesia and lime, sul- phate of soda and potash, carbonate of lime, chloride of sodium, and soluble silicates of the alkalies, all o^ which are the neces- sary every day food of all the esculent and farinaceous plants that make up the vegetable food of man. This remarkable peat is lendered still more powerful than in its native state, by a diffi- cult process of charring, now rendered perfectly easy by certain new improvements now in use by the Great Pond Mining and Agricultural Company, incorporated in Maine, who have estab- lished works for the manufacture of this agent and the introduc- tion of it into general use. The Legislature of Maine, on incor- porating this company, held its object in such high esteem as to exempt it from taxation for a period of five years. The com- pany has now a steam mill which is capable of grinding 500 boxes a day, which sells for two dollars a box. The supply is extensive and can be made equal to consumption, which as soon as it is known will be immense. This is the only mine of peat in the country known to possess these peculiar properties. Mr. Van Wyck. — The primary division of cherries into Bigar- reaus Morellos and Hearty having been fully described with some of the varieties under each head, and commented upon, I shall confine the few observations I shall make on the subject, mostly to some notice of the common red sour ckerry. This is pretty well known in all parts of our country, and I think it is one of the most useful and esteemed of this class of our early fruits. It begins to turn red, when a little more than half grown, about the latter part of June, and continues growing and chang- ing color to a deeper red until ripe. There is no better cherry for cooking. It will answer for this, a few days after it begins to change its color, until it gets perfectly ripe, which is towards the middle of July ; alter it gets dead ripe as it is usually called, it becomes a dark red, the sharpness of its acid is greatly blunt- ed and softened by its perfect ripeness, then it is an excellent No. 129. j 509 table cherry to eat as a dessert, the same as the sweeter varieties, it is one of the finest for pies, puddings, &c., and will answer for these when about two-thirds ripe, with plenty of sugar at this stage ; when ripe the best kinds are of good size, the trees good bearers generally, and when full of fruit liave a beautiful appea- rance, contrasted with the green leaves ; they are very easily raised, require a good soil, the shoots spring up every where were the tree grows, it will grow thriftily from the roots, suckers or seeds, and I have known them to bear two years from trans- planting the shoots and three from the seed, and increase in the quantity of fruit, as the tree increases in size, and thus unfailing, almost every year, more or less. They are not preyed upon so much by insects as the sweeter kinds, still they suffer at times some, I have seen nurseries spring up where the trees grow, and become shortly troublesome from their rapid growth and num- bers, and the farmers were obliged to dig them up or cut them down and make fire wood of them, not wishing to increase their number by transplantation. Latterly, they are as much sought after I think in our markets as many of the sweeter kind, and more than some ; our gardeners and farmers ought to raise more of them, as it is thought from the ease and certainty of their growth and qualities as bearers, they would pay as well as any. The little honey cherry^ resembles them in quantity and certainty of bearing; of a fine flavor, a little tart, but not as muph so as the sour chwry^ so called. The former it is said, will not suffer from the long spell of hot moist foggy weather we sometimes have about cherry time, and causes most of the sweet delicate kind to rot on the tree. Colonization et Agriculture de VAlgeiie. By L. Moll, Paris, 1845 : Extracts translated by H. Meigs, 1852. The camel does not afford as many advantages to our colonists as to the Arabs ; it is even probable that, in proportion as roads shall be opened, they will lose their importance in the eyes of the latter, at least in the northern ^rt of Tell, for the camel, being adapted to the pack-saddle only, and also more to plains than mountains, must necessarily give place to vehicles and draught animals wherever there are roads. The chief advantages 510 [Assembly of the uses of camel or dromedary will be rapid travel, the milk of the female, the flesh of the young ones and the hair of the old ones. In February and March camels couple and bear until the ensu- ing spring. In the rutting season the males are ungovernable and dangerous even to their masters. The mother shows great tenderness tor her young, which requires the same care as a colt and the mother as much as the mare. When the young camel is between four and five years old, they begin to try on the pack- saddle. The coast of Algeria has no natural good harbors and they must be made at great expense. Almost the whole of Algeria belongs to the transition order, secondary and tertiary — all the rocks are of recent formation, the greater portion of them being sedimentary. We know that soil composed of these rocks is generally richer than that made by the decomposition of crystalline rocks. Three calcareous varie- ties prevail up to fins marble; there are clay marls, dolomites, clay schistus, talcose, gypsum and gneiss. Another fact which shows the richness of the soil — tlie greater part of the mountains still retain a remarkable thickness of soil even upon their sum- mits. I saw no where such peeled bare mountains as we have in the south of France. This is owing to their not being cultivated. In fact when a soil is abandoned it grows plants which perish on it and annually enrich the soil where they grew, and their roots retain the soil from washing away. The Arabs annually burn the bushes, &c., on their wild lands. The spontaneous vegetation of the country is very rich even in districts wliich, to the eye, augur badly for their fertility. The Arabs, however, contrive to get from their farms only twelve or fifteen bushels an acre of wheat or barley, for want of manure and proper working ; they just scratch the ground making little parallel furrows. Certain parts of the country are not fertile on account of the sea salt prevailing in the soil. The Sebgha and the Scott are in reality salt lakes towards the interior. The environs of Bone No. 129.] 511 the country comprised between that city, Constantine and Philip- ville ; the plains of Dgigelly and Bougie to a vast extent ; the central and southern part of Mitidja; the plain of Cheliflf', those of Mina, of Eghris, of Sig and of Habva, as well as the countries which surround the Sebgha of Oran and Henicen, are deemed to possess the ricliest soils. To sum up, we may pronounce Algeria, as a whole, one of the fertile countries of the globe. The chief farming of the Arabs is wheat; they also raise corn, sorgho, (a first rate feed for cattle and horses, a grass,) millet, chick pea, lentils, beans, turnips and cabbages, but not in plenty, tobacco, flax, &c.,&c. The Kabiles, the most steady of the peo- ple, cultivate trees and vines in their mountains. Mr. Meigs said, there is much to admire in the fpllowing : '■'■Planting fruit trees for others.'''' — The Spaniards have a maxim that a man is ungrateful to the past generation that planted the trees from which he eats fruit, and deals unjustly towards the next generation unless he plants the seed, that it may furnish food for those who come after him. Thus, when a Spaniard eats a peach or a pear, by the road-side, wherever he happens to be, he digs a hole in the ground with his foot and covers the seeds. Consequently, all over Spain, by the road-sides and elsewhere, fruit in great abundance tempts the taste and is ever free. Let this practice be imitated in our country and the weary wanderer "will bless the hand that ministered to his comfort and joy. We are bound to leave the world as good or even better than we found it, and he is a poor scamp who basks under the shadow and eats the fruit of trees which other hands planted, if he will not also plant trees which shall yield fruit to coming generations. Annates de la Societe d'' Horticulture of Paris-) et centrale de France. Dec. 1851. Extracts by H. Meigs. " Statistics of Agriculture by M. Moreau de Jonnes. — Land in cultivation, nearly fifty-one millions of hectares, equal to 25,623 square leagues, or 230, 607 square miles. The total yield, vegetable and animal, is valued at 1,500 mil- lions of dollars, of which the gardens yield nearly 31 \ millions." 512 [Assembly Jfote by H. Meigs. — Great Britain and Ireland, in 1845, by a report to Parliament, yielded of vegetable and animal value, about 3,000 millions of dollars. It is considered on a fair com- parison between the products of France and England, that the latter raises nearly double products per acre, that of France. The botanical work of Mons. LaS(^gue, contains a continuation of the labors of M. Benjamin Delessert, who derived a taste for Botany from J. J. Rousseau, who was a relation of the Delesserts. The famous Herbal, preserved by them so carefully at their country seat, is the work of Rousseau, made by him for his young pupil, Mademoiselle Delessert. This Herbal is open to all per- sons. The names of the plants are written in Latin and French by Rousseau's own hand. M. Las^gue proves that the first Botanical Museum was that of Conrad Gesner, at Zurich, Switzerland, in 1560. Afterwards, the museums of Thurneissen, Basle, of Mercati, in Tuscany, about the year 1600, then the collection of Sir Hans Sloane, and lastly, Sir Joseph Banks, who owned a rich Herbal and grand library. The Delessert Herbal contains 86,000 species, represented by 250,000 specimens. The Herbal of Lemmonnier, ot about 10,000 plants, forms a part of the Delessert ; among them are the collec- tion of Commerson, who accompanied Bougainville in his voyage around the world, of Labillardier, who visited Mount Libanus, a chain of mountains in Turkey in Asia, whose summits are al- ways covered with snow. Those of Desfontaine,who explored Algeria, and last, of Michaux, who collected in Persia, and the United States ; further, the Her- bal of Burmann, (the father) and the son. In this great collec- tion of Delessert are found a small Herbal, collected in Lapland, by Linns&us himself, with the title Flora Laponica, the Herbal of Humberg, the grand Herbals of Ventenat, of Palisot de Beauvois, of Thuillier — a crowd of plants collected by Gaudichaud, Perro- tet, Sieber, Despreaux, Drege, Blauchet, Le Prieur, Kotschy, Bov6, Aucher, and finally, one of the grand collections given generously by the British East India Company to botanists. A list is given of all the exploring botanists, of distinction, in the world. These are men of all nations, 15 English, 9 French, 6 German, 2 Swiss, 2 Dutch or Belgian, 4 Italian, 2 Russian, 1 No. 129.] 513 American, 1 Dane. It is painful to say that the greater part of these travelling botanists die in their dangerous explorations, Twenty-two are named between 1811 and 1844, some by murder, and some by disease of a frightful character. Antoine Petit was devoured by a crocodile, in the river Nile. Cunningham, of the Sidney Botanic Garden, of New Holland, was massacred by sava- ges, Banks and Wallis were drowned in the Oregon, Douglas fell into a pit prepared tor wild cattle, and met a frightful death. The library and museum of Delessert has 6,000 volumes, which contain 4,350 works, by 2,500 different authors, [Rerue Hortioole, Paris, 1861. Translations by H. Meigs.] Onion of Nocera. — This is a small white onion extremely early in its growth. Mr. Audot brought the seeds from Italy in 1840. Sowed by the side of our earliest white onion, it grows almost as rapidly as a radish, and is a bulb when it has but three or four small leaves. We believe we recognize in this the true little white onion of Florence, which we formerly had and lost long ago. This is a very pretty variety, excellent for pickles or ra- gouts, but unfortunately too difficult to keep here in France. They make much use of it in Naples, and it is chiefly cultivated at Nocera, a little village near Mount Vesuvius , from thence Mr. Audot brought the seed. [Annales de la Societe Centrale d'Horticulture, Paris, 1851.] Gardens of Kew. — One of the most interesting objects to an amateur of the garden is (without exception) the gardens of Kew. Nothing is more worthy of fixing our attention than its beautiful situation and vegetable riches. It has for a long time enjoyed a justly high reputation. About the middle of the seventeenth century, on the spot where the garden now is, stood the country seat and vast park belonging to Sir Robert Bennett, His only daughter married Lord Capel, and brought him an immense fortune. Their daughter and heir- ess. Lady Elizabeth Capel, married M. Molyneux, then private secretary of the Prince of Wales. Molyneux was a great astrono- mer and of great learning, and made at this seat sorne important discoveries among fixed stars with an instrument of his own in- [Assembly, No. 129.1 33 514 [Assembly vention. The estate was hired by the Prince of Wales, and about the year 1730 the pleasure gardens there, comprising 170 acres, were commenced by his widow, Augusta, Princess Dowager of Wales. She took great pleasure in giving activity to the works by her presence for a long time. She obtained the aid of the most distinguished men, among whom we mention Sir W. Cham- bers. A great part of the decorations of the garden of Kew is due to Count De Rule. The Princess Augusta confided to an able gardener the exotic plants which occupy a great number of con- servatories, especially the most beautiful and richest to be seen in all England. The Duke Archibald, of Argyle, sent from his sumptuous gardens at Wheston, near Hounslow, a collection of the rarest trees and plants as presents to the Princess. It was not until 1789 that George Illd definitively acquired the residence at Kew. He demolished the house. The now called Palace of Kew is sim- ply of red bricks. To speak of all the vegetables which fill the nu- merous conservatories would be a difiicult task. I shall content myself with a glance at them. First — I point out the great glass hot house on account of its size ; its position in a wood, has noth- ing equal to it in London or its neighborhood. It is confided to Messrs. William Hooker and Smith. It contains the most re- markable vegetables ; the Cedars of Lebanon, the Gutta Percha tree, the vast flower. Victoria regia, Ivory palm, Caoutchouc, the Wax palm, a great variety of the textile, the dye, the oily trees and plants, the Bread fruit, the gigantic root of the Kigelsa Nu- bina, which somewhat resembles the potato. Among the Or- chidea the elegant Anselia-Africana, with its flowering branches of great size, blooming annually ; the Cypress of Chapultepec, which sometimes attains a circumference of 39 feet. The Aus- tralian glass contains leguminous plants. Acacias fragrant, some with singularly shaped foliage; many beautiful Epacris and mag- nificent specimens of the Protea and the Banksia, both unique in Europe ; Indian Fig trees, with their pendant branches reaching the earth, &c., &c. The Hand Tree. — Chiranthodendron, named by Humboldt and Bonpland, Chierostemonplatanoides — belongs to the family of the Bombacea. No. 129.] 515 (The Hand Plant or Manita, same plant, has no petals in its flower, it has a large angular calyx resembling a leather cup, from the centre of which rises up a column bearing five narrow, curved anthers with a curved style in the middle, these have considerable resemblance to a hand furnished with long claws. — Lindley — hy H. Meigs.) This tree has been in the museum of Natural History for forty years past, and has flowered for the first time in May, 1850. It is easily multiplied by marcottes, (layers,) which form for them- selves perfect roots. The London Quarterly Review of January, 1852, gives a re- view of the existing books on the subject of these gardens. " Everything relating toKew indicates what a vast quantity of vegetable prey we are constantly taking, by the industrious hunt- ing of our employes all over the world. In George 3d's time, five acres were considered sufficient to contain all the hardy trees — such was the Old Arboretum. Now, two hundred acres are not thought too much. In 1851, the private herbarium of the Director of Kew gardens, contained one hundred and fifty thou- sand species of plants, which number, however astonishing, falls far short of those yet to be discovered and collected. Mark the Caricature Plant, with bright green leaves, something like the Bay-Tree, but marked down the middle with yellow blotches, the outline of many of which bear a very accurate resemblance to the human face, more or less divine. Here is the Duke, and here Lord Brougham, dos a dos (back to back,) on the same leaf. There is Pitt ; Punch and Judy seem the principal characters on the next. That little pot plant Dorstenia, shows a curious fructification. It is sometimes like a flat piece of green leather, growing at the end of a flower-stalk, and is in fact a flat, open receptacle of minute flowers, visible with a magnifier. It is a strange intermediate form ; for roll it up with the flowers out- side, and it is a bread-fruit ; with them inside it is a fig. " Observe the chocolate nut tree, T/ieobroma cacao, ' food for the Gods,' putting forth flowers from the thickest part of the woody trunk, to be succeeded by nuts in the same situation, in- 516 [Assembly stead of on the twiggy branches. Here are the deadly Jatropha, the towel gourd, (Lufla iEgyptiaca,) from the tropics, used as a waddiag for guns, and as a sponge. The epidermis of the An- dromachia igniaria, of Quito, is used as a tinder. The Pottery tree of Para, the bark ol which is burnt and ground, and the ashes mixed with clay to make vessels, it enables them to stand fire without breaking, &c., &c. The visitors at Kew in 1850 numbered 179,0C0. By the close of September, 1851, had reached 308,000. The government gives Kew seven thousand pounds sterling per annum for its support, ($35,000.) " Gardeners consider it a great privilege to pass two years in completing their education here. They have recently been pro- vided with a small library and reading room. Those who distin- guish themselves receive a superior testimonial." Thomas Godwin, a member of the American Institute, present- ed to the Institute the following pamphlets and documents solic- ited by him from various societies and institutions recently in Europe, viz.: The Organization and Management of such Insti- tutions, The Carrying out of Exhibitions, The Results, The Prizes of the Great Birmingham and Midland Counties Cattle and Poul- try Show for December, 1851, also of the Great Smithfield Agri- cultural and Cattle Show for December, 1851, their Rules and Modes of Management, their Catalogues, with an account of the breed and mode of feeding, and the Prize Lists, What Mode of Feeding is best for Gaining Prizes, Agricultural Catalogues, and Pamphlets, and Circulars — all these illustrating the mode of doing the business on a great scale — The Most Valuable Implements, The Various Systems of Agriculture as Appliable to Various Soils, Their Uses of Hollow Bricks, Drain Tiles and Pipes and the Machines for Making Them, Copies of Lists of Prizes in England, Account of Asphaltum Roofing Felt. Subjects for the next meeting. Plum, Apricot and Nectarine. The Club adjourned to next Tuesday at noon. H. Meigs, Secretary. No. 129.] 517 American Institute, Farmers' Club, March 30t/i, 1852. \ Hon. Robert Swift Livingston in the chair j H. Meigs, Sec- retary. The Secretary, read the following papers prepared by him. [Annales de la Societe Centrale D' Horticulture, Paris, September, 1851. Trarslation by H. Meigs, December;, 19j 1851.] Report by Mr. Payen on the Preserved Food of Mr. Masson. Gentlemen — The remarkable invention, born in your midst, to which I alluded on opening this session of the society, received at its very origin your encouraging approbation and the aid and support of many of your members, for we all comprehended the great value of the object. Mr. Masson, the author of these ingenious processes so simple and so economical, has long ago proposed the methods of preserv- ing vegetables by drying. He contrived to manage the heat so as not to let it be greater than 40** Centigrade, i. e., about 106° of Fahrenheit — so high in fact that the juices of the plants would not coagulate and, therefore, would remain in such a state that they would afterwards resume the water and soften their tissues j and these, on being boiled, would be as fresh vegetables, the taste and smell (la saveur et I'arome) agreeable and hardly modliied. The articles prepared in this way unite all the desirable qualities of fresh ones — these take up too much room in a vessel besides not keeping. M. Masson has obtained all this by compressing them into regular cakes as hard as beech wood ; these are packed in boxes and stowed away so as not to incumber the vessel on long voyages. This new process differs from the old plan of Mr. Appert, our fellow-citizen, in use from twenty-five to forty years among all commercial people, for it furnishes the vegetables in one-tenth part of the volume of the Appert method, and experience has proved the durability of these cakes ; they have been on board ship on long voyages of four years and found to be excellent. 518 [Assembly Wheu these vegetables are to be used, all that is uecessary is to steep tlieui for forty-five minutes to one hour in warm water, then boil as long as we do fresh vegetables, and they swell gradually and resume their size nearly and the pliability which they had when first gathered from the soil. The boiling takes an hour and-a-half to two hours. Various committees from the Navy, the Academy of Sciences, the National and Central Society of Agriculture and your Society have proved the good alimentary qualities of these cured vegetables, particularly various sorts of cabbages, celery, spinach and others, all so necessary for the health of sailors on long voyages. In flue, it seems to us beyond a doubt that medicinal and aro- matic plants, selected in their own countries where their useful properties are most developed and their cultivation least costly, may be most advantageously preserved in this way for quality, space, for the use of all, especially armies, navy, hospital. All these consequences of Masson's invention have been highly appre- ciated at the Universal Exhibition in London. Your council has decreed to him the gold medal of the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce. Meigs on Anciekt Trees. — Modern investigation of coal and lig- nite strata has proved the existence of trees of the same orders as those now existing. In the Brown coal strata are found coniferae and other trees of considerable magnitude growing among the famous palms, ferns and cycadese of the old world. At Bonn, on the Rhine, in a bed of lignite, or brown coal, Noggerath ex- amined a tree the rings of which were seven hundred and nine- ty-two; and at Somme, near Abbeville, in the north of France, oaks have been found in a turf-raoor, which are fourteen feet in diameter — a very remarkable growth out of the tropics. These huge ancient trees are few, so are our modern large trees such as the Baobab, the red pine of California and the gum of Australia. Lindley believes our modern trees to be probably (some of them) four thousand years of age. If, as we may believe, the old trees Tfere laid before our moderns began, then we have testimony by their rings ol some seven or sight thousand years from the begin- mg ot their growth. No. 129.] 519 [Revue Hortioole, Paris, 1851. Translated by Henry Meigs.] New Plants cultivated by Mr. Linden at Brussels. ; ' Fuchsia 7iigricans, bears a great number of flowers of a black- ish tint. Aphelandra grandis, a large and fine plant with leaves a foot long, oval pointed, about eight inches wide, the flowers of a very bright vermilion color. Originally from the Northern declivity of the Sierra Nevada of Merida. The Wallichia densifiora, (dense flowering Wallichia,) is originally from India. Discovered first in Assam by Wallich, Jenkins and Masters ; afterwards on the first bases of the Hima- laya. Hooker found it 800 metres above the sea. It may pro- bably be acclimated in the south of Europe and perhaps in France. This palm is Monoick, that is, its flowers are both male and female on the same stem. Its male flowers are extremely r€v- markable, they resemble a large shaped (ovoide) head more than a foot in diameter, inclining and formed of large imbricated bracts, much like those of the Artichoke, of a beautiful purple color striped with yellow. At the moment of flowering these bracts open and let you see coming out of them little bunches of flowers, male, almost pure white. You may readily conceive the ornamental effect produced by these thousands of flowers, surrounded by their large purple colored bacts. Now add to this a set of leaves about six feet in length, and you will agree that the Wallichia densiflora is a plant to be introduced into every conservatory. It has been in the gardens of Kew & Chis- wick, for three or four years past. It is readily propagated by taking the suckers from the roots and planting them. Cantua dependens. This flower met universal admiration at the last splendid exhibition at Chiswick, Mr. Lindley, says, (bor- rowing his own words) that it is the most glorious plant that has yet arrived from the west, as wild as the Fuchsia, it resembles much, ihe most brilliant species of that beautiful flower — and above all, by its long tubular flowers, which vary in their colors having the richest tints of yellow, purple and violet. Unfortu- 520 [Assembly nately we lack details as to this precious acquisition, wliich has never left the garden of Messrs. Veitch at Exeter, except to shin© for a moment in the exhibition. ORCHIDEA. [Annalee de la Societe Centrale d'Horticultare, Paris, 1850. Translated by H. Meigs.] M. Pescatore, of St. Oloud, had 424 Orchids flower, in 1849. Among them many of great beauty, and some very singular spe- cies. The Orchid Bollopkyllum harbigerum is very curious. It is covered with brown hair, which is set in motion by the least cur- rent of air. Hoidletia hrocklehurstiana is, without contradiction, one of the most beautiful of Orchidea, for its figure, beauty, and odour of its flower. The leaves are over 12 inches broad; each false bulb bears two bunches of flowers, each stem and flower being about 20 inches high, furnished with a dozen flowers. It flowers twice a year here regularly, in July and August. It is very easily cultivated. Plant it in a very large pot well drained, filled with turfy earth, mixed with fragments of earthen ware During its growth, water it abundantly, and when the bulbs are well nourished, give it some weeks repose. AngrcBcum bilo- hum, a charming little plant, uniting in tufts, giving a pretty effect. It bears 15 to 20 white flowers, in the form of a star. That the flowers may present themselves well, they should be planted in a basket filled with turfy heath soil, mixed with frag- ments of earthen ware, hung up. The L(Elia aufumnalis has rose- colored flowers. Ponthieva maculata is very beautiful, varied colors with green spots. Lentil. — Its culture is successful in England, on recent ex- periments. It succeeds when planted in alternate rows with beans. Its quality as food is now highly praised, and its culti- vation earnestly recommended. Mr. Krugef , of Lubbenan, announces that he has cultivated the hlack lentil with success as well in reference to its quality as its quantity. He also praises two kinds of peas One called Princess 01 ga, and the other Emperor of Russia, both of good quality and yield. The Princess, an early— the Emperor, a late pea. He mentions a giant bean, very good either green or ripe ; pods a foot long. No. 329.] 521 An inhabitant of Courland announces to the Society the dis- covery of a plant, proof against cold, found in the far north, ■which multiplies in an extraordinary manner from both roots and seeds, the tubers of the size of a man's fist, which yields about one-half starch of the first kind ; a specimen of the starch is laid before the Society. The Society thinks that it is the Stachys palustris. The subject will be further examined. Mons. le Vicompte Debonnaire de Gif, presented a pod of Aromatic Vanilla grown in the hot houses of the museum. Mons. de Gif remarked that this Vanilla acquired a sweeter perfume as it grew older, and he thought it superior to that imported. New-York, March 20, 1852. To the American Institute of the city of JVew-York: In the volume of Transactions of the Society for 1850, is an ac- count of the cultivation of Madder in this country, and also in Europe. It is stated to have been successfully cultivated in this country, but to what extent is not mentioned, and c^ hardly at this time be accurately known. About 1843 Mr. Roman Watson, formerly a merchant of this city and New Orleans, bought some land in Illinois, on tlie Mis- sissippi river, near Quincy. He selected a farm which he named Hat Grove ; it is in Monmouth county. He turned his attention to the cultivation of madder, and had sold two crops of dried, marketable madder, averagiiag 2000 lbs. to the acre, when he died, in February, 1848, with quite favorable prospects in the madder business. His farm was also a sheep farm, and for this purpose it was purchased by his brother, Mr. George Watson, who suc- ceeded him. He says the madder his brother raised was far su- perior in quality to any brought to this country ; that it made hrightet colors and took l^s quantity to dye the same weight of cloth. Mr. Watson has communicated to me their mode of oBiIture, which is as follojvs : " The ground is made mellow by deep plowing, early in the spring. About the time we plant corn is the time to put out the 522 [Assembly madder sets. Here, where land is plenty, and we wish to do as much as we can with the team, we lay ofiour ground into double rows one way through the field, 12 feet from center to center. If the soil is not quite strong, plough out a deep wide furrow and fill with manure, then throw the earth over it from both sides with the plough ; then set two rows of madder, three feet apart ; plant 12 inches apart in the row for the plants or sets; make holes with a sharp pointed stick or iron bar to receive eacli one, and then close the earth around it. The weeds must be kept down by frequent ploughing, and that will keep the earth in the right state for use as it is wanted. When the young plants are 10 inches high take long handled shovels and lay down the tops, spreading them in every direction, then cover them with the loose earth, as much as will let them live, leaving the ends just uncov- ered ; as sooa as they get up again about the same height, cover them again in the same way, the top all the time making root. The first season this should be done three or four times, and just before frost comes cover up entirely with soil ; the second season plow and cover, in the same way, three times and cover up in the fall before frost ; the tliird summer nothing is necessary to be done but keep the weeds down and dig in August. Rows twelve feet apart where land is plenty as here is more convenient than closer; but where labor is cheap, and hand labor is the principal labor, eight feet apart will do. " This prairie soil is right for growing the madder root. We have a deep, mellow, rich soil — no stone, roots, or grass in the way ; we have only weeds to keep down, and that is easily done with the plow where the plow can reach them. " Mr. William Hanna, seventeen miles from Hatgrove, has pur- chased my brother's madder roots and has gone largely into the business, and has from forty to sixty acres under cultivation; has machinery for grinding and rooms for kiln-drying, and <^an give any information in that branch of the business which I am una- ble to do. lie invented a machine worked with four horses to raise tne soil and place it on the bed ; but I do not know whether he was able to dispense with hand labor. He is an able and thorough-going farmer, and I presume would take great pleasure in -irapartin? any useful information he may have in relation to the business. His address is Monmouth, our county seat." No. 129.] 