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TTRRARY
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UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
LIBRARY
S
96
N43
V.8
1849
O^
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Date Due
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Printed in U.S.A.
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EIGHTH
ANNUAL REPORT
AMERICAN INSTITUTE,
OF THE CITY OF NEW-YORK.
Made to the Legislature, February 25, 1850.
ALBANY:
WEED, PARSONS & Co.. PUBLIC PRINTERS.
1850.
OFFICERS AxND COMMITTEES OF THE AMERICAN
INSTITUTE, 1849, '50.
TRUSTEES.
m
JAMES TALLMADGE, President.
JOHN D. WARD, ^
JOHN CAMPBELL, yVice-Presidmti.
LLVINGSTON LIVINGSTON,)
EDWARD T. Backhouse, Treasurer.
GEORGE BACON, Corresponding Secretary.
HENRY MEIGS, Recording Secretary.
ADONIRAM CHANDLER, Superintending AgerU.
MANAGERS OF THE TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL FAIK.
Robert Lovett, Chairman.
Joseph Torrey, William Ebbitt,
James Van Nonlen, John A. Sitlell,
Thomas B. Stillman, Bailey J. Hathaway,
Isaac Fryer, George F. Barnard,
Henian W. Childs, Alexander Knox, jr.,
Thomas W. Harvey, Edwin Smith,
George Gifford, H. P. Blackman,
William C. Arthur, Ralph Hall,
Benjamin Aycrigg, John A. Bunting,
James R. Smith, Martin E. Thompson,
George C. Mann, George R. Jackson,
John P. Riilner, Gordon L. Ford.
Adoniram Chandler, Ex officio.
BOARD or agriculture.
Lewis G. Morris, President.
Nicholas Wyckoff, } ,,. n -j a
R. T. Underhill, \ Vtce.PrtsiderU,.
John W. Chambers, Secretary.
Philip Schuyler, A. P. Cuming,
Thomas Bridgeman, Peter B. Mead,
Charles Henry Hall, Robert L. Pell,
Robert S. Livingston, Samuel Allen,
Thomas Bell, Ambrose Stevens,
John G. Bergen, Barnet Johnson,
J. Lawrence Smith, Samuel Van Wyck,
James Depeystcr, Elijah H. Kimball,
Alanson Nash, Thompson C. Munn,
Samuel Walker, Peter Pirnie,
John O. Choules, Francis Barretto,
George Vail, Adoniram Chandler,
William Watson, John H. Coles.
committee on finance.
John Campbell, Geo. F. Barnard,
T. B. Stillman, John A. Bunting,
Geo. Bacon, Cornelius L. Sidell.
Linus W. Sterena,
2^7Jj-
IT
COMMXTTKX ON COMMERCE.
Freeman Hunt, Abraham Bell,
Chas. Henry Hall, Luther B. Wyman.
George Bacon,
COMMITTEE ON MANUFACTURES.
Thomas W. Harvey, Henry R. Dunham,
R. M. Stratton, Alex. Knox, Jr.
Wm. Serrell,
COMMITTEE ON ARTS AND SCIENCES.
Jas. Renwick, John Randel, Jr.,
John D. Ward, Jas. J. Mapes,
Benj. Aycrigg, Geo. G. Sickles,
Jas. R. Chilton, Jas. Bogardus,
Horatio Allen, John R. St. John,
Chas. W. Copeland, Chas. W. Hackley
COMMITTEE ON ADMISSION OF MEMBERS.
Alanson Nash, Geo. Giflford,
John Campbell, Edward T. Backhouse.
Henry Meigs,
W
COMMITTEE ON CORRESPONDENCE AND THE LIBRARY.
John A. Sidell, Jacob C. Parsons,
Philip Burrowes, Jacob T. Walden.
Bailey J. Hathaway,
!>♦
No. 199.
IN ASSEMBLY, FEB. 26, 1850.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE.
New-York, Feb. 26M, 1850.
To the Honorable
Noble S. Elderkin,
Speaker of the House of Assembly^ JVew-York.
Sir — I herewith transmit the Annual Report of the Ameridin In-
stitute of the city of New- York.
Very respectfully,
Your obt. servant,
ADONIRAM CHANDLER,
Superintending Age
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE.
JVcMJ-YbrA;, Jan. 7, 1850.
The Trustees of the American Institute of the city of New- York,
herewith present to the New-York State Agricultural Society, a report
of their proceedings for the past year, in conformity to the law passed
May 5, 1841, which constituted the Institute, the Agricultural Society
of the county of New- York.
Th€ Annual Transactions of the American Institute cover an ex-
tended field, in which our fellow citizens throughout the country,
who are engaged in agriculture, manufactures, commerce, and the
arts, to a greater or less extent, are interested. It seems, therefore,
necessary to embody in this report, every thing of interest, coming
within the purview of the Institute, for the general information of all
who are engaged in those great pursuits. Agriculture and manufac^
tures are the parents of commerce ; the ingenuity of the mechanic
is indispensable to them. How essentially necessary to agriculture
is the labor which is applied in originating and perfecting labor-saving
machines for its use ; and in improving the numerous implements it
has already received from the hands of the artizan. Any attempt to
separate these interests, must be injurious, and should at once be dis-
countenanced. Let the intercourse of classes, mutually dependant,
be as free as air ; the benefits resulting will be great, and as mutual
as the intercourse is free.
The American Institute, located as it is in the metropolis of the
Union, and embracing the great objects contained in its charter, we
believe affords greater facilities for observation, enquiry, comparison,
and the diffusion of important facts, pertaining to the industrial pursuit!
8 [Assembly
of men, than any similar association within our knowledge. It was
the pioneer in the great movement of association for disseminating
useful information, and practically illustrating the productions of
agriculture, manufactures, and the handicraft of the mechanic. Con-
nected, as they intimately are and must be, with the every day w^ants
of our citizens, it seems to have been demanded. The energies of
the mechanic and manufacturer were feeble at the commencement of
our operations, compared with the spirit and enterprise which now
animate them. Contact with rivals, in every department, has accele-
rated the progress of improvement, so that now, their productions
stand second to none.
0
Agriculture has received its full share of our labor in endeavors to
promote its advancement. Years of toil, before the legislative enact-
ment of 1841, will attest the sincerity of our devotion to that interest,
, The geological survey of the State originated in a petition from the
American Institute for that object ; and for a succession of years the
Institute has been petitioning for aid from the Legislature to establish
an agricultural school with an experimental farm attached. We re-
joice that the Legislature has at length moved in the matter. Al-
though the American Institute has been omitted in the measures thus
far taken, it has no complaint to make, no fault to find ; satisfied to
the full, if the end is attained and the object faithfully accomplished,
no matter under whose auspices the work may be done.
The disbursements of the Institute in sustaining its operations for
the last eight consecutive years, have been over $12,000 per annum ;
making a total sum of $96,352.73. Our vouchers show that nearly
one-third of this sum, or $30,000, is chargeable to the department of
agriculture. The balance to manufactures and the mechanic arts.
Such has been its disbursements in defraying all its expenses. The
State, under the law of 1841, has refunded $7,600. For which, on
behalf of the Institute, we tender our most sincere thanks, and solicit
a continuance of this bounty ; confident in the assurance that it will
be faithfully, and we trust beneficially, applied.
The succeeding pages will bring to the knowledge of our fellow
citizens, a somewhat detailed statement of our operations during the
No. 199.] 9
past year, in the varied departments which receive our constant care
and attention. In manufactures and the mechanics arts, something
new is annually looked for. The prolific genius of our countrymen
rarely disappoints this expectation. Improved methods for accom-
plishing desired objects — perfection of finish — and improved beauty
in design, characterize their annual offerings. In the department of
agriculture, and tne production of the prime necessaries of life, much
that is entirely new, cannot be expected. Increased production, the
reclamation of sterile or exhausted soils, and the conversion of mate-
rials, heretofore deemed worthless, into profitable manures, have
evidently marked its progress. Nevertheless there is a vast amount
of labor required to be done, in bringing clearly to the comprehension
of practical operators in the soil, the truths which science has already
largely developed.
It has been charged, and there may be truth in the allegation, that
our high seminaries of learning, fostered by the bounty of the State
in no stinted measure, have too long neglected the great duty of
bringing to the aid of practical operators in the indispensable arts
of life, the important discoveries of science. Be this as it may, the
spirit of the age is fast removing difficulties. The light of science
begins to illuminate the humblest cottage ; from whence it will be
reflected with benefits innumerable, and a brilliancy unknown in the
cloisters of monastic concealment.
It is not an uncommon occurrence, for those who are engaged in
gratuitous labor for the public good, to be assailed and misrepresented.
We ask our fellow citizens to examine closely before they decide.
Every act of the Institute is open to examination.
JAMES TALLMADGE,^
JOHN CAMPBELL,
JOHN D. WARD,
LIV. LIVINGSTON, I Trustees.
GEO. BACON, '
H. MEIGS, ;
E. T. BACKHOUSE, J
10 [Assembly
The following is the financial condition of the American Institute :
By the annual report of the Finance Committee, made to the
American Institute April 12, 1849,
There were invested in stocks of the city of New-York, and money
deposited in the Mechanics' Banking Association, at
interest, $17,000 00
In the treasury, 1 ,039 53
$18,039 62
The Receipts of the year have been.
From members, $1,812 00
" Certificates of awards, 36 00
" Sales of Transactions, 3 25
" Managers of the 22nd annual Fair, 6,000 00
" Treasurer of the State of New-York, under act
of May 1841, 950 00
*' Rent of store No. 351 Broadway, to February 1,
1850, 1,333 32
" Rent of room No. 333 Broadway, to February
1, 1850, 260 00
« Interest on bonds, $495 00
" Interest on money in bank, 120 83
615 33
" Donation for library Messrs French & Heiser, . 75 00
$29.] 24 92
Payments.
Real Estate.
1849.
May 1. Paid on account of purchase of property No.
351 Broadway, ($45,000,) $15,000 00
23. Paid insurance on do, 90 00
Nov. 2. Paid interest on bond and mortgage, $25,000,
from May 1 to Nov. 1, 1849, 812 50
Carried forward, $15,902 50
Vo. 199.] 11
Brought forvvanl, $15,902 60
Nov. 10. Paid mortgage of $5,000.00, less difference
of interest, $4,431 88
Paid interest to November,.... 152 04
4,583 92
12. Paid assessment, 8 24
Feb. 15. Paid taxes of 1849, 437 78
Repairs and Alterations JVo. 351 Broadway.
Carpenters' work, $267 68
Masons'* do 45 93
Painting and sign?, 296 00
New roofing extension of store,, . , 142 75
Iron railing, 27 00
Flagging side-walk and emptying sink,. . , 49 87
Cleaning, whitewashing and glazing, 65 68
Monument to T. B. Wakeman.
Two lots in Greenwood Cemetery, $220 00
' >.n railing, 250 00
Monument, 350 00
Miscellaneous Bills.
Salaries and Clerk hire.
Salary of superintending Agent, May to
November, $500 00
Salary of Recording Secretary to February
14, 1850, 286 24
Salary of Clerk to December 13, 1S49,.. 525 00
Salary of assistant Librarian, 228 25
Services of Messenger, , 98 25
$20,932 44
894 91
820
A*
Carried forward, $1 ,637 74 $22,647 36
12 [Assembly
Brought forward, $1,637 74 $22,647 35
Expenses of Farmers' Club reporting 12
meetings, $30 00
. Papers for distribution, 27 00
57 00
Insurance on library, 24 00
Books and periodicals for library, 135 25
Newspaper subscriptions, &c., 39 50
Freight on Transactions, &c., 18 51
Expenses of removal, , 53 93
Directory, 2 25
Rent of rooms No. 333 Broadway, '^50 00
Storage of library, &c., 30 00
Croton water and ice, 18 73
Petty cash expenses — postages, subscrip-
tion to small papers, advertising, clean-
ing, &c., &c., 188 94
2,955 90
$25,603 25
ui
Amount of Receipts, $29,124 92
« Payments, 25,603 25
Balance in the treasury Feb. 15, 1850,. $3,521 67
REPORT OF THE MANAGERS
OP THE
TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL FAIR.
The Board of Managers of the twenty-second annual Fair of the
American Institute, respectfully
REPORT :
That as usual, extensive public notice was given that the Fair would
be open to visitors at Castle Garden, on Tuesday, the second day of
October, but in consequence of the inclement weather the opening
was postponed until the 3d.
The number of entries on the books were, in the Mechanical and
Manufacturing Department 2,092, in the Agricultural and Horticultural
Department 268, and at the Cattle Show 227, making a total of 2,587.
The American Congress of Fruit Growers, according to arrange-
ments made the last year, met as before under the auspices of the
American Institute, on the morning of the 2d of October. The as-
sembly was called to order at 11 o'clock, by the Hon. M. P. Wilder,
President. The meeting was held in the large front saloon at Castle
Garden, which had been prepared by the Institute for their accommo-
dation. The attendance was large, and their proceedings of great in-
terest, a full report will be found among the transactions of this year.
Since the 21st Fair, the health of Mr. Bridgeman, an old and res-
pected friend has been so impaired that he was unable to perform the
arduous duties pertaining to the Agricultural and Horticultural Depart-
14 [Assembly
ent of our Fair and resigned. We can not in justice to him or to
this board suffer his retirement, without expressing regret for the cause,
and our thanks to him for unwearied attention and important servicea
to the American Institute in the department to which he was attached.
That department has been under the charge of Mr. Peter B. Mead
whose experience enabled him to carry out its objects efficiently, and
with great taste and judgment. The report of Mr. Mead, is hereunto
annexed.
The Cattle Show was held on the spacious premises on the Fifth
Avenue, corner of Twenty-third street — permission was politely given
by the corporation of the city to parade the horses on Madison Square
opposite.
The number of entries were as follows :
Horses, 34 Swine, 55
Cattle, 138 Poultry, 48
Sheep, 83 Shepherd Dogs, ... 3
Mules, 4
The Premiums awarded in this department were,
40 Silver Cups, 11 Vols, of Agricultural Books,
23 Silver Medals, $25 in cash.
4 Diplomas,
By a rule adopted by the Managers, the premiums could be received
in plate or cash.
The testing of plows and the plowing and spading matches, were
held at Flushing L. I. in connexion with the Queens county Agricul-
tural Society.
The Premium Committee, whose duties are of the most arduous and
responsible kind, have faithfully and judiciously carried out the objects
of the Institute. The chairman, Mr. Joseph Torrey, being always at
at his post, and with his long experience, his services can hardly be dis-
pensed with.
No. 199.] 15
The following is a list of premi\iins as awarded :
53 Gold Medals.
1 Gold Medal " Tallmadge Premium."
247 Silver Medals.
64 Silver Cups.
421 Diplomas.
$110 Cash and 24 certificates to apprentices and minors.
$110 Cash and 6 Bronze Medals.
" The Van Schaick Premium."
$25 Cash — premium for team of oxen.
152 Volumes of Agricultural Books.
The Committee estimates the above premiums to cost three thousand
dollars.
The Finance Committee of the Fair, of which Mr. William Ebbitt
is chairman, have discharged their duties with care and promptness.
The following is a condensed statement of the receipts and expend-
itures of the Fair ; for details reference may be had to the report of
that committee.
Receipts.
To cash received from sales of tickets at Castle Garden, $18,315 25
" at cattle show, 156 53
" rent of stands, 210 00
sales of lumber, 147 34
$18,829 12
Less, counterfeit money, $12 00
Discount on uncurrent money, 46 89
58 89
Carried forward, $18,770 23
16 [Assembly
Brought forward, ' $18,770 23
Expenditures.
By Printing and Publication Committee.
Printing circulars, invitations, tickets, blanks, handbills,
badges, &c. , $414 46
Printing addresses, 261 61
Newspaper advertisements, bill-
posting, stationery, &c., 306 19
$982 £6
By Committee of Arrangements.
Superintendent, clerks, assistants and la-
borers, §769 25
Muslin for tables, flags, &.c., 75 51
Glazing cases, . 18 99
Flag poles, 53 80
Repairs of saloon after Fair, car-
penter's work, cleaning and gas
fixtures, 59 53
Petty expenditures, 69 00
By Committee on Steam Power, Sfc.
Use of engine, . » $100 00
Shafting, repairs of boiler, en-
gineer, &c., 360 99
Assistants and laborers, 143 50
Fuel, 115 43
Water for engine, 10 00
Painting roof of machine room, tin
leaders, &c., 56 94
By Committee on Light.
Gas light, $n86 90
Camphene, 351 00
Oil and candles, 153 54
1,046 08
784 86
Carried forward, $891 44 $2,813 20 $18,770 23
No. 199.] 17
Brought forward, $891 44 $2,813 20 $18,770 23
Loan of chandeliers, 50 00
Lighting, 52 00
Pipes and fixtures, 171 21
1,164 65
By Finance Committee.
Ticket sellers and counter, $163 00
Check book, stationery and cash
boxes, 17 69
180 69
By Ticket Committee.
Ticket receivers and counter, $157 00
Stamping tickets, 10 50
167 50
By Police Committee.
Police, day, evening and night watch, 404 76
By Mgricultural and Horticultural Committee.
Carpenter's work, erecting sheds, . $323 69
Clerks, laborers, box wood, use of
crockery, &c., 492 19
815 88
By Refreshment Comm/ittee.
Dinners for managers while detailed on duty,
and for guests from a distance,. $525 00
Refreshments, &c., for bands of
music, whose services were gra-
tuitous, &c., 184 71
709 71
Miscellaneous Bills.
Rent of Castle Garden 21 days, at $75 per
day, 1,575 00
Lumber and carpenter's work, fitting up
saloon, $374 11
Curried forward, $374 11 $7,831 39 $18,770 23
[Assembly, No. 199.] 2
18 J A SSEMBLY
Brought fonvard, $374 11 $7,831 39 $18,770 23
Covering bridge, building gas house
and fitting up room for Congress
of Fruit Growers, 223 00
697 11
Wire for pin machine, 25 00
Band, &c., for N. Y. Volunteers, 60 50
Rent of Tabernacle, and music for anniversary
address, 115 00
Expenses of Orator, 38 00
Fireworks, 190 00
Chambermaid, 5 00
By Premium Committee^ (in part.)
Gold and silver for medals, $1,177 50
Stamping and cutting medals, ... 204 37
Silver cups, &c., 341 25
Medal cases, 100 00
Printing diplomas, 60 76
Filling up « ^. . 21 80
Agricuhural works, 130 72
Postage, notifying judges, l2 22
Cash instead of cups and medals,. 214 00
" minors' premiums, 1 10 00
" Van Schaick premium, 110 00
2,482 61
Expenses as far as paid, 11,344 61
Which being deducted from the receipts leaves, $7,425 62
Of which has been into the treasury of the American
Institute, Nov. 9, 1849, 6,000 00
m
Leaving a balance of, $1,425 62
in the Mechanic's Banking Association, to the credit of the Board of
Managers of the 22nd Annual Fair, to pay some claims for premiums,
printing, &c., not yet completed • when settled the committee will
report to the Institute.
No. 199. 1 19
The board would state that, \\ith great regret, the resignation of
Mr. James Van Norden, the late chairman of the Finance Commit-
tee, was accepted ; his unremitting and faithful attention to his duties
require and receive the thanks of this board
The expenses of the Fair for light, labor, rent, refreshments, &c.,
have been greater than in previous years, as at no time before has the
Fair been kept open so long. In consequence of the rain and in-
clement weather during the first weeks of the Fair, it was deemed
proper to continue it open until near the end of the fourth week —
heretofore it has closed within three weeks.
The receipts have been larger than at any previous Fair, and is a
strong evidence that the American Institute, its objects and views,
are increasing in favor with the public. Let its principles continue to
be carried out honestly, fearlessly and impartially, and the community
will be with and sustain us.
Before closing this report, the Managers feel bound to express
their thanks to their friends of the Army and Navy, from whom the
Institute has ever received tokens of approbation, kindness and at-
tention. We were occasionally furnished by them with excellent
bands of music, which contributed largely to the enjoyment of the
scene at Castle Garden.
During the Fair the following addresses were delivered, and have
been printed for distribution :
Opening address by the Hon. Henry Meigs.
Address by James Madison Crane, Esq.
Address on the Patent Laws, by George GifFord, Esq
Address on the Philosophy of Manufactures, by Thomas Anti-
sell, M. D.
Address on the Progress and Improvements that have been made
in the Mechanic Arts, by Rev. John Al Burtis.
Anniversary address, by Hon. Levi Woodbury, of New Hampshire-
Closing address, by the Hon. James Tallmadge, the President of
the Institute.
ROBERT LOVETT, C?uiirman.
J^ew-Yorkj Feb. 14, 1860.
LIST OF PREMIUMS
AWARDED BY THE MANAGERS OF THE TWENTY-SECOND
ANNUAL FAIR OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE, OCTOBER
1849.
AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
THOROUGH BRED MiOOD HORSES.
Henry Booth, Morrisania, N. ¥., for the best thorough bred Wood
stallion, " Trustee." Silver Cup, $15.
Lewis A. Sayre, New-York, for the best thorough bred mare,
" Young Lady Lightfoot." Silver Cup, $15.
Lewis A. Sayre, New-York, for a yearling filly, "Belle." Diploma.
MATCHED, FARM AND SINGLE HORSES.
Jackson Nichols, Flushing, L. I,, for the best broodmare. Silver
Cup, $10.
W, H. Morris, Morrisania, N. Y., for the second best brood mare.
Silver Medal.
Philip Hornbeck, Ulster Co., N. Y., for the best two year old Mam-
brino colt, " Tho's Jefferson." Silver Cup, $8.
Eleazar Parmly, New- York, for the best pair of matched horses.
Silver Cup, $10.
Bathgate Brothers, Morrisania, N, Y., for the best pair of farm horses.
Silver Cup, $10.
W. H. Van Cott, Harlem, N. Y., for the best single road horse.
Silver Medal,
[Assemble
native stock.
Thomas Bell, Morrisania, N. Y., for the best cow. Silver Cup,
$10.
James Patton, Newburgh, N. Y., for the best heifer calf. Silvei
Medal.
FULL BRED STOCK.
Durhams.
Lewis G. Morris, Fordham, N. Y., for the best short horned bull,
" Lamartine." Silver Cup, $15.
Hugh Nicholson, Tariffville, Conn., for a short horned bull. Silver
^Medal.
Lewis G. Morris, Fordham, N. Y., for the best short horned bull
calf, " Logan," Silver Medal.
Bathgate Brothers, Morrisania, N. Y., for the best short horned cow
Silver Cup, $15.
Bathgate Brothers, Morrisania, N. Y., for the best short horned
heifer, 2 years old. Silver Cup, $8.
Lewis G. Morris, Fordham, N. Y., for the best short horned heifer
calf. Silver Medal.
Devons.
S. & L. Hurlbut, Winchester, Conn., for the best Devon bull,
« Bloomfield." Silver Cup, $15.
Jacob N, Blakeslee, Watertown, Conn , for the second best Devon
bull. Silver Medal.
Hiram Whitlock North Salem, N. Y., for the best Devon bull calf.
Silver Medal.
S. & L. Hurlbut, Winchester, Conn., for the best Devon cow.
Silver Cup, $15.
S. & L Hurlbut, Winchester, Conn., for the best Devon yearling
heifer. Silver Cup, $8.
S. & L, Hurlbut, Winchester, Conn., for the best Devon heifer calf.
Silver Medal.
Hereford.
Isaac Sherman, Milton, Ulster Co., N. Y., for the best Hereford
yearling bull. Silver Cup, $8.
N€>. 199.J 23
Ayrshire.
Ezra Nye, Clinton-Place, N. Y., for the best Ayrshire bull. Silver
Cup, $15.
Morgan G. Colt, Paterson, N. J., for the best Ayrshire cow. Silver
Cup, $15.
William Watson, Westchester Co., N. Y., for the best Ayrshire
heifer. Silver Cup, |8.
Morgan G. Colt, Paterson, N. J., for the best Ayrshire yearling
heifer. Silver Medal.
Morgan G. Colt, Paterson, N. J., for the best Ayrshire yearling bull.
Silver Cup, |8.
Morgan G. Colt, Paterson, N. J,, for the best Ayrshire bull calf.
Silver Medal.
Aldemey.
Roswell L. Colt, Paterson, N. J., for the best Alderney cow. Silver
Cup, $15.
Roswell L. Colt, Paterson, N. J,, for the best Alderney heifer.
Silver Cup, $8.
Roswell L Colt, Paterson, N. J., for the best Alderney heifer calf.
Silver Medal.
Roswell L. Colt, Paterson, N. J., for the best Alderney bull.
Silver Cup, $15.
Roswell L. Colt, Paterson, N. J., for the best Alderney bull calf.
Silver Medal.
GRADE STOCK.
George A. Prevost, Pelham, Westchester Co., N. Y,, for the best
grade bull, « Prince Albert," 3 years old. Silver Cup, $10.
Isaac P. Smith, Nyack, Rockland Co., N. Y., for the best yearling
bull. Silver Medal.
Jackson Nicholas, Flushing, L. I., for the best grade bull calf.
Silver Medal.
James Bathgate, Fordham, Westchester Co., N. Y., for the best
grade cow, " Cora." Silver Cup, $15,
Cornelius T. Smith, Nyack, Rockland Co., N. Y., for the best grade
heifer, " Lizelta." Silver Cup, $'8.
James Angus, West Farms, \\'estchester Co., N, Y., for the best
grade heifer calf, " Lady Taylor." Silver Medal.
24 [Assembly
milking cows.
Lewis G. Morris, Fordham, Westchester county, N. Y., for the best
cow in milk. Silver cup, $8.
Thomas Bell, Morrisania, Westchester county, N. Y., for the second
best cow in milk. Silver medal.
Lewis G. Morris, Fordham, Westchester county, N. Y., for the third
best cow in milk. Trans. N. Y. State Ag. Soc.
WORKING OXEN.
John Fitch, Warden Alms House, New-York, for the best yoke of
working oxen, 8 years old. Silver cup, $15.
S. & L. Hurlbut, Winchester Conn., for the second best yoke of
working oxen, 6 years old. Silver medal.
John B. Gedney, White Plains, W^estchester county, N. Y,, for the
best team of working oxen, 5 yoke, $26
FAT CATTLE.
G. H. Townsend, New-Haven, Conn., for the best pair of fat cattle.
Silver cup, $20.
Lewis G. Collins, Washington, Dutchess county, N. Y., for the
best fat ox. Silver cup, $8.
Bathgate Bros., Morrisania, Westchester county, N. Y.,for the best
fat heifer. Silver cup, $8.
FINE WOOL SHEEP.
Seely C. Roe, Chester, Orange county, N. Y., for the best merino
buck, " Bonaparte." Silver cup, $8.
Cullen Capehart, Merry Hills, N. C, for the second best merino
buck, " Vermont Chief." Diploma.
Geo. W. Capehart, Merry Hills, N. C, for the best pen of three
mernio ewes. Silver cup. $S.
Lewis G; Collins, Washington, Dutchess county, N. Y. for the best
pen of six merino lambs. Silver medal.
LONG WOOL SHEEP.
Elias L. Barlow, LaGrange, Dutchess county N. Y., for the best
long wool buck. Silver cup, $8.
Edward Hallock, Milton, Ulster county, N. Y., for the best pen of
three long wool ewes. Silver cup, $8.
No. 199.] 26
Elias L. Barlow, LaGrange, Dutchess county, N. Y., for the best
pen of three long wool lambs. Silver medal.
Elias L, Barlow, LaGrange, Dutchess county, N. Y,, for the best
south down buck. Silver cup, $8.
Edward Wait, Montgomery, Orange county, N. Y., for the best
pen of three south down ewes. Silver cup, $8.
Daniel B. Haight, Washington, Dutchess county, N. Y.,for thebe^
pen of three south-down lambs. Silver medal.
FAT SHEEP.
John Dick, White Plains, Westchester county, N. Y., for the best
fat sheep, (long wool.) Silver cup^ $8.
Bathgate Bros., Morrisania, Westchester county, N.Y., for the best
fat lamb, (middle wool.) Silver cup, $8.
SHEPHERD DOG.
Bathgate Bros., Morrisania, Westchester county, N. Y., for the best
shepherd dog. Farmers' Library.
SWINE.
W. J. & S. Halden, 9th Avenue and 63d-street, for the best boar,
" grass and Lincolnshire breed." Silver cup, $8.
Samuel Love, 63d-street, between 6th and 7th Avenues, for the se-
cond best boar, " Berkshire." Diploma.
Samuel Love, 53d-street, between 6th and 7th Avenues, for the best
sow, "Berkshire." Silver cup, $8.
William Watson, Westchester county, N. Y., for the second best
sow, "Berkshire." Diploma.
William Bolmer, Westchester comity, N. Y., for the best shote.
Silver medal.
Levi W. Trail, Torrington, Conn., for the best lot of pigs. Silver
cup, $8.
William Watson, Westchester county, N. Y., for a boar, "improved
Berkshire." Silver medal.
William Stickney, Boston, Mass., for a Suffolk shote. Diploma.
POULTRY
R. L. Colt, Paterson, N. J., for the best pair of turkeys. Ameri-
can Poulterers' Companion,
26 r Assembly
R. L. Colt, Fatersorij N. J., for the best pair of Bremen geese.
American Poulterers' Companion.
R. L. Colt, Paterson, N. J., for the best pair of Muscovy ducks.
American Poulterers' Companion.
Henry A. Field, Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, N. Y., for the
best pair of Dorking fowls American Poultry Book.
R. L. Colt, Paterson, N. J., for the best pair of common ducks.
American Poulterers' Companion.
R. L. Colt, Paterson, N. J., for the best pair of capons. American
Poultry Book.
Wm. Moore, 46th-street, Bloomingdale road, for the best pair of
Poland fowls. American Poultry Book.
Henry A. Field, Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, N. Y., for Dork-
ing chickens. Trans. Am, Ins.
Wm. -Moore, 46th-street and Bloomingdale road, for Java fowls.
Trans. Am. Ins.
FIELD CROPS.
S. B, Townsend, Astoria, L. I., for a field of corn. Silver cup,
$8.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS,
Roswell L. Colt, Paterson, N, J., for the best varieties of Indian
corn. Silver cup, $8.
C, T. Smith, Nyack, N. Y., for the best white corn. Washington's
Agricultural Correspondence.
Jacob A. Sharp, Orange, N. J., for the best yellow corn. Col-
man's European Agriculture.
S. W. Jewett, Weybridge, Vt,, for superior corn. Washington's
Letters on Agriculture.
E. H. Kimball, Flatlands, L. I., for the best wheat. Silver cup,
$8.
Henry Robinson, Newburgh, N. Y.,for extra fine wheat. Washings-
ton's Agricultural Correspondence.
George Nesbitt, Hobart, Delaware county, N Y., Alexander Smith,
agent, 388 Broadway, for a sample of superior spring wheat. Trans.
N. Y. Slate Ag. Soc.
E. H. Kimball, Flatlands, L. I., for a sample of superior red
wheat. Trans. Am. Ins.
No. 199.^ 27
James Weeden, Newtown, L. I., for a sample of good Mediterra-
nean wheat. Trans. Am. Ins,
Robert L. Pell, Ulster county, N. Y., for the best rye. Silver
medal.
Henry A. Field, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., for fine rye. Washington's
Letters on Agriculture.
George Nesbitt, Hobart, Delaware county, N. Y., Alexander Smith,
agent, 388 Broadway, for the best oats. Silver medal.
Robert L. Pell, Ulster county, N. Y., for rxti-a fine oats. Wash-
ington's Agricultural Correspondence.
James Weeden, Newtown, L. I., for the best buckwheat. Ool-
man's European Agriculture.
Robert L. Pell, Ulster county, N. Y., for a sample of fine buck'
wheat. Washington's Agricultural Correspondence.
James Weeden, Newtown, L. I., for the best sample of Egyptian
corn. Allen's American Agriculture.
S. B. Townsend Astoria. L. I., for a sample of good corn. Trans.
Am. Ins.
Jacob P. Giraud, Jr., Bergen, N. J., for varieties of fine corn.
Trans. Am. Ins.
FLOUR AND MEAL.
Hecker & Brother, Croton Mills, New-York, for the best wheat
flour. Silver medal.
A. Harmon, South Chili, N. Y., N. H. Wolfe, agent, 17 South-
street, for superior wheat flour. Colman's European ^Agriculture.
J. Lathrop, Leroy-street, Clark & Coleman, agents, 18 South-
street, for extra fine wheat flour. Gardner's Farmer's Dictio;iary.
Bennett & Varnum, Saratoga county, N. Y., for the best rye flour.
Silver medal.
Henry A. Field, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., for superior rye flour.
Gardner's Farmer's Dictionary.
Franks & Stewart, Changewater, N. J., Cornelius Stewart, agent,
64 Dey-street, for the best kiln-dried meal. Silver medal.
Hutchinson & Floyd, Cleveland, Ohio, J. M. Hoyt & Sons, agents,
176 Washington-street, for superior steam-dried meal, (by Staflbrds'
steam drier.) Silver medal.
Hecker & Brothers, Croton Mills, N. Y., for superior farina. Sil
ver medal.
28 [Assembly
HOPS.
L. S. Mason, Otsego, N. Y., P. Harmon, agent, 66, Dey-street,
for the best hops. Cohnan's European Agriculture.
S. White, Madison county, N. Y., G. W. Ryckman, Jr., agent, 41
Water street, for a bale of superior hops. Vol. on hops.
PRODUCTS OF THE DAIRY.
Butter.
Thomas Helmes, Goshen, Orange county, N. Y., for the best spe-
cimen of butter. Silver cup, $8.
John L'Hommedieu, Cortlandt village, Cortlandt county, N. Y.,
for very excellent butter. Silver medal.
Daniel Jessup, Florida, Orange county, N. Y., for a specimen of
fine butter. Farmers' Library.
James Lewis, Goshen, Orange county, N. Y., for a specimen of
good butter. Trans. Am. Ins.
Cheese.
J. Ellison, Herkimer county. N. Y., for the best specimen of Ame-
rican dairy cheese. Silver cup, $8.
P. Carter, Lysander, Onondaga county, N. Y., for excellent flavor-
ed American dairy cheese. Silver medal.
J. Hamlin, 14 Front-street, for fine flavored American dairy cheese.
Colman's European Agriculture.
W. "W. Dowd, Ashtabula county, Ohio, for good flavored Ameri-
can cheese. Washington's Agricultural Correspondence.
George Hezlep, Gustavus, Trumbull county, Ohio, Phillips &
Aborn, agents, 108 Broad-street, for the best imitation Elnglish dairy
cheese. Washington's Letters on Agriculture.
Luther Eames, 88 Hicks-street, Brooklyn, L. L, for fine imitation
English dairy cheese. Trans. N. Y. State Ag. Soc.
J. E. Hoyt, Colbrook, Conn., J. Clancy, agent, 14 Front-street,
for good imitation English dairy cheese. Trans. Am. Ins.
A. E. Austin, Austinburgh, Ashtabula county, Ohio, for a mammoth
cheese of good quality, 1,750 lbs Silver cup, $8.
No. 199.J 29
WINE.
Nicholas Longworth, Cincinnati, Ohio, for the best wine, " spark-
ling Catawba." Gold medal.
Mrs. Grover, New-Brunswick, N. J., for excellent tomato and wild
cherry wine. Diploma.
Thompson C. Munn, Orange, N. J., for excellent cider. Diploma.
FRUIT.
Parsons & Co., Flushing, L. L, for the choicest and greatest variety
of fruit. Silver cup, $10.
C. H. Earle, Newark, N. J., for the greatest number of choice
varieties of apples. Silver cup, $8.
Wilson, Thorbum & Teller, Albany, N. Y., for a very fine assort-
ment of apples. 6 Nos. Hovey's Fruits.
B. Mattison & Brothers, North Bennington, Vt., for several choice
varieties of apples. Do\vning's Horticulturist.
D. F. Goodrich, Stockbridge, Mass., for a good assortment of ap-
ples. Bridgeman's Gardener's Assistant.
James O'Donohue, Middle Village, L. I., for the best variety of
winter apples. Trans. Am. Ins.
W. H. Hughes, Matawan Point, N. J., for the best native grapes.
Silver medal.
S. T. Jones, New-Brighton, S. I., for very fine varieties of native
grapes. 4 Nos. Hovey's Fruits.
R. T. Underbill, Croton Point, N. Y., for choice native grapes.
Downing's Fruit Trees.
W. A. Underbill, Croton Point, N. Y., for choice Isabella grapes.
Hoare on the Vine.
P. S. Van Rensselaer, Clinton Point, Dutchess county, N. Y., Ed-
ward Downing, Gardener, for the best foreign grapes. Silver medal.
Nathan Durfee, Fall River, Mass., for very fine varieties of foreign
grapes. Four Nos. of Hovey's Fruits.
Peck & Roe, Flushing, L. L, for choice foreign grapes. Bridge-
man's Gardener's Assistant.
Roswell L. Colt, Paterson, N. J., for good varieties of foreign
grapes. Hoare on the Vine.
John Burrow, Fishkill, N. Y., for the best freestone peaches, (seed-
lings. ) Downing's Fruit Trees.
30 [ Assembly
D. Fairbank, 237 West 14th-street, for the best clingstone peaches,
(seedlings.) Bridgeman's Gardener's Assistant.
M, C. Morgan, Jersey city, for the best nectarines, (seedlings.)
Trans. Am, Ins.
M. P. Wilder, Dorchester, Mass., for the choicest variety of pears.
Silver cup.
Hovey & Co., Cambridge, Mass., for a large variety of choice
pears Silver medal.
Wilson, Thorburn & Teller, Albany, N. Y., for a fine assortment
of pears. Dowaing's Fruit Trees.
W. G. Verplanck, Geneva, N. Y., for a superb display of butter-
pears. Bridgeman's Gardener's Assistant.
William Wright, Newark, N. J., for the best table pears. Cole's
Fruit Book.
Wilson, Thorburn & Teller, Albany, N. Y., for the best dish of
plums. Downing's Fruit Trees.
W. G. Verplanck, Geneva, N. Y., for the best assortment of quin-
ces. Bridgeman's Gardener's Assistant.
John Tonnelle, Bergen, N. J., for excellent quinces. Cole's Fruit
Book.
Jolm Eltringham, Jersey city, for a good sample of quinces.
Thomas' Fruit Culturist.
W. J. & E. Smith, Geneva, N. Y., for a superb display of Verga-
lieu pears. Farmer's Library.
C. H. Raberg, Totawa, N. J., for a large dish of superior Duchesse
d'Angouleme pears. Trans. N. Y. State Ag. Soc.
William Wright, Newark, N. J,, for very fine Marie Louise Bonne
de Jersey pears. Hoare on the Vine.
Tunis G. Bergen, Narrows, L. L, for a pear of a very fine quality,
(represented as a seedling.) Trans. Am. Ins.
Joseph Briell, Newark, N. J., for a very fin )uchesse d'Angou-
leme pears. Trans. N. Y. State Ag. Soc.
John Tonnelle, Bergen, N. J., for excellent Duchesse d'Angouleme
pears. Trans. Am. Ins.
Oliver Slate, Jr., Throg's Neck, N. Y., for very large Hamburgh
grapes. Thomas' Fruit Book.
John E. Dodge, Dodgeville, Mass., for a very fine display of Ham-
burgh grapes. Hovey 's Magazine of Horticulture.
No. 199.] 31
A. P. Cumings, William sburgh, L. I., for four ynrieties of quinces
and several varieties of foreign and native grapes. Hovey's Magazine
of Horticulture.
FLOWERS.
Charles More 98th-street, 3d Avenue, for the 30 best varieties of
named roses. Silver medal.
Mateo Donadi, 44th-street, Bloomingdale Road, for a choice dis-
play of named roses. Browne's Trees of America.
J. M. Thorburn & Co., 15 John-street, for the 24 best varieties of
named dahlias. Silver medal.
Thomas Dunlap, 635 Broadway, for 24 beautiful blooms of dahlias.
Browne's Trees of America.
Mateo Donadi, 44th-street, Bloomingdale Road, for 24 choice
blooms of dahlias. Downing's Landscape Gardening.
William Beekman, 51st-street, for 24 fine blooms of dahlias. The
American Flora.
J. M. Thorburn & Co., 15 John-street, for the largest and best
display of dahlias. Silver cup, $10.
William Beekman, 51st-street, for a large and superb display of
dahlias. Silver cup, $8.
Bernard Kelly, gardener to E. W. Fiske, Gowanus, L. I., for a
large and beautiful display of dahhas, frequently renewed. Silver
medal.
Mateo Donadi, 44th street, Bloomingdale Road, for a superb dis-
play of dahlias, frequently renewed. Silver medal.
Charles Mor6, 98th-street, 3d Avenue, for a display of choice
dahlias, frequently renewed. Hovey's Magazine of Horticulture.
J. E. Rauch, Gowanus, L. I., for a very fine display of dahlias,
frequently renewed. Parsons' Rose Manual.
"Thomas Hogg " Sons, Yorkville, N. Y., for a display of fine dah-
lias, frequently renewed. Mrs. Loudon's Flower Garden.
Daniel Boll, 50th-street, Bloomingdale Road, for a good display
of dahlias, frequently renewed. Bridgeman's Gardener's Assistant.
Mateo Donadi, 44th-street, Bloomingdale Road, for the best and
greatest variety of roses and cut flowers. Downing's Horticulturist.
Bernard Kelly, Gowanus, L. I., for a superb display of roses and
cut flowers. American Flora.
32 [Assembly
Charles Mor6, 98th-street, for a choice display of roses and cut
flowers. Parsons* Rose Manual.
Mrs. A. Henderson, Castle Point, Hoboken, N. J., for a fine dis-
play of roses and cut flowers. Prince's Manual of Roses.
Mrs. A. Henderson, Castle Point, Hoboken, N. J., for a splendid
parlour stand of bouquets. Silver medal.
Bernard Kelly, Gowanus, L. I., for a superb display of bouquets.
Downing's Cottage Residences.
Mrs. A. A. Smith, Sidney Place, Brooklyn, L. I., for a choice dis-
play of bouquets. Lang's Highland Cottages.
Edward Schickler, 50th-street, for the most beautiful bouquet.
Hovey's Magazine of Horticulture.
Mrs. A. Henderson, Castle Point, Hoboken, N. J., for several
large and beautiful bouquets. American Flora.
J. & P. Henderson, Jersey City, N. J., for several very fine bou-
quets. American Flower Garden Directory.
Mrs. Penniman, 33 Sidney Place, Brooklyn, L, I., for several
choice bouquets. Prince's Manual of Roses.
Mrs. A. Henderson, Castle Point, Hoboken, N. J., for several
splendid and tastefully arranged flower baskets. Silver medal.
Alfred Bridgeman, Broadway, cor. 18th-street, for a beautiful bas-
ket of flowers. Parsons' Rose Manual.
Mrs. A. Henderson, Castle Point, Hoboken, N. J., for the best
basket of wild flowers, most tastefully arranged, and frequently re-
newed. American Flower Garden Directory.
Hovey & Co., Cambridge, Mass., for a choice assortment of dahlias.
Trans. Am. Ins.
A. Henderson, gardener to E. A. Stevens, Hoboken, N. J., for »
beautiful display of rustic work. Hovey's Magazine of Horticulture.
A. Henderson, Hoboken, N. J., for several varieties of choice pot
plants. Trans. Am. Ins.
William Russell, Brooklyn, L. I., for a display of very fine Ame-
rican rhododendrons. Trans. Am. Ins.
Stephen Pettit, 39 Hicks-street, Brooklyn, L. I., for a large and
well grown cactus. Bridgeman's Florist's Guide.
Charles Mor^;, 98th-street, for several fine specimens of metroside-
ros semperflorens, in flower. Trans. Am. Ins.
No. 299.] 33
Mrs. A. Henderson J Hoboken, N. J., for several large and beautiful
bouquets of wild flowers. Trans. Am. Ins.
Miss Sarah S. King, Brooklyn, L. I., for a beautiful vase of artifi-
cial flowers. Bridgeman's Florist's Guide.
Mrs. R. J. Perkins, Hudson, N. Y., for three stands of artificial
flowers. Bridgeman's Florist's Guide.
Miss A. Coe, Newark, N. J., for a pretty sign of artificial flowers,
" The Fair." Bridgeman's Florist's Guide.
Warren Rowell, 149 Madison-street, for a large display of Ameri-
can pitcher plants. Trans. Am. Ins.
Mrs. Josephine Dayton, Brooklyn, L. I., for several pretty bou-
quets. Bridgeman's Florist's Guide.
Thomas Hogg & Sons, Yorkville, N. Y., for several good bouquets.
Bridgeman's Florist's Guide.
J. & C. Love, Harsimus, N. J., for several varieties of choice
dahlias, Bridgeman's Florist's Guide.
John Eltringham, Jersey City, N. J., for an assortment of good
dahlias. Bridgeman's Florist's Guide.
H, M. Soule, Harsimus, N. J., for a splendid show of souvenir de
la malmaison roses. Bridgeman's Florist's Guide.
Mrs. A. Henderson, Hoboken, N. J., for a most magnificent and
elaborate floral design. Silver cup, $15.
A. Henderson, Hoboken, N. J., for a splendid design of a temple
to Washington. Silver cup, $10.
Bernard Kelly, gardener to E. W. Fiske, Gowanus, L. I., for a
most beautiful pyramidal design. Silver cup, $8.
Thomas McMinn, gardener to Henry Wells, Jamaica, L, I,, for a
very pretty ornamental design. Mrs. Loudon's Flower Garden.
A. Henderson, Hoboken, N. J., for a beautiful design of gateway.
American Flora.
A. Henderson, Hoboken, N. J., for a beautiful design for a grapery.
Hovey's Magazine of Horticulture.
Bernard Kelly, Gowanus, L. I., for two magnificent stars of cut
roses. Diploma.
VEGETABLES.
E. H. Kimball, Flatlands, L. I., for the choicest assortment of
culinary vegetables. Silver cup, $8.
[Assembly, No, 199.] 3
34 [Assembly
Roswell L. Colt, Paterson, N. J., for the best and greatest variety
of vegetable roots for cattle. Silver cup, $8.
John Brill, Harsimus, N, J., for the best long blood beets. Bridge
man's Gardener's Assistant.
R. K. Delafield, Staten Island, William Reed, gardener, for the
best turnip beets. American Agriculturist.
W. Hendrickson, Raritan, N. J., for the best m angel- wurtzel beets.
Am. Agriculturist.
John Fitch, Blackwell's Island, for the best sugar beets. N. Y.
Farm. & Mec.
Bernard Kelly, gardener to E. W. Fiske, Gowanus, L. I. for the
best heads of Cape Broccoli. Bridgeman's Gardener's Assistant.
Archibald Henderson, Hoboken, N. J., for the best heads of drum
head cabbage. Trans. N. Y. State Ag. Soc.
A. Henderson, Hoboken, N. J., for the best heads of Savoy cabbage.
Trans Am. Ins.
Samuel Halden, Bloomingdale, N. Y., for the best carrots for the
table. N. Y. Far. and Mec.
Bernard Kelly, Gowanus, L. I., B. Kelly, gardener, for the best
carrots for cattle. Am. Agriculturist.
A. Hendei-son, Hoboken, N. J., for the best roots of white solid
celery. Trans. N. Y. State Ag. Soc.
Bernard Kelly, Gowanus, L. L, for the best 12 roots of celery.
Trans. Am. Ins.
Samuel Ruth, cor. 64th-street and 3d Avenue, for the best egg
plants. Vol. of the Cultivator.
Bernard Kelly, Gowanus, L. I., for the best of white onions. Bridge-
man's Gardener's Assistant.
Bernard Kelly, Gowanus, L. I., for the best of yellow onions. N.
Y. Far. and Mec.
Bernard Kelly, Gowanus, L. I., for the best of red onions. Am.
Agriculturist.
Bernard Kelly, Gowanus, L. I, for the best parsnips for the table.
Trans. Am. Ins.
A. Henderson, Hoboken, N. J., for the best parsnips for cattle.
Trans. N. Y. State Ag. Soc.
M. R. McGarrity, West Hoboken, N. J., for the best of seedling
potatoes. The Farmer's Library.
No. 199.] .35
Francis Briell, Astoria, L. I., for the best potatoes for the table.
The Monthly Journal of Agriculture.
R. K. Delafield, S. I., William Reed, gardener, for superior pota-
toes. Bridgeman's Gardener's Assistant.
George Weatherspoon, New-Brighton, L. I ,J. Turner, gardener, for
the best potatoes for cattle. Vol. of the Cultivato
J. D. Arthur, Orange, N. J., for the best cheese pumpkins. N. Y.
Far. and Mec.
R. L. Colt, Paterson, N. J., for the best cattle pumpkins. Am.
Agriculturist.
Robert Selkirk, Bethlehem, Albany county, N. Y., for the best and
largest pumpkins. Bridgeman's Gardener's Assistant.
Henry Brand, Communipaw, N, J., for the best roots of salsify.
Trans. Am. Ins.
Samuel Halden, Bloomingdale, for the best squashes. Am. Agri-
culturist.
James McFarlane, English Neighborhood, N. J., for the best and
largest squash. Vol. of the Cultivator.
D. F. Sargent, Washington Market, for the best tomatoes. Trans.
Am. Ins.
Bernard Kelly, Gowanus, L. I., for the best white turnips. Bridge-
man's Gardener's Assistant.
R. K. Delafield, Staten Island, for the best yellow turnips. N. Y.
Far. and Mec.
J. E. Body, Staten Island, for the best Russia turnips. Vol of the
Cultivator.
Jacob P. Giraud, Jr., Bergen, N. J., for two crops of potatoes raised
on the same ground. Trans. N. Y. State Ag. Soc.
R. K. Delafield, Staten Island, for choice squashes, (vegetable mar-
row.) Trans. Am. Ins.
A. Henderson, Hoboken, N. J., for several varieties of vegetable
roots for cattle. Trans. Am. Ins.
Francis Briell, Astoria, L. I., for Porter squashes and a French
pumpkin. Trans. N. Y. State Ag. Soc.
D. F. Sargent, Washington Market, for choice peppers. Trans.
Am. Ins.
Andrew Harrison, Bergen Hill, N. J., for extra large pumpkins.
Trans. N. Y. State Ag. Soc.
36 [Assembly
S. W, Carhart, Keyport, N. J., for an extra large pumpkin and
other vegetables. Trans. Am. Ins.
John Birdsall, Tarrytown, N. Y. for fine pumpkins. Trans. N. Y.
State Ag. Soc.
J. E. Body, Staten Island, for six varieties of culinary vegetables.
Trans. Am. Ins.
M. R. McGarrity, West Hoboken, N. J., for superior pumpkinis.
Trans. N. Y. State Ag. Soc.
MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES.
H. H. Barry, Schoharie county, N. Y., for a superior specimen of
honey. Trans. N. "Y. State Ag. Soc.
Haines & Kinsey, 212 West-street, for the best can of mustard.
Trans. Am. Ins.
T. Glover, Fishkill Landing, N. Y., for superior specimens of arti-
ficial fruit. Downing's Landscape Gardening.
PICKLES.
Remington & Co., 191 and 193 Chrystie-street, for the best assort-
ment of pickles. Trans. N. Y. State Ag. Soc.
AGRICULTUEAL IMPLEMENTS.
N. B. Starbuck & Co., Troy, N. Y., for superior workmanship on
a plough. Diploma.
John Rich & Co., Troy, N. Y., for cast iron beam ploughs, for
their cheap and efficient method of construction. Silver medal.
Austen G. Fitch, Worcester, Mass., for Bartlett's patent double
ploughs, an improvement in the method of combining gangs of
ploughs. Diploma.
A. B. Allen & Co., 189 Water-street, for a universal cultivator.
Diploma.
R. Creswell, Scotland, Franklin county, Pa., John Mayher & Co.,
agents, 195 Front-street, for a two horse curved shovel cultivator and
corn planting machine. Silver medal.
J. Pierson, Wilmington, Del., John Mayher & Co., agents, 195
Front-street, for a patent wheat drill. Silver medal.
H. L. Emery, Albany, N. Y., for a corn and seed planter, or drill
barrow. Silver medal.
No. 199.] 37
C. H. McCormickj ChicagOj 111., for the Virginia grain reaper, a
yaluable machine. Gold medal.
D. Harkness, Maine, S. C. Hills & Co., agents, 43 Fulton-street,
for a patent grain rake. (Silver medal having been before awarded.)
Diploma.
Samuel Wilkinson, Rockville, Orange county, N. Y., A. B. Allen
& Co., agents, 189 Water-street, for the best grain cradles. Silver
medal.
Lewis H. Parson, South Middletown, Orange county, N. Y., for
the second best grain cradle. Diploma.
H. L. Emery, Albany, N. Y., John Mayher & Co., agents, 195
Front-street, for an improved overshot threshing machine and sepa-
rator. Silver medal.
Ruggles, Nourse & Mason, Worcester, Mass., for the best revolving
cylinder knife corn stalk and straw cutter. (Silver medal having
been before awarded.) Diploma.
H. W. Bertholf, Warwick, Orange county, N. Y., for a corn stalk
cutter. Diploma.
William Hovey, Worcester, Mass., for a hay, straw and com stalk
cutter. Diploma.
H. L. Emery, Albany, N. Y., John Mayher & Co., agents, 195
Front-street, for hay, straw and stalk cutter, with curved knives.
Diploma.
J. C. Rich, Penfield, N. Y., for a reciprocating knife com stalk
cutter. Diploma.
H. L. Emery, Albany, John Mayher & Co., agents, 195 Front-
street, New-York, for the best churn. Silver medal.
William J. Buck, 209 Pearl-street, for a cheese press of new con-
struction. Diploma.
Lorenzo Smith, Easton, Mass., for a vertical gate of new and novel
construction. Silver medal.
J. L. Gatchel, Elkton, Maryland, H. L. Emery, agent, Albany, N.
Y., for hydraulic lams. (Silver medal having been before awarded.)
Diploma.
A. B. Allen & Co., 189 Water-street, for the best reciprocating
jieat cutter and sausage stuffing machine. Diploma.
John Mayher & Co., 196 Front-street, for best revolving meat
cutter. Diploma.
38 [Assembly
A. B. Allen & Co., 189 Water-street, for a folding ladder. Di-
ploma.
William R. Kelsey, Syracuse, N. Y., for fruit pickers, well adapted
^0 the purpose. Diploma.
H. L. Emery, Albany, N. Y., for the best ox yoke. Diploma.
Drayton Phelps, Granby, Conn., for an ox yoke. Diploma.
H. L. Emery, Albany, N. Y., for a dynamometer for testing
ploughs. Silver medal.
I. T. Grant & Co., Schaghticoke, Rensselaer county, N. Y., for a
beautiful fanning mill, for hand or horse power. Silver medal.
John Bulson, 104 Goerck-street, for Maxon's spring for agricultural
wagons. (A silver medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
Special Premiums.
A. B. Allen & Co., 187 Water-street, for a very large and choice
collection of farming and garden tools, and instruments well made,
embracing nearly all the recent improvements. Gold medal.
John Mayher & Co., 195 Front-street, for a large and valuable
collection of farming and gardening tools and implements, embracing
nearly every variety of gardening and farming implements. Gold
medal.
TESTING OF PLOUGHS.
John Mayher & Co., 197 Water-street, for the plough combining
the greatest number of necessary requisites to plough a furrow 16
mches wide and 8 inches deep. Silver cup, $8.
B. Myer, Newark, N. J., for the second best do. Silver medal.
John Moore, 191 Front-street, for the best plough combining the
greatest number of necessary requisites to plough a furrow 12 inches
wide and 6 inches deep. Silver cup, $8.
John Mayher & Co., 197 Water-street, for the second best do.
Silver medal.
PLOUGHING MATCH.
Ephraim Baker, Union, Essex county, N. J., for the best ploughing.
Silver cup, $8.
Patrick Whalen, Malta, Saratoga county, N. Y., for the second
best ploughing. Silver medal.
S. D. Smith, Malta, Saratoga county, N. Y., for the third best
ploughing. Diploma.
No. 199.J 39
SPADING MATCH.
D. McVane. for the best spading of ground, 20 x 10 feet. Silver
cup, $8.
Joseph P. Lodge, Harlem, N. Y., for the second best spading
Silver medal.
Alexander McCullum, for the third best spading. Diploma.
MANUFACTURING AND MECHANICAL DEPARTMENT.
ARCHITECTURAL AND MECHANICAL DRAWING.
R. Upjohn, 64 Broadway, for the best architectural draw'mg. Sil-
ver medal.
Burger & Schultz, for the second best architectural drawing. Di-
ploma.
Frederick Cook, minor. Novelty Works, for the best mechanical
drawing. Silver medal and |5.
Henry T. Brown, Brooklyn, L. I., for the second best mechanical
drawing. Diploma.
Minors' Work.
John D. Secor. No. 50 8th Avenue, for drawing of steamships
Georgia and Ohio. $5 and a certificate.
BATHS.
John Mack, 92 Catharine-street, for a bath tub, with heater at-
tached, combining economy and utility. Silver medal.
John Locke, 47 Ann-street, for a shower bath, with douche, &c.
Diploma.
BELLS.
Andrew Meneely, Troy, N. Y., for a chime of church bells. (Gold
medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
Andrew Meneely, Troy, N. Y., for a plantation bell of superior
workmanship. Silver medal.
BOOKS, BINDING AND STATIONERY.
S. Dodd, Bloomfield, N. J., for book-binders' tools and ornaments.
Diploma.
J. H. Longbotham & Co., 12 Gold-street, for best book-binderf?' *
boards. Silver medal ;
40 [ASSEMBLT
J. Parkhurst, Springfield, N, Y., for second best book-binders'
boards. Diploma.
Cook & Somerville, 48 Ann-street, for the best specimen of book-
binding. Silver medal.
H. Frenke, 50 ClifF-street, for beautiftj specimens of book-binding.
Diploma.
J. B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia, Penn., for handsome speci-
mens of book-binding on two bibles. Silver medal.
Stanford & Swords, 137 Broadway, for specimens of books and
binding, in great variety. Diploma.
W. W. Rose, 19 Wall-street, for the best specimen of blank books.
(Silver medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
Rich & Loutrel, 61 William-street, for neat and substantial blank
books. Diploma.
George Burnham, W. W. Rose, agent, 19 Wall-street, for a patent
Columbian press and dampening tablet. Diploma.
John W. Stickney, Rockville, Conn., Legget Brothers, agents, 301
Pearl-street, for specimens of printing paper. Silver medal.
Francis Monroe, Concord, Mass., for the best lead pencils. Silver
medal.
Minors' Work.
Charles Akers and W. H. C. Dodd, Bloomfield, N. J., for beautiful
and well executed book-binders' tools. $5 and a certificate.
gents' boots and shoes.
M. B. Canfield, Orange, N. J., for the best calf skin boots. Silxer
medal.
David Mundell, 116 Fulton-street, Brooklyn, L. I., for the best
patent leather dress boots. Silver medal.
M. B. Canfield, Orange, N. J., for the best pair of leather brogans.
Diploma.
T. Winship & Co., 277 Pearl-street, for patent leather over shoes
without seams. Diploma.
ladies' boots and shoes.
Benjamin Shaw, 73 Canal-street, for a new style of toilet slippers.
JDiploma.
No. 199.] 41
P. Laboyteaux & Co., 631^ Broadway, for the best ladies' boots
and shoes. Silver medal.
BRITANNIA WARE.
Smith & Feltman, Albany, N. Y., for the best Britannia ware.
Gold medal.
J. H. Whitlock, Troy, N. Y,, for the best cast and turned Britan-
nia ware. Silver medal.
BRUSHES.
John K. Hoppel, 337 Pearl-street, for the best paint and hair
brushes. Silver medal.
Steele & Co., 305 Pearl-street, for the best feather brushes. (Sil-
ver medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
Miss S. Green, 117 Grand-street, for a feather brush very neatly'
made. Diploma.
CABINET WARE.
John Needham, cor. Bleecker and Grove-streets, for the best sofk
bedstead. Silver medal.
A. G, Warren, Norwich, Conn., for the second best sofa bedstead.
Diploma.
John Colsey, 26 Harrison-street, for the best portable writing desk.
Silver medal.
William Stoddard, for the second best work box. Diploma.
J. Smith, 105 Fulton-street, for extension tables, bureaus and book
cases. Diploma.
W. B. Lane, 23 Catharme-street, for a dressing case. Diploma.
J. Bradley, 317 Pearl-street, for papier machd chairs and table.
(Silver medal having been awarded.) Diploma.
James H. Cooke, 92 Broadway, for a counting house desk. Di-
ploma.
Mrs. E, Moxen, Williamsburgh, L. I., for an inlaid work table^
and pearl and shell work. Diploma.
Jacob Steurer, 80 19th-street, for cane seats. Diploma.
R. H & J. G. Isham, 71 Fulton-street, for best sand paper. (Sil-
ver medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
G. W. Whitmore, Brooklyn, L, L, for second best sand paper.
Diploma.
42 [Assembly
Mmors? Work,
H. Miller, 104 3d Avenue, for the best inlaid work table. Certi-
ficate and $5.
CAKES AND CONFECTIONAKY .
Benjamin Wilt, 384 Grand-street, for the best plum cake. Di-
ploma.
J. A. Currier, 191 Greenwich-street, for the second best plum cake.
Diploma
H. Tateosyan, 57 2d-street, for very superior fig paste. Diploma.
Bernard Myers, 83 Hammond-street, for excellent tea biscuit. Di-
ploma.
Erastus Titus, 283 Washington-street, for the best assortment of
soda, wine, and other biscuit. Diploma.
Charles J. Harris, Houston, cor. Mercer-street, for a good article
of unfermented bread. Diploma.
CARPETING AND OIL CLOTH.
A. & E. S. Higgins, 62 Broad-street, fc* the best specimens of
velvet tapestry carpeting. Gold medal.
Peterson & Humphreys, 432 Pearl-street, for Axminster carpeting.
Silver medal.
G. L. Humphrey, 432 Pearl-street, for a rich chenille rog. TA-
ploma.
Henry Pettes & Co., Boston, Mass., for Brussels tapestry carpeting.
Silver medal.
Isaac Clark, 154 Water-street, for a bronze oil cloth piano cover.
Diploma.
William Lewis, 452 Pearl-street, for oil cloth table covers. Di-
ploma.
D. Harris, Jr.. Albany, N. Y., for a bronze velvet window shade.
Diploma.
Young & Jayne, 460 Pearl-street, for 3 ply ingrain carpetmg.
Diploma.
CARRIAGES AND SLEIGHS.
Hedenberg & Littell, Newark, N. J., for the best buggy wagon.
Silver medal.
No. 199. J 43
John G. Ostrom, Rhinebeck, N. Y., for the best sleigh. Silver
medal.
Isaac M. Tompkins, 183 Eldridge-street, for a carman cart, very
superior workmanship. Silver medal.
Downs & Smith, Birmingham, Conn., for very superior stub joints
for carriages. Silver medal.
Junius Foster & Alfred E. Smith, 93 Maiden-Lane, for the best
mode of connecting hubs to axles. Silver medal.
John Swenarton, 225 Greenwich-street, for a shifting carriage pole.
Diploma.
F. Finnimore, Bridgeport, Conn., for a patent blind for coaches.
Diploma.
David W. Seely, Carlisle, Schoharie county, N. Y., W. R. Tattersall,
agent, 22 Avenue D., for patent wagon coupling for bolsters and front
axles. Diploma.
Joseph Pine, 119 Walker-street, for an ingenious hose carriage.
Joseph Pine, 119 Walker-street, for a hook and ladder truck. Di-
ploma.
Henry J. Kip, Newark, N. J., for a superior farm wagon. Silver
medal.
CARTING.
W. Wedehase, 94 Reade-street, for the best carved frame. Di-
ploma.
David S. Stewart, 97 Forsyth-street, for the best carving and gild-
ing. Diploma.
CASTINGS.
Hare & Pugh, Eagle Foundry, West-13th street, for the best speci-
men of green sand iron castings. Silver medal.
Calvin Bacon, 1 13 Division-street, for the second best do. Di-
ploma.
Leroux & Villot, 83 Duane-street, for the best specimens of bronze
castings. Silver medal.
Alexander Marshall, 407 and 409 Cherry-street for beautiful speci-
men of enamelled ware. Gold medal.
Novelty Iron Works, Dry Dock, for a washing engine for a paper
mill. Requiring, in the judges' opinion, a much higher talent than any
44 [Assembly
other exhibited. One of the firm being a manager, are debarred by
the rules from receiving a premium.
CLOCKS AND WATCHES.
C. Jerome, New-Haven, Conn., for an eight day spring clock. Di-
ploma.
Frederick Kiddle, 88 Fulton-street, for a marine time piece with
lever escapement. Silver medal.
CLOTHING.
J. H. Croney, 720 Broadway, for the best adults' clothing. Silver
medal.
J. Vanderbilt, 36 Maiden Lane, for the second best adults' clothing.
Diploma.
Ellis & Iseltcn, ^39 Broadway, for the best children's clothing.
Silver medal.
E. M. Pomeroy, Wallingford, Conn., for superior paper and straw
button. Silver medal.
COMBS AKD MOROCCO, &C.
Z. M. Quimby, 303 Broadway, for the best carved shell combs,
superior workmanship. Silver medal.
N, Moxon, Williamsburgh, L. I., for best tortoise shell and pearl
work. Silver medal.
J. M. L. Scoville, 101 William-street, for best daguerreotype cases.
Diploma.
E. Anthony, 206 Broadway , ^ for the second best daguerreotype
cases. Diploma.
coopers' work
Minors* Work.
Edward Botliam, 65 Goerck-street, for the best 10 gallon keg. $5
and a certificate.
John C. Bissel, 10^ Front-street, for a coffee barrel. $3 and a cer-
tificate.
Augustus Edmondson,49 Clinton street, for a 20 gallon barrel. $3
tnd a certificate.
$io. 199.] 45
COTTON GOODS.
New-York Mills, Onedia Co., N. Y., Charles Carville, agent, 17
Broad-street, for the best cotton goods, consisting of sup. water twist,
long cloth, ex. fine shirtings and sup. twilled jeans. Gold medal.
Warasutta Mills, New-Bedford, Mass., Willard and Wood, agents,
40 Broad-street, for the second best bleached shirtings. Silver medal.
Ash Fitch, Fitchville, Conn., Fitch & Co., agents, 43 New-street,
for the best heavy sheetings. Silver medal.
J. J. Kilton, Coventry, R. I., Lord, Warren, Salter & Co., agents,
44 and 46 Broad-street, for the best brown sheeting. Diploma.
Mount Vernon Manufacturing Company, Alexandria, Ma cGregor &
Timpson, agents, 47 Broad-street, for a good specimen of brown sheet-
ing. Diploma.
Robert Rennie, Lodi Print Works, G. Pattison & Co., agents, 43
and 45 Broad-street, for the best cashmere d'Ecosse. Gold medal.
Manchester Print Works, Manchester, N. H., Stone &Co., agents,
48 Exchange Place, for the best moussehn de laines and cashmere
d'Ecosse — improvement over last year. Silver medal.
American Print Works, Fall River, Mass , for handsomely designed
and well executed prints. Silver medal.
Benjamin Marshall, Troy, N.Y., Charles Carnlle, agent, 17 Broad-
street, for specimens of 30 inch ginghams. Diploma.
J. McCormick, Lord, Warren, Salter & Co., 44 and 46 Broad-
street, for "superior apron checks. Diploma.
Daniel Lord, Elktown, Penn., Bramhall & Hastings, agents, 67
Liberty-street, for jacquard diaper. Diploma.
R. Garsed & Brothers, MacGregor & Timpson, agents, 47 Broad-
street, for the best specimens of ticking. Diploma.
Lancaster Quilt Company, Lancaster, Mass., B. F. Seaver, agent,
31 Broad-street, for the best manufactured quilts. Diploma.
S. Shepard & Son; Shepard, Wright & Ripley, agents, 37 Pine-
street, for the best canton flannel. Silver medal.
James Maull, Philadelphia, Penn., R. J. Maull, agent, 114 Wall-
street, for the best cotton duck. Silver medal.
Benjamin Flanders, 88 South-street, for the second best cotton
duck. Diploma.
A. Wortendyke, Paterson, N. J., for superior chandlers' wick.
Diploma. *
46 (Assembly
J. L. & S. Shreve, Mount Holley, N. J., E. M. Townsend, agent,
54 Cedar-street, for superior colored thread. Diploma.
CUTLERY .
Waterville Manufacturing Company, Waterbury, Conn., for the
best pen and pocket cutlery. Gold medal.
Pratt, Ropes, Webb & Co., Meriden, Conn., for the best table
cutlery. Gold medal.
R. Heinisch, Nassau, cor. Fulton-street, for the best tailors' shears.
(Gold medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
J. Rowe, 16 Platt-street, for the second best tailors' shears. Di-
ploma.
John C. Nixon & Son, 44 Chatham-street, for carving knives made
from Adirondac steel. Diploma.
Lamson, Goodnow & Co., 12 Platt-street, for excellent butcher
knives. (Silver medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
Minors^ Woi'k.
John Wild, 160 Division-street, for superior small cutlery. $5 and
Certifica:te.
DAGUERREOTYPES .
M. B. Brady, 206 Broadway, for the best daguerreotypes. Gold
medal.
M. A. Root, Philadelphia, Penn., for the second best daguerreo-
types. Silver medal.
D. E. Gavit, Albany, N. Y., for daguerreotypes. Diploma.
DRUGS AND CHEMICALS.
Cogswell, Crane & Co., 104 Wall-street, for the best saleratus.
Diploma.
Browne & Lombard, 117 Front-street, for the second best saleratus.
Diploma.
Browne & Lombard, 117 Front, for an excellent quality of sup.
carb. soda. Silver medal.
Joseph E. Hover, Philadelphia, Penn., for the best specimen of
black ink. (Silver medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
Francis & Loutrel, 77 Maiden Lane, for the second best specimen
of black ink. Diploma.
No. ^99.] 47
S, T. Ball & Co., Boston, Mass., Henry Butler, agent, 93 Wall-
street, for the best candles. Diploma.
Veeder & Whittlesey, 88 Front-street, for the second best candles.
Diploma.
Mrs. J. E. Barrows, 32 Columbia street, for the best paste black-
ing. Diploma.
Leland & Beach, 159 Front-street, for the best lard oil. Diploma.
O. M. Ballard, 46 Courtlandt-street, for the best hair dye. Di-
ploma.
James Crumble, 263 Broadway, for the best cologne water. Di-
ploma.
Pierson & Robertson Newark, N. J., for the best varnish. Di-
ploma.
Martin Kalbfleisch, Green Point, L. I., for the best specimens of
chemical preparations. Silver medal.
Samuel Witherell, cor. Front and Fletcher-streets, for the second
best specimens of chemical preparations. Diploma.
William Blake, 3 Broad-street, for the best fire proof paint. (Sil-
ver medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
Alexander Denniston, 205 Fulton-street, for the best furniture
polish. Diploma.
F. Ramppen, Brooklyn, L. I., for the best starch. Diploma.
Charles Partridge, 3 Cortlandt-street, for the best friction matches,
&c. (Silver medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
Walker & Co., 61 Elizabeth-street, for the best mustard. Diploma.
H. L. Kendall & Co., Providence, R. I., Steel & Co., agents, 305
Pearl-street, for the best washing soap. Silver medal.
Job W. Greene, 11^ Broadway, for washing soap. Diploma.
John L. Salisbury, 63 Liberty-street for chemical soap, for remov-
ing oil, &c., from silk and woollen.
William Ross, John Roach, agent, 79 Nassau-street, for a prepara-
tion for cleansing daguerreotype plates. Diploma.
Quarterman & Sons, 114 John-street, for a variety of American
paints, polish for stoves, gold size, and an improved dryer to mix
with paints. Silver medal.
J. Cumberland & Brother, Elizabethport, N. J., for metallic oil for
machinery. Diploma
48 [Assembly
Thomas J. Husband, H. Haviland, agent, 80 Maiden-Lane, for
calcined magnesia. Diploma.
Delluc & Co., 581 Broadway, specimens of flexible ivory nursing
tubes, &c. Diploma.
Mf. Eagle Manufacturing Company, Boston Mass., W. A. Beecher,
agent, 27 Merchants' Exchange, for specimens of tripoli. Diploma.
William Humphreys, Savannah, Geo., Haydock, Corlies & Co.,
agents, 218 Pearl-street, for a specimen of alcohol from the peel of
sour oranges. Diploma.
Daniel Smith & Son, for specimen of American paint, black and
brown shades. Diploma.