523 The consumption of madder in the United States is now very large in dying and printing cotton goods, and I know of no reason why it cannot be successfully raised in this country. Mr. Han- na's four horse machine may prove to be valuable, and, like the American Horse Reaper, may overcome the disadvantage of high wages. Thinking the foregoing account of the cultivation of madder at the west may perhaps be of service, I submit it to the society. CALEB SWAN. Professor Mapes. — The subject of the day is Plum, Apricot and Nectarine. I will say a few words. Our garden plums had their parentage in Asia and southern Europe, but they are now naturalized in this country. The soil of our middle States is particularly well suited to plums. The Jefferson, the Lawrence's favorite and the Washington plums prove that. They are equal to any of the plums of Europe. There are three kinds, indige- nous to this country. The Chickasaw plmn, (Prunus Chicaca, Michaux.) The dwarf Texas plum is the same. The wild red or yellow plum, (Prunus americana, Marshall.) The Beach pluvi or Sand plum. (Prunus maritima, Waug.) The uses of this fruit. — As a dessert fruit it is not so digestible as the peach, unless it is positively fully ripe. Used for pies and tarts. Dried plums, for sweetmeats. In the south of France the plum is fermented with honey and distilled. It should never be eaten unless ripened on the tree. The size very much increased by thinning out when they are about half grown, no two plums should be allowed to touch each other on the tree, for one of them will probably rot. As is well known the dried fruit from Europe are plums by the name of prunes. — As to the culture. The stocks should be raised from the seeds of any free growing sons of plums, except the damson, which can- not be worked. The stocks should be budded when two years old, with the finer sorts. The seeds or stones should be planted (as soon as they are gathered,) ia broad drills, as in planting peas, and one inch and a half deep. In the following autumn, remove JJQem to the nursery rows and bud them the coming mid-sum- 524 ' [Assembly mer, say, on the 10th day of July, or when the bark will permit. Insert the buds on the north side of the stock, to protect them from the sun, tie a bandage over more tightly than for other trees. The Muscle, Brussells and the Pear plum may be proba- gated by layers. The stocks IVom layers are not superior to those raised from the Blue gage and red Horse plum. The seed- lings of the Mirahelh are used for dwarfing. The Iree should be pruned but slightly. When they are pruned or wounded, a solution of gum-shellac should be used to cover the place. Old trees may be headed down, when they have become barren, and by care of the cut places, the tree will grow fruit again. It prevents the loss by flow of the gum. Good top dressing should also be given to the roots. As respects the soil for plums. Heavy loams or clayey soils are best. Colum- bia county of this State, is well suited in these respects and the plum flourishes there. The Curculioj the great enemy of this fruit, finds it hard to bury himself in such soils, while he delights in a light warm sandy soil. Kellis is a good soil for plums ; common salt is one of the best fertilizers for them. The knots is a disease of the bark and the wood, forming large black lumps, cracked and uneven. This disease attacks the tree of the purple fruit, and never the green or yellow kinds, until their neighbors have be- come filled witli the knots. Common Horse plum and Damson, seem to fail first. With care this disease is easily extirpated ; re- move every imperfect spot and burn it immediately. A very bad tree should be burned up. Judge Livingston — Presented a quantity of seed of the German Kail or Borecole, which were distributed among the members. Professor Mapes. — I plant this seed in August or September, they come up and attain some size before frost, I prick th«m out in cold frames and in the spring put them out. I thus get them one month earlier. And so it is with all the Brassica (cabbage kind.) My cold frame plants bring me a dollar while the others bring eighteen pence. No. 129] 525 Hon. Ogden Edwards. — My father, Pierpont Edwards, loved his garden, and he had a large one. He was in the habit of raising young plants, especially lettuce, in the fall, covering them for winter with cedar bushes. This protected them from freezing and thawing. It is not freezing that injures them, but the repeti- tion of the process. I believe that peas bear frost very well, and by this treatment can be made to come much earlier to market. Prof. Mapes. — I passed some time on the farm of the well-known William Cobbett, on Long Island. He tried experiments of that kind, but did not succeed in getting earlier results, nor so full crops, or so good ones. Judge Edwards. — Some farmers have believed thaf grain which has passed through the stomach of horses, was fertilized and thus benefited. Prof. Mapes — Stimulating manures used in the drill will an- swer quite as well. The regular subject of the day should be continued. I was much pleased lately with a new substitute for figs. Our friend Mr. Downing, of Newburgh, has practiced a preparation of peaches with paring, white sugar, and drying in an oven, which I think was like the best figs, but more delicious. Stoned cherries treated the same way. Canfield, of Newark, New- Jersey, has budded ten thousand peach trees, without losing one. Soaked bass fibre is used only to tie it. No salve. Mr. Van Wyck. — The plum is said to be a native of Asia. This is of little consequence to us, provided it will grow well in our country, which it does, in almost any part of it, especially on get- ting acclimated. This has been shown by many years' experi- ence. It grows well north and south of us ; better, it is thought, north than south of our latitude. It grows well in most of the eastern states, in our own state, both the north and western part of it, and as far north as Canada, and, we believe, in most of our western states. Latterly, since the plum tree has suffered so much from insects, it grows better north of the Highlands than south of them. The insects, though, especially the curculio, supposed to be its most destructive enemy, are travelling north, and making ravages upon it as great perhaps as anywhere. Pav- ing the ground of the plum yard or place where they grow, with 526 [Assembly brick or stone, so that they cannot get into the earth, nor out of it so readily, is said to be a preventive. This is too expensive a remedy for most of our growers of the fruit to any extent, even if it would have the effect intended ; but we are told that one gentleman who tried it on Long Island, said it only answered for a year or two, and then they appeared to inlest his trees in as great numbers as ever. This, of course, must be considered as no preventive. I should think poultry or pigs having the range of a plum or any other fruit orchard, would be not only a cheaper but surer remedy. Certain seasons we cannot exp^t to destroy them entirely. We can only diminish their numbers, and this is some relief. In Europe, England, France, Spain, &c., they grow the plum very fine and in great numbers. They generally have the same enemy to encounter we have, insects. In France, Spain, and Portugal, they dry a great many plums, and export them under the name of prunes^ which means -plum. Some kinds are better for this than others ; the Perdrigon plum, for instance ; in this state, when cooked, are said to be wholesome and highly medicinal. The plum, to be wholesome to eat in any way, must be ripe. They are more pernicious than any other unripe fruit. There is considerable trade carried on with us in prunes. The money we i)ay for these, might be saved to our country if we would attend to the process of drying ourselves. It is very sim- ple ; it is done by the oven and sun, but mostly the former. All smooth, thin-skinned fruits are more preyed upon by insects than others, such as the nectarine, apricot plum, and plums generally. The nectarine is of the peach family. The skins of these are pleasant to the touch of insects ; they are very nice in their feel- ers ; they puncture them easier and penetrate the interior. The plum and some other fruits have been found growing wild, in the deserts of Arabia — in the oases^ or districts where certain plants and fruits will grow tolerably well with little cultivation. Dif- ferent tribes of Arabs who occupy these sections, and cultivate them in their way, generally get food enough from them for their subsistence, and that of their animals. The plums they gather when ripe and dry, and carry them to the nearest cities and towns, such as Cairo, Alexandria, &c., and sell them ; they are in great demand here, being considered very healthy and refreshing in such a climate. This seems to be opposed to tlie idea that the plum requires a clay instead of a sandy loam to grow well on ; No. 129.] 527 we find them here growing wild in the deserts of Arabia and Egypt. That the plum will grow well in a clay loam, there is little doubt, but whether they will grow as well and with as lit- tle care as in a sandy loam, may be questionable ; this last, it is thought, accords more with the nature of the plant. A clay loam must have some sand in it for the plum or any other plant to grow at all, or certainly to grow well. Whether putting a bed of pure clay under every plum tree would protect it from in- sects, is also questionable, perhaps it might. I am inclined though to think it would turn out as the paving experiment did, a failure. Brick or stone are as hard substances, and would be as difficult for insects to perforate as clay. Hybridizing to get a new and improved species of fruit, has been practiced with suc- cess for some years ; this is by connecting or joining two good and different sorts of the same fruit in such a way as to produce one not only to contain the essence and good qualities of both the old ones, but an improvement of these. Grafting and budding are a species of hybridizing, though not of the most perfect kind ; a new fruit is obtained to a certain extent, but the qualities of the tree or plant from which the graft or bud is taken, predominate largely over the grafted one. Sometimes though a portion of the qualities of both can be traced, however small the one may be compared with the other, it is there, and shows the influence of the grafted tree on the connection. The late Mr. Knight, who was more successful perhaps in experiments upon fruits than any other man, hybridized through the flower ; at the proper sea- son he dusted the stigma of the one with the pollen of another, and thus obtained a new fruit, greatly superior in most cases to either of those from whence it sprung. He frequently produced in this way pears, peaches, plums and grapes, which have been generally cultivated and are now considered among the best fruits of Europe. Mr. Knight experimented on the plum in this way, and produced the Imperatrice, and Knighfs large Green Dry- ing, two of the best plums now probably in Europe. It requires great skill and perfect knowledge of the organism of plants, from the root to the flower, to perform experiments of this kind with success. Mr. Francis Kelsey, of 275 Tenth Avenue, New- York, called the attention of the Club to his plan ot transportation of honey bees 528 [Assembly to California; tjiat he has studied the bee and his habits for al- most forty years past, and yet does not know the half that is to be known; that there are about one thousand writers on the sub- ject. Mr. Kelsey has transported bees hundreds of miles into the interior of the United States; tried to get them to Florida; lost seven swarms before he learned how to succeed, but did at last succeed. The honey bee is supposed to be a nartive of the islands and shores of the Mediterranean sea, from thence spreading over the Continent, from thence to the United States. That is easily done in winter, but in summer their love of libert} is so powerful that they will, if confined, be destroyed by suffocation and by the melting down of their combs. After being introduced in the Atlantic States, they overspread the country until stopped by the great plains on this side of the Rocky mountuins — there they had to stop. Many attempts have been made to take them across the plains to Oregon and California, all of which universally failed because the journey could only be made in summer, and the persons trying the experiment did not understand it. After seven failures I succeeded perfectly in carrying them from New- York to Florida and bringing them from Florida to Ncav- York. There are abundance of bees in Florida from whence they were conveyed, some eighty years ago, to Cuba, and now their honey and wax are worth some millions of dollars. The mildness of climate in Oregon and California will prove admira- ble for the bee. I have the knowledge to enable me to carry swarms there in perfect safety, but I have not the money requi- site. I hope that some benevolent capitalist will soon appear to make this admirable transfer of the industrious little creature so delicious and profitable in his labors. The Institute has before this spoken well of my ability in this respect. I should glory in the happy mission of bees to the magnificent United States of the Pacific ocean. Dr. 0. H. Wellington, of 184 Twelfth-street, presented grafts from Boston of the Porter, Revere and Granny Earle apples, which were distributed among the members. Ko. 129. J 529 We were much pleased with the presence of Dr. Charles En- derlin, an assoeiate of Liebig. His analyses of the blood and other organic substances of many kinds ot -animals has given iiim a high reputation in Germany. He is a native of Geissen. The Club continues the subject of plum^ apricot and nectarine^ and requests all that can to bring best seeds, grafts, cuttings, &c., for distribution. The Club adjourned to Tuesday next. H. Meigs, Secretary. American Institute, } Farmers' Club, April Qtk, 1852. J Geouge Dickey, Esq., in the chair; Henry Meigs, Secretary. The Secretary read the following communications translated and prepared by himself^ BLIGHT OF GRAPES, [.From Herapath's Journal, 6th September, 1851.] Grape vines, for the last three seasons, have suffered materially from a disease like a mildew upon them, which attacks the grapes when young, stops their growth, and causes them to turn hard, Wack, and eventually to rot. For two years, 1819 and 1851, the grapes in Mr. Herapath's green house were thus lost, and every remedy recommended failed. In neither year was one bunch out of several hundred weight saved- This summer the disease made its appearance with great viru- lence again, and it was determined to cut the vines down, when a friend advised Mr. Herapath to try the effect of powdered sul- phur, dusted over the grapes with a flour dredger. This was done and, for the purpose of aiding it by absorbing the moisture, about half a bushel of unslaked lime was put in the green house and allowed to slake purely by the absorption of moisture from [Assembly, No. 129.] 34 SS'^ [Assembly the atmosphere. The result has been the disappearance of the blight and the s;rowth and perfection of the grapes. Besides this, the house has been cleared of an immense number of blue bottles and other flies, which used to prey on the grape. The destruction of the flies is supposed to be by the fumes of the lime^ which has been every now and then stirred up and the dust thrown about j but it may be by the sulphur. Be it which it may the flies lie dead about by hundreds, and the grapes are healthy and fine. It is said that a better method is to subject the sulphur to a slow sublimation by heat of 170^ or 180° Fahrenheit, with the house close shut up ; but we speak of that only which we- know. Herpiri's Memoir on Insects Ivjv>rions to Jlgriculture^ with valuable- plates. From Alexander Vattemare, August, 1851. The author treats of six insects, enemies of wheat, by the- names, 1st. Chlorops Lineata; 2d. Chloiops Herpinii ;, 3d. Cephus- Pygmseus; 4th. Alysia Olivieri; 5th. Apion Aprieusj 6th. Calyp- trus Macrocephalus. First J This fly is about one-twelfth of an inch in length, has two wings, and, when magnified, is beautifully colored — abdomen yellow, head and body yellow with dark stripes lengthwise, wings- delicately colored. Second, This fly is rather smaller than the first, very like it in all other respects. Tkird, Very like the two former, but four or five times longer and broader; wings delicately tinted like the former. Fourth, This fly is about one-tenth of an inch long resembling a wasp in shape, body black, Avings delicately tinted like th& former with black, a black shot on the upper edge of each wing. Fifth, Wasp-shaped, abdomen yellow, body black, wings lik& the delicate color of the former. Sixth. — About one-tenth of an inch long, double wings, the fore one having each a black spot on its upper edge. Pteromalus Pione, about one-twelfth of an inch long, wings colored like the former. No. 129 ] 531 No one can clearly see these small flies with the naked eye A microscope of large magnifying power should be used in order to identify these enemies, because otherwise one might trouble himself with taking measures for the destruction of swarms of gnats or other little insects which do no harm whatever to grain. It has long ago been recommended to burn light brush or straw on the outside of the wheat field on dark nights especially — as it is said the flies rush into the flames. This should be dune when the wheat is in flower. At any rate we ought fully to know the enemy before we set about his destruction. Herpin says the best plan is not to plant wheat for a year or two, on land which has had the insect. He believes that they will for the most part perish if a difierent crop is planted — one which they cannot subsist on. HUMBOLDT'S COSMOS— OR WORLD— OX VEGETATION. The interesting view of vegetation from the level of the sea up to the height of that great Colossus of the Andes, Chinibora- zo, whose height is that of Mount ^tna, and we must pile the Keghi or Mount Athos on the summit of Chimborazo,in order to form a just estimate of the elevation of the Dhawalagiri the highest point of the Himalaya. On its slope, under the shade of the Deodora and the broad leafed Oak peculiar to these Indian Alps, the rocks of granite and of mica schist, are covered with vegetable forms almost similar to those which characterize Eu- rope and Northern Asia. The species are not identical, but closely analogous in aspect and physiognomy, as the Juniper, Alpine birch. Gentian, Marsh Parnassia and the prickly species of Ribes. Note the species which compose the vegetation of the Himalaya, are four pines, 25 oaks, 4 birches, two chestnuts, 7 maples, 12 willows, 14 roses, 3 strawberries, 7 Alpine roses, one of which grows 20 feet high — and many other northern genera. Large white apes with black faces, inhabit the wild chestnut tree of Kashmir, which grows to the height of 100 feet. On the southern slopes the grains stop at 9,974 feet elevation. Pastures were found by Girard as high as 17,000 feet. Birches at 532 [ASSEMLBT 12,982, copse or brushwood at upwards of 17,000. The line of perpetual snow on the Himalaya chain is from 18,000 to 19,000 feet high. [London Farmer3' Magazine and Monthly Journal, London, March, 1352.] Value of London Soot. — In London Labour and the London Poor, we find the following statistics as to metropolitan soot : Bush, aoot per an'm. 53,840 houses, at a yearly rental above XSO, producing six bushels of soot each per annum, 323,040 90,032 houses at a yearly rental above £20 and below .£50, producing five bushels of soot per annum, 450,010 163,880 houses below X30 rental per annum, producing two bushels of soot each per annum, 327,760 Total number of bushels annually produced in London, 1,100,810 The price of soot per bushel is but five pence (ten cents) and sometimes $4^d., but 5d. may be taken as an average. Now 1,000,000 bushels of soot at 5d. will be found to yield X20,883 ^s. and 8d. per annum. Curious Breed of Fowls. — Mr. William Lee, gamekeeper to Sir William Gordon, at Earlston house, is at present rearing two young fowls of a very curious and novel breed, being a cross be- tween a bantam hen and a common pheasant. The male is near- ly a jet black, though the tail is considerably shorter than the parents. The female is a beautiful bright red with a black neck. They are about ihe size of ordinary barn door fowls, and are so tame that out of doors they will pick crumbs frc>m the hand. They are of splendid plumage, and are much admired in this district. Glass Roofs for Stables, &c. — Tirydail, near Llandillo, the residence of T. W. Sanford, Esq., F. R. S. "It is but five years since Mr. Sanford turned his attention to the cultivation of plants and fruits. He has placed his cows and plants under the same roof formed of glass, at an expense no greater than the roof of slate. The light is found important to the welfare of the cattle and the carbonic acid gas and ammonia to the plants. The shade of the grape leaves is agreeable to cattle. The first house has a single span roof of 96 feet long by 13 feet "widcj standing east and No. 129.] 533 west, and by the slope to the south a roof of glass 20 feet wide. Under the glass are trellises of strained galvanized wire \ inch size placed one foot from the glass, and one foot apart to which the vines are trained at two feet distance from each other. The heat of the cattle keeps out the frost. He is building another 100 feet long. The vines and plants have luxuriated. Raising Hyacinths. — ^Two glass vessels are used adapted to each other, so tliat the flower is seen in one glass, and the roots or another flower in the other, so that the Dutch and English florists have exhibited double glasses, in the lower one of which a hyacinth is in full bloom in water and the upper one in the air. Hyacinth and Narcisses grow best in colored glasses. Luminous Plants. — Potatoes kept in a cellar in a growing con- dition, sometimes become so luminous that one can read a book by them. The Dictamnus albus, common in Germany, spreads about it in dry summer evening>, an atmosphere which, on the touch of flame, burns with a blue flame. Some plants emit spark- ling light, such as the flower marigold, Indian cress, sunflower, and the polyanthus. Some rhizomorphous plants give out a calm steady light. The milky juices of some plants are very luminous. Respikation of Vegetables. — They imbibe perhaps as much oxygen at one time as tliey part with at another, and decaying plants contaminate tlie atmosphere infinitely more than they pu- rify it, as is proved by growing plants in glass cases, where, al- though there may be more oxygen by day, and carbonic acitl by night, yet a general average is maintained. Many tribes of plants also imbibe nitrogen. It is so with most of those which give out a foetid odour, as the Chenopodium olidum, or stinking Guose- feet — all the cabbage tribe — the toad-stools and other fangi. [London Farmers' Magazine, March, 1852. London Fanners' Club, Feb. 2, 1852.] GuANo. — The superiority of the Peruvian guano over all other is now fully established. It is not likely that any other locality will be discovered producing a guano of so high a value. First, it must be where there are large shoals of flsh to make food for the birds. Second, it must be far from the usual haunts of men, or else the birds would be frightened. Thirdly, it must be on a coast where rains are unknown.^ otherwise the ammonia will be 534 [Assembly washed out, and only phosphate (if lime left. Fourthly, it must be on an island, or else it will be mixed with sand and earth. Fiftlily, it must be accessible to shipping. Senor Francisco de Rivero, the representative of the Peruvian government at the court of St. James, has a thorough knowledge of the Guano islands. In a report made by him to his government, he estimated the quantity on three islands alone at 18,250,000 tons. The Guano islands are entirely devoid of the smallest appear- ance of vegetation ; not a tree, not a blade of grass, not a lichen, enlivens the spot. The earth, if there is any on the rocks, is bu- ried at least thirty feet in guano. And yet these islands enjoy their own peculiar blessings under the hand of the Almighty, for a short residence on them speedily relieves suiferers from the gout, gravel, urinary complaints, and particularly those hor- rible diseases the scurvy, leprosy and king's evil. Many won- derful cures are on record occasioned by a residence there, doubt- less owing to the atmosphere being at all times saturated with ammouiacal particles. The Indian Incas preserved the guano with religious care. The Spanish conquerors followed more zeal- ously in their footsteps. At one period it was death to disturb the birds during the breeding season. Whence came the Seeds? — Spontaneous plants have excited great curiosity, and but little is known as yet on that subject. After the great fire of London in 166G, the entire surface of the destroyed portion was covered with sucli a vast profusion of a species of cruciferous plant, the Sysirabrium Irio of Linnseus, that it was calculated that the whole of the rest of Europe did not contain so many plants of it. PLANTS. Des Genres, Camellia, Rhododendrum, .Azalea, Epacris, Erica, and of other cold cons(^rvatory plants. By M. Ch. Lemaire: Pre- sented in August, 1851, t<» the American Institute, by Alexan- der Vattemare. Extracts translated by H. Meigs. Rhododendrum in Latin, rhododendron in Greek is rose tree in English. Linnseus established this genus and name in 1758. No. 129.] 535 The celebrated Swede imported it although it is like any but a rose tree, nevertheless the number, brilliant colors of the flowers, «,nd their extreme beauty (the greater part of them) justify the title comparatively to a certain point. This rose tree inhabits the high mountains of Europe, Asia Minor, of India, and some of the islands near North America, They are low small plants, •some of them are reported to be poisonous and narcotic. The leaves of many of the species are known to botanists and almost •all of them are cultivated in gardens. Few plants can present so splendid an aspect as groups of Rhododendrums in flower, forming such rich bouquets with all the lively and delicate tints from purple to rose-white and deep crimson, relieved by a broad •and vigorous foliage of deep green. £ From Lindley's Vegetable Kingdom.] Azalea. — Botanists are now unanimous in forming it a simple section of the genus Rhododendrum, and not a particular genus itself. Linnaeus formed a genus of it; he is not followed by bot- anists in this. Azalea does not in reality differ from Rhododen- ■drum, properly called, except in the number of stamina which is constantly five instead of ten, and by the fall of its leaf. The general name Ericacae given by Lindley in his Vegetable Kingdom includes forty-two genera and eight hundred and fifty species, among which are Rhododendrum, Azalea, Erica, &,c. Tlie Russian Traveller Pallas believed that the Azalea Pontica was tlie flower from which the bees took the huney which poi- soned Xenophon's army; the men fell stupefied in all directions, so tliat the camp looked like a battle field covered with corpses. He says that the Euxine honey produces effects like the Lolium Temulentum and these occur in a country where no Rhododendron grows. The natives are well aware of the deleterious qualities of the plant, and it is said that goats which browse on the leaves before the pasturesaregreen suffer in consequence and moreover, that cattle and sheep perish from eating it. Lindley gives to the Ericacea the plain English name of Heath- worts. 535 [Assembly Acacia. — Lindley includes this in the title Fabacea, or Legii- naiuous plants. The term Fabacea means bean bearers. Of these there are four hundred and sixty-seven genera and six thousand five hundred species. Epacrids. — Lindley says these are small trees or shrubs, their hair when present being simple. Flowers white or purple, sel- dom blue, remarkable for their great beauty, and lor the singular structure of their leaves. All the fruits of the berry bearing sec- tion of them, especially Lissanthe Sapida are esculent, but the seeds are too large and the pulpy covering too thin to be availa- ble for food. The Astroloma Humifusum, the cranberry of Tar- mania, is found all over that colony. It is remarkable that only one or two Heathworts are found in the countries inhabited by the Epacrids. The fruit of the Tasmania^ cranberry is green or whitish, or sametJraes red, about the size of a black currant, has an apple flavored pulp enclosing a large seed. The stems of the plant re- semble juniper. The blossoms are beautiful scarlet. Camellia. — Father Camelli,a Jesuit, introduced it into Europe in 1739. Linneeus, out of gratitude, named it after him, Camel- lia. It was originally from Japan, and has been cultivated from time immemorial in China and Cochinehina. In a wild condi- tion it is a large bush, never a tree, rarely grows higlier than thirty or thirty-five feet. The cultivation of Camellia and Rhododendrum is much the same. [Annales De La Societe Centrale, Paris, July, 1851. From Alexandre Vatlenmre.] Culture of the pine apple (Bromelia Ananas) in the north o France, without either lire or manure. By Viscount De Courval. The forced culture of pine apples has been practiced for half a century, always by means of artificial heat of coal, wood, coke, turf, hot air or steam. We present our practice as hitherto but little known, and as very economical. The experience of some years and the results have been such that we warrant its success. It always requires care and vigilance. No. 129.] 537 As soon as the leaves of trees, such as oaks, diesfnuts, planes, beech or elm, begin to fall abundantly, that is, in the first day8 of November, I gather them into large heaps, in a dry time, in quantity sufficient for my beds during the year. A few days af- ter I dig, in the dryest and warmest place in my garden, a ditch six feet wide, and long enough to receive my pine apples, and to a depth of about two feet. I fill it with the leaves from my heap, to well heaped surfaces, the whole depth of leaves being about three feet. If it is too dry, I water it with a sprinkler (watering pot.) I then put on this bed of about four feet square, filled with a bed of garden mould, of tan, or even crushed turf, to the thick- ness of some seven inches, and then cover the whole with glass frames. In a few days the heat in the tan rises to about 75° Fah- renheit, and I then bury my pots (which are about five inches in diameter) in the tan. I fill these pots with heath soil, leaving such a space between the pots that each glass frame will cover about sixty pots. The beds being thus prepared, I put the shoots or the crowns of pine apples saved from the fruit on the table, I plant one of these in each pot, and put them immediately under the frames. Take care that the leaves of the pines never touch the glass over them. Be careful to cover them up exactly with straw mats every night. The young plants must be deprived en- tirely of air for about six weeks, at the end of which time I find they iiave taken root. During all this time they must not be wa- tered. The humidity of the bed of leaves below is enough fur them- when you are sure they are rooted, give them a little air during sunshine. In this condition the plants will go through the win- ter witliout any further care than heaping leaves close up to all the frames and covering them with straw mats or heaps of leaves or double or triple straw mats, as the cold may require- these coverings are not to be removed except in mild w^eather and in sunshine. In April make a new bed like the last with this dif- ference, that instead of tan or mould, fill th.e trench with about twenty inches depth of heath soil and when it becomes sufficient- ly warm, plant in it the young pines with their soil about their roots, putting six only under one square of your frame. As 538 [Assembly soon as this is done, cover the soil about them with straw about an inch thick — there they remain until November without any other care during summer than raising the boxes so as to lift the glass above the growing leaves and watering them ireely during great heats. If the pines have not been neglected, their growth will have reached over three feet in height by this time In the first days of November your spring bed must be cooled and made over again exactly as before filled with about twenty inches depth of tan or mould, and cover with frames suitable to the growth of the pines. When this bed is warm enough, take up very care- fully the plants with a lump of the soil about their roots as big as your fist, and put them in pots of about six inches diameter only, in order that the restraint upon their roots may cause them to fruit the better. Bring the pots in the bed and keep the air off entirely for a month, until their new roots appear; then begin to let them have a little air according to the state of the weather. They will now pass tlieir second winter without danger. When March arrives make a good bed of leaves like the former, adding to it about ten inches depth of heath soil. As soon as this is warm enough, take a warm day in fine weather to transport the plants, and bury pots and plants so deep that you just see the fruit out of ground; after this they require watering during the summer in order to keep the air humid. The rays of the sun should be dimmed by pointing the glass thinly over them with Spanish white, and giving them air according to tlie heat of the weather. The fruit may be expected to weigh, when ripe, from five to seven and-a-half pounds, each about nine inches long by sixteen inches round; they will be matured by November. This cultivation is very economical and little if any inferior in fruit to hot houses, &c. PLUM A\D APRICOT. Professor Mapes. The nectarine is a smooth skinned Peach, has the habits and growth of the peach, is smaller and inferior to the best peaches but superior to the common and equal to the average sorts of them. The beauty of its appearance its wax like surface render it a splendid dessert fruit. It has the noyeau or peach leaf like flavor. No. 129.] 