Tilden & Co., New-Lebanon, N. Y., for a fine assortment of medi-
cinal extracts, powdered herbs, &c. Silver medal.
Russell & Stiles, 135 Water-street, for a specimen of extract of
logwood for dyeing. Silver medal.
William J. Ross, cor. 30th-street and Broadway, for cleaned kid
gloves. Diploma.
William Burger, 24 Cortland t-street, for a beautiful specimen of
crystalized saltpetre. Diploma.
Theodore Schwartz, 32 Burling-Slip, for a superior Paris green,
of uniform shade and color. Gold medal.
Jeffries & White, 146 Troy-street, for refined sulphur. SUver
medal.
Union White Lead Company, James Howe, agent, 175 Front-
street, for pure dry white lead. (Silver medal having been before
awarded.) Diploma.
J. W. Kelly, 34 Beekman-street, for lemon sugar. Diploma.
J. Ketchum, 60 South-street, for varnish for roofs. Diploma.
Johnson & Sloan, 438 Pearl-street, for an excellent specimen of
map varnish. Diploma.
P. L. Szadeczky, 93 Murray-street, for essence of coffee. Diploma.
Thomas Manson, 20 8th Avenue, for vanilla tooth wash. Diploma.
Owen Benson, Seneca Falls, N. Y., John Ogden Dey, agent, 2
Wall-street, for compound stove varnish. Diploma.
W. R. Dwight, 138 Maiden-Lane, for furniture varnish of excellent
quality. Diploma.
W. H. Bannister, Newark, N. J., for the best leather preservative.
Diploma.
No. 199.] 49
C. Pavey, 494 Hudson-street, for oil blacking for softening and
renewing harness, carriage tops, &c. (Silver medal having been be-
fore awarded.) Diploma.
Atkinson & Co., 605 Grand-street, for the best soda water, with
ginger and lemon syrups. Diploma.
William Eagles, 194 Fulton-street, for the best soda water, with
sarsaparilla and raspberry syrup. Diploma.
EDGE TOOLS, ETC.
W. Stephens & Son, G. DeWitt, agent, 109 John-street, for paper
makers' wire. The first successful introduction of the article in this
country. Gold medal.
Ames Manufacturing Company, Chickapee, Mass., James F. Ames,
agent, for swords of elegant workmanship. Gold medal.
New-England Iron Company, Providence, R, I., B. H. Green &
Son, agents, 94 Wall-street, for wrought iron spikes and nails, made
by machinery. Silver medal.
New-England Screw Company, Providence, R. I., B. H Green &
Son, agents, 94 Wall-street, for gimlet screws Diploma.
L. Bolles, East Smithville, Chenango county, N. Y., for edge tools.
Silver medal.
David Maydole, C. Blevins, agent, 9 Platt-street, for the best cast
steel hammers. Silver medal.
Sadler & Hoyt, llth-street, between 1st and 2d Avenues, for the
second best hammers. Diploma.
Henry Nelson, 240 3rd Avenue, for superior machinists' hammers.
Diploma.
R. Hoe & Co., Gold-street, for a circular saw in frame. Silver
medal.
P. B. Frayley, Philadelphia, Penn., Alford & Dash, 5 Platt-street,
for excellent saws. Diploma.
D, J. Canfield, G. W. Andruss, agent, Newark, N. J., for planes
and coachmakers' tools. Silver medal.
Josiah Wilcox, Portchester, N. Y., for turners' tools. Diploma.
Anthony Vittaly, Newark, N. J., for shoemakers' tools. Diploma.
J. C. Nixon & Son, 44 Chatham-street, for engravers' tools. Di-
ploma.
[Assembly, No. 199.] 4
50 [Assembly
John Toler, Newark, N. J., for cabinet hardware Diploma.
Daniel Houstonj 13 Ridge-street, for a cooper's croze. Diploma.
Robert Eastman, Concord, N. H., for a tool for turning grindstones.
Diploma.
W. H. Blye, De Ruyter, Otsego county, N Y,, J. Loomis, agent,
for a patent bevel plane. Diploma.
J. Coughty, 291 Bowery, for planes. Diploma.
John Leverett, 46 Broad-street, for excellent axes. Diploma.
C. W. Boutgen, A. Barclay & Co., agents, Newark, N. J., for
patent skates. Diploma.
L. Wetmore, 15 Platt-street, for a nest of brass kettles. Silver
medal.
Duryea & Rhodes, 229 Pearl-street, for cast steel shovels and
grain scoops, Diploma.
G. Sandford, 43 Gouverneur-street, for a patent auger handle.
Diploma.
Minors' Work.
Joseph Wilcox, Portchester, N. Y., for a pair of tinners' shears.
$5 and Certificate.
ENGRAVING.
Sarony & Major, 117 Fulton-street, for the best lithography. Gold
medal.
Mayer & Korff, 7 Spruce-street, for lithography engravings, very
neat. Silver medal.
Frank Leslie, 109 Fulton^street, for the best wood engraving. Sil-
ver medal.
John W. Orr, 75 Nassau-street, for excellent specimens of wood
engraving. Silver medal.
William Roberts, 13 Chambers-street, for specimens of wood en-
gravings. Diploma.
John La Tourrette, New-Orleans, La., for maps of Lomsiana and
Mississippi. Silver medal.
A. & J. McLees, 170 Broadway, for fine specimens of card engrav-
ing. Diploma.
Minors^ Work.
William H. Van Ingen, 69 Nassau-street, for specimens of wood
engravings. Certificate and $5.
No. 199.] 51
John Lloyd J 64 Forsyth-street, for engravings on gold watch cases.
$5 and Certificate. ^
FINE ARTS.
M. G. Lenghi, I8th-street, near 3d Avenue, for the best statuary
marble mantle piece. Gold medal.
Shuster & Co., 36 Great Jones-street, for the second best statuary
marble mantle piece. Silver medal.
P. Le Preux, 146 Walker-street, for a composition vase. Silver
medal.
Thorp & Grenell, 34 Carmine-street, for painting on Hose Carriage,
No. 3. Diploma.
Marion M. Day, Brooklyn, L. I., for crayon drawings. Diploma.
Charles Bullet, Brooklyn, L. I., for a statuette of Mr. Brown.
Diploma.
William Hickey, 13th-street. for statuary. Diploma.
F. Silva, H. Hays & N. P. Beers, 101 East- Broadway, for speci-
mens of pen drawing. Diploma to each.
Philibert Borrel, 251 Broadway, for cameo likenesses. Silver
medal.
FIRE ARMS.
S. B. Amory, Goshen, N. Y , for the best rifle. Silver medal.
M. M. Cass, Utica, N. Y., for a repeating rifle, calculated to fere
26 times at one loading. Silver medal.
J. G. Bolen, 104 Broadway, for revolving pistols. Diploma.
R. Agar, Brooklyn, L. I., for a miniature rifle. Diploma.
Edward Payson, Newark, N. J., for percussion caps. Diploma.
FIRE WORKS.
Isaac Edge, Jr., Jersey City, N. J., for the best display of fire
works. Silver cup, $15.
John W. Hadfield, Williamsburgh, L. I., for the second best dis-
play of fire works. Silver cup, $8.
FISHING TACKLE.
J. & J. C, Conroy, 52 Fulton-street, for the best fishing tacikle,
rods, reels, &c. Silver medal.
52 [Assembly
John J. Brown, 103 Fulton-street, for artificial baits made of gutta
percha. Diploma.
T. Finnagan, 26 Madison-street, for a great variety of flies for fish-
ing. Diploma.
FLAX, HEMP AND ITS MANUFACTURES.
Henry H. Stevens, Webster, Mass., for a piece of bleached linen
sheeting wove by power loom. (Tallmadge premium.) Gold medal.
American Hemp Company, Springfield, Illinois, for superior water
rotted hemp. Gold medal.
Henry Alexander, Mason & Co., Kentucky, MacGregor & Norris,
agents, 10 Broadway, for beautiful specimens of fine and coarse dew
rotted hemp, (iold medal.
GLASS, CHINA AND EARTHENWARE.
Brooklyn Flint Glass Company, 30 South William-street, for the
best specimens of flint colored, plain and cut glass. Gold medal.
Berger & Walter, 39 Maiden-Lane, for second best specimens of
flint colored, plain and cut glass. Silver medal.
Geo. W. Benson, Troy, N. Y., for the best specimen of Rocking-
ham ware. Silver medal.
A. E. Smith & Sons, Norwalk, Conn., for specimens of Rocking-
ham ware Diplom
J. M. Pruden, Elizabethtown, N. J., for specimens of Rockingham
ware. Diploma.
Woram & Haughwout, 561 and 563 Broadway, for specimens of
painting on china. Silver medal.
G. W. Wheaton, 30 South William-street, for enamelled glass jars.
Diploma.
J. D. Myers, 82 Pearl-street, for air tight preserve jars. Diploma.
WINDOW GLASS.
Bedford Glass Co., Bedford, Clinton county, N. Y., Morgan, Walter
& Smith, agents, 48 ClifF-slreet. for specimens of Bedford crown glass.
(Silver medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
GOLD PENS.
Spencer, Rendell & Dixon, 170 Broadway, for the best gold pens.
Silver medal.
No. 199.] 53
GUTTA PEECHA.
S. T. Armstrong, 181 Broadway, for isolating telegraph wires with
gutta percha. Gold medal.
HATS, CAPS, AND MANUFACTURED FURS.
John N. Genin, 214 Broadway, for the best moleskin hat. Silver
medal.
C. Smith. 192 Fulton-street Brooklyn, L. I., for the second best
moleskin hat. Diploma.
John N. Genin, 214 Broadway, for the best child's fancy hat. Di-
ploma.
Charles Knox, 128 Fulton-street, for the second best child's fency
hat, (white angola.) Diploma.
William Moser, 43 Maiden Lane, for the best manufactured furs.
Silver medal.
J. H. Harley, 34 Maiden Lane, for the second best manufactured
furs. Diploma.
STRAW HATS, &C.
J. Richardson, East Medway, Mass., R. L. Baldwin, agent, 138
Water-street, for extra fine split straw bonnets. Silver medal.
Hills & Fisher, 128 Pearl-street, for cactus braid bonnets, very
durable and economical. Diploma.
J. Parker, 138 Pearl-street, for cactus braid. Diploma.
Mrs. S. Kendall, 136 Bowery, for pamela bonnets. Diploma.
INDIA RUBBER GOODS.
Union India Rubber Co., 19 Nassau-street, for the best general dis-
play of India rubber goods, and exhibits some improvements over last
year. Gold medal.
D. Hodgman,27 Maiden Lane, for the second best general display
of India rubber goods. Silver medal.
Hayward Rubber Co., Colchester, Conn., for the best India rubber
shoes. Silver medal.
Newark India Rubber Co., for the second best India rubber shoes.
Diploma.
S, J. Seely, 11 Park Row, for India rubber life preserving hammocks.
Silver medal.
54 [Assembly
H. H. Day, 23 Cortlandt-street, for India rubber coats, caps, &c.
Diploma.
ITOBT TURNINO.
F. G. Ford, 90 Fulton-street, for the best ivory turning. Silrcr
medal.
LAMPS AND CHAITDELIERS.
Cornelius & Co., Philadelphia, Penn., Woram & Haughwout, agents,
561 Broadway, for the best gas fixtures, chandeUers and candelabras.
Gfiold medal
Allcock & Allen, 341 Broadway, for second best chandeliers and
candelabras. Silver medal.
J. G. Webb & Co., 38 Burling-slip, for tulip and rose gas burners
for parlor lamps and chandeliers. Silver medal.
R. C. Overton, 12 Allen-street, for patent oil and gas burners, a
neat and convenient arrangement for raising or depressing the wick.
Diploma.
Roberts, Eagles & Co., Newark, N. J., for fine coach lamps.
(Silver medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
F. Quarre, 159 William-street, for neat and ornamental paper lamp
shades. Diploma.
Endicott & Summer, 106 EUn street, for a miniature solar lamp*
Silver medal.
Minors' Work.
W. Derby, 139 William-street, for a specimen of lacquering. $3
and Certificate.
LEATHER.
George Kellogg, Winsted, Conn., for superior bark tanned sheep
skins, shaved bark tanned, and bark tanned lamb skins. Silver medal.
L. Shepard & Son, Norfolk, Conn., for bark tanned sheep skins.
Diploma.
James Cauthers, 266 Second-street, for superior harness leather.
Diploma.
Pierson & Berry, Newark, N. J., for russet bridle and skirting leath-
er. Diploma.
No. 199.] 66
Thomas T. Kelly, 33 Ferry-street, for lace calf skins, superior
workmanship. Diploma.
Leonard Gallagher & Co., 248 Canal-street, for black morocco
skins. Diploma.
Adam Smith & Son, 55 Ferry-street, for Turkey morrocco and
Tampico colored boot morocco. Diploma.
J. H. Bowie & Co. J 30 Ferry-street, for superior leather hose and
pipes. Gold medal.
T. Cliff Jones, for fine sheep skin mats. Diploma.
BANK LOCKS,
J. H. Buttervvorth & Co., Dover, N. J., for the best bank locks.
Gold medal.
LOCKS, DOOK SPRINGS, ETC.
Lewis Lillie, Troy, N. Y., for the best store door lock. Silver
medal.
S. D. Pye, Aquackanock, N. J., for the second best store door
lock. Diploma.
Chas. A. Dayton, 50 East l8th-street, for patent fly trunk lock.
Diploma.
Edward Lippincott, 71 Charlton-street, for safe padlock. Diploma.
G. W. Day, 146 Wooster-street, for patent fly chest lock. Diploma*
A. B. Tafts, 52 White-street, for a double acting hinge and spring.
Diploma.
Seymour, Bros. & Co., Westmoreland, Oneida county, N. Y., for
a self shutting gate hinge. Diploma.
C. Reed, Cambridge, Mass., J. Monroe, 101 Wall-street, for a
patent hinge and fixture for opening and shutting window blinds with-
out raising the sash. Diploma.
Ira Glynn, Syracuse, N. Y,, for a patent window lock. Diploma.
Nath. Potter, Buffalo, N. Y., for a door holder, (Morris' patent.)
Diploma,
John Green, 135 Walker-street, for a door spring. Diploma.
Baldwin & Many, 34 John-street, for the best porcelain door knobs.
Silver medal.
Richard Best, 274 Pearl-strect, for the best furniture knobs. Di-
ploma.
56 [AssembIjT
George H. Swords, 116 Broadway, for a valuable improvement in
mounting door knobs. Silver medal.
New-England Butt Company, Providence, R. I., A. Pettibone,
agent, 19 Platt-street, for the best butt hinges. Silver medal.
Blake & Bros- New-Haven, Conn., for the second best butt hinges.
Diploma.
Curtis, Morgan & Co., West Meriden, Conn., for locks and knobs.
Diploma.
J. F. Day, 146 Wooster-street, for argillo knobs. Diploma.
Seymour, Bros. & Co., Westmoreland, Oneida county, N. Y., for
door butts, bolts, &c. Diploma.
J. M. McLaughlin, 589 Broadway, for a parautoptic ventilator.
Diploma.
Mmori Work.
Thomas Day, 589 Broadway, for a French window bolt. $6 and
Certificate.
MACHINERY, MODELS, AND Vtw INVENTIONS.
H. Winter, 57th-street, for the best model of an upright steam
engine. Diploma.
Horace Higby, 349 Broadway, for the second best model of a
steam engine. Diploma.
Hudson M. G, Wolfe, Brooklyn, L. I., for a miniature steam ea-
gine. Diploma.
E. G. Covin, 121 West 19th-street, for a model of a steam engine.
Diploma.
William Kumbel, 33 Ferry-street, for the best patent improved
machine stretched leather banding. Gold medal.
Rees & Hoyt, 67 and 69 Frankfort-street, for second best leather
bands, rivetted. Silver medal.
Down, Mynders & Co., Seneca Falls, N. Y., S. M. Giddings,
agent, for the best lifting and single acting pumps. Silver medal.
Cowing & Co., Seneca Falls, N. Y., for the second best lifting
and single acting pumps. Diploma.
J. A. Brush & Co., 83 Pike Slip, for the best double acting lift
and force pump, hand power. (Silver medal having been before
awarded.) Diploma.
No. 199.] 57
G. B. Famam & Co., 31 Fulton-street, for the second best lift and
force pump. Diploma.
G. P. Strong, Rochester, N. Y., for the best rotary engine. Di-
ploma,
John C. Howard, Williamsburgh, L. I., for the second best revolv-
ing rotary piston engine. Diploma.
Ebenezer Barrows, 228 Water-street, for a rotarj' engine . Diploma.
Adirondac Steel Manufacturing Company, Jersey City, N. J.,
Quincy and Delapiere, agents, 81 John-street, for the best American
steel. Gold medal.
Daniel Adee, 107 Fulton-street, for the second best American steel.
Silver medal.
Thomas King, West Farms, N. Y., for the best railway washing
machine. Diploma.
Lyman Mudge, Elizabethtown, N. J., for the second best washing
machine. Ricks' patent. Diploma.
E. & T. Fairbanks & Co., St. Johnsbury, Vt., Fairbanks & Co.,
agents, 81 Water-street, for the best platform and counter scales.
(Silver medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
New-York Journeymen Scale Makers' Society, George G. Shep-
herd, agent, 145 Maiden-Lane, for the second best platform scalee,
cotton beam, &c. Silver medal.
S. Wetmore, 15 Platt-street, for a platform Scale. Diploma.
E. Harrison, New-Haven, Conn., for the best grist mill. Gold
medal.
Thomas J. Moody, Bridgeport, Conn., for the second best grist
mill. Diploma.
Bush & Lobdell, Wilmington, Del., for the best car wheel. Silver
medal.
Horatio Eames, Falls Village, Conn., for the second best car
wheels. Diploma.
Davidson, Hark & Woolson, Springfield, Vt., Andrews & Jesup,
agents, 70 Pine-street, for the best improved cloth shearing machine
with self-acting list guards. Gold medal.
L. Wilder & Co., Hoosick Falls, for the second best shearing ma-
chine. Diploma.
Waring Latting, 278 Broadway, for the best filters, "tubular."
Silver medal.
Syf" [Assembly
W. H. Jennison, 132 Mercer-streel, for the second best filters.
Diploma.
A. M- Freeland, 78 Man gin-street, for an improred self acting
boring, turning, and screw cutting slide lathe. Gold medal.
Luther Car)', 98 Forsyth-street, for the best slide lathe, (large
size.) Gold medal.
Hewes & Phillips, Newark, N. J., for the best engine lathe, (small
size.) Silver medal.
Walker & Brothers, 147 Ghristie-street, for the second best engine
lathe, (large size.) Silver medal.
Guilford Manufackiring Company, Guilford, Conn., for a small
slide lathe. Diploma.
Oliver Snow & Co., Meriden, Conn., for an engine lathe, (medium
size.) Silver medal.
G. B. Hartson, 58 and 60 Vesey-street, for the best iron plamng
machine. Gold medal.
Hewes & Phillips, Newark, N. J., for the second best iron planing
machine. Diploma.
William Burden, Brooklyn, L. I., for a high pressure engine, with
an improved cut-off. Silver medal.
John D. Haines, 551 Grand-street, for the best improved hydrant.
Silver medal.
William Gee, 47 Eldridge-street, for the second best hydrant, (self-
acting.) Diploma.
Paul Stillman, Novelty Works, for the best glass water guage.
John Matthews, Sixteenth-street and 1st Avenue, for the second
best water guage. Diploma.
H. R. Worthington & W. H. Baker, 103 Front-street, for a per-
cussion water guage. (Silver medal having been before awarded.)
Diploma.
George Faber, Canton, Ohio, J. P. Pirrson, agent, 5 Wall-street,
for a magnetic water guage for steam boilers. Siver medal.
Alfred Swingles, Galveston, Texas, A. Hunt, manufacturer, Boston,
Mass., for the best boring, morticing and tenoning machine. Silver
medal.
R. Bartlett, West Washmgton, Mass., for the second best mortic-
ing and tenoning machine. Diploma.
No. 199.] 69
J. R. & A. Inslee, Newark, N. J., for the best upright drill. Sil-
ver medal.
Walker & Brothers, 147 Christie-street, for the second best upright
drill. Diploma.
Leonard Smith, Troy, N. Y., for the best improved ventilating
smut machine. Gold medal.
William P. Springer, Oswego, N. Y., for the second best smut
machine. Silver medal.
Joseph P. Woodbury, Boston, Mass., for a stationary cutter wood
planing machine. Silver medal.
E. G. Allen, Boston, Mass., for a patent wood planing machine.
Silver medal.
Harvey Law, for a planing, tongueing and grooving machine.
Silver medal.
John Massey,227 Mulberry-street, for a model of grain dryer, ship
bread and cracker baker. Diploma.
David Dick, Meadville, Penn , manufactured cor. of Washington
and Jane-street, N. Y., for a new power press of excellent construc-
tion. Gold medal.
Joseph Jones, Camden, N. J., for a boring machine for wood.
Diploma.
A. G, Heckrotte, Cumberland, Md., for attaching and detaching
self-acting coup^ng, for rail-road cars. Silver medal.
H. R. Worthington & W. H. Baker, 103 Front-street, for an im-
proved safety steam pump. (Gold medal having been before award-
ed.) Diploma.
H. R. Worthington & W. H. Baker, 103 Front-street, for a
wrecking and draining pump. Silver medal.
John Whitemore & Co., 101 Pearl-street, for a card sticking
machine. Gold medal.
Judson, De Wolfe & Co., Farlem, N. Y., for a circular saw, arbor
and frame. Diploma.
J. A. Fay & Co., Keene, N. H., for improved machines for mortic-
ing and tenoning hubs. Silver medal.
John Mills, 44 Avenue D., for a sausage machine. Diploma.
Edward Flagler, 211 Water-street, for blacksmiths,* jewellers' and
dentists' portable forges. Silver medal.
60 [Assembly
J. A. Fay & Co., Norwich, Conn., for improved power mortising
and sash sticking machines. Silver medal.
Roys & Wilcox, Berlin, Conn., for a sheet iron and stovepipe fold-
ing machine. Diploma.
A. W. Metcalf, 63 & 66 Centre- street, for guage, globe and oil
cocks, and burnished stop basin cocks. Silver medal
Benedict & Ball, Chickapee, Mass., A. F. Decker, agent, 81 John-
street, for patent faucets. Diploma.
D. H. Butz & Co., 15 Canal-street, for beautiful silver faucets.
Diploma.
Gerow & McCreary, 336 Stanton-street, for a luring machine for
hatters. Diploma.
E. Harris, Springfield, Mass., for a tuyere. Diploma
W. Snell, Easton, Penn., for a machine for cutting gaiter boots
without seams. Diploma.
C. Hart, 29 1st Avenue, for a model of a car wheel. Diploma.
D. D. Badger & Co., 44 and 46 Duane-street, for a truss floor.
Diploma.
J. Ball & Co., Reade, cor. Centre-street, for patent indestructible
water pipes. (Silver medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
Duncan & West, 4 Liberty Place, for a mangling machine. Di-
ploma.
A. Griesch, 152 Third-street, for revolving shutters. Diploma.
T. Davison, 76 Sixth-street, for a revolving cylinder to illustrate a
patent process for salting meat in warm climates. Silver medal.
J. A. H. Bell, 149 Maiden Lane, for hair felt for covering boilers.
Diploma.
Peter Cooper, Trenton Iron Works, N. J , for superior puddled iron,
made with anthracite coal. Gold medal.
Jesse Urmy, Wilmington, Del., for a self supporting portable end-
less chain and railway horse power. Diploma.
George Vail, Speedwell, N. J., for a model of a planetary horse
power. Diploma.
'^ William Stoutenburgh, 114 John-street, for rotary wash tubs. Di-
ploma.
A. D. Baldwin, 34 John-street, for a model of an improved shutter
bar. Silver medal.
No. 199.] 61
E. W. Slater, Lansingburgh, N. Y. , for a plan of fence and gate.
Diploma.
O. Snow & Co., Meriden, Conn., for a hand planing lathe, (small
size.) Diploma,
W. Ostrander, 25 Hester- street, for a specimen of zinc tubing. Di-
ploma.
Nathaniel Fenn, 145 6th Avenue, for an ingenious pair of smith's
bellows. Silver medal.
Samuel Down, 22nd-6treet, for a dry gas meter. (Silver medal
having been before awarded.) Diploma.
• Joseph Goldie, 192 Houston-street, for iron vices. Diploma.
Blodget & Lerow, Boston, Mass., for a patent sewing machine,
very ingenious, (stitches 1 yard per minute.) Silver medal.
Matteawan Co., Fishkill, Dutchess county, N. Y., W. B.Leonard,
agent, 66 Beaver-street, for a nest of pullies with hangers. Diploma.
E. Kellogg & Co., New-Hartford, Conn., Andrews & Jessup, agents,
70 Pine-street, for a patent hard waste picker. Silver medal.
Sibley & Barber, Bennington, Vt., for a flock cutting waste dusting
machine. Diploma.
F. M. Ray, 98 Broadway, for India rubber car springs. (Gold
medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
J. G. Woodward, Worcester, Mass., for a stand for changing
switches. Diploma.
Norris, Gregg & Norris, 62 Gold-street, for coils for heaters, steam
heater, cluster of steam fittings, pipes, &c. Diploma.
Edward L. Yeoman, T. W. & R. King, agents, 136 Nassau-street,
for a portable writing machine for the blind. Diploma.
R. Hoe & Co., Gold-street, for a card printing press. Diploma.
H. Taylor & Co., Troy, N. Y., for wrought iron nuts. Diploma.
N. Scho field, Norwich, Conn, for a model of steam geared regii-
lator. Diploma.
Paul Stillman, Novelty Works, for manometers for locomotives and
Mississippi river boats. Silver medal.
Reynolds Brothers, 85 Liberty-street, for specimens of safety fuse
for blasting and mining. Diploma.
William Burdon, Brooklyn, L, I., for a high pressure engine,
(Gold medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
H. Waters, Birmingham, Conn,, for ratchet drills. Diploma.
62 [Assembly
Jas. L. Morris, 3 16th-street, George Vandenhoof, agent, Paterson,
N. J., for telegraph switches and segmental railroad trucks. Silver
medal.
R. Fj Mason, 306 Pearl-street, for very fine flue brushes. Diploma.
Wright & Co , Springfield, Mass , for superior workmanship on a
wrought iron car axle. Diploma.
George Saphen, for a model of a machine for extracting water from
cotton. Diploma.
J, L. Alcolt, Oriskany Falls, Oneida county, N. Y., for a model of
an eccentric and concentric lathe. Diploma.
S. W. Bullock, 37 South street, for an improved hand hay press
and dry goods hand press. Silver medal.
William Kingsley, 38 John street, for a pin machine. Silver medal.
John King, Waterford, N. J., for taps and dies. Diploma.
M. P. Coons, Lansingburgh, N, Y., for a self-rotating rock drilling
machine. Silver medal.
S. T. McDougall, 103 Wall street, for a sugar crusher. Diploma.
A. S. Marvin, 138^ Water street, for a fire proof safe. Silver
medal.
Howes, Marvel & Da vol. Fall River, Mass., for a well finished
wrought iron speeder flyer. Diploma.
Mason H. Ford, New-Haven, Conn., for a patent railroad aimun-
ciator. Diploma.
J. Rutherford Worster, Baltimore, Md., for a model of an im-
proved diving bell. Gold meal.
W. Ballard, 7 Eldridge street, for jack screws. (Silver medal
having been before awarded.) Diploma.
H. L. B. Lewis, New- York, for railroad coupling joints. Diploma.
J. P. Cowing, Seneca Falls, N. Y,, for highly finished patent
pumps. Diploma.
W. & D. Douglas, Hartford, Conn., Sexton & Webb, agents, 112
South street, for force pumps and hydraulic ram. (Silver medal hav-
ing been before awarded.) Diploma.
Baron Brothers, 252 Broadway, for a gold-melting furnace. Gold
medal.
James Smith, West Broadway, for a fire engine, (No. 34.) Silyer
medal.
No. 199.] 63
P. A. Burdens, manufacturer, W. H, Gray, agent, 258 Water
street, for good ship bolts and spikes. Diploma.
G. B. Hartson, 58 and 60 Vesey street, for a lathe for face turn-
ing screws and gear cutting combined, a superior article. Gold medal.
Scranton & Parshley, New-Haven, Conn., for a lathe, (medium
size.) Diploma.
Billings & Ambrose, Claremont, N. H., and 129 Water street, for
Collins' improved scales. Silver medal.
G. H. Dodge, Dodgeville, Attleborough, Mass., for an improved
cop spinning and winding machine. Gold medal.
B. Kreischer, 62 Goerck street, for good specimens of fire brick
(Silver medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
Thomas Godwin, Broadway and Eleventh street, for a throttle
valve hose pipe. Diploma.
Billings & Ambrose, Claremont, N. H., for an improved mode of
fastening hubs on axles. Diploma.
Leonard Smith, Troy, N. Y., for a buckwheat scourer. Silver
medal.
Daniel Burr, for Von Schmidt's centrifugal ship pump. (Gold
medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
T. F. Secor & Co., foot of Ninth street, E. R., for two low-pres-
sure steam engines, on board steamship Ohio, extra finish and well
braced. Gold medal.
Crane, Harrison & Co., Newark, N. J., for the best horse power
for stationary purposes. Silver medal.
James Black, New- York, for an ingenious steam and air water
wheel. Silver medal.
Alfred Hall, Perth Amboy, N. J., for a hand brick machine. Gold
medal.
Bernard Sheridan, 45 Ann street, for the best embossing press.
Gold medal.
Morgan Loomis, Worcester, Otsego county, N. Y., for a portable
smith's bellows. Diploma.
Minors^ Work.
Terence Duffy, 218 Elizabeth street, for a model of a steam en-
gine. $5 and certificate.
Thomas Clough, 10 Amity street, for a miniature steam engiae.
$3 and certificate.
64 [Assembly
Robert Thompson, Jane, corner Washington street, for the work-
manship on Dick's printing press. $10 and certificate.
John Ryan, Twenty-sixth street, comer 1st Avenue, for an hy-
draulic valve. $3 and certificate.
manufacturers' articles, weavers' reeds, shuttles, etc
P. V. H. Van Riper, Paterson, N. J., Kennedy & Gelston, agents,
5^ Pine street, for the best bobbins. Silver medal.
E. J. Skerritt, Pompton, N. J., Andrews & Jesup, agents, 70
Pine street, for the second best bobbins. Diploma.
J. G. Trippe, Trenton, N. J., for weavers' shuttles. Diploma.
A. J. Williams, Utica, N. Y., Andrews & Jesup, agents, 70 Pine
street, for a patent jointless wire harness. (Silver medal having been
before awarded.) Diploma.
J. A. Gowdey & Son, Providence, R. I., Andrews & Jesup, agents,
70 Pine street, for weavers' reeds. (Silver medal having been before
awarded.) Diploma.
T. K. Earle & Co., Worcester, Mass., Andrews & Jesup, 70 Pine
street, for machine cards. (Silver medal having been before award-
ed.) Diploma.
mathematical and philosophical instruments.
Henry Fitz, 237 Fifth street, for an equatorial telescope. Gold
medal.
Ransom Cook, Saratoga Springs, N. Y., for an ore separator, a
beautiful application of modern science. Gold medal.
Gregg & Rupp, 120 Water street, for surveying instruments. Di-
ploma.
J. Dixon, Jersey City, for superior black lead crucibles. Gold
medal.
Willard Day, Brooklyn, L. I., for a submarine examiner. Silver
medal.
James Prentice, 183 Broadway, for mathematical instruments.
(Silver medal having been before awarded ) Diploma.
NAVAL architecture.
B. Buck & Sons, Baltimore, Md., for the best ship model. Silver
medal.
No. 199. 1 Gb
J. W. Griffiths, 66S Fourth street, for the second best ship model.
Diploma.
D. D. Badger & Co., 44 Duane street, for the best ship' steerer.
Reed's patent. (Gold medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
J. E. Andrews, Boston, Mass., for the second best ship steerer.
(Silver medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
Stillman, Allen & Co., Novelty Iron Works, a galvanized iron surf
boat, life boat and coppfer man of war life cutter, deserve particular
notice, (Joseph Francis' patent,) one of the firm being a manager,
are debarred by the rules from receiving a premium.
Chas. Perley, 134 Columbia street, for a ship chain lifter, anchor
stopper and side winch. Silver medal.
Blacklui & Slittj 23 New street, for a tinned iron buoy. Diploma.
E. T. Starr, 13 Cedar street, for an india rubber life boat. Diploma.
John T. H. Kings, Staten Island, for a model of steamship. Diploma,
W. & T. Scanebly, 67 Varick street, for a model of hfe boat-.
Dipibma.
A. G. Polhameus, Nyack, N. Y., for an adjustable saddle and
winch. Diploma.
H. Stanton, U. S. Navy, for an excellent wooden hfe boat, with
india rubber buoys to the outside as well as inside. (Gold medal
having been before awarded.) Diploma.
NEEDLE-WORK, EMBROIDERY AND FANCY ARTICLES.
Mesdames Palmer & Farr, 459 Broadway, for the best shirts.
Silver medal.
D. W. Canfield, 2^ Maiden Lane, for the second best shirts.
Diploma.
Mrs. E. A. McNeill, 72 Bowery, for the best embroidered shirt
bosom. Diploma.
Mrs. Rebecca Van Houten, 85 Nassau street, for well made shirts
and collars, neatly stitched. Diploma.
Brodie & Bell, 61 Canal street, for the best mantilla and ladies'
velvet sacks, beautifully embroidered. Silver medal.
Beekman & Cutter, 66 Canal street, second best mantilla and
cloaks. Diploma.
Miss Eliza Bateman, 356 Broadway, for best single stitch worsted
embroidery. Diploma.
fAssembly, No. 199. | 5
66 [Assembly
Ann McNespiCj Fiftieth-street, best double stitch worsted em-
broidery. Silver medal,
Henrietta L. Westerfield, 60 Elm-street, second best single stitch
worsted embroidery. Diploma.
Miss Ann McNespic, Fiftieth-street, second best double stitch
■worsted embroidery. Diploma.
10 young ladies of Public School, No. 2, Williamsburgh, for
worsted embroidery. Diploma.
Mrs. Sarah K. White, Canaan, Columbia county, N. Y., handsome
piano and table covers. Diploma.
Mrs. Thompson, Walker-street, tapestry, double stitch, (Wash-
ington.) Diploma.
Miss F. Moore, Newtown, L. I., best embroidered slippers. Di-
ploma.
Mrs. Reisky, 87 Franklin-street, for the best cheneille embroidery
done on silk crape and crochet purse. Diploma.
Mrs. A. S. Canning, Gill, Mass., for a lamp mat. Diploma.
Mrs. Sherman, 2 Union Place, for the best smoking cap. Diploma.
Miss D. A. Churchill, 25 Monroe-street, for the best raised worsted
work. Diploma,
P. E. Goodliff, 49 Twelfth-street, for the best embroidery on hair
eloth. Diploma.
Mrs. Willis Patten, Franklin House, for a child's zephyr worsted
sack. Diploma.
Miss Ahce Kennedy, 4 Water-street, Brooklyn, L. L, for an em-
broidered scarf. Diploma.
Mrs. H. B. Jones, Troy, N. Y., for slippers knit without seams.
Diploma.
Miss Julia J. Marcet, 84 Orchard-street, for the best frame of silk
embroidery. Diploma.
M. J. Drummond, 321 Grand-street, for the best regalia. Silver
medal.
E. Combs, 268 Grand-street, for the second best regalia. Diploma.
Mrs. W. Rollings, 191 Spring-street, for the best lady's bonnet.
Silver medal.
Mrs. Lazarus Isaacs, 59^ Division-street, for the second best lady's
bonnet. Diploma.
Miss Eliza Maton 3 Amity-street, for the best corsets. Diploma.
No. 199.] 67
Miss Magdalene Linherr, 303 Broadway, for the best hair work for
jewellers. Silver medal.
Broger & Schuss, 439 Broadway, for the second best hair work for
jewellers. Diploma.
Miss M. F. Unold, 41 Oliver-street, for the best framed hair work.
Diploma.
Mrs. Emma Ball, Brooklyn, L. I., for a feather tippet, and cuttings
in paper, beautifully executed. Diploma.
John Raab, 154 Third-street, for the best shell work. Diploma.
Charles T. Blake, Brooklyn, L. I., for the best artificial flowers.
Diploma.
Josepha Earle, Brooklyn, L. I., for flowers made of paper. Di-
ploma.
Rachel Pearson, 178| Bowery, for the best wax flowers. Diploma.
Mrs. L, De Angelica Wilson, 382 Bleecker-street, for the best wax
fruit. Diploma.
Alexander Purdie, 46 Beekman-street, for the best gimps and frin-
ges. Diploma.
Mrs. E. H. Penniman, Brooklyn, L. I., for the best silk quilt.
Diploma.
Mrs. M. Jacobus, Brooklyn, L. I., for the best imitation Marseilles
quilt. Diploma. '
Mrs. Hollerman, 94 Fourth Avenue, for the best knit quilt. Di-
ploma.
Mrs. Sarah Emmons, Deep River, Conn., for the best patchwork
quilt. Diploma.
Mrs. Sarah Leech, Jersey City, N. J., for a knitted 'quilt. _ Di-
ploma.
rs. S. A. Robertson, 57 Clinton-street, for a woven quilt. Di-
ploma.
PAPER HANGINGS, UPHOLSTERY, ETC.
J. & T. Jones & Smith, 235 Pearl-street, for the best paper hang-
ings. Silver medal.
Pratt & Hardenburgh, 159 Pearl-street, for the second best paper
hangings. Diploma.
W. C. P. Bryce, 35 Thompson-street, for a superior ^ecimen of
68 [Assembly
work in hanging and varnishing paper hangings in blocks for^ halls.
Diploma.
Robert Graves, Brooklyn, L. I., for superior marble paper for halls.
Diploma.
William Wisdom, Cleveland, Ohio, for beautiful curled horse hair.
Diploma.
White & Kinsman, Barre, Mass., for self-sustaining curtain hang-
ings. Diploma.
P. O'Neil, Gothic Hall, Broadway, for the best spring mattress.
Diploma.
E. E. Van Doren, Philadelphia, Penn., for the second best spring
mattress. Diploma.
J. W. Miller, 247 Broadway, for the best wmdow shades. Di-
ploma.
E. E. Van Doren, Philadelphia, Penn., for a corn husk mattress.
Diploma.
PAPIER MACHE AND JAPANNED V^ORK.
Hodson & Foster, 3 Dutch-street, for very superior specimens of
papier mach6, (ornamented.) Silver medal.
J. Cook, 44 Fulton-street, for very superior specimens of papier
mach^, (ornamented.) Silver medal.
I
PENMANSHIP.
A. M'Laurin, New-York, for the best specimen of penmanship.
Silver medal.
Wm. C. Morrison, Brooklyn, L. I., for the second best specimen
of penmanship. Diploma.
PERFUMERY.
William Johnson, 55 Frankfort-street, for the best shaving and
fancy soaps. Silver medal.
C. Van Schoonhoven, 73 Liberty-street, for the second best shav-
ing and fancy soaps. Diploma.
Horace E. Swan, Fall River, Mass., N. R. Lincoln, agent, 81
Water-street, for very superior tooth powder and hair preservative.
Diploma.
Ely & Co., 71 Chambers-street, for Jenny Lind hair gloss. Di-
ploma.
No. 199.] 69
PIANO FORTES AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.
David I. Van Winkle, 92 West 16th-street, for the best piano forte.
Gold medal.
James H. GroTesteen, 122 Grand-street, for the second best piano
forte. Silver medal.
Boardman & Gray, Albany, N. Y., for an attachment to the piano
forte, called a " dolce campana." Silver medal.
George Hewes, Boston, Mass., for an action for a piano forte,
" remarkable for its simplicity." Silver medal.
Wm . Hall & Son, 239 Broadway, for the best Diatonic and Boehm
flute. Silver medal.
James Hanley, 549 Broadway, for a double action harp of elegaiit
workmanship. Diploma.
M. Sprenger, 145 Centre-street, for excellent violins. Silver
medal. '
PLATING.
Coombs & Anderton, 85 Mercer-street, for the best silver plating.
Silver medal.
F. Curtis & Co., Hartford, Conn., for the best galvanic plating.
Silver medal.
PREPARATIONS OF NATURAL HISTORY.
J. G. Bell, 289 Broadway, for a case of preserved birds. (Silver
medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
John Gray, 157 Grand-street, for artificial eyes of birds and animals.
Diploma.
A Fisher, Brooklyn, L. I., for specimens of marine plants. Di-
ploma.
W. Humphreys, jr.. Savannah, Geo., for a case of shells. Silver
medal.
REGATTA.
Wm. C. Waring, New- York, winner of the race between 19 feet
sail boats. Sea Sei^vrfii"; sr«j Q;iftlr(?r. Silver cup, $10.
Edwarri Cody, New- York, for the best rowing with one pair of
sculls, in 17 foot boat, " Beauty," Silver cup, $10.
70 [Assembly
saddlery, harness and trunks.
Owen McFarland, Newark, N. J., for two sets of buggy harness.
Silver medal.
James Craven, 32 Canal-street, for well finished coach harness.
Silver medal.
Alonzo Nicholas, Kingston, Ulster county, N. Y., for a draught
collar. Diploma.
James Russell, 38 Pearl-street, for whips of elegant workmanship.
Silver medal.
Thomas Fitz Harris, Brooklyn, L. I., for a lady's saddle. Diploma.
John Cattach, 86 Broadway, for a trunk of superior workmanship.
Silver medal.
L. Cantrell, 15 West Broadway, for a lady's trunk and bandbox.
Diploma.
John Wilson, 135 Bowery, for the best fire cap. Diploma.
Jacob L. Smith, 139 Washington-street, for the second best fire
cap, Diploma.
SIGN PAINTING, &C.
Edwards & Son, 163 Canal-street, for the best sign painting. Sil-
ver medal.
John C. Quaterman, Flushing, L. I., for the second best sign painting,
well grained. Diploma.
John M. Brown, corner Piatt and Pearl-street, for a manuscript
sign. Diploma.
H. Goulet, 66 John-street, for the best graining and imitation of
wood. Diploma. ,
James Spencer^ 123 Walker-street, for the second best graining and
imitation of wood. Diploma.
W. R. Clapperton, 42 Maiden-lane, for the best heraldic painting.
Silver medal.
B. F. Cragin, 20 Nassau-street, for the best block letters. Silver
medal.
A. & G. Brandon, 2 Tryon Row, for the second best block letters.
Diploma.
James Hughes, 71 Fulton-street, for superior sign painting. Silver
medal.
Erasmus B. Derby, Brooklyn, L. I., for a good specimen of sign
painting. Diploma.
No. 199. J 71
Minors' Work.
George Green, J3rooklyn, L. I., for best sign painting. $5 and
Certificate.
Gilbert Graham, Third-street, for second best sign painting. $3
and Certificate.
RAW AND MANUFACTURED SILK.
Raw.
John M. Summy, Manheim, Penn., for the best 10 lbs. of reeled
silk, the thread remarkably round, uniform and clean. Van Schaick
premium of $10, and a bronze medal.
Harriet Summy, Lancaster, Penn., for the second best reeled silk
and yarn from perforated cocoons. Diploma.
John M. Summy, Manheim, Penn., for the best bushel of Paphos
peanut cocoons. Van Schaick Premium of $5, and a bronze medal.
Harriet Summy, Lancaster, Penn., for the best bushel of small pea-
nut cocoons. Van Schaick premium of $5, and a bronze medal.
Manufactured.
J. W. Gill, Wheeling, Virginia, for the best piece of silk, 27 in.
wide and 60 yards in length. Van Schaick Premium $60, and a
bronze medal.
J. W. Gill, Wheeling, Virginia, for the best silk for handkerchiefsj
25 yards in length. Van Schaick premium $20, and bronze medal.
James Millward, Eighth Avenue and Thirty-First-street, for two
excellent pieces of satins. Silver medal,
John Fox, Sen, Wheeling, Virginia, for the best plaid silk velvets.
Van Schaick premium $10, and bronze medal.
Julius Hovey, Mansfield, Conn., J. D, Homeston, agent,293 Pearl-
street, for the best sewing silk, 12 lbs. Silver medal.
Turner & Gurley, 84 William-street, for superior sewing silk. Sil-
ver medal.
Cleveland & Co., 34 Beaver-street, for handsome specimens of colour-
ed and spooled silk. Diploma.
C. B. Hatch, 97 William-street, for superior oiled silk. Diploma.
C. Court, 27 John-street, for beautiful specimen of silk dyeing.
(Silver medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
Herman Schwietering, 34 Cedar-street, for samples of silk button
coverings. Diploma.
72 [Assembly
silver ware.
J. C. L. Moore, 85 Leonard-street, for the best silver ware. Gold
medal.
Wm. Adams, 38 White-street, for the second best silver ware
Silver medal.
Minors^ Work.
Oscar J. Olmstead, 102 Reade-street, for the best silver cup. $3
and Certificate.
David B. Olmstead, 102 Reade-street, for a good specimen of
chasing. $5 and Certificate.
STOVES, GRATES AND RANGES.
Cooking Stoves and Ranges:
Jordan L. Mott, 264 Water-street, for the best family range.
(Gold medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
B. Wands «&, Co., 281 Water-street, for Thatcher's family range.
Silver medai.
E. Barrows, 228 Water-street, for a family range. Diploma.
Phillip Rollhaus, 250 Water-street, for a family range. Diploma.
George Pierce & Co., Broadway, for a family range. Silver medal.
B. Wands & Co., 211 Water-street, for a large hotel range, (Cobb's
patent.) Silver medal.
Wm. Wheeler, Troy, N. Y., for a large range stove. Silver medal.
Jordan L. Mott, 264 Water-street, for the best wood and coal
cooking stove. Silver medal.
N. B. Starbuck, Troy, N, Y., for a superior cooking stove. Sil-
ver medal.
Jordan L. Mott, 264 Water-street, for an agricultural boiler. (Sil-
ver medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
B. P. Learned, Albany, N. Y., for a cooking stove. Silver medal.
Elihu Smith, Albany, N. Y., for a stove steam boiler. Diploma.
Anthony Davy & Co., Troy, N. Y., for a summer baker for char-
coal or coal. Diploma.
Stoves for Warming^ and Hot .flir Furnaces.
E. Barrows, 228 Water-street, for the best hot air furnace. (Gold
medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
Culver & Co., 52 Cliff-street, for the second best hot air furnaces.
/"Silver medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
No. 199.] 73
E. Waring &Co., Stamford, Conn., for the best portable furnace.
Silver medal.
F. L. Hedenberg, 79 Division-street, for the second best portable
furnace. Diploma.
B. P. Learned, Troy, N. Y., for the best parlor stove for wood
and coal, and cooking. Silver medal.
.John Liddle, 220 Water-street, for the second best parlor stove for
coal. Diploma.
Anthony Davy, & Co., Troy, N. Y., for the best parlor stove for
wood. Silver medal.
Anthony Davy & Co., Troy, N. Y., for a Franklin. Diploma.
Jordan L. Mott, 264 Water-street, for an improved ventilating
radiator for halls and schools, with wood or coal. (Gold medal
having been before awarded.) Diploma.
L. Wood, 237 W^ater-street, for the best cast iron radiator for par-
lors. Silver medal.
W. Race & Co., Seneca Falls, N. Y., for the best air tight stove
with regulator. Silver medal.
Anthony Davy & Co., Troy, N. Y., for a sad iron heater. Diploma
SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS.
Watt & Patterson, 1 Murray- street, for a spring block truss. Sil-
ver medal..
TOBACCO AND ITS MANUFACTURES.
George T. Williams, Lynchburg, Va., Henry Ludlam, tobacco
agent, 151 Front-street, for the best manufactured chewing tobacco.
Silver medal.
Jas. Saunders, Lynchburg, Va., for superior chewing tobacco.
Diploma.
J. & T. Kneil, Westfield, Mass., Holt & Palmer, agents, 223
Front-street, for cigars well made- and of good material. Diploma.
WIGS AND TOUPEES.
Wm. A. Batchelor, 4 Wall-street, for the best wig. Silver medal.
W. L. Clirehugh, 179 Broadway, for tne second best wig. Di-
ploma.
Mrs. E. Peckham, 7 Chambers-street, for ladies' curls. Diploma.
74 J Assembly
WOOLEN GOODS.
Dorastus Kellogg, Skaneateles, N. Y., Wolcott & Slade, agents,
13 Broad-street, for the best black broad cloth. Gold medal.
Globe Mills, Utica, N. Y., Trimble & Co., agents, 38 Broad-street,
for the second best black broad cloth. Silver medal.
D. W. Plumb, Derby, Conn., McCurdy, Aldrich & Spencer, agents,
30 Broad-street, for black cloth. Diploma.
Burlington Mills Co., Burlington, Vt., for the best black cassi-
meres. Gold medal.
Seneca Woolen Mills, Seneca Falls, N. Y., Stanton, Barnes &
Hamilton, agents, 21 Broad-street, for the second best black cassi-
meres. Silver medal.
Millville Manufacturing Co., Millville, Mass., Fearing & Hale,
agents, 55 Exchange Place, for the best fancy cassimeres. Gold
medal.
Dorastus Kellogg, Skaneateles, N. Y., Wolcott & Slade, agents,
13 Broad-street, for the second best fancy cassimeres. Silver medal.
Jas. Waterhouse, Centreville, Warwick, R. I., McCurdy, Aldrich
& Spencer, agents, 30 Broad-street, for fancy cassimeres. Diploma.
Bay State Mills, Lawrence, Mass., Wolcott & Slade, agents, 13
Broad-street, for the best woolen long shawls. Gold medal.
Dorastus Kellogg, Skaneateles, N. Y., Wolcott & Slade, agents,
13 Broad-street, for the second best woolen long shawls. Silver
medal.
Monock & Burney, Lexington, G. Patterson & Co., agents, 43 and
45 Broad-street, for superior printed turkeri shawls. Diploma.
Duncan & Cunningham, Franklin, Essex county, N. J,, McCurdy,
Aldrich & Spencer, agents, 30 Broad-street, for embroidered shawls
and embossed piano covers Silver medal.
Wm. Duncan & Son, Franklin, Essex county, N. J., Richardson,
Watson & Co., agents, 43 Exchange Place, for printed shawls. Di-
ploma.
Gilbert & Stevens, Ware, Mass., Thomas & Dale, agents, 53 Ex-
change Place, for superior white flannels. Silver medal.
Nesmith & Co., 50 and 52 Pine-street, for superior blankets.
Diploma.
Ballard Vale Manufacturing Co., Ballard Vale, Mass., Stone & Co.,
agents, 48 Exchange Place, for stuff goods. Silver medal.
No. 199.] 75
Giles & Son, Providence, R. I., G. R. Sprague & Co., agents, 68
Broad-street, for worsted yarn. Diploma.
John Morrow, Paterson, N. J., for paper-makers' endless felt,
(Silver medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
MISCELLANEOUS.
George H. Penfield, 19 Nassau-street, for an improved method of
lightering vessels over bars. Diploma .
D. Lockwood, 642 Broadway, for a clothes-drying reel. Diploma.
Pacific Rock Salt Co., B. Ransom & Co., agents, 100 Wall-street,
for superior specimens of salt. Diploma.
A. McDonough, Philadelphia, Penn., for an invalid chair. ^Silver
medal.
Geo. Clayton, 232 6th Avenue, for a bedstead and portable divan.
Diploma.
P. Proeschel, 108 Greene-street, for three cushions. Diploma.
Wm. Stoutenburgh, 114 John-street, for brass and iron wire show
cloak, cape and cap stands. Diploma.
Josiah Dunham, Boston, Mass., for cotton sash cord. Diploma.
W. H.Kemp, 95 Canal-street, for superior gold leaf. Silver medal.
H. W. Chamberlin, Pittsfield, Mass., for an improved draughting
board. Diploma. ,
Henry J. Kip, Newark, N. J., for the best horse shoes. Diploma.
S. N. Blake, Hudson, N. Y., for the second best sample of horse
shoes. Diploma,
T. Smith & Co., 77 Fulton-street, for water coolers. Diploma.
John Jones, Bristol, Conn., for mops and mop irons. ^Diploma.
F. G Richardson, 107 John-street, for wire cloth. Diploma.
J. C. Derby, 61 Gold-street, for a painter's jack. Diploma.
James D. Mowrey, Norwich, Conn., for a self-acting mirror. Di-
ploma.
W. E. Rose, 37 Reade-street, for beautiful specimens of gold and
silver mounted canes. Silver medal.
Charles Stearn, Brooklyn, L. I., for a dentist's press. Diploma.
O. Schroder & Co., 26 John-street, for a child's theatre. Diploma,
Table & Selchow, 47 Eldridge-street, for hat boxes. Diploma.
John A. Ethridge, 166 Reade-street, for milk cans. Diploma.
J. Gray, 157 Grand-street, for artificial eyes. Diploma.
76 [Assembly
e. & J. Davis, 23 Nassau-street, for zinc weights. Diploma.
John Dick, 132 Nassau- street, for patent boot shanks. (Silver
medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
C. W. Ingraham, 53 Franklin-street, for adjustable sliding and
spring shanks. Diploma.
Joshua Shaw, 142 Nassau-street, for glazier's diamonds. Diploma.
J. Johnson, 111 East Eighteenth-street, for gas fittings. Silver
medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
Calkins & Darrows, 28 Maiden-lane, for umbrellas and parasols.
Diploma.
John Matthews, Twenty-sixth-street, comer Seventh Avenue, for
soda water stand. Diploma.
M. B. Bigelow, 185 South-street, for gothic bird cage. Diploma.
W. W. Riley, Columbus, Ohio, for a self adjusting buckle. Silver
medal.
Nathaniel Fenn, 45 Sixth Avenue, for fancy bellows. Silver medal.
Miss E. Fenn, 45 Sixth Avenue, for inlaid bellows. Diploma.
E. Satterlee, Albany, N. Y., for cast iron mh-ror frame§ highly gilt
and burnished. Silver medal.
A. D. Fisk, 209 Water-street, for metallic burying cases for pre-
serving bodies. Silver medal.
Reed & Co., 52 White-street, for specimens of roofing slate. Di-
ploma.
John Bruce, 24 Platt-street, for copper and steel engravers' plates.
(Silver medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
Coombs & Anderton, 85 Maiden-Lane, for a copper sash. Diploma.
Guilford Manufacturing Company, Guilford, Conn., for cast iron
flower pot stands. Diploma.
John Byram, Dover, N. J., for a large specimen of iron ore. Di-
ploma.
M. S. Salters, Newark, N. J., for specimens of wrought iron made
with anthracite coal by a new process. Silver medal.
Williams & Barton, East Hampton, James M. Weed, agent, 179
» Pearl-street, for a raashn kettle. Diploma.
Andreas & Son, 69 Greenwich Avenue, for an improved coal screen.
Diploma
E. H. L. Kurtz, 291 Bowery, for a baby jumper and swing. Dir
ploma.
No. 199.] 77
Michael McWeeney, 124 Leonard-street, for a model of a portable
parlor green house. Silver medal
Homan Hallock, for specimens of oriental type cutting on steel
punches. Silver medal.
A. Brower & Co., 236 Water-street, for the best candle moulds.
(A Silver medal having been before awarded.) Diploma.
Farr & Briggs, 30 Rector-street, for the second best candle moulds.
Diploma.
Minors^ Woj-k.
John F. Ward, Jersey City, N. J., for surface plates. $5 and
Certificate.
Samuel Conely, 29 Chambers-street, for a composition picture frame.
$3 and Certificate.
J. Irwin, 243 Tenth-street, for a well mounted cane. |3 and Cer-
tificate.
William Rankin, 361 Greenwich-street, for marble book and stand,
$3 and Certificate.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL COMMITTEE.
The committee of arrangements, appointed by the board of agri-
culture of the American Institute, to conduct the exhibition of cattle
for 1849, submit the following report :
The exhibition was held at Corporal Thompson's, known as Madi-
son Cottage, corner of 23d-street and 5th Avenue, on the 10th and
11th days of October. The grounds were in good order, of an even
surface, and well tufted with grass. The erection of sheds for cattle
and horses, pens for sheep and hogs, and accommodations for poultry,
were ample and well arranged.
The number of entrances were larger than at any previous show,
and the animals of a better quality, with the exception of horses,
which were not numerous, but some specimens were very fine. We
are indebted to His Honor, Mayor Woodhull, for permission to use
Madison Square, obtained through our friend James Depeyster, Esq.
It was a great convenience, adding much to the liberty of the horned
stock, and affording the horses ample room for display and exhibition.
The number of visiters was larger on the first day than ever before,
the weather being only tolerably good ; the second day was very
unfavorable, raining most of the time, which very materially dimin-
ished the attendance. A large number of the judges, regularly ap-
pointed, were absent, but their places were filled by competent and
80 [Assembly
faithful men, who discharged their duly \Yith energy and attention,
notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, for which we tender
them our thanks ; we believe their awards gave general satisfaction.
We were honored on the first day by a visit from many distinguished
agriculturists, among them the President and Corresponding Secre-
tary of the State Agricultural Society. Mr. Thompson, the proprietor
of the grounds, afforded us every faciUty in his power. There was
several delegated committees from various county Agricultural So-
cieties in attendance. The weather throughout was extremely un-
favorable ; had it been otherwise, we have reason to believe that the
number of entrances would have been greatly augmented.
The experience of the year has imparted to your committee infor-
mation in regard to details and arrangements which will be useful in
the management of future exhibitions, and they would recommend an
early meeting of the board of agriculture, where all such facts and
suggestions as are useful may more properly be made. Respectfully
submitted.
L. G. MORRIS,
CHAS. HENRY HALL,
THOS. BELL,
Committee.
The awards, according to the decision of the judges, will be found
in the list of premiums of the 22d Annual Fair.
REPORT ON PLOWING AND SPADING.
American Institute,
22d Annual Fair, 1849
J
Agreeable to the published programme of the business of the Fair,
on the fourth day of October, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon. Captain
Hoffmire, of the steamer Suffolk, received on board, at the point of
the Battery, the committee of the Institute and some of its guests,
bound to Flushing, to unite there with the Agricultural Society of
Queens county. Long Island. The morning threatened a continuance
No. 199.] 81
of a north-east rain slorm, so much so as to prevent many citizens
from joining us. The President of the Institute, the Hon. James
Tallmadge, and Ex-President John Tyler, with Mr. Gardiner, of
Gardiner's Island, Mr. Ogden, of Chicago, the Recording Secretary
of the Institute, several managers of the Fair, Hon. David Banks,
Alanson Nash, Esq., Hon. William Mitchell, Judge of the Superior
Court, Sylvanus Miller, Esq., W. W. White, Esq., city inspector,
Martin Ellsworth, Esq., of Windsor, Conn,, I. Black\vell,Esq., Hon.
Singleton Mitchill, of Plandome, brother of the Hon. Samuel h.
Mitchill, so well known for his enthusiasm in the cause of learning
and the arts, — and others. Some members of the great Pomological
Convention. A band of nineteen musicians politely ordered on this
occasion to the field of action, by Col. Crane, of Governor's Island
were on board. On the way to the field, the threatening clouds began
to separate, and during the rest of the day, pleasantly shaded the
plowmen, the spadesmen, and the company. On arriving at Flush-
ing, your committee were placed by order of the Queens county So-
ciety, in a large covered vehicle which was drawn by ninety-eight
oxen, in pairs, attached to the chains, through Flushing to the field.
It was a pleasant sensation to experience the immense power of that
team on the way, and the reflection that right ahead moved an hun-
dred thousand weight of beef, available at the termination of the
agricultural labors of those noble creatures. The rain which had
fallen rendered the sod and soil of the field in, excellent condition for
the plow and the spade.
The arrangements made by the Hon. John A, King, President of
the State Agricultural Society, in conjunction with his committee
and A. G. Carle, Esq., the Secretary, and our committee were all
complete. The plow-lands staked off in parallel rows, contained
each one-eighth of an acre. Various plows were in competition,
among others a Siarbuck plow, of Troy, one of the same mould as
that star of a plow now shining brightly in the Castle Garden.
There being a citizen on the field who had filled the Presidential
seat of the RepubUc, he was invited to put his hand to the first plow
and open the first furrow. With perfect cheerfulness the Ex-Presi-
dent, John Tyler, did so, and joined Morris Kelly, Mr. King's plow-
FAssemblv. No. 199.1 6
82 [Assembly
man, in first putting the share into mother Earth. A time honored
practice for the most distinguished citizen to lead in the field of Ag-
riculture, much more so tlian in those of battle.
For the result of the contest of the plow we refer to the official
report of the committee in charge of that service.
We next observed with pleasure, in a distant part of the field an
oblong square, formed by a triple row of men — some hundreds —
which reminded us of those human citadels found by Welhngton at
Waterloo, on which the elite of the breast-plated and helmeted
cuirassiers of Napoleon broke to pieces like the surges on a rocky
coast. We visited the square and being by virtue of office, admitted
■within, we had the pleasure to see that great garden maker, the spade,
in the hands of athletic men, doing its capital work. During these
operations, the United States army band of music cheered the work
with their accurate, sweet, and yet blood-stirring notes from all the
chosen instruments of military music. To say that the men who
handled the plow and the spade felt the influence of the presence of
respectable fellow-citizens, that of the music or that of several fair
ladies, who from their carriages, were looking earnestly on, is not
saying enough. Find us if you can an honest man who under such a
respectful and cordial view does not feel his heart swell with a pure
and just pride and his etrong muscles thrill with lawful pleasure
Who so indifferent to the approving smiles of his fellow men, but is
rendered happier and better by it, but if ladies too look on, his nerves
can have no greater tension in the power of his agricultural labors.
Take all this assembled multitude away and tell him he will never see
another American Institute, or a Queens County Society, or any body
else to look at him while he toils, and his spirit is instantly fallen and
by continued neglect will fall to the lowest possible point. To bring
men to battle, you have always been obliged to dress them gaily and
well, to erect plumes on their heads, polished hemlets, to give them
bright bayonets and polished swords, to stir them up by all the potent
sounds of clarion, drum, and trumpet, in order to make them do their
field work well ! And when they have done it well as they did at
Waterloo, perhaps it may be said that their bodies and their blood
83 [Assembly
were put to no use so profitable as the preparing that field for the re-
markably fine crops of wheat which have continued to grow upon it
ever since. What is the reason said a European fanner to an agricul-
tural chemist that such a field has for almost two centuries produced
such fine wheat 1 The chemist on analyzing the soil attributed it to
the bone manure furnished by the killed on that spot which must have
been a battle field.
The committee saw with great pleasure the very beautiful display
of vegetables, fruits and flowers in the large tent of an hundred feet
diameter. Some of your committee felt an emotion of surprize that
this rich collection had been made in a small circle of the west end of
Long Island. But upon reflection the surprize vanished. Within sight
of that tent the forefathers of the Princes had a fine nursery of good
things of the farm and garden, and so long ago, that at the time of
the battle of Long Island in 1776, some rank and file of the British
ai'my attempted to spoil that nursery of Prince, but to his lasting honor,
the British commander placed guards around it and saved it from all
injury. Others of great merit have arisen long since in the same circle;
among these, the amiable, intelligent and prosperous family of Parsons,
remain highly distinguished. A "branch of that family is in the same
dwelling where the celebrated founder of the religious sect, the Friends,
Fox, was once entertained ; and near this well kept mansion, large
trees still stand, beneath whose shade he lectured %is little circle of
hearers.
By these good citizens, and by the Messrs. Mitchells, whose estates
furnished the field of plowing, many of your committee, with the Hon.
Mr. Tyler, and' several other distinguished men, were most hospitably
entertained.
Your committee cannot forbear to add that on this occasion they
renewed their impressions of the great value and importance of this
noble Island; Being 120 miles in length, a clear sea all around it, its
climate is very distinctly milder than our adjacent main land. Acces-
sible everywhere, close on the very entrance of our great city, capable
by modern science, and by vessels, and by railroads of amending
scientifically and perfectly every acre of her land. We believe this
No. 199.] 84
Long Island destined, in the life time oi' our young men to become the
most lovely residence and garden to be found between the north pole
and the equator on our side of the Atlantic. We have our eye, while
we say this on tl;ie islands of the south, but we wish to be understood
as decidedly prefering about latitude 40° north for the climate, and if
interest should prevail over tliis matter of taste, yet we cannot divorce
this beautiful but long negected island from our great and growing
metropolis, the city of New- York. All which is respectfully sub-
mitted to the American Institute by your committee.
H. MEIGS, Recording Secretary,
and Secretary of the Farmers^ Club,
• Oct. 5, 1849.
TESTING OF PLOWS.
The committee appointed by the American Institute to superintend
the examination and testing of plows, report :
That on the 3d of October they* met at the village of Flushing,
Queens county, and proceeded to Lindon Hill, the elegant residence
of Edward E. Mitchell, whose grounds had been selected by the
Queens County i\J^ricultural Society for the testing and plowing.
We cannot omit expressing our obhgations to Mr. Mitchell, for his
attentions and kindness, and the willingness with which he placed his
men, teams and implements at our disposal.
The Institute instructed us to award premiums for the best and
next best plows, combining the greatest number of necessary requi-
sites to plow furrows 16 and 12 inches wide by 8 and 6 inches deep,
w
The committee determined that it would select the person to hold
the plows, who should hold all in each class, and that but one team
should be used. Thus each plow had the same opportunity of haAing
justice done.
No. 199.] 85
Of the class of 16 inches wide by 8 deep furrow, the following
plows were tested and with this result :
Bergen, B. Myer, Newark, N. J., • 525 lbs.
Eagle F. John Mayher & Co., New- York,. . . .475 "
No. 5. N. Starbuck & Son, Troy, N. Y., 550 «
No. 4. John Moore, New-York, 600 "
No. 20. do do 650 "
No. 9^. B. Myer, Newark, N. J., 500 "
Of the second class, the following is the result :
Bergen, B. Myer, Newark, N. J., 400 lbs.
B. Myer, do do 400 «
Eagle D. John Mayher & Co., New- York, 350 «
Eagle F. do do do .... 326 "
No. 5. Starbuck & Son, Troy, N. Y., 425 "
No. 19^. John Moore, New-York, 300 "
No. 20. do do 375 "
We accordingly recommend the premiums to be awarded as follows:
For the plow combining the greatest number of necessary requisites
to plow a furrow 16 inches wide and 8 inches deep,
To John Mayher & Co., New- York, for the best Eagle F. Silver
cup.
To B. Myer, Newark, for the second best No. 9^. Silver medal.
For the plows of the 12 inches wide and 6 inches deep furrow,
To John Moore, New-York, for the best No. 19^. Silver cup.
To John Mayher & Co., New- York, for the second best Eagle F.
Silver medal.
Of the first class, the plows were all held by Mr. William Mitchell,
and by Mr. G. G. Weeks of the second class, both exoerienced
plowmen.
The ground w^as dry and hard, and the plowing Avas difficult. We
fency that in every case the dynamometer indicated more resistance
than would be found in c^eneral nlowing.
86 I Assembly
The committee would respectfully suggest that the Institute make
some effort to produce some improvement upon the dynamometer, or
a new mode of testing the power necessary to move the plow. Very
little reliance can be placed on those now in use. The least diffe-
rence in the surface of the land and small obstacles, cause great and
constant variations in the index. We believe that the ingenuity of
our countrymen, if once turned in this direction, would produce an
instrument which would indicate with much minuteness and correct-
ness the power necessary in the draft of the plow.
By order of the Committee,
ALBERT G. CARLL, ChairTuan,
Castle Garden, Uh of October, 1849.
HORTICULTURAL REPORT
OF THE TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL FAIR OF THE
AMERICAN INSTITUTE.
In presenting the Report of the Horticultural Department of the
Twenty-second Annual Fair, there are many causes for congratula-
tion. HoAvever much praise may have been bestowed, and justly too,
on former exhibitions, the Twenty- second Annual Fair evinced be-
yond all others the most cheering and gratifying evidences of that
steady improvement which has characterized the progress of the
American Institute since the day of its foundation.
It is much to be able to say of any institution, that its progress
has been steadily onward. In taking a retrospect of the past, and
viewing with a scrutinizing eye the ground that has been gone over
with so many toilsome steps, it is a deep gratification to know that
our labor has not been in vain. To trespass for a moment on the
province of metaphor : it is now some twenty-two years since the
American Institute entered into possession of a wild, rugged, and un-
cultivated domain, overrun with brambles and pernicious weeds, but
still fair to look upon, possessed of great natural beauty, and abound-
ing in all the elements of fertility and usefulness. The Institute had
tlie foresight and judgment to employ these elements judiciously and
perseveringly, in spite of all obstacles. And what is the result 1
Why, after twenty-two years of toil and labor, we behold a scene
full of the most interesting associations. We see that wild domain
hedged in and smiling with beauty. The brambles and weeds have
mosll) disappeared, and in their places we see the grasses, and grains,
and fruits, and whatever nourishes and sustains man's body ; and the
glorious flowers, that fill his soul with emotions of beauty. The
grassy meadows abound with highly-impreved domestic animals ; the
88 [Assembly
water of the running streams, in both its dense and rarer forms, lends
its mighty force for the propulsion of ingenious and complicated ma-
chinery, by which is manufactured myriads of articles for the comfort
and use of man : whatever is useful, whatever is ornamental, what-
ever is beautiful, may here be seen in a progressive stage of improve-
ment, and the busy hum of life and activity falls pleasingly on the
ear. This is not altogether metaphor.
[n accordance with what is here shadowed forth, I noticed with
pleasure, during the last Fair, a marked decrease of those mere trifles
which heretofore have seemed to me like so many excrescences. I
apprehend that there was not only a larger number of articles on ex-
hibition than on former occasions, but also more, of intrinsic value
and real utility j more that were new and important ; more marked
and decided improvements in machinery, in agricultural implements,
and other articles ; and/eirer of those mere gewgaws and catch-traps,
which have always struck me as being unworthy of a place in a great
exhibition of the products of American ingenuity and skill. In these
respects, the Twenty-second Annual Fair must be considered the
most commendable that has yet been held, and presents, as before
remarked, many causes for congratulation ; and I here take occasion
to pay a well-merited compliment to the Board of Managers, whose
able and judicious management contributed very materially to bring
about this most desirable result. So much for the Fair as a whole.
I shall now offer some remarks on the Horticultural Department,
the more immediate object of this Report. Where so many things pre-
sent themselves, and all with nearly equal claims to notice, it is diffi-
cult to decide where or how to begin, or to observe such an order as
will bring this Report within reasonable limits.
In regard to surface covered, tliis was certainly the largest Horti-
cultural exhibition ever got up under the auspices of the American In-
stitute ; and in respect to quality, I claim for many articles a decided
advantage over any similar articles that have ever been exhibited here
before. This is strong language ; but I understand perfectly well the
meaning of what I utter, and in the above case I use every word in
its strongest and broadest sense. As respects the general disposition
No. 199.] 89 ■
and arrangement of the articles, and the effect produced by such ar-
rangement, it becomes me not to speak ; and, indeed, it is not neces-
sary for me to do so, for the Board of Managers, the members of the
Institute, and the public generally, had abundant opportunities to judge
, for themselves.
In enumerating the different articles, for the sake of brevity I shall
only particularly notice those which presented some peculiar excel-
lence. Of agricultural productions, the first of all in importance is
our great staple product, Indian Corn^ the display of which was very
large. I have reason to believe that finer corn has never any where
been seen. The Chairman of the Committee of Judges, venerab e
alike for his years, his knowledge of the subject, and an experience as
wide as the extent of our own broad land, pronounced some speci
mens equal to the best he had ever seen ; in fact, all who saw them
gave them at once the highest character, and were most eager to pro
cure seed of them. Though only a few specimens possessed this high
degree of excellence, yet there were many other samples of very fine
quality. When we take into consideration the vas1 importance and
usefulness of this staple product, the improvement recently effected
in it and the lively interest it has awakened in the farmer's mmd
should be studiously and perseveringly encouraged and rewarded.
We must still continue to give it the first consideration. The tallest
specimen on exhibition was nearly thirty feet in height! the next, some
twenty four feet, and several others from thirteen to fifteen feet.
There were also a few samples of Egyptian Corn on exhibition j but
whether this is of sufficient importjince to be much encouraged I con-
sider doubtful.
Of Wheat there was a large number of samples, several of them be-
ing of great excellence. The judges were furnished with a chron-
drometer, and went through the interesting process of weighing the
various samples ; and as some evidence of their quality, I will just
mention that the weight varied from sixty to sixty-five pounds to the
bushel. Of the different varieties the Bergen was considered the best,
and this character, I believe, it has held since the time of its introduc-
tion.