539 It is an accidental variety of the peach, sometimes grows on the same limb with the peach. The fine Boston Nectarine origi- nally proved nectarine but sometimes peach. The tree should be shortened in. It is longer lived than peach and hardier, particularly when budded on the plum stock. Is not trimmed in Arabia. The Curculio attacks it, rags dipped in coal tar and applied to the tree are useful as a protector against curculio. Harlem oil is also, but it is a remedy worse than the disease. The apricot is the earliest in bloom of almost all fruit trees It grows twenty feet high. It may be grown as a standard south of latitude 42° north. Its foliage is heart shaped. It came from Armenia and A.rabia, and is in general cultivation in China and Japan. According to Grosier, the mountains west of Pekin are covered with a natural growth of apricots. As a dessert fruit it is only inferior to the peach, ripens at midsummer, after cherries and before plums, is used when preserved in sugar, in brandy, in jellies and in pastry, and when dried for use, an admi- rable liquor is made from it. The free bearing sorts are used for drying, largely. It is usually budded on the plum stock, in July. When budded on the peach it is short lived and subject to disease, and gives inferior fruit. When on the plum slock it flourishes in stri^ng soil, and it holds its fruit better than in sandy soils. It is rapid in growth. The seedlings are more hardy and fruitful than the budded stocks. It is a favorite for training en Espalier. It should not be exposed to the snn on eastern walls, does best in northern exposures. Shortening is highly recom- mended for it. It is but slightly liable to disease when budded on plums. The curculio attacks it. It is benefited by proximi- ty to walls, a situation in which an effect appears to be produced something similar to the mulch — such as we see by laying a covering over the soil, such as board or other covering. Judge Van Wyck. — The apricot, it is said^ is a native of the de- serfs of Arabia, and grows wild in several parts of Asia; its name is supposed to be derived from apricus, open or exposed to the sun, and from prsecox early ripe ; henre the Arabic name apri- cot. The Arabians of the desert gather and dry them in the sun. The common plum is found there also growing wild. They are 540 I Assembly carried to the nearest cities and towns, being in much demand and considered very wholesome. The apricot is a hybrid form- ed by nature as many plants are, growing wild and close together, partaking of the quantities of two or more. The apricot was formed no doubt by tlie union of the peach and plum, partaking much more largely of the qualities of the latter than the former; this frequently happens with hybrid plants. The apricot resem- bles the plum in many more points than the peach; it is smooth skinned, the pit is precisely like the plum. In flavor and color, there is a slight resemblance to the peach, considerably more though in flavor to the plum. The nectarine, it is thought, was produced by the same union ; this partakes much more of the peach than the plum, its principal point of resemblance to the latter is its smooth skin. The great difiiculty of raising these fruits of late years, in numbers and perfection, have been the in- sects. These from the smooth thin skin of the first, easily punc- ture it, enter the exterior and destroy it. It drops off" premature- ly, and th(jse that remain on till ripe are inferior in quality. The curculio is the name of the insect with us, that commits the greatest ravages on plums and other smooth skined fruit ; it is of the beetle tribe; it is called in Europe and by some here the wevil. Dr. Harris, an American Entomologist, Dr. James Til- ton, of Wilmingtuu, Delaware, Rev. F. S. Melshiemer, Professors Peck, Say and others, describe this insect minutely, they having seen and examined it, in various stages of its growth. Dr. Har- ris states that he has i'unnd the beetle in Massachusetts, has fre- quently caught them flying in the middle of the d^y, and seen them puncturing the fruit. They are from ^^^ to i of an inch long, exclusive of the curved snout, kc. Prof. Mapes does not believe a woid of the hen and chickens, confined under a plum tree destr.»\ing the curculio that were found upon the ground un- der it, and were making for the tree and so eilectually, that the tree that season bore a tine crop of plums, which it had not done before in several years, and it bore them for some years after. The professor thought that few ever saw a curculio or plum we- vil, they are so small they only imagined they did. If he will take the trouble to examine the works of the authors here quoted, he will probably be convinced that there are persons sharp sight- No. 129j 541 ed enough to see the insect, and intellect equally sharp so as to describe it minutely even to the white spots upon it, and the number of these. The professor stated he could never find one, although he had often tried, and that he would willingly give $5 for half a dozen to put in a bottle as a curiosity. Perhaps some of the gentlemen above named would w-illingly accommodate him with a few gross at that rate. As to poultry and some other ani- mals, I believe they are a more effectual remedy for the evil than any thing else ; every farmer can see poultry on his premises if he chooses, catching insects, and some of these quite small, and this in his fields and fruit yards. I further believe poultry, pigs, &c., not only a surer but a cheaper remedy than paving with stone or brick, or putting a thin coat of clay mortar under every fruit tree to prevent the insect from going down into the earth, or as- cending from it on account of its hardness. Thepavinghas been tried and found not to answer, and I thinli it would be found so with the mortar. As to the proof assigned that the bed of mor- tar would have this effect, viz., that in clay soils like Columbia county, and near and about Albany, the plum still grows fine, very little disturbed by insects, it is some though, and unless, I am greatly misinformed for the last year or two, the insect has increased much in these districts; the evil began south and tra- veled north ; three or four years ago it was hardly known above the Highlands, now it is as bad there as any where else, and it is to be feared as it travels on north and west it will destroy this fruit there too, and this wiiether it is grown upon a sandy or clay loam. Mr. Meigs observed that the perfect apricot and nectarine ought to be greatly cultivated, not only for their most acceptable qualities to the eye and taste ol all men, but because they com- mand a very high price ; as much as twelve and a half cents each, is a very common price. Judge Van Wyck stated the success attending the culture of the plum, by confining hens with broods of chickens under the trees. Professor Mapes doubted the hen case very much, in conse- quence of his own .experiments, yet that case has gone the rounds of the papers. I kept an hundred fowls in an enclosure of my 542 [Assembly plum trees, and on a full aud satisfactory trial I found that not a tree escaped damage as they do accidentally almost any where. Outside, where I made other experiments with other remedies, some trees escaped damage. The Chairman asked, what is the best antidote? Professor Mapes. — Harlem oil is a good remedy, but it is worse than the disease. Mr. Meigs asked the club if any one of them had ever seen the curculio, which attacks plums? Here are twenty or thirty gen- tlemen, all of whom desire to know this enemy. Professor Mapes. — I have seen three or four of them. Samuel Fleet. — I never could find one. David Thomas, of Cayuga, has caught them by holding sheets under the trees and striking the branches. This insect performs its work in a very short time. Mr. Meigs. — I have sought eagerly for this curculio all my life nearly in vain, and I am seventy years of age. The race of curculio is very numerous — some hundreds of kinds — few of them injurious to vegetation. The famous enemy of our wheat — the fly is very small, and it requires very close examination to distinguish it from the harmless gnats. I have seen the likeness of the plum wevil and the fly, and so have most of us who never saw either of them dead or alive. Professor Mapes. I will give five dollars for a half dozen of them in a bottle. Judge Livingston. — Can any member inform me how to make the plum tree bear every year? No answer. Professor Mapes. — There are a hundred insects that poultry will not touch. Who ever saw poultry eating a catterpillar which so greatly abounds ? Mr. Fleet. — Cedar birds devour them voraciously, especially those on locust trees. No. 129.] 543 Professor Mapes proposed as a subject for the next meeting of the Club, the small fruit — blackberry, raspberry and strawberry. Adopted. Judge Joel Turrill, of Oswego, New-York, presented to the Club Russet and Greening apples j)roduced on his farm. His orchard contains about eight hundred apple trees. The Russet is the Roxbury. I plough the orchard, and have put on at one time tvYelve hundred bushels of ashes. My trees are old ; one "which gave ten barrels last year is about sixty-five years old. The apples here presented were preserved in a very damp cellar in two difterent ways — one in barrels, the other on shelves one by one. You see that some of them are shrivelled — those were kept on the shelf; those which are quite smooth and round were kept in barrels. The members of the Club tasted the apples, which were of a large size, and declared them to be very fine, and gave their thanks to Judge Turrill. Subject for next meeting, on the 13th of April, blackberry ^ raspberry and strawberry. The Club adjourned to Tuesday next at noon. H. Meigs, Secretary. American Institute, ) Farmers^ Club, April 13th 1852. I George Dickey, Esq., in the chair; Henry Meigs, Secretary. Mr. Meigs read the following papers prepared by him: TIMBER. [0 Auxiliador Da Industria I^aeional, Eio De Janerio^ 1851.} From the file presented to the American Institute by Senor Luiz Henrique, E. d' Aguiar, Consul General of BraziL Signs by which Ave can tell when a tree has reached its maxi- mum of growth, and is beginning to decline. 544 [Assembly The baik of trees enables us to foresee the time of the perfec- tion of the tree and its beginning to decay. It requires time, close observation, ai:d exjierience. The bark of all sorts of building timber first deserves our attention. For without it we ruin our great ships and most costly edifices. In general the growth and increase of hard strong timber (which is weak in the beginning) augments regularly up to the twentieth or live and twentieth year, becomes uniform from that up to sixty or eighty years, after which it begins to decline. When the growth declines so that last year's is not equal to the average growth of the preceeding years, or which is the same thing, when the timber has attained its maturity, which is deter- mined by nature in the condition of the bark, we take the timber in perfection. We must be careful not to confound disease in the bark with the condition or maturity of the timber, because in that case we have a timber with tlie seeds of disease in it, which will progressively cause the decay of the wood. The signs of maturity and of decline may be classed in the three fol- lowing : — 1 , Those signs which announce vigorous health. 2. Those which announce the ripeness (maturity) of the wood. 3. Signs of decline. First. The branches, especially the lower ones, show the vigor of a tree being annually grown stouter, and longer, and leaving all over them abundance of lively, bright green leaves, wliich do not fall until some later in autumn than others. The bark is clear, smooth, fine and uniformly so from the root to the first branches. The upper branches growing larger than the others, is an evidence of vigor. Second. — Indications of Maturity. — Ordinarily, the top of a tree is roundish, but the growth diminishes gradually every year, the limbs augment more than the buds. The tree brings out its leaves very early in the spring, and then turn yellow early in autumn, at which time tlie leaves are greener on the lower than on the upper pait of the tree. The branches commonly incline with the earth at angles from 60 to 70 degrees. These signs and a suitable attention to the soil and circumstances, enables us to No. 129.] 545 judge well as to the character of the timber, and experience ena- bles us to judge even by the bark as to the age of a tree of any kind. Third. It is to be understood always that signs of a decline in a tree are equally signs of an alteration in the timber. When a tree yet has its whole crown (or head) and a single limb is seen to die at its top, especially in trees standing isolated, apart from others, it is an infallible sign of the commencement of decay of the timber at its head. Wh«n trees are infested with moss lich- ens, toad-stools or mushrooms, or the black rust, they are signs of serious alteration in the bark, and we justly suspect an alteration for the worse in the timber. Alfalfa or Peruvian Lucerne or Clover. — Professor Mapes, last year, received from Commodore Glenn, of the U.S. navy, a ■cask of the Peruvian alfalfa or lucerne seeds. They were distri- buted at Professor Mapes' request, by the Farmers' club. Mr. Meigs planted some of it. The first growth was quite slender. This morning he was surprised to see the alfalfa quite vigorous in growth, and pulling up the roots here exhibited, carefully, not •expecting such length and size, the lower ends are broken off, yet they are over a foot in length, and as fresh as the youngest of an- nual roots. This is a remarkable fact, because the plant is from the warm climate of Peru, and grew within ten or fifteen degrees south of the equator, in a country where ice and snow and rain have never been known to fall since the day of Cortez and Pizarro t where neither thunder, lightning, nor strong wind have ever ex- isted ; yet perfectly unhurt by our last rugged arctic winter. This circumstance raises the character of this lucerne greatly. We judge that it will last several years here, or almost every where, and yield annual crops of some of the finest feed in the world for stock; it may be cut several times in a season. It should be planted in rows, wide enough apart to enable men to go in and cut it as wanted. By calculation we may plant a field large enough to allow being all cut off day by day several times over, and feed the stock we have. Blackberries, Strawberries and Raspberries. — Mr. Meigs stated that cultivated blackberries were brought to this market [Assembly, No. 129] 35 546 [Assembly thirty or forty years ago from Staten Island, and were every- where preferred to the wikl ones, on account of their perfect figure, large size and ripeness ; they brought more than double the price of the wild ones. Professor Mapes said that Mr. Morton, of Newark, had culti- vated them very successfully. The professor mentioned a new mode of growing strawberries, that was by using short pieces of slabs to lay across a bed of strawberries, with notches cut in the edges large enough to permit the strawberry plant to come- through. The slabs were laid with their flat side down. The rain was therefore carried down the sides of each slab to the strawberries. No weeds could grow, and the fruit was thrifty. Mr. Riggs, of Baltimore, observed that the method had one great advantage, that of keeping the fruit free from the sand. Wm. J. King was requested to speak of a new strawberry, and he said that Jenney's seedling now stands number one in Boston, for certain qualities it possesses. The confectioners prefer it to any other in the Boston market on account especially of its great tenderness and amount of juice, which is double that of Hovey's seedling, and considered to be better than that, but not near as large. It is a good bearer, continuing to bear until fall — thus afibrding many pickings. Mr. Jenney sells all the plants he can raise ; he is a modest man, and has said little about it. Prof. Mapes. — Raspberries are common to both Europe and America, and are found in a variety of forms. It is a deciduous shrub, its leaves are primate and composed of five leaflets, its flowers are in panicles, its roots perennial, its top triennial, and it produces its fruit on the wood of the former year. The large fruited kind have all emanated from the Rubus Idceus, or Mount Ida bramble, and is now naturalized to most parts of the United States. The thimbleberry, or common blackberry, is to be found wild in our wood, Rubus occidentalis, and the red raspberry, Rubus strigosus, of Michaux. Some kinds grow prostrate others of upright, rising to the height of several feet, and are biennial in duration ; but the root is perennial, producing suckers which ripen and drop their leaves one year, and resume their foliage, No. 129.] 547 produce blossoms, shoots, flowers and fruit, and die the next. The leaves are quinate, primate ; the flowers come in panicles from the extremity of the present year's shoots, they are white, appear in May and June, and the fruit forms about a fortnight afterwards. Cultivation and Propagation. — The raspberry is always propo- gated by suckers or offsets which spring up from the main root, a few kinds may be raised from the seed which produce fruit at two or three years of age, and unlike most other fruits, the seedlings of the raspberry are seldom inferior to the parent plant, and by this means a great number of new kinds have been pro- duced recently, the flavor and size of which are very superior to the sorts previously known. Our books recommend for the raspberry a deep loam, rather moist in its character. This is rather a stereotype direction for all crops, and may be viewed thus : the raspberry in common with all the brambles, is a rank feeder, and is capable of appropriating large amounts of pabulum, and therefore will flourish best where the greatest amount of food exists. Nor is it scarcely possible to over dose it with ma- nures. Blood, night soil, superphosphate of lime, and all the most powerful manures may be applied in quantities to the rasp- berry, which would destroy many other plants, and it is for this reason that it has been supposed to flourish in deep loams, be- cause such soils are usually the richest. Poor soils, either sandy or clay, and very highly manured will sustain the raspberry with profit. The raspberry is injured less by shade than most of the small fruits. Indeed, during the hot suns of July and Au- gust, it seems to be necessary that the mode of training or sus- taining the canes should be such as to secure partial shade to protect the fruit. The plants should be placed from three to four feet apart, and two or three suckers in a group. The dis- tance between these groups being regulated by the vigor of the kind or sort. The rows range from east to west, and the north rows should contain the tallest growing kinds, the south rows those of less stature. Early in spring remove the old wood, and also as many of the new shoots or suckers as are required for making new plantations, leaving not more than six or eight in the original groups. In removing these suckers be sure to take 548 [Assembly a portion of the root. The only trimming required is to cut off the end of the cane left standing for about one foot, as tluit por- tion of the wood is always shrunken and will not bear fine fruit, The ground should be thoroughly dug, and plentifully manured. The canes may be lied to rods or wire placed horizontally. To secure partial shade during the hot months, the top of the canes of two adjacent stools are sometimes bent towards each other, and tied together, thus affording a mutual support and the re- quired amount of shade. A late crop may be obtained for Au- gust or September, by cutting down the canes over the whole stool in early spring, within a few inches ot the ground. Small portions of salt have been used with good effect in manuring the raspberry. New plants are in perfection the third or fourth year, and should be broken up and re-set in a new piece of ground. After six years the finer sorts, such as the red and white Ant- werp, the Falstolf and the Franconia should be slightly^ protected during the winter, north of forty degrees north latitude. In- deed, our custom is to partially protect even the hardier kinds as we find the quality and quantity of the fruit materially im- proved by such treatment. Bend down the canes late in the fall, placing them in the direction of their rows and throw a shovel full of dirt on top of them within a few inches of the ends, then with the plow cover the whole row once with a few inches of soil. In early spring remove this soil, place the canes in an up- right position. For flavoring liquors the common red is prefer- red, and for cooking, the American black, and the Ohio ever- bearing, which later kinds give fruit until frost. In stiff soil, a shovel full of muck should be placed upon and around each stool to readily admit the egress of new shoots and suckers. Uses. — The raspberry is an agreeable dessert fruit, and the finer kinds bring a higher price in the New-York market tlian strawberries. This fruit is used for preserves, jams, ices, sauces, tarts, and jellies, and by confectioners for making syrups, and by distillers for raspberry brandy and raspberry vinegar. An admirable home-made wine may be made from the raspberry. To one quart of juice add three and a half pounds of triple refined sugar, and as much water as will make the mixture measure one gallon. Place it in a cellar at a moderate temperature, leaving No 129.] 549 the bung out of the cask — fermentation will immediately ensue, and will continue about eight weeli:s. By listening at the bung- hole, it can be easily ascertained when the fermentation is finished, then drive in the bung, and eight months after the wine may be drawn off and placed in a clear barrel, or in glass. These domestic wines cannot be made of good quality from the sugars of the ordinary kind. It may be understood thus : sugar contains (until refined,) a small portion of gum, and during fer- mentation of the wine, this gum becomes fcetid, and its ofifensive odor can only be overcome at the expense of fine aroma of the wine. If the sugar be pure, it will be transformed into alcohol by fermentation, and the aroma of the fruit will be maintained. This fruit follows the strawberry in early summer, and at a time when other fruits are not attainable. It does not undergo acetous fermentation in the stomach, and is therefore healthy. Dr. Short recommends raspberry vinegar, raspberry syrup, &c., as a healthful, reviving draught in ardent fevers, and he also recommends it in scorbutic disorders. Many persons believe in its efficiency as a remedial agent for gout and rheumatism. Judge Van Wyck — We have had a good account of the best manner of cultivating the small fruits, which are before us for considera- tion to day. Dr. Byrne, a distinguished cultivator of Alexandria, D. C, says the melon strawberry, which possesses blossoms both male and female, he has found answering every purpose, in its proximity it will impregnate other varieties, such as Hovey^s seed- ling and Hudson buy, causing them, especially the latter, to yield enormous crops. In this way some of the trouble and nice ob- servation about male and female plants may be avoided. The wild strawberry, I think, exceeds every other for flavor. There is no difficulty here about male and female plants, which makes many suppose there is nothing in it. I have seen it grow year after year in fields, if not disturbed, in the greatest abundance, and some of them of a pretty good size. I have seen them trans- planted into gardens, and the size much increased by cultivation. The wild raspberry, commonly called black caps, from their shape and color, is a very good little raspberry. They grow wild along 550 [Assembly the fences almost any where, and produce abundantly, if left to themselves. The blackberry with us has got to be an important fruit. There are supposed to be hundreds of thousands of bushels brought to our markets every year ; it is almost incredible to witness the quantity every day offered for sale j they sell readily too, and if in good state, at a fair price. They are a little tart, but very pleasant and extremely grateful in hot weather, as most fruits are. This fruit also possesses some astringent qualities, which makes them highly mediciual for complaints of the bowels and kidneys, which prevail considerably at the season when they are brought to market. Blackberry jelly is very ^ood for those complaints, and if properly made, can be preserved a long time, and has a delightful flavor. The roots, too, are often used for the same purpose ; they are boiled and a tea made of it, and drank, and relief found from it. There are two kinds of this fruit, one called the standing, the other the running blackberry; the first grows perpendicular from the root a straight stem from four to eight feet high, with short lateral branches which bear the fruit, putting out near the bottom of the stem, and more or less of them until near the top, the berry generally a little larger than the running kind, but not of such a delicious flavor; the medicinal properties of the two are nearly the same. The vines spring up from the main roots of the latter on every side, and run in every direction on the ground ; hence the botanic name, Rubus incum- bens, lying or resting, on or near the ground, if they have a good chance, they are more prolific bearers considerably than the up-, right kind. I have seen, some years ago, fields of ten or fifteen acres of the former nearly covered with their vines, and so loaded with fruit, as to appear almost black with it. Both kinds no doubt may be much improved by a little cultivation, such as cutting out all shrubs and destroying coarse weeds and grasses. New-Jersey and Staten Island have done something towards this, within a few years, as they have sent vast quantities to our mar- kets of late, and some of the best kind. Professor Mapes. — The remarks of the Chairman relative to the medicinal virtues of the blackberry, syrup or jam, remind me of a saying of Dr. Franklin on that point, to wit, that he had discovered that the virtue was in the sugar and not in the berry. No. 129.] 551 The Secretary read the following translation made by him since the last meeting : .[From the Brazilian Consul M. Aguiar — 0 Auxiliador da Industria Nacional, Rio De Janeiro^ October, 1851.] Important Discovery — A Mew Tea made of the leaves of the Cofee Tree. — It is well known that the peculiar aromatic and -astringent flavor of the tea of the Indies is due to a principle denominated theine by chemists — it is contained in the leaf of that plant. Now, according to Dr. Gardner, a German chemist, he has found the same principle in the leaves of the coffee tree, and in such proportion as to form an excellent tea in all respects similar to that of India. To our associate-, Senor J. D. Sturz, we are indebted for the first essays on this subject. He sends for some bags of the leaves to continue his experiments. This society will make experiments with the coffee leaves. Some persons who have tasted this new tea say that it is similar in aroma and taste to the Oriental Tea. We are anxious to procure for our readers and -our country, per- fect light on this interesting subject, which already menaces with destruction the tea trade of the East. Moreover, Dr. Gardner says that, by a very simple process, h« extracts from the coffee itself the bitter principle which it con- tains, known by the name of cajfien^ and that this is a complete substitute for quinine — as effectual in medicine as an antifebrile tonic. If the views and hopes of Dr. Gardner shall be realized, what a vast augmentation there must be of the value of our coffee trees! [Annales de la Societe Impcriale et Iiidustrielle, A*ricole ct Horticole de St. Petersburg, 1850.] To encourage horticulture the Emperor gives to the people of the crown lands, who distinguish themselves in grafiii.g and pruning of fruit trees, premiums in silver from fifteen to twenty roubles, or, if they choose it, a medal of honor to be worn at the button hole. 552 [AsSEMBLir 2. To encourage the introduction of new kinds of fruit trees, tlie sum of five thousand roubles annually. 3. The Minister appeals to the cultivators of trees to publish- practical elementary instructions, suited to Russia, of all trees. The Government will pay all the expenses of publication. All the schools for teaching horticulture are under the protect tion of the Emperor and at his expense, except one — that is the Society of the Friends of Flora. These institutions admit schol- ars from every class of peasants. A few years ago the teaching of practical gardening was exclusively conJBned to these schools, but now it is extended to every village school. Gardening Schools of the Second Class. — The course of teaching lasts six years. Poor scholars are maintained by the government. When they leave school, government takes care to see them em- ployed, and after ten years work, if able, they receive an annual sum from government or, in other words, they become pensioners of the State. These second class schools are Jekhaterinoslaw, Pensa, Astracan and Kichenevv, formed in 1817, 1820, 1842 and 1843. Government pays them 13,351 silver roubles a year and they hare four hundred and five scholars. 7hird class. — Devoted to tree growing and nursery. One at Konstantinograd, in Poltava, was founded by the Czar, Peter the Great; one at Wolks, in the government of Saratow, founded about the year 1800; one at Kerson in 1841; one at Woronesk in 1844, at Simferopal in 1844 ; and lastly, one at Orel in 1845. These five schools contain one hundred and eighty-four nursery scholars. Vine Culture Schools, at Ackermann, in Bessarabia, at Maga- ratsch, at Sudak, in Tauris, and one at Kislar in the Stawropo]. Scholars are taught to manage the grape. In 1848 these schools had growing 45,681 vines. At Kislar scholars, instead of paying any thing, receive pay and rations. Beets in Russia. — In 1848 the crop, as by official report, amount- ed to one hundred and fifty thousand millions of pounds weight. No. 129.] 553 Three millions of peasants belonging to the estates of Count Alexis Bobvinsky, pay all their dues in beets, which is very good for both parties, Lotus tetragonolobus, or Asparagus pea, found growing in the Island of Ocsel, by Dr. Johnson, in a wild state, is very much sought for on account of its excellent taste. It grows in rather wet soil to about one and hardly two feet high, and well supplies the place of clover — cattle very fond of it, bush and peas to- gether. It flourishes in places too wet for clover. Wine. — The Crimea produced, in 1850, six hundred fifty-two thousand three hundred and seventy wedros, twenty bottles eaeh. [''Algeria : By Moll." Presented by Alexander Vattemare.] The Jlgave Americana is extremely scattered through all Al- geria. It is used to make hedges to keep cattle in or out of fields, and it is impenetrable by them. The fibre is used to make cord- age, mats and coarse cloths, which are remarkable for their solid- ity and brilliancy. This plant flourishes in the worst soils. The natives obtain from it a very sugary drink susceptible of alcoholic fermentation, by cutting the flower bunches before the flowers are out and receiving the sap from it in a vessel, which is soon filled by it. [Annales do la Societe d' Horticulture, Ac, Paris, Dec, 1851. Translated by H. Meigs.J Populus Dilatafa^ a specific for curing Hydrophobia. — We have often had occasion to mention plants presented as specifics in that frightful malady. The Annals of the Society of St. Petersburgh state, that the Bragora Anthelminthica Kunthii, or the Abyssinian cucumber, recommended in 1847 by Hericourt, had not succeed- ed in curing hydrophobia. In Bohemia there is a man by the name of Schweida, living at Bzy, who notoriously cures that terrible disorder. Prince Joseph de Schwarzenberg, from motives of humanity, bought his secret to give it to the profession. After many happy cures by it the Prince gave a house and lands to Schweida for life. The remedy is a powder and bathing. It had been 554 [Assembly known many years before in the vicinity of Frauenberg by the name of Powder of Babutsky, and that all cases of hydrophobia were cured by it. Persons bitten by mad -dogs and having the malady were cured thirty-tive years ago and no symptoms have ever been felt since. The powder is made of Italian poplar leaves ^ Penny royal and Savory. Poplar leaves, 2 ounces, Penny royal, 4 " Savory, 4 " The whole must be reduced to a powder, well mixed, kept in a phial well corked. A dose of it is taken by good sweet oil mixed with it until its consistence is somewhat soft. Put as much as lies on the point of a knife into a pint of beer warmed and drink it three times a day ; For a mad-dog mix the powder in a half pint of milk; for horses, spread it on a piece of bread; for other domes- tic animals mix it with their ordinary drink. After giving the remedy give no food whatever for many hours. The bath is pre- pared by putting the same constituents into it; let the bath be tepid, that is, lukewarm. [Journal of Agriculture and Horticulture of the Grand Duchy of Baden, 1851.] Evaporation Tubes for Hay Mows. — In the lower countries some farmers take care when they mow their hay (especially in wet weather) to place several biigs of chopped straw, or hay, iu vari- ous parts of the heap. As they pile on the hay they continue to lift up these sacks, so that a void is left below the sacks when the mow is complete ; in fact these become so many channels for escape of vapor, and so prevent fermentation and the danger of fire, and besides, the hay is better and more healthy for cattle. A good effect is produced in cabbage and cauliflowers by put- ting a little charcoal dust over the seeds. Mr. Fii<^zche, of the Imperial Society, Russia, recommends the cultivation of a species of Rue, found on the Steppes, for its beautiful carmine color. The Society believes it to be its duty, to encourage its cultivation, as it is an entirely new dye. No. 129. j 555 [Presented by Consul Aguiar, of Brazil — O'AuxiHador da Tndustria, Rio De Janeiro, 1851. Extracts translated by H. Meigs.] A brief review of the history and present condition and principles of Agriculture. — In the sixteenth century this great interest was well understood. Sully justly said, labor and manufactures are the two heads of the state. The sciences are at work, and agriculture by aid of all of them, is fast becoming a rational occupation. We will finish by saying a word as to its importance. At all times and in all places has the country life been proudly sung for its pleasures and for the purity of its habits and customs. It ought to be the main work of every government to inspire a love for it, and to develope all its advantages ; to impose such restraints on foreign articles as shall jrotect its own exclusively. For agriculture is entitled to the proud name of systema protector j the protecting system. The invention of the art of printing soon made manifest ame- lioriation in agriculture. Camillo Torello, the Venetian, taught the alternation of crop and thorough and deep tillage 300 years ago. Herrera, of Spain, Heresbach, of Germany, followed Ca- millo. Fitzherbert, ot England, wrote a book of husbandry, and England began to breed stock. In France, Olivier de Serres wrote his Theatre of Agriculture, to which we owe our first knowledge of the potato. In the seventeenth century agriculture made progress in gene- ral in most countries of Europe, which continues to our days, sometimes rapidly, and then again slowly. The names of the leaders of amelioration deserve to be known : Hartlib the Polish refugee, on Belgian agriculture ; Jethro Tull, of England, on drill husbandry ; the alternate husbandry of W. A. Kreysigg ; Von Thaer, who introduced English agriculture into Germany! Pliny said, (1,700 years ago) that " the earth rejoiced as it felt the movement of the laurelled tiiumi hal ploughman." 556 [Assembly [Translated from the same.] The French are very fond of the luxury of fine fruit, and that too very early or out of the ordinary seasons. The ladies assu- redly entertain the opinion of the ladies of ancient Athens, that the use of finest fruits increased their personal beauty. How- ever that may be, it is indubitable that fine health depends great- ly upon the influence of perfect fruits. The rich in France pay the highest prices for choice fruits. R. L. Pell, of Pellham — The subject of the pear is before us to day, and I will say a few words about it, as no gentleman seems just now ready to speak. The pear (Pyrus communis,) was brought from the east by the Romans, by whom they were cultivated with great care. The Flemings, Dutch and French have excelled all other nations in the cultivation of this delicious fruit. Most of our fine late va- rieties originally came from Flanders and France. Its delicacy and texture is finer than the apple, and it is in season for many months, which are desirable qualities ; it is allowed to be gener- ally speaking, full as hardy as the apple, and equally long lived. It has been known to flourish for hundreds of years in a proper dry soil, though it will grow in almost any variety of earth, pro- ducing worthless fruit unless properly cultivated, the flavor can- not be luscious unless the soil is deep, well tilled and sufficiently rich to produce a luxuriant growth — there is no fruit tree known that will better repay labor than the pear, it requires liming, ashing, mulching, manuring, scraping, and judicious trimming. During dry summers the soil contiguous to the tree should be frequently stirred, which causes it to absorb moisture for the benefit of the roots, spongioles and fibres, and consequent swell- ing of the luscious and magnificent fruit. Pears have been as- tonishingly improved as a table luxury within the last thirty years, through the good management of Flemish and French hor- ticulturists, by whose experiments our people have profited greatly. When fine and aromatic they are infinitely preferred to the apple at dessert. They are divided into summer, autumn, and winter pears. No. 129.] 557 The best summer pears are the Bartlett, Dearborns, Seedling, Tyson and Jargonelle. Autumn. Washington, Urbaniste, Seckel, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Golden Bilboa, and Heathcot. Winter. Beurre d'Aremberg, Glout Morceau, St. Germain, Vicar of Winkfield. The pear when ripe is very wholesome, but in a green state precisely the reverse, except they be pared and dried gradually in an oven, by which operation they may be preserved for years. If you have any austere varieties unfit for the table, or cooking, they may be advantageously used for the purpose of making a liquor called perry. The pear tree is subject to a disease known as the blight, prob- ably caused by the sting of an insect ; when attacked the leaves- present a scorched appearance ; the limb should be at once cut oflf and committed to the flames. Pruning should by all means commence when the tree is planted, and be continued annually, having in view the ripening of the fruit, which can only be ac- complished by opening the tree sufficiently to admit the rays of the sun to reach it and the air to circulate about it. If this is attended to, there will never be any difficulty in picking the iruit by hand. Grafting may be accomplished in doors during the winter sea- son, my usual mode is to take up seedlings of one years growth in the fall, and secure them from the cold winters frost under glass. When the time arrives to graft them, they are cut off to within 3^ inches of the roots, split, and the graft inserted, cover- ed with grafting wax composed of rosin, beeswax and mutton- tallow, and repacked under glass, or in a cellar in the earth, to within half an inch of the top, where they may be left uniil the buds expand in the spring, when they should be taken up, and set out In nursery rows, fourteen inches apart in the row, and the rows four feet apart ; if the ground is well tilled and sufficiently rich, they will grow from four to five feet high the first year. Pears are sometimes, though rarely budded; this operation must be performed in September, sufficiently late to pre- vent them growing that season. Select a shoot of the seasons' 558 J Assembly growth, from the tree you wish to perpetuate ; with good firm buds and cut olf every leaf withiu a quarter of an inch of the leaf stalk ; take the shoot in the left hand and the knife in the right, place the blade on the shoot about a quarter of an inch above the bud — the thumb of the right hand resting on the shoot at the lower portion of the bark to be cut with the bud, then draw the knife towards you smooth and level, ■ exactly parallel with the shoot, so that the bark together with a part of the wood will be taken off. Make a T in the bark of the stock to be budded with the knite, and the bark raised witli the handle ; then insert the bud, bring back the bark, and tie it down over the bud with bass matting, permitting the leaf portion to project out cf the seam. Value of Mangel- Wurzel Beet. — 1 . You can prepare a sub- stance which may be combined with, or employed in place of coffee, the mangel-wurzel roots are well washed, cut into pieces about the size of peas, then dried and roasted in the same man- ner as coffee berries. The product is ground after being roasted, and it is then ready for use. 2. A substitute for tea is produced by cutting the leaves of mangel wurzel into small strips or shreds, drying the same, then placing them upon a hot plate, which is kept at a temperature sufficiently high to slightly char the leaves. The charred mangel-wurzel leaves are to be used in precisely the same way as tea. 3. To manufacture a fermented liquor from mangel-wurzel, cut off the tops and wash the roots thoroughly, then scrape off the outer rind, slice them, and boil till they are soft. The liquor must be squeezed out of them by a press and boiled with hops, in the proportion of six ounces of hops to nine gallons of juice. This is then worked with yeast in the usual way — ten pounds of the root will afford one gallon of juice. The fermented liquor thus obtkined is similar to perry or cider. 4. When the mangel- wurzel roots are to be employed in the preparation of wort, they are washed, and cut into small pieces, which are dried or slightly charred, by the action of kilns or ovens, of the kind used for drying malt, and wort is prepared from the produce in the same manner as from malt. Chairman — The apple tree is one of our subjects to-day. No. 129.] 559 Judge Van Wyck — The pear is generally considered one of our most important fruits, it is certainly next to the apple in impor- tance, and some think superior. It can be used in as many dif- ferent ways, or most kinds of them can ; and some of the richest and most delicate flavor can be preserved a considerable portion of the winter, others all winter, as well as the apple. Most pears, especially the later ones, improve by being taken off the tree be fore they get quite ripe, and allowed to ripen off the tree. Good pears are generally preferred to apples as a dessert ; they possess a pulp tender and melting, some with the juice of a sugary aro- matic flavor, others a little tart, all rich in flesh, and juices deli- cious to the taste. Those for cooking should be large in size, the flesh firm, not melting, austere rather than mild and sweet. Dried, they will keep for years, if properly done. The French excel in preparing the pears in this manner, they do it by an oven and in ditferent ways, according to the uses they wish to make of them ; some they simply dry, others they partially boil in wa- ter a little before maturity, peel and drain them, then place them before the oven again, here they remain twelve hours, after which they are steeped in syrup, to which are added sugar, some spices and a little brandy ; then returned to the oven, heated to a less degree than at first. This is repeated until they are sufficiently dried or of a clear brown color, and firm transparent flesh, when they are packed away, and, if well done, will keep, and for a long time, and make a rich palatable preserve. As has been stated, a fermented liquor is made of pears of any size, much in the manner of cider, and the best perry is stated to be little in- ferior to wine, and the most austere fruits produce the best liquor. The French also excel in raising the pear ; they have a great many varieties, it is said, 1,500 or more, and some ol the best kind ; they graft some of them on the quince stock, to make dwarfs or some of a low stature and to improve the fruit, and they are kept short, and by great care in pruning and without excess, they preserve and increase the pyramidal form, which the tree naturally has. They also bend the limbs down a little below the horizontal, and make them grow towards the earth instead of upwards ; this preserves the dwarf stature, and they encourage and train the limbs to shoot out from the trunk near the earth. 560 [Assembly Thus they can reach the fruit from almost every part of the tree standing on the ground. They make long rows and avenues of such trees which are often seen in the best gardens of France ; it gives them a beautiful appearance, especially when full of blos- soms, or loaded with the richest and choicest fruit. The French take more pains in cultivating the pear than the apple or peach, hence we presume it must be a greater favorite with them than either of the latter. Tlie French horticulturists procure, at al- most any cost and labor, the best kinds from their neighbors the Flemings, Belgians and Germans, all of whom are famous for their pears, especially the Flemings. These the French culti- vate either as seedlings or by grafting, and often by their skill make them exceed in quality the original stocks. The English have very fine pears — their moist cool climate and Ftiff soil suit the pear ; with proper care and tillage, the English, perhaps, in the quality and abundance of pears, are equal^ to any of their neighbors of the continent ; their perry -will certainly compare with any of them as a healthy, palatable beverage- Some of the best English orchardists complain of late that their pears have declined within a few years in quantity and quality : in. some cases the pear does not live to the great age it formerly did, it is subject to a blight which fqnie ascribe to insects and others to different causes, which do not appear as yet to be satisfactorily accounted for. The apple and some other trees are afflicted in a similar way, that is to cause an earlier decline and death, as well as degeneracy of fruit. A few eminent English pomologists as writers and practical men on the subject, think it may be ow- ing to too much pruning and cutting of the tree, for various pur- poses and in various ways j to prune by lopping off dead limbs and useless sprouts and suckers that draw nourishment from the main body and such parts and limbs as may produce fruit, is cor- rect. Some though cut off large limbs, and when they are as vi- gorous as any part of the tree, and at a period when the tree is advanced in agc^ this is often done to improve its shape and form, and to give a more rapid and abundant circulation of sap to the remaining parts, and make them produce more and better fruit ; the tree is often thrown into a decline by it and dies. Health and life are here sacrificed to beauty and too eager a de- No. 129.] 561 sire to grasp after more than nature, wben left to lier due course, would have yielded. It is thought by some of the best pomalogists of Europe, that in the south of France and Italy, it is best to prune trees sparing- ly of all kinds, or the fruit, and even tree, will suffer more or less from the sun ; these require some shade in such climates to prosper and do well. Professor Johnston intimates the same thing in regard to America. He thinks we cut and prune our orchards too much for our climate. They will not bear as much of this as Great Britain, and he thinks our orchards have suffered by it, and will suffer more if continued. I was told by a practi- cal farmer, at one of our late clubs, highly respectable and intel- ligent, that he lost, not long since, the greater part of an apple orchard, and some of his neighbors and friends lost theirs in the same way, by pruning them too much, and when too old. Rub- bing off the rough bark of apple and pear trees is very proper, so as to give the trunks a smooth leathery surface, it keeps insects from harboring and breeding under the bark ; the tree also re- ceives more benefit from the air and moisture without and the sap within, the healthfulness of the bark, being near the earth, and the foundation of all, influences more or less the health of the whole plant. Decortication, or pefeling the bark off" to the inner wood, to make the tree produce larger and earlier fruit, the late Mr. Knight thought a hazardous experiment, if not done at the proper time and well done, he says a morbid state of early maturity is induced, and the fruit becomes worthless. Girdling and ringing he is not friendly to, " except only in those few cases where blossoms cannot otherwise be obtained, or where a single crop of very early fruit exceeds the value of the tree.'- Hence, it would seem Mr. Knight is unfriendly to too much doc- toring of even the apple and pear tree, which will perhaps take more nostrums without much harm, than some others. He thought so, especially if the supposed disease required the appli- cation of the knife ; and no more experienced or skilful surgeon, in handling this, when applied to fruit trees, probably ever lived. The pear will flom-ish everywhere it i5 said, where the apple will, from 38 south to 50 north, and probably better between 40 and 47 north, than north or south of these last points. It j Assembly, No. 129.] 36 562 [Assembly prospers extremely well in New-England, especially Massachu- setts and Connecticut, and we have some of the most experienced, skillful, and successful cultivators of the fruit in the neighbor- hood of Boston. This has be«n proved by the very superior qualities that have been produced there at various times for several years past. As for the names of the various kinds which thrive best in our country, and are considered the finest, I must refer those who desire to know them, to Kenrick's Ame.ican Or- chardist, a valuable work on most of our important fruits. The pear is a hardy tree — it lives to a great age. There is one in this city, on the old Stuyvesant farm, said to be 200 years old» and one near Boston considerably older. Before I close, I wish to mention a fact which has come to my knowledge, from highly respectable sources, some years since, as well as very lately. It relates to the best mode of procuring seedlings from the apple, pear, &;c. — that is to plant the whole apple as taken from the ti-ee, the seeds enveloped in the flesh and pulp, without breaking or disturbing either. The seeds thus treated, when they come up and grow, it is said, are sure to reprodu«e, in every respect, the original fruit. The great difficulty has been in planting seeds in the old way, to get one seed out of a thousand, and oftener more, to reproduce the same fruit, or scarcely resembling it in any particular. It is supposed to be owing to the pulp of the apple infusing its essence or powers of propagation into the seed, and the two containing an embryo more perfect of the future plant, produce a more exact likeness of the fruit of the parent tree. This plan, I am crebibly informed, has been tried years ago, and succeeded. Now the course is grafting — this effects the same object sooner it is true, but perhaps not more certain, and at the expense of cutting and mutilating more or less the tree grafted on, and that from which the grafts are taken. The Ame- rican motto of " p-o-a-/and where the roads traverse populous districts the plant- ing of any other than fruit trees is prohibited absolutely. The English journals are very merry at this; they say it is a queer document. But we see in it a proof of the spirit of order and of respect for property, which generally reigns throughout Ger- many. If France was so planted with eatable fruits along road sides, the trees would be mutilated, and branches broken to get at the fruit at least a month before they were ripe. It is well known that in Picardy and Normandy, where the roadsides are often planted with apple trees, they take good care to plant none but cider apples, which the people call thieves'' ap- ples because, when bitten, they take people by the throat. [KevueHorticole, Feb., 1852.] Longevity of Seeds. — It is a question of the highest interest for practical horticulture, but still enveloped in obscurity, and that is the duration of vitality in seeds. Our gardeners all know that the seeds of cultivated sorts lose their germinating power in a short time, when collected and preserved in our accustomed way. The story of those beans taken from the Herbarium of M, Tournefort, and which it is said germinated after being a hun- dred years in the Herbarium, leads to further views of native growth. Observation all over the globe has proved that after the destruction of a forest, we behold another one of a different tree take its place. How comes this 1 Evidently from the ground, where the seeds of this new forest were buried, and where they have lain lethargic for want of air, warmth, and other conditions necessary for their germination. But then, when we reflect that some of these forests have been there for centuries, and even for some thousands of years without change, and the improbability that the seeds of other trees, some of which are quite large, would be either brought by winds from great distan- 572 [Assembly ces where these trees grew, or that they were buried in the ground before the forest began. But vegetables appear on earth dug from depths more or less deep, which were never known there before. This has been often observed in England. We are forc- ed to believe that those seeds have been buried there from time immemorial, and kept sound out of the reach of all atmospheric influences. Among other instances of longevity of seeds, the grains of wheat found in the tombs of Egypt. That these liave vegetated on planting has been treated with ridicule, although many en- lightened men in England and Belgium do not doubt it. But there is a case which Mr. Lindley and many other English sa- vants must admit to be authentic. Mr. Meigs — About 16 years ago, a dentist of Dorchester, by the name of McLean, desiring to give an account of the alterations pro- duced in human teeth, by a long space of time, dug up near Maiden Castle, in presence of many lovers of Archeology, one of the an- cient Celtic tumuli, which are found in considerable numbers in the south-west of England. At about thirty feet deep from the surface of the ground, they found a colQEln, in which were the re- mains of a skeleton and several articles of ornament. Upon a minute search of the contents of this coffin, there was also disco- vered among the bones, at the point corresponding with the sto- mach, some matter, dry and blackish, very similar to old soil. This was collected by McLean. On examination in the light, it was discovered to contain a great number of ovoid (egg-shaped) bodies, which were readily known to be raspberry seeds, their outside integuments were greatly altered. The discovery exci- ted deep interest. Some of them were presented to the duke of Sussex, president of the Horticultural society. Some of the seeds were broken, and found to have a vitality. It was therefore re- solved to plant them. Six seeds were given to the duke, who told his young German gardener, Mr. Hartweg, to plant them in the hot-house, not telling him what they were or whence they came, but that it was an experiment merely. The spot of each seed was very carefully marked. ^ At the end of a few weeks, four of the seeds came up, afterwards one of these perished, the No. 129.] 573 other three attained full growth, and are now growing in the garden of the Horticultural society of London. The most obstinate unbeliever of this account was Prof. Hen- shaw, of Oxford, who demonstrated, as he supposed, the utter impossibility of the thing by argument heaped upon argument. His opposition provoked Mr. Lindley to the inquiry, the result of which leaves not a shadow of a doubt of the veracity of Mr. McLean,^ nor of the incontestable antiquity of the seeds. Mr. Lindley, who had himself handled them, and marked the altera- tion in their envelopes, and who witnessed their germination, is positive that they w^ere buried with one of the ancient natives of Great Britain. He had seen 169 other raspberry bushes grown from those seeds. The illustrious savant, Lindley, places the date of the burial of these seeds in the time of the ancient Eri- tons ; and are at least as far back as the invasion of the Romans, into Great Britain, about 1 ,700 years ago. And he supposed that the chief or warrior, with wiiom they were buried, must have been killed a few moments after having eaten them, as the digestive powder of his stomach had not had time to alfect them. Besides, it is well known that raspberry seeds are endued with great vitality. The following fact is still more extraordinary. It is an ob- servation made by Mr. William Kemp, the geologist and botanist, who stated it in writing to the learned Chas. Darwin. He says : "At a quarter of a mile from Melrose, on the banks of the Tweed, there is a quarry of sand belonging to Mr. John Bell, of Melrose, which has been worked a long time. This quarry is dug on the side of a hill entirely formed of sedimentary deposits, fifty or sixty feet above the present level of the river. At 25 feet depth a workman dug up a quantity of remains of plants, some of which had their seeds on. Messrs. Lindley and Kemp planted these seeds and raised about one-tenth of them. They proved to be of four kinds, viz : liolygon convolvulus. Some of these are dyes, some astrigent, partake of the nature of rhubarb, &c. ; rumex acetosella, of the same race papilionacece ; the atriplcx patulo, one of the chenopods, a race including spinach, beets. 574 [Assembly mangold wurzel, &c., &c. ; and the atriplex angustifolia. It is believed beyond a doubt that, formerly, there was a lake at this place, whose waters were as high as the sti'atified bed where these seeds are found, but no history tells us of the time when that lake existed, or of any considerable sinking of the waters of the Tweed. When the Romans arrived in Great Britain, it is certain that part of Scotland was very nearly of the same con- figuration as it now is. These reflections naturally lead us to the conclusion, that the seeds in question belonged to a prodigious antiquity, perhaps to the paleotherian epoch, that they were growing, therefore, before the creation of man. The longevity of seeds of vegetables is, as yet, but merely sketched out. Discoveries in this line will be great for practi- cal use and for scien<*.e The Apple and Cider of Normandy. — All the apples make cider ; but all do not yield a cider equally good. The first thing to be done then, is to procure seeds of the best kinds to form nurseries. The tree growing on a poor soil is preferred for cider, therefore the nurseries are generally placed along the coast, without fear of their consequent exposure. The soil is shallow in many places. They plough the ground and where the peb- bles are too plenty, they make use of a pick axe ; when the place is once gone ovei*, they then give it slight spadings, and cover it with ferns in summer. It often happens that the ground becomes troubled with dogtooth grass. This they exterminate wholly. The first crop of apple trees is usually at the end of seven or eight years, and they hardly ever get 15 or 20 good apple trees out of a thousand. The second crop of good ones is nearly double that. They go on until there remain none but sound, straight, healthy trees. An immense quantity of young trees are produced in the nurseries of Normandy of an inferior quality. The best apples, however, do not yield the best cider. They keep their cider in large casks, which preserves it better than small ones. RosEwoRTs, OR RosACE^. — Liudley, in his vegetable kingdom, calls the blackberry, raspberry, and strawberry, roseworts; of which the genera number thirty-eight, and the species five hun, No. 129. 1 575 dred. Tlie}^ are cliieflj remarkable for the presence of an astrin- gent principle, and they are by some reckoned febrifuges. The roots of some of them have been used for tanning. The leaves of the arctic rubus, (raspberry,) ar^^ '^he rosa rubinosa. are em- ployed as substitutes for tea. They are employed medicinally in many cases. Mr. Van Wyck — The proposer of the subject being absent from indisposition, I will make a few remarks by way of opening our conversation to-day on the matters before us. The quince tree is one of low, bushy, spreading shape, full of leaves, and these pretty large, and of a deep green, the fruit roundish and oblong, rather of an austere but aromatic flavor. It is a native of Austria and other parts of Europe. It is supposed to have had its origin in Candia, an island of the Mediterranean, and known as ancient Crete. Cydonia is the name of one of its principal cities, hence the scientific name of the fruit pomum Cydonia. The limbs grow crooked, unshapely, and are apt to twist into one another. This natural habit of the plant cannot be corrected to any advantage by art. Let nature take its conrse in this, experience has proved it to be the best, very little pruning, except taking out old de- caying wood, and useless shoots and suckers. The quince is raised from seeds, layers, and cuttings — require a very rich and moist soil. It is customary not only in our country, but in Eu- rope, to plant them on the margins of brooks, rivulets, and in vales that are rather low, if not swampy. The appearance of the plant while growing, and after attaining some size, its dark, thick, luxuriant foliage, large, thick limbs, all show that it re- quires and absorbs much moisture. No doubt the plant would grow on high, rich ground, and bear good fruit, but not as fine as in soil differently located. The quince is not eaten in a raw state ; the pulp is hard and uninviting ; juice harsh, but cooking in any way there is hardly any fruit that equals it, to mix with pears or apples for pies, tarts, jellies, and preserves, properly sweetened and cooked, they impart their high aromatic flavor to every- thing. As a dessert in any shape, they are unequalled. As pre- serves, they should be previously immersed for ten minutes, in boiling w'ater, this prevents them from becoming hard. The French make great use of the quince : they make a very good 576 [Assembly wine of them, and liqucrs of various kinds j these arc medicinal. The French graft their pears upon a quince stock; it improves the flavor of the former, and also produces a larger and more beautiful fruit, and in greater quantity. Gooseberry. — The gooseberry is a native of Europe and Ame- rica— a low, branching, prickly shrub ; although found on many parts of the continent wild, they do not attain the perfection there they do in England. In Spain, Italy and France, they are very little cultivated. A moderate temperature and humid cli- mate seem best to suit the fruit. The fruit is thought to be cul- tivated in greater perfection in Lancashire, England, than any other place in the world, being larger and of a finer flavor. When ripe, certain kinds of them, as there are many varieties, are very good without cooking; they are excellent for dessert in any way, cooked or uncooked. The English make a good wine of them, very little inferior to champagne. Niel, a celebrated cultivator of small fruit near Edinburgh says, " it nuist ])e ad- mitted that although the largest gooseberries make a tine appear- ance on the table, they are deficient in flavor, or their skins are thick and strong, compared with some of smaller size." Tlie greatest enemy of the gooseberry is mildew, or rust. This an- noys the growers of them much in Great Britain, and it troubles us some here. There are various remedies for it. Warm, sul- try, close, moist weather, and the fruit located in low, moist ground, where there is not free circulation of air, is supposed to be the cause. In England and Scotland they generally plant the fruit on the highest ground they have, and in this way escape much of the evil. Ventilation is the great object ; keep the neigh- borhood of the shrub clear of everything that obstructs free cir- culation. Currants. — Currants are one of the most abundant, useful and easiest raised of the small fruits, used in various ways, in pies, tarts, jellies, wine. Good pies can be made of them, wlien they are a little more than half ripe — -not so sour as when fully ripe, and take less sugar. No jelly perhaps can be compared with the currant; it is very pleasant to the taste, and healthy; it cools No. 129.] 577 and refreshes the system much, especially if feverish and heated. There are several varieties of the currant. The three principal ones are red, white and black ; the red is most used, a little lar- ger than the white, more juicy and more acid ; the white is but a variety of the red, both natives of America and the north of Europe. They grow best in a temperate and rather cool climate. The black currant is of a distinct species, a native of the north of Europe and Asia ; it cannot be used for as many purposes as the other two ; it possesses some medicinal properties, either made into a jelly or wine. The red currant makes an excellent wine, if properly made, and when it gets age, five or six years old, it will compare with any for flavor. I have drank it five years old, made of the pure juice. The currant requires a rich soil, and although so easily raised, they are larger and produce better with a little cultivation. Mr. Niel, of Scotland, prunes his bushes in mid winter, shortening the last year's growth to an inch and a half. The ensuing summer as soon as the berries began to color, he cuts off the summer shoots to within"five or six inches above the fruit, this he does with garden shears, and does it rapidly. They last longer than most small fruits, and insects seldom disturb them. Quince seed is medicinal, when boiled down to a proper consistence, the liquor is emollient, it sooths and softens local in flammations of the system, and especially of the eyes, by bathing the inflamed parts with it, and not only relieves but often eflects cures. All the fruits here noticed are cheaply and easily raised, and in abundance, compared with many others, and none of them much disturbed by insects ; always seir readily in our markets and at paying prices. The secretary quoted Downing's very valuable work on the Fruits and Fruit Trees of America; refering to the raspberry , black- berry and quince: He observed that a single individual even in the long time he had lived (70 years) was utterly incompetent to the great history of things. That an assemblage of tens of thou- sands of enlightened men in every age and country was necessary to accumulate the knowledge ^Ye now have. And no man can at- tend even a small meeting of enlightened men conversing upon a familiar topic, without being more enlightened, in, some point or other. [Assembly, No. 129.] 