• 90 I Assembly
Of the various samples of Rye, all were esteemed good, and some
of great excellence. The greatest weight w^as sixty-three pounds and
a half to the bushel
Of Oafs there were several samples of superior quality, weighing
from thirty-eight to forty-two pounds to the bushel. The Poland va-
riety of this important grain gave the greatest weight per bushel.
There were several samples of Buckwheat of fine quality, the grea-
test weight bein^fifty pounds to the bushel. The practice of weighing
the samples of grain presented for competition is a useful one, and
much to be commended, for it puts us in possession of important
statistical information. I therefore hope the practice will be continued.
In this connection it will be proper to state that there was an ex-
ceedingly large quantity of flour and meal, much larger, indeed, than
I have ever seen at any preceding Fair. In quality nothing could be
finer; two samples were prepared wuth surprising care, and perhaps
surpassed any thing of the kind that has ever before been made in this
country. There were many other samples of great excellence, and so
nearly alike in quality that it was found to be difficult to distinguish any
difference between them. I mention this fact in justice to exhibiters,
as well as to show the closeness of the competition, and the great care
■which must have been bestowed upon the preparation of these samples
of Flour.
Of Mealj the display was large, but the quality various. It so
happened that the meal that was best dried was not the best in quali-
ty ; and the best meal on exhibition was not dried at all. Of the
two methods of steam drying and kiln dryings it seems to be admitted
that steam drying by Stafford's process, possesses the greatest advan-
tages, and accomplishes the purpose most effectually ; and it cannot
but be regretted that a process possessing so many merits should have
been exhibited on a meal that was considered only second rate in
quality. This subject is one of the very first importance, even in a
national point of view, and should not for a moment be lost sight of.
When we shall have succeeded in discovering some process of
thoroughly drying meal, so as to prevent the occurrence of any che-
mical change, and at the same time preserve all its nutritive qualities,
Ko. 199.] 91
we shall have secured a permanent foreign market for a product
vrhich we can raise in vast abundance and in the greatest perfection.
It may be that this process has already been discovered ; indeed, it
seems to me that it has. Much might and ought to be said on this
subject, but my limits will not permit. In addition to flour and corn
meal, mention must be made of superior samples of oa^ meal, sampj
hominy, grits, farina, &c., got up in beautiful style.
I will now proceed to the productions of the Dairy. Of Cheese,
the display was exceedingly large ; much larger than at any preced-
ing Fair. As regards quality, I venture the remark, that while there
was one sample of the best, there were also two or three samples of
the worst American Dairy Cheese ever seen at any exhibition of the
American Institute ; between these two extremities the quality varied
exceedingly. The best sample of American Dairy was well cured,
and of exceedingly fine flavor ; the worst was intolerable. I cannot
imagine for what purpose it was made ; certainly not to be eaten j
perhaps to keep out a certain insect.
Of Imitation English Dairy the samples were all good, and some
exceedingly fine. One lot, of great excellence, came in near the
close of the Fair, and consequently loo late for competition.
Among the rest, one Mammoth Cheese, from Austin, Ashtabula
county, Ohio, must not be overlooked, if it were possible to overlook
a thing of such monstrous size. The weight of this Cheese was
seventeen hundred and fifty pounds ! without doubt the largest ever
made. The labor of milking, pressing, and curing it must have been
immense. Notwithstanding ils great size, it was of good quality,
and perhaps only required a little more ripening to make it a first-
rate cheese.
The display of Butter was rather larger than we usually have, and
there was not an indifferent sample on exhibition. All were good,
many first-rate, and two at least most exquisitely flavored. It is
gratifying to perceive each ye*r some perceptible improvement in the
products of our Dairy, and to know that the subject is receiving that
attention which its importance demands.
92 (Assembly
1 will next pass to Vegetable Productions^ the display of which was
not only immensely large but really first-rate. Owing to their great
number, an enumeration cannot here be attempted ; yet there are
some things that cannot be overlooked. There were many samples
of excellent Potatoes^ both for cattle and the table. In one case two
crops in succession were laken from the same ground, which is note-
worthy. There were several samples of seedling Potatoes, but, with
one exception, they were not remarkable for any great excellence.
Of things new, the most striking was an odd-looking Squash, called
the Sailor's Delight, said to be fine. Of Beets, both for the table and
cattle, the display was large and excellent, and the same may be said
of Parsnips and Carrots. Of Onions the display was not large, but
one lot was especially fine. The display of Squashes and Pumpkins
was immense, from a Mammoth down to a Vegetable Marrow. But
how do justice to a long list, comprising, in addition to the above.
Celery, Turnips, Salsify, Egg Plants, Peppers, Globe Artichokes, Cab-
bages, Green Com, Beans, Tomatoes, Okra, Cucumbers, Watermelons^
Citron Melons, Sweet Potatoes, &c., &c., all excellent of their kind?
In Hops, no improvement upon former exhibitions was observable,
in respect either of quantity or quality. We must hope better things
for the future.
I will here simply enumerate some miscellaneous articles, such as
superior Mustard, excellent Honey, very choice native Wine, from the
Catawba grape, Cider, Annatto, Madder, Hemp, Guano, Fertilizing
Powder for plants, &c., &c., of which I have no time to take further
notice at present.
Of Pickles and Preserves the display was very creditable. The
articles of this description were, most of them, excellent, especially
the Pickles, which were got up with much taste.
I shall next pass to the FrwU. Leaving out of consideration the
specimens exhibited at the Congress of Fruit Growers, the display
this year, on the whole, was an advance upon preceding exhibitions,
nothwithstanding the partial failure of crops in some sections. Of
Applesj the show, in point of numbers, did not, perhaps, exceed that
No. 199.] 93
of last year, yet the specimens, in many cases, were certainly finer.
It is worthy of notice that there were several seedling Apples of great
excellence ; one sample was thought to be superior to many old and
esteemed varieties. Of Pears, the display was not, perhaps, quite
equal to that of last year; yet two exceptions must be made, embrac-
ing the Vergouleuse and Duchesse d'Angoulerae, of which there was
a magnificent show. There was one sample of seedling Pears of
very fine quality ; and it is an interesting fact, worthy of being noted
here, that we had several specimens from the original Seckel Pear,
which is still standing and in tolerable health.
The display of Peaches, Plums, and Nectarines was exceedingly
fine ; by far the best we have ever had. It is worthy of remark,
that the best Peaches and Nectarmes were seedUngs ; they were of
the first quality, being very large and exquisitely flavored. Never
before have we had so much seedling fruit of decided merit. Of
Quinces the show was good, but not better than has been usual on
former occasions.
The display of Grapes was exceedingly grand ; something to be
noted and remembered. The show of Foreign Grapes was magnifi
cent ; I doubt whether a finer has ever been seen. The number of
^'a^ieties was very large, and the various samples were of great ex-
cellence. The display of Native Grapes was also large, and of the
very first quality. I venture to say that no Isabella or Catawba
Grapes ever surpassed them ; one sample of Isabellas was much the
finest I have ever seen, in regard to both quality and size.
I must not omit to mention, in this connection, a case of Wax
Fruitj most beautifully and truthfully executed. ThcvSe wax speci-
mens were so like the real fruit that many persons were completely
deceived in regard to their true nature ; and, indeed, when some of
the wax specimens were placed by the side of the natural fruit rep-
resented, it required nice discrimination, even in experienced per-
sons, to distinguish between the wax and the natural fruit. There
can be but one opinion in regard to the great utiUty of these imita-
tions of fruit, and they should be duly encouraged.
94 (Assembly
Altogether, the exhibition of Fruit was superb, and a source of
great gratification to all who beheld it ; more especially is this true
of the large and exceedingly fine display of the luscious Peach and
Nectarine, and the imposing show of Grapes, the large and tempting
clusters of which were a theme of delighted admiration to every
beholder.
I shall now take a glance at the Flowers^ those loved objects, over
which I so delight to linger. The weather at the opening of the
Fair was most unpropitious for the development of these delicate ob-
jects, and I was not a little apprehensive that the display would prove
to be something of a failure ; but the fury of the storm abated in
time to avert so deep a mortification, and the genial rays of the sun
brought out the Flowers in all their gorgeous attire. Thus it often
happens, that what at first seemed, to our finite vision, only fraught
with evil and misfortune, turns out, in the end, to be full of the ut-
most beneficence. A wise Providence reigns over all.
I have no desire to exaggerate in any particular the character or
merits of the exhibition which has just closed ; but I must neverthe-
less, in justice to the commendable zeal evinced by the exhibitors,
claim for the display of Flowers the high distinction of being, with-
out the semblance of exception, by far the greatest that has ever been
seen on any one occasion in New-York. I do not mean alone that
it was the largest, but also decidedly the best in every sense of the
word 3 and I claim for it in some particulars the great merit of being
of a higher character than any for exhibition. I have strong hopes
that in a very few years our exhibitions of Flowers will reach the
high standard already attained by our Boston and Philadelphia
friends. Too mu-ch praise cannot be bestowed upon that spirit of
emulation which enabled us to keep up a blaze of Floral beauties
during the whole four weeks' continuance of the Fair. For this happy
result we owe exhibiters a large meed of praise, and I take infinite
pleasure in bestowing it. This is about all that they get to reward
them for their labor and losses, and I desire that they should receive
a full measure of it. The taste for the cultivation of Flowers is no
doubt increasing among us, but its progress is painfully slow. This
may be attributed in a great measure to a want of sufficient and
No. 199.] 95
proper stimulus or encouragement, to want of public spirit, and to
another cause far less honorable to human nature.
In taking a glance at the exhibition of Flowers, the attention is
first attracted by the exceedingly large and grand display of Dahlias j
much the finest I have ever seen, and never surpassed even in Phila-
delphia. A more beautiful sight than a fine display of Dahlias is
rarely to be met with. The bold and symmetrical form, and the
great diversity of colors, from the most brilliant to the softest and
most delicate tintings, all blending harmoniously together, produce in
the mind emotions of lively admiration. Among the Dahlias were
some of the most exquisite show flowers I have ever seen, and at the
bead of the list I must place, when well grown, VEmpereur de.Moroc.
But the Dahlia must give place to the Rose, the -'Queen of Flow-
ers," certainly among the first in all the elements of beauty, and en-
deared to us by a thousand fond associations. Of this most lovely
flower the display was grand and well sustained, embracing all the
best varieties, alike beautiful for their form, size, color, and exquisite
fragrance. Perhaps there is no single flower more highly and univer-
sally esteemed j there are some more brilliant and showy, but there
is none which we love like the Rose.
The display of Bouquets was magnificent. They were formed of
Roses and other choice flowers, and made up with great good taste.
A parlor stand of Bouquets, made up by a lady, was particularly
beautiful and in excellent taste. A flat Bouquet, made up in the
Parisian style, was unique in its way, and much admired. There
were numerous others, all very pretty, and several exceedingly large
and beautiful.
But what shall be said of the Pyramids, and Temples, and Con-
servatory Stands, and other Ornamental Designs ? To describe them
here would take up too much space ; yet I am strongly tempted to
do so. Suffice it to say that no display at all comparable to it
was ever before seen in New-York. Many of these designs were
got up at great expense by Mrs. A. Henderson, who deserves infinite
praise for her taste and ability, not less than for her patience and per-
96 [Assembly
severance in decorating them anew with fresh flowers every few days
during the continuance of the Fair. One of her designs was the
most elaborate and finished that 1 have ever seen, and all exhibited
the great elements of proportion, harmony, and unity of conception
to such a degree as, to evince no less genius than originality and taste.
The special exhibition of Roses and Dahlias on Monday, the 9th,
was not quite equal, in one particular, to the splendid show of last
year; there were not so many Roses, This was owing, in great
measure, to the fact that I had expressed a determination to postpone
the exhibition on account of the unpropitious weather. But though
there were not so many Roses, they were equally fine, and in this
respect have never been surpassed. The display of Dahlias exceeded
that of last or any other year, and I hope the same remark may be
made with equal truth at every succeeding exhibition. The first pre-
mium Dahlias were the most exquisite I ever saw ; the Roses were
surpassingly beautiful, and presented a sight which will long be re-
membered. If a person were about to make a small but choice col-
lection of Roses and Dahlias, I doubt whether the same number of
varieties of each of greater beauty could at present any where be
found ; and for the benefit of such I append a list of their names.
Dahlias. — Prince Albert, Bragg's Star, Triumph de Magdeburg,
Toison d'Or, L'Empereur de Moroc, Sunbeam, Mont Blanc, Roi de
Pontille, Melanie Adam, Mrs. Shaw Lefevre, Sunset, Florence Dom-
bey. Rainbow, Madame Zahler, Victorina, Madame Wachey, Miss
Vyse, Richard Cobden, Miss Chaplin, War Eagle, Remembrancer,
Victoria Regina, Walter Hilson, Baron Treton. To this list others
might be added, but I will only mention Princess Radziwil the most
perfectly formed Dahlia I have ever seen.
Roses. — Tea. Marguerite, Princess of Mecklenburg, Drummond,
Safrano, Frageoletta, Archduchesse Therese Isabelle, Triumphe du
Luxembourg, Yellow Tea, More's Lady Warender (a seedling of the
exhibiter). lie de Bourbon. Hermosa, Desgaches, Souvenir de la
Malmaison, Madame Desprez, Madame Bazenquet, Madame Neumaii
or Monthly Cabbage. Hybrid Perpetual. Jollande d'Arragon, Prince
Albert, Reine des Perpetuelles. Bengal. Cramoise Superieur or
No. 199.] 97
Agi'ippina. JVoisette. General Lamarque. This list also might be
extended, but I will just mention the splendid Rose La Reine,
I must not forget to call attention to the large and splendid display
of Baskets, made up of the choicest flowers of the season, and evinc-
ing the most exquisite taste. There were some eight or ten of these
baskets, of very large size ; and in regard to arrangement, taste, and
general effect, I consider them as being far the most lovely objects in
the whole fair (the ladies alone excepted). It was not a display for
a day, but the baskets were made up anew repeatedly during the con-
tinuance of the fair, and really seemed more beautiful with each re-
newal. There were also several baskets of Wild Flowers, very striking
and beautiful, and not by any means to be overlooked, particularly in
an exhibition specially designed to encourage native productions.
It affords me pleasure to say that all these baskets were arranged by
the hands of a lady, the same who made sucha splendid display of
bouquets and ornamental designs.
There were many olher things eminently worthy of being mentioned,
such as Passion Flowers, Pansies, Pinks, Phloxes, Verbenas, Heliotropesj
Ckrysanthemur)is, Salvias, Ahutilons, Meirosideros, and other beautiful
objects, which must be passed by without further notice. I can not,
however, help alluding to a splendid bloom of that rare and singular
plant, the Aristolochia Braziliensis, presented by Thomas Hogg, Esq.,
of Yorkville. I must also mention several large and beautiful blooms
of the Cereus triangularis, from A. P. Cumings, Esq., of Williams-
burgh.
[The awards made in the horticultural department, will be found
in the list of premiums.]
I have thus taken a brief review of the horticultural department,
and attempted to give some idea, however imperfect, of its general
character. It is well to preserve a truthful record of the general
aspect of our Annual Fairs, in order to have some standard by which
to measure the progress we make from year to year. This practice,
so far as relates to the horticultural department, was first carried out
methodically by my esteemed friend and oredecessor, Thomas Bridge*
[Assembly, No. 199. \ 7
98 [Assembly
marij Esq., who has labored so successfully in the cause of horticul-
ture, and to whom the Institute is under many and deep obligations.
This standard I have endeavored to furnish, so far as regards those
things coming under my immediate supervision.
But I have not yet done. There are some other topics which can-
not be passed over. I allude particularly to those reckless and un-
scrupulous pilferers who " most do congregate " on such occasions.
To meet the necessities of the case our police force should be made
more efficient, and examples should be made of such as are detected
in these detestable practices, no matter what their position in society
may be. It is not expected that the evil can be entirely suppressed,
but it may be greatly lessened ; its tolerance is not to be thought of.
Let us look at the case for a moment. I say it with feelings of deep
mortification, that persons in female guise have been seen to take
specimens of fruit, flowers, and other objects, slip them under their
sliawls with an agility that would do credit to a magician, and walk
off as coolly as if another's property had not been surreptitiously
taken. Others, who would doubtless like to be considered gentle-
men, will filch an apple, a pear, a flower, or other object, with a
boldness that is truly surprising, but yet, at the same time, with a
degree of slyness which indicates that they are conscious of commit-
ting a niggardly act. One person, whose profession and position in
society, to say nothing of moral obligation, should have taught him
better, was seen, in broad midday, to reach his arm over and help him-
gelf to some grapes. The moral powers must be blunted indeed
when a person cannot distinguish between meum and tuum, in a case
so perfectly transparent. It is absurd in the extreme to attempt an
apology for conduct like this.
I have to complain of another class of persons scarcely less detesta-
ble; those, I mean, who, seemingly for a pure love of mischief, if not
something worse, take dehght in removing the labels from the fruit
and other articles, in throwing hops and other things in the flour
barrels, in displacing every thing they see, and who can not pass by
fruit ^yithout giving each specimen a squeeze that would produce
speedy decay in objects much less tender than a peach or a pear.
These practices are not confined to the horticultural department, but
No. 199.] 99
are common to the whole fair j neither have they been more preva-
lent this year than on former occasions; but I have done with their de-
testable authors for the present. If these remarks should meet their
eyes, I hope they may have the effect of mantling their cheeks with
the blush of shame for conduct so reprehensible, and induce a resolution
of amendment for the future.
A few words on one other topic before I conclude. The opinion has
been expressed by some that the Agricultural Department of the In-
stitute receives more than its due share of encouragement. Nothing
can be further from the truth ; and I wish to state my conviction that
it by no means receives the encouragement it deserves, and which its
best interests imperatively demand. I doubt whether its real impor-
tance is fully understood by many of our members; certain I am that
its true position and character have been assigned to it by compara-
tively few. It seems to be generally regarded as a thing of secondary
importance, and by some would be placed entirely in the back-ground.
But, m brief, the fact is, it has been mainly instrumental in making
the Institute what it is : it is its right arm, the key-stone which sup-
ports the whole superstructure. Pray, where would be your arts, and
sciences, and manufactares, and commerce, without agriculture 1 Echo
answers, where ? Agriculture is at the very foundation of these, and
of every thing else merely human, for society could not subsist a day
without it in its present organization. Yet, in the face of these facts,
we hear complaints that the agricultural department receives an undue
share of encouragement ! Nothing can be more unfounded either in
fact or reason. If its expenses are heavy, so are its receipts large ic
proportion.
I regret very much that such sentiments are entertained by any ;
their general prevalence among the members of the Institute is much
to be deprecated. I would have each department receive due and
proper encouragement ; but it must be recollected that the majority
of articles exhibited in the horticultural department, and that alone,
are of a peculiarly perishable nature, must be frequently renewed, and
are a complete loss to the owner. Take, for example, flowers, which
must be renewed every other day for a period of three or four weeks.
It is known to me that the expenses of some of the exhibiters have
100 [Assembly
not been less than two or three hundred dollars, including in this sum
the value of the articles exhibited, and which are an entire loss. The
most that is carried away for all this is a cup worth $]0 ; whereas in
other departments the successful competitor carries off not only his cup
or his gold medal, but his articles are as good as when they entered
the fair. He has been a gainer in every sense of the word, and a
loser in none. How very different with the exhibiter of flowers!
I would not make this a matter of dollars and cents ; and I am happy
to know that exhibiters themselves entertain no sordid motives on this
subject, but they very justly expect a fair standard of awards j some-
thing more nearly approaching an equivalent for the efforts made and
the sacrifices endured. People may talk of glory and notoriety ag
.they please ; something besides these is necessary in the case under
consideration ; and even of these airy things a man will not be satisfied
with less than his full share.
I must here state in all candor, that when the just claims of exhibi-
ters have been laid before the Institute, they have been promptly and
honorably met : I know of but one solitary exception of delay, and
that was not altogether without cause. But this is not the point : we
must meet the case hereafter in preparing our premium list. We must
make a forward movement, not only to keep pace with the progress
of taste and improvement, but also to give a higher tone and character
to our future exhibitions ; and somewhat, too, on the score of self-
preservation. For this object, there is no time so propitious as th?
present.
I have been induced to indulge in these remarks in order to show
that, so far from receiving undue encouragement, the agricultural de-
partment, alike from its importance and its intimate connection with
the best interests of society, is eminently worthy and justly entitled to
the very first consideration. Its expenses are only seemingly great ;
for by its striking and pre-eminent attractions it has produced a much
larger income than all other departments together.
There are other topics of interest which I had intended to touch
upon, but this report has reached such a length that I must pass them
by. In conclusion,! must .add my sincere wish that the future course
of the Institute may be onward, ever onward, like some mighty river,
No. 199.J 101
bearing on its bosom the countless blessings of those peaceful and en-
nobling pursuits which it is its cherished object to promote.
All of which is respectfully submitted. ^
PETER B. MEAD,
Superintendent of the Horticultural Department.
J\rew-Yorkj December, 1849.
REPORT ON MR. S. B. TOWNSEND'S FIELD OP CORN.
The committee appointed to examine the field of com of Mr. S.
B. Townsend, of Astoria, L. I., submit the following report :
On arriving at Astoria, the committee, after the usual ceremonies of
an introduction, proceeded at once to the discharge of their duty.
It would require mifth time and space to recount all of interest which
came under their observation ; they will therefore confine their report
mostly to the field of corn which they were appointed especially to
examine. Mr. Townsend informed the committee that he had 16 acres
in corn, divided into two fields, one containing 11, the other 5 acres j
but as they were alike in all respects, they will for the sake of con-
venience, be denominated oee. The committee devoted their atten-
tion, in the first place, to the variety, size, and quahty of the corn.
It is the ten-rowed flint variety, from seed grown by Mr. T., for 4 or
5 years past, and selected with great care, which is more necessary
than is generally supposed, to prevent it from deteriorating. When
in the midst of the field, the committee seemed as if in a forest con-
siderably past its infancy, and had to bring their \ision to a very acute
angle with the zenith in order to see the "top gallants" ^vaving above
their heads. On measuring some of the tallest stalks, they were
found to be about 13 feet in height, and none seemed less than 7.
Some of the ears were found to be 14 inches in length. The grains
were large, well filled, and compactly set. In some cases there were
4 and 5 stalks in a hill, but mostly 2 and 3. These in a great mea-
sure, had each two large and well formed ears ; some had three
equally large • and in a few instances, as many as four. The com-
mittee obserTed very few indications of gmut. Altogether, it is a su-
102 [Assembly
perior piece of corn, and the committee do not hesitate to pronounce
it, in the mass, better than any piece of corn which they saw by the
way, several of which they stopped to examine. But, as will appear
presently, Mr. T's corn is chiefly remarkable for the economical
principles upon which it has been grown, and the consequent large
profit which it will bring the owner. In addition to these 16 acres,
Mr. T. has three more drilled in very thick for fodder. About half
of these three acres was manured with prepared peat, the other not ;
in other respects, they received the same treatment. But the differ-
ence between the two was most striking. The part manured exceeded
the other at least one half in size ; and while it was evidently rich
in sap, and presented a vigorous, healthy appearance, with many
well-filled ears of corn, the other was somewdiat imbrowned, com-
paratively dry, and quite destitute of ears. If an argument were
needed to show that the farmer is richly remunerated by proper tillage
and a judicious application of manure, the present would furnish a
strong one. The soil on which this corn is growing is a sandy loam,
quite friable. In preparing the ground, the sod was plowed under
some seven or eight inches, a little deeper than many farmers are in
the habit of plowing ; and there can be no doubt that twelve inches
would have given still more striking results, especially as the surface
soil is not far from ten inches in depth. The seed was selected with
great care, being taken only from stalks bearing two or more well-
grown ears, from which the largest grains in the middle were se-
lected, the rest being fed to the stock. The hills were planted suf-
ficiently far apart to admit of the operation of the cultivator freely,
and manure liberally applied. The following incident will give a
pretty good idea of Mr. Townsend's manner of using the cultivator.
" How many hocings did you give this corn ?" " Only one." "Ah !
then I suppose you used the cultivator pretty freely ?" " Oh, yes,"
said the old gentlemen, " we kept it going?'' This reply is full of
meaning, and was uttered with a deep earnestness, of which it is
difficult to give a proper conception on paper. We commend these
words to the serious consideration of every farmer who would hope
for a large return for his labor. A few words as to the manual labor
bestowed upon this corn ; and here it is necessary to mention that
Mr. Townsend has about eleven acres of Mercer potatoes, of superior
quality and abundant yield. Here we have 19 acres of corn, and
No. 199. 1 103
11 of potatoes, making m all 30 acres. In preparing these 30 acres,
Mr. T. employed two men and a boy. This small amount of hired
labor is worthy of being noted, as having a direct bearing upon the
cost and profits of the crops. These two men and the boy were em-
ployed two weeks in planting the corn and potatoes, and 16 days in.
hoeing, Mr. Townsend himself rendering little or no assistance.
After this the boy, with one horse, " kept the cultivator going," and
this, without doubt, kept the corn " going."' The result cannot be
otherwise than gratifying. What the yield per acre will be, can onlj
be " guessed" at ; but as Mr. Townsend has promised to furnish the
Institute with the necessary statistics, this yankce feat may be dis-
pensed with. The committee do not assert that this is the best field
of corn that they have ever seen ; enough has been said, howerer, to
show that the crop will be a very profitable one. What struck them
particularly was the small cost of its production ; and it may be added
that Mr. T. observes the same rigid system of economy in all his
farming operations, and gets well remunerated. To place this in a
clearer light, a few remarks are appendeded in regard to Mr. T's
method of preparing his peat manure ; indeed, his process of making
manure is the distinguishing feature of his farm ; he has in fact, a veri-
table manure manufactory, and material enough to keep his " opera-
tors" busy for a century. On the farm are many acres of humus or
peat, of as fine quality as eyes ever beheld. It was 17 years before
Mr. Townsend discovered this treasure ; for treasure it will prove to
any farmer who is so fortunate as to possess it, and w^ho, at the same
time, knows how to appreciate its value. It is believed that the ma-
jority of farmers have a little "placer" here and there, but mostly-
unknown, or, if known, not considered to contain any " precious ore.'*
Our farmers, on this particular subject, have much to learn ; it is very
gratifying to be able to add, that some of them have taken the sub-
ject up in good earnest. Much might be said here if the limits
of this report permitted. Suflfice it that Mr. Townsend has a just
appreciation of the value of his " placer," and works it to some pur-
pose. Very briefly, he digs out this peat (so called) and throws it
up in heaps to drain off the surplus moisture. When sufficiently
dry, it is carted to the manure " manufactory," or, in other words,
the pig pen, which is divided into four compartments, containing f'-oia.
104 [Assembly
four to six pigs each, A thich layer of peat is put on the floor of the
pen, with straw, corn stalks, and other rubbish, where it remains till
it is thoroughly worked up and saturated with urine, when it is thrown
over into the barn-yard, by the side of which the pen is built. When
the first layer of peat is removed, it is immediately succeeded by
another, and so on indefinitely. But Mr. T. is an economist in the
strictest sense of the word ; nothing about his farm is permitted to be
wasted 3 every thing susceptible of being converted into manure is sure
to find its way to the pig pen. In addition to this, the floors of his stable
are taken up, the earth dug out two or three feet in depth and then filled
up with peat. There it remains during the winter, absorbing the
urine from the cows and horses, and in the spring is dug out and
thrown into the barn-yard. It can readily be imagined how rich it is
in ammonia. On most farms a saving like this is seldom effected.
During heavy rains, there wiW be more or less washings from the
barn-yard ; but these are " headed off"." At the bottom of the yard
a place is hollowed out and filled with peat, which absorbs much
liquid manure that would otherwise be lost. This is removed when
necessary, and replaced with fresh peat. As before remarked, every
thing susceptible of being converted into manure finds its way at least
to the barn-yard. The peat, and all the rest of these substances,
(including a little lime), according to their destined application, are
mixed with the manure from the stable, and frequently turned ; and
it can well be imagined that a valuable, powerful, yet cheap fertiliz-
ing mass is thus produced. This is the kind of manure applied to the
corn under consideration, and it is undoubtedly the very best that can
be used for this and root crops, even on chemical principles. It may
be thought that the committee have gone somewhat out of their way
in giving these details, but Mr. Townsend's process of preparing
manure was too interesting to be passed over in silence ; indeed, it
may be said to have an important and direct bearing on the value of
his crop of corn. Mr. T. furnished the committee with many inter-
esting details in regard to the profits of his farm, all tending to illus-
trate a beautiful system of economy, attended with the most grati-
fying results; but these do not come within the province of this
report, already extended to a greater length than was intended.
No. 199.] 105
These items may form a subject of remark on a future occasion. In
conclusionj the committee would remark, that they consider Mr.
Townsend entitled to the premium a^varded for field crops
All of which is respectfully submitted,
PETER B. MEAD,
R. HALL.
October 1, 1849.
REPORT OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE MANUFACTURE
OF SAL^RATUS, BY MESSRS. BROWNE AND LOMBARD,
BROOKLYN, N. Y.
American Institute, JVov. 18, 1849.
The committee appointed by the Trustees to examine and report
on the manufacture of salaeratus, as it is called, by Browne and Lom-
bard of Brooklyn, respectfully report :
That on the thirteenth of November, inst., they repaired to the
manufactory where the work was in full operation. The grinding of
the crude soda, in order to render the absorption of carbonic acid more
easy, is done by steam power. The powdered ash is then spread in
oblong shallow wooden trays, to the depth of about two inches; which
trays^e placed in air-tight vaulted brick chambers, of the dimensions
of about twelve feet by eight feet. Into each of these chambers, (of
which there are ten,) in this factory, (eight being in operation during
our visit,) two pipes enter ; one from a furnace burning anthracite
coal in a passage out side of the vault, the carbonic acid arising
from the combustion of which, is thus thrown into the vault in large
quantity ; the other is a steam pipe led off from the boiler of the steam
engine, used for grinding as above stated. The trays are laid in the
vault, one above the other, being kept about three inches apart by
slips of wood, and the whole chamber so filled as to allow only a
central passage for workmen. When the chambers are thus filled,
the furnaces are lighted and the steam pipes turned on. The cham-
bers become gradually filled with steam and carbonic acid, no exit
being allowed, the vault being air tight. With the assistance of the
steam, the alkali takes up an additional quantity of carbonic acid, and
106 [Assembly
in ten days the chambers are opened and emptied ; the contents of
the trays are now caked, and require to be ground over before it is
fit for market.
The committee was present when one of these chambers was open-
ed, and a great quantity of carbonic acid gas came out of it ; a man
went into the chamber — Mr. Browne, one of the proprietors, went in
also ; so that it appeared to the committee that the manufacture, as
there conducted, was not detrimental to health, as was exemplified
by the appearance of the men, and aided by complete ventilation.
We were assured by Mr. Browne that the ten chambers, when in full
work, turned out in twelve days one hundred and sixty thousand
pounds weight. The capability of making so large a quantity in
such a factory, appeared to your committee one of the advantages
of this process. The article produced appears to be much more pure
than that made in the ordinary manner. The alkali as prepared in
this way, is more constant in its composition, containing always the
same quantity of carbonic acid in every sample; the reason of which
is, that the carbonic acid driven into the chambers from the furnaces
upon the ground soda in the trays, has a tendency to unite with it,
which union is further promoted by the moistening of the soda by the
steam from the pipes above mentioned ; as the carbonic acid con-
tinues to be driven into the chambers, it enters still more into the
soda until the full point of saturation is obtained, then no» further use
existing for the acid, it accumulates in the chambers until it%ver-
balances the draught, returns through the furnace and extinguishes
the fire.
It may be important to add that the process of manufacture pur-
sued by Mr. Browne, becomes important in its department, inasmuch
as by his plan it is capable of being indefinitely extended, so that the
supply may fully equal the demand of consumption and commerce ;
whereas, by the former process the quantity produced must neces-
sarily be limited to that which the distilleries were capable of pro-
liucing by the carbonic gas given out in the process of fermentation.
Your committee, in concluding, express a hope that the time is not
far distant when the manufacture of crude soda ash will become a
No. 199.] 107
staple branch of trade: which it is probable, could be lucratively carried
on, considering the low price of common salt, the facility aflbrded by
authracite fuel, and the low price of oil of vitriol. The introduction
of the manufactures of crude carbonate of soda would be the com-
mencement of the establishment in this country of a national trade,
perhaps only second, at some future time, to that of cotton and iron.
Your committee, in consideration of the improvement in the mode
of manufacture of Salseratus and Carbonate of Soda, the facility of ex-
tension, and 'unusual purity of material obtained, as conducted by
Messrs. Browne and Lombard, recommend that some special mark of
merit be awarded to these manufacturers.
THOMAS ANTISELL, M. D.,
DAVID DICK,
H. MEIGS, Committee.
LETTER FROM CHARLES HENRY HALL, ESQ.
On the production of Barilla.
Harlem, November 21 y 1849.
Hon. Henry Meigs,
Rec. Secretary American Institute :
Dear Sir, — In reply to your inquiry relative to the article known
in commerce by the name of Barilla, I would state, that during my
residence in Spain, it came under my cognizance in trade ; having
shipped quantities ©f it under orders from England, in which country,
(as well as elsewhere,) it is used in making of hard soap, the finest
glass, and for bleaching, in preference to any other " carbonate of
soda?^ This article is produced from the plani called '■^Glasswort^^
in England, and '■'■Salscla-sativa^'' in Spain. The plant grows in
many countries, and there are said to be as many as eighteen sorts
of it, under the name of "ICa/i," but the best sort is the '■'• Salsola^^
above named, grown in Spain as well as in the south of France, on
land impregnated with salt j and salt marshes are cultivated for a crop
of the article. The Spaniards also cultivate several of the species, as
most of the sorts may be indifferently used for tlie making of pot ash;
108 Assembly
but the best is made from the salsola, at AJicant, Carthagena, and
other places on the borders of the Mediterranean Sea. At the above
places, as well as at Marseilles in France, I made inquiry relalive to
the culture of the plant, incineration of it, in order to produce soda^
and generally the practices attending it until ready for transportation
in commerce. The ground is prepared as for a crop of wheat, on
dry salt ponds, or on salt marshes, and the seed sown early in the
spring ; and in those warm countries, the plants soon spring up, and
in about three months will become fit to cut down for use and dried
in the manner of hay,' and then tied up in bundles preparatory to
burning in pits. The pits are dug in the ground about four feet square,
:\iu[ three and a Iralf feet deep. In these pits are placed wood in
billets, and set on fire, and partially covered over in order to keep in
the heat, and make the pit a sort of kiln or furnace ; when sufficiently
hot, the bundles of kali are put one upon another on the fire and
burned something like the manner of conducting a coal pit j the
barilla then flows out and runs down to the bottom of the pit, until a
large quantity may be formed into a solid mass ; when cold, the arti-
cle is drilled and broken out in large masses, from fifty to an hundred
pounds in weight, or more, (and the less broken the better,) as when
more broken, the air sooner causes decomposition and loss of weight.
The barilla is of a bluish grey color, and has the caustic taste of pot
ash. Matts are prepared, made of a grass called Esparta, in which
the commodity is put, after weighing, and made ready for transpor-
tation.
Relative to the culture of this plant, I would further remark, that
in its native state, it is of humble growth, of about a foot in height,
but in land well tilled, it rises more than double that measure. Like
wheat, it is sown broadcast, and pains taken to have good tillage, and
prevent weeds causing failure. It was said that the plants made to
stand a foot asunder, by hoeing would reward the cost of labor-
In France, the following singular fact was stated to me : That on
the sea board, it was the practice to prepare the land in all respects
as for wheat, and sow that grain and salsola together, in order to
guard against failure ; as in the event of a very dry season the wheat
would not succeed on the salt land, and in its stead, the salsola
No. 199.] 109
would flourish and produce a fine crop ; on the other hand, if a wet
season prevailed, then the wheat would flourish by reason of the salt
being washed out, or sunk deeply into the earth ; and thus the farmer
was sure of a crop of the one or the other article. The best seed is
to-be obtained from Alicant in Murcia, where there is great cultiva-
tion of salsola, the whole region of land being impregnated with salt,
and there are many salt ponds in the vicinity, which causes the crop
to be a sure one, there being no rain there during the summer season,
which is not the case in France. Barilla is an article of great com-
merce in Spain, Sicily and TenerifFe, and from those places alone are
shipped yearly to England, France, and the United States many
thousands of tons, for the making of glass, hard soap and for use ia
other purposes. To England, there is shipped yearly from Spain,
Sicily and Teneriffie probably more than 200,000 cwt. of the article
of Barilla, and to Marseilles, and to the United States, also, very large
quantities.
Barilla seed can be procured of the best quality at Alicant, as there
the genial climate brings it to perfect maturity. In this country, the
plant would, in my opinion, mature and produce an abundant crop on
our salt marshes any where south of New-England, as it arrives at
maturity in the same space of time as spring wheat, and were it in-
troduced, our country would become independent of other countries
of one more article of necessity in our manufacturing establishments.
I have the honor to be, dear sir,
Yours most respectfully,
CHAS. HENRY HALL.
MR. HELME'S METHOD OF MAKING BUTTEK.
The first p'emium for Butter was awarded to Mr. Thomas Helme^wko
makes the foUomng st'atement of the method jiursued by him:
We have kept during the past season seventeen cows, from which
have been made 2,414 lbs. of butter, (not including that used by the
family, consistmg of eight persons.) The cows are fed about two
quarts of grain per day besides the usual quantity of hay after comicg
110 [Assembly
in in* the spring, until they are turned to grass. The milk is strained
into clean pans, and jfi allowed to stand until it gets thick or loppered.
The milk and cream is then churned together j the churn is filled
about half full of mill*with the addition of a quantity of cold water
before churning ; in cold weather, warm water is put in. When the
churning is finished, which generally occupies about two hours, there
is then more cold water applied to raise and cool the butter. The
butter is then taken out and washed, after which the water is thrown
off. It is then salted and placed in a cool situation, where it is al-
lowed to stand about eight hours. It is then worked over and re-
placed until the next morning, when it is carefully worked over and
packed away.
Particular attention in regard to cleanliness throughout all the
various operations.
THOMAS HELME.
Wallkillj Orange county, jY. Y.
MR. D. JESUP'S METHOD OF MAKING BUTTER.
Goshen, Dec. 16, 1849.
Managers of the Twenty-second Annual Fair :
Gentlemen, — In compliance with the requisitions of the law, I
make this statement in regard to butter : We keep fourteen cows,
the milk of which, from the first of April to Dec. 1, furnished us with
2,152 pounds of butter. We have two chums, which hold about 40
gallons each, and use them both once a day. We use sheep to do
our churning, which takes about one hour. We use cold water in
abundance ; before starting the churn, we put in the water according
to the heat of the day. When it comes out of the churn, we wash
all the milk out that we possibly can, and set it in a cool place for
about three hours ; then we work it again, and by using cold water,
wash it thoroughly. In this way we wash it three times, and then
let it stand till next morning, when it is packed in pails for market.
We feed our cows on good hay alone, clover mixed with timothy.
Repectfully yours, &c.,
DANIEL JESUP.
No. 199.] Ill
DORKING FOWLS.
The Dorking fowls which I exhibited at the late Fair of the Ame-
rican Institute, and for which premiums were awarded, were from the
stock imported from England by Mr. A. B. Allen. These fowls are
large, but yet, there are other breeds which are larger, at the same
time, however, much coarser in their flesh, and only larger in their
long necks, large thighs and broad rumps. The shape of pure Dork-
ings is as perfect as could be wished, short necks, broad, projecting
breasts, short legs, and peculiarly narrow in their posterior parts.
When grown, they resemble very much the partridge, and when only
one-third grown, the quail. The flesh is very delicate, and on that
account, and also from their shape, aptitude to fatten, and size, are
highly esteemed abroad as a Capon fowl. From the success I have
had this year, 1 think them as good layers and as hardy as any other
breed. There is one peculiarity about these fowls, they are disposed
to have five toes on each foot. This is not a positive evidence of
their purity, for I have seen one imported directly from Dorking,
which had only four toes, and many of my best fowls have only that
number. I have observed, also, that when this is crossed with com-
mon breeds, that the progeny are even more inclined to have five toes,
and the fifth toe is often very prominent. It is only necessary to
mention this fact, because those who wish to possess this breed, are
often imposed upon by those who sell any fowl with five toes as a
Dorking. One well acquainted with this breed, would not look par-
ticularly at the toes, but select Dorkings from their general style and
appearance. Another peculiarity is their white skin, and fat, and
white legs. This with some would be considered an objection, as they
do not look so yellow when dressed ; but no poultry browns nicer, or
appears better when boiled; indeed, I am informed that it is esteem-
ed as a valuable quality in England. As I never had as many of
these fowls as I needed to stock my farm, I have been subjected to
much trouble to preserve the breed. I kept only Dorkmg cocks, but
it was inconvenient to watch the nests of the hens to get the Dorking
eggs. I have visited many poultry yards where different breeds were
raised, for the purpose of learning the best mode of separating fowl^,
but I never saw any that I could sufficiently approve of to adopt.
112 [Assembly
Last spring I erected a good sized poultry bouse in aAvarm situation;
proper roosts were made, and boxes for the hens to lay in. The
ground floor was covered with muck, straw, &c., for them to scratch
in, and to absorb the gases emanating from their manure. Two glass
windows were put in, facing the south, and there was in one' corner
an enclosure, filled with ashes, lime and sand, for them to pick and
roll in. I had this house, its nests and roosts, whitewashed, and fur-
nished wdth a door, which I kept locked. I supplied them with fresh
water, and as much grain as they would eat daily ; also some scraps,
from which fat had been pressed at a soap manufactory. In this
manner I was certain of their eggs, for I kept only my choice fowls
in this house, and they were always confined except on pleasant af-
ternoon?, when I would let them out to roam over the fields for a
few hours, securing them every evening, after I had examined the
roosts to see that no intruder was present. A few days since I sent
several pair of these chickens to market, about six months old j they
weighed nine pounds and a half a pair. They had not had- any ex-
tra feed, only what they could pick up around the farm.
HENRY A FIELD.
Poughkeepsie, December 17, 1849.
CULTIVATION OF RYE.
In compliance with your request, I furnish a statement respecting
the rye flour for which a premium was awarded by the American
Institute at their late Fair. I cannot write anything that is unusual
as regards the mode of cultivation. The seed was a variety of wliitc
rye raised by farmers in this vicinity, the flour from which , when care-
fully ground, makes bread almost as white as common wheat flour.
Indeed ihi' iiour which I exhibited, makes whiter bread than some
wheat flour we recently had ground from southern wheat. A neigh-
boring miili I informed rac that he furnished a baker with some flour
made of this variety of rye, who, when he sent his order for another
supply J requested it should be ground darker, as some of his customers
objected to the bread on account of its light color, believing it was
made of mixed flour. Upon a portion of the field, upon which this
No. 199.] 113
rye grew, I made an improvement which I think worthy of relating.
There was about half an acre of ground which was covered with large
bogs, weeds, and coarse grass, which had never been tilled, besides the
contiguous land was kept so cold and wet, that the crops raised upon it
were very uncertain. To improve this, I commenced draining it by
plowing several furrows in the situation of the required drain, then
instead of throwing the earth on each side of it as usual, a cart was
backed up, and the contents of the ditch were shovelled in it and
dumped on the higher land. After the drain was sunk low enough,
two blind ditches were constructed at right angles with the main
ditch and filled with small stones. The ground was then plowed,
and such of ihe bogs as were not covered were hauled off to be burn-
ed when dry. The edges of the ditch were then plowed and oblite-
rated by scraping them with a scraper, which gave enough soil to fill
up the surrounding irregularities. This was done some weeks previous
to the usual time of preparing the field for a fall crop. When the
whole field was plowed, this portion was laid off in lands about
twenty paces broad, and back-furrowed. I was much gratified
with the result of my improvement, for I had a fine crop of rye, and
the grass seed has taken very well, and I had about seventy loads of
good manure from the ditch deposited upon land that required it very
much, the effects of which were perceptible also upon the first crop.
HENRY A. FIELD.
Poughkeepsie^ December llthj 1849.
SEED CORN OF MR. SHARP.
Statement of Mr. Sharp in relation to the seed cam raised by him., for
which the premium was awarded for the best 40 ears of ydl&w com.
To THE Board of Managers :
Gentlemen — The corn raised by me, for which I was awarded a
premium at the late Fair, was selected from a ten acre lot containing
1500 young peach trees, which were set out by me two years ago.
The previous year the field was in corn. It was plowed in the month
of November last, and a handful of poudrette made by the Lodi Manu-
facturing Co. was applied to the hill at the time of planting. At the
f Assembly, No. 199.1 8
114 [Assembly
second hoeing in a portion of the lot which I judged to be poorer than
the rest, I apphed a second dressing. No other manure was used by
me upon this lot besides the poudrette this year and the year before.
I consider the crop this year to be as good, if not better than that
of last year. The quantity of poudrette used was 150 bushels on this
lot ; it cost me $37.50, besides the cartage nine miles to my farm.
I reside in the town of North Orange, Essex co., N. J. The yield of
corn upon the ten acres will not be less in my opinion than 90 bushels
of ears to the acre. This soil is a sandy loam.
JACOB A. SHARP.
Otiongej JV. J.f JVovember, 1849.
PREMIUM BUCK BONAPARTE.
Bonaparte. The best fine wooled btcck exhibited at the Fair of tht
American Institute, Oct. 11, 1849; the property of Seely C. jRo<,
Esq. J Chester, Orange county, JV*. J.
The annexed cut represents Mr. Roe's prize buck Bonaparte, which
received the first premium for fine wool ; a silver cup. It was bred
by S. W. Jew^ett, Esq., of Weybridge, Vt., from a pure bred merino
ewe, which has sheared in five annual fleeces thirty and a half pounds
of wool, well washed upon the back^
Bonaparte was got by Napoleon j the property of S. W. JeAvett
and A. L Bingham. Napoleon was bred by John A. Taintor of
Conn., from a ram and ewe imported by him from France in 1846.
Napoleon's first fleece, clipped in May, 1848, at fourteen and a half
months growth, was 22| pounds ; and his second fleece, cut in June,
1849, at thirteen months growth, was 23^ pounds. The aggregate
<rf his two fleeces weighed 45| pounds of unwashed wool.
i
1
No. 199.] 115
MERINO PKIZE SHEEP.
Paidar Merino Prize Sheep, the property of Messrs. Cidlen Capeheart
and George W. Capeheart, Esqi's. Merry Hill, Jforth Carolina.
The annexed groupe was taken from life by C. Mayr, artist, at the
exhibition of the American Institute at Madison Cottage, in the city
of New-York, Oct. 11, 1849; delineating Merinos belonging to
Messrs. Cullen and George W. Capeheart, Esqrs., of Merry Hill,
North Carolina. To thera> was awarded a silver. cup, for the best
pen of fine-wooled ewes ; and a diploma, for the second best fine-
woo led buck.
These sheep were bred and forwarded by S. W. Jewett, Esq., of
Vermont, got by his premium buck Fortune. They are distinguished
for yielding very heavy fleeces of fine wool ; the ewes annually yield
over five pounds, and the raras over ten, of well cleansed wool.
They are also noted for being very docile and hardy, possessing very
strong constitutions, and able to thrive upon vei-y scanty keep. The
ewes are good nurses, and the lambs are easily reared, because they
drop strong and are protected from cold and wet by a thick covering
or coat in i. of soft hair and fur, which in a few months is shed, and
replaced by a thick pelt of rich, soft, oily wool, remarkably compact,
covering the whole body ; a natural clothing, sure to protect them in
severe weather.
This breed of sheep are also distinguished for having loose, heavy,
folded skins, particularly about the neck, in the form of a ruffle, giv-
ing them a bold and lofty appearance, with some folds upon thie ribs,
and a wide-set tail at the rump. In the Patent Office Report for
1847, may be found an able letter from Charles L. Fleischman, Esq.,
accompanied with cuts representing the best breeds of sheep in Ger-
many. On page 268, Mr. Fleischman says : " Twenty years ago,
bucks with a smooth, tight skin, which had extremely fine wool, were
considered the best ; but their fleeces were light in weight, and had
a tendency to run into twist. The German Merino wool grower had
to come back to the original form of rams, with a loose skin, many
folds and heavy fleeces, and since then they have succeeded in uniting^
116 [Assembly
with a great quantity of wool, a high degree of fineness. Tkis kind
of heavy folded animals^ rams and ewes^ are now considered the best
for breeding and wool bearing.^''
" The Spaniards kill all those lambs which are born with few folds
and fine short hair, or almost naked; because experience has taught
them that the offspring of such animals bear a fine wool, but produce
oy degrees animals with flabby, light fleeces, which gradually lose
the folds, and become thinner and thinner in the fleece; and are con-
sequently less advantageous to the wool grower than those sheep
which are produced from lambs with plenty of folds, and a thick
cover of fine, soft hair."
ALDERNEYS.
COMMUNICATION FROM. R. L. COLT, ESQ.
Paterson, JV. /., December 4, 1849.
A. Chandler, American Institute.
Dear Sir — I am entirely satisfied that the Alderney stock raised in
this country does not deteriorate ; on the contrary, the calves I have
raised from imported cows are larger, and give more milk than the
imported stock, and as rich in quality. And so I can say of the
Ayrshires, both of which grade of cattle I have imported, and both
I think are increased in size, if not in all the qualities belonging to
their individual breed, and certainly they have not fallen off in their
milking qualities.
I would strongly recommend to your Institute that you import
samples of the best plows, harrows, drill machines, and, in short, a
sample of all the best agricultural implements of England ; let them
be exhibited to our mechanics, and we may be sure that they will im-
prove upon them. Then import all the best samples of wheat, rye,
oats, and seeds of roots, and distribute them to our farmers with this
condition, that the recipients return two for one, for future distribu-
tion.
No. 199.] 117
Above all, (1ra"w up a petition to Congress that they give to each
State or Territory a township or more of land, which shall go to the
oldest college in said State or Territory, for the purpose of connecting
therewith an agricultural department, where Agriculture shall be taught
practically and theoretically. We want to get rid of our public lands,
and I know of no way in which this can be done to so great advan-
tage, as in fostering and protecting agricultural institutions.
With regard, truly yours,
ROSWELL L. COLT.
ADVANTAGES OF MUCK IN AGRICULTURE.
Communicated to the American Institute, by R. L. Pell, Ee^.
All soils are chiefly composed of three substances, viz : lime,
alumina and silica. Lime is met ^vith in several forms in all coun-
tries ; such as chalk, shell and stone ; silica in the form of silicious
sand ; silicious gravel, and among clay as fine sand ; alumina usual-
ly in the form of clay, and these are supposed to be formed by de-
tritions worn from rocks, and incorporated with organic matter ; pro-
ducing the different varieties of soil known as sandy, gravelly and
clayey ; the last, forming when unenriched, the most unprofitable soil
to the farmer ; yielding inconsiderable crops, after difficult tillage,
and that of a valueless quality. The sandy soils differ from the clay,
inasmuch as there is but little tenacity in them ; and they require
manures and other additions to consolidate them ; thus preventing
excessive evaporation of all their moisture. With the proper means
for improving a sandy soil, I much prefer it to a clay j as it is warmer
and brings crops to maturity rapidly.
Gravelly soils are apt to be more barren than either clay or sand,
on account of the large amount of undecomposed rocky substances
contained in them . They are naturally barren because of their silicious
character, and are commonly known as hungry soils. Muck, or peat,
when properly prepared, is one of the best additions that can possibly
be used for all these soils. It contains an abimdant supply of decay-
ed vegetable matter, which, when judiciously applied, must produce
118 [Abskbiblt
a high state of fertility, as the substances composing it decay. When
plowed into the soils, it likewise forms a capital absorbent ; and the
benefits to the land are gradual, particularly when apphed lo a cal-
careous or porous soil. It prevents the liquid manures, if any are
made use of, from sinking too deep. The farmer must not, however,
expect rapid results after an application of muck, unless he uses arti-
ficial means to expedite its effects, it naturally decays very slowly.
I would recommend several modes of preparing it for agricultural
purposes.
1. After it is taken from the swamps, if jcequired for use the same
season, it should be piled about four feet high, and then allowed to
drain off its surplus water, about one third its weight, — after which it
may be mixed with one quarter of its weight of barn-yard manure.
Heat is immediately generated by the manure, and the whole soon
becomes more valuable for agricultural purposes, than an equal quan-
tity of farm-yard manure.
2. The hquid may be taken from the farm-yard, and sprinkled
copiously over a heap of partially dried muck. It will cause heat
and fermentation, and thus soon prepare a heap of fine fertiliang
manure, fit for any crop ; or the muck maybe placed in the barn-yard,
and its effect will be to prevent the escape of carbonic acid gas, and
other enriching matters, which hourly evaporate from the heap, and
are lost to the farmer.
3. Farmers living on the sea shore may. prepare an exceedingly
valuable manure, containing all the necessary saline substances re
quired by growing crops, simply by applying say one cart load of sea-
weed to four cart loads of muck. The sea-weed will decay most
rapidly, and thus cause the whole mass to become a very great
fertilizer, particularly to a potato crop.
4. Unslacked lime, say 1 bushel to 10 bushels of muck, will cause
almost spontaneous fermentation, and in a very short time convert
the mass into a uniform manure, admirable as atop dressing for wheat
or grass. In England, rape dust has been used extensively as a de-
composer of muck. The feruxentalion is so rapid that m six weeks
Ho. 199.] 119
a 'well-fermented manure has been formed, and used advantageouslj
on a turnip crop.
Notwithstanding so yaluable a fertilizer can be formed from peat
or muck in its natural state, it may be called an adventitious soil,
not capable of growing any crop, either cereal or leguminous. It is
antiseptic and inimical to the growth of plants used by man ; instead
of accelerating their growth, it changes them into matters analogous
to itself, owing chiefly to the humid situations in which it is usually
found. During the excessive drought of last summer a piece of land
that heretofore had been covered with water, became dry, and after
harvest I set eight men and three teams to work, with a view of ex-
tracting a quantity of muck for agricultural purposes, and during two
months, drew out and piled four thousand ox-cart loads, in large square
piles, four feet high. At the surface it was fibrous and black as ink
for a depth of thirteen inches, and looked like a mass of well-rotted
barn yard manure. I had it analized, and it proved to be precisely
the same in composition, not differing from an analysis of manure
made by Springle, and I truly believe it was much more valuable,
inasmuch, when once placed in the soil it will last for many years.
Lower down, it became of a blackish color for the depth of twenty
inches, and was partially decayed ; lower still, for about twenty
inches in depth, it was of a brow^nish grey color, and filled with vege-
table fibres and decayed leaves, stems of trees, &c. Still lower, for
the depth of six feel, it was of a deep brown color, containing decay-
ed stumps of large trees, still retaining their forms entire, limbs and
stems, together with a mixture of leaves. After having dried a quan-
tity of the first named, or surface muck, I undertook to manure an
acre, about one thousand feet distant from the pile, in order to dis-
cern how cheaply a proper coat could be put on land, and the differ-
ence between it and stable manure at 4s. a load.
I drew upon one acre 222 ox cart-loads, which covered the ground
f.iirly, at a cost, including its extraction from the swamp, of $31.08,
or 14 cents per load. Fifty-two wagon loads of stable manure might
have been put on at the same price. The farmer, therefore, has to
calculate which he would prefer, the lasting benefits of 222 loads of
muck, or fif\y-two loads of manure.
120 [Assembly
I must confess that had I supposed it would have cost me $31.08
to manure an acre of land with muck, I would have purchased the
manure in preference. A farmer desirous of obtaining muck, who
has none on his farm, may, if he possess a small stream of running
water, dam it, and thus produce a marshy spot, in which acquatic
plants, such as rushes, mosses, &c., will immediately spring up, grow
to a large size and die. New shoots will grow from the roots the
ensuing year, and in their turn decay, thus in a few years a large
quantity of vegetable matter will accumulate a thick bed of valuable
muck. In England the lowest layers of muck are formed in water,
of aquatic plants, the second layer of mosses, and the top layer of
heath. In Terra del Fuego, the whole face of the level country is
overgrown by two species of plants known as the Jlstelia plumia or
rush, and Donatia magellmicia or Saxifrages^ which decay together
and form fine beds of peat. In the Falkland Islands all the herbage,
grass, &c., covering the whole country, decay and turn to muck.
Such soil, when well drained, lor^^ened and thoroughly broken up by
good tillage, so that the air can gain access to the dead matter, will
yield almost any vegetable production. The muck absorbs and re-
tains for the use of plants not only water, but air, adequate to the use
of the roots requiring the same. The vegetable substances contained
in it are also advantageous and necessary to the growing plants,
affording organic, and inorganic compounds, which minister to their
successful growth, and add physical constitution, chemical properties,
and agricultural capacity to the soil, enabling it to yield a profitable
crop to the husbandman. There should be in the soil, to render it
productive and capable of yielding large crops, at least 50 per cent of
organic matter, and there is frequently 70 per cent in our western
lands, enabling them to yield 40 bushels of wheat to the acre.
I would not be understood to say organic matter alone, even if
there be 70 per cent, is sufficient to impart great fertility to a soil, as
there must likewise be dead inorganic matter, to sustain vegetable
luxuriance. Well decomposed black muck usually contains both
these requisites in proper proportions and likewise possesses the power
of absorbing rapidly, warmth from the rays of the sun. Muck per-
forms for the soil four distmct and very important functions :
No. 199.1 121
1st. It yields to the growing plant inorganic and organic supplies
of food as it grows, and is prepared to receive and elaborate it in itg
system, through the medium of its roots and spongioles.
2d. It sustains, supports and affords a safe hold for its roots, giv-
ing them strength to uphold the stem, and enable it to withstand the
gales to which it is constantly exposed.
3d. It absorbs hydrogen, ammonia, carbonic acid gas, water in its
pure state, heat, and the direct rays of the sun.
4th. Chemically speaking, it elaborates by the aid of air and water,
all the chemical changes in the growing plant ; prepares and makes
ready the necessary food to be taken up by its roots to. sustain and
bring it to maturity and full perfection.
The scientific farmer may, by the application of muck, and a few
chemical substances in addition, grow any crop upon his land, and, I
was going to say, any quantity^ but I will say any reasonable quan-
tity of either grass or grain. He can a|ter the character of a soil only
yielding the fine finger vine, to such an extent by draining, sub soil
plowing, and adding sand, marl, clay or muck, as to induce it to yield
a luxuriant and abundant crop of any description of plant, and all this
can be done at trifling expense, provided he will, in, the first place,
either analize, or employ a chemist to do it for him, a small portion
of his sub and surface soil. Thus he will became master of the con-
stitution and chemical requirements of his land, and be enabled, at
small cost, by the application of the proper ingredient to attain his
object, whatever it may be. By nature, all soils, wherever situated,
are each adapted to the peculiar kind of plant naturally growing upon
them, and likewise to different varieties of cereal grains ; for example,
rye will grow and flourish to a certain extent upon pure sand, and
is the only cereal grain that will. Soil in which clay predominates,
is generally considered the best adapted to wheat.
A loam soil, consisting of sand and clay, for barley; a sandy loam
for oats. Oats will also do well in a soil in which sand predominates
to a very great extent. Soils indicate to the farmer when they are
122 [Assembly
in a proper state to receive his labors, by the growth of the dandelion
and white clover. Where they grow, the cereals ^Yili flourish. In
Switzerland, marl beds are mdicated by the growth of coltsfoot, and
butter-bur.
The couch-grass is seldom seen on land containing an abundance
of lime J but the poppy abounds in such soil.
Muck lands grow peculiar kind of grapes suited to their nature,
when first laid down. Muck, when burnt, yields an ash which may
be used advantageously on any crop. It consists of gypsum, sihca,
alumina, oxide of iron, oxide of manganese, lime, magnesia, potash,
soda, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, chlor'me, carbonic acid, and
charred turf. These ashes are placed upon the land at the rate of
two tons to the acre. They are put upon flax, peas, potatoes, and
clover, with good effect. Farmers should use the following means to
render thair farms fit for agricultural productions :
1st. They should alter the constituent parts of their soils by the
addition of ingredients which they are found to require, or the sub-
traction of substances they may contain a superabundance of.
2d. If their lands be too wet they may drain them, and if too dry
may irrigate them, thus their relation with respect to moisture or dry-
ness is changed.
3d. They may change their texture by thorough sub-soil plowing,
and deep tillage, together with a proper application of muck, and
they might reduce the woody fibre of muck when dried, to dust, boiled
thoroughly in water, until all its soluble matters arc extracted, dried
in an oven, and ground in a mill, so as to yield a meal that can
scarcely be distinguished from flour, either in taste or smell, and if
■well fermented with yeast and baked, may be eaten as bread, or if
boiled will produce a jelly — or by an application of vitriol and water
in proper proportions, together with a little iodine will make starch,
to which may be added sulphuric acid and chalk to form gum — and
the gum by an addition of lime and sulphuric acid may be changed
THE "ENDICOTT" PEAR TREE,
Near Salem, Mass.
Face p. 1S3.
No, 199.] 123
into sugar, and the sugar by an application of nitric acid, may be con-
verted into oxidic acid. So much for chemistry.
We are indebted to this science more than all others, for extending
our knowledge beyond the most sanguine expectations of man. It
has enlightened us concerning the properties of hydrogen, oxygen,
nitrogen, and carbon, in their relations to vegetable life, the combina-
tion of organic and inorganic elements, that minister to the growth
of plants, the constitution of the atmosphere, the evaporation of water,
and its influence upon the growth of vegetation, the structure of plans,
the properties of the root, the functions of the leaf and bark, the
mutual transformation of fibre, starch, gum, sugar, the vegetable acid,
the chemical changes that take place during germination of seeds, th£
forroation of the leaves, the expansion of flowers, and ripening of the
fruit.
Through its wonderful agency we are destined ere long to na-vigate
the ocean without fuel, to warm our houses without coal or wood, to
light our cities without cost, and perhaps drive our plows without
horse, and enrich our lands without muck.
COMMUNICATIONS TO THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE IN
KEFEKENCE TO THE ENDIOOTT PEAR TREE.
Salemy September 6, 1849.
HEHray Meigs, Esq.
Dear Sir — Your favor of the 20th of August was duly received,
and I should have replied before now, but being very busy has pre-
vented.
I have copied from the appendix to the address delivered before
the Massachusetts Horticultural Society by Wm. Lincoln, in 1837,
some inUrc^ting matter in regard to the Endicott Pear Tree; I also
e^u.lose a copy of a sketch of the tree prefixed to Prof. Russell's ac-
count. I beg leave, however, to say that Plymouth, and not Salem,
as seems to be stated in the first paragraph, is the oldest town in New-
124 [Assembly
England ; Salem being the second. I may mention, also, that the
tree is slill in the possession of Gov. Endicott's descendants, and will
undoubtedly continue to be cherished and protected.
I visited the tree in 1846, in August or September, and my obser-
vations agree with the descriptions quoted. It had made some new
shoots on the ends of the limbs, and had some fruit on, but not
much. I ought to mention that that was not a good pear year. The
fence erected in 1823, according to the following account, remained
there then. The land around it was in grass, if I remember right.
I have grafts of it growing in my own grounds, from which I have
cut a few buds, which I have the pleasure to enclose herewith. It is
a very thrifty, strong, upright grower with me. I have had fruit on
my grafts in years past, but this year the pear crop is wholly cut off,
and the Endicott along with the rest. The fruit is roundish, flattened ;
skin thick ; color dark green ; rough, and with considerable russet.
Ripe in September and October. In regard to quality, whatever the
antiquary may say of it, the pomologist cannot but pronounce it
third-rate.
I am, yours, respectfully,
ROBERT MANNIMG.
THE ENDICOTT PEAR TREE.
Tradition connects the planting of the Endicott Pear Tree and the
foundation of Salem, with' the same date, 1628, Historical evidence
readers it certain that the existence of the tree could not have been
so early as the origin of the first town of Massachusetts.
The late reverend and learned Doct, Wm. Bently, " desirous," in
his own words, " to honor the man who, above all others, deserved
the name of the Father of New-England," addressed three letters to
President John Adams, in relation to the antiquity of the survivor of
the orchard of Governor John Endicott. These manuscripts are pre-
served in the archives of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and
have been kindly communicated by Rev. Doct. Thaddeus M. Harris.
No. 19*»-| 125
Duct. Beiitly, in his letter dated October 10, 1809, writes thus :
'' The tree Is near the site of the first mansion of the Governor, and
the land and tree always have been and now (1809) are, the property
of his direct heirs, being in the possession of Mr. John Endicott,
nearly fourecore years of age, and of the sixth generation. To as-
certain its age, near it stood a dial, which was fixed upon a pedestal,
which, the Governor said, bore the age of the tree. That dial has
been for years in my possession. It is in copper, square, horizontal,
three inches, a very fair impression, and in the highest order. It
was marked William Boyer, London, clockmaker, fecit, I. 1630, £.,
the initials of the Governor's name."
As collateral testimony of the age of the tree, a reference is made
to a letter from the company in England to Governor Endicott, April
17, 1629, printed in Hazzardh Collections, vol. 1, page 262, in which
is written : " As for fruit stores and kernels, the time of the year fits
not to send them now ; so we purpose to do it per next." The infer-
ence is made, that this intention was executed, and that the seed,
from which sprang the venerable tree, was sown in the spring of 1630.
It is very improbable that the first fruits of New-England were
reared from seeds originally strewn on our soil. The emigrants were
well informed, by their own experience as cultivators, of the accele-
ratmg operation of the process of transporting ; and they could not
avoid understanding that its application would aid the formation of
orchards on the fields of the New World, as it had done on those of
the eastern continent. The early maturity of the Winthrop Pippin,
shows that the trees of the Governor of Massachusetts must have been
imported from the nurseries of Europe, and gives solid ground for
conclusion, that Endicott would have availed himself of the same
means of anticipating the slow course of vegetation, by bringing to
his plantation trees of such advanced age as to bestow immediate
productions, instead of waiting through a quarter of a century, until
seeds yielded their increase.
One circumstance conflicts with the traditions of the era when the
pear tree was first fixed, on the site it occupies. The farm where it
Stands, situated in that part of the ancient territory of Salem, now
126 [Assembly
Danvers, was not granted to John Endicott until July 3, 1632. It is
improbable that the excellent Governor would have commenced (he
cultivation, before he had obtained the legal right of possession of
the land. A year, at least, must have gone by, before the forest could
have been cleared away, and the soil prepared for the reception of an
orchard. The tree could not well have been set before 1633 or 1634.
As the apple trees of Winthrop were in bearing as early as 1638, it
is probable that they had priority in their planting, to the pears of
Endicott.
In 1796 Doct. Bently visited the Endicott farm, and gives the fol-
lowing description of the oldest living fruit tree in Massachusetts,
" It now bears the name of the Endicott Pear, but in the family the
Sugar Pear. This is the tree which stood not far behind the dial,
and has its age reported from it. It is in front of the site of the house,
and rises in three trunks from the ground, and is considerably high.
It is much decayed within, at the bottom, which gives it the appear-
ance of three trunks; but the branches at the top are sound."
I^ost interesting descriptions of the present condition of the aged
tree have been procured by the kind attention of the Rev. Dr. John
Brazer, of Salem. The first accoxmt has been furnished by the lineal
descendants of Governor Endicott, the second is communicated by
Professor Lewis Russell.
" Account of the present condition of tke Endicott Pear TVec.^'
" This ' Old Pear Tree' is situated on the southern side of a gentle
slope of land, and sheltered by it, in some measure, from the piercing
north winds, in what was once the garden of Governor Endicott.
The surrounding soil is a light loam, with a substratum of clay.
Its appearance at this time, is rather dwarfish, being only 18 feet
high, and 55 feet in circumference of its branches. The trunk ex-
hibits all the marks of extreme old age, being entirely hollow, and
mostly open on the south side, with just sufficient bark to convey sap
to its branches. It is seven feet four inches in circumference near the
roots, and is divided into three parts, two of which are connected to
No. 199.] 127
the height of 18 inches, the other is entirely distinct, from the ground
up-wards. There is no bark only on the outside of these divisions
until they reach the height of seven or eight feet, where they are
completely encircled with it, and form distinct limbs, with numerous
lateral branches, all of which appear in a perfectly sound and
healthy state. Two suckers have sprung up from the roots, one
on the north east, and the other on the south west side, each 10 or 12
feet in length; and I presume it is known that this tree has never been
grafted, but is natural fruit."
No doubt the dilapidated condition of the trunk is owing in a mea-
sure to the want of care during the most part of the two first centuries
of its existence, being situated in an open field, without any protec-
tion, and often browsed by cattle and injured by storms. This
patriarch within the last forty years has often suffered from easterly
and southerly gales. In October, 1804, it was nearly prostrated, be-
ing shorn of all its branches, and its trunk split and divided in the
manner before spoken of. In the heavy gale of September, 1815,
it was again doomed to a similar fate; almost all its limbs at that time
were either split or broken, and it appeared doubtful for some time,
if it would ever recover; but such was the wonderful tenacity of life
that it rose again, phoenix like as it were, from its very ashes. At
this time the soil was loosened about its roots, and for the first time
probably since its introduction into this country ; there was a large
quantity of manure around it. About the year 1823 it was protected
by a fence, to prevent the cattle from injuring it. It continues to
produce fruit yearly, and the average quantity for several years past
has been about two bushels."
With proper care and attention, this tree may yet continue many
years, and will serve to remind us, by its own trials, strength, vigor
and durability, of the enterprize, hardships, perseverance, and imtiring
aeal of our ancestors in the first settlement of this our cherished land;
and may we be permitted to encourage the hope that it may prove
the precursor of the durability of our present free and liberal institu-
tions."
« Solent, Jfovember, 1837."
128 [AsSEMBLt
•' The Endicott Pear Tree^
The Endicott pear tree is evidently of great age. Its main trunu;
is entirely hollow, and much shattered. About a foot from the ground
it divides into two distinct stems, which although mere shells, yet have
produced exceedingly strong limbs. The actual thickness of live
wood on the main branch, which faces the west, does not exceed
six implies. The eastern branch is much sounder, and supports the
greater part of the spray, which denoted the power of producing an
abundance of fruit. Proceeding from the root are two suckers, of
nearly the same size, one on the eastern, and the other on the western
side of the tree, and which are not more than 15 or 20 years old.
No perceptible difference can be discovered between them and the
tree itself, by comparing the wood. This seems to denote the fact of
the tree being a seedling variety. Indeed, its rude character seems
to denote a native of the soil. If imported by Governor Endicott,
which is according to family traditions, it must have been a seedling
variety, and not grafted, none of the usual appearances of a grafted
tree being visible."
" Its general form is low and spreading, about twenty feet high,
and nearly the sarfie in extent of branches. The circumference of the
stem near the ground is seven feet five inches."
THE 'ALPACCAS OF BOLIVIA.
Legation or the United States in Bolivia, >
Cobija^ May 1st, lSi9. )
T. B. Wakeman, Esq.:
Sir — On the 1 0th of December last, I received in Chuguisaca a
letter from Mr. L. T. Brown, requesting, in behalf of the "American
" Institute of Agriculture and the Arts," such information as I might be
able to give it concerning the " practicability of introducing into the
United States, and there domesticating the Alpaccas of Bolivia j" and
this information he desired me to communicate to your address, as
Secretary of the Institute.
No. 399.] 129
I should have compUed wilh his request at' an earlier period, had
I not hoped that the return of tranquility in Bolivia would enable me
to procure, from pubUc and private sources, the means to do so in a
manner corresponding, in some good measure, to your wishes. But
the revolutionary state in which I found the country on my arrival
here, and which can hardly be said to have had any cessation up to
the present time, exhibits even now so little prospect of an early
conclusion, that I think it proper to delay no longer a reply to the
letter of Mr. Brown.
The "Alpacca " is one of four animals to which the Spaniards in
South America gave the general name of " Carneros de la tierra^'^
sheep of the country, in distinction from those which they introduced
themselves. Of these the " Llama " is the most useful, and the
"Vicuna" the most beautiful. The former is somewhat larger than
a stag, of various colors, with a long neck, a well shaped head, which
it carries proudly erect, and a tread as majestic as that of royalty.
Of its long and coarse wool, the Indians make clothing ; its flesh
serves them frequently for food ; and from its services as a beast of
burden they, many of them, gain a livelihood. The usual burden for
a " Llama," is three arrobas, 75 lbs., and it seldom travels more than
fifteen miles a day ; but it can go by paths which are impassable
even for mules, and requires no other sustenance for 24 hours than a
few pounds of straw. It has been proposed to cross the Llama with
the stronger and fleeter camel of the old world, and such an experiment
might be attended with valuable results.