37 578 [Assembly Professor Mapes could not be present to day, but was so kind as to send the following notes, as the subject had been proposed hj him : SiliAWBERRiEs. — The strawberry is a native of temperate lati- tudes, and the natural strawberries of diflerent climes have dif- ferent habits. All these have produced several distinct classes and until a late date these classes were represented as the scarlet, pine, wood and Hautbois strawberries. The name strawberry probably arose from the fact that straw was placed between the plants to keep the fruit clean. It belongs probably to colder climates, and in the warmer is of inferior qualities. To the confectioner the fruit is of gi-eat value, as it communi- cates its flavor readily to all menstruums, such as milk, sugar, jellies, &c. It is the most healthy of the fruits, not being sub- ject to acid fermentation on the stomach, and is supposed to be a specific for gout. Propagation and Soil. — All sorts except the Bushalpine prop- agate themselves by runners which, in turn, are used to form new beds and should be taken off in August and put out in place. Some growers retain them until spring, keeping them in nursery row until required. In the planting of new beds avoid runners from old and barren plants. During the fruiting season the bearing plants may be marked with small sticks placed in the ground so as to enable the opera- tor to select plants from those so marked. Many kinds deterior- ate so much by age as to become useless, while others do not lose their power of bearing fruit even by very great age. Among these may be named the Prolific Hautbois, the English Wood and the large early Scarlet ; but the Pine strawberries and some Scar- lets are very liable to deterioration. Soil. — The roots of this plant pass deeply into the soil, there- fore the beds require deep disintegration and thorough prepara- tion, with sufficient fertilizing material to last out the proposed age of the bed. Trenching or deep plowing should be used. No. 129.] 579 The strawberry requires full exposure to the sun and air. They should be cultivated in rows, wide apart, and kept entirely free from weeds. The usual distance with the large growing kinds is two feet between the rows, and a similar distance in the row. The runners should be removed two or three times during the season. Small vegetables may be raised between the two rows for the first year. Too much surface manuring of putres- cent manures causes strawberries to form leaves instead of fruit. They should always be mulched in winter, for this system gives larger and higher flavored fruit than when the mulching is neg- lected. The bed is in perfection the third year, and after the fifth or sixth, should be renewed. Some of the larger growers cultivate in alternate strips. The plants are put out, in April or August, in rows three feet apart, and the runners of two adjacent rows thrown between them and suffered to take root, leaving alternate beds and alleys of three feet wide each, the plants being one foot apart in the rows. In the middle of August, when re- newals are required, rake the runners over into the paths, which should have been previously manured and dug, and then dig under the old beds. In this manner the beds may be alternated as often as required. The Alpine and European wood strawber- ries grow well in shade. The bush Alpine strawberry has no runners, and may therefore be used for ornamental borders. They continue to yield fruit until late frost. By pulling the blossoms from strawberry plants in May we can sometimes obtain a good crop in September. Where very early crops are required, they may be procured by planting on the south side of a wall, and for late crops late kinds on the north side. The best kinds for these purposes are the Duke of Kent and the large early scarlet. Many remarks were made on the best kinds of plants to produce hybridization among those of imperfect organism; both pistillate and staminate plants being necessary to produce fruit among those plants, the blossoms of which are not furnished with both pistils and stamens. Jen- ney's seedling was very highly spoken of as the favorite straw- berry among the Boston growers. The black prince was said to be the best flavored but a shy bearer. The Hovey's seedling is a 680 [Assembly good market strawberry of large size and a prolific bearer, but inferior in flavor to many others. The aroma of the strawberry ii entirely resident in the smface or cutis, and this is materially increased by the addition of small doses of tannic acid added to the beds in a very diluted state. • One gallon of bark liquor added to one hundred gallons of water is quite strong enough for this purpose and adds materially to the quality and product. Professor Mapes. — The quince is supposed to be a native of Europe. In its natural state it is a crooked, rambling bush of eight to ten feet high. The upper side of its leaf is green; its under side of a more whitish tone, bearing fruit on the shoots of the same year's growth. The fruit is large, of an orange tone of color, austere and disagreeable in its taste, but possessing fine aroma. When in fruit this tree is very beautiful, and in appear- ance, not unlike the orange. It is used in some parts of Europe for hedges and fence for gardens and vineyards. The quince should be planted from ten to twelve feet apart ; it may be graft- ed under the bark in early spring, or budded in August or Sep- tember. It seems first to have attracted notice in the city of Sidon, in Crete or Candia, hence its botanical name Cydonia. " Quince," says Columella, " not only yields pleasure but health." Uses. — For confections the quince is a general favorite, being used for preserves, marmalades, sauces, syrups, jellies and for drying. It imparts a fine flavor to other fruits. Water in which quinces have been steeped for a few hours makes a good wine when properly treated with sugar. The juice of the quince is a remedy for nausea. Quince stocks are used for grafting pears. The fruit is not eaten in the raw itate except for medical purposes, and it has the reputation of being useful in that state for asthma and some other diseases. Dr. Phillips recommends the following quince wine for asthma and states cases of cures performed by it. Cut up the Quinces, extract the seeds and grind the flesh to a pomace, add one gallon of water to each gallon of pomace ; after standing two days press out the fluid and, to every gallon of liquor thus prepared, add three aud-a-half pounds of sugar. The liquor is to be placed in No. 129.) 581 a cask which is to be stopped quite close until March, when it is racked, and may be bottled in the second year. SOIL, CULTURE, TRAINING, PROPAGATION &c. The quiilce has been too long the despised occupant of the neglected and obscure parts of the garden, and has been generally supposed to require a wet soil, but despite of old prejudices, it will flourish on a greater Tariety of soils than any other — from the moist muck swamp to the garden ridge. They require to be kept clean of grass and weeds, and thoroughly manured, being rank feeders. They may be propagated from seeds, layers or cuttings and also by grafting and budding where the same kindi are desired to be maintained. The seeds of the quince re-pio- duce the same sorts with greater certainty than those of other fruits still varying some and hence the different shapes from pear to apple. They may be grown on trees or bushes. The finest fruit is produced from single standards with well formed heads. The only excuse for growing them in a bush form is to supply a second trunk, if the first should be destroyed by the borer. To propagate by layers, lay down young shoots in the spring and cover with dirt so as to leave two or three buds above the ground. Roots will generally be formed in autumn, when the layer and new root may be separated from the parent tree, and set out in rows. Such as have not rooted may remain for the second year when they may be transplanted. Quince cut- tings should be placed not less than ten to twelve inches deep, and leaving but a small portion above the ground, and mulch- ing with dry leaves or brush to give shade. These willbe fit to remove for standards in two or three years. As a remedy for the borer in the quince tree, charcoal, blacksmith's cinders and unleached ashes, have each been tried in turn, and as far as we know, without effect. The only sure method is to extract the insect with a knife, and cover the wound with grafting wax. Thomas recommends as a remedy for the borer, grafting the quince on a pear stock. According to Goropinus, quinces were the golden apples of the Hesperides, and not oranges as some commentators pretend. Quinces are sometimes budded on thd common thorn. 582 [Assembly Varieties. — There are four kinds only used in cooking, the apple, the orange, the pear shapes and the Portugal. Of these the pear shaped is preferred for cooking. The flesh of the ap- ple quince is rather more tender but not so high flavored. The apple quince is two or three weeks earlier than the pear, but Trill not keep so well. Ornamental Varieties. — There are two or three ornamental varieties of the quince, natives of China and Japan, and now generally introduced as garden shrubs. The Japan quince is a thorny shrub with dark green leaf, clothed with clusters of blossoms in April, larger than those of the quince and of the brightest scarlet. The fruit which occasionally succeeds its flowers, is very hard, dark green color and ofa peculiar and not un- pleasant smell but entirely useless. The white or blushed Japan quince resembles the former except that the flowers are white, and the color being like those of the common apple tree. Chinese Quince. — Is a very pretty shrub, seldom produces fruit, leaves are dark with a shining surface, the flowers small and red, with a violet odor. This shrub is most beautiful in May, and less showy than the Japan quince. The leaves become beautifully red in autumn. Mr. Low. — Had cultivated the gooseberry twenty years ago in England and here. He [had never suffered from mildew, I al- ways kept mine well cultivated, forked up the ground well in dry weather, and litter them well, and give them my soap suds often j my grape vines love that too, I give it to them freely and they flourish. My gooseberries were often three inches and more in circumference. The chairman remarked that slips from last year's growth of raspberries and currants will give some fruit the first year of their being set. I let the litter lie about my bushes all summer and then dig it up. Mr. Fleet. — This litter of mulch retains the moisture in the soil, keeps down evaporation, and causes an equal or uniform condition as to warmth. The Chairman.— Mildew is rarely seen in dry seasons. No. 129. 583 Mr. Richard G. Pardee, of Palmyra, Wajne county, said that it was desirable to have a kind of gooseberry that never mildews. Houghton's Seedling is one of them. It requires no pruning and no mulching, yet produces enormously an oblong berry which is superior in flavor to all but Crompton's Queen Sheba. I cover the ground with hog manure. Mr. Fleet. — We have a gooseberry up the Hudson river which never mildews ; the berry is of rather an oblong shape. Mr. Pardee presented glass jars of peaches and currants pre- served after a peculiar method by Mrs. Wm. R. Smith, of Mace- don, Morris Whites and another. Members on tasting them thought them good, having more of the natural color and flavor than other preserves. On motion of the chairman, the thanks of the club were unan- imously voted to Mr. Pardee. On motion of Mr. George Dickey, the Whortleberry was adopt- ed as a subject for next meeting, to which were added the beet, carrot and parsnip. Seeds were distributed. Grafts from Mr. Pell, of Pelham, of a seedling apple in his orchard, which has the peculiarity of bear- ing its apples on the extreme ends of the branches. Mr. Willson's Charter Oak grapes and vines wer« at the club. They can be obtained at 579 Grand street. ^ Subjects for next meeting : Wortleberry, beet, carrot and par- snip. The club adjourned to Tuesday next at noon. H. Meigs, Secretary. PREMIUMS AWARDED AT THE CATTLE SHOW OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE, OCTOBER, 1851. NATIVE AND CROSSES BETWEEN IMPROVED ASD NATIVE CATTLE. Judges — Thompson C. Munn, Jacob D. Van Winkle, R. D. Baldwin. Oliver Slate, Jr. Throg's Neck, N. Y., for the best bull. Silver cup or $20. Bayard Clark, Throg's Neck, N. Y., for the second beat bull, " Prince Albert." Silver medal or $10. Jackson Nichols, Flushing, L. I., for the third best bull. Sil- ver medal. James Davidson, Craigsville, Orange county, N. Y.,for the best bull calf. Silver medal. Robert R. Morris, Westchester, N. Y., for the second best bull oalf. Trans. Am. Ins. Robert R. Morris, Westchester, N. Y., for the best cow, " Sally Marius." Silver cup or |1 5. James Bathgate, Fordham, N. Y., for the second best cow. Silver cup or |10. Bathgate & Brothers, Morrisania, N. Y., for the third best cow. Silver medal. Thomas Richardson, Westchester county, N. Y., for the best £ year old heifer. Silver cup or $10, James Bathgate, Fordham, N. Y., for the second best heifer. Silver medal. Edward G. Faile, West Farms, N. Y., for the bestyearUng hei- fer. Silver eup, or $8. 586 [Assembly Oliver Slate, jr., Throg's Neck, N. Y., for the second best hei- fer. Trans. Am. Ins. George M'Dowell, for the best heifer calf. Sih*er medal. James Eathgate, Fordham, N. Y., for the second best heifer calf. Trans. Am. Ins. FULL BKKD STOCK. Judges — Edward H. Smith, Gerard Crane, Anson Crane. Oliver Slate, jr., Throg's Neck, N. Y., for the best bull, " Lo- gan."' Silver cup or $20. Daniel E. Haight, Washington, N. Y., for the second best bull, " Prince Albert." Silver cup or $10. John C. Jackson, Astoria, L. I., for the best yearling bull. Silver cup or |10. Bathgate & Brothers, Morrisania, N. Y., for the second best yearling bull. Silver medal. Lorillaid Spencer, Williams' Bridge, for the best bull calf, "Duke of Cornwell." Silver medal. James Beck, West Farms, Westchester county, N. Y., for the best cow, '' Eliza." Silver cup or |15. Morris Ketchum, New-Haven, Conn., for the second best cow^ Silver cup or $10. Bathgate & Brothers, Morrisania, N. Y., for the third best cow. Silver medal. ■ • Lorillard Spencer, Williams' Bridge, N. Y., for the belt 2 year old heifer, " Sonsie 8th." Silver cup or |10. Oliver Slate, jr., Throg's Neck, N. Y., for the second best hei- fer, "Damask Rose." Silver medal. James Beck, West Farms, N. Y"., for the best yearling heifer, " Lady Fanny." Silver cup or $8. Daniel B. Haight, Washington, N. Y.,for the second best year- ling heifer, " Red Rose." Trans. Am. Ins. D evens. Judges — Horace Bailey, John H. Nettleson, Wm. L. Cowles, Winthrop Wadsworth, Daniel H. Willard. Lemuel Hurlbut, Winchester, Conn., for the best bull "Ros- oius." Silver cup or |20. 587 [Assembly Edward G. Faile, West Farms, N. Y., for the second best bull, " Otsego." Silver cup or $10. Jacob N. Blakeslee, Watertown, Conn., for the third best bull. Silver medal. Edward G. Faile, West Farms, N. Y., for the best yearling bull, " Putnam." Silver cup or $10. Ambrose Stevens, N. Y., for the best bull calf. Silver medal. Ambrose Stevens, N. Y., for the second best bull calf. Trans. Am. Ins. Lemuel Hurlbut, Winchester, Conn., for the best cow, " Beauty." Silver cup or $15. Ambrose Stevens, New-York, for the second best cow. Silver cup or |10. Jacob N. Blakeslee, Watertown, Conn., for the third best cow. Silver medal. Ambrose Stevens, New- York, for the best two year old heifer. Silver cup or Jacob N. Blakeslee, Watertown Conn., for the second best 2 year old heifer. Silver medal. Jacob N. Blakeslee, Watertown, Conn., for the best yearling heifer. Silver cup or $8. Ambrose Stevens, New- York, for the best heifer calf. Silver Medal. Jacob N. Blakeslee, Watertown, Conn., for the second best heifer calf. Trans. Am. Ins. Jacob N. Blakeslee, Watertown, Conn., for the best lot high bred Devons, (20 head, ) $40. Ayr shires. Judges.— John Rae, John Dick, A. Johnson. J. C. Tiffany, Greene co., N. Y., for the best bull. Silver eup or $20. E. P. Prentice, Mount Hope, Albany, N. Y., for the second best bull, " Jack the Laird." Silver cup or $10. E. P. Prentice, Mount Hope, Albany, N. Y., for the best year- ling bull. Silver cup or $10. E. P. Prentice, Mount Hope, Albany N. Y., for the best cow. Silver cup or $15. 588 [Assembly E. P. Prentice, Mount Hope, Albany, N. T., for the second best cow, " Red Sally." Silver cup or $10. E. P. Prentice, Mount Hope, Albany, N. Y., for the best 2 year old heifer. Silver cup or |iO. R. R. Morris, Westchester, N. Y., for the second best two year old heifer. Silver medal. E. P. Prentice, Mount Hope, Albany, N. Y., for the best year-, ling heifer. Silver cup or $8. J. C. Tiftany, Greene co., N. Y., for the best heifer calf. Sil- ver medal. ALDEENEYS. Judges — John Rae, John Dick, A. Johnston. R. L. Oolt, Paterson, N. J., for the best bull. Silver cup or $20. R. L.Colt, Paterson, N. J., for the best cow. Silver cup or $15. MILKING cows. Judges — Henry Robinson, A. H. Hubbard, Seely C. Roe. R. R. Morris, Westchester co., N. Y., for the best cow, "Lady Vair." Silver cup or $20. James Bathgate, Fordham, N. Y., for the second best cow. Silver cup or $10. George R. Winehel, Duchess co., N. Y., for the third best cow. Silver medal. WORKING OXEN. Judges — Hudson McFarland, D. K. Sherwood, Joseph H. Baldwin. John T. Andrews, Sharon, Conn., for the best pair of working oxen. Silver cup or $20. Timothy F. Tilson, Rosendale, N. Y., for the second best pair of working oxen. Silver cup or $10. Jacob N. Blakeslee, Water town, Conn., for the third best pair of working oxen. Silver medal. Jacob N. Blakeslee, Watertown, Conn., for 8 pair of working oxen. $20. No. 129.] 589 FAT CATTLE. Judges — James E. Bathgate, Thos. F. Devoe, Brian Lawrence, Lyman Seely. R. R. Morris, Westchester co., N. Y., for the best fat calf. $5. R. R.Morris, Westchester co., N. Y., for the second best fat calf. $3. B. Ames, Craigsville, Orange co., N. Y., for a pair of fat cattle. Silver cup or $10. FAT SHEEP. Judges — Jas. E. Bathgate, Thomas F. Devoe, Brian Lawrence, Lyman Seely. Elias L. Barlow, La Grange, Dutchess county, N. Y., for the best fat sheep. Silver cup or $8. James Patten, Dutchess county, N. Y., for the second best fat sheep. Silver medal. Edward Wait, Montgomery, Orange county, N. Y., for the third best fat sheep. Trans. Am. Ins. Jas. M. Winchel, North East, Duchess county, N. Y., for a fat wether. Silver medal. LONG WOOL SHEEP. Judges — Leonard D. Clift, Ja'sVan Vechten, Elnathan Haxtun. - Elias L. Barlow, La Grange, Dutchess county, New-York, ior the best buck. Silver cup, or |8. Elias L. Barlow, La Grange, Dutchess county, New- York, for the best pen of five ewes. Silver cup, or $8. Isaac H. Hallock, Ulster county. New- York, for the best pen of five lambs. Silver medal. MIDDLE WOOL SHEEP. Judges — Leonard D. Clift, Ja'sVan Vechten, Elnathan Haxtun. Daniel B. Haight, Washington, Dutchess county, New-York, for the best buck. Silver cup, or $8. 590 [Assembly PDaniel B. Haight, Washington , Dutcliess county, N. N., for the second best cap. Silver medal. Daniel B. Haight, Washington, Dutchess county, N. Y.,for the best pen of five ewes. Silvefl* cup, or $8. Ambrose Stevens, New- York, for the second best pen of five ewes. Silver medal. Edward Wait, Montgomery, Orange county. New- York, for a pen of three ewes Silver medal. Daniel B. Haight, Washington, Dutchess county, New- York, for the best pen of five lambs. Silver medal. MERINOS. Judges— Obadiah Elliott, John Harold, Charles W. Hull. A. L. Bingham, Middlebury, Vermont, for the best buck. Sil- ver cup, or |8. Isaac N. Deforest, Dover, N. Y., for the second best buck, " Louis Philippe." Silver medal. SAXONS. Judges — Obadiah Elliott, John Harold, Charles W. Hull. C, B. Smith, Wolcottville, Connecticut, for the best buck. Silvej cup, or $8. Walter Wakeman, North East, Dutchess county, New-York, for the second best buck. Silver medal. Walter Wakeman, North East, Dutchess county. New- York, for the best pen of five ewes. Silver cup, or $8. C. B. Smith, Wolcottville, Connecticut, for a pen of three ewes. Silver medal. Walter Wakeman, North East, Dutchess county, New-York, for the second best pen of five ewes. Silver medal. Walter Wakeman, North East, Dutchess county. New- York, for the best pen of five lambs. Silver medal. SHEPHERD. DOGS. Judges— Obadiah Elliot, John Harold, Charles W. Hull. George W. Allerton, Bull's Head, New-York, for the best shepherd's dog. Transactions American Institute. I No. 129.] 591 Bathgate Brothers, Morrisania, New- York, for a shepherd's dog. Transactions American Institute. SWINE. Judges— Samuel G. Striker, Asa Munn, Peter H. Brink. Samuel Love, 53d street, N. Y., for the best boar over 2 years old. Silver cup or $S. William W. Smith, for the second best boar. Silver medal. Samuel Brewer, 132d street and 8th avenue, N. Y.,for the best boar, one year old. Silver cup or $8. Samuel Love, 53d street, N. Y., for the second best boar 1 year old. Silver medal. Samuel Love, 53d street, N. Y., for the best sow over 3 years old. Silver cup or $8. Samuel Brewer, 132d street and 8th avenue, for the best sow 1 year old. Silver cup or |8. J. D. Oakley, Newtown, L. I., for the second best sow 1 year old. Silver medal. Samuel Love, 53d street, N. Y., for the best lot of pigs. Silver cup or $8. Edward Wait, Montgomery, Orange county, N. Y., for a lot of pigs. Silver medal. HORSES FOR ALL WORK. Judges — R. R. Morris, A. Hatfield, A. B. Raymond. John M'Chesney, New-York, for the best stallion, "Tom Thumb." Silver cup, or $20. Alexander Campbell, East Twenty -fourth street, for the se- cond best stallion. " Young Andrew Jackson." Silver cup or $15. Robert H. Reading, Flemington, N. J., for the third best stal- lion, " Comet." Silver cup or $10. John McChesney, New- York, for a stallion, "CassiusM. Clay." Diploma. Chas. T. Howell, Long Island, for a Norman horse, "Young Norma." Diploma. J. P. Currie, New-York, for a stallion, " Black Hawk." Di- ploma. 592 [Assembly Wm. Laimbeer, New- York, for a stallion. Diploma. Charles Barker, West Farms, N. Y., for the best brood mare and colt. Silver cup or $12. James R. Potter, Middlesex connty, N. J., for the best colt, " Sabek." Silver cup or $10. Thomas Williams, jr., New- York, for the second best colt, 3 years old. Silver medal. John McChesney, New- York, for the best colt, 2 years old. Silver cup or $8. Jackson Nichols, Flushing, L. I., for the second best colt, 2 years old. Silver medal. Wm. M. Rosenbeck, Chester, Orange county, N. Y., for a colt. Diploma. Chas. E. Sears, Fort Hamilton, for a colt. Diploma. Levi North, New-York, for a gelding, " Tammany." Diploma. Randolph Merritt, New- York, for a gelding. Diploma. Peter Dubois, Catskill, New- York, for a gelding. Diploma. MATCHED HORSES. Judges— William Stammers, William T. Porter, Thomas Wil- liams, Jr. Bayard Clark, Throgs Neck, New- York, for the best pair of matched horses. Silver cup, or $10. Charles McKnight, 76 Eleventh-street, for the second best pair of matched horses. Silver medal. Daniel Abbott, Brooklyn, L. I., for the best pair farm horses. Silver cup, or $10. Bathgate Brothers, Morrisania, New- York, for the second best pair farm horses. Silver medal. Henry S. Lyon, for a pair of mares. Diploma. MULES AND JACKS. Judges — P. M. Ryerson, Peter Townsend, William S. Sears, Fort Hamilton, L. L, for the best pair of working mules. Silver cup, or $10. Stephen B. Ciwruana, New-York, for the best jack. Silver cup, or $10. No. 129.] 693 John A. Poole, New Brunswick, New-Jersey, for the second best jack. Silver medal. EXTRA STOCK. William Thompson, corner 25th-street and 5th Avenue, for a Chinese cow. Diploma. Bayard Clark, Throgs Neck, New-York, for a pair of Shetland ponies. Diploma. POULTRY. I Judges — John Dick, H. C. Barretto, William L. Laing. Roswell L. Colt, Paterson, New Jersey, for the greatest and best variety of poultry. Silver cup, or $8. Roswell L. Colt, Paterson, New Jersey, for the best pair of tur- keys. American Poulterer's Companion. Roswell L. Colt, Paterson, New Jersey, for the best pair of Bre- men geese. American Poulterer's Companion. Roswell L. Colt, Paterson, New Jersey, for the best pair of tame geese. American Poulterer's Companion. Gilbert A. Wilkins, Throgs Neck, New-York, for the best pair of Muscovy ducks. American Poultry Yard. Gilbert A. Wilkins, Throgs Neck, New- York, for the best pair of common ducks. American Poultry Yard. Russell L. Colt, Paterson, New- Jersey , for the best pair of Dork- ing fowls. American Poultry Yard. Russell L. Colt, Paterson, New- Jersey, for the best pair capons. American Poultry Yard. George E. Dickson, 23d-street, for the best pair Poland fowls. American Poultry Book. Gilbert A. Wilkins, Westchester, county, N. Y., for the best col- lection farm fowls. American Poultry Yard and Companion. [Assembly No. 129.] 38 PREMIUMS AWARDED BY THE MANAGERS OF THE TWENTY- FOURTH ANNUAL FAIR OF THE AMERICAN INSTI- TUTE, OCTOBER, 1851. AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. FARMS. \ Judges^— David Banks, James De Peyster, Alanson Nash. Elijah H, Kimball, Flatlands, L. I., for the best cultivated farm of 100 acres. Silver cup or $20. James Bathgate, Fordham, N. Y., for the second best farm> / Silver cup or $15. WOOL. Robert Hoag, Dutchess co., Harvey Hoag, agent, 73 Pine street^ for a superior specimen of American fleece wool. Silver 6up oar $8. ■ . Charles B. Smith, Wolcottville, Conn., for superior specimens of fine American fleece wool. Silver cup or $8. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS. Judges — Thomas Bell, Ralph Hall, Nicholas Wyckoflf. Jacob P. Giraud, jr , Bergen, N. J., for the best varieties of In-^ dian corn. Silver cup or $8. Roswell L. Colt, Paterson, N. J., for a choice display of Indian corn. Colman's European Agriculture. Ephraim Baker, Union N. J., for the best 40 ears of white corn. Farmer's Encyclopedia. Jacob P. Giraud, jr., Bergen N. J., for the best 40 ears of yel- low corn. Colman's European Agriculture. 596 [Assembly Jacob P. Giraudj jr., Bergen, N.J., for the best 40 ears of brown corn. Allen's American Farm Book. Oliver J. Tillson, Rosendale, N. Y., for the best bushel of wheat. Silver cup or $8. A. W. Harvey, Harrington, N. J., for one bushel superior Mediterranean wheat. Farmers' Encyclopedia. . Oliver J. Tillson, Eosendale, N. Y., for the best bushel of rye. S'ilver medal. Edward Harris, Matteaw^an Point, N. J., for a bushel ot supe- rior rye. Browne's Trees of America. George Nesbitt, Hobart, Delaware co., N. Y., Alexander Smith, agent, 388 Broadway, N. Y., for the best bushel of oats. Silver medal. Samuel T. Jones, New Brighton, Staten Island, for a bushel of superior oats. Stephen's Book of the Farm. Emma R. Purse, Newark, N. J., for the best bushel of barley. Browne's Trees of America. FLOUR AND MEAL. Judges — Edward Cromwell, Stephen Valentine, Anselm B. Haner. Hecker & Brothers, 101 Cherry street, N. Y., for the best barrel of flour. Silver cup or $8. J. Lathrop, Le Roy, N. Y., Clark & Coleman, agents, 7 Water street, for a barrel of extra superfine flour. J^ilver medal. Howell & Grunendyke, Le Roy, N. Y., Dowes & Co., agents, 20 Water street, for a barrel of extra superfine flour. Colman's European Agriculture. T. F. Tillson & Sons, Rosendale, N. Y., for the best barrel of rye flour. Silver medal. Hecker & Brothers, Cherry street, for the second best barrel of rye flour. Farmers' Dictionary. Geo. W. Runk, North Branch, N. J., Randolphs & Tucker, agents, 53 Whitehall street, for the best sample of meal. Silver cup or $8. Hecker & Brothers, 201 Cherry street, for the second best sam- ple of meal. Stephen's Book of the Farm. Hecker & Brothers, 2(Jl Cherry street, for superior prepara- tions of corn and wheat. Silver medal. No. 129.J 597 Quinby & Co., 177 Spring street, for prepared flour and meal. Kufus D. Piatt, N. Y., for extra .superfine buckwheat flour. Diploma. WINES. Judges — Wm. Niblo, Christopher Heiser, Philip French. N. Longworth, Cincinnati, Ohio, for sparkling Catawb^ a gold medal liaving been before awarded. Diploma. Isaac Merrell, for a good imitation of Rhenish wine, and from the Muscadine. Diploma. ' Wm. H. Hughes, Matteawan Point, N. J., for a delicate wine resembling Malaga. Diploma. Wm. H. Siminton, Brooklyn, for a good imitation of Mozelle wine. Diploma. John Harold, Hempstead, L. I., for Elderberry wine. Di- ploma. PRODUCTS OF THE DAIRT? BUTTER. Judges — Aaron Carpenter, Lawrence M. Luther, Peter B. Mead. Charles Powell, Blooming Grove, N. Y., for the best sample of butter. Silver cup or $8. John W. Conklin, Yorktown, N. Y., Edward Deming, agent, 67 Third avenue, for a sample of fine flavored butter. Silver medal. Valentine H. Hallock, North East Centre, N. Y., for a sample of good butter. Allen's Farm Book. CHEESE. Judges — Jesse][K. Weeks, Wm. S. Badeau, Charles M. Carpen- ter. Isaac Carpenter, 14 Front street, for the best specimen of cheese. Silver cup or $8. *B. Pardee, 14 Front street, for a fine American dairy^cheese. Silver medal. Jessie Williams, Rome, N. Y., Beaty & Mitchell, agents, 184 Greenwich street, for a good American dairy cheese. Colman's European Argiculture. 598 [ASSEJMBLY J. Pryor Rorke, 14 Front street, for a fair American dairy cheese. Farmer's Encyclopedia, Wallace, Wicks & Co., 11 Front street, for the best imitation English dairy cheese. Colman's European Agriculture. Isaac Dinsmore, Windsor, Ohio, Wallace Wicks & Co., agents, 11 Front street, for superior imitation English dairy cheese. Trans. State Agricultural Society; C. C. Wick, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, Condit, Noble & Co., agents, 15 Water street, for excellent imitation English dairy cheese. Trans. American Institute. Hays and Plumb, Ashtabula, Ohio, Condit, Noble & Co., agents, 15 Water street, for the best pine apple cheese. Col- man's European Agriculture. S. Garrabraut, 14 Front street, for superior pine apple cheese. Transactions American Institute. Samuel Miller, Lewis Co., N. Y., for Sapsago cheese. Di- ploma. FRUITS. Judges — Thos. Hogg, Jr., Wm. Reid, A. P. Cumings, John Brill, E. Ferris. Mcintosh & Co., Cleveland, Ohio, for the choicest and greatest variety of fruits. Silver cup or $15. John W. Bailey, Plattsburgh, N. Y., for the greatest number of choice varieties of apples. Silver cup or $8. Caleb H. Earle, Newark, N. J., for a fine display of choice va- rieties of apples. Silver medal. Charles H. Williams, Orange, N. J., for a good display of choice varieties of apples. 4 Nos. Hovey's Fruits. Hovey & Co., Boston, Mass., for the greatest number of choice varieties of pears. Silver cup or $S. Joseph Pierson, Newark, N. J., for a fine display of choice va- rieties of pears. Silver medal. Isaac M. Ward, Newark, N. J., for a display of choice varie- ties of pears. 4 Nos. Hovey's Fruits. John Law, Bloomingdale and Sixty-tnird street, N. Y., for the best table pears. Barry's Treatise on Fruit. Frederick Law Olmstead, south side Staten Island, for supe- rior table pears. Thomas's Fruit Culturist. No. 129.J 599 Lewis C. Lighthipe, Orange, N. J., for the best winter pears. Silver cup or $8. Samuel C. Jackson, Astoria, L. I., for superior winter pears. Silver medal. Isaac M. Ward, Newark, N. J., for the best freestone peaches. Barry's Treatise on Fruits. Samuel T. Jones, New Brighton, Staten Island, for superior freestone peaches. Thomas's Fruit Culturist. Samuel T. Jones, New Brighton, Staten Island, for the best clingstone peaches. Barry's Treatise on Fruits. William H. Hughes, Matteawan Point, N. J., for the best Isa- bella grapes. Silver medal. Wm. A. Underbill, Croton Point, N. Y., for extra fine flavored Isabella grapes. Silver medal, Thomas R. Porter, Matteawan Point, N. J , for fine Isabella grapes. Allen on the vine. William H. Hughes, Matteawan Point, N. J., for the best Catawba grapes. Silver medal. Wm. A. Underbill, Croton Point, N. Y., for highly flavored Catawba grapes. 4 Nos. Hovey's Fruits. R. T. Underbill, Croton Point, N. Y., for extra grapes. Bar- ry's Treatise on Fruit. R. T. Underbill, Croton Point, N. Y., for the best display of native grapes. Silver medal. Joseph M. Ward, Newark, N. J., for a fine display of native grapes. Downing's Fruits. Roswell L. Colt. Paterson, N. J., for the best display of foreign grapes. Silver Medal. Cadwallader Owens, for superior foreign grapes. 4 Nos. Ho- vey's Works. James Brown, Clifton, Weehawken, N. J., for fine foreign grapes. Allen on the Vine. William Wright, Newark, N. J., for fine foreign grapes. Hoare on the Vine. John J. Walker, Schenectady, N. Y., for the best plums. Downing's Fruits. R. T. Underbill, Croton Point, N. Y., for the best quinces. Silver medal. 600 [Assembly J. Eaton, U. S. A,, Fort Hamilton, L. I., for a fine display of quinces. Barry's Treatise on Fruit. D. K. Delafield, Staten Island, C. Byrne, gardener, for a good show of quinces. Thomas's Fruit Culturist. Joseph M. Ward, Newark, N. J., for a seedling grape of much excellence. Downing's Fruits. J. CozzenSj Dob]>s's Ferry, N. J., for several fine samples of foreign grapes, grown without protection. Diploma. James Hanley, Jamaica, L. I., for several varieties of choice apples. Trans. State Agricultural Society. P. S. Wetmore, Brooklyn, L. I., for a sample of splendid Vir- galieu pears. Barry's Treatise on Fruits. John Tonnele, Bergen, N. J., for a fine show of Seckel pears. Trans. American Institute. Jonn Tonnelle, Bergen, N. J., for a sample of excellent Ma- deira nuts grown in New Jersey. Trans. State Agricultural Society. Nathan Barrett, Factoryville, Staten Island, for a fine show of pears. Trans. American Institute. Special Premiums . Wm. R, Austin, Dorchester, Mass., for a show of splendid Duchesse d'Angouleme Pears. Barry's Fruits, John Tonelle, Bergen, N. J., for well ripened Maderia nuts grown in N. Y. city. Trans. N. Y. State Ag. Society. Eliza Peck, Southington, Conn., for a large show of superior quinces. Trans. American. Institute. Jeremiah Bridge, Jamacia, L. I., for a fine display of pears. Trans. American Institute. Parsons & Co., Flushing, L. I., for two varieties of superior hothouse grapes. Trans. American Institute. M. Cook, Utica, N. Y., Edward J. O'Conner, agent, 77 Wall street, for very fine Bergamotte, Seckel, and White Doyenne pears. Diploma. Samuel Smith, Brooklyn, L. I., for extra fine peaches. Trans. American Institute. William Wilson, West Milton, N. Y., for specimens ot good seedling apples, one year old. Trans. American Institute. Edward J. Genet, Greenbush, N. Y., for a fine display of agri- cultural and horticultural products. Barry's Fruits. No. 129.] 601 Lester W. Cox, Bergen, N. J., for extra fine Seek-no-further apples. Trans. American Institute. FLOWER GARDENS. Judges — Peter B. Mead, Jas. De Peyster, Henry Meigs. William Cranstoun, gardener to E. A. Stevens, Castle Point, Hoboken, N. J., for the best cultivated and most tastefully arrang- ed flower garden. Silver cup or $10. Stephen Knowlton, Clinton avenue, Brooklyn, L. I., for a well cultivated garden of choice plants. Silver medal. SPECIAL EXHIBITION DAHLIAS. Judges — Robert Carnley, Alfred Bridgeman, Archibald Hen- derson. Mateo Donadi, Forty-fourth street, Blooraingdale, for the best twenty-four named dahlias. Silver medal. Thomas Dunlap, 535 Broadway, for twenty-four superior varie- ties of named dahlias. Boudoir Botany. W. Beekman, Fifty-fifth street, for twenty-four bloomed named dahlias. Parson's Rose Manual. Mateo Donadi, Forty-fourth-street, for the best American seed- ling dahlias. Silver mtdal. John E. Rauch, Brooklyn, for fine American seedling dahlias. Silver medal. G. H. Stryker, Strykers Bay, New- York, for twenty-four fine blooms of named dahlias. Transactions American Institute. ROSES. Judges — N. S. Becar, George C. Thorburn, Archibald Hen- derson. Charles More, Ninety-eighth-street, Third avenue, for the best named roses. Silver medal. Mateo Donadi, Forty -fourth- street, Bloomingdale, for twenty varieties of superb roses. Boudoir Botany. David Clarke, Bloomingdale, New-York, for twenty varieties of superb roses. Downing's Landscape Gardening. 602 [Assembly Cadwallader Owens, Carolina Hall, Flushing, L. I., for the best six seedling roses. Silver medal. BOUQUETS. Judges — N. J. Becar, George C. Thorburn, Archibald Hen- derson. Walter Park, 805 Broadway, for the best pair of hand bouquets. Silver medal. J. T. Malone, Jersey City, New-Jersey, for a splendid pair hand bouquets. Boudoir Botany. John E. Ranch, Brooklyn, Long-Island, for a pair of large hand bouquets. Transactions State Agricultural Society. Alfred Bridgeraan, Broadway, Eighteenth-street, for a beautiful pair of hand bouquets. Parson's Rose Manual. Edward Schickler, Broadway, Fiftieth-street, for a pair of pretty table bouquets. Transactions American Institute. John Cranstoun, Hoboken, New-Jersey, for a pair of small but very neat bouquets. Bridgeman's Florist's Guide. FLOWERS. Judges — Peter B. Mead, Francis J. Smith, William S. Car- penter. William Beekman, Fifty-fifth-street and Sixth avenue, for the largest and best display of dahlias. Silver cup, or $15. Mateo Donadi, Forty-fourth-street, Bloomingdale, for a large and splendid display of dahlias. Silver cup, or |10. John E. Ranch, Gowanus, Long-Island, for a beautiful display of dahlias. Silver cup, or $8. H. A. Graef, Brooklyn, for a beautiful display of dahlias. Silver medal. Charles More, Ninety-eighth-street, Third avenue, for a display of fine dahlias. Boudoir Botany. A. P. Cumings, Williamsburgh, Long-Island, for a fine display of dahlias. Downing's Horticulturist. William Wright, Newark, New- Jersey, for a good display of dahlias. Hovey's Magazine of Horticulture. D. Boll, Broadway, and Fiftieth-street, for a display of fine dahlias. Leuchar on Hothouses. No. 129.] C03 John Cranstoun, Hoboken Point, New-Jersey, for the best dis- play of bouquets. Silver cup, or $8. Mrs. A. A. Smith, Brooklyn, Long-Island, for a beautiful dis- play of bouquets. DoAvning's "Horticulturist. Richard W. D. Riddoch, Stuyvesant-street, for a pretty display of bouquets. Downing's Horticulturist. J. & P. Henderson, Harsimus, New- Jersey, for several beautiful bouquets. Hovey's Magazine of Horticulture. Andrew Reid, Broadway, for very pretty bouquets. Parson's Rose Manual. George Brown, 9 John-street, for a very pretty bouquet. Mrs. Loudon's Flower Garden. John Cranstoun, Hoboken Point, New-Jersey, for the best and most beautifully arranged flower basket. Silver cup, or $8. Alfred Bridgeman, corner Broadway and Eighteenth-street, for a beautifully formed flower basket. Boudoir Botany. William Cranstoun, Hoboken Point, New-Jersey, for the best floral design. Silver cup, or $10. Mrs. C. C. Hemingway, Williamsburgh, Long-Island, for two beautifully formed bouquets of natural grasses. Parson's Rose Manual. George Haufe, 659 Broadway, for a beautiful pyramid of dahl- ias. Leuchar on Hothouses. Henry Bridgeman, New- York, lor a good show of dahlias. Parsons' Rose Manual. Charles More, Ninety-eighth-street and Third avenue, for the largest and best display of roses and cut flowers. Silver cup, or $8. Mateo Donadi, Forty-fourth-street, corner Bloomingdale Road, for a large and splendid display of roses and cut flowers. Silver medal. B. Boll, Broadway and Fiftieth-street, for a beautiful display of roses and cut flowers. Parsons' Rose Manual. VEGETABLES. Judges — William M. White, Francis Briell, Isaac Buchanan. Jacob P. Giraud, Jr. Bergen, New- Jersey, for the choicest as- sortment of culinary vegetables. Silver cup, or $8. 604 I Assembly H. C. Murphy, Yellow Hook, Long-Island, Patrick Condon, gardener, for a fine display of culinary vegetables. Silver medal. Roswell L. Colt, Paterson, New- Jersey, for the best and greatest variety of vegetable roots for cattle. Silver cup, or $8. J. P. Giraud, jr., Bergen, N. J., for a choice display of cattle roots Silver medal. R. K. Delafield, Staten Island, Christopher Byrne, gardner,for the best long blood beets. Bridgeman's Gardener's Assistant. William Timpson, Bergen, N. J., for the best turnip rooted heets. American Agriculturist. H. C. Murphy, Yellow Hook, L. I., Patrick Condon, gardener, for the bt'St sugar beets. Brown's Muck Book. Archibald Henderson, Middle-village, L. I., for the best man- gold wurzel beets. American Agriculturist. Jacob P. Giraud, jr., Bergen, N. J., for the best cape broccoli. Bridgeman's Gardener's Assistant. Charles Winn, West Cambridge, Mass., Corson & Shields, agents, Washington Market, for the best cauliflower. American Agri- culturist. Archibald Henderson, Middle-village, L. I., for the best drum head ca'obage. Buel's Farmer's Companion. William H. Hughes, Matteawan Point, for the best Dutch cab- bage. Brown's Muck Book. R. K. Delafield, Staten Island, Christopher Byrne, gardener for the best table carrots. N. Y. Farmer and Mechanic. Roswell L. Colt, Paterson, N. J., for the best table parsnips. Transactions American Institute. R. K. Delafield, Staten Island, Christopher Byrne, gardener, for the best cattle parsnips. Transactions State Agricultui-al So- ciety. Roswell L. Colt, Paterson, N. J., for the best white solid celery. Farmer's Library. R. K. Delafield, Staten Island, for the best egg plants. Browne's Muck Book. Roswell L. Colt, Paterson, N. J., for the best white onions. Bridgeman's Gardener's Assistant. Emma R. Purse, Newark, N. J., for the best yellow onions. Faimer's Dictionary. No. 129. 1 605 Benjamin Vail, Chester, N", Y., for tlie best red onions. Al- len's Farm Book. John Brill, Newark, N. J., for the best seedling potatoes. Ste- phen's Book of the Tarm. Garret D. Van Rajpen, Bergen, N. J., for the best potatoes for the table. Farmer's Dictionary. William Baker, Union, N. J., for excellent potatoes for the ta- ble. Bridgeman's Gardener's Assistant. Conrad Beam, Pompton Plains, N. J., for the best cattle pota- toes. Farmer's Dictionary. E. H. Kimball, Flatlauds, L. I., for excellent cattle potatoes. Buel's Farmer's Companion. Wm. H. Hughes, Matteawan Point, N. J., for the three best cheese pumpkins. Farmer's Dictionary. Jacob P. Giraud, jr., Bergen, N. J-, for the three best cattle pumpkins. American Agriculturist. Samuel Arthur & Brothers, Mammakeating, New- York, for the best and largest pumpkins. Blake's Farmers' Everyday Book. R. K. Delafield, Staten Island, Christopher Byrne, gardener, for the best vegetable marrow squashes. Blake's Farmers' Eve- ryday Book. H. C. Murphy, Yellow Hook, Long Island, Patrick Condon, gardener, for the best crook-necked squashes. American Agri- culturist. Nathan Barrett, Factoryville, Staten Island, for tlie best and largest squash. Blake's Agriculture. William Timpsou, Bergen, New- Jersey, for the best tomatoes. Farmers' Dictionary. Jacob P. Giraaid, jr., Bergen, New- Jersey, for superior tomatoes. Buist's Kitchen Gardener. R. K. Delafield, Staten Island, Christopher Byrne, gardener, for the best salsify. Buist's Kitchen Gardener. Samuel T. Jones, New Brighton, S. I., for the best Ruta Baga turnips. Farmers' Dictionary. R. K. Delafield, Staten Island, Christopher Byrne, gardeners for superior cattle beets. Transactions American Institute. Thomas J. Smith, Goshen, New-York, for a fine show of winter squashes. Transactions American Institute. 606 [Assembly Samuel T. Jones, New-Brighton, S. I., for extra fine Carter po- tatoes. Transactions New-York State Agricultural Society. William Timpson, Bergen, New- Jersey, for fine pumpkins and squashes. Transactions American Institute. Joseph Porta Lussi, Brooklyn, for extra large and superior white radishes. Transactions American Institute. J. A. Perry, Owls Head, New Utrecht, Long Island, for superior citron melons. Transactions American Institute. Special Premiums. John Combs, 3 Washington Market, for extra fine Delaware sweet potatoes. Transactions American Institute. Mrs. Bulow, Locust Grove, New-Jersey, for a new variety of large table pumpkins of much excellence. Transactions Ameri- can Institute. Phillip Rikest, Seventieth-street, Bloomingdale, New- York, for extra fine white solid celery. Transactions American Institute. Simon Denyse, New Utrecht, Long Island, for extra fine crook- necked squashes. Transactions American Institute. Mrs. George S. Fox, West Farms, Westchester county, N. Y., for three varieties of curious and very pretty beets. Transac- tions American Institute. Benjamin G. Forbes, 188 Laurens-street, for a fine show Smyrna squashes. Transactions American Institute. MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES. Judges — Peter B. Mead, William S. Carpenter, Caleb F. Linds- ley. Remington & Co., 193 Chrystie-street, for the choicest and largest assortment of preserves. Silver medal. Isaac Retchow, 144 Liberty street, for a fine assortment of pre- serves. Webster's Encyclopedia. Edwards & Piatt, Brooklyn, L. I., for the best honey in the comb. Miner's Bee Manual. Remington & Co., 193 Chrystie street, for the best assortment of pickles. Mrs. Beecher's Recipe Book. Richard Hawkins, Somerset county, N. J., for fine French burr pickles. Mrs. Beecher's Recipe Book. No. 129.] 607 Wm. B. Euchanan, Morton & Latrobe, agents, Baltimore, Md., for a superior Wheeling ham, cured on the Westphalia plan. Diploma. A. W. Daby, 61 Elizabeth street, for a sample of superior mus- tard. Diploma. E. J. Tryon, agent, 9 John street, N. Y., for the best garden syringe. Diploma. Wm. S. Mcllvaine, Brooklyn, L. I., for a canary of superior song. Diploma. Townend Glover, Fishkill Landing, N. Y., for inimitable spe- cimens of model fruits. Silver cup, $15. Jordan L. Mott, 264 Water street, for cast iron vases for garden ornaments. Silver medal having been before awarded. Diplo- ma. Jules Lachaume, Hastings, N. Y., for garden decorations. Sil- ver medal. AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. Judges — Nicholas Wyckoff, Thomas Bell, L: C. Pettis. Emery & Co., Albany, N. Y.,for the largest and a very superior collection of agricultural implements. Gold medal. Paris Furnace Company, David J. Millard, Clayville, Oneida county. New- York, for scythes and forks of superior material and workmanship. Gold medal. Draper & Clark, Berea, Ohio, Henry Westervelt, agent, 195 Front-street, for scythe-snaths with improved 'fastenings. Silver medal. H. R. Ball, Stapleton, Staten Island, for the best draining tile. Silver medal. John Jones, 197 Water-street, for an improved fruit gatherer. Diploma. J. R. Knapp, 168 Reade-street, for a straw cutter. Diploma. Eddy & Co., Union Village, Washington county, N. Y., for an improved threshing machine. Gold medal. Eddy & Co., Union Village, Washington county, N. Y., for a twenty feet horizontal horse power. Gold medal. 608 [Assembly Eddy & Co., Union Village, Washington county, N. Y., for an improved side hill plow. Silver medal. Samuel Wilkinson, Middletown, Orange county, N. Y., for the best loop buck-eye grain cradles. Silver medal. Chapman Warner, Kentucky, for a churn. Diploma. G. F. Jerome, Hempstead Branch, Long Island, for the best fanning mill. Silver medal. John R. Wilson, Bellvale, Orange county, N. Y.,for straw, hay and corn-stalk cutter. Diploma. Joseph B. Tillinghast, Graham Station, Ohio, for a superior patent churn. Silver medal. M. Soverel, Orange, New Jersey, for improved hanging for a gate. Silver medal. N. Chapin, Syracuse, N. Y., for a portable cider mill. Silver medal. G. F. Jerome, Hempstead Branch, Long Island, for a good horse-power. Silver medal. R. Daniels, Woodstock, Vermont, for the best hay and straw cutter. Silver medal. John B. Wickerham, 241 Broadway, for a good wire fence fastening. Silver medal. Gillet & Allis, Windsor, Connecticut, for an excellent cheese press. Silver medal. Richard J. Gatling, Indianapolis, Indiana, for a very superior wheat drill. Gold medal. Edwards & Piatt, Brooklyn, Long Island, for a superior apiary. Silver medal. N. Potter, Buffalo, N. Y., for an improved bee hive, to prevent the attacks of moths. Silver medal. J. C. Bertholf, Sugar. Loaf, Orange county, N. Y., for a straw and corn-stalk cutter. Silver medal. TESTING OF PLOUGHS. Judges — Ralph Hall, Thomas Bell, Nicholas Wyckoft'. B. Myer, Newark, New-Jersey, for the best plough, combining the greatest number of requisites to plough a furrow sixteen inches wide and eight inches deep. Silver cup, or $8. No. 129.] 609 John Moore, 191 Front-street, for the second best do. Silver medal. John Moore, 191 Front-street, for the best plough, combining the greatest number of requisites to plough a furrow twelve inch- es wide and six inches deep. Silver cup, or $8. John Moore, 191 Front-street, for the second best do. Silver medal. Minor Horton k Co., Peekskill, N. T., for their clipper plough, adapted for clay soil and deep ploughing. Diploma. Eddy & Co., Union Village, Washington county, N. Y., for an iron plough. Diploma. FLOWING MATCH. Judges — Barnet Johnson, Peter Wyckoff, Jordan L. Mott, Geo. M. Hubbard, John B. Gedney, Edwin Keeler, Henry Keeler. Joseph Swannell, Red Bank, Monmouth county, New- Jersey, for the best ploughing. Silver cup, or $8. W. D. Odell, Westchester county, N. Y., for the second best ploughing. Silver me^al. William Henry Fish, Westchester cormty, N. Y., for the third best ploughing. Diploma. [Assembly, No. 129. j 39 MANUFACTURING AND MECHANICAL DEPARTMENT. AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL DRAWING. Judges — Jas. Gray, Wm. Hurry, jr., John W. Ritch. W H. Low, Albany, N. T., for the best mechanical drawing. Diploma. JohnH. Capel, Brooklyn, L. I., for the second best mechanical drawing. Diploma. ALGiE. Judges — Charles F Durant, J. D B. Stillman. Mrs. A. D. Frye, S3 Pike street, for the best specimens of algae. Gold medal John Hooper, Brooklyn, L. 1., for the second best specimens of algae. Silver medal BATHS Judges — D. Meredith Reese, Edward Gray, Isaac Green, James A. Kissam, 93 Fulton St., for the best heater and bath. Diploma. C. C. C. Dennison, for amarble wash basin and dips. Diploma. Minor's work John W Loeke, 47 Ann St., for a shower bath $-3 and a certificate BELLS Judges — ^James P. Allaire, Thomas Hall, Edward Hodges. Andrew Meneely, West Troy, N. Y., for superior bells. A gold medal having been before awarded Diploma No. 129.] 611 BOATS AND OARS Judges— Eugene Farr, R. Fish, Wm. De La Montaguie, jr. J. L. Tobey, 300 West St., for the best boat, " Sea Drift." Sil- Ter medal. George W. James, Brooklyn, for the second best boat, " E. P- Valentine." Diploma. Ezekiel Page, 20 West St., for the best oars and sweeps. Sil- ver medal. * BOOK BINDING. Judges— Thomas S. Smith, Charles Harvey, P. Hogan Francis & Loutrel, 77 Maiden Lane, for the best blank books. Diploma. ^ Bowne & Co., 150 Pearl St., for the second best blank books. Diploma. Henry Fairclough, 194 Fulton St., for a beautiful specimen «f book binding. Silver medal. ladies' boots and shoes. Judges— E. J. Smith, C. Middleton, A. S. Rogers Benjamin Shaw, 73 Canal St., for the best gaiter boots and satin slippers- Silver medal. W. L. Whiting, 435 Broadway, for the best black gaiter boots with welt and spring heel. Silver medal. BRITANNIA AND PLATED WARE. Judges— Luceus Hart, Wm. F. Sumner, Stephen Curtis, jr. Reed & Barton, Taunton, Mass., J. & G. Berrian, agents, 601 Broadway, for best specimens of plated Britannia ware. Silver medal. * Filley& Mead, Philadelphia, Pa., T. T. Wilmerding, agent, 193 Pearl St., for nickel silver ware. A Silver medal having been before awarded. Diploma - Camp & Co., Clark and Wilson, agents, 13 Cliflf st., for Ger man silver plated spoons. Diploma 612 [Assembly Ames Manufacturing Co., Chicopee, Mass., J. N. Olcott, agent, 15 Maiden Lane, for beautiful specimens of plated cake baskets and castors. Silver medal. George Pratt, 91 Jane street, for Britannia lamps and candle- sticks of superior finish. Diploma. John H. Whitlock, Troy, N. Y., for fine Britannia ware. Di- ploma. Luther Boardman, East Haddam, Conn., T. B. Clark & Co., agents, 13 Piatt st., for Britannia spoons. Diploma. BRUSHES. Judges — Richard Tweed, J. C. Skaden, H. R. Mount, Abel & Bicknel, Philadelphia, Pa., for excellent specimens of cloth, hair, tooth, and shaving brushes. Gold medal. Steele & Co., 53 Nassau St., and 305 Pearl St., for excellent specimens of feather brushes. Gold medal. CABINET WARE. J. C. Baldwin, Bernard Bosch, John W. Southack. P. O'Neil, Philadelphia, Pa., for the protean chair. Gold medal. E. Bulkley, 56 Beekman St., for an oak bulfet, carving fine, and good workmanship. Silver medal. Richard Lee, 361 Broad St., for a model of a portfolio stand. Diploma. Charles Volkert, 93 Elm St., for very superior carved mould- ing, and inlaid work. Diploma. T. Brooks, 127 Fulton st.', Brooklyn, for a rosewood inlaid table and carved gilt arm chair. Silver medal. J. H. Eraser, corner West Broadway and Reade streets, for a show case, excellent workmanship. Silver medal. Solomon Chapin, Brattleboro, Vt., R. H. Middleton, agent, N. T. city, for an adjusting excelsior chair. Diploma. James H. Cooke, 36 Boadway, for a walnut desk. Diploma. R. H. & J. G. Isham, 27th street, between 8th and 9th ave- nues, for the best sand and emery paper. Silver medal. Blanchard & Parsons, 187 Water-street, for sand and emery paper. Diploma. No. 129.J 613 CAKE AND CONFECTIONERY. Judges— James R. Smith, John W. Chambers, Wm, Hall. Nathan Rainor, 400 Grand-street, for the best plum cake. Silver medal. Benjamin Wilt, 324 Grand-street, for the second best plum cake. Diploma. J. Govaert, 376 Pearl-street, for superior sweet chocolate and cocoa. Silver medal. E. Lawrence, 11^ Third avenue, for superior fancy biscuit. Diploma. F. Stokes, 280 Bowery, for excellent fancy biscuit. Diploma. H. Tateosyan, 52 Second- street, for superior fig paste. Di- ploma. Wm. L. Bull, 475 Broadway, for pomegranate and fruit paste. Diploma. CARPETING. Judges— George W. Betts, William Sloan, Geo. E. L. Hyatt. Griswold & Co., Troy, N. Y., George Hastings & Co., agents, 5 South William-street, for the best velvet and tapestry carpeting. Gold medal. A. & E. S. Higgius & Co., 22 Broad^street, for the second best tapestry brussels and velvet carpeting. Silver medal. A. & E. S. Higgins & Co., 22 Broad-street, for superior impe- rial three-ply carpetings. Diploma. Robert Kiers, 249 Fulton-street, Brooklyn, L. I., for superior rag carpeting. Diploma. CARRIAGES, SLEIGHS AND AXLES. Judges — David A. Wood, John R. Lawrenee, Isaac Ford. Williams & Dingee, 14 Amity Place, for the best carriage. Gold medal. John H. Wood, Miner & Stevens, agents, 368 Broadway, for the best leather top wagon. Gold medal. John C. Ham, 360 Broadway, for second best leather top wa- gon. Silver medal. Theo. V. Seaman, 124 8th-street, for the best wagon without top. Silver medal. 614 [Assembly Armoiir Brothers, 87 6th-5treet, for second best wagon without top. Diploma. John G. Ostrom, Rhinebeek, N. Y., Wood, Tomlinson & Co., agents, 369 Broadway, for the best one-horse sleigh. A silver • medal having been awarded. Diploma. John Schoonmaker and D. Smith, Rhinebeek, Miner & Stevens, agents, for second best one horse sleigh. Diploma. R. J. Jimmerson, cor. Avenue C and 10th street, for the best omnibus. Silver medal. John Petrie, 50 3d avenue, for the best child's carriage. Di- ploma. W. H. Sanders, Smith, Van Horn & Co., agents, 271 Pearl St., for the best mail coach axles. Silver medal. Alfred E. Smith, Bruxville, N. Y., for second best mail wagon axles. Diploma. Saunier & Crane, 16 Amity Place, for the best carriage bows. Diploma. Galpin & Foster, Greenpoint, L. I., for patent hub fastening. Silver medal. Patent Band Wrench Co., Claremont, N. H., Smith, Van Horn & Co., agents, 271 Pearl street, for a patent wrench. Silver medal. Harrison, Breese & Co., Newark, N. J., for axles and harness farniture. Diploma. J. H. Barnes, New-Haven, Conn., for couplings for whiffletrees and drawbar. Silver medal. CARVING. Brewer & Connell, 52 Fulton street, for a large composition mirror frame. , Diploma. De Witt C. Mott, Morrisiana, N. Y., for carved table legs- (carved by machinery.) Silver medal. CASTINGS. Judges — N. M. Stratton, Lewis S. Dod, James L. Jackson. J. W. Audubon, 26th street, near 10th avenue, for the best specimen of casting in bronze. Gold medal. Thomas F. Hoppin, Providence, R. I., for the model of the Dog " Sentinel." Gold medal. No 129] 615 • CLOCKS. AND WATCHES. Judges— S, W. Benedict, J. Y. Savage, Jr., J. T. Williston. Frederick Kiddle, 88 Fulton street, for the escapement for a marine time-piece. Gold medal. Henry Sperry & Co., 159 Broadway, for an office clocic. Sil- ver medal. James Sinclair, 176 1st avenue, for a marble time piece stand. Silver medal. Minorh work. rienry A. Lyon, Newark, N. J., for a magic watch case. $10 and a certificate. CLOTHING. Judges— Isaac Brown, E. W. Tryon, George W. Farnham. William A. Ludlow, Newark, N. J., for the best specimen oi clothing. Diploma. Daniel P. Smith, 120 Fulton-street, for the second best clothing. Diploma. Waterbury Button Company, Waterbury, Conn., D. M. Knight & Co., agents., 53 Cedar-street, for the best specimen of buttons. Silver medal. D. W. Graves & Co., 22 Liberty-street, for the second best spe- cimen of buttons. Diploma. H. B. Pettigrew, 4 Gourtlandt-street, for the beet report of feshions. Diploma. Genio C. Scott, 130 Broadway, for the second best report ©f fashions. Diploma. ccopeb's work. Judges— Hugh Aikman, J. M. T. Bensel, Francis O'Brien. A. O. Merritt, at H. Hays, 146 Suffolk-street, for the best iron bound keg. Silver medal. John H. Weeks, 7 Montgomery-street, for a miniatuse oval double harness cask. Diploma. G. Moore, 24 Moore-street, for a wooden hooped keg. Diploma. Joseph C. Way, 10^ Front-street, for a loose tierce. Diploma. G. A. Robins, 144 Suffolk-street, for workmanship on a ke.g. Diploma . 616 [Assembly Charles Graves, 52 Rose-street, for an oval keg. Diploma. Samuel Rennie, 50 West-street, for an iron bound keg. Diplo- ma. James A. Coster, 67 Franklin-street, for neat cedar pails and churns. Diploma. William Elfray, 31 Orchard-street, for a cedar pail. Diploma. George Browndridge, 14 Franklin-street, for a Cedar churn. Diploma. John C. Riley, 32 Robinson-street, for a brass handled pail. Diploma. W. Wallace, 305 Greenwich-street, for an iron-bound water pail. Diploma. Minoi'^s Work. William Harper, East Hoboken, N. J., for pails tub and churn. $5 and a certificate. James Scott, 23 Old Slip, for an iron bound keg. $3 and a cer- tificate. William Arnold, 48 Robinson-street, for a pail. Diploma. COTTON GOODS. Judges — Frederick A. Lee, Haynes Lord, William E. Shep- herd. Williamsville Manufacturing company, Providence, R. I., Nes- mith & Co., agents., 52 Broad-street, N. Y., for the best specimen of brown sheeting. Silver medal. Wamsutta Mills, New-Bedford, Mass., Willard & Wood, ageats, 40 and 42 Broad-street, for the best bleached shirtings. Gold medal. New-York Mills, Oneida county, N. Y., Charles Carville, agent, 17 Broad-street, for bleached shirtings. Silver medal. Utica Steam Mills, Utica, N. Y., for bleached shirtings. Di- ploma. New-York Mills, Oneida county, N. Y., Charles Carville, agent, 17 Broad-street, for the best bleached jeans. Gold medal. Ida Manufacturing Company, Troy, N. Y., Charles Carville, agent, 17 Broad-street, for superior cottonades. Silver medal. No. 129.J 617 Ida Mauufacturing company, Troy, N. Y., Charles Carville, agent, 17 Broad-street, for the best changeable chambrays. Di- ploma. Ida ManufacturiDg compaiiy, Troy, N. Y., Charles Carville, agent, 17 Broad-street, for the be«t ginghams. Silver medal. Glasgow Manufacturing company. South Hadley Falls, Mass., Atwater, Knapp k Woodruff, agents, 33 Broad-street, for the se- cond best ginghams. Diploma. D. Lammot & Son, Philadelphia, Pa., Nesmith & Co., agents, 52 Broad-street., for very superior tickings. Silver medal. J. C. Dodge & Son, Dodgeville, Mass., for printing cloth with an uncommonly perfect selvage. Diploma. Hope Mills, Providence, R. I., for the best silesias, beautifully dyed and finished. Diploma. Victory Manufacturing company, Schuylerville, N. Y., for the second best plain silesias. Diploma. Lonsdale Mills, Providence, R. I., for the best twilled silesias, very perfect in color, texture and iinish. Diploma. Victory Manufacturing company, Schuylerville, N. Y., for the second best twilled silesias. Diploma. A. & W. Sprague, Providence, R. I., Hoyt & TilliDghast, 64 Broad -street, for the best prints. Gold medal. American Print-Works, Fall River, Mass., M'Curdy, Aldrich and Spencer, 30 Broad-street, for the second best prints. Silver Medal. Globe Printing company, Fall River, Mass., Hoyt k Tilling- hast, 64 Broad-street, for purple prints. Diploma. W. G. B. Dexter, Pawtucket, N. J., for the best knitting cot- ton. Diploma. Robert Rennie, Lodi, N". J., for handsome specimens of print- ing. Diploma. Lonsdale company, Providence, R.J., for specimens of dyed cambrics. Diploma. A. Wortendyke, Paterson, N. J., for superior chandler's wick. Diploma. Willimantic Duck company, Willimantic, Ct., Fox & Polhe- mus, agents, 59 Broad-street, for best specimen cotton duck. Sil- ver medal. 018 [Assembly Benjarain Flanders, Baltimore, Md., for the second best speci- men cotton duck. Diploma. H. H. Stevens, Webster, Mass., Dale & Wright, agents, 44 Broad street, best linen diaper and crash. Gold medal having been before awnrded. Diploma. •» D. Gavin Scott, Paterson, N. J., excellent specimens linen and cotton diaper. Silver medal. Mrs. H. Weir, Pittstown, N. Y., for excellent specimens plain twilled and diaper brown linens. Silver medal. John H. Bacon, Winchester, Mass., W. & J. Morrison, 9 Maiden Lane, for best lamb's wool and cotton wadding. Diploma. CUTLERY- Judges— A. W. Spies, Thomas C. Van Holsen, Francis Many. Waterville Manufacturing Co., Waterbury, Conn., F. C. Whee- ler, agent, 7 Gold street, for best pen and pocket knives. Gold medal. Lamson, Goodnow & Co., Shelburne Falls, Mass., and 7 Gold street, for best table knives and forks, butcher's and other knives. Gold medal. Pratt, Ropes, Webb & Co., Meriden, Conn., A. R. Moea & Co., 90 John street, for second best table cutlery. Silver medal. R. Heinisch, Nassau sti-e«t, cor. Fnlton, for fhe best tailor's shears. A Gold medal having before been awarded. Diploma. Leonard & Wendt, 29 GoW street, for the second best tailor's- shears. Silver Medal. DAGUERREOTYPES. Judges— Napoleon Sarony, Geo. H. Kite,?. D' Avignon. M. A. & S. Root, 363 Broadway, for the best daguerreotypes. ' Gold medal. J. Gurney, 159 Broadway, for the second best daguerreotypes. Silver medal. J. H. Whitehouse,349 Broadway, for the third best daguerreo- types. Diploma. J. D. W. Brinckerhoff, 383 Broadway, for still-life daguerreo- type viewf! Silver medal. No. 129 I 619 S. A. Holmes, 389 Broadway, for still-life daguerreotype views. Silver medal. H. Whittemore, Worcester, Mass., for the second best still-life- daguferreotype views. Diploma. Joseph Atkins, 219 Fulton street, Brooklyn, L. I., for Cameo daguerreotypes. Silver medal. H. E. Insley, -311 Broadway, for illuminated daguerreotypes. Silver medal. , Krohl k Vetter, 499 Broadway, for phototypes. Silver medal. Mrs. Bertha WeBnert, Beckman & Brothers, 385 Broadway, for phototypes. Silver medal C. C. Harrison, 85 Duane street, for daguerreotype cameras.- Gold me4al. W & W. H. Lewis, 142 Chatham street, for stools, tables, head- rests, and gilding stands, for daguerreo typists. Diploma. D. D. T. Davie, Utiea, N. Y.,.for a photographic camera stand. Diploma. W. k W. H. Lewis, 142 Chatham street, for a machine for buff- ing daguerreotype plates. Diploma. DIES AND CHASING. Judges — W, H. Bridgeois, Frederick Gbll. L. T. Boland, 186 Fulton street, for be-st crests and ornaments Silver medal. William M. Tompson, 169 William street, for the best feook- binder's stamps, in design and finish. Silver medal. Henry Mugge. 2--2 Centre street, for specimen of modeling in silver, ♦ Diploma. DENTISTRY. Judges — Frederick H. Clark, Jehial Parmly, George Clay. D. H. Porter, 290 Broadway, for the best specimens of block teeth. Silver medal. Samuel Wardle, Philadelphia, Penn., for the second best spe- cimens of block teeth. Diploma. John D. Chevalier, 193 Broadway, for superior dental instru- ments. Silver medal. 020 [Assembly G. A. Cooper, Brooklyn, L. I., for excellent specimens of* mounting of block teeth. Diploma. DRUGS AND CHEMICALS. Judges — James R. Chilton, Wm. H. Ellet, Isaiah Deck, John H. Currie. Arthur Nix, Macomb's Dam, N. Y., for the best specimens of white wax and wax tapers. Silver medal. Wm. G. Appleton, Quincy, Mass., Schiefielin and Fowler,, agents, 142 Front street, for the second best white wax. Di- ploma. T. Kingsford & Son, Oswego, N. Y., A. A. Thompson, agent, 196 Fulton street, for the best pure corn starch. Silver medal. J. T. Duff, Bush wick, L. I., James Duff, agent, 150 Rivington street, for the second best corn starch. Diploma. John D. W. Wight, & Co., Twenty-fifth street, west of Tenth avenue, Schieffelin & Fowler, agents, 142 Front street, for the best refined soda ash. Silver medal. Globe Works, Philadelphia, Pa., A. H. Sterlin, agent, 142 Front street, for the second best soda ash. Diploma. H. L. Kendall & Co., Providence, Rhode Island, R. H. Green & Sons, agents, 94 Wall-street, for the best bleached lard oil. Silver medal. Litchfield & Co., 154 Front-street, for the second best lard oil. Diploma. C. Pavey, 277 Sixth avenue, for a good quality of harness com- position. Diploma. H. L. Kendall & Co., Providence, Rhode Island, R. H. Green & Sons, agents, 94 Wall-street, for the best quality of candles. Sil- ver medal. Litchfield & Co., 154 Front-street, for the second best quality ■of candles. Diploma. Robbinson, Wiggins & Co., 103 Wall-street, for the thii-d beet quality of candles. Diploma. N. J. Exploring and Mining Co., 51 Liberty-street, S. T. Jones, agent, 53 Beaver-street, for a fine assortment of zinc paint. A gold medal having been before awarded — Diploma. No. 129.] 