The "Vicuna" is much smaller than the "Llama," a little taller
perhaps than a common English sheep, but with not so large a body.
It has a long, slender neck, and its head, which it carries high, and a
little projecting, attracts attention both for its delicate shape and its
brilliant eyes. Its color is usually a ligjit tawny brown, with white
belly and legs ; and it has a short, thick fine wool. The " Vicufias'"
are still quite numerous in the higher parts of Peru and Bolivia ; but
from the difficulty of domesticating them, they have heretofore only
supplied their wool to commerce at the expense of their lives.
[Assembly, No. 199.] 9
130 [Assembly
The ''Guanacos" are less frequently encountered in Bolivia than
either of the other animals mentioned. I have seen them in only a
single instance while going from " La Paz " -to " Oruro," and then not
near enough to observe them well. Like the " Vicuiia" they prefer
the rudest antl coldest portions of the Cordilleras, where they feed on
a species of wiry grass, called '■'■'HeechooP Their color is dark
browH; and they have a fine and valuable wool, but they have never
been domesticated.
The '' Alpacca " or " Paco," larger than either the " Guanaco" or
the " Vicuna," but smaller than the " Llama," is chiefly to be found
in the higher regions of Peru. Its wool is principally export-ed from
'■^ Islaj," the port of " Arequipa," and in smaller quantities from
" Arica," the port of " Tacua," and of a part of the northern Boli-
via. In either of these ports the animal itself can be procured
without much difficulty, but at considerable cost. There is an ex-
isting law in Peru, however, which prohibits its exportation, and to
obtain the Alpaccas, therefore, from that Republic, special permission
would have to be obtained from its authorities in Lima, through the
intervention, which I doubt not could be effectual, of our minister
there. But the Alpaccas are also to be found in Bolivia. In travel-
ing from Tacua to La Paz, by the elevated route of Tacora and
Chulluncayani, I saw these animals several times, feeding in small
numbers not far from the road ; but though I have since visited Oruro,
Chuguisaca, and Potosi, and have journeyed from the latter place to
Cobija, I have not met a single Alpacca on the whole route. They
exist, however, to a limited extent, in the department of Potosi, and
could be purchased, I am informed, so as to be placed on shipboard
from the port of Cobija. Their exportation from Bolivia is not pro-
hibited by law. The cost of an " Alpacca" in the neighborhood of
its residence, is very inconsiderable, from three to five dollars ; but
they live a long distance from the coast, and their transportion or
journey to the sen, is both troublesome and expensive. I am assured,
however, by the manager of the commercial house of Artola & Co.,
here, that an order for a few of these animals might be readily filled
in Cobija, at a price not exceeding ten dollars each.
No. 199,1 131
But a greater difficulty presents itself in their conveyance from the
Pacifir coast to the United States. To Europe their conveyance has
usually been attempted by the way of Cape Horn, but the experi-
ments by this route have not resulted favorably. It is only a few
years ago that a large cargo of them, some three or four hundred, I
believe, Avere embarked for England from the port of Islay, after
much expense in procuring them, and much trouble, also, in pro^'iding
them with the necessary accommodations and nourishment on ship-
board ; but nearly all of them died during the voyage out, and
scarcely any of the remainder survived long enough after their arri-
val to make any adequate return for the difficulty and cost of their
importation. Another route which has been at least once attempted,
is the overland route by Buenos Ayres. In 1804, more than a hun-
dred of the Peruvian sheep (comprising representatives from each of
the four species) were collected by the Governor of La Paz, in obe-
dience to a royal order, to be placed in the garden of the Empress
Josephine, at Alalmaison. They arrived in Buenos Ayres from Up-
per Peru in the following year, where they were detained by the
existing hostilities between England and Spain, but were carefully
provided for and kept together, so as, if possible, to produce new
varieties of the animal by crossing the different species. In the taking
of Buenos Ayers by the English, they were taken with it, and during
the attack of Gen. Whitelocke, in 1806, some of them were shot
and others dispersed. In 1808 they were once more collected, (what
remained of them) and were sent by the Viceroy Linier to Cadiz,
from whence, doubtless, they were dispatched to their original desti-
nation. Of the number, however, which had been ordered from La
Paz in 1804, only thirty-six were embarked in 1808 ; and of these,
twenty- five died on their passage across the Atlantic, and two others
upon their arrival at Cadiz ; leaving only nine tkat arrived in safety.
In crossing the ocean, according to the author, (D. Nicholas de
Pi^rola) from whence I gather this narrative, they were fed with po-
tatoes, maize, straw, and bran ; but the potatoes failed before their
arrival, and they became so much constipated as to require laxatives.
Among the nine which reached Cadiz safely, there were three Al-
paccas, three Alpa-Vicuiias, (the mixed offspring of Alpaccas and
Vicunas,) two Vicurias, and one Llama in conception by an Alpacca.
132 [Assembly
It may be interesting to mention here that the domestication of the
Viiuiiasj which, for all useful purposes had previously failed, even
when attempted by the indefatigable efforts of the Jesuit fathers, was
accomplished a few years ago by the persevering labor of a Peruvian
Priest, named Pablo Carrera, who has also succeeded in crossing
them with the Alpaccas, and thus producing, in numbers which pro-
mise to perpetuate it, the valuable variety above referred to, of Alpa-
Vicunas. These results have been received in Peru with no little
enthusiasm, and in August, 1846, the Government of that Republic
testified its regard for their author, by ordering his portrait for the
Lima Museum, and promoting him from his old diocese to the better
one of Cuzco. " From his success," says the " Ateneo Americano"
of Lima, " the wool of these animals, (the Vicufias) the finest and
most valuable known, will no longer be obtained by the barbarous
method of the savage, who cuts down the tree for the sake of its fruit,
but will be gathered periodically, without injury to the animal; while
at the same time it will be of superior beauty, and susceptible of
every variety of color. Our uncultivated solitudes, where are now
seen only a few wandering flocks, which fly from the presence of man,
will present themselves in the future, if this discovefy shall be fos-
tered as it deserves, covered with sheep of the country, mingling
harmoniously with those of foreign origin, and producing fleeces of
enhanced beauty and increased value."
Prior to the wars which ended in South American independence,
the remittances and travel from Upper Peru to the old world were
almost wholly by Buenos Ayres and the Atlantic. They have now,
however, taken a new direction, and usually cross the Isthmus from
Panama to Chagres. But I have never heard of any attempt to
convey the Peruvian sheep by this route, either to England or to
the continent of Europe. Such an experiment has probably been
prevented from a fear of the heat along the Pacific coast to Panama,
and the bad climate and diflficult travelling of the isthmus, connected,
perhaps, with a probability of greater expense in transporting the
animals by this route, than would be necessary to take them by Cape
Horn. Yet, with the improvements which are likely to be effected on
the isthmus, and the increased communication between our country
and Chagres, the Panama route will, in my opinion, •offer greater
No. 199.] 133
facilities tor the accomplishments of your object than any other. la
a good season, and with great care, shearing them before their em-
barkation, providing good accommodations for them on board the
steamers, taking with them for their sustenance a sufficient supply of
the Alfelfa of the country, and allowing them to remain as short a
time as possible in the wretched atmosphere of the isthmus, I think a
purchaser of a small number of the Alpaccas might fairly expect to
land them safely in New York, at a cost not exceeding seventy-five
dollars each. Once arrived in the United States, I have great confi-
dence that they might be raised with success. Some of them, I am
told, have been found to thrive in Scotland, and there is no reason to
doubt a similar result upon the hills of New England and in the
pastures of upper New York. The cold in these states is often
quite as severe as they ever have to endure in Bolivia, and the heat
no greater than I have experienced at midday, even in the depart-
ments of Potosi and La Paz. Their greater change would be from
an atmosphere extremely dry to one comparatively very humid, from
the peculiar grass of their Andes homes to the richer nourishment of
our pastures in summer and our folds in winter, and from elevations
of more than four thousand yards above the sea to a country which
rises from the ocean only a few hundred feet. These difficulties
however can all, in ray judgment, be surmounted; and the experi-
ment of introducing the Alpacca to the United States, is, at all events,
worthy of a persevering trial. Larger than any of our sheep, bearing
heavier fleeces, affording much finer wool, and with no greater lia-
bility, so far as I can learn, to disease, whoever shall secure their
domestication among us, may well be regarded as a benefactor to our
agriculture.
Without, however, trespassing further upon your time, I trust you
will find in this imperfect reply to the letter of Mr. Brown, if not the
exact information which you desire, at least some evidence of my
disposition to comply with his request, and of my sincere wish to
render any service in my power to the agriculture of the Unifted
States. I am, Sir,
Very respectfully,
% Your ob't serv't,
k^-vm.. ^ \ JOHN APPLETON.
134 [Assembly
SUCCESSFUL CULTIVATION OF TEA IN THE U. STATES.
Golden Grove, Tea Plantation, )
Greenville, S. C, Dec, 1849. \
Henry Meigs, Esq.
Rec. Sec. Am. Institute :
Dear Sir — In compliance wltb your request, I intimated my inten-
tion of communicating some particulars relative to the present state of
tea cultivation. My tea plants, planted out last December, after
passing through the ordinary trial of tra;)sportation, change of climate,
soil, cold and heat, drought, inundation and cultivation, became
naturalized. The plant now testifies for itsel/, by its vigorous growth
in branch and stem, bud, blossom and foliage, to the entire satisfaction
of the cultivator, and by the tardy and somewhat reluctant acknowl-
edgments, by multitudes who have seen the plant, of the complete
success of the experiment. The gradual development of the plant
was curious and interesting. When I arrived at the tea garden from
New York on the first of April last, there was not a single leaf to be
seen, and the wise and knowing ones of Greenville considered the
plantation as doomed to an ignominious end. But they were not
aware that I learned, upon enquiry, before a single plant was set out
a year ago, that the frost here never penetrates the ground more than
three inches during its greatest severity, and guided by that fact I had
taken the precaution to place the roots of all the plants below the
freezing point. I was sorry to see that the plants during my absence
in New York, had been most provokingly neglected, and no protec-
tion whatever provided in case of severe frost, as I had particularly
directed. But my confidence was not shaken, because I well knew
that if the root survived, the branches and foliage would in due time
appear. I was not mistaken. On the seventh of April the first
sprout appeared above the ground, and the leaf buds began to break.
I hailed them as the olive leaf in the beak of the dove, indicating the
subsiding waters of trouble and the renovating of tea vegetation.
The roots had suffered by heat in transportation and packing, and un-
doubtedly were checked in their growth by weakness and cold. The
growth of the plant was consequently slow, necessarily so. under the
influence of a chilling, cold, and backward spring, but the sprouts and
No. 199.] 135
foliage continued to advance in grow'th. In May, one plant, twenty
inches in height and circumference, withstood, unprotected, all the
severe frost of February, and is coming out this month (May) in
numerous buds. It shows conclusively the strength, vigor and hardi-
hood of the plant uninjured by the heat in packing, and the rigor of
tlie winter. On the 20lh Sept. the first tea bud came into full
blossom. Ths number of plants and of buds blooming beautifully
and daily increasing. The blossoms still continue to develop and
probably Avill until spring. On the 20th Dec. I had sixteen plants in
full blossom, and as they drop off in aboutfour days, other plants take
the place of those that have finished blossoming, and we see a pleasing
union of winter and spring all giving promise of a harvest of seed
next autumn, when the blossoms of this year mature their fruit.
The climate, soil, and general aspect of the garden, although not
such as I would wish, owing to the haste in which I, an entire
stranger, with the cases of tea plant in my hand, was obliged to take
up, the land still agrees wonderfully with the plants, and leaves no
room to doubt that future plants, the arrival of some of which I
expect next month, planted out in a more genial soil, more favorable
aspect, and a climato equally salubrious, will find a domicil, at least
equally agreeable and propitious to their growth. My expectations are
fully realized so far, and I feel that I have abundant reason to be
deeply thankful to the Great Author of vegetation for the signal
blessing upon the undertaking. My plantation at Golden Grove is
now under cultivation, and designed to receive the plants and seeds
©f this spring's importation. Yours truly,
JUNIUS SMITH.
.-.. -inf
136 Assembly
THE GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES.
By Judge Van Wtck, of the Farmers' Club of the American Institute.
American Grasses. We say American because we mean to ex-
amine those which are indigenous or generally so considered to our
country. Although some of these whose character and uses we may
look into, may not be natives or their nativeism may be questioned,
yet they have been so long cultivated among us and their usefulness
so well established, their character and habits so congenial with our
various soils and climates, and all this proved by many years of suc-
cessful cultivation, we conceive we shall not stray much to style them
natives or American. It is not meant to call the grasses here noticed
by their botanic names, but to call them only by the names they are
generally called and known. It is intended also to use scientific
terms as rarely as possible, should brevity or convenience, which is
sometimes the case, induce a use of them such use will generally be
accompanied with a definition. The botanic names of the grasses can
be found in most scientific works, including the leading periodicals of
the day that treat on the subject.
The importance of the grass plant to the farmer is greater than any
which he cultivates, and he derives more benefit from it, and all indi-
rectly, for it is not his food, than any other plant. The grasses, too,
enrich land when properly covering it ; they are the best coat of ma-
nure for it, a considerable portion of them if only tolerably good,
and even if used as pasture, fall or are trodden down and decay, and
mix with the earth, and assist in making up what is called the mould
or surface soil, the bed or matrix of the whole vegetable kingdom.
This bed, or the greater portion of it, whether it consists of the manure
of the barn-yard and the homestead generally, and carried out and
spread upon it, or of the plants that grow upon it and fall down and
decompose and rot where they grow, form what is called the putres-
cent or organic manure of the "soil. No plant can germinate and
grow healthily and mature perfectly without it, and a considerable
portion of it too. They are called putrescent because they are sub-
ject to perish and decay, and organic' because they are the remains
of organized substances, animal and vegetable, that once possessed
No. 199. 1 137
life, and, in some shape ov other, are almost the only food of plants.
Besides, the roots of grasses aid in pulverizing the soil ; some of them
penetrate deep into the earth and render it loose and friable, and make
it not only a richer but a softer and deeper bed for plants of every
kind.
Without grass (it is meant here good grass) the farm would be of
little worth, it would not produce good grain of any kind, if it could
not produce rich and plentiful crops of grass. A large stock could
not be kept upon it, for there would be nothing, or very little, to sup-
port them ; hay, straw, litter for the barn-yard, reduced comparatively
to nothing. A great source of manure is here cut off; then comes
the produce of the dairy, milk, butter, and cheese, the fat animals for
market, lambs, calves, sheep, wool, fat beef, all derive their existence
and profitable condition more or less directly from grass. We will
give here an estimate of the value to the nation of two articles of
the farm, and derived, i'c may be said, directly from grass, hay, and
butter. The Patent Office reports for 1848, estimate the hay of that
year at nearly $150,000,000 ; and the butter here put down is from,
another source, probably equally reliable, at $72,800,000. From the
estimate of these tAvo items, an opinion may be fornjed of the im-
mense value of all others derived from the same source. It may be
said that land, if it possesses the necessary mineral ingredients, and
happily located in other respects, wtll of itself produce the natural
grasses which will grow luxuriantly upon it, and afford food for ani-
mals. So it will, and some of these of the best kind. This is not
the case, though, with land that has been long tilled and badly tilled,
and a good deal naturally not of the best kind ; every thing carried
off, and nothing or very little put upon it in return. This is the case
with much of the land of the Atlantic States, and such a system in
time must necessarily exhaust and impoverish it ; and it is only to
be recruited and restored by proper cultivation of the best grasses that
will grow upon it, and the system of pasturage. The best scientific
wiiiers upon Agriculture, both ancient and modern, and those best
acquainted with it in theory and practice, all agree that old, exhaust-
ed, worn out lands, cannot in any other way be recruited and restored
so quick, cheap and effectually, as they can by a judicious pursuit of
this system. Lands in good condition can be preserved so longer
] 3S I Assembly
by it, and such a state, it may almost be said, made perpetual.
The alluvial lands of the west, its rich bottoms and prairies, may in
time be exhausted, or a great portion of them may, and all certaialy
rendered much less productive by bad tillage, and carrying all off and
putting nothing on in return. A rich sward or thick turf, too, protects
the earth from the sun in summer, which exhales from these naked
lands the little moisture and fertility they have left ; from heavy,
drenching rains which cut unsightly chasms in them, and otherwise
deface and injure their surface ; and from the frosts in winter which
heave out the roots of the few sickly, straggling plants remaining,
and they perish for want of warmth and support from kindred social
plants. Thus the barrenness of land so managed is complete, and
will continue, unless the system of culture is changed ; and the
change to renovate its fertility can be made in no other way so cheap
and eflectual, as by throwing over it a rich, close carpet of grass.
This will not only protect it from variations of the seasons, but the
manure derived from decayed herbage vind pasturage, would secure
and continue the renovation. Some opinion may be formed of its
importance from the estimate here given of two articles, the hay and
"butter of the nation ; and these, with most other agricultural products,
owe not only their existence, but their quantity and quality, to good
grass. In fine, it would not be extravagant to say, this important
plant, if cultivated properly, and made to thrive as well as it is sus-
ceptible of being made even on tolerable land, is worth as much as
ill the other products of the farm together. How to perform this
jultivation, to accomplish this thrift in the best way, it will here be
Attempted to show. First, remember that grass generally has many,
and a few kinds of it all the main chemical ingredients of the grain
plant ; it is supposed they were originally the same plant, and known
and called by the same name. To this day, in science all are called
grasses ; by way of distinction, though, the grain is termed the cereal
grass, being cultivated for its seed, producing a richer food for ani-
mals than mere grass ; it is longer in growing generally, and of course
consumes more and stronger nourishment in maturing. Cereal is from
CereSy the name of the heathen goddess of fruits and harvests. The
earth, then, en which they are to be grown, should be put and
kept in as fine state for the one as the other, with this difference,
that the grain requiring more time and more food from the soil to
No. 199.] 139
mature, should have the first benefit of its virgin richness. This it
usually has, for the practice with most good farmers is to prepare the
land well for grain before planting it; to see first, that it possesses
the three essential mineral ingredients, silica, or sand ; alumine, or
clay ; lime, or calcareous earth ; in some shape, all in due proportion.
Then the manure scraped from the barn yard, homestead and farm,
every thing in the shape of decayed animal and vegetable matter, all
properly preserved, mixed and composted, and applied at the right
time and manner. Then the tilling, plowing, harrowing, and if con-
venient, rolling ; plowed and manured deep, destroy all weeds, and
even grass, at this period ; let them aid the manure ; pulverising,
deepening, cleaning and enriching the bed, are the great objects j
constantly keeping in view that all this preparation is not for the
grain crop alone, but for the grass, by far the most important, which
is to succeed it. If the latter does as well as it can be made to do,
it is to aid materially in producing several grain crops, and many
other articles very profitable to the farmer. Timothy and clover are
the grass seeds generally used for permanent pasture ; whatever kind
is used, should be of the purest, soundest, and best of its kind, and
especially free from foul seed. These are to be sown after the win-
ter grains, wheat and rye j it is usual to sow timothy in autumn, and
clover in the spring. "Whenever sown they should be sown separately,
not mixed, and at different times. Some farmers sow their grass
seeds in the spring with their oats ; this is not safe, the grass seeds
are apt to miss ; the oats, if they are large and heavy, as they some
times are, choke and smother the grass when it comes up, and it
perishes. Although some times the grass seeds take, grow, and do
very well when sown with oats. The grass seeds, whether from
economy or whatever cause, are generally sown too thin ; it is a
great mistake ; like most other seeds, it must be expected some of*
these will not come up, they will miss ; and when they do come up
they should come up thick, stand close, to protect and support each
other, and provide against many accidents, and possibly a total failuse
or near it. This would be a much greater damage than a few dollars
more laid out in an additional quantity of seed ; more than a peck of
timothy and a half a bushel of clover seed to the acre ; and a few good
farmers are kno^vn to use more to great advantage. The sooner this
140 ( Assembly
close carpet of grass, composeil of the purest materials, can be spread
over the land, the more durable it will be, and the sooner the farmer
will reap his reward and the longer enjoy it, and be remunerated in
the end ten fold, for the additional money expended in seed. Gyp-
sum or plaster is applied with advantage to grass in various stages of
it ; as a top-dressing it stimulates, and in most cases increases much
its growth. Lime, too, applied in the same way, not only stimulates
but sweetens it, and stock eat it more freely and with a better relish;
it neutralizes also the acidity of surface soils, prevents mosses and
other useless, pernicious plants of most kinds, from infesting soils,
and kills insects in their worm state, and protects plants from them
in their winged state. A little salt is good sometimes, applied with
ihe lime or gypsum, or by itself.
These ingredients besides other benefits all absorb and retain mois-
ture more or less for the use of plants, and they aid in droughts.
Judgment is to be exercised in the use of them, and especially salt,
as very little of this serves. The bestdependance for the farmer after
all from severe droughts and short crops from any cause, is a bed of
earth possessing all the necessary mineral ingredients, with a good
surface mould of rich vegetable remains properly compounded, mixed
and pulverized by good and deep plowing. Such a bed or matrix
will attract, absorb and retain for the use of plants more moisture than
anythnig else, besides possessing all the ^ther requisites in the shape
of food. Bone earth or phosphate of lime is an important ingredient
of soils; a portion of it is necessary for most plants, and especially the
nutritious grasses on which animals principally live, it is the bone
forming clement. Young animals require more than others. In this
stage the bone and muscle form and grow, harden and acquire strength,
which of course strengthens the whole frame; flesh and fat are laid on,
and these cannot grow healthily unless they have a good foundation
to rest upon. Providence has wisely ordered in this, as in many of
the beneficent operations of nature, that the cow in her secretions of
' milk should absorb more of the bone earth from her system than any
similar animal. It has been found by analysis that milk contains
considerably more of this ingredient than any substances discharged
from her body through other channels, of course her manure cannot
contain so much ; a great portion of it has passed off in another direc-
No. 199.] 141
tion. The milk or a good deal of it is made into butter and cheese,
and all or uiost of these generally carried off tlie farm and sold. In
consequence the grass does not get its usual supply of this essential
article, it fails, and all the other products from it, including hay, fail
in due proportion. This has been found to have actually happened in
practice. A few years since many dairy farms in Cheshire, and
other districts in the vicinity of London, gradually declined in produce;
those who occupied them could not tell the cause, they thought they
manured as high as ever and a little higher, all would not do. These
occupants were advised to employ a competent chemist to analyse
the soils of a few farms ; it was done, and they were found deficient
in bone earth. The article was immediately procured and applied,
and the lands in due time restored to their former value. It is more
expensive at first than ordinary manure, but a little of it serves; it
is durable too, and its iiifluence is felt for years. A great evil to be
avoided by the farmer in the culture of grass is, never to let his stock
be too heavy for his pasture, or his means generally of keeping them
in the best condition both summer and winter. The greatest judg-
ment must be exercised in proportioning the one to the other ; if the
farmer errs, let it be on the right side : let his grass be too heavy for
his stock, let the former be more than the latter can consume. Here
he cannot suffer ; the surplus grass falls down, decays and makes
manure ; the roots are not so liable to injury. The grass is much
better the ensuing year, the cattle are in belter condition in the spring,
they have not been stinted or pinched for hay and feed during the
winter, the grass has not been fed close in the fall, nor is it necessary
to put them on it so early in the spring. Let the heaviness of a far-
mer's stock show in their appearance and flesh rather than in numbers.
All will ultimately show more loeight by this system: the cattle, grass,
hay, grain and the farmer's pocket.
After showing the best luannei of cultivating the grasses generally,
it is proposed to look into the character and habits of some of the
principal ones individually. First, Timothy Grass: This, it is pietty
well settled and generally believed is a native of our country, although
a few Englishmen have questioned it. It is one of the most valuable
of our grasses, especially for the northern and middle states. It does
not grow well south of North Carolina, and here perhaps not as well
142 [x\sSEMBLY
ns farther north. It grows well to the west, particularly in the north
western states, but if is not quite so great a favorite here as in the
northern Atlantic states. This may be owing in part to the high
value they set upon some of the native western grasses, and one in
particular called the Kentucky Blue Grass ; they consider it (timothy)
coarser, harder and drier than some others, and that cattle will not
eat^so freely, nor will they do so well on it either as pasture or forage
as a few other kinds. This is the opinion also of some northern and
English farmers. It is believed this is owing in a great degree to the
erroneous impression of some — they are few though, compared with
the whole number, and it is thought, are diminishing every year — of
the proper time of cutting timothy grass for hay. It is contended
that it should be cut late, after the seed is formed, or hard or ripe ;
that much of its weight and nutriment is lost, perhaps more than half,
by being cut early j that cattle will not thrive on it so well, and
especially horses ; that this is the case with some other of our grasses,
but more with timothy than any other ; that the after math is not so
profitable ; that the young grass will not grow up so rapidly nor so
rich. This it is thought is directly at war not only with the character
of the grasses so called, but with the cereals or grain producing plants.
The proper time it is thought for cutting the grasses of our country, is
when they are in full flower, (timothy excepted) ; at this period, the
juices are more generally diffused throughout the whole plant, the stem
leaves and branches, than at any other. These juices constitute the
nutriment of the grass plant for animals ; they are in greater quantity
and richer in quality, a very small portion of them only have passed
up into the head or culmen to form the flower ; they are more con-
centrated, have more of the elements of saccharine or sugar, mucilage
and starch, which give all the value to the grass plant as feed. The
more of the natural juices preserved in grass when cured for hay, the
more nutriment the latter contains, and the more animals relish it.
When a considerable portion of this, and probably the greatest, passes
from the stem to the culmen to form and harden the seed and mature
the plant, the lower parts are dry, sapless, and contain considerable
woody fibre and very little nutriment. Experience has shown that
stock of no kind relish it, and if they eat it, it cannot nor does it
keep them in so good condition. This too accords not only with
theory and reason in the case, but practice. Four out of five of our
No. 199.] 14
best agricultural periodicals, and the same proportion of our best
practical fanners, say that the season of flowering is the best time to
cut the grasses for hay, and some of them do not even except timothy.
If reason and general practice establish the time or best time, it would
seem in this case the season of flowering is that time. This error of
late cutting, if it is one, and it is here thought it is, has arisen, it is
believed in a great measure, from an analysis of all the best grasses
grown in England, made some yenrs ago by Mr. George Sinclan, at
VVoburn Abbey, under the patronage of the late Duke of Bedford,
The results of liis experiments were, that all the grasses, and he ex-
amined a great many, with a few exceptions contained more nutri-
ment if cut after the seeds were ripe, and timothy more than twice as
much, than if cut in the flower. This analysis was sanctioned and
endorsed by the late Sir H. Davy, one of the greatest agricultural
chemists of his day, and it is thcught.he gave his name and sanction
without testing its correctness by his own experiments ; he took it
for granted to be correct. This is inferred from his own writings,
when speaking on the subject, and no other true inference, it is here
thought, can be drawn from what he says. If such is the fact, he
gave his sanction no doubt on the high opinion he had of Mr. Sin-
clair's reputation and knowledge of the grasses, which unquestionably
stood high at this time. These are great authorities, and it is not
doubted influenced some to take their correctness for granted, as Sir
H. Davy did Mr. Sinclair's, without examining thoroughly the rea-
sons of the case, and the opinions in WTiting of some of the best scien-
tific and practical farmers of the present day. The results of several
of Davy's experiments and opinions in agricultural chemistry, have
and still are thought to be incorrect, since such men as Liebig, the
Johnstons, and some others appeared. Prof. Johnston, of England,
in a lecture lately delivered on the subject, says, "the experiments
of Mr. Sinclair on the grasses have lost much of their value." John-
ston, after giving his reasons for this opinion, and these it is thought
have much weight, concludes : " Hence the nature and weight of
the dry extracts which he (Sinclair) obtained, could not fairly repre-
sent either the kind or quantity of nutritive matters which the hay
was likely to yield when introduced into the stomach of the animal."
Reasoning from analogy, all the grain plants, after the juices they
contain when green, have passed into the culmen or ear to form and
144 [Assembly
mature the seed, the stems and branches ;\re hard, sapless, and of
little worth for anything like feed. This straw, as it is called, is use-
ful as litter for the barn-yard ; it aids in malcing up the compost
heaps, and here more by its bulk than any strong fertilizing power it
possesses. The grasses too, like the grain plant, when allowed to go
to seed, exhaust the land more by standing longer upon it ; they
draw from it some of its richest ingredients which the plants require
to ripen their seeds. The stubble of such grasses have no succulent
matter in them, and the after math, the young grass, or second crop,
will not grow up near as soon nor as rich. How can they? they
cannot spring from the remains of the old stems if they are in the
habit of doing it when green, the stems are dry and dead, the roots or
some o[ them are often dead too ; these take time for revival. When
the young blades do spring up from either or any source, they cannot
come up as thick or grow as vigorously, so much of their nourishment
has been consumed in maturing the parent plants. The reason given
by some that grass if cut late when the seed is hard, is drier, it may
be cured better and with less labor for hay. This reason has very
little weight when we consider the quantity of fine weather we usually
have about the time of hay-making, greater, much, than many Euro-
pean countries, and especially Great Britain. A few hours sooner or
later in curing cannot be of much moment, and neither this nor any
other reason given for late cutting it, is thought ought to have the
least weight when compared with the great sacrifice of nutriment and
other injuries stated, must necessarily flow from the practice. Timo-
thy has been excepted from the general rule of cutting in the flower,
but by no means to wait till the seed is hard ; the best time it is
thought for cutting is immediatety or soon after the flower has fallen.
Timothy, in habits and character, resembles more the grain plant ; its
stem is thicker and stronger, it grows higher where the soil is rich than
most of the grasses : it has more silica or sand in its coating, and is
longer in attaining its full size. Hence the juices are longer in
reaching all its parts from the root to the culraen, and condensing a
little so as to acquire their richest consistence. It is thought that
even this plant would suffer less and the injury generally be less if cut
.n the flower than to let it stand until after the seed is ripe. Timothy
too, when cut late, has given rise to the impression made on some that
it is a hard, coarse, dry grass; the late cutting.is generally the reason
No. 199.] 145
why it is soj and why some have been so impressed. Considerable
nas been said in discussing this point, it was thought important, as
mischief is believed to have resulted from a practice here considered
decidedly erroneous. The origin and probable cause of the error
having been pointed out, and the more recent researches of science
having shown it to be one, and this being in accordance with the
opinion of a large majority of the most intelligent practical farmers,
it is hoped and believed the practice under it will in time be entirely
abandoned. Most of the grasses, and especially timothy, when
growing big and rank on good land and in a fine season, are apt to
lodge and fall ; in this state they should be immediately cut, even if
there is no appearance of the flower and may not be for some time.
Otherwise laying on the ground thick the lower part becomes brown,
it will heat and ferment, and the whole deteriorate much in quality.
Timothy, it is thought, does best on a clay loam ; like most of the
grasses it requires considerable moisture, and in addition to the hu-
midity the soil must be rich, possessing the mineral ingredients in due
proportion, combined with plenty of decayed animal and vegetable
matter. Timothy being perennial, is excellent to form permanent
pastures where it will grow; many of the natural meadow grasses
will spring up and grow with it, being of a kindred nature and simi-
lar in habits, the soil good, the climate and degree of moisture of the
one are congenial with the other. Some of these social grasses have
no regular common names, many of them are short and belong to the
dwarf family of grasses, but are succulent, and make a rich, nutri-
tious feed. A close carpet of such grasses spread over a low or
upland meadow, properly located, soil fine, and with judicious man-
agement as to feeding, cleaning, and occasional top-dressings, will
last good for many years, with scarcely a rent patch or vacant spot
in it. Timothy and all grasses may be cut too young for good hay.
At an early period of their growth their juices are thin and watery,
have not acquired the requisite consistence, exhale or dry up and are
lost ; the stems become wiry, hard, and have none or very little nu-
tritive matter in them. In some parts of Germany they cut their
grasses quite young, and gather them up immediately and put them,
in a perfectly green state, in pits under ground, salt them in layers
with the best of salt, and compress them close by weights and let
them ferment for a while, letting nothing escape from exhalation^
FAsserablv No. 199.1
10
146 [Assembly
prescmng all the juices; and these in time, with the dissolved salt
form a rich paste, matted and adhering to the stems, equally diffused
through the whole mass. In this state, when taken out in winter, it
is sweet and fragrant ; cattle eat it greedily, will thrive on it, an^
mucli less of it serves. The usage is stated here, and probably in
correctly, as nothing is practically known of the process in ou)
country, not with any expectation of its being adopted or tried, bu*.
to show what can be done with the article grass, in its green state,
and bow essential its natural juices are to make the best forage, as
well as pasturage.
Redtop, or as it is generally called south of us, kerdsgrass^ and by
some redfop timothy^ is an excellent grass ; it has something of the
character and habits of timothy so called ; it requires a humid, rich
soil, one in which clay predominates ; rather a bushy top, composed
of several small stems, shooting out from the main one laterally, near
the top ; rich in juices, makes fines hay ; cattle are fond of it j
should be cut about the time of timothy, or when in full flower, it
matters little which.
Orchard grass^ or cocksfoot; much esteemed by many, especially
in Pennsylvania and some other States ; it is highly valued for both
pasture and forage ; rich sandy loam suits it best. One remarkable
quality it possesses, is to start up and grow immediately from the
stem, when cut or fed off, not waiting for fresh shoots to spring up
from its roots, nor the healing of its wounds, and has been known on
good soils to grow an inch in twenty-four hours from the time of cut-
ting. Messrs. H. Powell and L. Jones, of Pennsylvania, speak
highly of it ; thick sowing necessary, great care in gathering and
preparing the seed. Mr. Powell recommends at least two bushels to
the acre. The great objection to it with some who have cultivated
it, is that it will grow in tussocks or detached bunches, leaving naked
spots, which are not easily filled up with oLher perennial grasses.
Whether this was owing to the habits of the plant, too thin sowing,
or any other cause, is not known.
Kentucky Blue grass. This is the favorite grass, and deservedly
so, of the west. Kentucky soil and climate seem to be most con-
No. 199.] 147
genial with it, and is said to be its native locality, although it grows
well, and even luxuriantly, in many other sections. It is the best
grass for woodlands of the west, when cleared of their underwood,
rubbish and decayed trees ; these are cut, dug up, collected and burnt,
the ashes supplying the soil with potash, so necessary to the growth
of plants, and especially grasses. These woodlands, on many large
farms of the west, are extensive j they are thus rendered both beau-
tiful and useful, by being converted into shady lawns and fine pas-
tures. This is not the only valuable quality of blue grass, that it
grows more luxuriantly on woodlands than any other grass. Its su-
periority as a rich and permanent pasture on cleared, open fields, is
equally great, and greater, it is thought, for Kentucky and the western
country generally, than any other. It should be sown in the springs
a calcareous soil, or that of limestone regions, is the best for it. It
is a very delicate plant when it first comes up, and should not be
grazed for a year unless very vigorous, and not then till the seeds
mature ; thtse fall down and thicken the bed, enrich and strengthen
it ; and with such management a luxuriant coat of blue grass suc-
ceeds, and lasts it may be said forever, or certainly as long as desired,
without any further trouble. Besides, it grows more nutritious with
advancing age, and will ultimately root out every other grass, even
the native white clover ; and no other can compare with it as a v.'inter
grass. It not only grows in the warm spells of winter, but if the
second growth of summer be reserved for winter grazing, it is an
excellent pasture for horses and cattle throughout that drear period.
Both of these keep in the best condition upon it, and without any
other food, except in cases of deep snows, v,hich do not often
occur, when a liitk- hay is necessary. An eminent Kentucky farmer,
has said " he had no doubt he could raise large fat beeves on blue grass
and nothing else." The great errors to be guarded against are early
spring feeding and over stocking, especially when young and tender,
aud before its gets a vigorous start. Whether it would make as
good hay as timothy and redtop, or even clover, some doubt. It is
thought, though, from its habits and qualities, if properly cured, it
would make as good hay as any other grass. We have in our State
a native blue grass, so called, it is thought not to be genuine Kentucky
blue grass ; ours is a dark green, a little bent, requires a moist clay,
rich soil ; does not grov/ tall, but short and thick on the ground, has
148 [Assembly
no tinge of blue ; the Kentucky kind, held m a certain position to
the light, has a perceptible shade of blue. Whether it would grow
north on a calcareous soil, and not degenerate, has perhaps never been
fairly tried. If it would grow and flourish here as it does in Ken-
tucky or the west, it would certainly be a valuable acquisition to our
farms.
Clovers. First, Redtop clover is undoubtedly an imported grass,
used in most parts of Europe with great benefit ; it is also in as
general use with us, and with equal benefit. So popular is it almost
every where among us ; grows in such luxuriance and abundance on
almost all soils, at as little risk and labor as any of the nutritious
grasses, and less than some of them, especially on good sandy loams j
so long cultivated throughout our land, that it is considered in the light
of a native, and hardly known or thought to possess a foreign origin.
Its system of stems, leaves, roots and foliage, surpass in size, tenderness,
beauty and richness any of the grasses, taking all its advantages into
consideration. It is equally good for forage and pasture ; its long
roots penetrate deep into the soil, keep it loose and friable equal to a
plowing, and better than some plowings. If the land is in a proper
state for the seed, and this good, its growth is so rapid, thick and tall I
it chokes and destroys all weeds: none can grow among it. When
young and succulent, cattle are tempted to eat too much of it when
first turned in it, it often gives them the hoove ; timothy, orchard
grass, &c., sown with it will generally prevent this ; it should be cut
for hay before the flower is fully blown. It leaves the soil in a fine
state for tillage, planting any of the grains, root.>> or vegetables. It
is considered a biennial, at most triennial ; it has been known though
to last six or seven years on rich land, and with good management.
There are several other clovers, some native and others probably
foreign, some of the dwarf class very nourishing feed. The White
Clover grows low and thick on the ground, and is thought a native,
comes up naturally on most untilled soils, especially where clay pre-
dominates ; it is excellent for milch cows.
Smooth- stalked Meadow grass is said to be a n; tive ; is well adapt-
ed, none perhaps better, to laying down permanent pastures and
meadows. An eminent farmer of our country says, it is equal to any
No. 199] 149
of our grasses; its foliage begins to shoot and put on a fine verdure
c|uite early in the spring. Every animal that lives on grass is fond
of it; makes hay that may be classed among the best. It delights in
rather a dry than moist soil, and still it thrives well in rich meadows,
if they lay a little low. It was of this grass that the American prize
bonnet, in imitation of leghorn, was manufactured some years ago.
Fowl Meadow grass was first discovered in a meadow in Massa-
chusetts. It is supposed the seed was brought there by water fowl :
hence its name. It is an excellent grass for wet meadows, and has
been known to yield three tons to the acre in one season. It remains
so long green that it may be mown at any time from July to October;
it makes very good hay for both horses and neat cattle.
Floating Fescue grass. This plant delights in very wet grounds,
and is often found in rich swamps, bogs, ditches and ponds ; it is
singular in its habits, growiog as well in as out of the water : it flow-
ers in June. Horses and cows especially, are very fond of it, and it
is said the Cottenham and Chedlar cheese owe their great excellence
to this grass, and it imparts a rich and peculiar flavor to the milk of
cows fed upon it ; their butter also is of the best quality. It is a
native of our country. One gentleman who had every chance of
knowing its qualities says, it is greedily devoured by every species
of stock, not excepting poultry, which eagerly devour the seeds :
these are sina'il but very sweet and nourishing.
Ribtand grass. This grass, if it possesses the fine qualities which
it is said to do, is likely to become of great value in our husbandry ;
it is no doubt American, The late Judge Buel had such an opinion
of it that he said it bid fair to become the game grass of the north.
The value of this promising grass was discovered incidentally, and is
thus told by Mr. Robinson, of New-Hampshire. A neighbor wishing
to get rid of some of the roots which encumbered his garden, pulled
them up and threw them into an adjoining bog, where they took root
and spread over a large space, excluding every other plant. The
water flowed through the roots at all seasr-ns. yet the turf had become
so solid as to bear a cart and oxen, i': makes the best of hay and
pasture — produces a great burdea, anJ springs up immediately after
150 [Assembly
the scythe ; slock of all kinds ilevour it as greedily as hay or grass.
It is perennial — spreads rapidly, and may be easily transplanted. It
is a few years since this account was given ; whether the grass held
its character or improved as was anticipated it would, is not known.
Experiments, as with every thing of the kind no doubt, were necee-
sary to establish its character.
Gama grass is a native of the southern parts of the United States.
It has, however, been found wild as far north as the banks of the
Connecticut. It is a remarkable grass ; its growth and produce pro-
digious, indeed almost incredible, and could not be believed were the
statements not made by gentlemen entitled to the fullest confidence.
Although stout and coarse, it is succulent, and all kinds of gram-
inivorous animals eat it with the best relish. Mr. Magoffin, who first
introduced its culture into Alabama, where it is said to abound in its
wild state, says that when all surrounding vegetation was destroyed
or burnt up by drought, this grass was green and flourishing, and that
in the month of July it grew forty-three iaches, and this during a
drought. The editor of the American Farmer, some years ago, re-
ceived a blade of this gi-ass in a letter, measuring thirty-two and a
half inches in length, the growth of twelve days.
^here are a number of other very useful grasses of our country
not hert noticed ; soine of ihcm have a foreign origin, and others,
no doubt, are iialives, and ull so domesticated, and iheir good quali-
ties so well established by long culture, that we are in the habit of
considering them American. Some of our grasses, especially of the
dwarf class, and on some accounts among the best, have no common
names by which they are generally known. Most of them, no doubt,
have botanic names, especially those of foreign origin ; but this is not
enouo^h, it renders it difficult to identify them ; their spread and circu-
lation are restricted through our land ; they cannot be described in
writing so as to be understood. It is proposed, if this subject is pur-
sued hereafter, to suggest a remedy for this difficulty, that is, to
establish Grass Conventions throughout our country, something like
the Fruit Growers' Conventions, to select and give suitable common
names to such useful grasses as are not known generally to have any.
This, it is thought, will facilitate the transmission of seeds and plants
No. 199.] ' 351
from on« section of our country to another, and thereby spread mor«
extensively the more useful and profitable class of grasses.
This subject of grasses is a voluminous one ; more ha^been aaid
upon it than was at first intended ; more remains to be said, although
relating only to the American grasses, or those known or believed to
be American. It is not judicious to extend a subject of this kind
to an unreasonable length ; this deters many from reading very little
or any part of it, and its merits (if it possess any) are in a great
measure lost.
It is not meant here to dispense with or even depreciate the use
of science in relation to the grasses. Let those who are qualified
and choose to exercise their skill and diligence, do it ; they may
often aid by it fixing oa the most appropriate common names for
grass plants, as these scientific names are usually selected with some
meaning, they have a view to the habits, qualities, and character of
plants.
BUTTER.
It is well known that batter is the oily part of milk ; of greater
OT less consistency, depending very much upon the nature of the
animals which afford it. The average proiluce per cow of butter,
has been estimated at 168 pounds per year. It has been ascer-
tained by experiment that lUU parts of cream contains 4^ of butter,
and 3^ of curd. We have the authority of Dr. Brande, for saying
that butter will not keep good unle-s the adhering curd is thoroughly
separated from it. This may be done by carefully melting it by the
heat of a water balh, at l"ii..° Fahrenheit, rnl continuing it in a
liquid state some time, so as to eiTect a complete purification ; the
liquid butter should be decanted, strained and salted, and if put in
small jars clrsely covered, it may be kept for a long time nearly
fresh. Cleansing butter from the cLrd can be very effectively done
by thoroughly washing and working it "n cold water. The latter pro-
cess is generally preferred, because of the injurious effect en the
152 " AsSEMBLl
flavor of butter which results from melting. If the latter be adopted,
the washing must be continued until the curd is thoroughly removed,
the particles of which are very putrescible, and if permitted to re-
main will prove very injurious. The water should always be expressed
to the greatest possible extent, before salting. It is the opinion of
some, that the oxygen of the water, uniting with the oil, forms that
peculiar acid which causes the butter to become rancid. If this be
so, it must be owing to its excess, since during the operation of churn-
ing, oxygen is always absorbed.
We are assured by an agricultural gentleman of great experience,
that the best method known to him for removing the curd, is to mix
with the butter when removed from the chum, sugar and salt, say two
table spoons full of salt, and one ounce of clean sugar, to twelve
pounds of butter. This mixture seems to dissolve the curd, and by
working thoroughly, it can be disengaged to any desired extent, and
the flavor of the butter is improved.
The Dutch salted butter from Holland, of which vast quantities
have been exported to England and various parts of the world, has
sustained an undeviating reputation for a long period of years, and at
this day, probably, is as good for exportation and use as any that can
be found. It owes its reputation, we understand, more to thorough
purification and cleanliness, than to any other cause. Butter made in
hot countries is generally liquid. In India it is prepared from the
milk of Buffaloes, and called ghee.
" The Arabs are said to be the greatest consumers of butter in the
world. It is a common practice for them to drink every morning a
coffee cup full of melted butter or ghee. The poorest individuals
will expend half their daily income to procure it." [Travels in Arabia.
m
The price of butter, with the exception of occasional years of
scarcity, has been slowly advancing. Mr. M'Culloch furnishes tables
of the contract prices paid for butter at the Greenwich Hospital,
vrhere sound merchantable butter is required, for a period of 102
years, from 1730 to 1832, from which we make the following sum-
mary :
No. 199.J 153
In 1782 the price paid was 10 cents per pound.
1790 it had gradually advanced to 13 " "
1806 a 111. re r; pid advance to 23 " "
' 3812 still advancing, 31 « "
1817 declined to 18 " "
1823 a further decline to 15 " "
1827 16^ " "
1832 171 « «
The quantity of butter consumed is immense. We have no data
from which to deduce an accurate estimate. Assuming, however, the
population ( f the United Slates to be twenty millions, and that each
person consumes half a pound per week, it requires 520,000,000
pounds to supply the consumption for one year ; the cost of which,
at 14 cents per pound, would amount to $72,800,000. Assuming,
also, that each cow will yield 168 pounds per annum, the milk of
3,095,278 cows would be required to produce the butter.
The specimens of butter exhibited at our twenty-second Annual
Fair, were numerous, and the quality pronounced to be very superior.
Butter making, like many otht-r products of agricultural labor, does
not, as a general thing, bring a very profitable return to the producer.
Fn close proximity to our largest cities, we have heard farmers say
that it was more profitable for them to sell their milk at one and a
half cents per quart at their own doors, than to put it into butter and
take the chance of the market. We apprehend this product may
be made more lucrative, by proper care and attention in the manufac-
ture of it, and also to the best method of putting it up for transpor-
tation, so as to preserve its sweetness. Pure sweet butter is generally
in demand, and in some countries it always commands a price that
will justify the expense of very costly methods for preserving it
during the necessary time required foi' its transportation. In China,
for instances, sweet butter brings from 75 cents to $2 per lb. Cali-
fornia, for seme time to come, will undoubtedly be one of the most
profitable markets for good butter, ever known. The vast prairies
of the west may be made to produce immense quantities of butter ;
and transportation, through the agency of canals and railroads, con-
stantly augmenting, will shortly afford all possible facilities.
154 [AsSKMBLt
We will suggest a method of putting up butter for transportation
and export, which may be found worthy of consideration, and per-
chance of a trial. Enough has been said on the importance of re-
moving the curd to the greatest possible extent. In the next plac«
the quality of the salt used, must not be lost sight of. We are in-
clined lo believe that nothing short of the purest rock salt should be
used. It is of great consequence that the churning be done in a pure
atmosphere, one that is free from any taint whatever. Butter churned
in a tainted atmosphere will not keep long, and the quality of the
butter for immediate use will be impaired in proportion to the quan-
tity of filth which float in the surrounding atmosphere. Cleanliness,
in all respects, is of the greatest importance. Kegs, made to contain
20 to 25 pounds, and made of well seasoned white oak, strongly
hooped, are recommended, in which to pack the butter. This is an
acceptable quantity to consumers, and particularly so in foreign mar-
kets, whore prices are high ; it will invariably be preferred, even at
an advance. The kegs, before being used, should be scalded with a
strong pickle made with rock salt, and the pickle left in them imtil
they are perfectly saturated therewith. The kegs, after b;eing filled
with butter and headed up-, are to be packed in tiercas of convenient
size for transportation, made also of good white oak and well hooped.
The kegs being clqpely packed and the tierce headed up, fill the tierce
with strong pickle of the same salt, and it is ready for transportation.
WINE.
Specimens of domestic wine, from several of the native grapes of
our country, have been presented at the annual exhibitions of the
Institute for several years past ; none of which, with the exception
of a passable wine from the Scuppernong, have attracted much at-
tention, until the present year. At our late fair, specimens of
*' Sparkling Catawba," from N. Longv/orth, Esq., of Cincinnati, were
received and tested, in conformity with the request of Mr. Longworth,
by competent judges, in comparison with an approved Champagne
of France. The judges to whom this subject was referred, concurred
No. 199.] 155
in opinion that it was the best American wine they had met with, and
reported as follows : "The Sparkling Catawba, vintage of 1847, is
a sound good wine, and compares well with the Russian Eagle Cham-
pagne of France." It was tested by several gentlemen of repute, as
judges of wine, who pronounced it good, and were it to be had in
this market, would undoubtedly become a favorite. The peculiarly
rich aroma of the Catawba grape is very conspicuous in the wine.
Among the great variety of native giapes with which our country
abounds, it is to be presumed there are some, if not many, which if
cultivated for that purpose, are capable of producing very good and
cheap wine, and probably some of very superior quality j and why
should it not be so, seeing that we cover all the latitudes and have
all the varieties of climate and soil which produce the wines of Eu-
rope "?
The following quotation is from •' James' Expedition to the Rocky
Mountains," wherein the author asserts that the Vitis vinifera is
found in America in its wild state. "The small elms along this
valley we^e bending undel" the weight of innumerable grape vines,
now loaded with ripe fruit, the purple clusters crowded in s«ch pro-
fusion as almost to give a coloring to the landscape. On the oppo-
site side of the river was a range of low sand hills, fringed with vines,
rising not more than a foot or eighteen inches from the surface. On
examination, we found these hillocks had been produced exclusively
by the agency of the grape vines, arresting the sand as it was borne
along by the wind, until such quantities had been accumulated as to
bury every part of the plant except the branches. Many of these
were so loaded with fruit as to present nothmg to the eye but a series
of clusters, so closely arranged as to conceal every part of the stem.
The fruit of these vines is incomparably finer than that of any other
native or exotic which we have met with in the United States. The
burying of the greater part of the trunk with its larger branches pro-
duces the effect of pruning, inasmuch as it prevents the unfolding of
leaves and flowers on the parts below the surface, while the protruded
ends of the branches enjoy an increased degree of light and heat from
the reflection of the sand. It is owing, undoubtedly, to these causes
that the grapes in question are far superior to the fruit of the same
156 [Assembly
vine under ordinary circum stances. Th^ treatment here employed by
nature to bring to perfection the fruit of the vine, may be imitated,"
&c., &c.
Humboldt says, " that, in order to procure potable wine, it is re-
quisite that the mean annual heat should exceed 49°, that the winter
temperature should be upward of 33°, and the mean summer tempera-
ture upward of 64°." His remarks on this subject are deeply inte-
resting See his ^sie Centrale^ torn. 3, p. 159.
Some may think it impolitic to encourage the production of wine,
because of the apprehension of a demoralising effect which may arise
from its use. It has, however, been asserted, and remains uncontra-
dicted, that the inhabitants of the wine producing districts of Europe
are, as a whole, the most temperate people on earth ; (hough they
constantly use as a beverage the cheap wines of their country with
decided benefit. The mass of laborers in those countries are said to
enjoy almost uninterrupted health.
Some wines contain a much larger quantity of alcohol than others,
and the quantity which is contained in all kinds of wine varies with
the varying seasons. Experiments which have been made with great
care by the most celebrated chemist, taking forty-two different kinds
of wine, show that it varies from 24 to 8 per cent ; Port wine con-
taining the greatest, and Hock the smallest quantity. The cheap
wines of Europe, which enter so largely into the consumption of
those countries, contain less alcohol than the cider of our own country.
The use of cider as a common beverage, it is said, has materially
diminished in the northern sections of the United States, in conse-
quence of a belief, prevalent to a large extent, that its use is pro-
ductive of, and extremely injurious to, persons afflicted with chronic
diseases. Its disuse, if it be so. may with greater propriety be attri-
buted to Ihe negligent manner in which it is prepared, as a general
thing.
The consumption of wine in the United States appears to be on the
inaease j the importation of 1S48 being nearly double that of 1844.
The amount imported annually, falls very fer below the whole quantity
No. 199.] 157
consumed, under the name of wine. The excess is made up of drugs
and materials, it is to be feared, of a very unhealthy and deleterious
character. This horrible trash is administered to the sick, to no small
extent, am.ong the laboring poor. We cannot refrain from propound-
mg to ourselves this question, viz : Would it not be better to en-
courage the production of a pure and healthful article to serve the
demands of the people, and add a profitable pursuit to agriculture,
rather than tolerate the abuses which do exist and which are rapidly
accumulating? Having said thus much on the subject of wine, we
ask a perusal of the following
LETTER FROM N. LONG WORTH, ESQ.,
Relative to the Manufacture of " Sparkling Catawba : "
Cincinnati, August 21th, 1849.
To THE Trustees of the American Institute :
Gentlemen — I send for trial, a half box of sparkling Catawba wine,
the pure juice of an American grape, and wish its qualities tested at
your approaching annual Fair, and should prefer its being tried in
competition with an approved French champagne.
I regret that I cannot attend your Twent) -second Annual Fair,
and that I cannot send you as good a sample of Buckeye wine as I
intend to do next fali. The vintage of 1847, (which this is), was not
of the best quality, and the manufacturer 1 then had. has not the
knowledge, talents, or education of the person I have recently obtain-
ed from France. Confident of eventual success, I shall spare neither
labor nor expense, in pushing a hobby that has employed my mind
for twenty years. My present wine-house was built for that object,
but finding it not fully to answer expectations, I am erecting one 40
by 120 feet, three stories high, with a lower cellar twenty-three feet
below the surface, and large enough to manufacture 200,000 bottles
of sparkling Catawba wine per year. I may not live to manufacture
so large a quantity, but if 1 do not. the fault shall not be mine.
Yours respectfully,
N. LONGWORTH.
168 [Ap-eublt
FLAX.
In the early period of the agriculture of our country, flax was a
crop comparatively of great value j there was then scarcely a fanner
who had not his field of it. The hum of the spinning wheel, was the
music of the cottage, and the distaff was familiarly known as an in-
dispensable household utensil. The females, who could spin their
"pound a day," looked to that as their chief source of employment
and income. Such were among the early days of our agriculture.
But the ever varying changes in the scene of human life, hare almost
obliterated a remembrance of such pursuits and productions. The
spinning wheel has gone to the tomb of the Capulets, and the distaff
is known no more. Progress aims at a higher destiny ; we hope it
may produce a happier condition.
Machinery has taken the place of hand labor to an almost incredi-
ble extent in producing the requisites for our supply, and yet there
is no diminution of the demand for labor. The ingenuity of our
Whitney made the cotton crop nearly sufficient to clothe mankind,
whilst Arkwright's genius accomplished the means and varied forms
required, from the coarse fabrics to the finest tissues, superceding, to
a large extent, the "fine linen," so much esteemed and anxiously
sought after in the early period of the history of man. Linen still
holds a deservedly high rank in the general estimation, and ingenuity
should not suffer it to pass unheeded.
It is about 50 years since the first attempts were made to spin flax
entirely by machinery ; little or no success then attended the enter-
prise. At a later period the attempt was revived, and by cutting the
fiax into short pieces, the proceps was considered to have been im-
proved. But it v.-as soon found that by cutting the fibre the quality
of the flax was materially impaired, and the plan was abandoned.
More recently, machine spinning has attained a degree of perfection,
without injury to the fibre, said to approach nearly to that of cotton.
There is nevertheless room for improvement, presenting a field worthy
the attention of enterprise and skill. *
No. 199.J
159
The entire value of the linen manufactures of England and Ireland,
is now estimated at $38,400,000 per annum, giving employment to
185,000 persons. This shows us the importance of encouraging the
production of this staple as beneficial to the farmer and the mechanic.
The following table, compiled from official documents, shows the
value of the importations of linen into the United States for a series
of years past. The variations in quantity from year to year are very
great, for which we do not immediately perceive an adequate cause.
Imports of Linen.
1830,
1831,
in value,
do
.. $2,911,280
.. 3,790,111
1838,
1839.
in value,
do .
.. $446,097
971,787
1832,
do ,
. 4,073,164
1840,
do
435,346
1833,
do
.. 3,132,557
1841,
do
642,038
1834,
do .
785,891
1842,
• do
. 3,659,184
1835,
do .
539.,453
1844,
do .
. 4,492,726
]836,
do
• 1,035,680
1848,
do ,
. 6,644,648
1837,
do
692,804
Thus it would appear that the importation of linen, notwithstanding
the fluctuations in quantity from year to year, is largely on the in-
crease. Since the advancing perfection of machinery is gradually
lessening its cost and increasing a demand for it, it would seem to be
expedient for us to begin to look about and provide measures by
which we can profitably encourage the production and manufacture
of this important staple of our own country.
Such were the views of our worthy President, General James
Tallraadge, when in 1847 he offered as a special premium a gold
medalj for the best piece of linen, of not less than thirty yards, wove
by power loom. There was no claimant for this award until the Fair
of 1849, when it was taken by Mr. Henry H. Stevens, of Webster,
Massachusetts, who exhibited a piece of linen, of the required dimen-
sions, of good texture, spun by machinery and wove by power loom.
It being the first piece of American linen, thus fabricated, which has
graced the Fairs of the American Institute. Mr. L. T. Beardsley,
of AVaterford, N. Y., had previously shown linen thread spun by
machinery, of a very superior quality. We shall look with increased
%
160 [Assembly
anxiety at our next Fair, for improved specimens in this exceedingly
important branch of manufactures.
We intended to have mentioned before, and we have the fact from
the most undoubted authority, that in the northern part of Portugal
a large quantity of excellent flax is annually produced, which is spun
and manufactured, in the old fashioned way, into a variety of articles,
which find a ready market in Brazil.
IRON.
Every improvement in the conversion of iron, from the ore to a
malleable state, by which its cfist is reduced, is of immense importance,
and entitled to the highest award. The specimens of iron, made by
a new process, invented by Mr. S. S. Salters, and now in operation at
Boonton, N. J., were considered by judges to be of good quality.
The whole process, from the ore to malleable iron, is conducted in a
single furnace, with anthracite coal. The furnace contains three
chambers, one above the other, the lower one being reverberatory.
The ore is pulverised, and also the coal, and these mixed together
are placed in the upper chamber of this furnace, where they undergo
a process of baking, by which the gases are disengaged and driven
off. The mass is then passed down the flue of the furnace to the
middle chamber, where the fluxing materials are added. In these
two chambers the ore is thoroughly deoxidised and prepared for the
puddling chamber, to which it is conducted through the flue, as be-
fore, where the process is completed. It is stated that the time con-
sumed in conducting the operation does not exceed two hours. The
friends of this work, and those immediately interested in the experi-
ment, are sanguine in their expectations of success.
It appears that a patent was granted to Mr. W. N. Clay, in Eng-
land, 1840, for a mixture of 28 per cent of carbonaceous matter
with ground iron ore, containing 45 per cent of metal, which mixture
was to be directly treated in a puddhng furnace. We have no
knowledge of the result of this process.
No. 199.] 161
The iron exhibited by Messrs. Cooper and Hewitt, Trenton, N. .J.,
manufactured into wire and wood screws, is from the Andover mine
in that State, made entirely with anthracite coal, by the puddling
process, and pronounced by our judges to be of very superior quality.
These gentlemen are largely engaged in the manufacture of railroad
bars from the same quality of iron, and we hazard nothing in saying
that these bars are worth from 15 to 20 per cent more than any rail-
road iron which has been imported. There was a blast furnace
established at the Andover mine dunng the Revolutionary war, at the
close of which, some of this iron was carried to England and there
made into steel ; it was pronounced equal to the best iron they had
ever found for that purpose. All, or nearly all the steel made in
Great Britain, is made from Swedish and Russian iron, and the quality
of the article depends in a great measure upon the quality of the iron
before its conversion ; for although poor steel may be made from
good iron by conducting the process improperly or imperfectly, a
good article can not be produced from iron of inferior quality. For
the finest and most important purposes, the Swedish and Russian iron
is generally employed for conversion by respectable manufacturers.
Dr. Ure says, " with the exception of Ulverstone charcoal iron, no
bars are manufactured in Great Britain capable of conversion into
steel at all approaching in quality that made from Madras, Swedish,
and Russian irons, which are largely imported for that purpose.
Swedish iron, stamped with a circle enclosing the letter L, (hence
called hoop L,) holds the first rank, and fetches the high price of
.£36 10s. per ton ; while excellent English coke iron may be had for
one-fifth of the price. The other Swedish irons are sold at a much
lower rate, though said to be manufactured in the same way, and
therefore the superiority of the Dannemora iron must be owing to
some peculiarity in the ore from which it is smelted. The steel re
cently made in the Indian steel works at Chelsea, from Mr. Heath's
Madras iron, rivals that from the hoop L."
The specimens of Andover iron, which have been presented to us
in various forms, since the working of the mine has been renewed
under the enterprising and skilful management of Peter Cooper,
Esq., encourages us to hope that these operations may be the pioneer
in the production of iron from our own mines, the superiority of
TAssemblv. No. 199. i 11
162 [Assembly
which will compel its use, aUhough the cost may be somewhat greater
than the' poorer qualities of foreign iron with which our market is
constantly inundated. In the construction of important machinery,
and particularly ocean steamers, where every thing depends on the
quality and perfection of the materials used j where immense amounts
of property, and, more than all, thousands of valuable lives, are
some times made dependent on the strength of a piston-rod, cross-
head, a shaft, a bolt, or a bar of iron ; it would seem to be necessary
that contracts should now cease to designate that article as of two
qualities only, " cast iron" and " wrought iron," and that the work
should be placed under the constant hourly supervision of qualified,
practical, and reliable judges of the material, so that nothing but the
best should be permitted to enter into the construction, regardless of
its cost.
There are several mines in our country which have been long
worked, producing iron of the very best quality ; specimens of which,
we regret to say, were not shown at our recent Fair, and consequently
(!o not come under particular review.
STEEL.
This is one of the most important materials known. In prosecut-
ing the mechanic arts, it is indispensable, for without it, advancement
to any very great extent would have been impracticable. It is a
combination of iron and carbon, the relative proportions of which are
supposed to vary in the different qualities of steel. The quantity of
carbon which unites with the iron in the process of conversion, has
not with certainty been ascertained. It is estimated not to exceed
in any case two per cent. Steel must have been known at a ver}'
early period ; it is mentioned in the sacred volume, 11. Sam. xxii. 35 :
Jeremiah xv. 12 ; and Job xx. 24. " He shall Jlee from the iron luea
pon^ and the bow of sted slmll strike him, through.''^ Dr. F. Hoefer,
in his " History of Chemistry from the most remote tim.es ^ says, " the
East Indians were for a long period renowned for the temper of their
^teel. The whole world was heard to speak of the excellence of it
No. 199.J 163
for cutting instruments, particularly the swords called Thaumasia
Ziphes, wonderful swords; and by the East Indians, Dama^ct^ B/a'rfe*,
made at Damascus, in Syria, before the discovery of the Cape of
Good Hope. The celebrated Wootz Steel, which is now imitated by
alloying steel with silver or platinum, was exclusively employed for-
merly in the preparation of watered metal. Blades of certain sorts
of steel, especially the Wootz, after being well hammered and moisten-
ed with weak acids, exhibit a beautiful surface of interlaced veiny
ramifications."
Experimen's have demonstrated that steel will retain j^^tb part
of silver as an alloy, and is improved thereby. It has also been al-
loyed with many other metals, but wilb no decided benefit, excepting
platina.
It has been shown by M. Mushet, that the hardness of iron in-
creases with the carbon it contains, till the carbon amounts to one
sixtieth of the iron. At this point the hardness has attained a maxi-
mum, the metal acquires the lustre and color of silver, loses its gran-
ulated appearance, and assumes a crystallized form. If more than
one sixtieth oi carbon be added, the hardness of the compound dimin-
ishes in proportion to its quantity.
Cast steel was first made in England about the year 1750, and from
that period to the present time, she has supplied a very large portion
of the demand for that article, as well as other qualities of steel.
England produces very little iron suitable for conversion into good
qualities of steel, and has always been under the necessity of import-
ing iron for that purpose from Sweden and Russia, at the enormous
cost of from $175 to $190 per ton; notwithstanding this, it has been
and still continues to be a very profitable pursuit.
The importation of steel, manufactured into various forms, such as
rdge tools, cutlery, springs, &c., into the United States, has always
been large. In its unmanufactured form, the quantity imported in
1S31, amounted in value to $291,957 — in 1844 it amounted to
57,462— and in 1848 it amounted to $1,284,937 3 showing a very
•
164 [Assembly
great increase here in the demand for it, and there can be no doubt
of a constant augmentation of that demand.
The conversion of iron into steel in the United States has not been
done until very recently, except to a limited extent. About the year
1828, Mr. Joseph Dixon commenced the manufacture of black lead
pots for the use of brass founders ; up to that time these articles had
been imported principally from Holland. Mr. Dixon's perseverance
in the manufacture of these pots has been attended with entire success.
The pots of his manufacture will do from six to seven times the work
of those imported, and are afforded at less than one half the price, so
that now the importation has nearly ceased.
About five years since Mr. Dixon commenced experiments in using
his black lead crucibles for converting iron into steel. Complete
success has attended these experiments. The crucibles contain about
forty pounds of iron each, and they will stand six heats ; each heat
occupies one and a half hours. The metal is put into the crucibles
and melted with anthracite coal. From the crucibles it is run into
ingots from 3 to 6 inches square, and from 18 inches to two feet long,
and then drawn down by hammers worked by machinery to the re-
quired sizes. The manufactory is located at Jersey City, and under
its present arrangements produces one ton of cast steel per day. By
an improvement in the process, Mr. Dixon has been enabled to con-
vert the pig metal directly into steel, avoiding the intermediate pro-
cesses of puddling and drawing into bars ; by which twenty-five per
cent of the metal is saved, and the cost of conversion materally di-
minished. We understand the works have been enlarged, and will
soon be in operation for the production of three tons per day. The
Adirondac iron has thus far been exclusively used for this purpose.
Specimens of this steel were exhibited at our Twenty-second An-
nual Fair, and also specimens of cutlery made from it. It was pro>
nounced by intelligent practical workmen who had used it, equal in
all respects to the best imported cast steel. It finds a ready market
at the highest price paid for English cast steel.
No. 199.J 165
The proprietors of this work are Messrs. Archibald Mclntyre, of
Albany ; 1). S. Gregory, of Jersey City ; Archibald Robertson, of
Philadelphia ; and the heirs of D. Henderson, whose names we record
with pleasure, conceiving them to be eminently entitled to honor for
prosecuting this enterprise to a successful result.
Thus, under the patronage of the gentlemen above named, and the
perseverance of enlightened skill, we have the assurance of being
able to supply our own demands for one of the most important arti-
cles known in the arts, and the prospect that at no distant day we
may supply a large portion of the demand abroad. We conceive
the manufacture of this article to be placed beyond the influence of
tariffs, or that vascillating legislation which has been so ruinous to
almost every mechanical or manufacturing enterprise in our country.
GUTTA PERCHA.
A very large display of articles made of this material, was ex-
hibited at our late Fair, from the American Gutta Percha Company,
under the direction of Mr. S. T. Armstrong. When we consider that
it is only about eight years since the properties of this singular sub-
stance began to be investigated, it is truly surprising to witness the
great variety of extremely useful purposes to which it has already
been applied ; some of which are of great value. Caoutchouc, or
India Rubber, as it is familiarly called, has been known for centuries ;
nevertheless, it is within thirty years that this gum has been applied,
in any considerable extent, to purposes of utility, and even now, it is
very doubtful whether all the uses to which it is applied will be very
durable ; although immense skill, labor and capital have been em-
ployed upon it. There is certainly reasonable ground for a belief
that, should a moiety of the skill which has been directed to India
Rubber, be applied to Gutta Percha, the latter will attain a perma-
nent standing for purposes of great utility.
The tree which produces the gum in question, gi'ows in great luxu-
riance and abundance on the islands of Singapore. Borneo, and along
166 [Assembly
the Malayan coast; and it seems to have been ascertained that a
supply of the material, equal to any anticipated demand, can readily
be obtained. Its properties are very remarkable; the acids, fixed
oils, alcohol, frost, or water at a low temperature, do not affect it;
but it dissolves readily in boiling spirits of turpentine. At an ordi^
nary temperature, it is as hard as wood. When immersed in water
abpve 150° Fahrenheit, it becomes soft and plastic, and may be
worked or pressed into any required form, which it retains without
coptraction in cooling, and assumes its original hardness.
We have stated that it has been applied to a great variety of uses,
entirely too numerous for us to particularise ; we will, however, ad-
Tert to some of the most prominent. Placed in any position either
above or below the surface of the ground, where the temperature does
not exceed 100° Fahrenheit, it appears, as far as experience has
gone, to be unchangeable. It retains water without in the slightest
degree impairing its purity, and consequently forms a cheap and
durable pipe for conducting water for any purpose, provided the tem-
perature does not rise above the point before stated. The frost,
wiiich is so destructive and troublesome to conducting pipes made of
the usual materials, is sustained without injury by Gutta Percha ; ex-
perience having shown that it will expand without injui-y, sufficiently
to accommodate the expansion of water in freezing. A series of
experiments recently conducted at Birmingham water-works, to test
the strength of Gutta Percha relati\e to its capability for the convey-
ance of water, resulted as follows: tubes three-fourths of an inch in
diameter and: one-fourth of an inch thick were attached to an iron
main and subjected for two months to a pressure of 200 feet head of
w:^ter without suffering any deterioration. The tubes were then con-
nectejd with the hydraulic proveing pump, the regular load of which
is ^P poUinds in the square inch, at which the tubes were unaffectt'd.
In the practice of surgery, it is found to answer many very valua-
ble purposes, particularly in the management of fractures ; so much
so, that it has been pronounced by gentlemen skilled in the practice,
"a boon to ma.'ikind, used for that purpose only.'"
No. 199.] 167
Another most important use to wbich it has been applie<l, is insula-
ting telegraph wires, which it accomplishes in the most perfect man-
ner, being sufficiently flexible for any purpose connected therewith,
and it is also a perfect non-conductor. By the appUcation of this as
an insulator, the telegraph lines now find no difficulty in crossing our
widest rivers and bays, where before they were cut off. The line
under the Hudson river crosses at Bull's ferry, and consists of two
wires of one mile in length each, with about 3000 pounds of cast iron
anchors to keep them in place. There is no doubt that the unsightly
poles with strings and kites flying at every few feet distance, which
now disfigure the principal thoroughfares of our cities, will soon be
superceded by isolated wires placed under the surface. This will
be found the most perfect mode of construction, and in all probability
the cheapest for cities.
Gutta Percha has been very extensively used for machine banding,
both in England and the United States, and from the multitude of
testimonials in its favor for this purpose, the conclusion is irresistable
that it answers fully the required end, except in positions where ther«
is necessarily much friction.
For the soles of boots and shoes it answers an excellent purpose.
It is more durable than leather, and can be rapidly appUed by any
person ; therefore in new countries, or in places where there are no
boot or shoe makers, it is a very desirable article.
We have seen a great variety of house-keeping utensils beautifully
desigried and made of Gutta Percha. These in a great measure will
take the place of articles made of porcelain, and must effect a very
great saving, particularly in our large hotels.
We understand that the French and English governments have
contracted for a sea line of telegraphs across the English channel from
Dover to Boulogne, which is to be completed the present year. This
can only be accomplished through the agency of wires insulated with
Gntta Percha.
168 • [Assembly
Mr. S. T. Armstrong has submitted a proposition to Congress to
construct a telegraph line from a point on the American coast to a
point on the Irish or EngUsh coast, and will complete the same in
the space of twenty months, at a cost of three million dollars. The
hne to be owned by the British and American governments. We
understand the project is deemed feasible by scientific and practical
men. Much credit is due to the indefatigable exertions of Mr. Arm-
strong, in applying Gutta Percha to many valuable purposes, which
must be seen to be appreciated. A visit to the depot of the manu-
factory at No. 181 Broadway, will well repay the trouble. The
American Institute awarded to Mr. A. a gold medal in 1848 ; and
another in 1849 for further improvements.