621 James H. Bell, 149 Maiden Lane, for the second best assort- ment of zinc paints. Silver medal. H. W. Wortliington, Philadelphia, Pa., for the best prussiate of potash. Silver medal. Mirrielees & Brothers, Cincinnati, Ohio, Schiefifelin & Fowler, agents, 142 Front-street, for the second best prussiate of potash. Diploma. Leopold Kuh & Kreisher, 95 Cedar-street, for a good display of acids and chemicals. Silver medal. Jackson & Domeneck, 2 Fletcher-street, for a choice assort- ment of chemical preparations. Silver medal. Edward L. Youmans, 49 Cliff-street, for a well arranged chart of chemistry. Silver medal. , Hummel, Bohler & Co., Philadelphia, Pa., Hall, Ruckell & Co., agents, 220 Greenwich-street, for essence of coffee. Silver medal. H. S. Farley, 133 Mercer-street, for very fine and beautiful specimens of Scagliola marble. Gold medal. American Soap Company, 87 Nassau-street, for a good quality of soft soap, called Fames Cream Soap Composition. Diploma. Gail Borden, jr., 84 WilKam street, for specimen of a new and highly valuable article of food called the meat biscuit, and for very fine and pure beef lard, being a fine substitute for ordinary lard. Gold medal. B. T. Babbitt,'70 Washington-street, for a good quality of yeast powder. Diploma. H. L. Kendall & Co., Providence, Rhode Island, R. H. Greene and Sons, agents, 94 Wall-street, for the best improved olive soap for family use . Silver medal . William McCord & Co., 141 Sullivan-street, for the second best family washing soap. Diploma. J. S. Fraser & Co., Boston, James Pyle, agent, 159 West-street^ for a good and economical article, " the Chinese Lustral Washing Fluid." Diploma. Thomas Husband, Philadelphia, Pa., for the best calcined mag- nesia, a silver medal having been before awarded, a Diploma. Charles Ellis & Co., Philadelphia, Pa., for the second best cal- cined magnesia. Diploma. 622 , I Assembly Elihu B. Estes, Brooklyn, Long Island, George Cook, agent, 168 Greenwich, for the best black writing ink. Diploma. James B Williams & Co., Glastonbury, Connecticut, for the second best black writing fluid Diploma H. Guerrier, 122 Liberty-street, for a good quality of extract of safflower. Diploma. J W. Kelly, 464 Broadway, for the best lemon sugar. Di- ploma. William Blake, 72 East Twenty-third-street, for the best fire- proof paint. Gold medal having been before awarded, a Diploma. Mead & Fullmer, 19 Eighth avenue, for the second best fire- proof paint. Diploma. John Van Deventer, 231 Washington-street, for the best paste blacking. Silver medal. Wotton & Annear, Philadelphia, Pa., for the second best paste blacking. Diploma James McCombie, 601 Broadway, for the best furniture polish. Diploma. Reynolds & Brothers, Glenn Putnam, agent, 85 Liberty-street, for .^tna safety fuse, a silver medal having been before awarded, Diploma J. & J. L. Seabury, corner Chrystie and Delancy-streets, for excellent specimen of plumbago. Silver medal Emanuel Lyon, 424 Broadway, for the best insect -exterminator. Silver medal having been before awarded, a Diploma W. Burger & Co , 34 Cortland-street, for a fine specimen of re- fined saltpetre Gold medal. Tilden & Co., New Lebanon, N. Y., W. T. Peck, 98 John-street, agent, for a fine assortment of medicinal extracts. A silver medal having been before awarded, a Diploma. Jonathan E. Morrill, Fall river, Massachusetts, for the best stove polish. Diploma. R. H. & J. G. Isham, 71 Fulton-street, specimens of grinding drugs and chemicals. Diploma. Joseph Lombard, 350 Sixth avenue, for the best vermicelli. Diploma.' L. C. Dale, Boston, Mass., Charles H. Ring, agent, John-street, corner Broadway, for tooth powder Diploma No. 129. 1 <323 E. T. Barker, Forty-third-street, between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, for the best friction matches. Diploma. William J. Wilcox, 81 Barclay-street, for a good quality of or- dinary friction matches. Diploma. Thomas Andrews, 147 Ceder-street, for the best carbonate of soda, saleratus, &c. Diploma. Theodore Schwartz, 14 Jacob-street, for superior Pans green, A gold medal having been before awarded. Diploma Chas. H. Meyer, 502 Seventh avenue, for the best refined cam- phor. Diploma. S. H. Vanderhoff, 765 Greenwich, for samples of fine flavored syrups. Diploma. Wood & Co., 18 Laight-street, for good specimens of sugar re- finer's salts. Diploma. J. W. Kelly, 464 Broadway, for prepared soda for making ex- temporaneous soda water. Diploma. W. J. Roome, 390 1 Broadway, for water-proof leather preser- vative. Diploma. J. Milhau & Co., 183 Broadway, for a good sample of castor oil. Diploma. B. T. Babbit, 70 Washington-street, for soap powder, a good and useful article. Diploma. D. M. Littlejohn & Co., Bridgeport, Conn., for the best burnt umber. Diploma. E. S. Marvin, Otis Woodward, agent, 71 Front-street, for a good quality of saleratu?. Diploma. Elihu B. Estes, Brooklyn, George Cook, agent, 168 Greenwich - street, for fancy smalts for painters, of fine colors. Diploma Zinsser & Scholl, 247 Broome-street, for excellent specimens of sealing wax and bleached shellac. Diploma. Jas. S. Scofield, 127 Duane-street, for an excellent quality of refined liquorice, equal to any imported. Diploma. Clough & Hallenbeck, 1*95 West-street, for a specimen of steam paint. Biploma. John M. Stow, 317 Bo?rery, for an excellent quality of chemi- cal erasive soap. Diploma. Joseph R. Crommelin, Brooklyn, L. I., for the best mustard. Diploma. A. J. Smith, & Co., for printers blaek Diploma 624 I Assembly John D wight & Uo., Twenty-fifth street, west of Tenth avenue, for washing powders. Diploma. EDGE TOOLS, &C. Judges— J. W. Quincy, C. B. Conant, Chas. Blivin. D. R. Barton, Rochester, N. Y., for superior carpenter's, join- ers and cooper's tools. Gold medal. D. R. Barton, Rochester, N. Y., for an improved hay knife. Diploma. Guilford Manufacturing Company, Guilford, Conn., Boyd & Keene, agents, 9 Gold street, for superior polished and steel fire shovels and stands. Silver medal. F. A. Rockwell, Bridgeport, Conn., for clasps and slide socket candlesticks Diploma. John Russell, Sing Sing, N. Y., James Horner k Co., agents, 22 Cliff-street, for a case of files of superior quality. Gold medal. A. K. Pattiscn, 407 and 409 Cherry street, for beautiful enam- elled stair rods. Silver medal. S. Wilson, Quincy and Delapierre, 81 John street, for an iron vice and improved solid metalic block. Diploma. D. May dole, Norwich ^ Conn., for the best hammers. Silver medal. D. R. Barton, Rochester, N. Y., for the second best hammers. Diploma. Josiah Carver, 66 Beaver street, for an improved hand punch. Diploma. Waterbury Brass Company, Waterbury, Conn., T. Wliittemore, agent, for superior brass kettles. Gold medal. Brown, Crawford and Saurbier, Newark, N. J., for saddler's and harness maker's tools of fine finish and superior quality. Silver medal. Barclay and Boutgen, Newark, N. 'J., for skates with iron frames. Diploma. T. B. and S. S. Clark, Meriden, Conn., for tinned iron wire. Silver medal. D. D. Miller, 190 Water street, for a signal lantern und trumpet. Diploma. Logan, Vail & Co., 9 Gold street, for the best finished wrenches. Diploma. ^ No. 129.J 6-25 D. B. Logan, 9 Gold street, for a mince meat cutter, an inge- nious labor-saving machine. Diploma. ,^^ L. Brands, 220| Fifth street, for hand drills. Diploma. S. Merritt; Bliven & Mead, agents, 0 Piatt street, for strong and durable wrenches. Diploma. D. May dole, Norwich, Conn., Bliven & Mead, agents, 9 Piatt street, for a steel spring brace, and an improvement in the man- ner of receiving the bits. Diploma. Daniel Reynolds, Springfield, Mass., for horse shoes. Silver medal. A. M. Walker, Belchertowc, Mass., J. H. Adams, agent, 277 Pearl street, for wire sieves. Diploma. I R. Hoe & Co., 29 Gold street, for superior saws. Gold medal. S. Bolles, East Smithfield, R. I., Bliven & Mead, agents, 9 Piatt street, for hoes with a superior ferrule. Diploma. Willis Churchill, Hampden, Conn., Long & Davenport, agents, 10 Piatt street, for a case of augers of very superior workman ship. Silver medal. R. F. Beebee. Harlem, N.Y., James M. Boyd, agent, 95 Maiden Lane, for a portable glue pot. Diploma. ENGRAVING. Judges — J. W. Paradise, Wm. H, Adams N. Orr, 52 John street, for the best ^ wood engraving. Silver medal. John Andrew, 161 Fulton street, for the second best wood engraving. Diploma. Matthew Dripps, 103 Fulton street, for the best lithographic map engraving. Silver medal. George H. Ives. 15 Spruce street, for the second oest lithogrphic map engraving. Diploma. J. P. Beach, Sun Buildings, Fulton street, for lithographic drawings. Diploma. A. W. Francis, 23 Murray street, for the best stone seal engra- ving. Silver medal. Richard Ten Eyek, 128 Fulton street, for superior wood engra- vings of machinery. Diploma. [Assembly, No. 129.] 40 626 •► [Assembly T. Pittis, 296 Pearl street for superior stencil engraving. Sil- ver medal. Henry S, Smith, 1 Mnrray street, for card engraving. Di- ploma. Henry Hays, 343 Broadway, for superior steel engraving. Sil- ver medal. Minor'' s work. Durbin Van Vleck, 305 Fifth street, for wood engraving. |5 and a certificate. FIKE ARTS, PAINTINGS, DRAWINSj &C. Judges — Heniy B. Smith, Francis A. March, J. H. Shegogue. Thomas Monk, 83 Butler street, Brooklyn, L. I., for the best pastel painting. Silver medal. James Levy, corner Eighteenth street and Third avenue, for the best statuary marble mantle piece. Gold medal. Albert P. Moriarty, 134 Eighteenth 3treet,for painting on hose carriages. Silver medal. W. J. Hanington, 364 Broadway, for the best stained glass. Silver medal. Samuel West, 95 Fourth avenue, for the best landscapes in stained glass; Silver medal. Louis Bafil,' 557 Houston street, for Crayon drawings. Silver medal. Angeline R. Owen, 203 Henry street, for colored Crayon pic- ture and oil painting. Diploma. John Lovejoy, Jr., 31 Bond street, for Crayon drawings. Di- ' ploma. William Sear, 68 Greene street for Crayon drawing. Diploma. Cornelius L. Walley, 425 Third avenue, for a Crayon drawing of a locomotive. Diploma. Benjamin Yates, 259 Henry street, tor drawings. Diploma. G. W. Hoffman, 29 First street for an oil painting. Diploma. W. R. Claperton, 31 East Twenty-seventh street, for a water- color painting. Diploma. Mrs. Jane Hart, 251 Broadway, for engravings colored in oil. Diploma. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison, Williamsburgh, L. L, for map drawing and ornamental lettering. Diploma. No. 129.] 627 Joseph E. Nourse, Fitcbburg, Mass., for a pencil drawing. Di- ploma. James O'Malley, 293 Eroome street, for oil paintings, " Napo- leon and Nativity." Silver medal. Louis Bail, 557 Houston street, for a center piece in plaster. Diploma Minor's work. Donald McKensie, cor. 37tli street and 2d avenue, for crayon drawiiigs. $5 and a certificate. J. L. Eckel, 35 Beekman street, for crayon drawings. $5 and a certificate. J. Bowers Lee, 170 East 14tli street, for crayon drawings. $5 and a certificate. Miss Matilda C. Stephenson, East Brooklyn, for painting on glass Silver medal. ' * FIBE ARMS. Judges — John P. Moore, Joseph Hall, Joseph Rose, Jr. G. H. Penfield, 37 Nassau street, for a superior breech loading rifle, (Sharp's patent.) Gold medal. W. W. Marston, 37 Chatham street, for a breach loading gun, with cap primer. Silver medal. John B. Klein, 109 Canal stieet, for a breech loading gun, with cap primer. Silver medal. C. S. Dixon, 189 Broadway, for the best self-loading and prim- ing gun. Silver medal. Edward Maynard, Washington, D. C, for the best system of priming for fire arms. Gold medal. S. B. Ai-mory, Goshen, N. Y., for the best rilie, as to workman- ship. Silver medal. "Williams & Barnes, New- London, Conn., tor Brown's whaling gun. Silver medal. Eemmington & Son, Herkimer, N. Y., for workmanship on a gun. Diploma. Samuel Colt, Hartford, Conn., for the best revolving pistols of superior workmanship. Gold medal having been before awarded. Diploma. Sprague & Marston, 37 Chatham street, for second best revolv- ing pistols. Silver medal. 628 [Assemble Crittenden & Tibbals, South Coventry, Conn., R. D. Solace, agent, 169 Pearl street, for the best percussion caps. Silver medal. Edward Payson,for the second best percussion caps. Diploma. FIRE-WORKS. Judges — Lewis Forman, James R. Smith, Wm. Ebbitt, John A. Bunting. J. S. & I. Edge, Jersey city, N. J., for the best display of fire- works. $50. FISHING TACKLE. Judges — William Vincent Wallace, J. M. Ashborn, E. Joilie. J. & J. C. Conroy, 52 Fultqn street, for the best fishing tackle and reels. Silver medal. J. B. Crook & Co., 50 Fulton sti'eet, for the second best fishing tackle. Diploma. J. J. Brown, 103 Fulton street, for the second best reels and fine specimens of cotton and flax lines. Diploma. William Tansig & Co., 186 Pearl street, for excellent seines. Diploma. H. Pritchard, 31 Charlton street, for artificial flies. Silver medal. GLASS, EARTHENWARE AND CHINA DECORATIONS. Judges — James Neeves, Henry Haydock, Davis CoUamore. • Brooklyn Flint Glass Company, 30 South William street, for the best plain, cut and pressed flint glass. A gold m^al having been before awarded. Diploma. Brooklyn Flint Glass Company, for the best Venetian and Bo- hemian glassware. Gold medal. Brooklyn Flint Glass Company, for the best druggists' jars. Silver medal. Andrew Ross, 125 Maiden Lane, for druggists' glassware. Sil- ver medal. Woodward, Blakeleys & Co., East Liverpool, 0. W. S. Ham- mersly & Co., agents, 11 Old Slip, for the best Rockingham ware. Gold medal. No, 129. j 62«i Beman & Case, corner Prince street and Broadway, for the sec- ond best Rockingham ware. Silver medal. Bennett & Brother, Pittsburgh, Pa., W. S. Hammersly & Co., agents, 1 1 Old Slip, for the third best Rockingham Avare. Di- ploma • L. D. Gerardin, Jersey city, N. J., for the best decoration on porcelain. Gold medal. Woram & Haughwout, 561 and 5C3 Broadway, for the second best decoration on porcelain. Silver medal. Alexander Young, Foui'th street, between Second and Third Avenue, for the best terra cotta ware. Gold medal. Edward Roach j Roach Brothers, agents, 34 Fulton street, for the second best terra cotta ware. Silver Medal. George Saul, Melbourne, N. Y., for handsomely bronzed terra cotta ware. Diploma. WINDOW GL.4.SS. Judges— S. N. Dodge, John Muckel. New Columbia Glass Company, New Columbia, N. J., Petit & Co., agents, 163 Front street, for window glass, the best color. Silver medal. Jackson's Glass Works, N. J., Richards & Brothers, agents, for specimens of window glass, the best in surface. Silver medal. Joshua Shaw, 142 Nassau street, for improved glazier's dia- monds, beautifully finished. Silver medal. HATS, CAPS, AND FURS. Judges — Charles St. John, Nathan Starr, E. F.^Ryder. John N. Genin, 214 Broadway, for the best silk hat. Silrer medal. W. A. Archer, 270 Greenwich, for the second best silk hat. Di- ploma. John N. Genin, 214 Broadway, for the best soft eassimere hats. Diploma. ^John N. Genin, 214 Broadway, for the best boys' and misses fancy hats and caps. Silver medal. Union Hat Company, 210 Broadway, for the second best boys and misses' fancy hats. Diploma. 630 [Assembly C. Knox, 128 Fulton street, for the second best caps. Diploma. John N. Genin, 214 Broadway, for the best specimens of fancy furs. Silver medal. Francis Landry, 693 Broadway, for the best sable tipped furs. Silver medal. Thomas Youug, 96 Bowery, for the second best fancy furs. Di- ploma. W. A. Archer, 270 Greenwich, for the best sleigh robe. Sil- ver medal. John N. Genin, 214 Broadway, for the second best sleigh robe. Diploma C. Knox, 128 Fulton street, for the best stuffed fancy furs. Silver medal. STRAW HATS, &C., Judges — Chas. Miles, J. H. Hills, T. A. Napier, E. C. Blake. E. Briggs, Jr.; Middleborough, Mass., for the best straw bonnet. Silver medal. L. Cliapin, 22 John street, for the second best straw bonnet. Di- ploma. Mrs. E. N. Robertson, New-York, for the best straw lace. Di- ploma. Miss J. H. Hudson, Franklinville, L. I., for the application of the Southern pine leaves in the manufacture of hats. Goldjmedal. HEMP, &c. Judges— John Travers, Wm. E. Forbes. C. McWay & Son, Williamsburgh, L. I., for the best sample ot American, dew rotted hemp. Silver medal. Lewis S. Morris, 10 Broadway, for the second best American dew rotted hemp. Diploma. W. S. Butler, Brooklyn, L. I., for superior water rotted hemp. Silver medal. Dunnel, Saxton & Duval, Mo.; Josiah Macy and Sons, agents, 189 Front street, for the best sample of American dew rotted undressed hemp . Diploma . Wm. F. Shiddell, Lexington, Ky.,for a beautiful bale of Ame- rican dew rotted hemp. Gold medal. No. 129.[ . 631 John Galbraith, Wisconsin, for superior flax. Gold Medal having been before awarded. Diploma. Lawson & Roberts, 112 Pearl street, for an assortment of cord- age and twine. Silver medal. IMITATIONS WOOD AND MARBLE GRAINING. Judges— Geo. Clark, G. Palmer. E. B. Derby. Mr. Garthwaite, 143 Sixteeth street, for the best specimen of oak graining. Silver medal. J. C. Quarterman, 114 John street, for the second best speei- men of graining. Diploma. H. Goulet, 66 John street, for the best specimen of general graining. Silver medal. Wm. F. Field, 102 Avenue C, for a specimen of rose wood graining. Diploma. INDIA RUBBEB. AND GUTTA PERCHA. Judges — Stephen W. Smith, James R. Smith, John Rynex. Charles Goodyear, 59 Maiden lane, for specimens of several novel applications of India rubber which promises great utility to the arts. Diploma. H. H. Day, 23 Courtlaad street, for the best India rubber shoes. Silver medal. Newark India Rubber Company, Newark, N. J.,^Hiram Hutch- irison. p^"'"^^ fo" ^^/^ jeecnd bc:t Indici rubber shoes. Diploma. H. H. Day, 23 Courtland street, for excellent India rubber car springs... Diploma. John Rider, 28 Pine street, for a successful attempt to vulcan- ize gutta percha. Gold^medal. IVORY TURNING. Judges — F. Wolf, Samuel Shardlow. F. G. Ford, 90 Fulton street for superior ivory turning. Sil- ver medal. LAMPS AND CHANDELIERS. Judges — W. K. Starr, James Donaldson, James G. Moifit. Woram & Haughwout, 561 Broadway, for the best lamps and candelbras. Silver medal. 632 [Assembly Eagles & Lock wood, Newark. N. .7,, for the best coach lamps. Silver medal. Vanderhoff & Bonsall, 10 Laurens street, for the second best coach lamps. Diploma. Olcott & Brothers, Rochester, N. Y., for a locomotive lamp. Silver medal. LEATHEK. Judges — A. H. Kimmel, George Evans, H. M. Warren, Wil- liam Dymock. J. W. Beardsley, 7 Ferry street, for the best specimens of staffed boot and French finished morocco. Silver medal. Leonard, Gallager k Shevill, 51 Ferry street, for the best glazed kid morocco. Silver medal. J. W. Beardsley, 7 Ferry street, for the se<:ond best kid moroc. CO. Diploma. Leonard, Gallager & Shevill, 51 Ferry street, for the second best French finished morocco. Diploma. Adam Smith & Son, 50 Ferry street, for best colored morocco. A Silver medal having been before awarded. Diploma. George P. Brown, Newark, N. J., for best enamelled leather. Diploma. Joseph Bizard, Gowanus, L. I., for patent leather cxilf and goat skin. Diploma. Clark & Chatfield, Cornwall, Orange County, N. V., £. S. Brown, agent, 4 Ferry street, for finished ealf skin. Diploma. George Dudley, Winsted, Conn., James Cook, agent, 295^ Peai'l street, for bark tanned sheep skins. Diploma. Near & Teller, Kingston, N. Y., A. H. Brahe & Co., agents, 27 Ferry street, for oak tanned sole leather for ladies' work. Sil- ver medal. Ree« & Hoyt, 37 Spruce street, for leather tor belting. Silver medal. John H. Bowie & Co., 30 Ferry street, for Croton hose, leather pipes and fire buckets. Gold medal having been before awarded. Diploma. Wm. G. Broad well, '^Newark' N. J., for white leather dressed for organs, shoe lining, &c Silver medal having been before awarded. Diploma No 129.] 633 • Lyon & Co.. Twenty-eighth street, near Eleventh avenue, for scouring stones. Diploma. JLINEN THREAD. Judges — Frederick A. Lee, Wm. E. Shepard, llaynes Lord. F. W. Farnam & Co., Cohoes, N. Y.. Marcus Spring & Co., agents, 41 Exchange Place, for the best plain and satin finished linen thread. Gold medal. Eldridge & Christie, Troy, N. Y., Coffin, Bradley & Co., agents. 44 Exchange Place, for sec<)nd best linen threa«i Silver medal. BANK LOCKS. Judges — L. C. Pettis, Paul Stillman, Benjamin Aycrigg. Day & Newell, 589 Eroadway, for the best bank lock. Gold meda] . F. B. Pye, 424 Broadway, for a bank lock with a chronometer attachment. Gold medal. Lewis Lillie, Troy, N. Y., for an excellent safe lock. Silver, medal. J. H. Butterworth, Dover, N. J., for an excellent safe lock. Silver medal. F. C. Goffin, 62 Cannon street, C. J. Gaylor, agent, for an ex- cellent safe loek. Silver medal LOCKS, DOORS AND HINGES. Judges — Theophilus Gulp, Samuel Boyd. C. Cartlidge & Co.. Gieen Point, L. L, E. B. Watrous, agent. 72 Maiden Lane, toi the best porcelain door knobs. Gold medal. Baldwin & Many, 49 John street, for the best mounted door knobs. Gold medal. Jone^ & Farwell, Boston, Mass., for the mounting of glass door knobs. Silver medal. George H. Swords & Co.. 11 6 Broadway, for second best mount- ed door knobs. Diploma. Joralemon & Fielding, Newark, N. J., for piano forte and me- lodeon locks. Diploma. W, & E. Fitch, New-Haven, Conn., Long & Davenport, agentSy 10 Piatt street, for circular cup cabinet locks. Diploma. •634 [Assembly Pierpoiit, Mallory k Co., New-Haven, Conn., for a card of locks. Silver medal. New-England Butt Company, Providence, R. I., N. P. Petti- bone, agent, 19 Platt street, for superior butt hinges. Diploma. MACHINERY, MODELS AND NEW INVENTIONS. Judges — Isaac W. Ajres, A. B. Taylor, Joseph Dixon, James Bogardus, Samuel S. Ward. Lowell Machine Shop, Lowell, Mass., for the best engine lathe, slotting machine, planing and drilling machine, Gold medal. E. & S. D. Gould, Hedenbergh works, Newark, N. J., for the second best compound planing machine, wheel tooth cutting en- gine and vertical drill. Silver medal. Scranton & Parshly, New-Haven, Conn, for lathes and tools. Diploma. M. Sault & Co., New-Haven, Conn., for an engine lathe, with an improved method of attaching the slide rest to the shears. Silver medal. George H. Dodge, Dodgeville, Attleboro', Mass., for the best cop spinner. Gold medal. Wanton Rouse, Taunton, Massachusetts, for a cop spinner. Gold medal. L M. Singer, 256 Broadway, New- York, for the best sewing machine. Gold medal. E. & T. Fairbanks. St. Johnsbiiry. Vermont, for the ^est railroad ■track, depot, warehouse and counter scales. A gold medal hav- ing been before awarded, Diploma. S. T. McDougall, 258 Pearl-street, for second best platform scale. Silver medal. Duryee, Forsyth & Co., 166 Pearl-street, for the third best platform scale. Diploma. A. W. Cary, Brockport, N. Y., for the best rotary force pump. Gold medal. C. Warner, Washington City, D. C, Middleton & Pease, agents, for a pump. Silver medal. Patrick Kirby, 197 Water-street, New- York, for the third best rotary pump. Diploma. No. 129.] 635 H. Stanley, Troy, N. Y., for the best cast-iron car wheel and parts. Silver medal. H. Dayton, Mann & Co., agents, 128 Fulton-street, for the second best cast-iron car wheel. Diploma. A. W. Gary, Brockport, N. Y., for simple and efficient hose couplings. Silver medal. John D. Ascongh & Co., 191 West-street, for a superior ice cut- ter and ice marker. Silver medal. Isaacs k Darling, 161 Wall-street, for a superior self-clearing anchor. Silver medal. Oscar Jordan, Painted Post, N. Y., for hub boring and mortic- ing machine. Silver medal. George P. Gordon, 70 Nassau-street, for a printing press. Gold medal. William Piatt & Co., Waterford, N. Y.,for stocks, taps and dies. Diploma. Eeeves, Buck & Co., Philadelphia, Pa., for Clay's taper rolled iron. Silver medal. G. G. Hubbard, Boston, Massachusetts, for a telegraph. Silver medal. A. & C. Bush, Fall River, Mass., for chain bolts. Diploma. William Gee, 66 Gold-street, for a soda-water machine of ex- cellent workmanship. Silver medal. John H. Smith, Brooklyn, Long Island, for eye and ship's clews. Diploma. James Ives & Co., Hamden, Conn., for water rams with glass cylinders. Silver medal. Augustus Williams, Novelty Iron Works, Stillmau, Allen & Co., agents, for an alarm water gauge, a valuable and useful inven- tion. Gold medal. E. J. Stripp, Trenton, New Jersey, for weaver's shuttles of su- perior quality and workmanship. Diploma. B. Kreischer, 58 Goerck-street, for the best fire bricks. Silver medal. Alfred Hall, Perth Amboy, for the second best fire bricks. Di- ploma. Silas C. Herring, 135 Water-street, for the best iron safe. Gold medal. 636 I A SSEMBLY Pierce & Valentine, 122 Water-street, for the second best iron safes. Silver medal. World's Safe Company, Lewis Lillie, agent, Troy, N. Y., for safes made from chilled and cast-iron, impenetrable to burglars. Gold medal Rees & Hoyt, 37 Spruce-street, for the best leather machine banding. Gold medal having been before awarded, a Diploma. M. Jeffrey; S. P. Dodge, agent, Newburg, N. \., for an inge- niously constructed force pump. Diploma. Seyfert, McManus & Co., Pa., A. B. Wood, 23 Platt-street, agent, lor boiler flues of excellent workmanship. Silver medal. Harrison, Breese & Co., Newark, New Jersey, for an embossing machine for leather; a very superior article. Silver medal. - Eobert»D. Porter, for a smith's forge tuyere. Silver medal. Junius Judson, Rochester, N. Y.. for the best governor valves. Gold medal. S. Stow & Co., Southington, Conn., for the best set of tinman's machines. Gold medal. H S. Berry, Westerly, Rhode Island, for temples for power looms. Diploma. H. Grannis & Co., Rochester, N-. Y., for a mode of fastening tinman's machines. Diploma. D. H. Butz k Co., 15 Canal -street, for basin and st^am cocks. Silver medal. Duncan & West, 54 Beekman-street, for mangles. Diploma. C. & G. M. Woodward, 71 Eeekman-street, for coil of pipe and steam fittings. Diploma. Tuttle Manufacturing Company, Naugatuck, Connecticut, for excellent cast steel solid shank hoes. Silver medal. S. Cohen, 188 William-street, N. Y., for gilt mouldings. Di- ploma. E. B. Clayton & Sons, 161 Pearl-street, for an ingenious and labor-saving numbering machine. Gold medal. Roys & Wilcox, Berlin, Conn., for Wright^s sheet-iron folding machine, a very ingenious and useful invention. Diploma. Roys k Wilcox, Berlin. Connecticut, and Francis Blake, Boston, Massachusetts, for Flander's rotary shears, a very useful and in- genious machine Gold medal. No. 129-1 ' 637 John M. Smith, 468 Broadway, for superior refrigerators. A silver medal having been before awarded, a Diploma. J. P. Stillman & Co., Westerly, Rhode Island, for an ingenious self-stripping carding machine, commending itself by its life-like accuracy in operation. Gold medal. Joshua Low, 47 Dey-street, J. P. Pirsson, agent, 5 Wall, for improved steam pressure guages. Silver medal. F. Harrris & Son, Elizabethtown, New Jersey, for the best smut and scouring machine. Gold medal. Leonard Smith, Troy, N. Y., for the second best smut machine. Silver medal. Thomas R. Bailey, Lockport, for a self-centering and releasing lathe. Silver medal. Nelson Edwards, 10 Fulton-street, A. F. Chapman, agent, 2 Franklin-street, for alarm water guage. Silver medal. Samuel Hall, 129 Amos-street, for samples of machine-made washers. Diploma. . F. J. Austin & Co., corner Centre and Reade-streets, for a very beautiful embossing press for books. A gold medal having been before awarded, a Diploma. Alfred Hall, Perth Amboy, N. J., for a good machine for making bricks. Silver medal. F. H. Bartholomew, 84 Marion-street, for the second best brass cocks. Diploma. Abraham Longbottom, Centre-street, for an excellent tesselated tile mould. Diploma. F. S. Austin, Centre-street, corner Reade, for the best paper cutting machine. Gold medal. New- York Scale Maker's Company, 39 Greene-street, for well made scales and a weighmaster's frame. Diploma. Schwart & Fisher, 295 Front-street, for the best smith's bel- lows. Diploma. Alexander Stiveu, corner Avenue C and Twelfth-street, for a good concentric chuck. Diploma. • Ezra Ripley, Troy, N. Y., for chill irons for casting rasps, &c., a very useful invention. Silver medal. Ezra Ripley, Troy, N. Y,, for a very good machine for forming teeth on mill plates, rasps, &,c. Diploma. 638 [Assembly John W. Cochran, 52 South-street, for a stone cutting iiiachine. Diploma. James Lightbody, Jersey City, N, J., for a good jacquard ma- chine. Silver medal. N. Hayman,576 Greenwich-street, for«a .signal bell for steam- ers. Diploma. Long & Davenport, 10 Piatt- street, for an excellent portable forge and bellows. Diploma. Samuel Huse, Boston, Mass., William Burroughs, agent, 80 Broadway, for a well made water metre, exhibiting much knowl- edge and skill in its construction. Gold medal. R. D. Carver, Matteawan, N. Y., for a patent harness machine. Diploma. • Higgins & Son, 70 Frankfort- street, for the best made mill for rolling gold and silver. Silver medal. Adams & Son, North Hadley, Mass.. for an improved felloe machine. Silver medal. E. C. Seamen, Philadelphia, Pa., for the best ice creiim freezer, being one of the best things o^its kind exhibited. Silver medal. S. A. Clemens, Springfield, Mass., for a skilfully made hemp and flax machine. Gold medal. J. B. Tarr, Albany, N. Y., for a fire engine of great power and 'laeauty. Gold medal. Galpin & Foster, Green Point, L. I., for an ingeniously contrived hub and axle. Diploma. William Post, Flushing, L. I., for sliding shutters. Diploma. R. J. Gatling, Indianapolis, Indiana, for a flax brake for do- mestic purposes. Diploma. Gates & McKnight, for dies for cutting screws. Silver medal. D. Chapman, 373 Bowery, for an instrument sharpener. Di- ploma. Gardner & Bonnel, 27.3 Fifth street, for a new governor and power test. Silver medal. Charles Carnell, Philadelphia, Pa. , for a brick machine. Silver medal. P. A. Leonard, GO Pearl street, for a nest of pulleys. Di- ploma . No. 129.] 639 E. I. Stearns, Maryland, F. H. Ellis, Jersey city-, agent, for a self-adjusting railroad switch. Diploma. A. H. Wright, 522 Water street, for a rail car coupling. Di- ploma. Ransom Cook, Saratoga, N. Y., for an hydraulic blowing wheel. Silver medal. B. E. & Ira Buckman, Jr., 94 Fulton street, for a rotary clothes drier. Diploma. Griffith Co., 27 Spruce street, for patent leather banding. Di- ploma. J. B. Henshaw, 96 John street, for a pump for draining pur poses. Diploma. Hayden & Sanders, Haydenville, Mass., E. W. Gire, agent, 219 Pearl street, for croton faucets and steam cocks. Diploma. D. Dick, Meadville, Pa., for boiler shears. (A gold medal having been before awarded.) Diploma. E. Barrows, 228 Water street, for a rotary engine. Silver medal. John Maxson, De Ruyter, N. Y., for a door spring. Silver medal. J. P. & J. A. Blake, Waterbury, Conn., for jeweller's rollers. Silver medal. Amos Waterbury, Stamford, Conn., for a model steam engine. Diploma. E. S. Scripture, Green Point, L. I., for a model of a tire setting machine. Diploma. J. P. Pirsson, 5 Wall street, for an odontograph. Diploma. R. E. Dibble, Astor House, New-York, for a model of a steam boiler. Diploma. * Lucieu Disman, Ohio, for a spring door. Diploma. Alexander Stiven, corner Avenue C. and Twelfth street, for pumps. Silver medal. A. G. Heckrotte, Cumberland, Md., for a dirt rejector for rail- road use. Diploma. A. G. Heckrotte, Cumberland, Md., for a car coupling. A silver medal having been before awarded. Diploma. W. A. Browning, Fishkill, N. Y., for a card setting machine. Diploma. 640 [Assembly Carlisle Estbrook, Norwich, Conn., for a machine for facing millstones. Diploma, S. S. Morris & Co., Philadelphia, Pa,, for a model of a brick ma- chine. A silver medal having been before awarded. Diploma. W. 11. Nevins, 87 Eldridge street, for a biscuit making ma- chine. Diploma. F. Emerson, Boston, Mass., for ventilators for ships and build- ings. Silver medal. Tuttle & Bailey, 293 Pearl street, for excellent ventilators. Silver medal. Charles Ross, Rochester, N. Y., for a portable mill. A silver medal having been before awarded. Diploma. D. Griffin, 192 Broadway, for a fuel saving apparatus. A gold medal having been before awarded. Diploma. D, Griffin, 192 Broadway, for a mode of heating air, to be used in large manufaeturing establishments. A gold medal having been before awarded. Diploma. Fowler M. Ray, 104 Broadway, for the best india rubber car springs. A gold medal having been before awarded. Diploma. D. Adee, 107 Fulton St., for specimens of steel. Silver medal. Mino)-^s work. Morgan Jones, 54 Centre street, for a steam engine and boiler. $10 and a certificate. Walter G. Cassin, 42 North Moore street, for a model of a steam engine. $5 and a certificate. William H. Mills, 70 Chatham street, for a model of a steam engine. |3 and a certificate. John Mullins, 15 Canal street, for workmanship on brass cocks. $3 and a certificate. William Conway, 15 Canal street, for workmanship on brass cocks. |3 and a certificate. M. Killoran, 15 Centre street, for workmanship on brass cocks. $3 and a certificate. No. 129.] 