SHAWLS.
The display of shawls at the twenty-second Fair, greatly surpassed
any former exhibition. Those from the Bay State Co., Lawrence,
Mass., took the highest award. We trust it will not be deemed out
of place here to state, that this company now ehiploy, in that portion
of the works in operation, one thousand hands, and consume over
one million pounds of wool per annum. The shawls on exhibition
are made entirely from American wool. The daily product is about
one thousand long shawls, and only one-third of the mill is yet filled
with macliinery ; the remainder is gradually filling up. It is only a
year since the commencement of this manufacture, and already they
have obtained a iavoiable reputation in the principal cities of the
Union. It is gratifying to know that thus far, in the use of these
shawls, the style, color, and weight, have proved satisfactory to the
consumers ; and we are assured by competent juilges that in all re-
spects they compare well with the best styles from Europe. We
cannot but look upon a maid- or matron, clad in one of these beautiful
and comfortable garments, with as much respect and admiration as if
clad in the very costly, but less comfortable fabrics of India.
It is highly complimentary, and must be gratifying to the proprietors
of the Bay State Company, to be informed that the attention of our
No. 199.] 169
committee of judges on fine arts was attracted by these shawls, of
which they thus voluntarily express an opinion in their return, viz :
"We would say that if the designs in color of (shawls) No. 1348,
are of home invention, and not borrowed from French or other Euro-
pean sources, that they are in the highest degree worthy of being
judged under the head of Fine Arts, and of being valued the first
of their kind."
Shawls from the manufactory of D. Kellog, Skaneateles, N. Y.,
took the second premium. Mr. Kellogg exhibited some shawls from
his manufactory, which were of very superior quality in fineness of
wool and texture, they came in too late for competition, according to
the rules of the Fair.
The Terkeri shawls, from the manufactory of Monoch and Barwey,
Lexington, were deemed superior in regard to the printing.
SILK.
The culture of silk languishes m the United States, under the ope-
ration of laws which might just as well have been formed to encou-
rage and protect it, without the slightest probability of encroaching
thereby upon the rights, privileges, or interests of any class of our
own people. The attention which is now paid to its culture would
not have remained, but for a small bounty continued by o'he of the
States, and the kindness of our fellow citizen, the Hon. Myndert
Van Schaick. The specimens exhibited at our twenty-second Annual
Fair were not numerous, but the qualities were of the most superior
kind. Specimens of Mr. John M. Summy's crop, from Manheira,
Pa., which this year amounts to about 200 lbs. of reeled silk, were
deemed better in quality than any which have been shown for several
years; our judges in their report say, that " imported raw silk, it is
calculated, loses on an average 25 per cent in the spooling, but they
feel confident these specimens of Mr. Summy would not lose more
than 3 or 4 per cent, at the utmost.
170 [Assembly
Of manufactured silk the specimens were not large, but some of
very superior quality. In sewings, the specimens were large and
very excellent. In the town of Mansfield, Conn., the quantity of
silk manufactured into sewings is about 500 lbs. per week. The
quantity grown in that neighborhood has been reduced, under the
operation of the present tariff, to a very small amount; the whole
not exceeding 100 lbs. per annum. Manufacturers concur in the
opinion that American silk, for strength of fibre and lustre, stands
unrivalled. The specimens of silk dyeing were extremely beautiful.
CHANDELIERS, LAMPS, AND GAS FIXTURES.
. The exhibition in this department at our last Fair, was very full,
and the specimens of excellent workmaiiship. There have been com-
plaints previously made, and the same are repeated this year by the
judges, that there is a lack of originality in the designs ; the speci-
mens being generally copied from French or English patterns. It is
certainly much to be regretted that our artisans have not been induced
to turn their attention more particularly to this important part of their
profession. We are not by any means inclined to adopt a belief
that the artisans of our country are inferior in talent or taste, to those
of any other country. The misfortune has been, that for a succession
of periods, from an early date in the history of artisan labor in the
United States, just at the time when that labor began to be produc-
tive, and the dependent artist began to look up for superiority and
originality in the products of his toil, our laws have undergone
changes which have blighted his prospects, his hopes, and his aspira-
tions for fame. Let there be some stability in the laws which con-
trol the prospects and fortunes of the laboring mass, and there can
not be a doubt but that complaints, such as are above alluded to, will
soon cease to be heard. There is not a school of design in our
country calculated for the class to which we now refer, and there
never will be, until our legislators view in its proper light, the impor-
tance und great necessity of rendering stable those laws which con-
trol the reiuuneration and prosperity due to productive labor, instead
of considering the interest of factors and agents as of paramount
importance.
No. 19«.] 171
MADDER.
Mr. H. Gilyam, formerly of Holland, exhibited specimens of Mad-
der grown at Flatbush, Long Island, where he now resides. We are
not judges of the article, but those who are, spoke in good terms of the
specimens shown. Mr. Gilyam informs us that since his residence in
the United States, he has taken great pains to ascertain the most
suitable locations for its cultivation, in reference to soil, climate, &c.
The examination has convinced him that from Norfolk, Va., to Wil-
mington, N. C, and from the sea board twenty -five miles to the
interior, the soil and climate are better adapted for madder culture
than any other section of the United States. Mr. G. is undoubtedly
well acquainted with its cultivation, having pursued it in Holland for
many years^
This plant is a native of the South of Europe, Asia Minor, and
India. It is extensively used in dyeing red, and if properly prepared
produces that color in great beauty. It is also used in producing
blue, black, buff, olive-brown, olive, navy blue, and other colors. It
is extensively cultivated in Holland, Alsace, Provence, &c. A rich
soil is necessary for its growth, and when the soil is impregnated with
alkaline matter, the root acquires a red color; in other cases it is
yellow. In France, the red sells for 40 cents per 100 lbs. higher
than the yellow, where it is extensively used for the Turkey red dye.
Few American gentlemen, whilst traveling abroad, have devoted
more of their time and attention to the interests of their countrymen
than Gen. James Tallmadge, from whom, under date of December
25, 1836, we find the following letter on the subject of madder,
addres.sed to Jesse Buel, Esq. :
'• Dear Sir — Your known zeal in augmenting the productions of our
country, and your efforts to make an additional blade sprout where it
was before barren, gives assurance that a package of foreign seeds
could not be placed in better hands, than when confided to your care.
I have a package of Madder seed, which I brought from Avignon, on the
Rhone. It is but a few years since France purchased from Holland,
172 [Assembly
the madder used in the dyes. Her production of madder now sup-
plies her own demands, and furnishes a new agricultural product for
extensive exportation. France, I believe, supplies our country with
madder. Its growth is suited to our climate, and to the rich lands on
our rivers. The attention of our farmers should be turned to this -as
a new and very profitable crop. A few years of peace in Europe,
and the agricultural and mechanical laborers of its subjects will sur-
charge our markets with their productions. It is a duty to supply^
from among ourselves^ our own wants. We have every variety of
soil and climate."
'Attempts were made as early as 1836, to introduce its culture in the
United States, but with what success, we are uninformed. The cost
of importations about that period, exceeded $2,000,000 per annum.
Some account of its cultivation here may be found in the Farmers'
Cabinet, 1836, vol. 1, p. 280.
STUYVESANT PEAR TREE.
This venerable tree, of wmch we procured the annexed drawing in
January last, stands on the corner of Third Avenue and Thirteenth-
street, in the city of New- York. It was planted about the year 1646,
by Peter Stuyvesant, at that time Governor of New Netherlands, and
has existed in a remarkably thrifty contUtion over 200 years. In
regard to the quality of its fruit we have no information, but under-
stand that it bears annually. Its trunk and large branches present
evident marks of the effect of time ; its height is about 40 feet, and
its trunk about 100 inches in girth. It is one of the living remem-
brancers of the attention bestowed by our forefathers on pomology, and
deserves to be cherished with care. We are indebted to " Browne's
Trees of America " for the facts above stated.
No. 199.] 173
EDGE'S INSTANTANEOUS ILLUMINATOR.
Mr. Isaac Edge, of Jersey City, pyrotechnist, exhibited at the late
Fair his newly invented Illuminator. This is an instrument composed
of combustible materials, and so encased that it may be carried in the
pocket vnth perfect safety. Its utility consists in the ability afforded
to its possessor of producing, in the darkest night regardless of the
state of the weather, an instantaneous and brilliant illumination of the
whole vicinity. Experiments were repeatedly made by Mr. Edge
during the Fair, and each instance with entire success; indeed, such
is the construction of the article and composition of material, that a
failure would seem to be impossible.
The uses to which it may be applied are manifold, and of great im-
portance, viz : — on the beach in case of a wreck — as signal lights on
board of ships — in the hands of our night police in cities in cases of
riot or other difficulties — in railroad trains in case of accidents at
night — on board steamers and other vessels navigating our rivers in
case of accidents at night — in short, in the possession of all persons
wherever there is a probability of requiring a powerful and instanta-
neous light. The simplicity in the use of this article, and its entire
safety, as well as length of time, which it may be kept, renders it in
our opinion an article of importance, for which Mr. Edge deserves
the thanks of his fellow citizens. A patent has been applied for.
IMPROVED COP SPINNING AND WINDING MACHINE.
m
This is an invention of Mr. George H. Dodge, of Dodgeville, Mass.,
who claims that it is a combination of the self-acting mule and
throstle ; that it has many advantages over the common method of
spinning, and is equally applicable for filling and warp yarn. In the
room usually occupied for 1000 mule spindles, 1500 may be placed,
which will do the work of 3000 spindles. That it occupies the usual
space required for warp spinning, but will spin 50 per cent more yarn
174 [Assembly
to the spindle than the best ring bobbin known to him in use, and
with a saving of two-fifths of the power. That it will spin 100 per
cent more yarn than the flyer spindle, with one-half the power com-
pared to the quantity in use, being tapered to the top, and there be-
ing no bobbins or check pins used, it maintains its balance at any
speed required. It is not liable to get out of order, and is much
more convenient to piece up the ends when broken, than the bobbin
frame. The Messrs. Dodges represent their entire mill as having
been changed from the old or common plan to the above method of
spinning, and from twenty-nine years practical experience with othci
spinning, believe it to be the best kind of spinning in use. That they
are daily producing more yarn from 2,320 spindles than they w^ere
ever able to do from about 4,600 on the old plan commonly used.
That they are prepared to demonstrate the facts above stated, and
many other advantages in this method of spinning over all others in
use, and ask the privilege to do so. They have exhibited a compara-
tive statement of production to us for nineteen successive weeks of
their mill from January to May, 1849, compared with the old plan
for the same period of time in 1847, 1848. Also a comparative
statement of the cost of production for the said period, which results
in a saving or gain in favor of the Cop spinner of 42 per cent. Thai
it costs one cent per spindle for tending warp frames, and one and
one-eighth cents for filling frames, find twelve dollars extra for doff'ers
per week.
Such are the claims of the inventor This machine was in opera-
tion during our twenty-second Annual Fair, and sustained itself well
in the estimation of those competent to judge the merits of this kind
of machinery. It was a full size frame, exhibited to the committee
in full operation, spinning warp yarn on one side, and filling on the
other. No. 31, and running at a speed of 124 revolutions of the front
roll. In a word, the frame performed well, made good yarn, wound
a good cop, and worked with perfect precision, and in the opinion of
the committee justified the expectation of the inventor ; that at no
distant day the attention of the manufacturing community would be
turned to it. The committee of judges to whom it was referred, re-
turned the following report :
No. ]99.] 175
" This machine dispenses with the bobbin and admits of an increased
action of the spindle. We consider it an improvement of the first
magnitude, and entitled to the highest honors of the Institute."
I
DICK'S ANTI-FRICTION POWER.
The right was secured to the inventor, Mr. Daniel Dick, of Mead-
ville, Pa., by letters patent issued in October, 1848. As a machine
for purposes of pressing or lifting, it may with propriety be denomi-
nated a great power, as we know of no combination previously in-
vented that equals it ; the hydrostatic press of Brahma not excepted.
It is a combination of great simplicity, giving a movement attended
with probably the greatest power attainable, without the use of
steam. It has no rubbing surfaces, and consequently friction is
overcome, which, if we except the hydrostatic, has always been the
great obstacle in the use of all other machines, where intense power
has been aimed at. Dick's arrangement may properly be termed the
rolling cam.
In its most extended form, it consists of two eccentric or cam
wheels, with a roller situated between them. Motion is communica-
ted to the cam wheels by the roller, which is put in motion by a lever
or wheel attached to its axis, the friction being relieved by a pair of
sectors supporting the axis of each cam wheel, which sectors revolve
on an edge. A second modification, which adapts it to purposes not
requiring much movement, consists simply of two eccentric or cam
sectors, with a roller between, put in motion by a lever or wheel as
before ; the moving members of both being preserved in their verti-
cal position by slots or guides in the frame.
Up to this time, the hydrostatic press, which ?vas patented in England
about the year 1796, has held an unrivalled sway in this department
of mechanics, for all purposes, either for pressing or lifting, where
intense force was necessary to be used ; and this not because of the
ab^-ence of friction, but because of the change of the nature of it.
176 [Assembly
converting it from a variable, as it exists in other machines, to a con-
stant quantity of resistance, or nearly so, under all intensities.
The power invented by Dick is without friction of any sort, as
constituting an impediment to its action, worth noticing ; and we
know of no reason why it may not supercede, for the great majority
of purposes, the hydrostatic and all other forms of powder, either for
pressing or lifting, especially when we take into consideration the
facts that it can be afforded at a much less cost ; will operate much
quicker with the same force exerted upon it ; is more convenient to
handle ; easy of construction ; requires no oil to lubricate its parts ;
HO water, as in the case of the hydrostatic ; ^nd is far less liable to
get out of order, than any other form of machine.
We cannot but view this invention as of the greatest importance
to this department of mechanics, and we are not a little surprised that
the principle or manner in which this mechanical arrangement has
been constructed, should have so long escaped notice in this age of
invention, which has brought forth so many wonderful things in every
department of science and mechanism.
It may be serN^ceable here to enumerate some of the purposes to
which this power can be successfully and economically applied, viz :
pressing oils, paper, books, cotton, hemp, cloth, flax, tobacco, hay,
baleing goods, &c. ; elevating ships in dock, hauling out vessels on
inclined planes, moving houses, extracting stumps, punching iron and
other metallic plates, of all the usual thicknesses, cutting off iron bars,
shearing boiler plates, printing, coining, embossing, planishing tin and
daguerreotype plates, cutting out and pressing jeweller's work, &c.
It has been very successfully applied to straighten railroad bars, as
shown by the annexed letter from Messrs. Cooper & Hewitt.
The most extensive and severe test of its pqwer for lifting pur-
poses, was recently made at the Navy Yard, Brooklyn, where one
of these machines, about seven feet in height, was applied in ex-
tracting the piles that had been driven in constructing the coffer dam
required for the Dry Dock. These piles had been driven into the
ground about 40 feet, were about 50 feet in length, and 16 to 20
No. 199.] 177
inches square, dowelled together and spiked, nnd some of them were
secured to the adjoining piles by heavy iron bolts, 2| inches diameter,
and pressed together by tapering piles, in the form of wedges driven
in between at certain intervals for the purpose of making water-tight
joints. The machine was applied, and after sundering a few times
the heavy iron grapplings by which it was made fast, comjdete suc-
cess attended the operation ; the power of the machine, completely
overcoming the adhesion of the moist ground, tearing the piles loose
from the joinings by the dowelling and spikes, and breaking in twain
the heavy iron bolts j exerting a lifting power of over three hundred
tons, with an applied force of from four to six hands ! ! The follow-
ing letter in regard to the merit of Mr. Dick's invention, is from a
very reliable source, and will be read with interest :
New-York, Kovemher 10, 1840.
Joseph E. Holmes,
Agent for Dick's Anii-Friciion Press.
Dear Sir — Your favor of the 23d ult. is received. Your Press is
now in daily use at the Trenton Iron Works, straightening railroad
iron, and it works to our entire satisfaction. In fact, we are most
agreeably disappointed in regard to its operation, for in consequence
of the peculiarly stiff form of the rail we are making, we feared that
a machine of adequate power could not be obtained. The rail is 7^
inches high, with a flange 4| inches wide, and weighs 93 lbs., per
lineal yard. The ordinary mode of straightening rails by the sledge
is entirely unavailable on the bar. And yet the machine does the
work with the utmost ease, and with so much expedition, and so little
derangement of the fibres of the iron, that we should never thJnk of
using the sledge again.
Some idea of the stiffness of the rail may be formed, from the fol-
lowing experiments tried bythe Camden and Amboy Railroad Com-
pany.
The rail was placed on bearings 67^- inches apart in the clear j a
weight of 24,000 lbs. was then placed in the centre between the
bearings, and the deflection of the bar was tf to of an inch. A
second experiment with another bar, under precisely similar clrcum-
fAssemblv. No. 199.1 15
nS [ASSOIBLV
gtanccsj gave a deflection of f^lo of an inch, and a permanent set
of yilff of ^^ inch. The bearings in your machine are only about
twenty-eight inches apart, so that the power required to mi.ke the
deflection is very much increasedjand yet the machine does not seem
to feel the work.
We have no hesitation in recommending the machine in the highest
terras, for straightening rails, and for all purposes where great pressure
is required. Ita simplicity and comparative cheapness must certainly
bring it into very extensive use, and for an immense variety of appli-
cations.
With our best wishes for your success, we are,
Very respectfully,
Your ob't servants,
COOPER & HEWITT.
EQUATORIAL TELESCOPE,
Made by Henry Fitz, New-York.
Telescopes date no farther back than about the commencement of
the 17th century. With the aid of a telescope of rude and imperfect
construction, Galileo observed the satellites of Jupiter about the year
1610. Telescopes are of two kinds, refracting and reflecting. Re-
fracting telescopes were constructed first, but the compound nature
of light presented difficulties, which for a time were regarded as insur-
mountable. Reflecting telescopes therefore were for a long time
used, during which they attained a degree of perfection. The diffi-
culties attending the construction of the reflecting telescope, were at
length overcome through the persevering efforts of John Dolland of
London, who produced an achromatic refracting telescope about the
year 1757. The discoveries of Frauenhofer have contributed to the
improvement of telescopes. At the present time they are cxtren-
sively made in London by the descendants of Mr. Dolland rnd others.
We are credibly informed that they rely for their glasses principally
on the manufacturers on the continent, Merz, the successor of Frauen-
hofer, and one or two besides.
No. 199.] 179
An emergency of recent occurrence, brought Mr. Fitz conspicu-
ously before the public as a manufaclurer of achroinalic telescopes.
A series of astronomical observations in the southern hemisphere,
were about to be made by direction of Congress. Tliose in charge
of the expedition having received information from the successor of
Frauenhofer, that it was impossible to make a nine feet equatorial in
the time specified, Mr. Fitz volunteered to make an object glass from
Guinand's discs, of the same dimensions as that at the High School
Observatory at Philadelphia, viz : 6j inches cl^ar aperture, and 6
feet focal length, which should be compared with that instrument,
and if it proved equal to it, he would charge for it only the cost of a
similar lens at Munich, (about $500,) otherwise the Smithsonian In-
stitute, which had consented to the loan of theur instrument for the
use of the expedition, should have the use of it free of charge until
another could be obtained from Germany. Mr. W. J. Young, of
Philadelphia, guaranteed to furnish the mountings in the required time,
and the glass was made. Professor Kendall, director of the High
School Observatory, after trying it by the test proposed, gave the
following deckion :
Philadelphia, May Ist, 1849.
My Dear Sir — I had the pleasure to make a trial of the Fitz object
glass last evening, and was highly gratified with the result. It was
compared with ours (of the same size) upon the Moon, Jupiter, seve-
ral double stars, and the bright star Vega, with its companion, using
a variety of powers.
It is my opinion Mr. Fitz bias fully accomplished all he undertook
to perform. From this trial I am unable to pronounce which is the
better glass — the Frauenhofer doing nothing which was not equally
done by the Fitz glass.
There was one point only about which a doubt arose, viz : color.
On fiist looking at Jupiter, I thought there was too much violet about
the edge ; but on applying the other (Frauenhofer) object glass with
the same eye-piece, I could not discover any improvement, except
that which might justly be attributed to the improved state of the
atmosphere.
180 [ASSEJIBLY
Mr. Fitz, Mr. Fisher Langstrclh, and Mr. Young, vv-ith one or two
other competent persons, had also made a comparison of the two
glasses on the 28th, and perfectly coincide with me in what I have
said. I called to see Mr. Langstrcth and one of the other gentlemen
this morning, and found they each had arrived at the same conclusion
as myself as regards the merits of Mr. Filz ; indeed, we are delighted
with his success, and I ana fully persuaded that between this and one
you order from Merz, the chances would be decidedly in favor of
the former.
Very truly yours,
E. OTIS KENDALL.
In addition to this testimonial of the merit and success of Mr. Fitz,
we are permitted to insert the following extract from a letter written
by the Rev. James Curley, Professor of x\stronomy at Georgetown
College, dated Nov. 7, 1S49, addressed to Mr. Filz :
** It is highly pleasing to hear of the extraordinary result of your
efforts in working achromatic glasses. I am much pleased that you
get enough to do, and I only regret now that it was not our lot to
have an instrument made by you instead of our equatorial made by
Slmms -of London. It cost me about $1500. I do not see much
advantage in the size of the circle over yours, but I see a great ad-
vantage in the glass of your last instrument being eight-tenths of an
inch larger than ours."
Much credit is due to Lieut. Gibbs, in charge of the expedition
above alluded to, for the part he took in bringing forward the ability
of Mr. Fitz, who is a native of New-York, and self-taught in the aj-t
he has so successfully managed.
The equatorial telescope exhibited at our twenty-second Annual
Fair, was made to order for Erskine College, Due West Corner, Ab-
beville district, S. C. The object glass is 5.6 inches aperture, 7 feet
focal length. It has 8 eye pieces, magnifying from 84 to 500 times ;
an achromatic finder 2 feet focus; nn hour circle 7^ inches diameter,
and a declination circle 9^ inches diameter. It is furnished with a
position and distance micrometer, and a clock fur moving the tele-
No. 199.] ISl
scope corresponding with solar, lunar, and siJereal time, by which
the object is kept accurately williin the field of view.
Such are the facts connected with the manufacture of telescopes
in the United States, and they leave very little room (o doubt their
equality in all respects with the best productions of Europe. It
may not be amiss to state that Mr. Fitz is entirely self-taught in this
art, having learned the business of a locksmith, which he pursued for
ten years. His first telescope was made for his own use and amuse-
ment. He now devotes himself exclusively to this business, and
offers to construct telescopes of any size, imder a guarantee that they
shall be equal to any that can be produced.
mm ISLAND,
To Gen. A. Chandler.
Dear Sir — It may not be uninteresting to you and to the members
of the Farmers' C^b, and of the American Institute, to know what
has been done, if any thing, in the way of cultivating and improving
the wild lands through the middle parts of the island, along the borders
of the railroad, since the agricultural excursions made by the mem-
bers of the Institute in 1847. A reference to the account of these
visits to the wild regions of Long Island, and of the Agricultural
Convention held at Greenport, as given in the Trans, of the Ameri-
can Institute for 1847, will show the opinions then expressed by the
Convention, of the practicability of rendering those lands productive ;
and now a brief statement of facts or results will enable those gen-
tlemen, as well as others, to see how far they are sustained in the,
judgment formed at that time, and the favorable opinions given, of
cultivating that large portion (theretofore considered as barren) of the
island, between Farmingdale and Riverhead, a distance of more than
forty miles.
A popular befief long entertained by the inhabitants of the island,
that those lands were unsusceptible of cultivation, had prevented any
attempt, except what little had been done by myself and one or
182 lAssEMDL-y
two others, to cultivate or improve them. The ralh'cad hr.d done
compp.ratlvely nothing raorc than to plough its own great furrow
through tliese great forests, where the wihl deer yet roamed as in the
days of the " Red man," the native lord of the isle ; the station
houses along the line of the road, being at that time surrounded by
bushes and wild grass to their very doors.
The publicity given to those excursions, and to the opinions ex-
pressed by the members of the Institute, and by those gentlemen
who were present as invited guests, attracted very great attention ;
they were everywhere read and freely commented upon throughout
the island. The whole subject of these plain lands, as they were
commonly called by the island people, was presented in a new light,
and many men who had considered it iir.pnssiblc for any thing to
grow there but the trees, shrubs and t;ras?cs, through which they had
been accustomed to pursue the deer and the wild b;rd,'began to think
there might be some mistake ; as they had never made any trial of
the qualities of the soil, they knew of no one who had ever tried to
cultivate any portion of that great tract of island land, it was all a
matter of opinion, and these lands may yet be capable of producing
something, or so said many. The consequence of this was, that at-
tempts were made in several places along the line of the railroad to
cultivate what had been always before considered as " barfens," and
the results have been in every case, highly successful and satisfactory.
Last season two and a halt tons of English hay per acre, were
taken, by ordinary cultivation, from land that had been reclaimed
from these wilds at Thomson Station, about forty miles from Brook-
lyn, and where a recent historian of Long Island (see Prince's Hist,
pages 17 and 19) described the soil and surface of the country as
being entirely barren, and the sand approaching to fluidity. Here,
as fine crops of wheat, rye, corn, potatoes, and garden vegetables, were
raised last season, as on any other part of the island.
At Yaphank, sixty miles from the west end of the island, where a
halt was made at the lime of the excursions in 1847, and where there
vas no land cleared at that time, last summer there were crops of
wheat, rye, corn, clover, and timothy, with garden and fruit trees ns
No. 199.] ]S3
thrifty as could be foun;! in any part of the county of SuSblk. The
sura of one hundred dollars per acre has been offered for land at this
place, that was purchased four or five years since for §4.75 per acre ;
and 825 per acre for that which is yet uncultivated.
These facts are mentioned to show the changes that have taken
place, in the estimation and value of these lands, as there is no longer
any doubt as to their productive qualities.
Samuel Carman, Esq., of Fire Place, a gentleman well known on
the island, and to great numbers of those who resort to the famous
trout stream at Fire Place, says that he is fully satisfied that the land
in the middle parts of the island, along the borders of the railroad,
will produce more, acre for acre, with the same cultivation, than the
land on the south shores of the island where he resides, and which in
the opinion of the island people was so much better than that inland.
At Lake Road, or Irvington, cultivation has been equally success-
ful. This is a new settlement in the midst of the great wilds, and
near the celebrated Ronkonkama pond or lake, one of the most beau-
tiful sheets of water on the island, or in the State of New- York. It
is situated about a mile to the north of the railroad, an'd surrounded
by high and undulating ground, its waters are remarkable for purity
end ^ric^t .^vp'L, b.lng about elguly feet deep in the middle. The
lake is about three miles in circuit, and is the admiration of all who
visit it. At Irvington, large and commodious buildings have been
erected, and the land here has been broken up with the plow. One
of the great diflSculties of bringing these lands under cultivation, in
the estimation of the island people, was the work of clearing the
ground of roots, it being regarded as impracticable to plow up the
land until it had been grubbed out by hand, at a cost of $16 per
acre ! this being the long established price paid for grubbingy when-
ever it was necessary to clear up a little of this kind of land for
roads, or any other, purpose. This great tax, or first outlay, formed
an almost insuperable objection or barrier, to any and every attempt
to break this great wilderness, and particularly when added to the
notions of worthless and barren land, that nothing would grow on irt
after it was cleared. I plowed the ground without the orevious grub'
184 [ASSOIBLY
bingf with one of Ruggle's Nourse and Mason's large Eagle plows,
anil with two yoke ci oxen ; the work was complete, even better tlian
I expected or clairaedjand has triumphantly established the important
fact that these lands can be plowed up at a cost of three or four dol-
lars per acre, instead of sixteen dollars per acre !
Stranf^e as it may appear to northern and eastern farmers, to men
accustomed to clear new lands, it was here regarded as impossible to
plow these lands until the roots of the small oaks and whortleberry
bushes had been taken out with a hoe ! And when I advanced the
opinion that it was an easy matter to plow them out, such opinion
was received by the inhabitants of the Island, with nothing but de-
nslon, as a fallacy undeserving any serious notice ; it was even more
absurd than the idea that the land might possibly be good for some-
thing after it was cleared.
These scnib oaks that have obtained such a hard name, and have
giyen to the land on which they grow such " bad eminence," are, as
ycu know, a distinct species of the oak, a dwarf tree. Querent hanis-
tcri, or bear-oak, and never grow any larger, whatever be the quali-
ties of the soil ; no matter how rich, no more than a currant bush or
a lilac ; it is a sort of miniature tree ; small oaks " from little acorns
grow," as well as large ones.
These little oaks are vigorous, tenacious of life, and rery prolific,
yielding an abundance of acorns. Whether these are the oaks pro-
ducing the "great store of mast for swine," found on the island, as
mentioned by Denton in his history of the New Netherland in 1670,
I will not pretend to say. I have never seen any estimate of the
quantity per acre of these acorns produced by this little oak ; it must
be very large, a great many bushels. It is called bear-oak, from the
fact of the bear feeding on its acorns. Quail, partridge, and many
other birds feed on these, and also deer ; so it is not after all, so des-
picable and useless a little fellow.
This brief notice of the parts above ground, being commonly from
four to seven feet high, will aid in forming some idea of the roots,
that haye held dominion of so great a portion of Long Island. The
No./ 199.] 1S5
stumps of these little trees are in the crown some two or three inches
in diameter, and immediately below the crown, or near the surface
of the ground, two or three lateral roots spread out and extend very
near the top of the ground. These lateral roots or branches, six or
eight inches from the stump, wlicn they are commonly cut off by the
hoe in grubbing, are not more than an inch and a half, sehlom two
inches thick, and these, with the perpendicular or top root of about
the same size, are the principal roots or obstruction to the plough ; the
fine fibrous branches and spongioles are very numerous, the ground,
when they are really in possession, being literally filled with small
roots for about eight inches deep, but which, with the exception of a
few of the larger ones, are all soft and spongy.
The process of removing these by hand, by gruhhing,is as follows;
the tops of the little trees having been cut off and removed from the
ground, the tedious and toilsome work of grubbing begins : It is
performed with a mattock, or hoe with a blade 10 or 12 inches long,
by 5 or 6 inches wide, and armed with this instrument the laborer
steps up to the formidable scrub oak, and begins by cutting off the
large lateral roots about 6 or 8 inches from the crown or stump,
which is usually done by three or four heavy blows, and at each blow
an effort is made to pry up or elevate the stump. After having gone
around it in this manner, a heavy blow is then given to reach the
main perpendicular or tap root below, and separate that, which, when
done, the stump is taken by the hand, turned wholly out of the ground
ani thrown behind the operator. In this manner the w^hole surface
is gone over, taking up all these little stumps and roots singly by the
hand, and at a cost of $16 per acre for the labor of doing it. After
this operation the land must be plowed, which can then be done with
a common plow, such as Minor and Horton's, with a pair of horses ;
the stumps of any trees which may have been on the ground of any
size, are not removed, but are suffered to remain, the same as if no
grubbing had been performed. The small stumps and roots after
grubbing, are gathered up and earned off from the ground and com-
monally used for fuel, the more solid parts making an excellent fire.
The quantity of these roots thus taken out of the ground is very
great ; a man who has cleared several acres recently by grubbing.
186 [Assembly
says he takes out forly or fifly loads per acre; of this large amount of
roots, not all are sufficiently soliil for fuelj yet the entire mass is
vegetable matter, the woody product of the soil, ami instead of being
taken out should by all means be be suffered to remain aad decay in
the ground to form humusy a most important portion of productive
soils, so that besides the great labor and cost of this miserable grub-
bing process, it is the very worst thing that can be done for the land;
nothing can be done to impoverish more.
By the operation of the plow, these roots are nearly all lefl in the
ground, (except the very largest,) and having been cut by the coulter
and the sliare, are turned under the fuiTOW, when all the softer and
spongy parts soon decay, thereby adding to the soil a valuable pro-
perty. Forty or fifty loads of vegetable matter per acre will of it-
self make fertile land, and to abstract that quantity will greatly injure
almost any land.
I have given this particular account, so that persons in other parts
of the country may form some opinion of the mode of cleaning these
lands as practiced by the island people. This slow and laborious
process of grubbing out these little roots, rendered the work of clear-
ing this land truly formidable. Indeed, so great was the labor con-
sidered that there were but few men laborers who would undertake
to perform it. This will appear alnjost incredible to northern or New
England farmers, particularly when it is stated, the land on which
this work was bestowed is as nearly a perfect sandy loam as it can
be, and of the very best and finest kind, in depth from 18 inches to
three and five feet, and generally entirely free from stone and gravel.
Fields of 10, 50 or 100 acres can be made in which there is scarcely
a stone of sufficient size to obstruct the spade, or garden rake, con-
sequently there are no obstructions, no large or fast stones in the
ground for the roots of trees and shrubs to entwine themselves among
and around, and nothing to prevent their being plowed out. Yet
nothwithstanding this smooth and beautiful surface, and genial soil,
no one believed that it was possible to break up this land with a j^low
until the roots had been dug out by hand.
No. 193.) 187
I ha%-e not seen or heard even by tradillon, of the mode of clearing
land, as praclkcd by the early scUlers of Long Island, and so much
time has elapsed since the settlements and clearings ^vere made, that
all knowledge of the early modes of clearing is lost, it being more
than 200 years since most of the settlements were maile, and no
alterations or changes of any importance have taken place in the old
land marks, for there is probably very little more land cleared and
cultivated now in Suffolk county than there was at the time of the
Revolution. If this be so, it is certainly a most extraordinary fact ;
it may not be so, yet I have made inquiry of several aged and respect-
able men in the country, as to the fact in their respective neighbor-
hoods, and the result has been to sustain this opinion, for the remark-
able circumstance was there presented of a tract of land of more than
300,000 acres, surrounded on all sides, by old settled villages, and
many highly cultivated farms, which have been occupied by many
families of wealth and intelligence for five or six generations, and
having remained entirely unbroken by the hand of cultivation, and as
wild as it was when the Indians roamed over it in chase of game, or
in pursuit of their foes, and almost within sight of the City Hall of
New-York. No part of this great forest is more than 6 or S miles
from sloop-landing and navigable waters, where various craft plied
between the island and the markets of the city of New- York for eight
months in the year j and that such an extent of the island's surface
should thus uiive remained so long, when it possessed all the attri-
butes, all the ekmcnts of soil; all ilie condilioijs requisite for culti-
vation, settlement, and for the habitations of men, that any other paii
of the island possesses, will, I doubt not, appear to many others as it
did to me, perfectly inexplicable. Yet such was the fact, and so
firmly had the belief become fixed in the public mind of tl.e utter
worthlessness of these lands for agricultural or horticultural purposes,
that their barrenness had become a proverb, and any one who ad-
vanced an opinion that there might be a mistake in all this, that it
was really soil, earth, ground : real terra finna^ such as would pro-
duce, if cultivated, was looked upon as a mad-man or a fool !
In conclusion, I desiit- to say, that I feel under great obligation to
you and to the members of the Aiuerican Institute, for the kind man-
ner in which you received and have encouraged my humble efforts in
1S8 [Assemble
breaking into that great 'wilderness, for without your aid and co-
operation, the task would have been almost, if not quite, beyond my
j>owcr. ' With high regard,
I am, &c., yours,
E. F. PECK.
JkocMyrtj February 9, 1850.
In corroboration of the preceding, I beg to add the following letter
from Samuel A. Smith, Esq., of Smithtown, a gentleman well known
on the island, and late clerk of the county of Suflblk. Mr. Smith is
r.ot an o'>Yner of any of the lands referred to, nor in any way inte-
rested therein :
Smithtoavn, Jan. 29, 1850.
To Dr. E. F. Peck :
Dear Sir — Yours of the 24th inst. was duly received, and I cheer-
fully comply with your request, that I should give you my opinion in
relation to certain matters therein stated.
I have no hesitation in stating, that it is my opinion that the atten-
tion which has lately .been given to subduing and cultivating the
" plains" or " barrens," so called, on Long Island, is principally owing
to your influence, and that you was the first to propose, and in the
face of powerful opposition, to contend that these lands were suscep-
tible of successful cultivation.
Your opinion with regard to the mode of clearing them, were dif-
ferent from those generally entertained by the inhabitants of the
island. It had been thought impracticable to break up scrub Oakland
with the plow, previous to being grubbed by hand, but you contend-
ed that they could be cleared by the plow, without the grubbing by
hand, and subsequent experience verified your theory.
These lands have, within the last few years, been very much en-
hanced in price, and I am of opinion that this result has been produced
in a great measure by your efforts in clearing away long existing pre-
judices against these lands, and by showing the people of the island,
. as well practically as theoretically, that they were in error.
Tliese lands have doubled, trebled, and even qundruoled in value,
within the last three or four years.
Very respectfully yours,
SAMUEL A. SMITH.
OF THE
SECOND CONGRESS OF FRUIT GROWERS,
CONVEKED CTJJDEa THE AUSPICES OF THB
AMERICAN INSTITUTE,
IN THE CITY OF NEW YOM, 1849.
' FIRST Y)kY.— Tuesday^ October 2, 1849. Morning Session.
The Congress was called to order at 11 o'clock, by the Hon.
Marshall P. Wilder, of Massachusetts, the President, who took
the chair. Messrs. S. B. Parsons, of Flushing, P. Barry, of Ro-
chester, and Georqe Deacon, of Burlington, N. J., Secretaries, ap-
peared in their places.
The Chair called upon such of llip Vice Presidents as were pre-
sent to take seats upon the platform, and then observed, that hs
believed there were several Presidents and Vice Presidents of Horti-
cultural Societies, in attendance, other than the Vice Presidents of
this Congress. It was moved and voted tha^ they likewise be invited
to assume seats upon the stand.
The President then said he was happy to meet, this morning, so
many delegates in attendance, with whom he had the pleasure of
shaking hands last year, and he was very happy also to meet the new
delegates — gentlemen who had come up from various quarters, some
of them from the far West, to aid in the deliberations of the Congress,
and assist, by their knowledge and experience, in the efforts to pro-
mote the spread of Pomological tScience in the country. The field
was a wide one, and no doubt it would be well filled. But he would
not take up any more of the time of the Congress by remarks of his
own, since it was already past the hour when it should have assembled,
and it was important to proceed to business. The Secretaries had in
their hands certificates and credentials from various parts of the
country, and if there were any not yet handed in, now was the time
to present them.
190 [Assf-muly
Ancl accordingly, numerous certificates and lists of Jclcgates were
passed over to the ofHccrs.
Mr. S. Walker, of Massachusetts, moved that the President and
Vice Presidents of the North American Pomological Convention, be
requested to take seats and act as members of this Congress. Carried.
For the purpose of facilitating business, the Chair desired gentle-
men present to answer to their names as one of the Secretaries read
the certificates that had been sent in, and, if they belonged to com-
mittees, to slate whether theit associates, if not already in attendance,
"would be present.
Mr. S. B. Parsons then read the credentials in his possession, and
from the responses it appeared that the subjoined States were repre-*
sented by the following gentlemen, most of whom were delegates
from Horticultural Societies :
Maine.
State Jigricultural Ccm7nittees. -r-Rcmy Little, Bangor j S. L.
Goodale, Saco.
Banger Horticultural Society. — Albert Koyes.
Vbrmo^t.
Addison County Agricultural Society. — Solomon W. Jewett, Henry
C. Hunt.
Bennington County Agricultural Society. — Russell Mattison, Mar-
tin Slocum, German Mattison.
Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Horticultural Society. — Marshall P. Wilder, B. V.
French, Samuel Walker, Robert Manning, C. M. Hovey.
Essex Institute. — Robert Manning.
Worcester Horticultural Society. — S. H. Colton, D. W. Lincoln.
Jfew-Bedford Horticultural Society. — William P. Jenney.
Hampden County Horticultural Society. — J. T. Ames, B. K. Bliss,
Titus Ammidon, Rufus Whillicr.
Berkshire County Horticultural' Society . — Asahel Foote.
COKNECTICUT.
JVew-Haven County Horticultural Society. — George Gabriel, A. S.
Monson, M. D., John J. Walter, E. E. Clarke, James T. Gerry, S.
D. Pardee, E. H. Bishop, M. D., Charles B. Lines.
Hartford County Horticultural Society. — H. W. Teny.
No, 199..] 191
NEw-Yor.K.
JfeW'York SUie Jlgriadiural Society. — Herman Wendell, M. D.,
Lulher Tucker, James Wilson, William Thoiburn.
American Institute — C. H. Hall, Benjamin Aycrigg, H. Mcigs,^
Lewis Morris, J. L. Phelps.
Orange County Agricultural Society, — Andrew J. Downing, Charles
Downing, Andrew Saul, Charles Hamilton.
Buffalo Horticultural Society. — Benjamin Hodge, Lewis Eaton,
Hiram Barton.
Queens County Agricultural Society. — G. W. Huntsman, R. B.
Parsons, S. B. Parsons.
Osioego Horticultural Society. — J. W. P. Allen.
Genesee Valley Horticultural Society. — P. Barry.
Clintcn County Agricultural Society.— iondX\iZ.n Baltey.
Greene County Agricultural Society. — T. L. Prevost.
Cclumlia County Agricultural Society. — Elbridge G. Studley.
Dxitchess Comity Agricultural Society. — John R. Comstock.
Fishkill Landing Farmers' and Gardenen? Club. — Charles Dubois,
Daniel Brinkerhoff.
New-Jersey.
Pomclogical Society of Jersey City and Vicinity. — John Eltring-
ham, M. C. Morgan, Henry Steele, George M. Danforth.
J^ew-Jersey Horticultural Society. — H. W. S. Cleveland, Ira B.
Underbill, John S. Chambers.
Essex County Institute. — Jabez W. Hayes, J. M. Ward, J. J.
Mapes, William Patterson, William Reid, Moses B. Coe.
Burlington County Agricultural Society. — Thomas Handcock,
George Dugdale, George Deacon.
Korth American Phalanx Association. — Charles Sears, George B.
Arnold.
Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. — Thomas Handcock, William
D. Brinckle, M. M., Robert Buist, J. E. Mitchell, Robert Hare, M.
D., Thomas P. James, Thomas Ridgeway, Gerhard Smidtz.
Chester County Horticultural Society. — Paschall Morris, Thomas
Harvey.
192 [Assembly
District of Columbia.
Washwgion Hcrlicultural Society. — ^Josliua Fierce
Georgia.
Fruit Growers of Jlthens.--W iWldim N. White.
Ohio,
Cleveland Horticultural Society. — A. Mcintosh, William Case, L.
Henderson, J. F. Jenkins, F. R. Elliott.
Toledo Horticultural Society.— F. J. Scott, William Scott
Illinois and Wisconsin.
Fruit Growers of Illinois and Wisconsin. — John A. Kennicott, M. D.
Iowa.
Southern Iowa Horticultural Society. — Greenleaf C. Neally.
It being known that there were several gentlemen in the hall, not
reguk-^rly appointed delegates from any society, who took great in-
terest in Pomology, and whose counsel and assistance would be valua-
ble to the Congress, it was unanimously voted, on fnotion of Mr.
• Walker of Massachusetts, that all such persons be invited to take
seats with the members.
The following named gentlemen accepted the invitation, and parti*
cipated in the proceedings of the Congress :
A. A. Edgarton, Danvers, Mass.
F. Trowbridge, New Haven, Conn.
L. T. Noble, New-York city, N. Y.
D. F. Manicc, Remsted, "
J. B. Mantell, New-York Island, "
G. P. Disosway, Staten Island, "
Edward Smith, Ontario county, "
Edward Stevens. Jersey Cily, N. Jersey.
John O. Hughes, Trenton, "
David Miller, Jr., Carlisle, Penn.
John M. Summary, "
Delegates, 96; others, 11. Total, 107.
No. 1£9.] 193
A largo number of others were present who dul not hand in their
names.
The Congress being now ready to proceed, it was voted to appoint
a commiUec of three, to receive the lists and mcke a registry of the
different collections of fruits presented for consideration. The Ciiaifw
appointed Messrs Saul of New-York, Colton, of Massachusetts;
and Rf.id, of New-Jersey.
The Chair stated that a number of communications had been re-
ceived, bringing to the notice of the Congress the important subject
of the state of the cultivation of several fruits in certain and different
localities. He suggested that all these be referred to the chairman
of the General Fruit Committee, to be considered and reported upon
if necessary, with any suggestions on the subject which might seem
desirable. This course was adopted, ancKthe communications referred
accordingly.
The President next called upon the chairman of the General
Committee for a report.
In answer to this call, Mr. A. J. Downing, of New- York, chair-
man of the committee, offered the subjoined remarks :
Mr. President, — I have had placed in my hands a scries of reso-
lutions passed at the late meeting of the North American Pomological
Convention at Syracuse. They were, I believe, passed unanimously
by that body ; and, as they have reference to the action of this meet-
ing, I will beg your indulgence for asking attention to them.
It affords me one of the most striking proofs of general interest ia
the public mind, on any topic of importance, when the same movcr-
ment takes place in different parts of the comitry at the same time,
without any concerted action, and simply from a conviction wliich has
arisen, that such a step is demanded by the public good.
Such a conviction, sir, gave rise to the formation of two Pomolog-
ical Conventions in tlie year 1848 ; one held at Buffalo, and the other
in this city. The bare fact that two spontaneous movements were
made to form national associations of this kind, proves, I repeat,^-
that the time had come when cultivators in the country at large fe.it
tlie necessity of some National Association, which should be abia to
do, for the whole Union, what the Horticultural societies have doncj
and arc doing for various states.
But, sir, tills spontaneous movement towards a good and laudable
[Assembly, No. 199.] 13
194 [ASSKMDLY
object, while it shows the public zeal in that object, is not, of itself,
always sufficient to attain it. It is also necessary tliat there should
be concert of action anil tmity of purpose^ to bring about any entirely
satisfactory results, in a body Avhich seeks to perform any useful acts
for the country at large. Had the members of these two conven-
tions, brought together by two separate calls (issued at about the
sanae time,) all met in one body, there can be no doubt, from the real
identity of the interests most important to all of them, that immediate
and complete concert of action would have been the result. It needs
no demonstration to prove that the information which the public at
large expects to derive from a National Convention of Fruit Grow-
ers, and the importance which they will attach to the acts and deci-
sions of such a body, must depend almost entirely upon its being
composed of the aggregate of intelligence and practical knowledge
of the whole country. In other words there must- be, there can be,
but 07ie National Convention, in order to obtain the confidence and
to influence the opinion of the country generally,
I confess, sir, entertaining these views, that I am not a little grati-
fied to fmd that the North American Convention, at its late session at
Syracuse, has entertained the same opinion ; and has accordingly ap-
pointed a committee of five gentlemen, most of whom are here pre-
sent to confer with this Congress on the union or consolidation of the
two bodies. I am confident that I speak the sentiments of every
member of this Congress, when I say that, from the first, no other
spirit has actuated it, or any member of it, but a hearty desire to do
all, and everything, with a viev/ to the establishment of a truly JVc-
fional Association^ based on no narrow or sectional feeling, but on
the broadest spirit of nationality.
Whatever fruits may be cherished and recommended for culture by
a Convention of Fruit Growers, it is plain to me, sir, that \h& first
fruit on the rejected list should be the "apple of discord." (Ap-
plause.) I therefore, confident of the unanimous concurrence of this
body, move that a committee of five be appointed to meet the com-
mittee sent here by the North American Pomological Convention, to
confer upon some plan of consolidating the two bodies, and to report
to this Convention during its present session.
This motion was put and unanimously adopted.
Dr. Herman Wendell, of New-York, then remarked, that as
No. 199.] 195
chftirraan of the committee of the North American Pomological Con-
vention which had been recently in session at Syracuse, he had great
pleasure in presenting the preamble and resolution unanimously adopt-
ed by that body. But before reading them he would beg leave
simply *to observe that the feelings of kindness suggested by Mr.
Downing, in his remarks, as existing towards that Convention, by
this Congress, were fully reciprocated on the part of the members of
that assemblage. Dr. W. then read the preamble and resolution,
which are as follows :
* " Whereas the National Pomological Convention held at Buffalo,
in September of 1848, under the auspices of the New- York State
Agricultural Society, composed of delegates from fifteen States and
the two Canadas, was the first general Convention of such character
ever convened in the United States : and whereas that Convention
unanimously resolved, that hereafter an annual Convention of like
character should be held, under the title of the North American Po-
mological Convention ; that the first meeting with that title should be
held in the autumn of '49, at the place where the great Fair of the
New- York State Agricultural Society was to be held, and on the day
succeeding the close of said Fair ; therefore we consider this Con-
vention entitled by courtesy to perpetuate itself, but being aware that
a Convention of an analogous character was held in the city of New-
York in the autumn of '4S, and that said Convention organized itself
into a permanent association, under the title of the American Con-
gress of Fruit Growers, which is to assemble in said city of New-
York on the lOlh day of October next, and believing that the ad-
vancement of Pom.ological Science, as well as the inclination and
interests of Pomologists throughout this continent, will be best pro-
moted, by a merging of the two apparent conflicting associations into
one general organization for future operations : Therefore, be it
" Resolved by this Convention^ That a committee of five be desig-
nated by its President, whose duty it shall be to attend the coming
session of the American Congress of Fruit Grower.*;, and confer with
the said Congress, or a committee whom they may select, in relation
to the meeting of the two associations, and as far as this Convention
is interested, the settling of questions of priority of organization,
places of next meeting, and title of Association, shall be left to the
committees whom the two organizations may appoint, and that we
19G [Assembly
will exert ourselves to induce a general attendance of those inlcrcst-
ed, wherever the joint co:nmiUee de'erminc the next Convention
shall be held, but we cannot omit giving it as our opinion, that the
cause of Pomological Science will be most promoted, and the feel-
ings of the great mass of Poraologists best satisfieil, if the next meet-
ing should beheld in Cincinnati, or some other western city."
Dr. Wendell then announced to the President, that Dr. Kenni-
coTTj F. R. Elliott, Charles Downing, James J. Mapes, Benja-
min Hodge, and himself, the committee of the North American Po-
mological Convention, to confer with this Congress, or a committee
of it, in relation to the matters referred to, in the preamble and
resolution which he had just read, were present, and waited the fur-
ther action of this Congress.
The ChAir then appointed as the committee under Mr. Downing's
motion, Messrs. A. J. Downing, of New- York ; Walker, of Massa-
chusetts; Brinckle, of Pennsylvania ; Monson, of Connecticut ; and
McIntosh, of Ohio.
Dr. Wendell suggested that as the committee of the North
American Convention consisted of six, it would be proper to have the
same number from this Congress, and he moved that the President
be added. Carried unanimously.
Mr. A. J. Downing remarked, that several reports had been placed
in his hands, of which it was impossible yet to give a digest ; but
there was one subject of considerable importance, which had been
presented to the last Convention, on which he had something to offer
for consideration. He meant the subject of rejected fruits. The
committee on the part of Massachusetts, had submitted to the gene-
ral committee a list of such pears as in their opinion might be placed
upon the rejected list. This list he should be happy to present to
the Congress, name by name. If we could, at this session, succeed
in rejecting a nuniber of worthless fruits, which were continued in
the catalogue only from courtesy, it would be a great step gained.
On motion, it was voted that the fruits on the list be taken up, and
Considered separately.
Mr. Downing said the first on the list were four varieties of pears,
the Alexandria of Rusbia^ the Admiral, the Aston Town, and the Am-
brosia. It was prosposed that the Congress should reject them all.
The Chair observed that they had been proved in the vicijiity of
No. 199.] 197
Boston, by the President of the Massachusetts Horticultural i?ocicty,
a-nil others, and pronounced far inferior to a vast number of other va-
rieties. If no other objection was made, they would be considered
as rejected.
Mr, FiiENCH^ of Massachusetts, was not prepared to proceed in this
way. The four pears now named, might be worthless enough, and
he was willing they should be superseded ; but he feared the course
proposed to be taken, might lead to evil results in the end. It ap-
peared to him, that it would be enough for this Congress to rule fruits
in ; for its members to decide among themselves, what they really
approved, and leave to the wise in the community, to say whether
they would cultivate other varieties or not. He made these remarks
because it might happen that a pear, a third-rate one, perhaps, as the
Buffiim, would be erased from the list to be cultivated ; and that
such subsequent differences of opinion in regard to it might arise, as
to make gentlemen sorry for what they had done. Suppose this
Congress should rule a fruit out, and the next should rule it in ; what
weight ceuld be attached to the decision of either 1 He knew the
catalogue was much too large ; in regard to the apple, for instance,
instead of the present cumbersome list, one of about thirty good va-
rieties, was as much as any person ought to expect or desire ; but
there might be a difference of opinion, even in that. He wished the
Congress not to decide upon excluding any fruits, but to rule in, and
recommend a few of the best, and leave the public to gather from-
them as they chose.
Mr. Walker, of Massachusetts, observed that the list was made
out under the directions of the last convention. There did appear to
be a large majority of the members last year, that not only wished,
but demanded a list of rejected fruits. He thought, then, that we
were not ready for it, but the meeting did request the several State
committees to report to the general committee, a list of worthless
fruits, in their respective States. The Massachusetts committee had
only obeyed these instructions of the convention ; and in so doing,
they had .followed the example of the London Horticultural Society,
■which, as every gentleman knew, placed a cipher against the names
of worthless fruits in the catalogue. These four pears were among
them, and there were about 160 pears rejected, in all, by that Society,
if he rightly remembered. It was undeniable, that there were large
19S [Assembly
numbers of \vorlhlcss pears and apples, which ought to be ruled out
of good compr.ny.
Mr. HovEY, of Massachusetts, said he was not present when the
vote referred to was taken, last year,, and did not now know whether
he should have opposed it or not. But he agreed with Mr. French,
that we ought to act very cautiously indeed, and he should prefer that
the Congress restrict itself to recommending such fruits as were really
worthy of it, and leaving the public to take its own course. Mr.
Walker had said that the London Society had rejected many pears.
He was aware of it, and that the Ambrosia was one of them. Yet
the Ambrosia wns by many considered first-rale. lie should not deny
that there were many in the catalogue utlevly worthless for cultiva-
tion ; neither could it be denied Ihut in the country there was a vast
number of seedling pears coming up every <lay, and it might be that
in time we should have an American list, so good that all others
would be rejected. But cultivators wiio wished a large number of
varieties, would not do so. People dilTercd as to fruits, according to
the different objects for which tliey wanted them. He might instance,
as to this, the Old Bell pear, which amateurs might wish to liave re-
jected, but which cultivators would not give up on account of its
superior productiveness, and great profitableness as a market pear.
He had never fruite'd the Ambrosia, but he trusted that no fruit would
be rejected on hearsay. Again, some on the proposed rejected list
might be synom>yns, and not the true variety. Though in favor of
reducing the list, he hoped we should- not go too fast, nor reject any
except those we knew to be worthless.
Mr. Hayes, of New-Jersey, said that although the convention last
year did pass the vote spoken of by Mr. Wai.keu, yet it appeared
to many members that it would be much better to select, and make
out a list of best fruits in the first place. Massachusetts had sent in
this list as being vporthless with her ; but in other parts of the country
many of these same fruits might prove of excellent quality. A dis-
tance of only half a mile m location, sometimes made great differ-
ence in quality. Tlie St. Michael pear, for instance, was worthless
at Boston, but in western New- York it was one of the best, and it
would rule in the market, even though ruled out of it by us.
The Chair observed, that from an experience of fifteen years there
vcould be no doubt that some \?ir\c\\c^^i:i comparison witJi,GtherfruitSy
No. 199.] 199
were worthless all over the United Stales ; nnil he believed the com-
mittee only intended, in their report, that such had better be extermi-
nated. Still he wished to proceed very carefully, and if any gentle-
man objected to the rejection of any fruit, he would let it stand. As
to these four pears, there were over a hundred others infinitely supe-
rior to them, and if they could be put out of sight it would be the
better for us.
Mr. Hancock, of New-Jersey remarked that the Astm Tow>n always
cracked badly with him. He had never been able to raise a good crop.
Mr. HovEY moved that all the fruits recommended to be placed
upon the rejected list should so be done without debate, unless objec-
tions were made.
Mr. Hayes hoped that the committee would give some reasons for
the rejection of the fruits.
Mr. Downing replied, that if we should calculate ninety per cent
of the millions of fruit trees in this country, to be really not valuable
for general cultivation, and if we could supply their places witk
others unquestionably good, certainly that would be a very desirable
result. He was very far from supposing (hat the present list could be
adopted exactly as it stood, but if a congress like thisj composed of
gentlemen from all parts of the country, from Bangor to Illinois a^d
Iowa, could agree upon any thirty varieties, for example, which it
was not worth while to cuUivate, in that ease a great step would as-
suredly hare been tc^oiCw.
Mr. French said that he likewise was absent last year when the
vote spoken of was taken, but he must still continue to think it bet-
ter to agree only on a list of such fruits as were worthy of cultivation.
He acknowledg-ed these four pears under consideration to be good for
nothing, but coming down to the Buffum pear, (which, perhaps, he
had marked a step too high before, and which might not be regarded
as more than fourth-rate,) that was a hardy tree and good bearer.
True, there were fifty other varieties whose fruit was far better, but
it did appear to him better for the congress to confine itself to a re-
commendation of what its members thought best, thaA to undertake
to prescribe any variety.
Mr. Walker rejoined, that the committee had no wish whatever to
strike off a single pear, if it were not desired by the congress. Mem-
bers, and the people generally, wanted to know what varieties were
200 [Assembly
in fiict worthies?, on the wholo, so ns to avoiil purchasing lliem.
Every gentleman coulil judge for himself what suitcil him, but it was
desirable that all shouul be cnableil to profit by the experience of
each other. Such was the iilca cntcrtalnetl by the Massachusetts por-
tion of the committee, anil on that principle its report hail been raaile.
As to its reliability, he thought that a uniform experience of ten, fif-
teen, or twenty years, was pretty good authority. If the Congress
should agree to strike ofl* one in every ten proposed in the report, he
should be as satisfied as though it were adopted entire, for he sliould
consider that a large gain had been attained. But if gentlemen were
still determined to go through an experiment individually with all
varieties of fruits, whether proposed to be rejected or not, why then^
Ml the collective experience here would simply go for nothing. Every
body could try and judge for himself on each fruit presented ; but it
was to afford each one the benefit of the collecllvc experience of the
whole mass, that this assemblage of Fruit Growers l.ad come into ex-
istence. Mr. Walker said he differed from his friend, (Mr. FnEKai)^
as to the Buffura pear, and placed it side by side with the St. MlKhael.
Mr. Hayes wished to give all parts of the Union the advantage of
proving arid profiting by the decisions of the Congress. If a list
of -best fruits were established and published, they would have that
.benefit. J^et an approved list be first given out, and then as we went
on, w€ might come down to poorer and poorer, till we satisfactorily
arrived at tuch as were not worthy of any attention at all.
Mr. Barby^ of New-York, said that In regard to this llstj many gen-
tlemen jnight' hear the names of varieties of which they knew abso-
lutely nolhin^, and as to which, of course, they could not judge from
experience. He knew nothing of these four pears, but was willing to
reject them alf on the testimony of those who did. Now, this was a list
from Massachui?etts j these fruits were worthless there, and if they should
be cast out of cultivation in that State, in consequence cf the adop-
tion of the list, some o::e good purpose at least would be effected.
Mr. IlA^ccck thought that Mr. French misapprehended the slate
of the question. He did not, himself, consider this as a list of^frults
rejected by this Cangress, but only a list of those rejected so far as
cultivation In Mnssnchusetts was concerned. It was prepared for that
State, and would, he supposed, be followed up by similar reports from
(Other States in different parts of the land. He conceived this to be
Ko. J99.] 201
Jie on!y feasible wny of getting at the desired result, anil if it \Yerc
Oi he imagined, then (liis was only n rejected list for Massachusctls,
pjid not a general list of rejected pears sent forth under the authority
of the Congress.
Mr. S, 15. Parsons rather regretted to obsers'e an indisposition to
establish a list of rejected fruits. The Convention of last year, and
the present Congress, had assembled for the purpose of collecting, and
afterwards publicly diffusing all the knowledge concerning the culture
of fruits, the varieties to be preferred, and those to be avoided, which
it was possible to obtain. This body was engaged in laying down a
pomological chart, on which it was certainly very desirable, not only
to trace a channel for full, good, and safe navigationjljut also to point
out distinctly, all the shoals and quicksands, and not oblige mariners
to discover them by running upon them. He therefore hoped that
the list would be considered and adooted, so far as might be deemed
expedient for general information.
Dr. Kennicott, of Illinois, hoped that a rejected list would be de-
cided upon J as otherwise fruit growers v;ould never get a settled and
approved list. A beginning ought to be made, and if we could begin
at both ends, recommending some varieties and rejecting others alto-
gether, so much the better.
Mr. Underbill, of New-Jersey, said we had so great a variety of
country and climate, that it seemed as if rejected fruits should be
considered as rejected only for particular localities and conditions.
It \vas impossible to make a list of rejected varieties that should be
applicable, in all respects, to the whole country, but each portion
must judge for itself.
Mr. Hancock moved that the list offered be considered and entered
on the records, as from the Massachusetts committee, and applicable
only to Massachusetts. The Congress must come to that in the end,
for every State locality, if the present course was to be pursued ;
for it was impossible to frame a list of fruits that ought to be rejected
throughout the whole country, from Maine and Massachusett^.in the
north, to North Carolina and Georgia in the south, and Illinois and
Wisconsin in the west. For himself, in regard io the Ambrosia pear,
he had fruited that variety, and found it good for two years, and the
same had been the case in his neighborhood.
Mr. Downing said that if the basis spoken off by the last gentle-
202 [Assembly
man were to be adopted , it would be just as impossible to agree upon
a list to be recommended as upon one to be rejected. No one variety
could be proposed as being universally or equally good in all sections
of the country ; but there were some few plain, obvious principles,*
which would hold in the decision as to each fruit as it came up. If,
for instance, the Ambrosia pear should be pronounced good in any
considerable region, then it ought not to be rejected. No variety
should be placed on the list of rejected fruits, whilst there was any
hope that it might prove to be good.
Mr. iluvEY agreed wilh the last speaker, and it was because he did
so that he had moved that any fruit on the rejected list, to the prohibi-
tion of which any gentleman might except, be retained. Yet, if we
could only agree on abandoning ten worthless varieties, some advantage
woulil be gained, and the beginning of a useful result would be reached.
Mr. Noble, of New- York, inquired whether the report under con-
sideration was a report from the fruit committee of this Congress or
nof?
Mr. Walker, in reply, stated that the list of pears proposed to be
rejected was iu.u\c out by the sub-committee on the part of Massa-
chusetts, and reported by them to the general committee, which body
now laid it before the Congress as its own report. Massachusetts had
nothing more to do with it.
Mr- Downing informed the Congress that the statement of Mr.
WalkeFw was entirely correct, and that, moreover, before submitting
the list under consideration, the general committee had stricken off
several varieties that the Massachusetts sub-committee proposed to
reject.
Dr. MoNSON, of Connecticut, wished to know if these gentlemen
who advocated a rejection, on the one side, and those who disapproved
of it, on the other, had a general practical experience of the success
or failure of the fruits under consideration ? or were they like the phy-
sician who — finding that an English patient, who ate of Westphalia
ham while under treatment for a fever, recovered from the disease,
thereupon prescribed the same article to a Scotchman suffering from the
same malady, who, nevertheless, died — entered it upon his books that
Westphalia ham would cure an Englishman, but kill a Scotchman?
Of course, there would be differences in the result of cultivating the
same fiuit in different sections of the country, different climates, and
No. 199.] 203
different isoils.; but if it should be found that any one variety was bad
at Boston, and also at Syracuse, he would have nothing to do with it.
The question being on Mr. Hancdck's motion, that the proposed
list be considered as only applicable lo rejected varieties, for Massa-
chusetts,
Mr. Walker objected to that motion, as out of order. The report
was not a report from the Massachusetts Horticultural Sociefy, nor from
the Massachusetts portion of the general fruit committee of this Con-
gress. It was the report of the whole of that committee, under the or-
ders of the convention of last year. And some gentlemen had been
entirely mistaken in the grounds which they assumed in opposition to
its adoption. It did not propose to exclude from general cultivation all
such fruits as were found not to ans^rver in Massachusetts. The con-
trary was the fact ; for while the St. Michael's pear, known to be
excellent in New- York asthe Virgalicu,,and in Philadelphia as the But-
ter pear, was utterly worthless in Boston, the committee had not even
proposed to exclude it. But when, from our own experience and the
testimony of others, a variety was good for nothing at Boston, equally
bad here, worse perhaps in Philadelphia, and totally unworthy of cul-
tivation at Cincinnati, then, on this united testimony of its worthless-
ness everywhere, the committee had decided to recommend its rejection.
Mr. Hancock expressed himself satisfied. He had got the explana-
tion that he desired, and was perfectly willing to withdraw his motion.
The quesilon then recuired on Mr. Hovey's motion, which was
adopted, with an amendment providing that the names of the object-
ors to the rejection of any particular variety of fruit, should be
entered on the records.
So it was decided that the fruits contained on the rejected Hst,
should be taken up senaiim : those varieties to which no objection
was made, should be rejected without debate ; those to whose
rejection any gentleman did object, should be stricken from the list.
The names of objectors to be recorded in each instance.
The matter thus being settled, Mr. Downing again commenced the
reading of the list of rejected fruits.
[The rejected fruits on which no discussion took place, will be
found in the fruit list towards the end of this report. The debates
that occurred on fruits proposed for rejection, but retained, ami on
others proposed for general cultivation, will be found in the following
pageSj in the order tf their occurrence.]
204 [AssEMBL-y
PFJins •vviiiai IT WAS proposkd to nrjECT.
Jlmlrcsia. — Objcctcil to by Mr. Elliott, of Cleveland, Ohio, and
retained.
Jlmand^ Dcuhle. — Objected to by Mr. Manice, of Long Island,
N. Y.
Beurr&,d'Elbec. — Objected to by Mr. Hovey, of Boston, Mas
Boucquia. — Objected to by Mr. IIovey, of Boston, Mass.
Bcrgamctte Parthmay. — Objected to by Mr. Maktell of New-
York Island.
Cmnlcrland. — Objected to by Mr. Manice, of Long Island. He
considered it a good baking pear.
Colmar a'Ete. — Objected to by Mr. Hovey, of Mass., and Mr.
Mantell, of New-York.
Infant Prodige. — Objected to by Mr. S. B. Parsons, of Flushing,
I^ew-York.
Fcndante (PEte. — Objected to by Mr. Gabriel, of New-Haven,
Conn. With him it was a superior pear on quince stock.
Gilogil. — Objected to by Mr. Reid, of Elizabethtown, N. J.
"With him it was a good pear on quince. Also, by Mr. Maktell, of N.
Y. It vras good with him on quince.
Zoc/g-e.— Objected to by Dr. Brinckl^, of Philadelphia, Penn.;
and Mr. Hancocic, of Burlington, N. J.
Vallee Franche. — Objected to by Mr. Hovey, of Boston, Mass.
Windsor. — Objected to by Mr. McIntosh, of Cleveland, Ohio ;
Mr. Reid, of Elizabethtown, N. J. ] Mr. Hovey, of Boston, Mass. ;
and Mr. Saul, of Newburgh, N. Y.
Rousselct de Stuttgardt. — Objected to by Mr. Barry, of Rochester,
N. Y.
Belle de Bruxelles. — Objected to by Mr. Barry, of Rochester,
with him it v.'as a fine, beautiful fruit. Also by Mr. Hovey, of Bos-
ton, who h.ad found it a very handcome and showy pear, and had
often been offered a York shilling apiece for the fruit by visitors, who
saw it growing on the tree at his establishment. Judging it by
strictly Pomological rules, he thought it about a third rate fruit.
Mr. Walxer, of Boston, said the fruit was handsome, indeed, but
utterly worthless. It was, perhap?, the most deceptive variety in the
whole catalogue. He apprehended his friend Hovey did not sell it
No. 199.] 205
because It unsall slicw nnd nothing else. lie, too, Iiail had frequent
jippliealions to sell it, bub had always advised people to taste the
fruit before purchasing, and had generally found that the fust taste
Avas quite sufficient.
Mr. Downing then said that the remainder of the list, so far as it
was ready, which it was proposed to reject, consisted of Apples.
[As with the Pears, tlie Apples which were rejected nem. con. will
be found in the list of rejected fruits.]
The only other varieties were the following ;
APPLES WHICH IT WAS PROPOSED TO REJECT.
Blade Apple. — Objected to by Mr. Hayes, of New-Jersey.
Winter Pearmam. — Objected to by Mr. Hancock, of Burlington,
N. J., and Mr. Hovey, of Boston. Mr. French, of Braintrce, Mass.,
said it was a very excellent apple, but he thought it hardly worth
cultivation, since it was so shy a bearer
This completed the list of fruits proposed for rejection, so far as
the committee was prepared at present to offer it.
The Chair communicated a letter from the Pennsylvania Horti-
cultural Society, inviting the Congress to hold its next session at
Philadelphia, and offering to provide a hall and all requisite accom-
modations. On motion of Dr. Wendell, it was referred to the com-
mittee appointed under Mr. Dou'ning's motion.
On motion, it was voted that the officers of the American Institute
be invited to take seats as members of this body.
On m.olion of Mr. Walker, the Congress then adjourned, till half
past 3 o'clock.
Afternoon Session.
The Congress came to order at 4 o'clock the President in the
chair.
Mr. (President) Wilder, in behalf of the associated committees
of the North American Pomological Convention, and of the present
Congress, submitted the annexed report.
The committee appointed for the purpose of conferring with the
committee sent to this Congress by the North American Pomological
Convention, on the propriety and practicability of uniting or consoli-
dating the two associations, respectfully report :
That, finding the joint committee were fully convinced of the ad-
20G . [Assembly
vantngc in all respects to the country at large, and to the cause of
Poinologyj of having but one National Convention of this kinil. which
should, as far as possible, embody all Ihc talent and experience of
the land — a conviction which this Congress has always firmly held —
they had great pleasure and unanimity in immediately .adopting the
following resolutions :
1. Resolved^ That the two Conventions, hitlerto known as the
North American Pomological Convention, and the American Congress
of Fruit Growers, be hereby consolidated.
2. Resolved J That the consolidated association shall hereafter be
known as the " AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL CONGRESS."
3. Resolved, That the rtext session of the Pomological Congress
'.shall be held at Cincinnati, in the autumn of 1S50, and that the time
thereof be fixed by the President of this Congi-ess, in conjunction
with the President of the Ohio State Eoard of Agriculture ; and that
notice of such meeting be given to all Agricultural, Horticultural,
and Pomological Societies throughout the country.
4. Resolved, That the meetings of this Congress, after the next
session, shall take place biennially, and that the meeting for 1S52
shall be held at Philadelphia.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
MARSHALL P. WILDER,
Chairman.
The question being on the acceptance of this report and the adop-
tion of the resolutions,
Mr. Hancx)ck moved to strike from the fourth resolve the clause
providing that the session for 1852 shall be held at Philadelphia.
Mr. Walker was opposed to this motion. This Congress was
honored with the presence of Dr. Brinckle, of Philadelphia, who
had been placed upon and had acted with the committee ; and after
full discussion, it had been agreed, on the Vhole, that the course
resolved upon was the best that could be adopted. It would be too
tedious to give a full explanation of the reasons which had governed
the committee, but he hoped and trusted that the harmony of its
ciecision would not be disturbed in the Congress. If there was any
one place above others at which he wished to meet his pomological
friends and associates, it was Philadelphia. He wanted again to
tread the beautiful hall in that city, and witness another splendid dis-
No. 199.] 207
phy of fruits and flowers ^vilhin its wall?. lie wanted again to
mingle in the cro\Yds{hat thronged its precirJcls, and whatever squeeze
gentlemen might be subjected to, he hoped they would not squeeze
out of these resolutions the provision for assembling at Philadelphia
in 1852.
Mr. HovEY remarked, that he had no objection to the resolution in
itself, but he feared it might tend to create some sectional bias or
prejudice. He wished to know if the present officers and members
of the Congress would hold over until the time in question.
The Chair replied that they would not. New members must be
chosen for the next Congress and new officers, after it had assembled.
Mr. HovEY said he had so supposed ^ and since there might be an
entirely new set of delegates at Cincinnati,^ in courtesy to them, at
least, it would be well to leave the choice of a place for the succeed-
inff session in their hands.
Mr. Hancock declared that if he had any personal choice in the
m?.4ter, it was in favor of Philadelphia, but it was the precedent of
fixing a place so long beforehand that he feared. He was well aware
tha't none but the kindest feelings actuated the committee, but all
precedents, which some times caused so much trouble, grew up in the
same way ; and if this Congress could fix the place of meeting two
years in advance, it might do so for ten or twenty years ahead ; and
though, individually, he should be glad to have the session of 1852
held in Philadelphia, his favoritism would not suffer him to go beyond
the expression of that individual feeling.
The question was then put upon the motion to strike out, and it
was rejected. The report was then accepted, and the resolutions
adopted as they came from the committee.
Mr. Gabriel, of New-Haven, said he wished to retract the objec-
tion he made in the forenoon to the rejection of the Fondante d' Eie
pear. He had in his mind at the time tlie Doyenne (T Eie. Accord-
ingly the Fondante cP EiS was again placed in the list of rejected
pears.
The General Fruit Committee was then called upon to proceed in
ils report.
Mr. Downing begged leave to continue, by submitting for the ap-
proval of the Congress, a list of fruits which the committee regarded
as worthy of general culti\'ation. With regard to Pears the Conven-
203 [Assembly
lion of last year had rccommcmlcd a consulcrablc number of varieties,
and it was now proposed to add a few others. And first, the
Rosiiezer Pear. — The President remarked that in the vicinity of
Boston, this pear ranked almost as high as the Scckel.
Dr. Wendell stated that it bore the same character at Albany.
He had fruited it, and found it one of the very best of pears.
Mr. Walker thought that the Rosllczer was imported by the Pre-
sident some ten years ago, for the late Mr. Manning, of Salem, Mass.
If he recollected aright, that gentleman was looking, at the time, fox
second-rate European pears — having found that many varieties which
were classed as first-rate abroad did not meet the expectations of
fruit growers here, whilst others which were there placed only in the
secondary class — ^^in our climate, under our warm skies and beneath
our bright suns — deservedly ranked among the first. The Rostiezer
was one of these. And from the first time he (Mr. W.) had tasted
it until the last, he had had but one impression in regard to it — that
(he pear was among the very first-rate, comparing favorably with.lhe
Seckel, as one of the sweetest and best pears. He knew that was
saying a great deal, but he thought the future would bear out the
assertion.
The Rosiiezer Pear was, without further remark, unanimously
adopted, as being worthy of general cultivation.
Andrews Pear. — Col. Hodge, of Buffalo, N, Y., had uniformly
found this a first-rate pear.
Mr. White, of Athens, Georgia, had fruited it, and always found
it fine.
Mr. CoLTON, of Worcester, Mass., said it was not always fine at
W^orcesler, being apt to crack and be knurly.
Mr. HovEY had never known it to crack, but it was knurly some
times. He had always found it one of the best of pears — the very
best American variety we had. It was a very full bearer, so much
so, indeed, that it was difficult to get the wood to grow to vigorous
strength. He knew one tree that had been grafted for sixty years,
and had always borne abundantly for forty. It was one of the best
of pears.
Mr. S. B. Parsons, of Long Island, said it was a good bearer, but
the fruit decayed at the core.
Mr. Elliott, of Cleveland, Ohio, found the same fault with it.
No. 199.] 209
Dr. McNSOJS', of Ncw-Havcn, Conn., had fruUcil it two years, and
fountl it !i gooil bearer. He never knew it to decay at the core.
The President said that according to his experience it never
cracked. Mr. Colton's case he thought must be a singular one.
Mr. Barry, of llochester, N. Y., was of opinion that the cracking
might be owing to a rot at the core. It had been found to be insipid
and poor from that cause.
Mr. Hayes, of New-JerscV) considered the Andrews a very fine
pear, and did not think it cracked more than any other variety.
Mr. Manning, of Salem, Mass., had grown it for ten years at
least, and was very sure he never saw it cracked or blighted, while
on the other hand it was a good fiuit and a great bearer.
Mr. French said that Mr. Manning's soil was about as poor as
any fruit growers', and this pear flourished excellently with him, as
gentlemen had just heard. In his (Mr. F.'s) opinion, it was a fruit
that no pomologist should suffer himself to be without.
The Andrews Pear was then adopted.
Fulion Pear.— Mr. Barry consiilcred this one of the best of pears,
about equal to the White or Grey DoyennS. He could recommend it
with all his heart.
Mr. HovEY likewise thought it one of the best. It had the excel-
lent properly of ripening gradually. His attention was called to it
about nine years ago, by the late Mr. Manning, who also regarded
it as a very fine pear. It sold well in the market.
Mr. Little, of Bangor, Me., said it had another good quality—
that of being extremely hardy. This might be supposed, since it
originated and flourished well in Maine.
Col. Hodge, of Buffalo, said with him it was one of the best pears.
The Fulton Pear was adopted.
[At this stage, Hon. M. P. Wilder, the President, was constrained
to leave by other public duties, and placed Samuel Walker, Esq.}
in the chair, who presided during the remaining sessions.]
Fondante d' Automne Pear. — Dr. Brinckle, of Philadelphia, said
that this was one of the very best in quality.
Mr. White, of Athens, said it held the same character in Georgia.
Mr. Hovey did not doubt it. But it might be well to add that
the name Fondante d' Autcmne was a synonym, and that the variety
was introduced and first cultivated as the Belle Lucrative. It was so
[Assembly, No. 199.] 14
£10 [ASSEMCLY
first described, also, in Loudon's Magazine, and he would move to
amend by subsliluting Belle Lucrative as the name of this vaiicly.
Mr. Frknch saiil that lliis pear certainly lanked deservedly very
high, and no one wanting lo cultivate good varieties, should be with-
out it.
Mr. Hovey's nnotion to amend was then carried, and the variety
was adopted under the name of Belle Lucrative.
Urianiste Pear. — Mr. Walker remarked that this variety was fre-
quently imported as the Buerre Ficquerry, and was generally known
in France by that name. It was adopted as the Urbanisle.
Buffum Pear. — Col. Hodge had cultivated the BufTura for a num-
ber of years, and though he was not prepared to reject it, he
could not rank it higher than a second rate pear. It cracked, and
the flavor was by no means superior.
Mr. McIktosh, of Cleveland, had also cultivated it for several
years, and must say tb.at as lo the fruit, it was hardly as good as
second rate. But as a market fruity it was of the first qualify,
Mr. HovEY said that this fruit was not of the first quality in
respect to flavor, but the variety m^ide a beautiful appearance as an
ornamental tree, and it was, besides, a prodigious bearer, the fruit hang-
ing on the branches like strings of onions. And if well conditioned,
the BufTum pear was as good as the Doyenne, when well ripened.
If eaten at the proper time, it was far ahove a second rate fiult.
Mr. BuiST, of Philadelphia, remarked that it would require all the
eloquence of gentlemen, and perhaps more, to raise this variety to the
rank of a first class fruit. And he considered that Avh.at was wanted
of this Congress, and what the Congress itself desired, was informa-
tion as to, and decision upon, fruits, and fruits alone — not in respect
to their beauty as ornamental trees.
Mr. S. B. Parsons agreed with the last speaker. The qualities of
fruits as fruits^ it was the object of the Congress to determine, as
far as possible.
Mr. HANcoac ?aid that in truth the Buflum pear ranked only as
fourth rate, as the gentleman from Massachusetts, (Mr. French) had
this morning observed. And if that gentleman now asked this Con-
gress to recommend it for general cullivalion, for one, he, (Mr. H.)
could not do it.
No. 199.] 211
Mr. Frenxh knew thai (he Buffuni did not rule as high as many
ether varieties, hut still it w^s worth cultivating.
Mr. Downing reminded gentlemen that the Convention of last
year had determinded (o cast out all such classifications iisftrst rate^
second raie^ Sfc.j and to adopt the designations of" gccd^^ '■' very gccd^^
^^besf,^^ as more definite and useful.
Mr, Fren'ch said that then he should call the Buffum n gccd pear,
Mr. Downing observed in continuation, that this was a list for
general cultivation, not one recommended to amateurs alone. If a par-
ticular fruit were only good^ even if that were uni'.ed with other
desirable qualities, productiveness, hardiness, &c., he should be very
willing to recommend it for general cultivation.
Dr. MoNSON thought this a very desirable pear to have when others
were scarce. It was a good bearer, and the tree was a beautiful one.
Why not have such a variety on the list 1
Mr. HovEY said the Buffum was a very good pear, though not of
the best description. But sii]ipose that a poTson coulii have but two
trees ^ though there were many better varieties which he would like
to cultivate, would he not, on the whole, prefer a tree from which he
could obtain four or six bushels of good pears for market, to one from
which he could get only one and a half or two bushels 1 And having
but two trees, would he not desire that one of them, at least, should'
be a large bearer 1 Of what use to a grower of fruit for the market
would be a variety of greater excellence in itself, but of vastly greater
inferiority in point of bearing? And even gentlemen who could
afford to suit their fancy, did not want poor looking specimens in
their grounds, and must therefore set some value upon the Buffum in
consequence of the beauty of the tree.
Mr. BuiST said that if this pear should pa?s muster as being first-
rate for its bearing qualities, still he could not recommend it as such
to his friends.
Mr. Miller, of Carlisle, Pa., said that some thought the rating of
a vaiiety depended upon the foliage, others upon the beauty of the
tree, and others again upon the quality of the fruit. But surely the
list was large enough to combine all these requisites.
Mr. Hanccck commented upon the statement that the Buffum was
a good fruit for th? market. But was he to go to the market to be
imposed upon 1 If the fruit w^'^s good, he cared nothing for the shape
*12 [Assembly
of the tree, or \vlnt its appearance miglit be fo-; a pleasure ground ;
but if he had the finest lonkiiig tree in the world, if the fruitwas good
for nnlhino-, he would throw it umler his feet. lie would not be one
to advocate a fruit of inferior quality, under the excuse that he had
some trees to sell. lie wr.s a fruit raider, but lils fiicnds should
never rise up against Lim, charging him with having imposed on their
ignorance.
Mr. Downing wished to correct the impression which the gentle-
man appeared to entertain. If any fruit was not worthy to be borne
on the list, the coramiltee had no wish to press its being put there.
Mr. Barry said that there were several things which entered into
the consldeiation of quality. Flavor was one, and a very important
one, but there were others also. And he considered it hardly proper
to insinuate any thing unworthy or knavish against gentlemen who
spoke of fruits, and their qualities as " market fruits." Fruits were
raised for the market especially, and they must be. And every body
knew that it was not always true, that a variety which stood highest
'in point of flavor, bore the same rank on the market list. Take the
Rhode Island Greening apple, for example, that fruit was not of first-
rate flavor, but it was so productive, so hardy, and so sure a crop,
that we could not do without it. Just so with many other fruits.
Flavor was the first quality to be looked at, if gentlemen chose, but
there were many others besides.
Mr. Hancock did not dififer from the gentleman last up. Let each
variety of fruit stand or fall on its merits. He acknowledged good
bearing to be a part of the merits, but he would not make that
quality a pretext for selling, to the simple, a fruit as being better than
it really was.
Mr. HovEY could not sit silent after hearing the remarks of the
gentleman from New-Jersey, though his friend from Rochester had
put the matter right before the Congress. But if all were to be ac-
cused who raised fruit for sale in the market, and consulted, conse-
quently, the value for market of different varieties, he knew of very
few who would not come under the gentleman's lash. In general,
persons who cultivated fruit trees did it for what ? Orchardists who
raised fruits, did it for what ? Why, to sell in the market. Some
very respectable and respected persons in the gentleman's own neigh-
borhood could tell Lim that, if he were ignorant of it himself. But
No. lOp.] £13
in determining the value of a fruit for this purpose, saleablcnessj as
well as color, flavor, hardiness, &,c., must be estimated in the aggre-
gate of its qualities; and if it proved to combine a majority of such
qualities, then it rhculd be considered as worthy of culti\'ation.
Mr. French said his only fear now was, that this pear would not
get into the list. If he could have but one apple, it should be the
Rhode Island Greening, though that variety was neither so handsome
nor of so good flavor as many others. And so of the Buffum pear ;
it had its superiors, but it w-as well worthy of cultivation, and it was
a variety which no fruit grower should be without.
Mr. Manning observed that even in regard to flavor, the Buffum
pear was sometimes found to be nearly first-rate. Very much de-
pended upon its ripening, as to this. But flavor was not the only
thing to be considered. Productiveness was another, and not an in-
ferior one in many cases. Gansel's Bergamotte was not to be pre-
ferred to the Buffum if only a limited number of trees could be cul-
tivated ; for in the one case you would have perhaps half a bushel of
very delicious fruit from each tree, and in the other two barrels of
fruit, nearly as perfect if properly ripened. He should have no hesi-
tation which to choose in such a slate of things.
Mr. Walker was under the impression, long ago that the Buffum
could not be near so good a f;uit as he had found it to be within
the last five or six years. When ripened under a temperature of 65°
or 70°, constant day and night, it attained a very high degree of ex-
cellence. Some of the very best judges, not knowning the perfection
to which it had latterly been brought, on tasting it at Salem, declar-
ed they could not tell what the pear was unless it was an excellent
St. Michael. The fruit was very much improved by early picking,
and ripening in the house.
The Buffum pear was adopted.
Vicar cf Winkfield Pear. — Mr. Potey proposed to amend by
adding " or Le Cure^^ to avoid the danger to cultivators of importing
under one name a variety which they already possessed under an-
other.
Mr. Downing said that next to settling the quality of fruits, to
settle their nomenclature was of importance, and for that reason the
committee had not felt obliged to report all the names by which a
214 [AsSEilBLY
variety might be known. Nor did they deem such a course ex-
pedient on ihis very ciccount.
Mr. HovEY said, if \vc could settle the nomenclature of fruits to
the general satisfaction, why well -and good. He knew that the Lon-
don Horticultural Society had adopted the title of Vicar of Wink-
field, and that was good authoriiy, so far as they were correct ; but
there was no good reason for following them in their errors. Le Cure
was the shortest name, and the fruit had been known in France by
that designation for twenty- five years.
Mr. S. B. Parsons thought it very questionable propriety for this
Congress to adopt synonyms of fruits at the present time.
The question was then taken, and the pear adopted as the Vicar of
Win/cfield.
Louisse Bonne de Jersey Pear. — Mr. Pardee, of New-Haven,
moved to strike cut the qualification ("on quince stock") which the
committee had introduced. It was as line as any other pear on its
own stock.
Mr. Downing said that with him it had not succeeded so well on
pear as on quince.
Mr. Saul, of Newburgh, N. Y., exhibited a dish of pears of this
variety from Mr. Whittier, of Mass., which were grown on pear
stock. They were as handsome as possible.
Mr. HovKY was in favor of striking out the qualification. The
pear was great on either stock, and people could please themselves.
Mr. Vj-^'?^z z?.v1 'ihz f: \:it v.t.3 i:.:i*.rGi,;vuy very good on pear.
, Mr. McTyrosiT had ^i'"'''"-"^''^- - -°^^ ^" quliice ai;a pcai, and had
raised on the latter a fruit which he should certainly have considered
first rate, had he not obtained a crop so much superior on quince.
But he was willing the qualification should be stricken out.
Mr. White, of Ga., said that if it was better on quince than on
pear, it must be excellent indeed.
The question was put, the motion to strike out carried, and then
The Louise Bonne de Jersey Pear was adopted.
UvedcWs St. Germain Pear. — The committee reported this variety
as being excellent for baking, and it was adopted without debate.
This completed the list of pears proposed by the committee for the
approbation of the Congress, as being worthy of general cultivation.
Mr. Downing said be had a small liit of apples, and some other
No. 199.] 215
fruits also to offer. lie would continue, therefore, by naming the
apples.
The first was the
Porter Jipfjle. — Mr. Hancock saitl the Porter apple bore with him
for the first time this season, and he found the fruit very poor and dry.
Mr. McIntosh said that in Ohio it was one of the best of apples.
Mr. HovEY had known the Porter for twenty years, and had never
found it other than very good. He had had it from dwarf trees, and
found it at the first bearing as good as he ever knew it ; but as a
general thing it was best not to judge of any fiuit by the first crop.
The Porter was best in September.
Col. Little introduced it on the Penobscot twenty-one years ago,
and it was universally considered in Maine as one of the best apples
grown in the state.
Mr. Hancock regarded it as a second-rate grower, both in the nur-
sery and on large trees.
Mr. Miller, of Carlisle, had always found it very vigorous, up-
right and good. He suspected that Mr. Hancock's trees must be
spurious.
Mr. French had fixiited it thirty-one years, and always found it
excellent.
The Porter Apple was adopted.
Huhbardston Jfonsuch Apple. — Col. Hodge said that with liim it
proved very fine, and he should rank it No. 1.
Mr. French remarked that it had not proved very thrifty with
him, but it was a very popular apple, and cultivators could not do
without it.
Mr. Hamilton, of Orange county, N. Y., said that with him it
was a better grower than the Porter, and w^as a handsome, straight,
thrifty tree.
Mr. HovEY observed that it was quite as good and strong a grower
as the Porter, and had a very handsome head. It made as much
wood in three years, a's the Baldwin in two. It was first introduced
into Newton, Mass., several years ago, by Capt. Hyde, who found it
whilst on a visit to Hubbardston, but could not learn whence it came.
He brought down the scions in potatoes, and singularly enough they
flourished. From these scions, thus brought to Newton, all the trees
of this variety m the eastern part of New-England came. If kept
216 [ASSEMULT
too long, say till March, the fruit bcrame dry, and its good qualities
were sacrificed. Eut if catcni in January, it was very good. The
Hulbardsion Monsuch apple was adopted.
Fameuse Jlpple. — Mr. French said that in November, when it
would otherwise be difficult to find a table apple, the Fameuse was in
good, eating order. The fruit was of fine flavor, though not a very
great grower.
Col. Hodge had fruited it for twenty years. It required high cul-
ture, and when grown on rich land, was one of the very best. It
some times bore too great a crop. It came from Canada.
Mr. Miller had grown it on upland, and he concurred in the re-
marks of Col. Hodge.
Mr. McIntosh said that in Ohio, they could not get it higher up
than gccd; it was not very good.
Mr. Downing regarded it as one of the very finest dessert apples.
The Femeuse apple was adopted.
Minister Jlpple. — Mr. Buist inquire i if this was the same as that
awful, distorted, blue, green thing whiil ht had seen at Providence,
uniler the same name 1
Mr. Manning replied that the apple now under consideration had
none of those attributes. He did not know of any that he should
prefer to it except the Baldwin, and if he could have but half a dozen
trees, the Minister should certainly be one of them.
Mr. HovEY had no doubt that Mr. Buist saw the Minister apple
at Providence, though for ^is own part, he had never seen it cither
blue or green. He had, however, seen the Baldwin of very little
color. The Minister was a very fine flavored apple.
Mr. Hancock said it was always of an ugly shape.
Mr. Barry said it was very little known in western New-York,
and it was his impression that it was only within two or three years
that it had been generally known any where. It was entirely new
to the western States, and he thought it had not been sufficiently
tested to warrant its approval by this Congress:
Mr. Buist said that this year the fruits that had been received frotn
the east and north, and recom.raendod as being of the first quality,
had not so proved in his climate. He assured the assembly that he
woulil not allow the Minister apple to be propagated in his nursery
this season.
Ko. 199.] 217
Mr. HovEY observed that tlic report before the Congress came
from the general commiltec. as a list adapted for the whole country,
and he hoped no gentleman would suppose that eastern cultivatcrs
wished especially to add their own fruits to that list, if objected to
by others.
Mr. Hancock said that he spoke for Pennsylvania. He was on
the committee for that State, and if the committee had consulted on
this particular matter, he was not present. And he doubted if the
Minister apple was known to any member of the committee from
Pennsylvania except himself.
Mr. Downing made some gercral remarks abor.t the duty of the
committee m receiving recommendations of fruits from different parts
of the country, and the course that had been taken in weighing them
and deciding upon them. He had a paper from Pennsylvania recom-
mending the Minister apple, and if he mistook not, the gentleman's
own name was borne upon it.
Mr. Hancock believed not.
Mr. Saul moved to lay the question on the table, so far as regard-
ed any endorsement of the Minister apple on the part of the Congress,
and this motion prevailed.
Danvers Winter Sweet Apple. — Mr. Hancock said that this was a
very good fruit, one of the best Eastern apples except the Baldwin.
Col. Hodge had tried it for six or eight years, and had found it
very gccd.
The Danvers Winter Sweet apple was adopted.
On motion of Mr. Saul, the Congress then voted to adjourn until
9 o'clock the next mominc.
SECOND BAY.— Wednesday^ Oct. 3, 1849. Morning Session.
The Congress came to order at half-past 9 o'clock, Mr. Walkee,
President pro iem.j in the chair.
Mr. Downing, from the committee on the constitution and by-
laws, submitted the following report :
The committee appointed at the last session to prepare a suitable
constitution and by-laws, beg leave to report :
That after a careful consideration of the subject, it has appeared
21S [Assembly
wise to tbcm uRt to encumber this body wilh a prolix constitution,
but simply to cfFer a few concise by-laws, which should be sufficient
for defining the general form and government of the association,
without limiting its powers within any narrow or contracted bounds:
leaving it for future legislation to provide for any unforeseen exigen-
cies which may arise. They therefore propose, for the adoption of
this body, the following
By-Laws.
1. The officers of this Congress shall consist of a President, a Vice-
President from every State represented, (who shall, unless otherwise
directed, be the President of some HorticulturalSociety of that State,)
two Secretaries, a Treasurer, and a General Fruit Committee.
2. These officers, elected at one session of the Congress, shall hold
their offices until the organization of the succeeding session, when a
new election shall immdeiately take place, or until new officers are
elected
3. The chairman of the Standing Fruit Committee of every Hor-
ticultural Society in the United States and the Canadas, shall here-
after be considered as composing the General Fruit Committee.
There shall be a chairman of the whole elected by this Congress, and
the President of the Congress shall also be a member of this commit-
tee, ex officio.
4. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all public
m^c*in~'^, r.r.'J tc \.:':'!o:t2. 'he "Eur.l executive duties of the chair.
5. It shall be the duty of the Secretaries to give notice of all meet-
ings, to record the proceedings, and to conduct any necessary corres-
pondence, under the direction of the President.
6. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive and disburse all
monies collected by the Association, under the direction of the Presi-
dent, and to keep and render an accurate account of the same at each
meeting.
7. It shall be the duty of the General Fruit Committee, to collect
information on the subject of Fruit and Fruit Culture, and to report
the same at every session of this Congress.
A. J. DOWNING,
J. W. KNEVELS,
S. B. PARSONS,
CommitUt.
No. 199.] 219
The question being on the acceptance of the re lort and the adop-
tion of llie proposeil By-Laws,
Mr. HovEY moved that they betaken up for consideration Bection
by section. This motion was carried without opposition.
The question being on adopting the first section — Mr. Hancock
moved to strick out the provision that the Vice-President from each
State shall be President of some Horticultural Society therein, and
the motion was seconded by Dr. Wendell.
Dr. Brinckle moved to refer the whole subject back to the com-
mittee, with instructions to report at the next session.
Mr. Downing said that one very important feature of the by-lawa
was that contemplating the appointment of a General Fruit Commit-
tee, to collect information on the subject of Pomology, and report at
each session. Should the present motion prevail, there could be no
such report next year. The committee was not strenuous about any
particular by-law or phraseology, but he did think it exceedingly
important that a Fruit Committee should be appointed by the present
Congress, and provision made for regular organization.
Mr. Hancock and Dr. Wendell both hoped that the report would
not be re-committed, and Dr. Brinckle thereupon withdrew Uis
motion.
The question was then put on Mr. Hancock's motion, whioh pre-
vailed, and, as thus amended, the first section was adopted.
The second section was adopted as it stood in the report.
The third section coming up — Mr. Hancock inquired whether it
was the understanding that each Society in every State should be re-
presented in the General Fruit Committee 1
Mr. Downing replied in the affirmative. The committee was to
be composed of the chairmen of the Standing Fruit Committees of
all Societies in all the States and Canadas, with a general chairman to
be chosen by the Congress. As chairman of the former General
Committee, he had experienced much embarrassment in regard to con-
ducting the necessary correspondence, and the proposed mode was
intended as a remedy for that difficulty.
Mr. Underhill, of New-Jesey, said there might be a difficulty
about this, for in New-Jersey, for example, there were five Fruit
Committees — the chairmen of all of which, under this rule, would be
members of the General Committee of the Congress,
220 [AsSEMBLTf
Several gentlemen ex'claimed— " the more, the better."
Mr. FooTE, of Ecrkshlre Co., Mass., asked whether all Societies,
in each State, or only the several State Societies, were to be repre-
sented 1
The President said every Horticultural and Pomological Society
in each State.
The third section was then adopted without amendment.
The fourth and fifth sections were likewise acceded to without al-
teration.
The sixth section was amended, on motion of Mr. HANcoac, by
making it the Treasurer's duty to render an account " at each meet-
ing"— and then adopted.
The seventh section was adopted without change.
The report in general was then accepted, and the By-Laws passed
with the amendments above staled.
The Chair said that he ought before to have informed the Con-
gress that imnortant business had called the President, (Col. Wilder)
away from the city. He had been obliged to return to Massachusetts,
a step which he very much regretted, and which nothing could have
induced him to take, except circumstances beyond his control, and
duties of a peremptory nature. Col. Wilder had begged him (Mr.
Walker) to express to gentlemen of the Congress his regret at being
compelled to leave them, his grateful sense of the honor they had done
him, and the great pleasure it would have given him to remain during
the whole session.
Mr. S. B. Parsoks thereupon moved that the thanks of the Con-
gress be presented to the Hon, Marshall P. Wilder, the President
of this body, for the very courteous, able, and impartial manner in
which he has presided at this session.
This was voted unanimously.
Mr. Downing stated that he had still before him the report of the
General Committee, comprising another portion of the list of fruits
proposed for rejection, and several other fruits which it was proposed
to recommend for general cultivation.
On motion, it was voted to take up the lists and pursue the same
course in their consideration, that was adopted yesterday.
No. IDO]; £21
APPr.ES WHICH IT WAS PRolcSED TO RFJECT .
Cacashca. — Objected to by Col. IJodge, of Buflfalo, N. Y. It was
only a second quality of fruit, but he was not prepared to reject It
altogether. Also by Mr. Barry of Rochester, N. Y. It was large
and productive, very coarse, but still had some good qualities.
Blenheim Pippin. — Objected toby Mr. Hovey, of Boston, Mass.
American Pippin or Grindstone. — 'Objected to by Mr. Hayes, of
Newark, N. J.
Scarlet Pearmain. — Objected to by Col. Hodge of Buffalo, N. Y.,
and Mr. Elliott, of Cleveland, Ohio.
PEARS WHICH IT WAS PROPOSED TO REJECT.
Sugar Top. — Objected to by Mr. McIntosh, of Cleveland, Ohio.
Sugar of Hoyerswerda. — Objected to by Mr. Makice, of Long-
Island, N. Y.
Princess of Orange. — Objected to by Col. Hodge of Buffalo, N.Y.
Hessel. — Objected to by Mr. Saul, of Newburgh, N, Y., and Mr.
McIntosh, of Cleveland, Ohio.
Hericort. — Objected to by Messrs. Hayes, of Newark, N. Jersey,
Manice, of Long Island, N. Y., Hoyey, of Boston, Mass., and Saul,
of Newburgh, N. Y.
This completed the list of fruits which the committee proposed to
submit for rejection. Thereupon
Mr. Hakcock proposed to add to the list of rejected pears, the
Dumorlicr and the Passans de Portugal. Both were objected to—
the former by Mr. Hovey, of Boston, and the latter by Messrs. Ho-
vey and Walker of Boston.
Mr. Miller proposed to add Prince''s St. Germain, Objected to
by Messrs. McIntosh, of Cleveland, Ohio ; Moxson, of New Haven,
and Terry, of Hartford, Conn.; Manice, of Long Island, N. Y,;
Hovey, of Boston, Mass., and Little, of Bangor, Maine.
Mr. Little then moved that the meeting proceed further to con-
sider the list recommended by the committee as worthy of general
cultivation, and the motion was sustained.
fruits worthy or general cultivation.
Mr. Downing raid the committee intended to propose but one
Cherry, and that was the Belle Magnifquc. Mr. Hovey said it had
been known in Massachusetts from ten to twenty years ; Mr. El-
222 [ASSHMBLY
LiOTT, Ihat it had been growy In Ohio from ten to twelve years, and
Mr. Barry that it had been cultivated in Western New-Yoik for
gevcn years. All three gentlemen concurred in recommending it.
Col. Hodge agreed with them. It was a very pleasant sub-acid fruit.
The Belle Magnifique Cherry was adopted.
Of Peaches, the committee recommended the Late Jldmirable.
Mr. HovEY was hardly prepared to recommend it. Mr. S. B. Par-
sons said it was very good at Flushing, N. Y. Mr. Downing found
that it ripened finely. Mr. Hamilton said it was good in Orange
Co., N. Y. Mr. Hancock had never had it good.
On motion, it was passed by for the present. [This was equiva-
lent to a refusal to recommend its cultivation, for it was not subse-
quently called up for action.]
Mr. Hancock moved that, in considering the various fruits proposed
for general cultivation, the same course be adopted as was followed
in regartl to rejected fruits j i. c, that any one to which an objection
might be raised, should be stricken from the list.
Mr. Downing was opposed to this motion, because after three or
four of the very best fruits had been agreed upon, it would hardly be
possible to find another so fine as not to meet with a single objection;
an objection, it might be, arising from a local cause alone, or from
some peculiar idea or particular experience on the part of a single
cultivator.
Mr. HovEY also objected to the motion. The rejected fruits in
the list which had been passed by the Congress, were still in cultiva-
tion, and any one good objection to placing a fruit on that list, com-
ing from a gentleman who found his account in continuing that par-
ticular fruit, was entitled to be rejected ; so far, at least, as not to
abolish the cultivation of that variety. But in adding to the catalogue
of fruits worthy of general cultivation, more than one objection to
any particular variety ought to be presented before there could be
reasonable ground for excluding it. The difficulty which an indivi-
dual might have experienced in respect to a particular variety which
had succeeded with almost every body else, might be purely the re-
sult of fortuitous circumstances, and at any rate, ought not to operate
to the exclusion of such fruif.
Professor Mapes, of New- Jersey, also spoke in opposition to the
motion. If adopted, it would virtually put an end to all discussion
on fruit.
Na 199.] 223
Mr. DowxiKG snid that if (here were any conslilcrablc objections
to a fruit, it woul*! not be pressed; but, if it generally sncceedetl in
incst parts of the country, it was hardly right that it sliould be reject-
ed on account of non-success in one particular locality,
' Mr. UxDERniLL was in favor of taking the same course with these
as with the rejected fruits — ^riking them from the list at any objec-
tion, and recording the name of the objector.
Mr. Downing said that in tjbe world, when a man's character was
so bad that nobody could say a word in his favor, it was best to
throw over his acquaintance ; but on tht other hand, if he was gen-
erally respected, and only a few individuals assailed him, then no
just individual would think of shunning him. It should be just so
here.
Col. Hodge remarked that according to this last view we ought to
go over again the whole list of fruits rejected yesterday.
Mr. HovEY observed that where a majority of cultivators from dif-
ferent quarters approved of a fruit and recommended it to general
attention, it ought not to be thrust aside because it did not prove ex-
cellent in some one particular locality. Its adaptation to our country
generally was what ought to be looked at — not its partial success or
failure in any one limited region.
Mr. Hayes said that now we were getting at the pith of the mat-
ter. If he could be satisfied as to the localities in which a fruit had
proved successful, or had failed — that was what he wanted- He was
afraid that many fruits were rejected yesterday which might come
up firr.t rate in some parts cf the country.
Mr. Hancock professed himself satisfied with the view taken by
Mr. HoYEY, and withdrew his motion.
The Morrisania Pound Peach was the next fruit proposed by the
committee. Mr. Hancock said he had fruited it for three or four
seasons, and had never found it good yet.
Mr. Hayes said it never was good with him.
Mr. McIntosh said that at Cleveland for several years it had
ranked as very good. Mr. Elliott pronounced it to he a good
peach.
The question -m^s put, and the Morrisania Pound Peach was re-
jected.
Mr. Downing had next to present a short list of the smaller fruits,
no list having been given last year. The commlltcc recommended
as worthy of cultivation —
2d [Assembly
STRAWBERRIES.
Ear!^ Vvgiina. — Mr. McIntosh granted tlint Uils was an early
fruit, but it was so small, poor and worthless, that it was unworthy
of general cuUivallon.
Mr. IIovEY said that at Boston this was the same variety as the
Large Early Scarlet. It was a good sized strawberry. He had cul-
tivated it for twenty years and found it a very good berry on a light
soiL It came very early anc^ thus avoided drought — but gardeners
were gradually discarding it, except for a few days at the very first
of the season, when high prices could be obtained.
Mr. Downing fancied that the two fruits were very distinct. The
Early Virginia was small, but the Early Scarlet, in New-York, was a
very fine, large fruit.
Mr. Barry said that the Early Scarlet was cultivated greatly in
Western New-Vork, and was a very superior fruit. It had a much
rounder berry than the Early Virginia, and was only a few days later.
Mr. Hancock stated the Early Virginia and the Early Scarlet to
be very distinct. The former was known as the Hudson.
Mr. HovEY said the Hudson was too acid a berry for the Boston
market, and it was a poor fruit.
Mr. French said that some very good judges in his region would
give up any strawberry as soon as the early Virginia. One neighbor
of his found it the best he had all last season. He was not so suc-
cessful with it himself, but he thought it a hardy berry and one that
could be relied upon.
Mr. Barry said it was much inferior to the large Early Scarlet, and
from the very fact that being thus inferior, and only two or three
days earlier, it was unworthy of cultivation.
Mr. Hancock said that in his region the Early Scarlet had taken
the place of the Early Virginia, and that both ripened at the same
time there.
Mr. Downing said that the committee decidedly preferred the Early
Scarlet to the Early Virginia.
Mr. McIntosii thought the Early Virginia entirely worthless ; so
much so, that he had rooted it all up in his grounds and replaced it
with the Early Scarlet.
On motion of Mr. Saul, it was passed by (equivalent to being re-
jected.)
No. 199.] 225
Hovey'^s Seedling — Mr. McTntosh declared this to be the very best
Strawberry he ever had in his grounds. Without any further remark
it was adopted unanimously.
Large Early Scarlet. — Col. Hodge had fruited it for years with
great success, and in the course of a tour at the west, he found that
in the neighborhood of Chicago, it was pronounced one of the best va-
rieties. Mr. HovEy would vote for it with pleasure, believing it to
be the same as that cultivated in Massachusetts as the Early Virginia.
It was adopted.
Hudson. — Mr. Hovey was quite willing to believe from what had
already been said, that this might be a good fruit in New-York and
New-Jersey, but east of New-York it was so small and acid as not to
be W'Orthy of cultivation at all.
Mr. S. B. Parsons was very much of the same opinion. There
were many acid berries far superior to the Hudson, as for instance
Jenny's Seedling, which was a fine fruit.
Mr. Barry thought it unadvisable to put the Hudson on the list. In
his region it had been tried, but generally, abandoned. While there
were so many other preferable varieties, this ought not to go upon a
list of fine frnits.
The Hudson Strawberry was rejected.
Burrh' Mew Pine. — Mr. Manice considered it premature to place
this on the list. No doubt it was a good fruit but it was not yet suf-
ficiently well known. Dr. Wendell had tried it at Albany for two
years, and thought that it w^ould hereafter take its place among the
first, but for the present he would rather have it withdrawn. Mr.
HovEY said it promised well, but he objected to putting it on the list
for the same reason given by the gentlemen who preceded him, it
had not been known long enough.
Mr. Walker observed that after testing thirty-six varieties he was
of opinion that Burr's New Pine was the best of them all, and that it
had no superior in flavor except the Swainstone Seedling. Mr. Elli-
ott said it had never been sufficiently tested in Ohio to warrant its
recommendation for general culture.
Mr. Barry said, it originated at Columbus, Ohio, and the attention
of the Horticultural Society of that state was called to it by Mr.
Burr. The next year the committee made an elaborate report, giv-
ing this the preference over all other strawberries. This had called
his own attention to it, and since then, at Rochester, he found that it
[Assembly, No. 199. J 15
226 [Assembly
fully sustained the high character assigned to it. It was one of the
best he ever saw in flavor, and at the same time it bore well.
Mr. Downing remarked that the committee felt justified in recom-
mending it, since it did not require near so long a time to test a
strawberry as a larger fruit.
Col. Hodge said, that we ought to move with caution, for the
community had been more humbugged with regard to strawberries
than any other fruit He had seen this variety one season and favored
it, but he considered it entirely premature for this Congress to place
it on the list for general cultivation.
Mr. Elliott said, that four years ago there was only one plant of
this variety in existence, and all that had been since obtained, made
but a very small quantity. They had been watched with great care,
with a view to dissemination, but sufficient opportunity had not been
had for testing the variety in a thorough manner. Mr. Walker said
that, according to his experience, a strawberry could be tested as
well in two years as a pear in five.
Mr. HovEY moved to pass it by. Mr. Lines, of New Haven,
hoped it would not be passed by, since nobody said anything about it
but in its praise. If it had been tried and proved bad, that would be
another thing. Mr. Hovey rejoined that other things were important
as well as its flavor. This fruit had only been known in Boston for
one year, and he himself had procured a plant from Mr. Barry.
From that plant he got perhaps a dozen berries. What could be
judged of its bearing properties from that 1 He wanted to have its
qualities in this respect tested on a much larger scale.
Mr. Barry agreed that it was important to know about its bearing
qualities when extensively cultivated. Mr. Warner's bed of Burr's
New Pine, in Rochester, was half as large as this room, (perhaps
1,200 square feet) and from it he had obtained immense quantities of
fruit. Mr. Hancock said that Mr. Burr had come out with five or
six varieties as being all of extraordinary excellence, but it seemed
that he had now come down to this one. For that very reason, he
(Mr. H.) should be shy of this ; and rumor said that it had not
proved good in Ohio, on further cultivation. Mr. McIntosh said
that Mr. Hancock must be mistaken, for Burr's Old Seedling and
Ohio Mammoth were among the best varieties they had in Ohio. Mr.
Hancock rejoined, that he had his information from Mr. Burr him-
No. 199. J 227
self. Mr. Barrv said that those varieties had not gone out of exist-
ence in his quarter of New- York.
Mr. French, from what little he had seen of it, was disposed to
Ihink it was a fruit which every one in the world would wish to have.
Mr. S, B. Parsons thought there was great force in the remark of
Mr. Lines, Dr. Wendell would prefer that the committee should
withdraw the fruit, rather than that the meeting should vote to pass
it by. Should the latter course be taken, some persons might suppose
that we considered it unworthy of cultivation, while in fact it was
one of our very best varieties. He had no doubt that by another
year the Congress would be fully prepared to recommend it without
hesitation.
Mr. Dow^ning thereupon withdrew the fruit in question from fur-
ther consideration for the present. '
Boston Pine. — Mr. Hancock had had in the course of three or four
years only one crop from this variety. It was a good fruit but a shy
Dearer.
Mr. Pardee had found it at New-Haven a strong and excellent
Dearer, and the fruit of delicious flavor. Mr. Terry said it had suc-
ceeded admirably at Hartford with several gentlemen who tried it on
different soils. It was esteemed very highly for its mild and agree-
able flavor. It was better than Hovey's Seedling, which grew near
and was fertilised by it.
Mr. Manice said it grew very well in hills, but not so well in
beds ; in hills it was a great bearer — better than Hovey's. Mr.
Miller said it was a very pleasant and productive fruit, with a
large, fine appearing berry. It was fully equal to Hovey's, and infe-
rior perhaps to the Black Prince alone.
Mr. French had seen it very fine indeed at Hovey's garden and
elsewhere. In 1848 he tried the experiment of cultivating a square
yard each with the Boston Pine, the Willey and the Jenney. They
were all picked by a careful hand, and the result was — Boston Pine,
\\ pints; Willey, 1 quart, 3 gills ; Jenney, 1 quart, 1 gill, Mr.
Lines said that after he planted his out, for the first year the bearing
was small ; in the second it improved ; and in the third it was
enormous. It was better to grow the fruit in hills
Mr. Walker said that for the first year or two he had not been
very favorably impressed by the Boston Pine, and had not yet sub-
stituted it for the Early Virginia. But what he had seen of it
228 [Assembly
the present year had greatly raised it in his estimation. Grown in
hills, he had seen very large crops and fine fruit. By the Massa-
chusetts Horticultural Society, this season, the first and third prizes
were awarded to the Boston Pine.
Dr. MoNSON had cultivated Hovey's and the Methven, and had
been perfectly satisfied with them, till he became acquainted with the
Boston Pine, He had never seen so prolific a bed as that of this
variety belonging to Mr. Terry. He at once engaged plants of him
and dug in one half of his Hovey's Seedling to make room for plant-
ing them. This variety was superior in bearing qualities to any that
he had seen.
Mr, HovEY remarked that he had preferred to hear what others
had to say of this strawberry, rather than to speak of it himself. It
had been exceedingly gratifying to him to hear so many commenda-
tions of his tw^o strawberries — the Seedling and the Boston Pine.
Gentlemen were present from the remotest parts of the country, and
they unanimously agreed upon their excellence. The Boston Pine
was raised at the same time, and from the same lot of seed, as the
Hovey Seedling, in 1834. But after selecting the latter variety, so
many others remained of promising quality — and the quantity of land
at command being rather limited — that it took some time to give
them all, successively, a trial — and it was not until 1844 or '45 that
the Boston Pine was first offered to the public. That was its origin.
Mr. H. said he would embrace this opportunity to say a few words
in regard to the cultivation of the Boston Pine. One gentleman had
remarked that he cultivated his vines in hills ; another, his in beds;
others, theirs in rows — and all had succeeded equally well. But as
one gentleman had said that he did not exactly understand what was
meant by cultivating in hills, he would briefly explain.
Gentlemen were probably aware that Hovey's Seetlling, the Early
Virginia, and other varieties, rarely produced more than three or four
trusses of fruit to each root, and then, when grown thickly in beds,
produced very good crops. This, however, was not the case with
the Boston Pine, generally — the constitutional tendency of the plant
being to produce ten or twelve trusses of fruit to each root. One
hundred and fifty berries had been counted on a single plant, as the
President could testify. The consequence was that when the vines
occupied all the ground, there was a deficiency of nourishment, and
the berries did not fill up. Hence had arisen many failures in the
No. 199.] 229
cultivation of this variety. It required more room than other straw-
berries, anrl when grown in rows, with a space of a foot or more be-
tween, and that space well manured, the crop was one of the most
abundant of all ki«ds. Cultivation in hills, so termed, was where
one or more plants were set out, two or more feet apart each way,
the runners kept clipped off, and the ground tilled with the hoe, or,
when extensively grown, with the cultivator or plough. Raised in
this mode, or in rows, he was satisfied the Boston Pine would prove,
as indeed it had already done, all that he had ever recommended it
to be, and would meet the expectations of every culii\ator.
The question was then put, and the Boston Pine was adopted.
Mr. S. B. Parsons moved to add Jenne-ifs Seedling to the list.
He had found it an abundant bearer, and two or three times as juicy
as Hovey's. It was rather acid, to be sure, but with a little sugar
was exceedingly agreeable. In all respects it was first rate.
Mr. McIntosh concurred in all points with Mr. Parsons. Jen-
ney's Seedling was a great bearer, a fine, hardy fruit, of excellent
flavor, and well worthy of being recommended. Mr. French said
it was hardy, and an abundant bearer. Any one who would try it
would have no reason to feel disappointed at the result. Mr. Pardee
had tried it for one season, and was much pleased with it. Mr.
Hancock had grown it four years, and as to crops, he found there
was no comparison between Hovey's and Jenney's Seedlings. The
latter, how^ever, was more acid than the other.
After some little time, and at the request of several gentlemen,
Mr. Parsons withdrew his motion.
Mr. Hamilton immediately moved that Jcnney^s Seedling and Burros
J^Tew Pine J be placed on the list of fruits which give promise of being
worthy to be added to the list for general cultivation.
This motion prevailed.
Mr. Saul proposed to add to the list of strawberries the Black
Prince. He had known it for ten years, and esteemed it the highest
flavored of all. It was a very good bearer, remarkably hardy, and
endured the winter much better than most other varieties. It had as
many desirable qualities as any he knew of.
Mr. Downing had great pleasure in bearing testimony to the good
qualities of this strawberry. He preferred its flavor to that of any
other variety. It was, as Mr. Saul had said, hardy and an excellent
230 [ASSEMPLT
bearer, anrl the berries were large and handsome. He could safely
recommend it.
Mr. Lines had procured it on Mr. Downing's recommendation,
and, like him, had found it an abundant bearer, with a handsome
berry ; but it was the most insipid fruit he ever tasted. He was
surprised that so handsome a berry should be so tasteless. The fruit
would hardly bear gathering, it melted so easily in the fingers.
Col. Hodge had fruited it for three or four years. Its flavor was
not so good and the crop not so abundant with him as other gentle-
men seemed to have found them.
Mr. Hamilton said that with him it was one of the very best, and
certainly had the highest flavor of any.
Mr. Manice had it from Mr. Downing, and found it the poorest
strawberry he had ever cultivated.
Mr, Miller considered it at the head of all in point of flavor.
Mr. Battey, of Keeseville, N. Y., had been much disappointed in
the quality of this fruit. It was worthless, dry and insipid, and with
him the plant was a poor bearer.
Mr. S. B. Parsons last year thought it first rate, but this year it
was poor with him.
Mr. Barry said it was a beautifully colored berry, and one of the
highest flavor, but it was a small bearer. For amateurs it was an
indispensable variety, but it would not do as a market fruit.
Mr. C. Downing regarded it as the highest flavored strawberry he
ever tasted, and one of the best varieties. He grew it on a light,
sandy loam.
Mr. Hancock had tried it four or five years, but it had never suc-
ceeded with him.
Mr. Saul withdrew his motion.
RASPBERRIES.
Red Antwerp. — Mr. McIntosh inquired if it was hardy 1 He
thought the contrary, and at any rate it had not proved so with him.
It needed covering in the winter, and could not be relied on.
Mr. HovEY said that no raspberry we yet had could stand the win-
ter without covering.
Mr. Battey said that with him it had fully answered, and was
equally hardy with any variety of red.
Mr. C. Downing considered it one of the best for marketing, and
No. 199.] 231
it was cultivated very largely for that purpose. One of his neighbors
last year sold $300 worth from about one-third of an acre, and this
year, from three acres of this fruit he realized over $1500. It was
one of the very hardiest of raspberries. It would not stand the win-
ter without being covered.
Mr. Babrett, of Ulster Co., N. Y., said that in productiveness it
was unsurpassed by any. It bore long in succession, and in ordinary
seasons could be gathered for five weeks. As a market fruit, it was
better than any other variety, bearing carriage very well, and not be-
ing exceeded by any in flavor. It sold in New-York for about
twenty-two cents a quart, and from three quarters of an acre he had
realized $330, at an average of ten cents per basket. There was a
cultivator in his neighborhood who obtained $1500 worth from three
acres, and that, in a very unfavorable season of only three weeks in-
stead of five. To insure a crop it required to be protected during the
■winter by drawing down the ends, and covering them with earth.
About three acres would afford as many raspberries as could well be
cared for. He had known the ends to live in severe winters, although
uncovered, but that was in very favorable situations.
Mr. Hancock remarked that so far as he knew, this variety was not
known in England. He had tried three or four times to get it from
the nurseries about London, but could not.
Mr. Saul said he had known the Red Antwerp in the west of Eng-
land ever since he was half the height of a Raspberry cane. It was
precisely the same as this under discussion.
Mr. Hayes said there was no use in discussing the question of har-
diness ; the Red Antwerp did require protection in winter, and no
imported raspberry could do without it.
Mr. C. Downing said that very often, fine crops were obtained
from unprotected plants, but they could not be relied on. All large
and fine imported varieties did need protection.
Mr. Battey said he had lost his apples with the thermometer at
30 deg. below zero, but not a cane of his raspberry plants.
Mr. Allen of Oswego, N. Y., said that the Red Antwerp was cul-
tivated without any protection whatever in his locality.
Prof. Mapes said it was not extreme cold that destroyed the rasp-
berry, but frequent and great changes of temperature.
Dr. MoNSON did not complain that the Red Antwerp was not hardy,
but it did not increase well. He could not get a plantation out of it.
232 [Assembly
Mr. Barrett replied that last year he had eight rods of ground,
pretty thickly set with the Red Antwerp, from which he sijould this
season have from 6 to 8,000 plants. It was a common careless cus-
tom to leave them unprotected through the winter, but it was an un-
safe practice and in three seasons out of five would cause the loss of
the crop.
The question was then put and the Red Antwerp raspberry adopted.
Fastolff. — Mr. Hayes said of this, that we could not gather the
fruit from the plant as well as from the Antwerp or the Franconia.
It did not come off the core so easily. Mr. Hovey said this variety
increased with him faster than any other. It was an abundant bearer
and the fruit was very fine.
The jPa5^/^ raspberry was adopted.
Knevetfs Giant. — Mr. Elliott moved that this be placed in the
list of fruits promising well. Mr. Hovev hoped that would be the
disposition made of it. Mr. Walker said it had been grown in the
neighborhood of Boston five years, and Mr. Newell of Dorchester
told him it succeeded without protection. Mr. Hancock said that so
far as his experience went, it was a fine fruit but a shy bearer.
Mr. Elliott's motion prevailed, and the KneveWs Giant Rasp-
berry was placed on the list of fruits that promise well.
Yelloui Antwerp. — Mr. S. B. Parsons said it was a poor bearer
with him, but a good grower. Mr. Barrett said it was a poor
bearer, and the fruit was poor; it was crumbling and unfit for mar-
ket. Mr. Hancock said that unless protected it would be killed, but
when protected it bore a good crop and of a high flavor.
The Yellow Antwerp Raspberry was adopted.
Mr. S. B. Parsons proposed to add to the list the common Eng-
lish Red J a variety which he piized very much.
Mr. Terry said we had four native varieties, the common Ameri-
can Red, White, and Black, and the Purple. This last w^as a very
fine fruit, bearing large crops for a long period and was superior in
flavor to the English Red.
Mr. Hamilton supposed Mr. Parsons meant the common Red,
which grew up some six or eight feet and then bent over. Mr. Par-
sons presumed the variety was very generally known. It was a free
growing plant, with a bluish stock, the berry round and rather flat,
soft as the Antwerp, and preferable in flavor. It was perfectly
hardy and was never killed down.
No'. 199.] 233
Mr. McIntosh said he commenced growing it at one time for mar-
ket and planted an acre of ground with it at Cleveland. For three
years it was the only variety he could rely on for a crop.
Mr. Hamilton said he had known it for thirty years. It might be
seen in every farmer's garden ; it was a universal trespasser, growing
all over fences and almost everywhere else. It was a very prolific
bearer and very hardy, and his wife had often expressed her regret
that he had extirpated it, on account of its yielding so large a crop.
He thought Mr. Parsons referred to this same variety.
Mr. Terry knew the fruit thirty years ago, and if it was a foreign
variety it had become perfectly naturalized long since. The habits
of the plant were, as Mr. Hamilton had described, growing upsome
six feet or more, and then bending down towards the ground. Mr.
Reid also thought it a native variety.
Mr. Parsons withdrew his motion.
Mr. Hamilton moved to add the Franconia to the list, and this
was voted without opposition or debate.
FOREIGN grapes, FOR CULTURE UNDER GLASS.
The seven varieties which were adopted without deoate, will be
found in the general list of recommended fruits.
Chasselas Musque. — Mr. Hovey said this was an old grape, known
some thirty or forty years, and one of the most delicious of all. But
there was one fault about it, it would crack. He had three vines,
from which he had this season forty pounds. It was a very fine
bearer, and if cultivators kept the scissors at work amongst the
cracked grapes in the bunches, they would obtain a fine fruit.
Mr. S. B. Parsons thought it inferior to the Golden Chasselas,
Mr. Gabriel inquired whether the committee intended that fire-heat
should be applied or not.
Mr. Downing answered, that it would do either way, under glass
it did not crack with him. Mr. Hovey said the English cultivators
recommended it.
The question was put, and there being but one majority for its
a op ion, Mr. Downing withdrew it.
Mr. Manice moved to add the Syrian. It was a very fine fruit.
Mr. Hancock considered the Syrian only a second-rate grape, though
he had known its clusters attain the weight of eight pounds and a
half in his neighborhood. Mr. Hovey said that in cold houses —
234 [Assembly
though it was very good there — some might be disappointed in this
grape ; but if fire-heat were applied and the fruit suffered to hang
till November or December, it would prove first rate. In England
clusters had been raised weighing fourteen pounds ; in Boston from
six to seven ; and in New Jersey, as has just been stated, eight and
a half.
The motion to add the Syrian was lost : five yeas, seven nays.
NATIVE GRAPES OPEN CULTURE.
The Isabella and the Catawha were adopted unanimously.
Mr. French proposed to add the Diana^ which, on motion of Mr.
Downing, was placed on the list of fruits promising well. Mr,
HovEY remarked that in three years or so, the Diana would be at the
very head of native grapes.
Mr. Underhill proposed to add the Elsinhorough (often incor-
rectly spelled Elsinburg, as he said.) Mr. Downing was opposed to
this. The grape was small, with large seeds, and the Congress was
pledged to recommend only the Jbest fruits. Dr. Monson said this
fruit was peculiarly liable to be carried off by the birds.
Mr. Hancock said it was true this was a small grape, but it was
very fine, in his locality, finer than the Catawba. Mr. Cleveland of
New-Jersey said, if well cultivated, it" yielded a large crop of good
fruit. Many of his neighbors esteemed it more highly than the Isa-
bella or Catawba, but he ranked it below them.
Mr. HovEY observed that we ought to be very cautious in adding
to the list, for cultivators had a large number of seedlings coming up
every season, and we shortly should have something very superior.
The production of the Diana grape proved this, for that was but a
chance shoot from the Catawba. He hoped we should not adopt the
Elsinborough. ♦
The motion was put and rejected. '
Mr. S. B. Parsons then moved to add to the list for culture under
glass, the Zinfidel. It was a well-known hot-house grape, but suc-
ceeded perfectly well in the open air.
Mr. Downing was sceptical as to this point. Dr. Monson said
there was no difficulty with it out of doors ; it was better than most
in the open air, and not apt to mildew. He had cultivated it for ten
years, and knew but one season when it did not ripen well, and then
the Isabella did not come anywhere near it in point of ripeness.
Mr. HovEY said it was a very fine fruit. He saw it first at the
No. 199.] 235
place of the late Samuel G. Perkins, of Brookline, Mass., before it
had been put in the catalogues. Mr. Perkins gave him cuttings
from his vines, from which had proceeded the larger portion of those
now cultivated. It was a grape which ought to be in every collec-
tion under glass. It was of dark color, with beautiful bloom, but not
so large in size as the Hamburgh. Mr. Gabriel said i^ was a very free
bearer, with large berries of fine flavor, and succeeded well.
The motion to add the Zinfindel was lost.
CURRANTS
The Red Dutch, Black JVaples, White Dutch and May^s Victoricj
were all adopted without opposition or remark.
Mr. Barry moved to add the White Grape. It was larger than
the White Dutch, and a fine bearer. Mr. Hovey had supposed the
two to be identical. Mr. Barry said the bushes were so different
that any one could tell them apart. From actual experience, be
knew the White Grape to be a distinct variety.
Mr, S. B. PapvSons said that River's White Grape was fully equal
in size to the White Dutch, and far superior in flavor. Mr.
Hancock, after long culture, could not see any difference between
them. Mr. Barry very well knew the old White Currzmt and the
White Dutch. The former grew upright, and had not that twisting
of the branches which was seen in the other. Mr. Reid thought
them distinct varieties ; the White Dutch was rather the stronger
grower.
The question was taken, and the White Grape currant added to
the list.
On motion of Mr. Saul, the Congress then adjourned till half past
three o'clock in the afternoon.
Afternoon Session.
The Congress came to order at 4 o'clock, the President pro tern.
in the chair.
Mr. McIntosh moved the appointment of a committee on Seed-
ling Fruits presented for examination the present session, with in-
structions to attend to the duty at once.
The motion having been adopted, the Chair appointed Messrs.
Brinckle, Barry, C. Downing, Hovey and Manning, to constitute
the committee
236 [ASSEMBLT
Mr. Saul, from the committee charged with preparing a list of the
varieties of fruits offered for examination, submitted the following
report:
The committee appointed to collect lists of the different collections
of fruits presented for exhibition to this Congress of fruit-growers,
and of the contributors of the same, would submit the following as
their report.
A. SAUL, )
S. H. COLTON, } ComHee.
WM. REID. )
There are presented, from Samuel Walker, Roxbury, Mass.,
Pears, 31 varieties.
Jonathan Battey, Keeseville, Essex county, N. Y.,
Apples 14 varieties,
Pears, 3 do
Parsons & Co., Flushing, Long Islana,
Pears, 43 varieties,
Grapes, 5 do hothouse,
Apples, 28 do
Peaches, 11 do
G. R. Garretson, Flushing, Long Island,
Pears, 5 varieties.
Grapes, 1 variety.
James Scott, Flushing, Long Island,
Pears, 2 varieties.
Asahel Foote, Williamstown, Mass ,
Plums, 10 varieties,
Pears, 5 varieties,
Apples, 2 do
S. L. Goodale, Saco, Maine,
Pears, 18 varieties,
Grapes, 2 do
Plums, 2 do
Apples, 1 variety.
Rufus Nichols, Saco, Maine,
Pears, 1 variety.
Daniel Cleaves, Saco, Maine,
Pears, 5 varieties.
I
No. 199.] 237
P. S. Van Rensselaer, Clinton Point, Dutchess cc, N. Y.,
Grapes, 14 varieties, under glass.
Thomas Hancock, Burlington, New Jersey,
Apples, 31 varieties,
Pears, 18 do
Peaches, 3 do
Wilson, Thorburn & Teller, Albany, N. Y.,
Apples, 20 varieties,
Pears, 20 do
Plums, 15 do
Peaches, 4 do
Walter Goodale, South Orrington, Maine,
Apples, 10 varieties.
Henry Little, Bangor, Maine,
Apples, 3 varieties.
Pears, 1 variety.
Marshall P. Wilder, Boston, Mass.,
Pears, 33 varieties.
G. B. Deacons, Burlington, New Jersey,
Apples, 28 varieties.
Charles Hamilton, Canterbury, Orange county, N. Y.
Apples, 15 varieties.
Plums, 11 do
Pears, 3 do
Peaches, 3 do
B, Hodge, Buffalo, New-York,
Pears, 30 varieties,
Apples, 29 do
William L. Ferris, Westchester, New- York,
Pears, 6 varieties,
M. C. Morgan, Jersey City, New Jersey,
Nectarines, 1 variety, 4 baskets.
John Eltringham, Jersey City, New Jersey,
Quinces, 1 variety.
W. T. & E. Smith, Geneva, New-York,
Pears, 7 varieties, 2 new seedlings.
ohn Parker. Moorestown, New Jersey,
Apples, 20 varieties.
238 [ASSE^IBLY
Martin Slocum, Bennington county, Vermont,
Apples, 10 varieties.
Thomas Harvey, Jennersville, Chester county, Penn.,
Apples, 12 varieties.
James H. Watts, Rochester, New- York,
Apples, 2 varieties.
Morris & Stokes, Westchester, Pennsylvania,
Apples, 7 varieties,
Peaches, 3 do
A. S. Monson, New Haven, Connecticut,
Pears, 8 varieties.
Grapes, 4 do 2 under glass, 2 in open air.
Apples, 7 do
Osage Orange, a fruit of.
Robert Buist, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
Grapes, 18 varieties.
Hovey & Co., Boston, Massachusetts,
Pears, 32 varieties.
J. C. Hastings, Clinton, Oneida county, New- York,
Plums, 1 variety, a seedling.
Edmond Jones, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
Iron Pear.
Mr. Green, Germantown, Pennsylvania,
Chancellor pear.
Mrs. J. B. Smith, Holland Green,
Seckel Pear, from the original tree.
David Miller, Jr., Carlisle, Penn.
Apples, 40 varieties.
Grapes, 6 do
Peaches, 5 varieties.
Plums, 5 do
H. W. S. Cleaveland, Burlington, N. J.
Pears, 7 varieties,
Grapes, 1 variety.
George Gabriel, New-Haven, Conn.
Pears, 5 varieties.
Grapes, 3 do under glass, without heat.
Charles Downing, Newburgh, N. Y.
Pears, 1 variety — a splendid specimen of Duchesse
d'Angouleme.
No. 199.J S39
A. Mcintosh, Cleveland, Ohio.
Pears J 11 varieties,
Apples, 2 do
S. A. Barret & Co., Milton, Ulster Co., N. Y.
Pears, 8 varieties.
Plums, 4 do
Edward Hallock, Milton, Ulster Co., N. Y.
Peaches, 1 variety,
Charles Dubois, Fishkill Landing, N. Y.
Apples, 9 varieties,
Peaches, 1 variety.
Plums, 1 do
William Reid, Elizabethtown, N. J.
Pears, 12 varieties,
John C. Dodge, Dodgeville, Mass.
Grapes, 1 variety — 4 dishes Black Hamburgh, without
heat.
William G. Verplanck, Geneva, N. Y.
Pears, 8 varieties — 2 seedlings,
Apples, 4 do
Quinces, 1 variety.
Dr. Ash, Philadelphia, Penn.
Ashland Pear, believed to be White Doyenne.
' J. De Wolfe, Frogs Neck, Westchester Co., N. Y.
Pears, 8 varieties.
J. J. Walter, New-Haven, Conn.
Apples, 4 varieties.
Pears, 1 variety.
R. Mattison and Brothers, North Bennington, Vt.
Apples, 13 varieties — 8 seedlings.
Pears, 2 do
Plums, 2 do
Grapes, 1 variety — seedling.
J. W. P. Allen, Oswego, N. Y.
Pears, 45 varieties,
Apples, 37 do
On motion, the reading of this report at large was dispensed with,
and it was referred to the Secretaries with directions to enter it on
the records and publish it amongst the proceedings of the Congress.
240 [Assembly
Mr. Elliott offered the following resolution :
Resolved^ That all Pomologists throughout the United States and
the Canadas be invited to forward to Mr A. J. Downing, of Newburgh,
N. Y., at any or various times during the time elapsing from the ad-
journment of this Congress, and two weeks previous to the reassem-
bling at Cincinnati, communications respecting varieties of fruits
and fruit trees, shrubs or vines, and of diseases appertaining thereto.
Such communications to be collated by Mr. Downing, and presented
to the next Congress at its sitting in 1850. All such communications
or packages to be pre-paid.
Dr. Kennicott, of Illinois, seconded the resolution, remarking thai
unless something like it were adopted, many eminent Pomologists
would be debarred from making representations and communicating
valuable knowledge in their possession.
A slight discussion ensued, and then the resolution was adopted
nearly unanimously. The last clause, concerning the pre-payment of
packages sent to Mr. Downing, was suggested by Mr. Saul, and ac-
cepted by Mr. Elliott.
The meeting next resumed the consideration of the Fruit Commit-
tee's report.
Mr. Downing said he would submit the remainder of the list of aj>-
ples recommended for approval, as worthy of general cultivation.
They were principally such fruits as were recommended by the Penn-
sylvania Horticultural Societies.
White Seek-no-further. — Adopted without opposition.
Lady Jifple. — Mr. French said he procured it from the late Mr.
Manning, and found it to be among his hardiest trees. Mr. R. B.
Parsons had tried it four or five seasons, but had got no fruit. Col.
Hodge thought one tree of this variety would be quite sufficient for
any one. Mr. McIntosh pronounced it a very good apple. The
tree was healthy, and in his locality it ranked quite as high as very
good.
Mr. Saul said that in Dutchess county there were some very fine
trees of this variety, and the fruit commanded $5 per barrel in the
New-York market, when ordinary kinds would on'.j bring from ten
to twelve shillings. It was worthy of cultivation. Mr. Reid con-
sidered it valuable only as an ornamental tree ; as to the quality
of the fruit there were many others far superior. Mr. Allen said the
fruit was always fair, and the tree a good annual bearer.
No. 199. J 241
Mr. Hancock had never known it to be unhealthy. The fruit was
of rather small size, but very good, and the tree was healthy and a
great producer. In his locality, taking growth, quality, &c., all
together, it was regarded as a very desirable variety, Mr. Hamilton
had seen a great many trees of this kind in Dutchess and Orange
counties, and no other variety there afforded nearly so fine a crop.
He knew of a gentleman who had purchased all he could get at
twenty shillings a barrel on the trees, finding his own barrels, and he
made quite a handsome speculation out of the bargain. He consid-
ered it a fine fruit — a fair, straight, strong tree. It was not only a
very beautiful apple, and very valuable for the market, but it was an
apple of first rate quality.
The Lady Apple was adopted.
Woodh Greening Apple. — Mr. Hancock considered it very good,
but thought it was not generally known. Mr. Elliott regarded it
as most excellent, and said it was esteemed very much in Ohio. It
ranked there before any Pippin.
Mr. Downing withdrew it, on the ground that it did not appear to
be sufficiently well known as yet.
Red Astrachan. — Adopted without debate.
Wineiop, — Mr. Comstock, of Dutchess Co., N. Y., did not esteem
this apple — it was small, and he thought it would be a damage to the
public if the Congress should recommend it, and it should be gener-
ally introduced. Mr. Hancock said it was an excellent table and
winter apple, and made good cider. It lasted from the 1st of March
to the 15th of May. It was better than the Pippin, except in regard
to flavor, and was not far behind in that respect. Mr. Elliott said
it was good in Ohio
The Winesap Apple was adopted.
Wine Apple. — Mr. Comstock said it was only third rate in Dutch-
ess County. Mr. Hancock remarked that it was a very good apple
in his region of country, and a desirable variety to have.
It was adopted.
Autumn Pearmain (Herefordshire.) — Adopted without discussion.
Red Cheek, or Monmouth Pippin. — Mr. Hancock said this apple
originated at Monmouth. It was a good fruit and of large size — but
it was not sufficiently known to warrant its adoption as yet. He
wished it to be withdrawn. Mr. Hamilton was satisfied there was
much confusion in regard to this apple.
I Assembly, No. 199.J 16
242 I AssEMBty
Mr. Downing accordingly withdrew it.
Mr. Saul proposed to add the Vandervere. From November or
December till March of April, there was no better apple than this in
his sp< tion of the country. It was of fair, handsome growth, uni-
formly of good quality — and was universally cultivated in Ulster,
Dutchess, and all the other river counties. Mr. Downing willingly
accepted the proposal, and would strongly recommend the fruit.
Mr. Little said he had carried it to Bangor twenty years ago and
there it had done well ever since. Mr. Miller said that if it was
like what he had obtained under this name, it was a worthless fruit.
Mr. Battey observed that it had thriven all along the region of
Lake Champlain, and was there esteemed as one of the best varieties.
Mr. Hamilton stated that it throve well with him. It was a hand-
some, healthy, long-lived, thrifty tree, and the fruit was among the
best.
The Vandervere Apple was adopted and placed on the list.
Mr. BuisT then moved that the Skeepnose be added to the list. It
was a fruit of very high quality
Mr. Manning observed that the Golden Russet which he had receiv-
ed from Mr. Hancock, was identical with the Sheepnose or Bullock's
Pippin, and totally distinct from the Golden Russet of New-England.
This last was a little flatter than the other, and free from the spots
which disfigured the Sheepnose. It bore in clusters, and there was
no fairer fruit. Bullock's Pippin, in New-England, was worthless.
Mr. BuiST said it was not the general character of the Sheepnose to
be spotted — it ordinarily was fair, smooth and very good.
Mr. HovEY said his experience was quite different from that of
Mr. Manning. He had never seen the Sheepnose spotted to any
degree in the four or five years which he had known it. Last
year he examined specimens grown at Plymouth, and he never saw
fairer or better fruit — it had no spots whatever. This apple had
very tender flesh, and was of very fine flavor — it might be a little
dry if kept too long. He saw no objection to placing it on the list.
Mr. CoMSTOCK said that when grafted on old trees it grew very ra-
pidly, and would bear the second year.
Mr. Hancock remarked that, in his neighborhood, it was a univer-
sal favorite. The tree was upright, and bore well. The fruit was
of splendid flavor; and if ever specked, that must be owing to an
unfavorable situation. Col. Hodge said that in western New- York,
No. 199.J 243
the American golden russet was much cultivated, and it was not the
same as this. This was very gowl, but the russet was better. Mr.
Miller said that the American golden russet was one of the earliest
and pleasantest apples they had in his region.
Mr. Walker stated that the committee of the Massachusetts Hor-
ticultural Society, of which he was one, rejected this apple unani-
mously. He believed there had never been a cultivator near Boston,
except Mr. Hovey, who agreed that it was the fruit which gentlemen
here pronounced it to be. In New-England, it was universally pro-
nounced unfit for cultivation.
The question was taken, and it was voted to put the Sheepnose
apple or Bullock^s pippin on the list,
Svxiar apple. — Mr. Downing, by the request, of several gentle-
men, submitted this variety, and it was unanimously adopted.
Mr. FooTE moved to add the Dominie. It was an apple exten-
sively known and highly esteemed in western Massachusetts, was of
high flavor, and a great bearer.
The motion was rejected,
kectarines.
Elruge and the Early Violet were adopted without objection.
Hunt's Tawney. — Mr. Hamilton said it was a very poor bearer
with him, and was very liable to mildew. Mr. McIntosh said it
grew fairly at Cleveland, but was subject to mildew there also. The
tree was good, but the fruit good for nothing.
Mr. Downing withdrew it.
Mr. Hancock moved to add the Downton. Mr. Buisx said it
grew to the size of a good, large peach, was of a reddish color, and
he considered it the very best of nectarines. Mr. Downing said it
was the finest and best he had ever fruited or tasted.
The Downton Nectarine was placed on the list.
APRICOTS.
The Large Early .^ Breda^ and Moorpark were all adopted unani-
mously. Mr. Downing said of the first, that it was the highest
flavored and most beautiful he had ever seen. Mr. McIntosh re-
marked of the Breduj that, though small in size, it was one of the
earliest and best. And Col. Hodge stated that he had gathered
more fruit from it than from all others combined.
' 244 [Assembly
Mr. Hamilton proposed to add the Peach Aprico^. He had
fruited this variety for several years, and found it more productive,
and fairer, than the Moorpark. The fruit sold in the New-York
market at $2.50 per hundred. The tree was of erect growth, and
had an uncommonly thick leaf, in which respect it differed from the
Moorpark. Mr. Pardee agreed with Mr. Hamilton, and stated
that the Peach apricot was the only one from which he could get a
crop.
Mr. Downing was satisfied that tne two were identical. Mr. Buisx
was of the same opinion.
Mr. Hamilton said there was no aperture in the stone of the
Peach variety, whereas everybody knew that there was in that of the
Moorpark.
Mr. Hancock declared that the aperture was exactly the same in
both. The two were identical, in fact. He could not see any differ-
ence in the leaf; and in adjoining rows of the two varieties, he was
unable to discover six inches difference of growth between them, in
trees of the same age and cultivation.
Mr. Hamilton had the Peach apricot from three sources — Dr.
Rumsey, Mr. Prince, and Dr. Townsend ; and in all the specimens
there was a considerable difference in the thickness of the leaf, as
compared with that of the Moorpark. It was manifest to feeling on
the least touch.
Mr. Allen stated that he found the hole in the stone in both the
Moorpark and Peach varieties, and considered them in all respects
identical. Mr. Reid said the same.
On motion, the proposal to add the Peach apricot was passed by.
(Equivalent to a rejection.)
gooseberries.
No discussion whatever took place on this fruit. The ten varieties
recommended will be found in the general list of fruits worthy of
cultivation. The Early Sulphur was added to the committee's list
on motion of Mr. Wilson, N. Y. ; the Green Gage on motion of
Mr. Battey, N. Y., and the Green Walnut, on motion of Mr. Little,
Me.
This completed the list of Fruits worthy of general cultivation
which the committee designed to offer.
Mr. Wilson moved to add to the list of currants, Knighfs Sweet
No. 199.] 245
Red. It was a large sized currant, which he regarded as the finest
of all. It had for two years taken the premium at Albany for size
and sweetness.
Mr. BuisT thought it a very excellent currant and it grew in larg-
er bunches than other kinds.