641 manufacturers' articles — weavers' reeds and harness. Judges — George H. Dodge, G. L. Ford J. A. Gowdey & Son, Providence, R. I., Andrews & Jessup, agents, 70 Pine street, for best weaver's reeds. Silver medal. George Kirk, Paterson, N. J., for second best weavers' reeds. Diploma. R. D. Carver, Matteawan, N. Y., for the best harness. Silver medal. M. Tinkle, Utica, N. Y., for copper harness, good for heavy work. Silver medal. mathematical and philosophical instruments. Judges — William H. Ellet, Daniel Pike, Aaron Rand. Henry Fitz, 237 Fifth street, for an equatorial telescope. Gold medal. Fehrens & Albrecht, 136 Nassau street, for chemical balance. Diploma. F. S. Sibeunmann, 154 Fulton street, for mathematical draw- in.g instruments. Diploma. A. Derne, 376 Pearl street, for opera glasses. Silver medal. Julius E. Erlicke, 154 Fulton street, for a well made and valuable elliptograph. Diploma. Fehrens & Albrecht, 136 Nassau street, for the second best mathematical instruments. Diploma. James Prentice, 181 Broadway, for the best mathematical in- struments. Silver medal. Woolcocks & Ostrander, 57 Ann street, for the best speaking tubes with alarm whistle. Diploma. B. M. Van Derveer, Clyde. Wayne county, N. Y., for arithme- tical tables. Diploma. John W. Norton, 177 Broadway, for a valuable magnetic enun- ciator. Silver medal. Minor''s Work. Benjamin D. F. Wells, 237 Fifth street,, for a telescope. |10^ and a certificate. [Assembly, No. 129.] 41 C42 [Assembly Edward Striglitz, 154 Fulton street, for mathematical instru- ments. $5 and certificate. A. Francis 23 Murray street, for compasses and drawing pen. $5 and certificate. Henry Martin, 120 Water street, for levels and compasses. '$3 and a certificate. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. Judges — Wra L. Bloomfield, C. G. Christman, Warren Hill. Wm. B. Tilton, Carrolton, Ala., for an excellent improvement on the violin. Silver medal. Hugh Cottier, Brooklyn, L. I., tor the best flute. Silver medal. Gasper Godone, 403 Broadway, for a guitar, of good workman- ship. Diploma. Jacob Cohen, of 26 West Broadway, for best workmanship on banjo. Diploma. J. Jacobs, 100 Chatham street, for a very superior banjo. Di- ploma. NAVAL ARCHITECTURE. Judges — Wm. H. Webb, Wm. H. Brown. George Steers, 91 Cannon street,, for a model of the yacht America. Gold medal. Smith and Dimond, foot of Fourth street, for the best model of a steamship. Gold medal. Henry Owens, 158 Lewis street, for the best workmanship of model of steamship Illinois. Silver medal. Leonard H. Boole, 191 East Fifteenth street, for model of clip- per ship. Silver medal. Charles Perley, 114 Columbia street, for ship's capstan and side winch. Silver medal. Charles Perley, 114 Columbia street, for a cat head stopper. Silver medal. Daniel Flynn, New^ -York, for a self gravitating and pendulating portable berth bed. Diploma. No. 129.] 643 NEEDLE WORK, EMBROIDERY AND FANCY ARTICLES. George Brodie, 51 Canal street, for the best cloaks and mantil- las. Gold medal. Moljneaux Bell 58 Canal street, for an opera cloak of supe- rior workmanship. Silver medal. Beekman & Co., Canal street, for tlic third best cloak. Di- ploma. Mrs. R. Van Houten, 82 Nassau street, for the best shirts. Silver medal. Van Houten & Brooks, 446 Broadway, for the second best shirts. Diploma. C. Linherr, 293 Broadway, for the best ornamental hair work for jewellers. Silver medal. J. & Robert Link, 181 Broadway, for the second best ornamen- tal hair work. Diploma. Lion Guilleaum, 122 William street, for the best artificial flowers and artificial leaves. Silver medal. Susan A. Johnson, 79 East Sixteenth street, for the second best artificial flowers. Diploma. Mrs. Wm. Simmons, 564 Broadway, fur the best ladies' bon- nets. Silver medal. Madatne Lavene, 133i Spring stre^et, for the second best ladies' bonnet. Diploma. Miss L. H. Sargeant, 2 Clinton Place, for the best wax flowers. Silver medal. Miss Jane Harris, for the second best wax flowers. Diploma. Mrs. Van Skelline, 247 Broadway, for the best paper flowers. Diploma. Charlotte Waiine, 136 Greene street, for paper flowers. Di- ploma. Mrs. H. M. Chapman, Camden, N. J., for the best shell box. Diploma. Mrs. Haight, 772 Washington street for the second best shell box. Diploma. Miss Courraisien, 273 Greenwich street, for the best raised worsted work. Diploma. Mrs. Mary A. Maier, 12 Doyer street, for the second best raised worsted work. Diploma. 644 [Assembly Mrs. Odell, Newburgh, N. Y., for worsted chair embroidery. Silver medal. Miss M. A. S. McBride, for the best worsted embroidery. Sil- ver medal. Miss Julia Mareet, 84 Orcliard street, for the second best worsted embroidery. Diploma. Public School No. 2, Williamsburgh, L. I., for worsted em- broidery. Diploma. Miss Josephine B. Teller, 80 Second street, for the best em- broidered slippers. Diploma. Mrs. Golder, 1 97 Fifth street, for the second best embroidered slippers. Diploma. Caroline Hallock, 191 Monroe Place,~foi the best worsted mat. Diploma. Mrs. Robinson, 213 Washington street, for the second best worsted mat, and embroidered port-folio. Diploma. Miss L. Devoe, 80 Washington street, for worsted work on cloth. Diploma. Miss Caroline Handford, Williamsburgh, L. I., for the best worked fire screens. Diploma. James Schiess, 29^ Division street, for the best embroidery on cambric. Silver medal. Mrs. R. Van Houten, 82 Nassau street, for the second best em- broidery on cambric. Diploma. Mrs. Harriet Wright, Brooklyn, L. I., for the best specimen of knitting. Diploma. Minerva B. Johnson, 291 Broome street, for the second best specimen of knitting. Diploma. Miss Ann Croes, Sidney Place, Brooklyn, L. I., for knit worsted shoes and hood. Diploma. Institution for the Blind, for a case of fancy articles. Silver medal. Sarah Hanford, 162 Graham avenue, Williamsburgh, for a woven table cloth. Diploma. Mrs. Fanny Crocherou, Stateu Island, for the best knit quilt Diploma. Mary E. Arnold, R. L, for the best crochet counterpane. Di- ploma. No. 129.] 645 Miss Maria Frey, for the best patchwork quilt. Diploma. Mrs. Sarah Earber, 133 Walker street, for patchwork quilts. Diploma. Mrs. Rachel Henneburger, Baltimore, Md., for a very ingenious turkerian fur tippet. Diploma. Mrs. Edmonds, 29 Howard street, for the best wax fruit. Sil- ver medal. George Edmonds, 29 Howard street^ for the second best wax fruit. Diploma, • James Bowles, 455| Broadway, for the best corsets. Silver medal. Elizabeth Webber, 205 6th avenue, for a vase of spice flowers. Diploma. Elias Combs, 244 Grand street, for the best regalia, A silver medal having been before awarded. Diploma. William W. Osborne, 278 Grand street, for the second best I'e- galias. Diploma. Clarissa Hart, 84 Forsyth street, tor an excellent piece of home made linen Silver medal. Miss Rlioda Kelley, 247 7th street, for the best lamp mat. Di- ploma, Miss Josephine H. Peck, 29 Division street, for a flower bas- ket. Diploma. Eliza Wolcott, 24 Norfolk street, for a muskmelon seed bag. Diploma. Mrs. L. Many, Long Island, for a lady's bag. Diploma. Miss M. Hamilton, 12 Vandam street, for a crape embroidered shawl. Diploma. James Scheiss, 29^ Division street, fur the best silk embroidery. Diploma, Mrs. W. Lindner, for the second best silk embroidery. Di- ploma. PAPER HANGINGS AND UPHO|:.STFRy. Judges — John L. Gratacap, John W. Miller, William H. Curtis. Curtis k, Moore, 22 and 24 West 13th street, for the best spe- cimen of marble and oak paper hangings. Silver medal. 646 [AsSESIBLT Robert Graves, Brooklyn, L. I., for the second best specimen of marble and oak paper hangings. Diploma. Eames, Perry & Co., Brooklyn, L. I., for the best specimen of velvet paper hangings. Silver medal. Pratt & Hardenburgh, 32 Broadway, for the best wall paper. Diploma. A.Phillips, 15 Thompson street, for the best specimen of paper hanging. Diploma. New-York Institution for the Kind, for the best hair mattress. Silver medal. Sturgis& Porter, Philadelphia. Pa., for the best spring mattress and bolster. Silver medal. McElwee&Pierrie,768 Broadway, and J. Sommer, 452 Broom© street, for the second best spring mattresses. Diploma to each. D. Horan, 72 Bowery, for the best specimen of horse hair. Di- ploma. PEARL WORK, POCKET BOOKS AND COMBS-. Judges — Mason Thompson, L. Chapman, Robert S. Lyons. A. Rtiddock, Philadelphia, Pa., for the best pearl work boxes and dentists' instrument handles. Silver medal. G. R. Cholwell, 26 Maiden Lane, for the best pearl and shell card cases, and pearl and leather port-monnaies. Silver medal. H. Beaumont, 86 Fulton street, for a superior leather Avriting desk. Diploma. David E. Mozier, Williamsburgh,L. I., for the best horn combs. Silver medal. PEMMANRHIP. • Judges— H.W. Ford, F. 0. Wakeman, Gordon L. Ford. George Bristow, Philadelphia, Pa., for the best specimen of business penmanship. Silver medal. W. C. Morrison, Williamsburgh, L. L, for the second best spe- , cimen of business penmanship. Diploma. A. H. Wheeler, 30 East 20th street, for the best specimen of ornamental penmanship. Silver medal. G. L. Plaight, Brooklyn, L. I., for the second best specimen of ornamental writing. Diploma. No. 129.] 647 Minor^s work. W. 0. Jube, 145 Chrystie street, for a fine specimen of business penmanship. $5 and a certificate. PERFUMERY. Judges — James R. Chilton, John H. Currie. XavierBazin, Philadelphia, Pa., for the best assortment of per- fumery, extracts, fancy soaps and shaving cream. Silver medal. Thomas Worsly & Co , Philadelphia, Pa., for the second best assortment of perfumery. Diploma. Charles T. Hedenberg, 19 Dey street, an excellent quantity of Cologne water. Diploma. William Walker, 156 Cherry street, for hair oils, &c , well per- fumed and tasteiully put up. Silver medal. Eugene Dupuy, 609 Broadway, for a good specimen of per- fumery. Diploma. . . PIANO FORTES AND ORGANS. Judges — Wm. Dressier, Otto F. Jacobson, Luther B. Wyman. James H. Grovestein, ]22 Grand street, for the best piano forte. Gold medal. T. Gilbert & Co., Boston, Mass., for second best piano forte, with ^olJan attachment. Silver medal. Wm. T. Reed, 4-1 VVes't Fourteenth street, for a seven octave piano forte. Diploma. Chas. J. Holder, ISS Spring street, for piano forte. Diploma. James Pirsson, 87 Leonard street, for a double grand piano forte. Gold medal. M. 0. Nichols, Boston, Mass., for a seraphine. Silver medal. Milton M. Morse, Worcester, Mass., for an improved sera- phine. Diploma. SADDLERY, HARNESS AND WHIPS. Judges — John B. Bull, P. Trainor, Robert R. Story. Van Blarcom& Dixon, Paterson, N. J., for the best set of single harness. Silver medal. * Walter & Johnson, Haverstraw, N. Y., for the second best set of single harnes. Diploma. 648 [Assembly Condict, Horton & Co., Newark, N. J., for a quilted somerset sadjdle. Silver medal. Thomas Walke, 758 Broadway, for a neat plain shaftoe saddle. Diploma. Chas. P. Caldwell, Philadelphia, Pa., for a splendid case of whips. Silver medal. James Russel, 38 Pearl street, for neat whips. Diploma. SHAWLS AND MUSLIN DE LAINES. Judges — John Falconer, Wm. H. Lee, E. H. Leadbeater. James Roy & Co., Watervliet Mills, N. Y., Hoyt & Tillinghast, agents, 54 Broad street, for the best woollen shawl. Gold medal. Bay State Mills, Lawrence, Mass., Lawrence Stone k Co., agents, 41 Broadway, for second best wool shawl. Silver medal. Waterloo Woolen Company, Waterloo, N. Y.. Macy, Stanton & Co-, agents, 21 Broad street, for third best woollen shawl. Diploma. Duncans & Cunningham, Franklin, Essex Co., N. J., McCurdy, Aldrich & Spencer, agents, 30 Broad street, for superior em- broidered shawls. Gold medal. Duncan & Co., Franklin, Essex Co., N. J., William Watson & 'Co., agents 43 Exchange Place, for superior printed shawls. Silver medal. Oakland Worsted Company, Burville, R. L, W. C. Langley & Co., agents, 25 Broad street, for printed muslin de laines. Di- ploma. H. Guerrier & Co., 122 Liberty street, for a specimen of clean- ed Canton crape shawls. Diploma. SIGN PAINTING AND BLOCK LETTERS. Judges — Geo. G. Fordham, Samuel Alburtis, Jr., C. D. Cow- euhoven. George Steel, 10 Nassau street, for the best specimen of sign painting. Silver medal. Jno. M. Brown, 2 Piatt street, for the second best specimen of sign painting. Diploma. * Hale & Co. 80 Nassau street, for the best specimen of enamel- ling and writing on glass. Silver medal. No. 129.J 649 Edwards & Son, 1 57 Canal street, for the second best specimen of glass lettering and gilding. Diploma. J. W. Jones, Brooklyn, L. I., for specimens of painting and enamelled sign. Diploma. H. Kohler, Brooklyn, L. I., fur the the best block letter sign. Silver medal. Minor^s Work. Charles Dubois, 66 Vandam street, for the best sign painting. $5 and a certificate. Gilbert Graham, 209 Duane street, for the second best speci- . men sign painting. $3 and a certificate. J. H. Vanorden, 118 Bedford street, for a specimen of sign painting. Diploma. Geo. McCarty, 163 Clinton street, for an excellent specimen of sign painting. Diploma. J. G. Quirk, Brooklyn, L. I., for a specimen of painting. Di- ploma. Wm. H. McCulley, 86 Fulton street, for sign painting. Di- ploma. J. W. Gibbs, 6 Dover street, for a specimen of block letters. Diploma. RAW SILK. Judges — George M. Haywood, John W. Chambers. John M. Siunmy, Lancaster, Pa., for the best specimen of raw silk. Van Schaick Premium of $10 and a Bronze medal. Ira Howland, Pleasant Valley, Dutchess county, N. Y., for the second best specimens of raw silk. Silver medal. Miss Harriett Summy, Lancaster, Pa., for the best bushel of peanut cocoons. Van Schaick Premium of $5 and a Bronze medal. Miss Harriet Summy, Lancaster, Pa., for the best bushel of Paphos cocoons. Van Scliaick Premium of .$5 and Bronze medal. Ira Howland, Pleasant Valley, Dutchess county, N. T., for the second best specimen of cocoons. Diploma. T. H. Byrnes, Comae, L. I., fur a good specimen of cocoons. Diploma. 650 [Assembly T. H. Byrnes, Comae, L. I., for a fine specimen of silk gut for fishing lines. Diploma. MANUFACTURED SILK. Judges — Henry A. Boora2m, A. M. Cameron, J. T. Moulton. F. S. Dumont, Paterson, N. J., for the best silk plush. Silver medal . Haskell k Hayden, Windsor Locks, Conn., for the best sewing silk. Silver medal. T. Euler, 59 Robinson street, for a beautiful specimen of wa- tering on silk. Silver medal. SILVER CHASING. Judges — J. W. Hughes, Peter Van Ness. Augustus Gangloff, Brooklyn, L. I., for the best specimen of chasing. Diploma. Minor's work. W. H. "Wood, 94 Amos street, for the best specimen of chas- ing. $5 and a certificate. Philip H. Storck, Hoboken, N. J., for the second best chasing. $3 and a certificate. STATIONERY, PRINTING, &C. Geo. r. Nesbit, Geo. C. Morgan, H. Jeroliman. Platner & Smith, Lee, Mass., Francis & Loutrel, agents, 77 Maiden Lane, for very superior letter and ledger paper. Gold medal. Price & Whiting, New-York, f jr superior straw board. Di- ploma. Francis & Loutrel, 77 Maiden Lane, for best black, red and copying inks. Silver medal. Myer Phineas, 118 William street, for well finished steel pens. Diploma. H. Whiting, East Cambridge, Mass., for a patent inkstand. Diploma. No. 129.] 651 B. W. Raper, 312 Pearl street, for tlie best printed labels. Di- ploma. S. E. Parish, c. Elm and Canal streets, for copying press stands. Diploma. Francis Monroe, Concord, Mass., for superior black lead pen- cils for mechanical drawing. Diploma. Wm. Holdredge, 140 Fulton street, for an improved letter and invoice file. Diploma. STOVES, FURNACES AND RANGES COOKING STOVES AND RANGES. Judges — J. D. B. Sillman, John Gassner, Robert A. Gregory. R. B. Thompson, 115 Beekman street, for the best stove. Silver medaL Jordan L. Mott, 264 Water street, for a cooking stove, the best for the great mass of the people. Silver medal. J.R. & E. N. Hyde, 258 Greenwich street, for a cookiag stove and an apparatus for supplying hot air to an upper room. Di- ploma. Warren, Sweetland & Co., Halfraoon, Saratoga county, N. Y., for a cheap serviceable stove. Diploma. Jordan L. Mott, 264 Water Street, for the best cooking range, having hot water apparatus attached. Silver medal. W. H. Bliss, Newport, R. I., Hall & Kenyon, agents, 92 Broad- way, and 311 Third avenue, for a cooking range. Diploma. William Cobb, 211 Water street, for a cooking range. Di- ploma. W. P. Cresson, & Co., Philadelphia, for the best specimen of enamelled and tinned iron-ware. Silver medal. STOVES FOR WARMING AND HOT-AIR FURNACES. Judges — John Hecker, H. D. Sheppard. J. D. Andrews, 210 Water street, for Olmstead's radiator stove. Silver medal. R. Rollhaus, 250 Water street, fur a Franklin grate, for its in- genious arrangement. Silver medal. 652 [Assembly Warren, Sweetland & Co., Half- Moon, Saratoga county, N. Y,, for the Saratoga coal burner, for neatness of design and superior workmanship, and its cheapness. Silver medal. J. D. Andrews, 210 Water street, for a stove for its beauty of style. Diploma. A. C. Barstow &. Co., Providence, R. I., for a parlor stove. Di- ploma. B. Wands k Co., 211 Water street, N. Y., for the best hot-air furnace. Silver medal. Francis L. Hedenberg, 99 Division street, for the second best hot-air furnace. Diploma. SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS. Judges — D. M. Reese, John H. Whittaker, Isaac Greene. Palmer & Co., Springfield, Mass., for the best artificial leg. A Gold medal having been before awarded. Diploma. Marsh & Co., 2^ Maiden Lane, for the best trusses. Silver medal. T. Mevls, 177 William street, N. Y., for an accurate and beau- tiful mode] of the human ear. Diploma. James Gray, 157 Grand street, for superior artificial eyes. Di- ploma. TRUNKS, VALISES AND CARPET BAGS. Judges — Edgar Farmer, John Black, S. H. Wheeler. Peters & Martin, 338 Broadway, for the best specimen of sole leather trunks, valises, hat cases and leather bags. Silver medal. C Walke, 758 Broadway, N. Y., for a trunk and hat case com- bined Diploma. Matthews & Hunt, 1G8 Pearl-street, N. Y., for superior carpet and leather bags. Diploma. TODACCO AND SNUFF. Judges— J. R. Smith, G. L. Ford. A. L. Bogert, 56 Vesey-street, for fine cut tobacco and snufF. Silver medal. No. 129.] 653 WIGS, ETC. Judges — Julien Pierron, Frederick Gibbius, William Dibbles, Joseph A. Pozzoni. W. J. Earker, 439 Broadwaj, N. Y., for the best ladies' wig. Silver medal. « Charles Bourgard, 5 Franklbrt-street, N. Y., for the best gen- tleman's wig. Silver medal. Minor'' s Work. Louis Sevestre, 64 Mulberry-street, N. Y., for a gentleman's wig. $3. WOOLEN GOODS. Judges — J. A. Robertson, J. W. Corlies, Henry Shelden, Wil- liam H. Scofield. Dorastus Kellogg, Skaneateles, N. Y., Bowers & Beekman, agents, N. Y.,for the best specimens of cassimeres. Gold medal. J. & R. Hotchkiss, Hotchkissville, Conn., Atwater, Knapp & Woodruff, agents, 43 Broad-street, for the second best specimens of cassimeres. Silver medal. R. Rodman, Allenton, Rhode Island, Marcus Spring & Co., agents, 51 Exchange Place, for tlie best merino cassimeres. Gold medal. D. Reynolds, North Kensington, Rhode Island, Willard & Wood, agents, 40 and 42 Broad-street, for the second best specimens merino cassimeres. Silver medal. Dean ci Phillips, South Adams, Mass , for black cashmerets. Silver medal. Utica Globe Mills, Utica, N. Y., for specimens of black cloths. Silver medal. Rochdale Mills, Rochester, N. H., Nesmith & Co., agents, 52 Broad-street, for blankets. A gold medal having been before awarded. Diploma. Waterbury Knitting Company, Waterbury, Connecticut, Atwa- ter, Knapp & Woodruff", agents, 43 Broad-street, for the best Sax- ony wrappers. Silver medal. C54 [Assembly Utica Company, Utica, N. B., Richardson & Co., agents, for the second best merino wrappers. Diploma. Duncan &. Co., Franklin, N". J., William Watson & Co., agents, Exchange Place, for piano and table covers. Gold medal. Gardner & Morse, Boston, Mass., for worsted yarn and wad- ding. Diploma, * Gardner & Morse, Boston, Mass., for woolen hosiery. Diploma. ZINC PAINTING. Premiums offered the New-Jersey Exploring and Mining Company. Judges — E. B." Derby, George Palmer, Richard Fosdick, John Marrenner, John Muckel. J. W. Jones, Brooklyn, L. I., for the best flat and gloss white zinc painting. $100. Asten & Seabury, 27 Nassau-street, for the second best flat and gloss white zinc painting. ^50. Radcliff Carman, 85 Barclay-street, for the third best flat and gloss white zinc painting. .$25. MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES. Judges— James R. Smith, William C. Arthur, William Ebbitt, Edwin Smith, G. L. Ford. Louis Lucet, 492 Broadway, N. Y., for a specimen of bronze gilding. Silver medal. John Bruce, 26 Piatt- street, for steel copper plates. Diploma. L. Branders k Co., for samples of bronze powder. Diploma. Paul Goudey, 51 Franklin-street, for model of a circular stair case. Diploma. Benjamin F. Miller, 37 Sullivan-street, for wrought iron picket fence. Diploma. J. H. Doughty, 387 Grand-street, for specimens of sawed work for cornices. Silver medal. Arnold & Co., Patent Merchandise Company, 240 Broad w'ay, for specimens of terra cotta stands. Diploma. Leorrtird Senee, 813 Broadway, N. Y., for marble stands. Di ploma. No. 129.] 655 American Chair Company, Troy, N. Y., for patent centrifugal spring chairs, piano stools, ottomans, &c. A gold medal having been before awarded. Diploma. John B. Wickersham, 61 Lewis street, for a model of farm fence and specimens of wire railing. A silver medal having been be- fore awarded. Diploma. G. W. Goriim, 158 Water-street, for a good article of enamel- led cloth. Diploma. American Cork Company, corner Jane and Greenwich, T. G. Chamberlain, 28 South William-street, for a case of cork and cork soles. Diploma. Calkins & Darrow, 34 Maiden Lane, for a case of umbrellas and canes.' Diploma. W. E. Rose, 37 Reade street, for a very superior case of gold and silver mounted canes. Silver medal. Batchelor & Co., 66 Duane street, foi- specimens of rich iron furniture. Silver medal. J. & S. C. Crombie, Nassau, New-Hampshire, N. P. Kimball, agent, 56 Beekman street, for a Avell made ^pine door. Silver medal. Robert Yale, Coventry, N. Y., for a model of Mount Vernon. Diploma. Mirror Mantel Company, Boston, George Walker, agent, 89^- Leonard street, N. Y., for a mirror mantel. Gold medal. Edward Allen, So. Windham, Conn., J. h. Haviland, agent, for education table. Diploma. J. B. Gailhard, 456 Broadway, N. Y., for the best bird cages. Diploma. F. Rath, Williamsburgh, L. I., J. & C. Berrian, agents, 601 Broadway, for metallic bird cages. Diploma. J.W. Bray, 955 Broadway, for a marble top iron stand. Silver medal. Musgrove k Fisher, Amity street, J. & C. Berrian, agents, 601 Broadway, for coffee makers. Diploma. J. & G. Crandall, 392 Madison street, for a hobby horse. Di- ploma. Hydeville Company, Castleton, Vt., for white marble. Diploma. 656 [Assembly S. Rossiter, 123 Fulton street, for zinc size gilding. Diploma. Henry Stidolph, 6 TJiompson street, for composition frames, gilding and imitation of French ormolu. Diploma. W. II. Kemp, 95 Canal street, for gold leaf. A silv^er medal having been before awarded. Diploma. Jetur Gardiner, 6 Grand street, for a specimen of plaster spread- ing. Diploma. E. C. Dean, 36 South street, for a medicine chest. Diploma. INDEX. [Assembly, No. 129.] 42 ILLUSTEATIONS. Portrait of Clarkson Crolins, Sen'r, .Frontispiece. Plan of Cattle Ground, 24 Gatllng's Grain Brill, 68 Harris & Sons' Smut and Scouring Madiine, VO Gary's Rotary Pemp, 91 Self-stripping Carding Machines, • . 93 INDEX Page. Addresses, , 219 Anniversaryj 227 closing, 247 opening, , 219 Agave Americana, , , 553 Agricultural school, project, 285 Agriculture for schools, 52 Alfalfa see^, from Valparaiso, , 287, 545 Algse, 385, 408 American prunes, 450 Analysis of Basalt, 317 Granite, SW Johnson's soil, 348 Parsnips, 421 Sandstone, 317 Soot, 327 Ancient trees, 518 Anthracite coal, first introduction into the United^States, . . . 139 Apatite or phospate of lime, 264, 267, 355, 358, 386, 415 Apiary at Brooklyn, 361 Apple and cider of Normandy, 574 Apples, , , , 49© Apricot, 523 rage. Artificial stone, 113 Azalea," ..,.>... 535 Ball's oommunication on drain tiles, ,....,. 159 Bean, 4W Bees, 361, S<)7, 527 Beets, •■ 466 Bell's remarks on crossing and breeding cattle, 278 Blackberries, 5-45 Blake's artificial slate, . . . .•.-.•. 71 Blight of grapes, ......... ...,,.. 629 Bone manuro, 1 .... - 267, S33 Books from A. Vattemaie, -i^^l^^i'i'. ' . i^ 6i Borden's meat biscuit, .V.'V';-.'.. 393, 408 Bradley on plumbago and feldspar of New-Jersey,'*.'"'. '.';'.' V. . 206 Brazilian (^a, , 204 Cabbages, 464 Camellia, ••• ^'^^ Caoutckouc, ^^^ Carriages, sleighs, &c., 72 Carrots, ..j.^.o/n 464 Gary's rotary pump, :^.iK»;. >»..:. ^1 Cattle, on the crossing and breeding of,. . , . , . 278 ... 128 ,., 466 .... 264 rcots, Celery, ..»....,., ..,.,♦ .... Clisap drains, «•:. • 'i-.>)f>p« J*;* • • Chemistry, - •.• r* 'W ♦ni- ^^^ Cherry trees, .♦.;.. ...;..j.>!w«.i,(»'.. . 506 Chums, ^® C:a;kion Orolius, Sen , bio^rapliical notice of, . , . . . . . . 57 No. ia&.] 663 Clay's patent rolled taper Iron, Ill Claussen's flax cotton, o DCS Communications, 117 Compass and velocimeter, , 204 Corn, 117 Corn and cob cracker, 66 Crossing and breeding cattle, 278 Croton aqueduct, action of roots on the, 566 Cuiculio, 524 Ctirrants, 576 €utleryj 75 Daniels' self-sharpening straw and stalk cutter, , . 69 Dearborn's letter, 274 De "Witt on imported cattle, 161 Dignity of labor. 202 Donation of books from A. Vattemare, 62 Door spring, 77 Draining and under-draining, 174 Draining tile, 159 Dyes, 436, 4G7 Edge tools, , , . , 77 Embroidery and needle work, 79 Etherization of animals and of man, 166 Ewbank on the dignity of labor, , 292 Farmers' Club proceedings, ; .'»iv' Vi'l . 251 suhjects, Apples, .,J'?i h\ 491 Apricots, 523 Best method of keeping fruit in winter, .'; ;i-*"/.'V.', J. . 409 664 [Assembly Page. Blackberries, 545 Cherries, 506 Cultivation of roots, 322 Currants, 576 Grooseberries, 576 Nectai'ines, 523, 538 Pears, 556 Phosphate of lime, 264, 355, 376 Plums, 523, 538 Preservation of fruits, &c 462 Grapes, 422 Quinces, 575 Raspberries, 345 Relative value of mineral manures, . 387 Strawberries, 578 Sab-soil ploughing and draining, . . 255 Under-draining and lime, 264 Faun of James Bathgate, report of committee on, 47 E. H. Kimball, 43 Fences and fencing farms, 186 Finaiices of the American Institute, 10 Fire-larms, 81 Fitz'B equatorial telescope, 79 Flax and hemp breaking and dressing machine, 67 culture, 351 Flower gardens, report of committee on, 49 Food for plants, 331 Fowls, breed of, 532 Fiaudg in manure,. 318 No. 12©.] 665 Freezing of vegetables and animals, 489 French Merinos, origin of .... , 212 Fruit in winter, best method of keeping, 409 Fruits of America, 397 Fuel, , 196 Gardening, 343 Gatling's grain drill, 68 Germany, her agricultural industry and policy, 455 Gilbert on the origin of the French Merinos, 212 Giraud's communication on Indian eorn, &c., 117 Glass roofs for stables, 532 Godwin's presentation of paHiphlet.85 516 Goodsell on the products of Oswego county, 1 56 Gooseberries, 252, 576 Gordon's job printing press, 103 Grafting, 557 Grape, blight of the, , 529 Grapes, preservation of, 422 Guano, 533 Hall, Charles Henry, notice of the decease of, 215, 476 Hand tree, the 514 Harris's smut and scouriag machine, 70 Hat made of pine leaves, 86 History and present condition and principles of agriculture, 555 Horner's farm in Galifornia, , 435 Horticultural report, 27 Humboldt's Cosmos, , 531 Hungary, 399 Hyacinths, mode of raising, 533 Hydrophobia, a specific for curi-ng, 553 ft^ [AssEanjXiY Ice marker and cutter, Va Imporied stock in 17S9, „ ICl Indian corn, a new enemy to, , 203 varieties of, , 117 Indigo, 436 imports and exports of, 444 Insects injurious to agrlcalturo, DSO Irrigation, ........ 1 90 Jackson's anniversary address at tho 24t>i annual fair, 227 on etherization Of animals and of man, 167 Johnson's experiment to iinprove the sf«il, 331, 347 Kew Gardens,. 613 Langdon's communication, 146 Laysteyrie's ti^eatise on pastel or woad, .............. 436 Linen thread, 108 Livingston's opening address at the 24t>h annual fair, 219 Longevity of seeds, 572 Luminous plautc, . . . . c 533 Maoliinery at the 24th annual fair, notice of, 86 Madder, 4G7, 521 Mangel- wurtzel, .......' 324, 558 Manures, '. . . 332, 287 Maynard's self-prlmiug lock and priming, 85 Meigs' closing address at the 24th annual fair, 247 on ancient trees, 518 iterino sheep, 212 Milch cows, 200 Mineral manures, ... 387 No. 129.J 6^ Page. ivicxiel of a disabled ship, 104 Modern chemistry, its pi-ogress, 353 Moss or fruit trees, 419 Mott's improved stoves, 1 39 Mulching, 297 Naval architecture, ..,,... 105 Nectarines, 523 Notices of ai'ticles at the 2-lth annual fair, . . „ . QQ Blake's axtificiai slate, , 71 Caxriages, sleighs, &c., , 73 Gary's rotary pump, , 91 Churn?', 6^ Cla>*s patent rolled tfiper iron, Ill Corn and cob cracker, 66 Cotton g«xHis, 72 Cutlery, table and pocket, 75 Daniels' self-sharpening straw cutter, .... G9 Boor spring, Inman's, 77 Edge tools, • 77 Embroidery and needle woik, 79 Equatorial telescope, 79 rire-arm«, 81 FlaK and hen^p breaking n^achine, 67 Catling's grain drill, GS ;, Gordon's job printing press, 103 Harris's smut and scouring ma,chine, 70 Hat made of pine leaves, 86 Ice marker and cutter, . . , , 02 Machinery at tije late fair, .• 8^ Manufacture of llaen thread, 108 668 V [Assembly Page. Maynard's self-piimiDg lock and priming, 85 Modelling, 104 Model of a disabled ship, 104 Naval architecture, 105 Palmer's improved patent artificial leg,. . 105 Pearl and shell work, 107 Perley's capstan and vertical windlass, . . 89 Protean chair, 109 Rockingham ware, 110 Self-stripping carding machine. 93 Terra-cotta or artificial stone, 113 ■ Wine, 70 Young Elms in the Crystal Palace, 570 Zinc paints, 115 Onions, 466 Orchards, to produce good and early, 562 Oswego county, 156 Painters' colic, 366 Palmer's improved artificial leg, 105 Parsnips, culture of, 428, 465 Payen's report on the preserved food of Mr. Masson, 517 Peaches, 483, 495 Pearl and shell work, 107 Pears, 556 Pell on fences and fencing farms, 186 Penrith Farmers' Club, 418 Pauley's compound capstan and vertical windlass, 89 Phosphate of lime, 264,267,355,358,386,415 Pine apple, culture of, 536 Plan of the cattle ground. 25 No. 129.] Q&9 Pago Planting fruit trees for others, 511 Plants, 534 Plums and apricots, 523, 538 Poultry, 340 Premiums awarded at the cattle show, 585 24th annual fair, 585, 595 Preservation of fruit, 252, 422 Proceedings of the Farmers' Club, 251 Progress of institutions for promoting science, &c.j 163 Protean chair, 109 Quince tree, 575 Raspberries, ^ 252, 545 Receipts and disbui-sements of the Institute, 10 24th fair, 14 Relative value of mineral manures, 387 Relic of the Revolution, 163 Report on Bartlett's Commercial and Banking Tables, 53 Blake's Lessons in Modern Farming, 52 Fisher's steam carriage, 55 the American School of Mines, 56 of the Committee on Agriculture, 21 Farms, , 43 Horticulture, ... 27 Trustees, 7 Judges on fine wool sheep, « 51 Testing ploughs, 51 Rockingham ware, 110 Root crop?, 310 Roseworts or Rosaceae, 574 G70 [Assembly Page. St. Jobn'a variation compass and velooimeter,. . , 204 Self stripping carding raachice, 93 Soot, analysis oi', 327 value of, 532 Stables, glass roof for, 532 Staindrop Farmers' Clab, 451 Strawberries, 545 Strawberry cultivation, . , 307 Sub-soil ploughing and draining, 255, 388 Super-phosphate of lime, 377 Taylor on draining, 339 Tea, 349 from Brazil, 204 made of leaves of the coffee tree, 551 Telescope, Fitz's equatorial, 79 Tenth annual report of the trustees, 7 Terra-oolta or artificial stone, 113 Theophrastus, works of, 401 Timber, 543 Translations by Henry Meigs : American prunes, 450 Colonization and Agriculture of Algeria, 509 Cultivation of the pine apple, 536 Culture of melons by slip?, 251 Date palm of Africa, 253 Dietetic properties of the carrot, 350 Drain tile machine, 291 Encouragement of horticulture at St. Petersburg, . . . 551 Evaporation tubes for hay mows, 554 firom works of Theophrastus, 404 No. Ilg9.[ 671 Flowering of th« Nelwinbiara SpociosTim, , 47?3 Fuohela, 289 Gardens of France, . , 2S2 Kew, 513 Germanyj her agricultural industry and policy. 456 Herpin's memoirs of insects injurious to agriculture, 530 Histoiy and present condition of agriculture,' ...... 556 Importation of dried bananas into England, 568 Le Bon Jardinier Almanac, 392 Le Hannlton — The May bug, 291 Moss on fruit trees, » 419 New mode of moulding porcelain, 352 New plants cultivated by Linden at Biussels, 519 Nursery trees, 334 Onion of Nocera, 513 Orchidea, , , 520 Planfe louse, , 266 Plants — Des Genres, Camellia Rhododendrum, Aza- lea, Epacris and Erica, 534 Precepts in practical agriculture, 487 Preservation of fruits, 251 , 288 Milk,..., 827 Report on Masson's prepared vegetables, 393 works exchanged by A. Vattemare, 391 Researches on the bran of wheat and other grains, . . 420 Smith's parsley, 291 Statistics of agrlcujture in France, 511 672 [Assembly Pago. Tea, a49 Timber, 543 Transplanting large trees, 450 Victoria Regia, 47 Trustees and Committees for 1851, 3 Under-draining, 174, 264 Van Wyck on draining and under-draining, 174 Irrigation, 190 Milch cows, 200 Vattemare, donation of books from, 62 Varieties and economy of fuel, 1 96 Vegetables, respiration of, 533 Wallichia Densiflora, 519 Western World Institute, 164 Wheat growing without ploughing or spading, 380 Williams' address before the Western World Institute, 429 letters from, 428, 454 Wine, 70 Zinc painting, 115, 329 ,. w.':f;A)iJik mi^^^'y^' i - - u '■i-g.' i iifml^^^Pf i#^I^Si|g:^j>M^i^^ ...^,^^A^^A^^^^"^^' ,ftf^^^^^^^/^/^^^ f , '^ *. A « 5 '^ «... ft . . aa ^W IKk^Eal:.:.:.....,.;/^:^ ^B^i r 1 .ii WM^ mMffifl M lli!A!iaU |8\n*^'^''^':'^' Bmifiiiiiiii'iiiiiiiii'ii' rm '^K^<^ M^hfkkh . ^ . 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