Mr. Hancock had cultivated this variety and had been humbugged;
he expected a sweet currant and got one as sour as any of them. He
could not tell the difference between this and the Red Champagne
except from the labels on the bushes.
Mr. Wilson said Mr. Hancock could not have got the right kind
of currant. Col. Hodge said he had it and had found it finer and
sweeter than any other.
The motion did not prevail.
Mr. Downing had next to submit, a small list of Fruits which give
promise of becoming worthy of general cultivation, which will be
found under this head in the general list. No debate occurred on
any of these fruits (further than is to be found in the preceding
pages,) excepting a few words concerning the McLaughlin Plum.
Mr. Little stated that it was introduced into Maine some seven or
eight years ago, and had ever since been steadily growing in public esti-
mation. This year the Fruit committee of the Bangor Horticultural
Society pronounced it superior to all varieties except the Green Gage.
Mr. Walker said that the committee of the Massachusetts Horticultu-
ral Society had given their opinion that it was a very excellent fruit,
approaching very nearly in flavor to the Green Gage.
Mr. Downing then stated that he had in his possession a large num-
ber of reports, of which he had had no opportunity as yet to make a
digest, and he asked the pleasure of the Congress in relation to them.
On motion of Mr. McIntosh, it was voted that they be referred
to the chairman of the General Fruit Committee for revision, and
then to the Secretaries to be published with the doings of this Con-
gress.
Mr. Saul suggested the expediency of some action going to fix a
determinate day for the next meeting at Cincinnati. A long discus-
sion ensued on this subject, in which Messrs. Saul, McIntosh,
HoDGE, Wilson, S. B. Parsons, Walker, Hovey, Hancock, Ham-
ilton and Cleveland participated. The debate was of no impor-
tance and finally the whole matter was laid on the table, thus leaving
the settlement of the particular time (as was contemplated by the
246 [Assembly
report from the committee which was yesterday accepted) in the con-
trol of the President of this Congress and the President of the Ohio
State Board of Agriculture.
Dr. Brinckl:^', from the committee on Seedling Fruits, submitted
the following report, which was accepted.
The committee on Seedling fruits report that the following seed-
ling varieties have been examined by them.
Lawrence's Jlromatic Gage Plum, from J. C. Hastings, Clinton,
Oneida Co., N. Y. A small late plum, good, beautiful and worthy
of further trial. It is a seedling from the Green Gage. The com-
raittee suggest that it be called simply the Aromatic Gage.
Tea Pear, from New Haven, Ct., quality good.
Howell Pear, from New Haven ; very good.
Pardee's Seedling Pear, from New Haven. Specimen over ripe ;
but it appears to possess good qualities. Three other seedling pears
from New Haven were not in eating condition, being unripe.
Balm Jippte, from H. C. Hunt. Vt. Medium size, fair quality, or
good. Said to bear every year. •
Tender Jlpple, presented as a cooking apple.
JeweWs Best Jipple. — Of fine appearance, but not in season lor
eating. Has a high character in its original neighborhood.
J^orthem Golden Sweeting, from J. Battey, Keeseville, N. Y.; of
beautiful appearance, good size, best quality. We recommend it be
called simply the JSTorfhem Sweet.
Ckamplain Jipple, from the same. Good quality, beautiful appear-
ance.
Bailey's Spice Jpple, from the same. Good, spicy, handsome.
Forrence Jipple, from the same ; good.
Rihhed Codlin, from D. Miller, Jr., Carlisle Pa. Large, waxen,
tender ; good, particularly for cooking.
Cumberland Seedling Jipple, from the same ; large, handsome, ob-
late, red, tender flesh, pleasant, very good.
Page Apple, from Henry Little, Bangor, Me., handsome, good ap-
pearance, not in eating order.
Seedling from J^auvoo.—^oi in eating order.
Seedling Pear J^o. 1., from W. T. & E. Smith, Geneva, N.Y.
.Specimen of inferior quality.
Seedling Pear JVo. 2., from the same. Quality not good.
No. 199.] 247
Seedling Ap-plt Jfo. 1., from the same. Large size, greenish yel-
low, quality good.
Seedling nipple JVo. 2., from the same. Not in eating order.
Seedling Apple JVb. 3., from the same. Not in eating order.
Chancellor Pear^ from Gerraantown, Pa., large size, very good.
Seedling Pear f from Geneva, N. Y. Large, not fully ripe but prom-
ises well. We recommend it to be called the Geneva.
Catherine of Canandaigua. — Large, good. We recommend it be
called simply the Canandaigua.
By order of the committee.
W. D. BRINCKLE, Ch'n.
Mr. Walker here quitted the chair, which was assumed by Mr.
Cleveland.
Mr. Barry said that the Congress aaa oeen much indebted to the
American Institute and the courtesy of its officers, and he moved that
the thanks of the American Pomological Congress be presented to
the American Institute, together with all the fruits on the tables, ex-
cept such specimens as the contributors may wish to retain. Car-
ried unanimously.
On motion of Col. Hodge, it was voted that the thanks of the Con-
gress be presented to Samuel Walker, Esq., President pro tern, for
the able and impartial manner in which he has discharged the duties
of the office.
The thanks of the Congress were also voted to the Secretaries and
Fruit Committee for their faithfulness in discharging their duties.
On motion of Mr. Downing, the Secretaries were requested to use
all possible despatch in preparing a report of the session for publica-
tion, and were directed to forward copies thereof to all members of
the Congress.
And then on motion of Mr. Barry, the Congress adjourned, to
meet next year at Cincinnati.
AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL CONGRESS,
October, 1849.
GENERAL FRUIT LIST.
FRUITS WORTHY OF GENERAL CULTIVATION.
{^dded to former List.)
White Seek-no-further,
Faraeuse,
Porter,
Hubbard ston Nonsuch,
Winesap,
Lady Apple,
Rostiezer,
Belle Lucrative, or,
Fondante d'Automne,
Fulton,
Andrews,
APPLES.
Danver's Winter Sweet,
Wine Apple,
Red Astrachan,
Vandervere,
Bullock's Pippin,
Swaar.
PEARS.
Buffum,
Urbaniste,
Vicar of Winkfield,
Louise Bonne de Jersey,
Uvedale's St. Germain, for baking.
GRAPES UNDER GLASS.
Black Hamburgh, White Frontignan,
Black Prince, White Muscat of Alexandria,
Black Frontignan, Chasselas de Fontainbleau.
Grizzly Frontignan,
Isabella,
NATIVE GRAPES— OPEN CULTURE.
Catawba.
No. 199.*!
249
Elruge,
Early Violet,
Red Antwerp,
Yellow Antwerp,
Large Early Scarlet,
Hovey's Seedling,
Belle Magnifique.
Large Early,
Breda,
Red Dutch,
White Dutch,
White Grape,
NECTARINES.
Downton.
RASPBERRIES.
Franconia,
FastolfF.
y
STRAWBERRIES.
Boston Pine.
CHERRY.
APRICOTS.
Moorpark.
CURRANTS.
May's Victoria,
Black Naples.
GOOSEBERRIES.
Houghton's Seedling, Laurel,
Woodward's Whitesmith, Warrington,
Crown Bob, Green Gage,
Red Champagne, Green Walnut.
Early Sulphur, Ironmonger.
REJECTED FRUITS.
Gloucester White,
Beachemwell,
Pennock,
Henry's Weeping Pippin,
Red Ingestrie,
APPLES.
Hoary Morning,
Large Red Sweetings
Red Doctor,
Grand Sachem,
Cathead,
260
[ASftEMSLY
White do.
Kirke's Lord Nelson,
Marmalade Pippin,
Priestly,
Rowland's Red Streak,
Red or Royal Russet,
Woolston's Red Streak,
Golden Reinnette,
Woolston's White Sweet,
Dodge's Early Red,
Gray French Reinnettf,
Muscovia,
Irish Peach,
Pigeonette,
Salina,
Caroline, (English,)
Fenouillet Rouge.
PEARS.
Croft Castle, ' Forme des Delices,
Swiss Bergamotte, French Iron,
Sousreine, • Green Fair,
Thompson's of New-Hampshire, Grise Eonne,
Tucker's Seedling,
Trubshurdy Dulle,
Whitfield,
Winter Orange,
Wurtzer d'Automne,
Yutte,
Crassane,
Winter Crassane,
Citron of Bohemia,
Madotte,
Frederic of Prussia,
Famenga,
Forme Urbaniste,
Fantasie Van Mons,
Lederbirne,
Louis Bonne,
Lansac,
Madame Vert,
Miller's Seedling,
Marquise,
Marcellis,
Navez,
Alexander of Russia,
Admiral,
Garnstone,
Green Catharine,
Green Sugar,
Gros Blanquet,
Green Chisel,
Hays,
Hawthorne's Seedling,
Horticulture,
Hastiveau,
Ipswich Holland,
Jargonelle, (of the French,)
Kramelsbime,
Lincoln,
Louis of Bologne,
Orange,
Orange Tulippe,
Phillips,
Pitfour,
Piatt's Bergamotte,
Passe Long Bras,
Prince's Portugal,
Pope's Scarlet,
Cuvelier,
Chat Grille,
No. 199 ]
251
Aston Town
Autumn Bergamot,
D' Amour,
Angers,
Beurre d'Anglet6rre,
Beurre Seutin,
Beurre of Bolwiller,
Bon Chretien d'Espagne,
Bon Chretien of Brussells,
Bergamotte Sylvange,
Bergamotte Fortun^e,
Beauty of Winter,
Belmont,
Bezi Vaet,
Bruno de Bosco,
Blanquet a longue queue,
Burgomaster,
Elton,
Royal d' Hiver,
Rouslette St. Vincent,
Swans Egg,
Saint Bruno,
Chair a Dame,
Charles Van Mons, (old,)
Cassolette,
Compte de Fresnel,
Copea,
Caillat Rosat,
Clara,
Clapp,
Citron de Sirentz,
Dearborn of Van Mons,
Downton,
Duquesne d'Ete,
Doyenn6 Mons,
Deschamp's New Late,
Dumbarton,
Doyenne Dor^,
Endicott,
Pitt's Marie Louise,
Rouse Lench,
Sans Pepins,
Surpasse Meuris.
NEW VARIETIES
WHICH GIVE PK0M18E OF BEING WORTHY TO BE ADDED TO THE LIST
FOK GENERAL CULTIVATION.
Duchesse d' Orleans,
Brandywine,
Chancellor,
Doyennti d' Et6,
Beurr^ d' Anjou,
Manning's Elizabeth,
Brande's St. Germain,
PEARS.
Pratt,
Ott,
Striped Madeleine,
Ananas d' Ete,
Jalousie de Fontenay Vendee,
Van Assent,
Doyenne Boussock. .
McLaughlin,
PLUMS.
River's Favorite,
St. Martin's Quetache.
252
[Assembly
STRAWBERRIES.
Jenney's Seedling.
RASPBERRY.
Knevett's Giant.
GRAPE— NATIVE.
Diana.
[ Reported by Thos. Tileeton, Jr. ]
LIST OF FRUITS ADOPTED BY THE CONVENTION OCT., 1848.
Early Harvest,
Large Yellow Bough,
American Summer Pearmain,
Summer Rose,
Early Strawberry,
Gravenstein,
Fall Pippin,
Madeleine,
Dearborn's Seedling,
Bloodgood,
Tyson,
Golden Beurr6 of Bilboa,
Williams' Bon Chretien, or
Bartlett,
Seckel,
Grosse Mignonne,
George IV,
Early York, serrated,
Large Early York,
Morris White,
Oldmixon Freestone,
APPLES.
Rhode Island Greening,
Baldwin,
Roxbury Russet,
^nd, for particular localities^
Yellow Belle Fleur,
Esopus Spitzenburg,
Newtown Pippin.
PEARS.
Flemish Beauty,
Beurre Bosc,
Winter Nelis,
Beurre d' Aremberg,
^nd, for particular localities,
V/hite Doyenne,
Gray Doyenne.
PEACHES.
Cooledge's Favorite,
Bergen's Yellow,
Crawford's Late,
J]nd, for particular localities,-
Heath Cling.
No. 199.]
253
Jefferson,
Green Gage,
Washington,
Purple Favorite,
Bleejker's Gage,
May Duke,
Black Tartarian,
Black Eagle,
Graffion, or Bigarreau,
PLUMS. ,
Cce's Golden Drop,
Frost Gage,
Purple Gage,
And, for particular localities-
Imperial Gage.
CHERRIES.
Knight's Early Black,
Downer's Late,
Elton,
Downton.
REPORTS
OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE ON FRUITS.
It was ihe expectation of the Congress, in appointing the general
committee J consisting of sub-committees in most of the States, to
have full reports from all the principal sections of the Union; and it
was the intention of the chairman to present a digested abstract,
showing the result of the experience thus accumulated, in a condens-
ed form.
But the disastrous frost of April, 1849, more fatal in its effects, and
more severe through the country generally, than any for thirty years
previous, cut off most of the crop of fruit, and thus made it difficult,
and often impossible for the state committees to collect that precise
information regarding different varieties, which was needed. Many
of the committees, therefore failed to make any report — not from
want of interest in the subject, but solely from the impossibility of
collecting materials. Another season will, it is hoped, enable them
to present this part of the subject in a more satisfactory shape.
As the following reports, though incomplete, contain a great deal
of information highly useful in a local point of view, it has been
thought advisable to present them entire, and leave all generalisation
till the whole subject is presented this autumn, in a more complete
form
A. J. DOWNING,
Chairman General Fruit Committee.
No. 196.] 256
PENNSYLVANIA.
REPORT OF FRUIT COMMITTEE.
The Fruit Committee for the State of Pennsylvania, appointed
by the American Congress of Fruit Growers, respectfully report :
That the general failure of the fruit crop this season, in conjunction
with the prevalence of a malignant epidemic, has prevented them
from deveting that attention to the subject of their appointment,
which they contemplated and desired. In another year they flatter
themselves a better opportunity will be afforded for performing their
proper duties, and a report may then be presented, more satisfactory
to the committee and to the Congress. On the present occasion, they
propose confining their report to a few brief remarks in relation to
some of the fruits cultivated in this region, and more especially those
which have originated in our own State, or its immediate vicinity.
The Jipple generally succeeds well in Pennsylvania. The old
varieties, which have long been in cultivation, have latterly been
deteriorating ; and most of the reputed fine sorts from other parts of
our country have not yet been introduced among us a sufficient length
of time to enable us to form an accurate judgment of their adaptation
to our soil and climate. It is believed there are many seedling vari-
eties in this region worthy the attention of the Pomologist. A few
only of these will be noticed at this time.
Jeffries.- -This is a new, Chester county apple, of good size and
fine flavor ; ripe the beginning of September. It received the pre-
mium offered by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, for the best
seedling apple exhibited in 1848. A similar premium was also awar-
ded to it by the Horticultural Society of Westchester.
Republican Pippin. — An autumn apple of merit. Its size, appear-
ance and flavor, all recommend it to our favorable notice. It is a
native of Lycoming county, Penn.
Smoke-house. — This fine Pennsylvania apple has not yet been ex-
tensively cultivated out of its native state. It is a good autumn
apple, and deserves to be better known.
Fallenxoalder. — This native apple is much grown in some parts
of Pennsylvania, especially the interior counties. Though only a
second-rate fruit, yet its large size and fine keepbg qualities, render
256 [Assembly
it worthy of cultivation. In horticultural works it is usually called
the Fallawater, which has been corrupted by our huckster women
into " Polly waller" and " Polly wolly." It originated in Berks
county in this state, where it is also known as the Tulpahocken, after
a stream of that name near its original locality. It sprung up in the
woods, and was left standing after the other trees were cut down,
hence the name Fallenwalder — the apple of the cut-down woods.
Kane. — This is a good autumn apple, but not to be compared in
flavor with some other apples of its season. Its beautiful, fair and
brilliant appearance, however, will always render it a most desirable
ornamental fruit for the table. Its origin is not precisely known, but
it is believed to be a native of Delaware.
Brandywine Pippin. — This native Delaware apple, which was
sent to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society last spring for the first
time, made a favorable impression. It is of good size, with a plea-
sant aromatic flavor, and possesses fine keeping qualities. It was eaten
by the committee on the 8th of March, 19th of April, and again on
the 7th of May. It originated contiguous to the Pennsylvania line,
in Brandywine Hundred.
The United States has contributed a large and truly valuable col-
lection of native pears to the Pomological world. Many of these,
when brought into competition with the most renowned trans-atlantic
varieties, will not suffer in the comparison ; and possess in a marked
degree the decided advantage of being better adapted to the ne-
cessities of our trying and variable climate. Some that are of Penn-
sylvania origin, including the far-famed Seckel, we proceed simply
to notice,
Brandywine. — A new Pennsylvania pear of merit, and worthy of
cultivation. Ripe the last of August.
Chapman. — The original tree is on the grounds of the veteran
Horticulturist, Colonel Robert Carr, near Philadelphia. It is a seed-
ling of the Petre, and stands within some thirty or forty feet of its
parent. Though not fine in texture, it is a high-flavored, juicy pear.
It was named in honor of the lady of a British officer who admired
its flavor. Colonel Carr sent scions of it to Vilmorin & Co., of Pa-
ris, in 1820, and again in 1825, under the name of the Chapmans.
Loudon, in his Encyclopedia of Gardening, notices it as being of
American origin, and resembling the Passe Colmar, to which it does
not bear any similitude. And the London Horticultural Society's
No. 199.] 257
catalogue, gives it as a synonym of the Passe Colraar. This appa-
rent discrepancy in confoun;ling the Chapman, of American origin,
with the Passe Colmar is explained by a fact recorded by Mcintosh,
who states that an English market gardener by the name of Chap-
man propagated the Passe Colmar very extensively, and sold it as a
new variety, to which he gave his own name. Ripe the beginning
of September.
Chancellor. — This fine pear is believed to be a native of Pennsyl-
vania. Only two trees in bearing, of this variety, are known to the
committee j one is at the country residence of Mr. Wharton Chancel-
lor, near Germantovvn j the other is in Germantown, in the garden of
Mr. Green, from a graft of the preceding. Ripe the last of Septem-
tember and beginning of October.
Leech'' s Kingsessing — A Pennsylvania pear of high character. As
the tree is on ground which has never received any tillage, it is
natural to presume, that the fruit from grafted and budded trees,
will be even finer than that obtained from the original. Ripe last of
August.
Lodge.— A Pennsylvania pear of the first quality, and a most
abundant bearer. The specimens this season, were unusually large,
and fine. As soon as Mr. Lodge, the proprietor of the original tree,
became aware of its merits, he caused it to be removed from the
hedge, wLere it sprung up, to a more desirable situation, and thereby
destroyed it. But scions having previously been taken from it, the
variety was preserved. Ripe the last of August, and beginning of
September.
Moy amen sing. — Although the original tree has been standing in
Philadelphia on the premises of the late Jno. B. Smith, for more than
half a century, it has been but little disseminated, until within a year
or two. It is a fine late summer pear, of a peculiar and handsome
form.
Olt. — A new Pennsylvania variety of small size and superior fla-
vor. Ripe a month earlier than the Seckel, of which it is a seedling.
This is probably the best summer pear we have.
Pennsylvania. — An agreeable early autumn pear of high flavor,
but of coarse texture. The original tree stands within twenty or
thirty feet of the Moyamensing.
Petre. — The original tree still flourishes on the grounds of Col.
Carr. Why it has not been more extensively cultivated in this vi-
[Assembly, No. 199.] 17
258 [Assembly
cinity, is incomprehensible to us, since it bears uniformly, and most
abundantly, and the fruit is of the first quality.
Seckcl. — It will no doubt be interesting to Pomologisls, to be in-
formed, that the original world-renowned Seckel, is still in existence,
though in a decaying condition, within the precincts of the county of
Philadelphia. The city, to whom the ground on which it stands was
bequeathed by the late Stephen Girard, has recently taken measures
for its better preservation. Specimens of fruit from this parent tree,
were exhibited a few weeks ago, at the annual show of the Pennsyl-
vania Horticultural Society.
Stienmetz's Catherine. — A refreshing and juicy, late summer pear
of good size. Though Mr. Steinmetz obtained it from a nursery,
in his vicinity for a grafted early Catherine, it is believed to be a
native variety. The tree is very productive, and the fruit this sea-
son was unusually large, some specimens being three inches and
three-quarter in length, by two and a half in width.
Tyson. — A valuable Pennsylvania pear, now pretty well known and
properly appreciated at the eastward and in western New-York, contra-
ry to what would be anticipated from the slender growth of the young
wood, the tree acquires a great size. The fruit this season was large and
remarkably fine. We saw specimens in 1848 with a brilliant red cheek,
from a tree which bore marked evidences of having been treble-
worked, at the country sreat of Mr. Welsh. Adjacent to this tree is
another of large size, bearing fruit of the usual appearance; period of
maturity from the middle of August to the beginning of September.
Washington. — This truly fine pear, though not a native of Pennsyl-
vania, originated only a few hundred yards beyond its border in the
State of Delaware. The original tree is still standing in the garden
of Col. Thos. Robinson, at Naaman's creek. Allied to the white
Doyenn6, of which it is probably a natural seedling, and almost, if
not quite equal to it in flavor, it possesses over that variety the de-
cided advantage of perfecting fair and delicious fruit beyond city
limits.
The Feaster, Hanover^ Hewes, Jones, Lycoming, Montgomery, and
other new native varieties of this region, have attracted the attention
of the committee, but they defer giving an opinion in regard to their
merits, till they have had a further opportunity of testing their quali-
ties.
Autumn Bergamot — Under this name Col. Carr cultivates a pear
No. 199.] 259
of great excellence, worthy of extensive dissemination, and of which
the following is a concise description : fruit 2} inches long by 2}
wide ; roundish turbinate ; skin yellowish, with numerous minute
russet dots, and a small russet patch at the insertion of the stein, and
occasionally around the calyx ; stem 1 inch long, j thick, inserted
with little or no depression, but with a slight prominence on one side ;
calyx small, closed, set in a i^hallow basin ; seed plump, daik brown ;
flesh of fine texture, exceedingly melting and buttery ; flavor delicious,
delicately aromatic, without any bergamot perfume ; ripe from the first
to the middle of September. An outline of two specimens is annex-
ed. What variety is it 1
Bezi de la Moite. — This old variety, once so celebrated for its ex-
cellence, bears uniformly and abundantly ; the tree is still flourishing ;
the fruit continues to be well formed, exceedingly buttery and melting,
but so entirely devoid of flavor, as now scarcely to rank with us even
third rate.
Doyenne Blanc and Doyenne Gris. — These varieties, under ordin-
ary treatment, and beyond city limits, are utterly worthless in our
region. In towns, however, they still do well, maturing fruit of
beautiful appearance and excellent quality. ,
Fondante d'Jiutomne. — This most valuable Belgian pear preserves
with us its high character.
Louise Bonne de Jersey. — A most desirable variety here, as in other
places, on account of its productiveness and other good qualities.
The Barllett, Beurri d'Jlnjou, Doyennz Boussock^ Fiemis'i Beauty^
Passe Colmar, St. Andre^ Van Mons Leon le Clerc^ Beurre d'Jirem-
bcrg, and many other English, French, and Flemish pears, of high
repute, have scarcely come into bearing with us ; at least not to any
extent.
The PZwm, though a most luscious fruit, is so liable in this section of
country to the ravages of the curculio, as to restrict in a great meas-
ure its extensive cultivation. In towns, however, this destructive in-
sect being less abundant, the Was/dngton, Ruling's Superb, Green
Gag€y Coe^s Golden Drop^ and other desirable kinds, are cultivated
successfully, especially where the ground, under the trees, is paved.
The market raspberry of Philadelphia, and the kind most com-
monly cultivated in Pennsylvania, is the Genesee^ a native of west- .
em New-York, and found also in a wild state, on the Pocono moun-
tain, in this State. Though usually called Red Antwerp^ it differs
260 [Assembly
from that variety in being of less size; not so well flavored, but
more hardy.
The true Jintwerps cannot be relied on for a crop, here, without
protection. The same remark applies, though perhaps with less
force, to the Fastol(f and Giant.
The Col. Wilder and Orange have not yet been subjected to open
culture. They have stood well, however, in a small yard in Phila-
delphia, while the FasloUF and Antwerpsat their side were cut down
by the winter.
Several new raspberries of fine size and flavor have been raised by
a well-known Philadelphia nurseryman, and were exhibited before the
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society during the past summer. Should
they prove, as they probably will, more hardy than the foreign kinds,
they will become a valuable acquisition to our collection.
Melons. — A very large citron melon of great excellence has recent-
ly appeared in the market of Philadelphia. It is grown by Mr. J.
E. Scott, near Burlington, New Jersey, is nearly twice as large as
the ordinary citron melon, and superior to it in quality. The com-
ipittee consider it a new and distinct variety; and in their esti-
mation the best melon of this region.
Wafer Melons. — The finest water melon in this section of country
is the Mountain Sweet. It is of large size, oblong in form, the exterior of
a uniform green color — of a lighter hue than the Spanish, thin rind, flesh
scarlet to the centre, which is solid, brown seed, delicious flavor. The
Mountain Sprout differs from the preceding in being striped, quite as
large, of a similar form, rind somewhat thicker, flesh not so com-
pact, seed of a pale red, flavor inferior to the preceding. The
Spanish variety is also of large size, and good ; not equal, however,
in quality to the Mountain Sweet, and has a much thicker rind.
The present season having been so exceedingly adverse to pomo-
logical investigation, your committee have judged it expedient to
withhold the remarks they designed making (and, indeed, which
they had prepared,) on the remaining varieties of fruit, for another,
and, they trust, a more propitious year. They are unwilling to con-
clude, however, without indulging the hope that the several State
committees will embody in their next report a brief notice of all the
good native fruits of their section of country. A mass of the most
valuable and important information, in relation to the merits of these
No, 199.] 261
American varieties, will in this way be collected by the Congress,
and widely disseminated.
W. D. BRINCKLE,
E. W. KEYSER,
TIIO. P. JAMES.
Phiiadelphia, Sept. 2S, 1849.
NEW-YORK.
REPORT OF B. HODGE, BUFFALO.
A. J. Downing, Esq. — As a member of the Standing Fruit Com-
mittee of the State of New-Yoik, I have the pleasure of laying
before you the following report. For reasons which I need not novr
mention, I have confined my remaiksto a limited number of varieties.
I am quite of the opinion that the time has arrived, in which we
must very materially reduce the number of varieties of fruits now in
cultivation. Yet at the same time fears may well be entertained that
the pruning knife is about to be applied in too indiscriminate a man-
ner. With some, there is a disposition to cut off all below " best,"
or " first quality." Now, in my opinion, the Jine flavor of any par-
ticular sort of fruit is not the only ingredient in the catalogue of good
qualities, that should be taken into the account. For instance, the
Newtown Pippin all will admit to be of superior flavor. Yet in many
parts of our country it is so unproductive and liable to bitrer-rot,
that it is altogether unprofitable. On the contrary, the Rhode Island
Greening, although much inferior in flavor, yet in productiveness
and other good qualities, can hardly be surpassed The same remaik
will apply to Crawford's early and Crawford's lateMelocoton peaches;
neither of them are of superior flavor, yet for size, beauty and unproduc-
tiveness, they are perhaps equal to any other varieties ; and in West-
ern New-York are more extensively grown for the market, than any
other sorts. For the same reason, would I retain in a very small col-
lection even (at least one tree) of the Keswick Codlin Apple; in flavor,
not above second quality, but exceedingly productive; in use for culi-
nary purposes from June to October ; and from its earliness in coming
into bearing, indispensable to every new orchard.
In looking over the catalogue of fruits, but few varieties will be
262 [ASSEMBLT
found possessing or combining all the good qualities of a first rate
fruit. Neither should the fruiting of any particular variety for one
or two years, be considered as a sufficient test of its good or bad
qualities. It should also be borne in mind that we have a great
extent of country, and that latitude, soil and other causes, must and
will have a great effect in varioas localities. For instance, the Ste-
vens'' Genesee pear, in some sections of our country, is considered as
unworthy of cultivation ; and yet here, were I to have but one pear
tree, it should be Stevens' Genesee. For size, beauty, and produc-
tiveness, it is superior — in flavor it is nearly first rate, and often equal
to the White Doyenne.
I am also of opinion, that an extensive list of fruits cannot be
recommended for general cultivation. For instance, the Baldwin
apple, so fine and fair in the eastern states and also in Western
New-York, is in some parts of Ohio so subject to the bitter-rot as to
be utterly worthless.
I apprehend, also, that much difficulty will be experienced in pre-
paring a list of rejected fruits. Last year at the Pomological Con-
vention at Buffalo, the Brown Beurre and the Bezi de la Motte pears
were voted as unworthy of cultivation. Yet for one, I am not pre-
pared to cast them out. In my humble opinion, they are superior to
three-fourths of the varieties in cultivation. Both are vei-y produc-
tive, and generally of good flavor ; require to be gathered early, and
ripened in the house, and are then generally fine. The Brown Buerie
requires good culture, and the man who " plants his trees as he would
a post," " stocks down his land to grass," and " trims up his trees so
high that the cattle cannot injure them," had better select some other
variety, say the Autumn Bergamotte or some kindred sort.
I give, in the following list, the experience of the orchardists in
Western New- York. In rating them as regards quality, I follow the
terms of comparison for good fruits, adopted by the Congress, viz :
"good, very good, best."
APPLES.
Roxbury Russet, best; superior in all good qualities.
Baldwin, best; very productive and fine.
Northern Spy, best; productive and superior, requires good culture.
Rhode Island Greening, very good; one of the most productive
and profitable.
No. 199.] "1863
Swaar, best; fruit very fair and fine.
VVestfield Seek-no-further, very good; for January and February,
very fine, soon looses its flavor.
Esopus Spitzenbergh, best; productive and fine, always commands
the highest price in the market.
English Russet, very good; a long keeper, productive and fine.
American Golden Russet, very good; very productive.
Pomme Grise, best; popular, but too small to be profitable.
Danver's Winter Sweet, good; productive, fruit fair, keeps well.
Ladies' Sweeting, best; one of the very best winter sweet apples.
Early Harvest, best; productive and fine, requires good culture.
Bough or Sweet Bough, best; fruit always very fair, none better.
Early Joe, best; productive and fine, but soon decays.
Summer Rose, best; fine, but so far not productive.
Sinequaron,best; trees grow slow and not productive.
Early Strawberry, very good; productive, fruit fair.
Williams' Favorite, very good; productive and has but few equals.
American Summer Pearmain, -very good; but recently fruited, so
far fine.
Summer Sweet Paradise, very good; but recently fruited, so far
fine.
Summer Queen, good; very fine for culinary purposes.
Jersey Sweeting, very good; one of the best of the season.
Peach Pound Sweet, very good; fair and fine.
Golden Sweeting, good, none more productive, profitable.
Pomme de Neige, very good; trees overbear, requires good cul-
ture, then very fine.
Red Astrachan, very good; popular in the market.
Keswick Codlin, good; very productive, at least one tree should
be in every collection.
Jonathan, very good; recently fruited, so far very fine.
Fall Pippin, best; an old sort, but has but few equals.
Detroit Red, good; a very productive, popular market fruit.
Belmont, best; proves very tine.
Hubbardston Nonsuch, best; fully maintains its eastern reputa-
2C4 [AsSEMBLt
PEAPS.
Bnrtlelt, best; prndudive, always frtlr and fine.
Beurre Diel, best; protluctive, and fine on pear or quince.
lU'urr6 Bosc, very good.
Beurr6 d'Aremberg, best; one of the best winter pears.
Brown Beurre, very good; very productive, requires good culture.
Bloodgood, best; one of the best early pears.
Bergaraot, Gansel's, very good; proiluctlve and generally very
fine, first rate.
Doyenne White, best; with good culture none better.
Dearborn's Seedling, good; productive.
Duchesse d'Angouleme, very good; one of the best on the quince.
Easter Beurre, very good; fruit generally fair, requires care to
ripen well.
Flemish Beauty, best; very productive, always fair and fine.
Frederick of Wirtemberg, very good; rather variable so far.
Fulton, good; very productive..
Fondante d'Aulomne, best.
Glout Morceau, best; among the nnest winter pears.
Louise Bonne de Jersey, best; very productive and " the best pear
on quince stock."
Marie Louise, very good; rather variable, generally good.
Madeleine, best; one of the best eai;ly sorts, should be gathered
early.
Onondaga or Swan's Orange, very good; but recently fruited, so
far, very fine.
Passe Colmar, very good; productive.
Piinulise d'Automne, best; one of the very best autumn pears.
Seckel,best; productive and " the best autumn pear."
Steven's Genesee, very good; wonderfully productive, always
large and fair.
Thompson, fruited two seasons, so far very good.
"Winter Nelis, best; a most superior winter pear, productive.
Urbaniste, very good; so far sustains a fair reputation.
Andrews, best; so far fine.
Osband's Summer, very good.
Rosticzer, best; bids fair to prove of superior excellence.
Tyson, best; no doubt one of our very best soits.
Van Mons Ltoa le Clerc, beslj very fine, but not " the best.'*
No. 199.] 2C5
CHERRIES.
American Heart, good; very productive.
Butltiei's Yellow, very good; ripens late, and proves very fine.
Belle de Choisy, best; sweet and rich, not very productive.
Black Eagle, best; first rate in every respect.
Bla( k Tartarian, best; " "
Black Heart, good; productive, and as yet a popular old sort.
Bauman's May, very good; the earliest sort, and fine for the
season,
Bigarrcau or Graffion, best; very productive and fine.
Belle Magnifique, very good; productive, and fine when fully ripe.
Downton, best; one of the most productive.
Downers Late, best; a very superior late sort.
Early Purple Guigne, good; ripens early, not very productive.
Elton, best; for size, beauty and flavor unsurpassed,
Holland Bigarreau, very good; bids fair to prove very fine.
Knight's Early Black, best; the very best early sort.
Late Duke, good; a very gooil late sort.
May Duke, very good; productive, should be in every collection,
Napolean Bigarreau, best; a superior fruit, productive.
Tradesescanl's Black Heart, very good; productive, and a fine mar-
ket iVuit.
Waterloo, very good; very productive, a valuable sort.
White Bigarreau, very good; generally productive and very fine.
PLUMS. ■
Bleecker^s Gage, very good; productive and valuable.
Coe'.s Golden Drop, very good; fruit fair and fine, not very pro-
ductive.
Columbia, very good; so far proves fine.
Duane's Purple, very good; very productive, and very beautifuL
Drap dOr, very good; not very productive, fruit fine.
Frost Gage, good; productive, and a fine late variety.
Green Gage, best; " the best sort," succeeds well here.
Huling's Superb, very good; fruit very fair and fine.
Imperial Gage, very good; one of the most productive sorts.
Jeflerson, best; but recently fruited, proves very fine.
Lawrence's Favorite, best; one of the very best sorts.
2G6 [ASSEMDLT
Purple Gage, best; this also proves very fine
Smith's Orleans, very good; one of the most productive sorts.
Washington, very good; succeeds -well on a clay soil.
White Damson, good; always produces large crops.
PEACHES.
Crawford's Early, good; the most productive, and profitable early
sort.
Crawford's Late, very good; very productive, and always fine.
Early Tillotson, best; fruil fine, trees somewhat subject to mildew.
Early York, (serrated leaf,) best; productive and succeeds very
well.
Grosse Mignonne, best; fruit always very fair.
George the Fourth, best; fine beautiful fruit, not very productive.
Noblesse, best; may be classed among the best sorts.
Red Cheek Melocoton, very good; very productive, sells well in
market.
Royal George, very good; fruit generally fine, trees subject to
mildew.
Red Rareripe, very good; fruit fine, some other sorts more pro-
ductive
Snow Peach, good; productive, one of the best for preserving.
Large Early York, best; one ol the most productive and best sorts.
In the above report I have purposely omitted many of the newer
varieties of fruits. I have now in my grounds, and am annually
importing from Europe, and procuring from various sources in our
own country, the more choice and select sorts as they are brought
out. Many of these are from year to year coming into bearing, but
time is required to test them fully and judiciously. The world is
full of humbugs, and many of the high sounding names of so called
" choice fruits," are destined to perpetual banishment from the fruit
garden, when once fairly tested.
All of which is very respectfully submitted.
Yours very truly,
B. HODGE.
Buffalo Nubsery, Oct. 1, 1849.
No. 199.1
267
MASSACHUSETTS.
REPORT OF FRUIT COMMITTEE.
No formal report was received from this committee, but in its place
the following list of fruits, showing the experience of the cultivators
of the State regarding many of the established varieties. By com-
paring these lists with the rejected, and the approved lists, as actual-
ly adopted in the Congress, the reader will be able to form a good
idea of the effect of soil and climate of New-England on foreign
fruits. — Chairman Gen. Fruit Com.
1. Fruits recommended to be added to the list for general culti-
vation:
Pears.
Buffum,
Vicar of Winkfield,
Uved ale's St. Germain, (or Pound
for Cooking,)
Louise Bonne de Jersey (on quince).
Apples.
Hubbardston Nonsuch,
Danvers Winter Sweet,
Chapesj (Foreign,) under glass.
Black Hamburgh, Grizzly Frontignan,
Black Prince, White Frontignan,
Black Frontignan, White Muscat of Alexandria.
Kative Grapes^ for open culture.
Rostiezer,
Andrews,
Fulton,
Fondante d' Automne,
Urbaniste,
Porter,
Fameuse,
Isabella,
Elruge,
Violet Hative.
Red Dutch,
White Dutch.
Knevett's Giant,
Fastolff,
Early Virginia,
Catawba.
J^ectarines.
Downton.
K^urrants.
Black Naples,
May's Victoria,
Raspberries.
Fran con ia.
Yellow Antwerp,
Strawberries.
Hovey's Seedling.
2G8 [Assembly
2. Nc \v varieties, which give promise of being worthy to be added
to the list for general cultivation :
PEARS.
Citron des Carmes Panache, or Dachosse d'Orleans,
Pratt,
Striped Madeleine,
Doyenne* d'ete,
Elizabeth (Manning's,)
Beurre d'Anjou,
Doyenne Boussock,
3. List of rejected fruits :*
Alexander of Russia,
Amandes d'ete,
Admiral,
Aston Town,
Ambrosia,
Araantie Double,
Autumn Bergamot,
D'Amour,
Angers,
Beurr6 d'Angleterre,
Beurre Seutin,
Beurre of Boswlller,
Beurr(f! Dclberg,
Bon Chretien d'Espagne,
Bon Chretien of Brussells,
Bergamotte Sylvange,
Bergamotte Fortunee,
Bergamotte Parthenay,
Beauty of Winter,
Boucquia,
Belmont,
Bezi Vaet,
Bruno -ie Bosco,
Blanquei. a. Longue queue.
Paradise d'Automne,
Van Assene,
Jalousie de Fontenay Vendee.
Brande's St. Germain.
Chair a Dame,
Charles Van Mons, (Old,)
Cassolette,
Comte de Fresnel,
Copea,
Caillot Rosat,
Clara,
Cumberland,
Colmar d'ete,
Clapp,
Citron de Sirentz,
Dearborn, (Van Mens,)
Down ton,
Duquesne d'ete.
Doyenne Mons,
Deschamps, New <^ate,
Dunbarton,
Doyenne Diere,
En fan Prodige,
Endicott,
Elton,
Fondante d'6t6,
Frederick of Prussia)
Famenga,
• It will of course be unJerstood that this list applies to Massachusetts. Manj
of the viirielics rejected here are valuable in other parts of the country more fa-
vored ill si):l an;l climate. A considerable portion of them, however, will be
(ouud in the list actually rejected by Ihc ConfrciS. Chaiuman.
No. 199.]
269
Burgomaster,
Cuvelier,
Chat Grille,
French Iron
Green Yair^
Grise Bonrc,
Garnstone,
Green Catharine,
Gilogil,
Green Sugar,
Gros Blanquet,
Green Chisel,
Hays,
Hathorne's Seedling,
Horticulture,
Hastiveau,
Ipswich Holland,
Jargonelle, (of the French,)
Kramelsbirne,
Lincoln,
Louis of Bologne,
Lederbirne,
Louise Bonne,
Lodge,
Lansac,
Madame Vert,
Miller' s Seedling,
Marquis,
Marceiis,
Navez,
Orange,
Orange Tulippe,
Phillips
Forme Urbaniste,
Fantasie Van Mons,
Forme des Delices,
Pitfour,
Piatt's Bergamot,
Passe Long Bras,
Prince's Portugal,
Pope''s Scarlet Major,
Pitt's Marie Louise,
Royale d'Hiver,
Rouse Lench,
Rousselette St. Vincent,
Sans Pepins,
Swan's Egg,
Surpasse Meuris,
Saint Bruno,
Swiss Bergamot,
Souvereine,
Sickle r,
Thompson's (native N. H.)
Tucker's Seedling,
Trubscherdy Dule,
Valee Franche,
Whitfield,
Windsor,
Winter Orange,
Wurtzer d'Automne,
Yutte,
Crassane,
W^inter Crassane,
Citron of Bohemia,
Madotte,
Belle de Bruxelles,
270
[Assembly
Beachamwell's,
Cathead (of Philadelphia,)
Caroline (of English cat.,)
Dodge's Early Red,
Fenouillet Rouge,
APPLES.
Grey French Reinette,
Muscovia,
Irish Peach,
Pigeonelte,
Salina,
S. WALKER,
JONAH LOVETT, 2d,
ROBERT MANNING,
P. B. HOVEY, Jr.,
Committee.
VERMONT.
REPORT OF C. GOODRICH.
, Burlington, ( Vt.) Sept. 2S^A, 1849.
To Marshall P. Wilder, Esq.,
Preset J^ational Convention Fruit Growers :
Sir — I have not been able to meet with or consult the other mem-
bers of your committee who reside at Bennington, as we have fewer
communications with thai town than with Liverpool, and as we hare
no State organization, no definite State report can be made.
The past season has been very dry, and for two months very warm,
the thermometer for some dnys rising to 100° and more. But little
rain fell last fall, and for 1849 it has been for
January 1 to May, 3.81 inches.
May, 2.74
June 1 to August 6, 3.14
August 6 to 14, 4.16
and since, occasional showers.
This, for this country, unprecedented drought, affected fruit various-
ly J the size was small until the rain in August, since which all ex-
cept early fruits have increased in size rapidly; still, the crop is about
two weeks later than an average, and about three-fourths the usual
size. Some northern varieties of Apples are very poor, others good,
while the Newtown Pippin is larger and fairer than I have ever be-
No. 199.] 271
fore seen it. As a whole, we have a full average of Apples, Pears,
Plums and Cherries, both as to quality and quantity. Grapes were
never better ; the berries in some cases small, but no mildew.
Of Apples, many English and Canadian varieties were among the
first cultivated. The Cornish Gilliflower, generally discarded, is here
one of the highest flavored. Ribston Pippin and English Apples
generally, flourish well.
Among Apples generally cultivated,
Early Harvest is here hardy, and in every respect first rate.
Sweet Bough, do. do.
Porter, do.
Gravenstein, do.
Fameuse is a great favorite, a great bearer in alternate years, but
not equal to those grown in its native locale, Montreal, and ripens a,
month earlier.
St. Lawrence, another native of Montreal, is first rate for cooking
or for a dessert apple, and ripens two weeks earlier.
Among our winter Apples, the Esopus Spitzenbergh was one of
the first introduced ; has been extensively cultivated, but is apt to be
spotted, and for our climate is not equal to the
Baldwin, which is in every respect first rate. '
Rhode Island Greening, do.
Hubbardston Nonsuch, do.
Roxbury Russet, do.
Our best winter sweet Apple is the Danvers Winter Sweet. The
Ladies Sweeting recently introduced, promises well in favorable
situations. The Newtown Pippin, in favorable locations, is in some
seasons good, occasionally very fine, and sometimes very poor. Not
recommended for general culture.
The Northern Spy has not yet fruited. No variety grows better
than this, or appears more hardy.
The Yellow Belle Bleur is considerably cultivated 25 miles north
of this, where it is a very vigorous grower, a good bearer, and a great
favorite.
The Pomme Grise, from Montreal, and the Burressa from Quebec,
are here Apples of the highest flavor, and worthy a trial further south.
Of Pears, the White Doyenne is one of the most common ; it is
always fine, and trees healthy — was among the first introduced. There
has been but little attention given to the introduction of new varieties
272 [ASSEMBLT
until a few years past, not lonp enough to speak with ronfidence.
Generally they promise well — hut few instances of blight. Dear-
born's Seedling is our best summer pear.
The Barllett is a favorite.
Plums are abundant, and trees are healthy. No disease of any
kind has ever attacked them.
The Grapes mostly cultivated are natives of New England. The
Isabella ripens well in good situations, but requires slight protection
in winter.
Should you deem this of any service, use it ; if not, it may be
thrown aside. I hope another year to have materials to m.ike some-
thing like a State report; also, should T not be able to attend, to be
able to send a box of specimens, which I should now do did a private
opportunity offer.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
G. GOODRICH.
CONNECTICUT.
REPORT OF THE STATE COMMITTEE.
Your committee for the State of Connecticut, would respectfully
report, that they have endeavored to collect all the information, rela-
ting to the subject for which they were appointed, that could reason-
ably be expected in one short ieason.
It will be proper to state here, that one of your committee, George
Olmsted Esq. of East Hartford died soon after his appointment. Rev.
Wm. W. Turner of Hartford was appointed by the chairman, to fill
the vacancy thus occasioned.
The observations of those of your committee residing at New Ha-
ven will be upon the success of fruit culture on a light sandy soil, ly-
ing upon a sandy subsoil and situated on the seacoast. Of the others
residing at Hartford, upon both a sandy and clayey soil, lying upon
either a clay or gravelly subsoil and situated about thirty miles interi-
or on the Connecticut river.
We will commence with the first fruits of the season and take no-
tice of them in the order in which they come to maturity, with tlua
No. 199.] 273
general -emark ; notwithstanding the soil in and around New Ha-
ven is so light and sandy, it appears nevertheless, with suitable tillage,
to be well adapted to nearly all the fruits commonly cultivated in our
latitude, except apples, which do much better on the higher and
heavier soils in the state, especially in the counties of Hartford and
Litchfield. Our soil affords very convenient harbor for insects, and
if we have apples at all we must generally either take them inhabited
or second hand.
Strawberries.
This fruit in ordinary seasons, begins to ripen the last of May and
continues about a month. There are about thirty varieties cultivated
with us. Nearly every garden has its strawberry bed. The varieties
considered the best, are Hovey's seedling and Boston Pine. They
are planted on the same bed or near by, but the plants are not allow-
ed to intermingle. The Crimson Cone, Chili, Buist's Prize, French
Yellow, Willie's Seedling, Bishop's Orange and Jenny's Seedling
stand next in merit. The Peruvian, a staminate variety, bears fruit
of more uniform size than Hovey's Seedling, but is a shy bearer.
Black Prince, good bearer, but lacks flavor ; Methven Scarlet, Ross'
PhcEnix, Princess Alice Maude and Prolific Hautbois are about third
rate. Aberdeen Beehive, Early Va. Scarlet and some others so far
as they have been tried, rank no higher than " good." The Alpines
aie also considered of not much value for general cultivation.
Raspberries.
The American or common Red, Franconia and Fastolffare most es-
teemed. The Red, White and Yellow Antwerps do not stand our
winters unprotected and are but little cultivated.
Gooseberries
Are so liable to mildew with us, that not much attention is paid to
their culture ; and yet they may be found in many of our gardens, and
in some cases when considerable attention is given, do well. They
do not appear so subject to mildew in gardens situated near salt wa-
ter, that is, within a few rods.
Cherries.
This fruit does very well in the light soil of New Haven, and comes
early into bearing. The trees seldom get winter-killed, yet some-
I Assembly, No. 199. j IS
274 [Assembly
times die without apparent cause. They grow in six or eight years
to eighteen feet or more in height, eight or ten inches diameter in the
trunk, and eighteen or twenty feet across the branches. The birds
and flies, however, often lay claim to a large share of the best of the
fruit.
The May-Duke is a regular and great bearer, ripening in succession
on the same tree ; Belle de Choisy, very good, but shy bearer; Roy-
al Duke does well ; Kentish Morello bears abundantly and regularly.
Black Eagle is one of the richest and best flavored ; Black Tar-
tarian, large and one of the best ; Honey Heart, small, but good
bearer; Elton, tender fleshed and of best quality.
Bigarreau or Yellow Spanish, White Bigarreau or White Ox
Heart, Holland Bigarreau, Flesh colored Bigarreau, Tradescants
Black Heart or Elkhorn and American Heart are about all the firm-
fleshed varieties cultivated with us. They are shy bearers generally,
but the fruit is large and good ; probably they produce more abundant-
ly on heavier soils. (AH, except White Bigarreau, bear most abun-
dantly in the heavy loam of the Hudson. Chairman Gen. Fruit Com.)
Plums.
A dozen years ago the opinion was very general that plums could
not be raised at New-Haven and its vicinity on account of the dis-
ease known by the name of knots or warts. The disease, however,
has gradually subsided, and plums are now raised, both in size and
quality, to the satisfaction of all who are so fortunate as not to have
them destroyed by the curculio. Various experiments for the de-
struction of this insect, or to prevent its injuring the fruit, have hith-
erto proved ineffectual, unless a preventive recently discovered by
one of your committee shall prove, as it fairly promises, to be en-
tirely effectual.
The following are most of the varieties cultivated : Green Gage,
best ; trees grow rather slowly, but they are free and regular bearers
and the fruit is decidedly the best ; Washington, Yellow Gage, Go-
liath, Buel, Huling's Superb and Jeff"erson, take the same rank; Coe/s
Golden Drop and Imperial Gage, decay on the tree; Smith's Orleans,
Bieecker's Gage, Emerald Drop, Dominie Dull and Lombard, very
good; Royal de Tours, very good, but shy bearer; Frost Gage is
of best quality; White Magnum Bonum very good for preserves;
Damsons good.
No. 199.] 275
Peaches.
People in our region have become very much discouraged in re-
gard to raising this delicious fruit. The trees have the yellows in
many cases, before they begin to bear, and if Ihey'bear at all, it is
only for one or two seasons ; seedlings, or some inferior sort, may be
an exception. The choice standard varieties, if they bear so much
as one season, do not last. One of your committee, ten years ago,
raised as fine peaches as could be desired, and in great abundance ;
but now, on the same ground, with much pains, is unable to get any
worth naming.
The theory of Dr. Van Mons, " that the improvement of the qual-
ity of the fruit is at the expense of the life of the tree," and " that
those trees which produce the most delicate fruit are short lived,"
may afford a hint in regard to the difficulty of raising peaches.
[The explanation of the great prevalence of the yellows in Con-
necticut, lies, we imagine, in the fact of the large introduction of
later years, of unhealthy trees, bought indiscriminately in the mar-
kets of New-York. A little attention to destroying every tree already
affected, and introducing those of healthy constitution from other
districts, will very soon result in the production of the finest fruit
again, as has been abundantly proved in many parts of the Stc's^ of
New- York. Chairman Gen. Fruit Com.\
Pears.
This fruit seems to have been cultivated at New-Haven from a very
early period of its settlement, as appears from several trees now
standing, which bear fruit from year to year, and are known to be
over two hundred years old.
Fifty or more years ago, there also appears to have been unusual
attention given to this fruit, as there are a large number of trees scat-
tered throughout the town, of about that age — more, probably, than
can be found in any other in the State, but they are mostly of the
old, and what are now considered, inferior sorts, such as the Pound
Pear, Harvest, Sugar Top, Orange, Jonah, Winter Bell, Virgalieu,
Bon Chretien and some others. These trees, however, in many in-
stances, are turned to good account by having the new varieties en-
grafted upon them, to the number, in some cases, of twenty or more.
The new sorts grow vigorously upon the old treeSj producing fruit
in from two to four years.
276 [Assembly
More recently, increasing attention has been given to this fruit, and
many of the new and superior kinds have been introduced, for most
of which we are indebted to our eastern friends, who have taken
such honorable lead in procuring and disseminating new and valua-
ble varieties.
In the list of pears found here, we rate them as follows : Skinless,
good J Catharine, very goodj Hubbard's Seedling, goodj Ive's Seed-
ling, good; Bloodgood, best J Doyenne d' Ete, best. These ripen wntb
us the first week in August. The Doyenne d' Ete, on quince, is the
best of them. Summer Bergamot, good ; Sugar Top, good ; Fine
Gold of Summer, good; Rousselet Hatif, good; Dearborn's Seedling,
best; Tyson, best; English Jargonelle, best ; Windsor, good; Early
Harvest, good; French Jargonelle, good for nothing with us; Juli-
enne, best; Madeleine, very good; Edward's Citron, very good; Sum-
mer Franc Real, on quince very superior; Bartlett, best; Orange, good;
Summer Bon Chretien, good.
Among our fall or autumn pears, Andrews is very good; Bleeck-
er's Meadow, great bearer, some limes very good; Beurre de Capiau-
mont, sometimes very good, ripe 1st Oct.; Beurre Brown, very good;
Beurre Bosc, best; Beurre d' Amalis, good; Beurre Diel, best; Bezi
de la Motte, good ; Golden Beurre of Bilboa best, ]st Sept.; Gan-
sel's Bergamot, sometimes best, 20 Sept.; Howell, best, 20 Sept.;
Calhoun best, last Oct.; White Doyenne, not good ; Henrietta, very
good, 1st Sep. ; Elizabeth, very good, Oct. ; Flemish Beauty, best,
Sept. 20 ; Louise Bonne de Jersey, best, Oct. 1st ; Fondante d'Au-
tomne, best; Napoleon, very good ; St. Ghislain, very good, Sept. 1;
Seckel, best, Oct. 1; Van Mons Leon le Clerc, best, Oct. 1 ; Wash-
ington, good ; Rushmore's Bon Chretien, good, Oct. 1; Duchesse
d'Angouleme, best ; Cushing's Melting, very good ; Tea Pear, best,
Sept. 1; Frederick of Wurtemburg, very good; Urbaniste, very good.
Among winter pears : Beurre d'Aremberg, best ; Vicar of Wink-
field, best ; Easter Beurre, very good ; St. Germain, (old) good ;
Prince's St. Germain, good ; Winter Virgalieu or Colmar, good ;
Winter Bell, (sometimes weighing near two pounds,) very good for
cooking; Jonah or Winter Franc Real, great bearer — good ; Glout
Morceau and Passe Colmar, not yet fiuited; Columbia, good ; Win-
ter Nelis, best.
There are other foreign winter varieties, but not sufficiently tested
to warrant an opinion.
No. 199.] 277
A large number of seedling pears have originated in New-Haven
and its niighboring towns — some of which have already been noticed
in this r-eport and are naore or less known. It may be interesting to
some present to hear something of others.
The late Gov. Edwards planted pear seeds about 30 years ago for
the purpose of obtaining new varieties. There are now standing in
the garden he cultivated 30 varieties named by himself. Some of
ihem quite, and others nearly, first rate — such as the Citron, Cal-
houn, Dallas, Henrietta, Elizabeth, &c. The Edwards and Clay are
the largest— they ripen in September and October.
The late Mr, Thos. Howell, whose garden is adjoining Gov. Ed-
wards', followed his example and planted pear seeds — the result is,
at least one first rate pear, viz : the Howell.
The *' New-Haven Beauty" is very handsome, but not quite first
rate. Another, a sweet pear, of good size, is excellent for baking.
Some bore this season for the first time — others liave not yet fruited.
About 20 trees in all.
The Punderson pear is a great bearer and very good. There are
seedlings by Dr. Totten worthy of notice. Also by Dr. Eli Ives, a
large number — some of which are worthy of dissemination. At
Whitneyville is a chance seedling — the Skinner pear. The Tea
pear originated in Milford, the next town west of us, and is an ex-
cellent variety — ripe 1st September. "White's seedling — also a new
seedling by S. D. Pardee — of promise.
Fruit trees are with us transplanted with more care than formerly,
and the operation is better understood, as well as its importance in
reference to success. It is considered indispensable now with us to
trench the ground where fruit trees are to be planted — that is, dig
tw^o spades deep — manuring freely, and mixing the whole thoroughly
together — thus making a soil two feet deep.
The manures commonly used, are stable, peat, muck, oyster shell
or^tone lime, ashes, and the leaves or litter of the ground, all thrown
together into a heap in the fall, making a compost which in the spring
is in fine condition for use. Ground bone is also used, and guano.
The latter is mostly in liquid form.
Quince stocks for pears, especially for the garden, are coming very
much into favor. The fruit appears to be fairer, handsomer and bet-
ter than when upon pear stocks. Pear trees with us appear to be en-
tirely exempt from disease.
278 [Assembly
Quinces
Do well in our light soil, bear abundantly and the fruit is of large
size, when the trees are regularly pruned and receive an annual top
dressing of manure. The Orange or Apple, the Portugal and also the
Pear shaoed varieties are cultivated in Connecticut.
Grapes.
Almost every residence in our region has its grape vine and some
have from 20 to 30. The Isabella and Catawba are the most com-
mon, and when planted where they receive some protection from cold,
they amply repay the cultivation ; but if planted in the open ground
without protection, they often fail. The Bland or Alexander, Shirt-
leff seedling, Missouri, Miller's Burgundy, Zinfindal and some others
are also cultivated here in a few cases.
Foreign varieties under glass are not extensively cultivated. Where
they are, however, good success and entire satisfaction have attended.
Jlpricots and JVectarines
are both cultivated. Very handsome specimens of which were shown
at our weekly exhibitions this season. The former are in all cases
trained to some building and have been noticed by your committee
on the north, south and east sides, doing well in each aspect.
Apples.
Our report on this fruit, will, in order to make it more satisfactory,
be entirely deferred till next year,
GEORGE GABRIEL,
A. S. MUNSON,
V. M. DOUW,
H. TERRY,
W. W. TURNER.
Committee for the State of Connecticut.
No. 199.] 279
MAINE.
REPORT OF FRUIT COMMITTEE.
Pomology, with a few honorable exceptions, has as yet received but
a sniall share of attention from the inhabitants of the state of Maine.
In fact, the cultivation of choice fruits, till within a few years past,
has been almost entirely neglected in by far the greater portion of
our state, although we have very good soil, in all the varieties usually
found in the other New-England States, Very many, if not most of
the varieties of the apple, the plum, and the gooseberry, thrive with
us, and may be safely cultivated, as our own experience has, at least
partially, proved, in as great perfection as in other States of the
Union; and many varieties are improved by being transplanted from
other locations to this state. Some select varieties of the pear and
cherry may be grown successfully with us, but our climate generally
is not «o congenial to the growing of these fruits as that of New-
York or Massachusetts.
The quince has been cultivated even in great perfection by some
individuals on the Kennebec river; but in other parts of our state the
effort has not been attended with the same success.
The cultivation of the peach has also proved a failure, excepting
in a few instances where the location is very favorable; but we ar-e
confid£nt it is not suited to the rigors of our climate.
We are inclined to believe some hardy and very early varieties of
the grape may be cultivated with success. We need a longer sea-
son to ripen this fruit. The English Gooseberry thrives with us ad-
mirably, and probably in greater perfection than in other states; and
is generally very free from mildew. Two of your committee culti-
vate about fifty varieties of this berry. The fruit of some kinds
attained a very large size, being four inches in circumference, and of
first rate flavor. We would respectfully call the attention of the
citizens of our State to this fruit as it is well suited to it.
We find ashes and meadow muck, pounded bones and horn shav-
ings to be highly valuable as manures for trees and shrubs, to be used
as recommended by Mr. Downing in several numbers of the " Horti-
culturist," particularly for the year past.
Until we have more experience it is not our design to extend our
remarks, (especially in this our first report,) further than to complj
2S0 [Assembly
with the solicitations of some of our citizens of Maine, in giving the
names of a few such fruits as experience has indicated to be best
suited to our climate, and such as are worthy of general cullivation
in the most northern State in the Union.
Apples.
Bell's Early, Early Sweet Bough, William's Favorite, Gravenstein,
Porter, Red Astrachan, Danvers Winter Sweet, Golden or Orange
Sweet, Tallman's Sweet, Ribston Pippin, R. I. Greening, Roxbury
Russett, Duchess of Oldenberg, Baldwin, Fameuse.
Pears.
Dearborn's Seedling, Seckel, Flemish Beauty, Heathcot, Louise
Bonne de Jersey, Golden Beurre of Bilboa, Vicar of Winkfield, Mc-
Laughlin, Frederick of Wurtemberg, Glout Morceau, Beurre d'Arem-
berg, Winter Nelis, Fulton, Belle Lucrative and Rostiezer.
riums
Jefferson, Green Gage, Washington, Imperial Gage, Purple Gage,
Purple Favorite, McLaughlin, Lombard, Lnperial Ottoman, Frost
Gage, Columbia, Bleecker's Gage, and for preserving, the White
Magnum Bonum, Smith's Orleans, Diapree Rouge, American Yellow
Gage.
Cherries.
May Duke, Downer's Late, Black Eagle, Elton, Downton, Honey
Heart.
Gooseherries.
Red Warrington, Crown Bob, W'hitesmith, Green Walnut, Red
Champagne, Yellow Champagne, Early Green Hairy, Heart of Oak,
Houghton's Seedling, Keen's Seedling, Green Gage, White Honey,
Rifleman, Bright Venus, Early Sulphur, Yellow Ball, Smiling Beauty,
and Green Laurel.
All which is respectfully submitted.
HENRY LITTLE,
S. L. GOODALE.
No. 199] 281
OHIO.
REPORT OF A. McINTOSH.
To A. J. Downing, Esq.,
Chairman of General Fruit Committee.
In consequence of the general failure of the fruit crop this year
throughout the State, but little opportunity has presented for carrying
out the views of the Congress. It was the intention of our commit-
tee to have met during the season at different places in the State, for
the purpose of examining, comparing and testing the various fruits of
each locality, observing the character of the soil, system of cultira-
tion, process of manuring, mode of culture, &c. In any ordinary
season this course wonld have ensured the collection of many valua-
ble statistics. It is hoped that another year will supply this deside-
ratum, and enable the committee to lay before Congress whatever
interesting evidence can be drawn from the productions of our fertile
soil and genial climate, as well as from the experience of our many
intelligent, practical horticulturists. Owing to this unprecedented
scarcity of fruit, the exhibitions of our local societies have been less
interesting than usual, and the committee do not deem it advisable to
attempt a general report for the State. They will await another
year's experiment before proceeding to pass judgment on the many
inferior or worthless kinds of fruit that are still extensively cul-
tivated.
In the tables and remarks that follow, the responsibility for accuracy
rests with the undersigned alone, and his opinions are based on care-
ful observation and actual experience in northern Ohio, and may not
be applicable to all sections of the State. It is, however, proper to
remark, that these views are approved of by the distinguished and in-
telligent officers and members of the Cleveland Horticultural Society.
I proceed to classify, in the manner recommended by you, certain
varieties of fruit, omitting all such as seem to require farther time
and testing, to determine their proper merit :
2S2
[Assembly
APPLES.
Good.
Bough Large Early,
Red Aslrachan,
Summer Queen,
Jonathan,
Roxbury Russet,
Red Seeknofurther.
Best.
Early Harvest,
Gravenstein,
Fall Pippin,
Very good.
Summer Rose,
Porter,
Rambo,
Strawberry, Autumn, Belmont,
Rh. Island Greening, Swaar,
Yellow Belle-Fleur, Esopus Spitzenburg,
Lady Apple. Early Strawberry.
Were my selection limited to a single \-arlety, I should prefer the
Belmont.
PEARS.
Very good. Best.
Louise Bonne de Jer- Seckel,
sey, on Quince stock, Stevens' Genesee,
Good.
Napoleon,
Frederic of Wurtem-
burg.
Madeleine,
Winter Nelis,
Doyenne White, do,
Bartlett,
Bloodgood, , Dearborn's Seedling,
Beurre Diel, on Quince stock
Duchesse d'Angouleme,
on Quince stock,
Marie Louise, do.
For a single variety, I prefer the Bartlett,
CHERRIES.
Very Good. Best-
Elton, Belle de Choisy,
Black Eagle, Bigarreau,
Knight's Early Black, Black Tartarian,
Amber. Downer's late Red.
Good.
Napoleon,
Tradescant' s Bl'k heart.
May Duke,
American Heart,
Black Heart.
Best single variety. Black Tartarian.
There arc several other varieties including some seedlings, that give
promise of excellence, but farther probation is required before their
just rank can be assigned them
No. 199.] 283
PEACHES.
Good. Very Good. Best.
Early Ann, President, Early Tillotson,
Red & yellow rareripe, Cable's Early Meloco- Yellow Alberge,
Admirable clin^, ton. Morris Red Rareripe,
Old Newington cling. Early York,
Malta.
PLUMS.
Owing to the continued ravages of the curculio, but little has been
accomplished in the cultivation of this fruit. The Jefferson, Green
Gage, Columbia and some others produce well ; but the specimens
hitherto produced do not warrant a definite judgment. The follow-
ing have been fully tested. Washington (best). Smith's Orleans and
Drap d'Or, (very good), Imperial Gage^ {good^) Coe''s Golden Dropj
good, but too late for this section.
APRICOTS.
Breda, (good) Moorpark, (very good) , Hemskirke and Peach,
(best), are the only ones that have been fully tested.
GRAPES.
The best hardy varieties are the Catawba, Isabella and Miller's
Burgundy.
STRAWBERRIES.
Best. Very Good. Good.
Hovey's seedling. Grove End Scarlet, Ross' Phoenix,
Burr's seedling. Willey's. Iowa.
The two most formidable enemies (after the curculio) which fruit
growers have to encounter are the Rose Bug and the Slug. The first
made a terrible onslaught upon the cherry trees, greedily devouring
whatever fruit there was. So thorough was the devastation that
scarcely a perfect cherry was matured this season. The Slug, how-
ever, has proved a far more destructive foe. In some localities his
ravages have been dreadful, principally among the cherry and pear
trees. Thousands of trees have been stripped of their entire foliage,
and will hardly survive the shock. Numerous remedies have been
tried, and with various success. A mixture of tobacco juice and
284 [Assembly
strong wliale-oil soap surl?, was effectually used on the bug. Ashes,
slackffl lime and dry dirt, have measurably succefded in displacing
the slug.
I will add that numerous Horticultural Societies have been formed
in the Slate and give promise of great usefulness in diffusing informa-
tion and forming correct taste in relation to the culture of fruit. The
three most prominent of them are located at Cincinnati, Columbus,
Dayton and Cleveland, cities, southern, central and northern, soon to
be connected by railroad which will greatly facilitate interchanges be-
tween them, and enable these societies to collect, examine and com-
pare fruit at all seasons of the year. These societies embrace very
many of our intelligent and most practical pomologists, and from their
direct, friendly, zealous and determined co-operation, the American
Congress may in future years expect much valuable aid.
All which is respectfully submitted.
Cleveland^ Ohio, Sept. 22, 1849.
A. McINTOSH.
MISSOURI.
REPORT OF THE FRUIT COMMITTEE.
Owing to the raging of the cholera, and the absence from home of
some of the members of the Committee, a meeting was not held un-
til the 12lh of October, 1849.
At this meetmg the outlines of the following brief report were
agreed upon, and the chairman requested to transmit the same to the
chairman of the General Fruit Committee.
The natural soil of this part of the country is a black vegetable
mould, of perhaps six inches average depth, lying upon a sub-soil of
yellow clay, under which lies a bluish limestone. Upon this soil
superior crops of various fruits have been produced. The bottom
lands of the rivers, made of alluvial soil, have also been tried, and
though they produce tolerably well, yet the fruit crops are deemed
inferior, and the trees are believed to be short-lived.
The Committee are not aware that the superior crops of fruit
which have been grown are attributable to any particular kind or
system of manuring. Lime and ashes, however, have been applied
No. 199.] 2S5
with beneficial effects, and the necessity of keeping the orchard
ground in good tilth is very apparent. In young orchards it is deemed
highly imporlunt to cultivate hoed crops for the first five or six years.
The most profitable market fruits of good quality which appear in
this market, as yet, are as follows :
J3pples. — Summer — Early Red Margaret, Early Harvest.
Autumn — Rambo, White Belle Fleur, Porter.
Winter. — Rawles Janet, Green Newtown Pippin, Van-
dervere, Peck's Pleasant.
Pears. — This fruit is so subject to blight, that, at present, almost
any variety, which succeeds, is profitable.
Peaches. — A great variety is produced here, and the trees succeed
admirably, when kept clear of the worm. The crop, however, is lia-
ble to fail in part from frosts. Among the most profitable of the
standard varieties are the Early York, Late Admirable, Incompara-
ble, Morris' Red and White, Heath, Washington Cling, Lemon
Clingstone, Grosse Mignonne, &c. Some very excellent seedlings
are favorites here, and some varieties grow to great size.
Plums. — The trees are short-lived, and the fruit invariably taken
by the curculio. The same may be said of the Nectarines and Ap-
ricots.
Cherries. — The Duke and Morello cherries do very well, but the
finer varieties of sweet or heart cherries cannot be said to succeed
satisfactorily. The trees grow too rapidly, and after a few years
burst their bark, and are seriously injured.
Quinces. — The climate seems too hot for this fruit, and the trees
are very subject to the borer and to insect blight. Small crops only
are obtained.
The list of varieties, especially of apples, which have been tried
and condemned, would be large. We may remark that many of the
best varieties of fruits of the east, change their character here. As,
for example, the Rhode Island Greening becomes an ordinary fall
apple; the Jonathan becomes a good fall apple, and so of the Boston
Russett, and others.
The best grape yet cultivated for wine, is the Catawba. This is
cultivated to a considerable extent in different parts of the State, and
produces a wine resembling Hock. This, however is not deemed sa-
tisfactory, and efforts are making to produce new varieties from the
seed. Foreign grapes do not succeed in the open air.
286 [Assembly
The American Black is considered one of the best of the Rasp-
berries cultivated here. Some of the native reds do very well, but
are not remarkable for their productiveness or flavor. The Antwerps
do not succeed well. The Fastolff has been recently introduced.
A species of " Cane " raspberry bears very well.
Of Currants, the White and Red Dutch, when properly situated
and cultivated, grow to a large size, bear good crops, and ripen the
last of June or early in July.
Gooseberries mildew.
Of Strawberries, there are many varieties cultivated here, of which
a sort of Pine, possibly the " Old Pine," is most popular with many
of those who grow for market. With some, Hovey's Seedling, plant-
ed with the Iowa male, produces satisfactory crops.
We annex the following brief table of apples in conformity with
the arrangement suggested by the chairman of the General Fruit
Committee. There are a great many other varieties cultivated here,
some of which, though " best " at the east, are not esteemed as even
" good " here, and there are many varieties also, which are yet under
trial, and with which we have not had sufficient experience, as the
" Cooper," " Putnam Russett," &c., &c.
APPLES.
Good. Very good. Best.
Summer Queen, Large Yellow 13ough, Early Harvest,
Red Astrachan, Fall Pippin, Early Red Margaret,
Holland Pippin, Porter, Rambo,
Seeknofurther, Baldwin (Early Winter), Green Newtown Pippin,
Golden Pippin, White Belle-Fleur,(Fall)Rawle's Janet.
Peck's Pleasant, Jonathan, (Fall,)
VanderA^ere. Priestly.
The committee are agreed that if they were to plant here but three
varieties of apple, one for each season, they would be Early Red
Margaret, Rambo, and Rawle's Janet or Janating, as it is usually called
here. The peculiar qualities of the lacier are, late blooming, great
and certain productiveness, good flavor and long keeping.
A new winter apple produced here, called the " Golden Seedling,"
is deemed good. There are several other new varieties, confined to
particular localities, which are esteemed very good.
We have not made up a table of pears, because we fear the blight
will scarcely leave a tree living in the country. Some excellent
No. 199.] 287
crops, hov7ever, have been produced of the White Doyenne, the
Seckel, the Bartlett, and some varieties grown by the old French in-
habitants,— names not known. A new variety resembling the Seckel,
but of large size, has been produced in this vicinity, and is called
"Mitchell's Russet." All of which is respectfully submitted.
THO. ALLEN,
LEWIS BISSELL,
E. MALLENCHRODT,
N. REIHL.
St. Louis, Oct. 12, 1849.
IOWA.
REPORT OF FRUIT COMMITTEE.
Davenport, Sept. 13, 1849.
A. J. Downing, Esq., Chairman, fyc, JVewhurgh, JV. Y.:
The committee for the State of Iowa, from their remote positions
from each other in different parts of the State, are unable to make a
special report. What I shall have to say, please regard as the crude
opinions of the chairman, gathered from his limited experience and
conversations with the best fruit growers in middle Iowa.
The natural soil of all Iowa is a black mould, of a depth varying
from twelve to even thirty-six inches. This mould is intermixed
with sand and clay, in varying proportions ; sometimes the sand prC'
dominates, and renders the ground easily tilled, and in wet seasons
exceedingly productive. Sometimes the clay predominates and makes
a stitf mould, difficult to work, but when well worked, exceedingly
productive. The sub-soil is usually clay, though strata occur of
sand, and sand and gravel. Universal observation, wherever apples
have been tried over the whole State, concurs in opinion that they
can be successfully cultivated, and both for quality and size are equal
to any in the Union. The quality of peaches when they hit, is first
rate, but they are a very uncertain crop. Pears and plums are suffi-
ciently cultivated to know that excellent can be produced from our
soil, if we can make the trees live in it, and they are no more hable
to disease here than all over the west. Cherries of good quality, we
288 [Assemble
must acknowledge, that thus far we cannot produce. The common
Red Cherry grows strongly, is very hardy, and has a small sour fruit
of little value. All other kinds have winter killed, and some of our
nurserymen have abandoned their culture.
We find great difficulty in ascertaining what fruits we grow. We
are overrun with local names and seedlings, and false kinds without
number have been palmed on us.
To return to particular fruits, which have known names, and have
been tried in this vicinity.
APPLES.
Early Harvest, propagated under the name of " Tart Bough:"
quality, size and growth of trees corresponds with our standard,
Downing's fruits, and is the best early dessert apple known.
Red Jistrachan. — First rate for cooking; rather tart for the dessert;
the tree <» v'igorous grower, with a most beautiful round head. Dr.
Weed, of Bloomington, says, " the handsomest apple I have ever
seen."
Rambo. — Fruit and tree in every respect first rate.
Yellow JV. Pippin and Rhode Island Greening. — So far as tried
have proved very satisfactory.
Yellow Belle Fleur. — Fruit large, quality best; tree vigorous grow-
er, and early bearer. It succeeds admirably.
Romaniie. — A very large red apple, of fine flavor from Dec. 1st to
Feb. 1st; is extensively cultivated in central and southern Illinois,
under this name, and has found its way here. This is not its true
name. It is a good apple in its season for the dessert; but it soon be-
comes mealy.
The best market apple west of Indiana is, without doubt, the
Janating, or Rawle's Janat. For rich flavor and productiveness, it
cannot be surpassed. It is rather below the medium size, to which
some persons, without good reason, object.
Pears. — Our experience is limited, but the Bartlett has borne the
palm from the others tried here. Seedlings grow very rapidly in
this climate. One, in this town, made a growth in its main stem, of
eight feet in height last year, after being transplanted in the spring.
The best grapes for garden culture here are the Catawba and Isa-
bella.
Raspberries, gooseberries and currants, all do well in this climate.
No. 199.] 289
The canes of the Red Antwerp raspberry are winter killed unless
protected.
Apricots, nectarines, and quinces grow rapidly, but have not borne
fruit long enough with us to be tested.
We have two horticultural societies, one in middle and the other
in southern Iowa. Their influence will make a great advance in the
cultivation of fruits in Iowa, and in another year, you may expect
reports from both.
In great haste, your ob't serv't,
JA'S GRANT,
Chairman Com., Iowa.
KENTUCKY.
[We extract the following hint, which has the promise of useful-
ness in it, from a letter addressed to the Convention by the chairman
of the committee for Ky. Chairman Gen. Fruit Com.]
Not a single incident has occurred, within the range of my obser-
vation, in any degree interesting to the cause of the cultivator, unless
it should be some trial made by myself with lime in preventing the
ravages of the Curculio on smooth skinned fruits, the result of which
I have reported to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and of
lime, also, as a destroyer of the tetter of cocci, or white scale insects,
which infest the Orange family and the Oleander. A few trees of
oranges and lemons, which have for a long time been disfigured and
enfeebled by myriads of cocci, were last fall so completely dusted
with lime as to seem white-washed in every part ; and the adhesive
property of lime kept them white, notwithstanding the action of the
syringe during winter. The result was an entire destruction of every
coccus — to the extent that none have since appeared. The trees are
in great vigor, but I will not undertake to determine how much that
vigor is lessened or increased by the action of lime on the leaves
and branches.
\ ery respectfully, yours,
L. YOUNG,
Chairman of Fruit Committee^ For State of Kentucky.
I A :raMy, No. 199. | 19
290 'As^EMBLT
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
REP(mT OF COMMITTEE.
The undersigned cbairman of the committee on Fruits for the Dis-
trict of Columbia respectfully submits the following report to the con-
sideration of the Congress of Fruit-growers.
The committee regret to say that little has been done by them to
carry out the purpose intended by their appointment. Owing to the
great failure of fruit this season, it was thought but little information
could be obtained either satisfactory to the committee or useful to the
community at large ; but your committee assure the Congress that the
importance of the subject is duly appreciated by those who have had
the honor to be selected, as well as by the citizens of the District of
Columbia generally, and with great pleasure report that they have re-
ceived the assurance of a hearty co-operation from most of the fruit
growers, and trust that when a more propitious season will allow it,
they will be enabled to add at least a mite to the mass of highly im-
portant information which your labors will be sure to collect.
The failure of fruit in this District this season is mainly owing to
the heavy frosts about the time the trees were coming into bloom.
The peach seems to be the most important failure here on account of
the great extent to which we have embarked in its cultivation as a
crop for the supply of our own and the neighboring markets. Some
few facts have come under the observation of your committee, which
though they may be generally known to the practiced cultivator or to
the man of observation, yet may not be wholly uninteresting to some
of the community.
Your committee allude to the exemption of the peach and other fruits
from the fatal effect of the frost in some particular localities, amid the
almost total destruction around. It appears evident to this commit-
tee that the main cause of this exemption is to be referred to the com-
parative elevation of those localities above the surroundmg country.
If the frost be light the orchards on the low grounds or bottoms only fail,
whilst all others escape, and in proportion as the cold increases the effect
reaches to the higher ground, gradually extending upwards; but such is
the effect produced by the upward tendency of heat and the conse-
quent settling of cold growing out of the difference in theii specific
No. 199.] 291
gravity. Frost at this season of the year, seldom reaches the points
of much elevation. In this neighborhood we have situations that al-
most invariably escape. Such has been the lot of the orchard of Mr.
George W. Riogs, one of your committee. In 1847 his crop was
abundant, whilst the orchards immediately around him had scarcely a
peachj and most of them not a solitary one. In the orchard of Mr.
Cammock, another successful cultivator, on another elevated ridge,
the effect was the same. In his orchard though the difference be-
tween the highest and lowest points could not have been more than
25 to 30 feet, yet the difference could be traced in almost every row of
trees and on those in the lowest places scarcely a peach could be found.
Mr. Cammock reports that particular sorts, from some constitution-
al cause, seemed tol)e more exempt or more hardy than others, yet
the difference in the different points of elevation was equally evident
among those as among other sorts.
The different orchards throughout this section, have been affected
the present season almost universally in the same way as in 1847 j
and though the committee have no means now of ascertaining the
comparative state of the thermometer at any given point between the
two seasons, yet they are of opinion that the cold of this year was greater
than that of 1847.
As an illustration of the difference of cold in points of different el-
evation, observations made at two different points in the grounds by
the chairman of the committee are here introduced.
A. D. 1835* Jan. 8th, 20 min. before sunrise, top of hill, 4 deg.
below zero.
A. D. 1835 Jan. 8th, 20 min. before sunrise, bottom of the hill,
18^ deg. below zero. Difference 14^ deg.
A. D, 1835, Jan. 9th, same time, top of hill, 12 deg. below zero.
bottom do, 16| do
difference 3| deg,
Jan. 10th, same time, top of hill, 2 deg. above zero,
bottom do, 7^ below
difference 9^ deg.
The highest of the two points where the observations were made
was the spot on which his house stands, 120 feet higher than the other
point, and only 400 yards distant from it. The house stands at a
point far below the elevation of much of the surrounding country, and
•This was "the cold winter."
292 [Assembly
had an observation been taken at higher points, no doubt the differ-
ence would have been greater. The astonishing difference of 14^
deg. at a distance of only 400 yards can only be accounted for by the
extreme stillness of the nighi, and the total absence of the least mo-
tion in the air. Had there been such motion, the result could not
have been the same, as was fairly tested by observation made during
the high winds of Feb. 7, 8 and 9, in the same year, when not a
quarter of a degree of difference could be perceived at the two points,
and what is also somewhat remarkable, the thermometer did not fall
below 1| degrees above zero, though owing to a strong current of
wind, it was generally thought to be the most severely cold weather
ever experienced here, and so long was the continuance and so strong
the current that the cold was carried south so as to destroy the orange
trees near St. Augustine and even to affect the coffee trees in the West
Indies.
While the winds continue to blow, but little danger is to be ap-
prehended, but as they subside the cold concentrates in the lower
places, and the fruit in such places is consequently destroyed. There
are other causes which may produce the like effects in other locali-
ties, such as the heat arising from large bodies of water, which can-
not be cooled down by a few days current of wind from the north-
west, and having a higher temperature within them than the surround-
ing air. As soon as the winds subside the heat naturally arising from
the water must tend to check the cold, and it must be obvious that a
few degrees of heat only are required to protect the fruit. Where
the winds pass over a sheet of water for two or three miles in length,
when they subside there is only a gentle wafting of the warmth that
arises from it, just sufficient to create the desired effect. Such was
the situation of the orchard of Mr. Cromwell, near Baltimore, Md.,
long known as the unrivalled " peach king" of that city. On a vi-
sit ot Mr. Claerman, of this committtee, to his orchard, about the
year 1834, he was assured that he cared no more for frost than he
did what sort of weather he had the year before ; the only effect it
had was to insure him a good price for his peaches, as it had created
a scarcity elsewhere, but did no injury to his crop.
From the foregoing facts your committee take the liberty to sug-
gest to those who possess such situations, to embark largely in peach
culture, as a crop, when there is a failure in other places, is worth
more than half a dozen crops of ordinary seasons, and should that
No. 199.] » 293
failure occur only once in seven years, they will find themselves
amply compensated.
In the course of our enquiries into these matters, other suggestions
with regard to protection against frost, have been presented to your
committee, but they do not deem them of sufficient importance to be
now presented to this Congress.
Your committee must further state that the almost incredible im-
provement produced by judicious cultivation on the Peach and Straw-
berry, coming under their immediate notice, as such, they cannot
with propriety pass them by in silence. In the orchard of Mr. Geo.
W. mggs, the system of shortening in and thinning by hand, with
the application of manure and a free use of the plough, have produ-
ced such improvement in his crop of peaches, that during the glut in
our market in 1848, when a great portion of the fruit could not be
consumed, his peaches found regular purchasers at two dollars per
basket, whilst the average price did not exceed 25 to 40 cents per
basket.
Your committee are of opinion that whenever the system is pro-
perly pursued, the labor and expense will meet an ample remunera-
tion.
It is also a well known fact, that whilst bushels of strawberries are
to be had in our market at 6 to 8 cents per quart, some cultivators
have been able to get 50 cents per quart for the finest specimens.
JOSHUA PIERCE,
Chairman of the committee of the District of Columbia, .»
. VIRGINIA.
REPORT OF YARDLEY TAYLOR.
Loudon County, Fa., 9th mo. 18M, 1849.
Not being able myself to attend the sittings of the Congress of
Fruit Gro'vvers this year, I still feel a deep interest in its proceedings,
and am willing to aid, as far as I am able, the objects of the Conven-
tion. One of these objects, and a very important one to nurserymen
and fruit growers, is the knowledge of the best varieties suited to
particular localities, or for general cultivation. This part of Virginia
is about latitude 39° 10", and in elevation about 500 feet above tide.
294 [Assembly
The western half of this county is included within the branches of
the Blue Ridge range of mountains, which is a continuation of the
Highlands of New- York. In geological position, it lies between the
granite and lower secondary formations, including gneiss, the several
varieties of the slates and their combinations, interspersed with horn-
blende and quartz, and on the mountain ranges, epidote with clorite
slate. The whole forming a silicio-argillaceous soil, well adapted to
the cultivation of grain, grass crops, and fruit trees.
But little attention has hitherto been paid to the cultivation of the
latter here, as no market exists of much value for fresh fruit. More
attention is now being paid to their cultivation than formerly, as many
are beginning to find out that they might as well have good fruit as
the indifferent kinds they are accustomed to. Of the varieties
reported last year, we have the Early Harvest, Large Yellow Bough,
F^ll Pippin, Yellow Belle-Fleur and Newtown Pippin ; all good in
their season, but ripening here earlier than farther north, and this
season more so than usual, owing to the very dry summer. The
Belle-Fleur Apple is now ripe and falling from the trees. Of fruits
discussed in Convention, the Smoke-house is here considered good.
We have some varieties here not generally known at the north, five
of which are described in the Farmer's Encyclopedia of Agriculture,
by Professor Johnson, Philadelphia edition, 1844, article Malus, sec-
tion Southern Apples, viz : Prior's Red and Rawle's Janet ; the
latter known here as the Rock-Renmor or Hereford's Streak, and is,
probably, identical or similar to Downing's Borsdorffer.
■ The great desideratum here is, to procure varieties that are good
keeping apples ; many of those from the north, particularly New Eng-
land, so far as our experience yet goes, will not here be late keeping
varieties. They ripen too early to keep well. We had proba-
bly better look more to the south for winter fruit. There are some
varieties in this county that bid fair to be valuable as long keepers
with us, that originated south of James river in Virginia. I propose,
at some future time, to bring them to the notice of the Convention, a«
well as some other varieties in cultivation, but am not prepared at
present.
Peaches succeed well here. It is no uncommon thing to see trees 30
or 40 years old. The yellows occasionally are seen, and where no
efforts are made to extirpate those that are affected, the disease has in
some places destroyed many trees ; but where pains have been taken
No. 199.] 295
to prevent it, the disease seldom appears. In comparing the time of
ripening with Downing's work where the varieties are recognized,
they ripen 10 or 12 days earlier than at Newburgh, or New- York.
Of Pears, Plums and Cherries, so little has been done here, that
little can be said respecting them ; but they are beginning to be cul-
tivated, and after a few years experience we may be able to report
progress.
YARDLEY TAYLOR.
B. Pahsons, Secretary of the
American Congress of Fruit Qrawers.
GEORGIA.
REPORT OF WM. A. WHITE.
Ma&shall p. Wilder, Esq.,
President of National Convention of Fruit Qroxoers :
Dear Sir : — I enclose herewith lists of fruits which have been
tried Avith us in Athens, Georgia, and found fully to sustain their
character, as described in Downing's work on Fruits. These varie-
ties have been fully tested in the grounds of M. A. Ward, M. D.,
and in those of the late James Camak, Esq., former editor of the South-
ern Cultivator. A severe frost with us, in April, the present year,
after the fruit had set, prevented us from having the first trial of
many celebrated fruits not in these lists, which this year gave for the
first time promise of bearing.
Apples. — Nearly all the best northern fruits have been tried with
us, and they almost without exception sustain their character for ex-
cellence ; but our seasons are so long that all the winter fruits ripen
off early in the fall. We have but one apple that will keep well
into the winter. This is the Virginia Greening, first described by G.
B. Hapgood, in the Southern Cultivator, whose description I copy.
Virginia Greening — Medium size, green color, with dark, clouded
spots ; matures late, keeps well till spring, and even into summer, in
this climate ; subject to fewer failures than most other apples ; tree
an early and good bearer, and not liable to disease ; flesh tender,
quite juicy, early in the season, but grows dryer and tougher in
spring.
296 [Assembly
Apricots. — Our best Apricot is " Ringold's Oglethorpe," of which
the stone was brought from Italy, by the Hon. R. H. Wilde. The
frost prevents a description of it this year. The Breda, Moorpark,
and Peach, all prove excellent with us, the White Masculine is bet-
ter than described, while the Roman is so large, and the quality so
good that we consider it very little inferior to the best. The only
difficulty in raising this fruit arises from the curculio.
Cherries. — We can raise none with any profit except the Kentish,
Morello and Mayduke.
Figs. — Of the varieties cultivated few are named ; but of these we
consider the Celestial as the very best.
Grapes. — The Warrenton is our best grape. Next the Isabella
and Catawba, but all kinds are subject to rot, except the Scupper-
nong. The latter, from the thickness of the skin and the pulpy na-
ture of the fruit is inferior to the others. It is, however, very free
from disease
J^ectarines. — Not fully tested yet, the varieties most celebrated
have been introduced.
Peaches. — Of these we have tried the following kinds, and know
them to be of first quality in our climate. Indeed most peaches here
fully sustain their character for excellence. We have found these
excellent here ; viz : Belle de Vitry, Cooledge's Favorite, Craw-
ford's Early Melocoton, Crawford's Late do, Early Tillotson, Early
York, Admirable, George IV, Grosse Mignonne, Heath, Late Admi-
rable, Lemon Cling, Madeleine de Courson, Malta, Morris White,
Rareripe, Noblesse, Oldmixon Free, President, Red Rareripe, Royal
George, Tippecanoe and " Incomparable Admirable."
Pears. — The Seckel retains fully its excellent quality; it grows two
or three times its usual size with you, yet one has only to taste them
to be sure they are the genuine Seckel. The Dix sustains its excel-
lent quality, but the tree blights more than any othe"-. The White
Doyenne is free from diseases both of the tree and fruit, the latter
being fully equal to the best grown at the north. The Beurre Diel
has met a congenial climate; its quality goes even beyond the de-
scription in Downing. As our winter pears, except two native varie-
ties, ripen in November, the Black Worcester proves an acceptable
eating pear, as under our mild climate its quality is improved. The
Franklin County Pear and the Lucky Pear, are two kinds native witi
us, of excellent quality, keeping later than any others. As the frost
No. ]99.] 297
has prevented us from obtaining accurate descriptions this year, vre
will supply the deficiency next season.
I add the entire' list of pears found of first quality, so far as we
have tested, viz: Andrews, Bartlett, Beurre d' Amaulis, (nearly first
rate,) Beurre de Ranz, Beurre Bosc, Beurre Diel, Bloodgood, Brown
Beurre, Dearborn's Seedling, Duchesse d'Angouleme, Dix, Easter
Beurre, Flemish Beauty, Fondante d'Automne, Frederick de Wur-
temburg, Glout Morceau, Golden Beurre of Bilboa, Gray Doyenne,
Jarainette, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Madeleine, Marie Louise, Passe
Colmar, Seckel, St. Ghislain, Stevens' Genesee, Surpasse Virgalieu,
Van Mons Leon le Clerc, White Doyenne, and Winter Nelis.
Plums. — Our best early plum was raised by Mr. Camak from a
stone brought from Italy by Hon. Richard Henry Wilde. We call it
Wild's Plum. It is of the size of Imperial Gage; color, greenish
yellow, and a clingstone. The Green Gage retains its excellence
with us, but the tree proves a shy bearer. The great enemy to the
plum with us, as elsewhere, is the curculio. The following have
been tested, and found to equal Mr. Downing's description in
all desirable points, viz: Bingham, Coe's Golden Drop, Frost Gage,
German Prune, Huling's Superb, Imperial Gage, Jefferson, Law-
rence's Favorite, Large Green Drying, Smith's Orleans, Washington,
and Brevoort's Purple.
If the foregoing may in any degree promote the objects of the
Convention, I shall be gratified to have made this communication.
Yours very respectfully,
WM. N. WHITE.
>nthcns* Ga,
COMMUNICATION FROM E. MERIAM, ESQ.
Adoniram Chandler, Esq.,
Cor. Secretary y Am&rican Institute :
Dear Sir — Among the many subjects that have been brought to
the notice of the Ameiican Institute, there are none more interesting
than facts which illustrate the harmonies of our atmosphere as de-
veloped in the changes of temperature, which convert fluids to solids
and solids to fluids.
The sudden and great changes of temperature from cold to heat and
heat to cold, have by many been supposed to exert an injurious efiect
upon health ; but my close and long continued research into the har-
monies of our atmosphere, and into the causes which produce great
and sudden changes, has satisfied my mind that sudden and great
changes of temperature are beneficial to the health of man instead of
being an injury.
Franconia, a town situate on the Ammonoosuc river, near the White
Mountains of New Hampshire, is subject to the most frequent, the
greatest and the most sudden changes of temperature, aiKi notwith-
standing this, its inhabitants are more healthy and live to a greater
age than persons residing where the temperature is more uniform.
These great changes are often independent of solar influence, hence
we find at Franconia the temperature on the first day of January,
1848, at 9 P. M., at 58°, and at the same place on the morning of
June first at sunrise, the temperature was 34°, and next morning fell
to 28°, being 30° colder on the second day of June than on the fii-st
day of January.
In 1849, on the 13th of July, at noon, the temperature at Fran-
conia rose to 103° in the shade, and on the morning of the 16th, at
sunrise, was down to 35°, at noon 40°, and 38° at 9 P. M., being a
cbaBge of 68° in three days.
300 I Assembly
[n my examinations oi the meteorological records, kept at West
Jranville, on the bank of Pawlet river, which discharges its waters
towards the Gulf of the St. Lawrence, I found the temperature on the
first of January, 1848, and the first and second of June of that year,
and also that of July 13 and 16 of 1849, to correspond with that of
Franconia.
In April, 1849, a destructive frost was experienced throughout a
great extent of surface in the Northern Hemisphere ; on the )5th and
16th, the cold was severe, and snow fell in many places. In my
examination of the meteorological records at Granville, I found that
the cold term filled the first section of a circle of 360 hours, having a
duration of 45 hours, or one-eighth of the circle, during which the
temperature of the air was at and below the freezing point. This is
the most southern latitude in which I have been enabled to discover
the existence of a cold cycle in the month of April.
The great fire in the city of New- York, on Dec. 16, 1835, occur-
red during a period of intense cold, and in my examination of the
meteorological records kept at Granville, I found that a cold cycle
existed there of 180 hours, bemg four sections, or eights, of the circle
of 360 hours. In my examination of the meteorological records kept
at Gouveneur, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., I found on the morning
of the 17th of Dec, 1835, that the temperature was 40° below zero,
and the mercury congealed.
In the month of February, 1848, in computing the number of hours
of the month of January of that year, during which the temperature
was at and below the freezing point, I discovered a term of 90 con-
secutive hours during which the atmospheric temperature was at and
below the freezing point ; and on a further examination, I found a
like term of 90 hours in the month of December, 1847, and two
terms of the same length in February, 1848. With this beginning, I
set out on a new path of travel in the meteorological field, in which
I have been eminently successful.
In March, 1848, there were three cold cycles — two of these were
of 90 hours duration, and the other of 45 hours, or half of 90.
No. ]99.J 301
In the winter of 1848 and '49, nature was very instructive to me.
A cold cycle commenced on the 31st day of December, between the
hours of 5 and 6 P. M., and continued till between 7 and 8 P. M.,
of January 13th, being a term of 315 hours, or seven eighths of the
great circle of 360 hours. When this cycle terminated, the Aurora
lighted up the north, a rain-storm commenced which extended simul-
taneously over an extensive portion of the Northern Hemisphere.
The same night the city of Vienna, in Austria, was visited by a fear-
ful storm of thunder, lightning, wind and rain, tearing up the ice in
the rivers of Europe, and carrying dismay and destruction in its path
On comparing my records of temperature, which are made hourly
during the continuance of this cycle, with those of North Salem, West-
chester county. New- York, Franconia, N. H., and Granville, N. Y.,
I found an agreement j the cycle having filled the same term at each
of those places.
On the 5th of February, 1849, between 5 and 6 P. M., a cold
cycle commenced, and continued to February 11th at 9 A. M., mak-
ing 135 hours, or three-eighths of a circle of 360 hours. On trian-
gulating the records of my observations of this cycle with those of
North Salem, Granville and Franconia, the accuracy of my observa-
tion was verified.
On the 12th of February, at about 2 A. M., a cold cycle commenced,
and continued till the 23d at 9 A. M., a term of 270 hours, or six-
eights of a circle of 360 hours. I watched the termination of this
cycle, as I did that of the 315 hours, with intense interest, and felt
almost overpowered by the emotions produced in witnessing this won-
derful developement of the laws of nature in the harmonies which
belong to the atmosphere that surround our beautiful earth.
Thus far in the winter of 1849-50, two cold cycles have existed,
the first commenced January 13, between 3 and 4 P. M., and ended
on the 15th, between 12 M. and 1 P. M. ; filling an exact term of
45 hours, or one-eighth of a circle of 360 hours. On comparing
this record with hourly records of temperature kept by Thomas Scott,
Esq., at Cobourg, Canada, on the northern shores of Lake Ontario, I
find that at that place the cold cycle commenced on the 12th, be-
302 [ Assembly
tween 3 and 4 P. M,, and continued to the hour of 11 A. M., of the
16th, a term of 90 hours, or two-eighths of the circle of 360 hours ;
the same term existed at Somerville, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., as
appears by the record kept by Dr. Hough at that place ; both of these
places are near four degrees of latitude north of my place of obser-
vation.
A comparison of the records of these three places of observation
together, afford a beautiful illustration of the harmony of the laws
which govern the changes of atmospheric temperature.
On the third of February, between the hours of 6 and 7 P. M., a
cold cycle commenced, and continued until between the hours of 12
M., and 1 P. M., of February 7, a term of 90 hours, or two-eighths
of a circle of 360 hours.
When this cycle commenced I was at Saratoga j the temperature
of that place at 6 P. M., was 13°, and at 7 P. M., 10° above zero ;
while at Long Island at 6 P. M., it was 33°, and at 7 P. M., 29°.
The next morning at 7 and 8 o'clock the temperature at Saratoga was
5° below zero ; at Somerville, 23° below, and on Long Island 16°
above zero. At 1 A. M. of the 3d, a rain-storm was in force at Sara-
toga for one hour ; the morning previous I examined the temperature
on the banks of Lake Champlain, at sunrise, and it was 17° above
zero. At noon of that day, (the 2d,) I was at West Grranville, and
examined the temperature indicated by a thermometer kept by Mr.
Mack in the shade, on the north side of the house ; it was 32°, while
my thermometer hung on the east side of the same house, indicated
26°. This great difference of 6° in temperature in 50 feet, induced
me to remove my thermometer to the same position as that occupied
by Mr. Mack's, and on doing so it rose to 33° ; but on returning it
to its former position, the mercury fell to 26°. This great difference
in the two sides of the house, both shaded from the sun, evidenced a
great change approaching, which the rain at 2 o'clock next morning
confirmed, and further confirmation was made by the frost the suc-
ceeding morning It was during this state of atmosphere that that
great calamity in Hague-street, New- York, happened, by which near
a hundred persons lost their lives. When the explosion of the steam
No 199.] 303 f
boikr took plac€, the temperature at New- York vrais 16^ ahoxK zero,
at Saratoga 6** below, and at Somerville 23*^ below. At 9 o'clock
that morning the iron rails of the Saratoga railroad were ^ warmer
than the atmospheric air three feet above the ground.
I have thus briefly stated some few facts in reference to a very
important discovery in the meteorological field of my research. My
observations on temperature are made hourly on four setts of instru-
ments, from 4 A. M., to 10 P. M., and during extraordinary states of
the atmosphere, throughout the entire 24 hours. These observations
are more extensive and more minute than are shown by any records
of the kind heretofore made, and they have been extended to distant
and different points, and made simultaneously at each. The cycles
are computed from the hour at which the temperature falls to the
freezing point of Fahrenheit, to the hour on which it rises above that
point.
Equilibriations are computed on the hour records during the period
in which the temperature of the air remains unchanged for several
consecutive hours. This system of keeping meterorological records
shows when changes take place in temperature, and the extent of the
change.
I have in this system of observation connected my records with
accounts of the phenomena of nature, as developed in the occurrence
of earthquakes, lightning, thunder, hail, snow, rain and wind, showers
j5f meteors, and Aurora BoreaHs, and in these investigations I have
become convinced that the sudden changes of temperature of our
atmosphere are produced by the earth, and that it regulates its own
atmosphere.
I had hoped to have made this communication more full, but the
opportunity of leisure does not now serve me in this, and I am qf
necesaty compelled to close without completing it.
Yours very respectfully,
EBEN MERIAM.
Brooklyn Heights^ Feb. 16, 1850.
ADDRESS
Delivered at the Opening of the Twenty-second Annual Fair.
By Hon. Henry Meios.
One year ago, ladies and gentlemen, from this place, our amiable
and talented brother, the Rev. M. Choules, opened the Twenty-first
Annual Fair. He complimented our good city for its ^^goodly houses^
but added " that the country's good demands an edifice in New- York
adapted to the American Institute ; it ought to arise promptly, proudly
in our city." Within a few months afterwards the good man's wish
■was accomplished. The iVmerican Institute has become ©wner of
No. 351 Broadway, with rooms eighty-five feet long by twenty-five
■wide, the lower floor let for $3,000 per annum for five years. The
Institute paid in cash sixty thousand of your quarter-dollars and has
a few years to pay the balance, at six per cent interest ; the whole
purchase money being fijrty-five thousand dollars. So that you now
have a noble building free to all men, with its library and reading-
room and repository, free of expense. If the Institute should be
dissolved, which is about as near as the end of the Republic, each
member will find his share of property about double the amount of
all his payments to it. These rooms are conveniently situated as to
all our people and to all strangers, and we can proudly call it the
House of all.
No patronage but yours has eflfected this. When the State of
New- York gave a charter to the Institute, that it should encourage
Agriculture, Commerce, Manufactures, and the Arts, the first steps
were those of a child ; but by the volunteer labor and talents of a
few hundred citizens, it has attained manhood ia the same time that it
is reached by a young man. At twenty-one years of age it becatne
lAssembly, No. 199.1 20
306 I Assembly
a man. It has done all this by your good will and good sense, and
it will labor as it has done, to repay by solid benefits all that has
been given to it.
There will always be found American citizens of patriotic and in-
telligent souls, to sustain and increase its power to do good.
It is no place for idle and ignorant men to be in. It is a hive ad-
mitting no drones. It realizes, in a pleasant sense, the old Roman
sayings, " Sic vos non vobis mellificatis apes." " Sic vos non vobis
vellera fertis oves." Like the bees, it makes honey not for itself.
Like the flock of sheep, it bears fleeces not for its own use..
What man blessed by the Almighty with his full equal share in
the Independence declared in '76 — in the management of a mighty
power of more than twenty millions of the most energetic race ever
living on the globe, having one foot on the Atlantic and the other on
the Pacific ocean, with the Orangeries on the South and the frozen
lands on the North — what member of such a state as this, but feels
just pride in his position 1
We may truly begin to enumerate the steps which have led us to
this point of our national progress.
The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth rock, without the slightest stain
of wrong intent — with no longing for wealth — with prayer and with
pure love for liberty and equal rights. The gallant Smith went to
Virginia with no expectation of finding mines of gold. He and his
descendants were always for liberty and pure morals. Disease, fierce
savages, and often neglect at home did not stop the growth of that
section. Smith was a hero in battle, but that was the least of his
claims to fame. This country has been founded by men who placed
none but the rational value upon riches. What has followed in the
order of time. A W^asbington who, in ancient Rome would long
since have been called by the Senate, Divus, a God! A Ben Frank-
lin, a mechanic, a printer ; the first man of our race (which had seen
the lightning flash for almost 6000 years,) who proved that it was
identical with the petty sparks from a cat's back or a silk stocking,
No. 199. 1 307
and put up an iron rod to conduct it to the earth in safety, as a spout
leads off water from the roof. Champion of true rational liberty, be
distinguished himself in her cause. No man but him ever lived to
deserve the latin lines awarded to Franklin — -" Eripuit Coelo fulmen
Sceptruraque Tyrannis." He tore the thunder from the heavens and
the sceptre from the tyrant.
Cotton had been picked by weary hands, little by little from its
seed, for nearly six thousand years; so great was the labor, that
cotton cloth was almost as dear as silk. An American, Whitney,
invented a machine which picked more cotton off the seeds in one
day than a human being could do in many weeks. See the wonder-
ful result. You have already made here in America cotton cloth
enough in one year to give a garment to nearly all the human race,
and at a price so low that no beggar need be without clothing. The
world for the same six thousand years had seen steam hissing from
every kettle, but to apply it to great practical uses. An American
following other Americans, Fitch, &c., Fulton first took the wind out
of the sails of the ships of mankind^ and made them go against wind
and tide, leaving the sail vessels as if they were at anchor, or beating
their toilsome way up the long rivers, or against the headwinds of the
oceans. Next, an American, Morse, following in the wake of Ben
Franklin with kite string to lead lightning from cloud to earth, invents
a plan to lead intelligence, literally from post to post over the world,
and tell you what the weather is a thousand miles off in less time than
you could walk from my ninth ward to this castle! Your ship waits
to hear how the southern gale is moving, and sails when the whbling
storm has gone by. For six thousand years before this time, the
unconscious seaman in a lovely afternoon left his harbor and next
morning found himself in the furious tornado which has foundered
hundreds of ships. I claim here for another American, Junius §mith,
that when the project of Ocean Steamers was first broached, when
almost all, perhaps every seaman^ declared the utter impossibility of
driving a ship against ocean's stormy waves — (when distinguished
men of learning doubted) — asserted publicly and boldly the certainty
of success. That same Junius is now actually employed, without any
government patronage in making the teas of China grow in this
308 [Assembly
country, and he has laid the foundation so well that I believe America
will ere long raise more tea than she can drink.
All these efforts tend to one grand conclusion! National Indepen-
dence— what ought we to say of the Briareus of mechanism, of our
mechanics of every branch 1 Did any human being ever behold
such efforts to make all the works of skill so perfect 1 We have an
omnibus to ride in for sixpence which Cleopatra would have given a
Province to possess. Carts and wagons for the most common pur-
poses, that were never equalled by the triumphal cars of any of the
Homan Emperors, for beauty of work and strength and utility.
We wished that we could have used our own exhaustless ores of
iron and our coal beds to make our own railroads ; as it is, we had
not long ago as many thousand miles of railroad as all the world be-
sides. Now, stimulated by our example they are copying fast and
well. The Russian Emperor has emplXyyed an Jlmerican to make one
of the most magnificent roads in the world, that from St. Petersburgb
to Moscow.
We have, however, a lesson to learn now, and that is the way to
fortify our independence and liberty. We are recently admonished
that OUT free system sets a bad example to the O^d world. That all
republics but this one alone are laid low ! That perhaps a struggle
for OUT free system is approaching ! Let us prep;ire by having nothing
under heaven to borrow from other nations, but every thing to lend I
Let us keep the Washington, Franklin, and all those western stars
like a constellation before our eyes. Work out all our own vast
resources like Beavers. Avoid all idleness, and in the life of a large
portion of those who hear me, future Washingtons and Franklins will
tell a hostile world in the old Scotch motto — JVemo me impune lacessit
— and' at the same time advise them to do as we do
The American Institute recognizes no party politics ; it labors for
the good of this nation, because it loves it — because it glories in all
those delights and utilities of the highest civilization that cnn be en-
joyed by a people which will cover this continent from sea to sea.
No. 199.] 309
We often use the term American System, and we have a right to
do so. Since the world began, men never before felt what it was by
millions in number, to be all free, And we love law and order. Our
citizens whether here or in California, under all circumstances and
conditions with one astonishing concord, grant almost without a mur-
mur, the just right of a majority. You behold ever since 1776,
minorities, composed of men as bold and fiery in temper as ever
lived, submitting to the will of the majority with such absolute quiet-
ness as would dignify the most rational philosophers of the world.
For the fir.st time since the deluge, vast masses of men are here seen,
ail desirous of power, yet all substituting from a proud principle of
Republicanism — reason for force — the ballot box for the bidlet! Our
ancestors of England had much of this spirit among them. They
never would have a Salic Law like France, excluding ladies from the
throne ; on the contrary, they never seemed better pleased than when
they had a fair one hold the sceptre whose white hand they could
kiss without an alarm to personal haughtiness. They are somewhat
noted as king killers^ but they never beheaded their Antoinettes. We,
like them in this, are by no means likely to kiss the hands of kings,
but in the course of time, we may perhaps have a lovely lady pre-
siding, to whom we may pleased bow and baise mains! That, how-
ever, is postponed until the severe labor of building this great western
temple of liberty shall be finished. In the interim, we are of that
sect in human philosophy, in private as well as in public life — who
place the highest hopes of human perfection ^ of felicity , upon the ex-
altation of the fair sex! And permit me to remind you of a very
remarkable fact every where witnessed in our country to its remotest
borders. A respectable female travels throughout the land whether
guarded by her friends or alone, not only without ijisult or injury^ but
with the certainty of most respectful treatment on all occasions from
every Jlmerican! This is a national characteristic, of which I am
rather more proud than I am of his unsurpassed daring in battle.
The Roman Satirist Juvenal speaks of llio fnrly, best days of that
Republic — saying, then all hir lailits wire hoitonthlc and all her men
were hravc !
310 f Assembly
My duty calls me but to open the gates of this Castle. You come
and salute its giant — Young Grizly, unconquerable ; but not like
Hurlothrumbo, or Jack the Giant Killers' giants — carnivorous, fierce
and bloody, but the Giant of American Industry, whose glory it is to
feast your eyes and gratify your tastes, and aid you in all your wants,
by his countless works. See for yourselves, examine carefully, or
perhaps you will overlook some woik of genius — of an apprentice —
of a keen mechanic — of a philosophical machinist. Let your senses
be fully awakened by the wonderful art of thousands of Americans,
who have voluntered them to this exhibition,
I would most gladly enter on a detail of the precious things here
spread before you. But you yourselves need no urging from me.
The farm and the garden are here represented in noble style. Those
who belong to the delicious Kingdom of Pomona are here with their
Cornucopias, precious vegetable gems are in them ; then the farm
presents its samples — the farm ! whose annual product in this Republic
is worth in gold more money than can be expected from all the placers
of California in a hundred years ! Why let me remind you that the
little island of Great Britian, on its farms, in 1844, by report of
Parliament, raised in one year three thousand millions of dollars of
which almost one half was in the turnips and their uses. You are
aware that our grass is worth over one hundred millions of dollars v.
year. You see that cheese which several men are required to lift.
Our cheeses have now acquired a fine quality which recommends them
to all the world, and for quantity, no man counts it.
Washington 1 our great farmer Washington, Pater Patriee, foresaw
and worked and continually talked to this end. Let me read an extract
from a letter of Tobias Lear, dated Mount Vernon, March 30, 1787:
" One cannot in my situation here, avoid acquiring scribe considera-
" ble knowledge of a farmer's life, even if averse to it. General
" Washingtion is one of the greatest farmers in America, and I don't
" think I should be much out, if I was to say, in the world. He
" possesses in one body nearly ten thousand acres of land — employs
" upon it constantly two hundred and fifty hands. He raises none of
" that pernicious weed, tobacco ! He directs every thing that is carried
No. 199] 311
" on. He continually makes extensive experiments to improve the
" science of agriculture. He is stimulated only by the desire to benefit
" mankind. He keeps twenty-four ploughs going at all times of the
" year when it is possible for a plough to stir. He has sowed this spring
" six hundred bicshels of oats. He has seven hundred acres in wheat,
" and as much more for corn, barley, potatoes, peas, beans, &c. He
has five hundred acres of land down in grass. He will sow this
" summer one hundred and fifty acres of turnips. He has one hundred
" and forty horses, one hundred and twelve cows, two hundred and
" thirty-five working oxen, steers and heifers. He has five hundred
" sheep. He entertains much company. Last fall he killed one
" hundred and fifty hogs which weighed 18,560 pounds, all which was
'^for house use^ exclusive of the provisions for the negroesP
Ladies and Gentlemen I The American Institute salutes you with
the most cordial feelings. May all blessings wait upon our people
whose arms are weilded for the victories of Agriculture, Commerce,
Manufactures, and the Arts. May our sieges of Castles be for many
generations like that of to-night, the smiling army of ladies and
gentlemen pressing to its arena, which once grimly frowned with the
heavy cannon on oar beautiful bay. I have seen furnaces prepared
to heat cannon balls red hot, in the places where those rich works of
peace now stand.
Permit me to close with an invitation to you to stretch your vision
a few years to come, and behold the railroads from here to California,
making the journey there in one week and back in another. Our
telegraph saying on the 3d Oct. 1869 — the Steamer China has just
arrived from Canton in fifteen days, with a cargo of half a million of
iollars. The passengers will take the cars this evening, and be with
you in New- York, on the 10th or 11th inst. at furthest. See then a
thousand large steamers whose pipe smoke may be seen by day, and
their lantern lights by night, all over the mighty Pacific Ocean. See
the Island of Robinson Crusoe. See the Pelew Islands, peopled with
happy races of the highest civilization . See parties bound on a fishing
excursion from J^ew- York to Tinian.
312 [AssniBLY
** Of Tornate and Tidore, whence merchanta bring
*' Their spicy drugs; they on the trading flood <
•• Through the wide Ethiopian to the Cape
** Ply sttmmingly f nightly tow'rd the pole."*
Milton's stemmingly sounds like our steamers' motion — stemmingly,
mdeed ! cutting the wave and the tempest in tvao !
ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS
More the American Institute, at the Tabernacle, on tlie llth of October,
1849.
By the Hon. Levi Woodburv.
Gentlemen of the American Institute:
Meeting, as you do, for the promotion of agriculture, manufactures
and commerce, it may be useful to make their encouragement the
theme of my discourse. Such encouragement is a noble employ-
ment— a noble topic.
These great interests lie at the foundation of all that can peace-
fully build up states and empires. And amidst the various views
connected with so fruitful a subject as their encouragement, perhaps
none can be made more useful than to examine by what causes, and
in what particulars, these interests :".;', in modern times, been most
advanced, and in tliis way, help to discover what are likely to be
some of the most efficient means to produce further improvements in
them hereafter.
One of the successful courses to promote the prosperity of all of
them, has been to cultivate their harmony and co-operation. When
these have been cordial in any community, they all triumph — all be-
ing thus made tributary to all — useful to all, and swelling the power
and progress of all. Indeed, they are three sister handmaids, and,
when friendly, exert united vigor, rather than, being hostile and sink-
ing, under jealousies and fatal divisions. They should interlock arras
like the graces.
Among the earliest voyages, was that of commerce for the golden
fleece, which usually is raii^ed by agriculture, and was to be made
into clothing by manufactures. They had their birth nearly together,
314 [Assembly
agriculture having commenced with the want of food, manufactures
with the want of clothing, and commerce with the necessity of each,
to exchange surplus means to procure the other.
As a further illustration how all these interests are interwoven, and
should be equally encouraged, each is almost entirely dependent on
the other for existence, no less than prosperity; because agriculture
without manufactures, is destitute of tools for labour ; and, without
manufactures and commerce, it must abandon its surplus productions,
to perish unused ; while manufactures without agriculture, are without
food and most of the materials to work upon ; and without commerce,
cannot obtain them in exchange for supernumerary fabrics, which
they, themselves, can neither eat nor wear. And commerce, the
chief medium for diffusing knowledge and the arts — the great civi-
lizer of the human race — would be without employment, and power-
less, if agriculture and manufactures did not furnish surplus to be
sold, and thus beget intercourse and mutual benefits between diffe-
rent places and persons, and, indeed, bind together in interests, not
only one people, but nations on opposite sides of the globe.
Hence the encouragement, and the consequent success, of all these
pursuits, if made one common interest, a united object and aim, in
every community, they will then, instead of being enfeebled by par-
ttal and opposing measures, and a happy family divided, and every
bright hope of all extinguished, they will then move ownward, with
a force as resistless and sure as that of the great laws of nature
around us.
Other separate means to advance further each of these important
interests, can be developed best by adverting, separately, to some
thing the most striking in the progress of each, dnring the last cen-
tury or two.
First, as to agriculture. In the long lapse of time since the cradle
of the human race was rocked, in Asia, in a garden, agriculture would
much, before the last one or two hundred years, appear able to hare
attained the highest degree of perfection, by means of different soils,
from rich Tallies to the most barren mountains — tested by every va-
No. 199.] 315
riety of seed and plant — sought out in every climate, hot or cold,
moist or dry, on island or continent, as they rest upon primitive rock
or alluvial deposits, or volcanic lava, or the labors and tombs of the
coral insect, like some of the fertile isles of the Pacific — long ere this
v^e might, at the first blush, suppose that every improvement had
been exhausted. But it is to be remembered, that the whole life of
all nations has not been devoted to agriculture. In some, the hunter
state appears to have preceded that of the shepherd, and the shepherd
that of the husbandman, with as much regularity as the oak, on some
soils, precedes the birch or the pine. While in others, if placed like
our first parents in Paradise, "to dress and to keep it," and, when
driven forth, ordered to " till the ground " from whence man was
taken, was the great employment designed by Providence for the human
race, they have still been interrupted in its pursuit, as a continued avoca-
tion, by superior attractions in manufactures or commerce, by war or
pestilence — by inmidations, or hurricanes or earthquakes, or the still
greater curse of despotism or anarchy, till every useful instrument has
been pillaged,' and prolific fields converted into sand-heaps or morasses,
or, as now in Saint Domingo, where whole plantations of sugar and
coffee are overgrown with forests. The mind of the tiller of the soil,
in many regions and ages, has also been allowed to remain as bairen
as his rocks, and like his neglected fields, to run waste, with thorns
Mid thistles.
Amidst the fluctuation incident to such circumstances, it is there-
fore not surprising to find, that the culture of the earth has been in
some countries stationary, or even retrograde, while there has been
in others a striking change for the better, and especially within the
last two centuries. In illustration of some of its improvements, with-
out going behind that period, the plough may well be particularized.
From something little better than a stake, it has in some regions
become a machine, possessed of iron strength to contend with roots,
rocks and a stubborn soil, and which abridges greatly the labors of
man, and, by a union of science with skill, is made the most success-
ful pioneer of fertility and wealth. The stone axe and liide chain of
the Indian and semi-barbarian, have likewise changed into iron or
steel, possessing so much superior durability as well as efficiency.
The threshing machine has generally, with tenfold power, superseded
316 [Assembly
the flail, or the foot of the muzzled ox and horse to tread out grain j
and this, or a separate fanning mill, now cleans it at less expense,
and at all times, with artificial wind, though in the stillest calms of
nature. The invention of the horse rake lias, probably, saved millions.
Water comes in hydrants for our cattle no less than families, rather
than being laboriously visited or brought by hand from remote springs.
Thus, and by drawing it from the well by belter machinery, the
science of hydrauHcs has done much to improve husbandry and pro-
mote health, as well as household conveniences; and, in several of
our large cities, as is witnessed near us in the Croton nectar, has
showered ils blessings on all classes with a profusion, and on a scale
of grandeur hardly exceeded by the giant acqueducts of antiquity.
Chemistry, too, has analyzed the air, the ocean and the earth, and
poured forth all her skill to aid mankind in growing materials for food
and clothing, and to supply not only the necessities of life, but its
comforts anil luxuries. New manures, in gypsum and salt, and new
soils by the mixture of deficient ingredients, are among its proudest
trophies.
Before chemistry itself was improved and applied to test the true
ingredients of soils, tlic discrimination between them was well known
to be useful, but could be taught, as two thousand years ago, only by
distinctions so general and unsatisfactory, as heavy or light, black or
red, and wet or dry.
The suitableness of particular crops to particular soils has also re-
ceived some of the attention it so richly deserves, as has that rotation
of crops, which will not feed only on one earth, one alkali or acid ;
but some of them thrive on what is left by others, and what is supplied
by the bountiful and renovating dressings, which science as well as
experience direct. The habits and the physiology of plants has become
much better known by the fascinating study of botany, so as to assist
not only in their culture, but in the useful application of them for food,
both to mari and domestic animals. Better seeds, likewise, are thus
able to be selected for plantirg as well as food. Besides this, natural
history has contributed liberally to enlarge the knowledge of fattening
animals, of the proper nutrition and treatment to increase the power
No. 199.] 317
of labour, and of the crossing and improvement of breeds, whether for
labour, weight and food, or beauty ; and whether tlie pampered swine,
file useful ox and cow, the invaluable sheep, or the sagacious horse.
Nowhere has one cause of a larger supply of milk and a richer dairy
been more significantly pointed out, than by the Scotch farmer, who,
according to Coleman, sold his thiifty cows to an Englishman, that
returned ere long with complaints of their great falling off in milk.
" Remember," said the Scotchman, " I did not sell you my pasture,
but only my cows." In nothing, however, is the advance in agriculture
among us more conspicuous, than in the new and useful articles on
which it has, within this recent period, bestowed a portion of its
energies. It has added the tomato and rhubarb plant to give health
to our tables, the sweet and the Irish potato to feed millions, and the
latter, with the turkey, to immortalize the discovery of America even
more than its magniiicent rivers and mountains. Our increase has
been so rapid, also, in rearing former articles, partly by means of more
prolific soils, but much by improved methods and skill, as to supply
pork, for instance, to portions of another continent, and lard to half
the world, if needed ; and even oil, till the hog is painted in the wset
as swallowing the whale. The growth of hemp, also, has there been
greatly extended for duck and cordage ; and the cane in the southwest,
for sugar ; and the wheat crop of the whole country augmented till it
has reached 112,000,000 of bushels, becoming as much as that of all
England and Wales, besides our vastly augmented products of potatoes,
hay, rye and oats, and 540,000,000 of bushels of inestimable Indian
corn. In short, we seem to have become to Europe, if not the world,
what northern Africa once was to Palestine, in the days of Joseph, or
the Pharaohs, and afterwards to all Italy, the great granary, and the
chief safeguard against famine.
Within little more than a half century, agriculture has likewise in-
troduced here, and, by aid of the cotton gin, supplied, probably, three
fourths of the raw material which clothes a large portion of the habitable
globe. Within that brief space, it has swollen the production of
cotton, from a few bags, to more than a thousand million pounds, and
to the value of sixty or seventy millions. It has thus not only yielded
the agricultural wealth which enriches states, but provided employment
318 [Assembly
for the spindles and looms of both Europe and America, and loaded
the vessels of commerce with a richer freight than the golden fleece
of Jason, or the abundant mines of California.
A similar career of improvement has in some places attended on
manufactures. I have treated them, and shall continue to, as embra-
cing all the mechanic arts. A co-labourer, thus, with agriculture, and
necessary to give to it implements to work with, and indispensable to
furnish all the labour-saving machinery which from time to time so
increases the power of man over rude nature, manufactures, in late
years, have made still more rapid progress than agriculture, by the
greater application to them of the new, as well as miraculous
discoveries in science, and by the awakened ingenuity of inventive
genius, the world over. Their fruits have almost revolutionized some
portions of the globe within two centuries. To be sure, the mariner's
needle, gunpowder and printing preceded this era ; but what have we
seen since, in the spinning-jenny and power-loom — in stamping calicoes
by rollers — in stereotype-plates and power-presses — in the manufacture
of iron, no less than in its products of nails and screws, costing less
now, by machinery, than did once the raw material — in the working
on wood, from the planning machine of Woodworth, to the almost
intellectual turning lathe of Blanchard — in the use of gangs of saws,
the circular saw and improved water-wheels, and devices for elevating
and drying grain, when ground, no less than the remarkable uses of all
the novel agencies of steam, electricity and magnetism ! These last
were as unknown before, for such practical purposes, as the last planet
discovered by Herschel or Mitchel, in the most distant regions of space.
Manufactures have thus not only aided agriculture, in the cheaper
production of food and means for clothing, beyond the naked fig-leaf,
or furred skin, but assisted commerce to transport them by the rail-
road and steamboat, so as to accomplish, at a far lower rate, an inter-
change among every quarter of the globe, of all the surplus labours
of man. Another great gain by this, as well as many other improve-
ments in manufactures, is the increased rapidity of its operations. It
has made locomotives, that cross states while the wagon formerly was
loading. It can make paper while, in days gone by, it was washing
the rags. It can print books, while once it was setting the types. It
can clothe armies in cottons, during the time it was once engaged in
No. 199.] 319
cleaning the raw material of its seeds. It can spin a thread to go
round the globe, while the stock for it, in the ancient mode, was only
carding by hand.
Cloth can be bleached now in the tim6 formerly taken to spread it
out. All the metals as seen to-day in your splendid Fair can be cut
out and bored, rolled and planed, with nearly as much ease and speed
as wood. And leather can be made in a day, if need be, which once
required months. The inventions for weaving carpets, for sizing,
folding and carding, and even for knitting and sowing, by machinery,
are all advances, which, though sometimes small, separately, contri-
bute much, as a whole, to swell the improvements of the age.
Manufacturing, too, is a powerful peace-maker. It has improved
fire-arms and cannon, both easier to make and "keep the peace."
It has added new and more powerful kinds of gunpowder ; new shells
and combustibles ; new modes of crossing streams ; new means of
preserving provisions, and new inventions to sustain the broken limb
and move about the wounded body. It has thus mitigated some of
the horrors of war, as well as multiplied the blessings of peace. Be-
side this, some new articles, or new uses of them, like India rubber
and gutta percha, have, by mechanical ingenuity, been applied, so as
to extend much the comforts and health of society at large ; and
whole nations have so felt the renovating power of some modern im-
provements in manufactures as to bear burthens, and spare surplus
hands for the victories of peace as well as war, which, but for Ark-
wright, for Watts, for Nielson and Fuhon, might have been as im-
practicable as some of the achievements in the tales of the Arabian
Nights.
Finally, commerce has crowned the whole by her rapid advances.
In some quarters of the globe she has almost distanced agriculture
and manufactures in their triumphal progress. The form of the vessel
has been varied, and fitted better for its intended burthen ; the water
casks and tanks made and stowed more usefully ; the iron chain sub-
stituted for the feeble vegetable cable ; the pumps made more efficient,
and the means of navigation, by superior quadrants and nautical al-
manacs, become more accurate and safe to cargo and life. Thus
^20 [Assembly
supi)lie(l and guarded, commerce has dared to plunge into new seas,
and visit oflener new races.
Commercial treaties are extended to all sides of the earth ; and
foreigners every where are less regarded either as barbarians or enemies.
Commerce, in seeking new markets, has broken through even the
gigantic wall of Chinese monopoly that had withstood the assault of
a thousand years, and has thus established and increased intercourse
with 400,000,000 of the human family. She has, in this way, dis-
covered not only new markets and new articles of trade, but new
fishing grounds, and drawn richer harvests from the depths of the
ocean ; and though commencing here, the whale fisliery, earl) as the
17th century, and by courage and enterprise in it, long ago deserving
the eloquent eulogies of Burke, yet she has pushed it since, with a
daring and success, eclipsing all other nations ; and not only ventured
to chase both the seal and the whale among the icebergs of the
Antarctic circle, but cross the Equator twice, and harpoon the levia-
than of the seas, in sight of China, whose boasted " celestial" popula-
tion, with five thousand years of traditional experience, have never
yet dared to attempt this, even on their own shores.
Slrangers,in travelling through the southern portions of New-England
and New- York, often wonder how its dense population can subsist, and
apparently become thrifty. But they forget, that beside the little
obtained from their sterile soil, the females earn much in manufactories,
and the sons and the fathers cultivate the wide fields of every ocean,
circumnavigate the globe, and plough for wealth among the shoals of
mackerel and cod, herds of whale, and rookeries of seal and sea ele-
phant, to the utmost range of earthly existence. From four to five
millions of dollars are in this way drawn yearly from the sea by that
enterprising race, almost amphibious, and I may say half web-footed.
Other portions of New-England, more northeast, and almost as
sterile, flourish in some degree from a similar kind of commerce con-
nected with these fisheries, and of late years have added rich exports,
even from what otherwise most people would regard as curses — their
rocks and their ice j these, by the talismanic wand of commerce, be-
No. 399.] 321
ing converted largely into coined gold, and operating as kind bless-
slngs, both to the sellers and purchasers.
But the proudest triumph of commerce in modern times has been
the employment of steam and the electric telegraph, one moving the
heaviest burdens, in transporting passengers and merchamlise, without
wind or tide, 6r the ox, the horse or the camel j and the other, com-
municating the results with lightning speed : one bringing all nations
closer together, for an interchange of improvements in ever thing, like
the great book fair of Leipsic for food to the German mind ; and the
other outstripping the wind in despatching the news of all, and the
wants of all, to every mart, however difficult or distant. In the
cheapness of carrying letters, also, almost as remarkable a discovery
has been made by lower postage as by the electric telegraph.
But enough of this hasty sketch of some of the modern improve-
ments, already made in agriculture, manufactures and commerce.
They are guide-posts to the mind, for making still further advances.
This review has been but opening a door to see and examine some of
the lessons thus taught to increase our future progress in these great
sources of national wealth and human happiness. When any of us do
not hold the plough, or throw the shuttle', or hammer the anvil, or reef
the sail, we still regard those who do as sheet-anchors of the Republic,
and would fain glean something, for the benefit of each, from the
sybil-leaves of experience scattered over the past. But more especially
would we do this, first and foremost, for agriculture ; because that is,
confessedly, the noblest pursuit of mankind — the one whose disciples
keep up the most constant and purifying intercourse with God and
nature — who constitute, so generally, the great conservative power in
all governments — standing by law, order and established institutions,
till the latter cease to produce the chief ends of good government, and
whose labours make them the saviours of famished nations, and the
foundation hope for the continuance and multiplication of human life,
in every civilized portion of the globe. If asked by what special
means agriculture seems likely, from her progress heretofore, to be
improved most hereafter, I would say, by pushing further all which
appears heretofore to have improved her most. It is, in brief, by using
more and more, labour-saving machinery — by using more and more,
•■Assembly, No. 199. j 21
322 [Assembly
the most appropriate mixtures and dressings for particular soils and
crops and by understanding better the habits of different plants, and
the qualities of different animals, -which are capable of being improved,
with the best modes effecting a salutary change in them.
Thus, for instance, in this age of light, and in a new. country, can
any one be unable to see the advantages of obtaining an implement in
husbandry, by which one man can perform, in a day, double what he
could before 7 or which will cost but half the price of a former one ?
or which, at the same expense, will last twice as long 1 By thus
cheapening production, all live at less expense, as all are consumers
of food and clothing ; and though some may be obliged, at first, to
quit their old mode of employment, especially when new machines for
manufacturing are invented, yet the use of such improvements increases
so rapidly, that more persons, ere long, are employed in the same
business, and often at higher wages, as has been most emphatically
shown by the invention of the art of printing, to multiply copies,
and of modern machinery, to spin and weave cotton. Your President
has happily enlarged on this, a few minutes ago. It is hoped, there-
fore, that, at least in this country and age, we have but few Norwich
rioters, so ignorant as to be willing to destroy stocking-frames, because
they save labour, and fewer Lord Byrons, so little versed in political
economy, as to advocate their cause in an assembled parliament.
Nearly a century ago, a Scotch mother, according to Sir Walter
Scott, objected to her son's using, what she called, a "new-fangled
machine for dighting the corn from the chaff; thus impiously thwart-
ing the will of Divine Providence, by raising wind for her lady-
ship's own particular use, by human art, instead of soliciting it by
prayer," &c. But now there is no American, it is believed, and,
peradventure, no Scotchman, so far behind the present exciting and
well informed age, as to raise a hue and cry against any new labour-
saving machinery. One obstacle to its rapid increase in agriculture
will be thus more fully removed, and neither winnowing nor threshing
machines, nor others of like value, be opposed, on the ground that
they are irreligious, or because they save so much manual labour.
Instead of that, by the increase of intelligence, all labour-saving
machinery in farming bids fair to become more widely introduced
No. 199.] 323
every year. It can also be improved in form. The threshing-machine,
for instance, can be made to triumph still more than it has already, by
separating one or two hundred bushels of wheat, per day, from the
straw. And the horse-rake is growing, and can continue, by care,
science and experience, to grow still better in shape and material, and
is one of the modern inventions, destined, probably, as more used, to
be among the very greatest in profit ; because it is beneficially em-
ployed in harvesting an article, which, humble as hay may be in the
estimation of many, is yet the most valuable in New-England hus-
bandry, and, next to wheat and Indian corn, the most valuable in the
Union, outstripping, by one third, even the mammoth product of cotton.
Reaping by machinery and horse-power, is likewise making rapid
progress; and by care to have the profits of it known more widely,
bread, the great staff of life, will yearly be made to cost less to all,
and especially to the toiling millions. Approximating more such
beneficial results, by other machines, when not done already, will,
ere long, be accomplished by the farmer, as their utility is demon-
strated, and this, however slow, he is generally to change. Let it
be remembered, too, that in agricultural improvements, and the
greater use of iron, that most faithful servant of man, and the best
witness, by its abundant employment, of a high civilization, must be
one chief agent, entering more and more into tools and implements,
on account of its increasing cheapness, no less than its superiority in
durability and strength. Let it be remembered, that coal is to be
another more used and improving agent, not only for warmth and
cookery, but to feed the all-devouring appetite for fuel of the steam-
engine, and for gas, more and more to light our cities j and salt,
another, not only for a condiment to man and stock, and the preser-
vation of meats, but for manure on many soils and for many plants.
What more may be done, likewise, by electricity, as an instrument or
manure in advancing vegetation, is likely to become one of the most
useful inquiries connected with that remarkable agent. Let it be
remembered, too, that all the powers of chemistry shj^ld be more
invoked to aid in the discoveries of new manures, as she has lately in
bones, turning them up, for instance, on the field of Waterloo, for
i'igiicultural use, rather than only, as in the anticipation of Virgil, on
the field of Phillippi —
324 [Assembly
" The farmer, laboring with his crooked plough,
The rust-corroded javelin shall find,
And, with wonder, view
The giant remnants of the broken grave."
She can also aid still more in ascertaining the most useful ingre-
dients in all manures, and in preserving and applying them in the best
manner. It will surely be much belter to have them enrich the field
which is to grow crops, than float off to the ocean in water, or be
wasted by evaporation in the air.
The valuable assistance of chemistry is also needed more for the
discrimination between the different manures, suited to different crops,
which is so indispensable to much success, no one dressing or mixture
of soils being a triumphant panacea in all cases, any more than was
Dr. Sangrado's bleeding and hot water in all diseases. The sandy
plain, for example, does not demand more sand, but clay ; and of
course the clayey surface does not need more clay, but sand. To
any field, much exhausted of its silex, in forming the hard stalk of
wheat, rye, barley, oats, or some of the grasses, requires more silex •
and for the pea or bean, more potash must be added to the soil, where
that ingredient has been used up. It is well known that some plants,
like the rattan and cane, absorb so much sand, that fire can some-
times be struck from them, as from a flint, and that the whole color
and beauty of the rose comes from its iron. It is this striking feature
in nature, supplying different food to different plants, as to different
animals, which, without cultivation, causes a succession of different
trees on the same soil, as the pine and birch, after the oak; because
the earthly particles, suited to support the latter, have been absorbed
and exhausted, while those to nourish the former still remain. This
furnishes in part, also, the true philosophy and guide to enable the
farmer, by more careful discriminatien, to produce a better rotation
of different crops from the same field, a practice known to some, long
ago, as the age of the Roman Georgics — but imperfect then, as it
often is now, from ignorance of the true reasons for it. All farmers
are likewis^^dmonished, at times, that too much manure is used for
some crops, though the most common error is the other way, in apply-
ing too little. Since the employment of the more concentrated ma-
nures, like poudrette and guano, their easy and lavish use often makes
No. 199.] 325
plants grow too rapid, and too high for their strength, and thus, like
some mushroom politicians, they are apt prematurely to break down.
Next in importance, for its influence on crops, and deserving still
more attention than heretofore, is a proper degree of moisture.
Water being the medium for supplying much other matter t> vegeta-
tion, and itself constituting a large portion of the weight of most
plants and fruits, amounting from ten to fifteen per cent, even in the
dryest and hardest wheat, it should be more and more an object to
regulate moisture well. One of the secrets of nature, in often pro-
ducing much on a soil with a sprinkling of small stones — one of her
beautiful compensations for an apparent evil, is the greater moisture
retained by means of them — most of our best natural soils, when
analyzed, being found to contain from seventy to ninety parts out of a
hundred, of siliceous matter. Granite scales or debris, scattered
sparsely over some fields, will increase moisture, by preventing eva-
poration, and will enrich them like a fertilizing manure ; and some
other rocks, like gypsum and lime, independent of their peculiar
virtues, operate in a like manner, rather than, as once said, by a few,
of lime, "burn up the land." If the 'granite decompose any, it will
enrich also, by its potash, so indispensable to the perfection of some
plants.
Irrigation is another means to furnish additional moisture, where
needed, and though some employed ever since the days of the bard
of Mantua on his paternal acres, it might be still more, with much
advantage, as might a more free use of straw as a dressing j and as
might deiper ploughing, independent of any aid from Professor Espy
to create showers artificially. While on the other hand, where greater
dryness is desirable, it will be useful hereafter to look more to shallow
ploughing, and to practice more the ditching and draining which are
so well known to be the great instruments to remove surplus mois-
ture, and thus increase the quality of the crops, warm the soil, and
improve the health of all near, instead of leaving them to breathe out
a biicf and feverish txiBltnce amidst deadly miasma or malaria.
Much is. yet to be accomplished by closer attention in using the
best seeds for planting ::v.i\ for fruit ; and the increase of the latter
326 [Assembly
for food, already great, can be made yearly a greater source of wealth
and health, and presents in the apple, so abundant and useful as well'
as delicious, when carefully grafted, some apology for the original
sin of eating it when forbidden fruit.
What a field, too, is now opening in Florida and Texas for the
production of some of the rich tropical fruits, so conducive to health,
when temperately used, and always so genial to the taste.
But, above all things, in encouragement to agriculture, we must be
cautious to make every improvement simple, plain, easily intelligible.
Time and money should not be wasted on what is complicated, as
such machines are not suited to the taste of farmers, and much less
can they be made useful in the hands of unlearned labourers and boys,
who attend to most of the arduous duties of agriculture. A farming
instrument, which should possess the numerous parts and complexity
of Bigelow's invention for weaving carpets, would be generally as use-
less as the fifth wheel to a coach, and well deserves " the thorns ard
briars of reproof," Any change, likewise, which is very expensive,
cannot much benefit i.^^riculture at large. It may be within reach o{
the wealthy, a patrician few, who sometimes usefully patronize her
labourers, rather than labour themselves ; but the masses, who worship
ilaily in her temple, with the skies for their canopy, and the earnings
of personal toil for their reward ; or those who, though " lords of soil,"
cultivate with their own hands, like the Roman Cincinnalus, their small
freeholds cannot afford large extra expensts or large advances, and
look chiefly to yearly returns for yearly outlays.
Farmers on such a moderate scale deserve, also, more encourage-
ment, as more can thus live in independence, as the mind of labour is
more exercised and elevated, as it cherishes more self-respect, and as
capital and labour are thus more closely united in one common
interest, and their efforts are more identical, rather than hostile.
Personally grasping all their own concerns, such farmers understand
them better, and thus govern them better. And however pleasant it
is to behold many broad acres and vast crops, belonging to a single
establishment ; and however profiliible it may be made at times, it will
be found wiser for most of our people to cultivate less in quantity,
No. 199.] 327
and better in quality, and thus adopt the advice of the agricultural
poet —
« Praise the large farin9> bat cultivate the smaL
" Laudato iagentia rura, exigwtm coUto."
The observant mind is also to be more encouraged. It must be more
stimulated to watch changes in temperatures, in winds, in seasons ; to
journalize important facts and experiments ; to improve occasions, and
draw useful hints from all sources around it.
The farmer is almost a different being, and especially in this country,
from what he was in much of the world two centuries ago. He has
long ceased to fear poisoning his ground and crops by manures. He
has, and by our systems of free schools, more extended, and, of cheap,
printing increased, he will continue to have still more intelligence to
improve in every thing. He is not now a mere machine of bone and
muscle. He is a ruler, and not merely ruled. Instead of a serf he
is a capitalist, a freeholder ; and who cannot become one amidst our
boimdless public domain ? He is, in short, a thinking being, a re-
former, a man of reading and experiments, not
« chained to one peculiar spot,
To draw nutrition, propagate and rot."
Philosophy, even, will aid such a mind the more she herself enlarges
her discoveries, and will excite many new reflections, and open a door
to many agricultural improvements. Take, for instance, such facts as
that recently established in respect to the Gulf Stream, that when
flowing near lands it sensibly influences their warmth and moisture.
So that from this cause certain grasses and grains will flourish, and
others fail, in some places, in some latitudes, which will not happen
in other places alike, north or south. As heat, moisture, or prevail-
ing winds differ permanently in the same latitudes, which they often
do, from more or less proximity to the ocean, to lakes or to moun-
tains, or from elevation more or less above the ocean — without enu-
merating still other causes — different crops must be resorted to, and
many different rules or laws in rural economy must be relied on,
almost as much as in latitudes entirely different. Thus, of China, a
writer says, that " terraces of earth are piled upon the sides of its
rocky hills, one above another, to the very summit. These are tilled.
328 [ Assembly
and each supports the vegetation of a distinct climate." And as to
different latitudes, it has justly been observed, that " the sun does not
shine upon two degrees on the surface of this globe the vegetation of
which is identical, for every latitude has a Flora of its own.
If a part of this savours of what some decry as " book farming,"
yet its foundation stones are observation and experience, and while I
am willing to concede that books alone cannot make good farmers,
and that mistakes are sometimes committed by scientific men in the
analysis of soils and plants, which cause much disappointment, yet
books frequently aid practice, and suggest improvements the most
valuable. Especially is this done by agricultural newspapers, with
wliich our enterprising country more and more abounds, improving, too,
in quality, as science is more readily applied to advance the arts. In-
deed, the whole press, with all its wide spread influence, is, and can
be made still more, a liberal patron to agriculture, no less than manu-
factures and commerce, by spreading to all points of the compass, the
news of every remarkable product, every useful invention, every rare
voyage ; and many a heart can be tiius stimulated to further and suc-
cessful exertion in these great pursuits.
Agricultural schools, connected with model farms, possess, like^^^se,
one advantage over all other teaching, to the few able to attend them.
They unite experiment wilh theory ; and each is thus enabled at once
to reciprocate benefits, and pour floods of light over the other, in de-
veloping the mysteries of nature. May, therefore, the great and un-
flagging interest, which has been exhibited by this Institute in be-
half of such a school, associated with such a farm, be crowned with
the success it so richly deserves. The general government, too, hav-
ing at last organized a Home or Interior Depaitment, will not be just
to the expectations long entertained by the public, unless the promo-
tion of agriculture should be made one of .its chief objects, and the
patent office relieved from one of its recent and well performed, but
anomalous labours.
Passing from the means of further progress in agriculture to those
in manufactures, it is manifest that greater prospects of improvement
would be presented hereafter in them, if it was not that so much
I
No. 199.] 329
has of late years been done — more seems hardly practicable.
But who can fix limits to human ingenuity, or set up boundaries to the
new uses of science in the arts? The very fact that the careful ap-
plication of science to the arts is comparatively in its infancy, holds
out encouragement that it is destined to accomplish much more in their
advancement. It can take higher and still wider flights, if all unite,
like this Institute, in cheering it onward, and in lending the smile of
encouragement to what is scientific, and, at the same time practical,
in assisting the business affairs of Ufe
A striking illustration of what more may, pernaps, be attained by
labour-saving machinery and other scientific improvements, is developed
in the progress of the manufacture of cotton — one man in England,
within twenty years after the great inventions in spinning, having been
able to perform one hundred and twenty to two hundred-fold what
could have been done without them ; and in the next forty years there
was performed with them, what would have required, without them,
fifty millions of persons j and in seven years more — that is, in 1S33 —
eighty millions, and now, piobably. over a hundretl millions. By con-
tinued careful attention, it is (ioubtless destini^d hereafter to advances,
similar in rapidity beyond what now exists here ; and of this we have
had strong evidence, in a spinninglnachine at the present exhibition.
There is another mode of illustrating this change, and the grounds
of hope for still greater improvement, aided as we are, and stimulated,
rather than satiated, by those already made. Thus it has been
remarked : — "Even at the present day, the Hindoo, seated on the
ground, with his legs in a hole, and the weft of his muslin tied to the
branches of a couple of trees, throws his shuttle with a skill that, in
the end, produces the most beautiful muslin or calico -, but yet such is
the superiority obtained by the use of machinery, that the cotton grown
on his native plains can be brought ten thousand miles, cleansed, spun,
woven, diied, packed, and carried back again, and then sold in the
province where its woolly fibre first silvered the bud, at a less price
than that of the cloth produced by the Indian aitisan."
All with us are more and more alive — active — moving onward —
improving.
330 [ASSKAIBLY
The mechanic and the machinist — in brief, every person engaged
in manufacturing here, from the humble -boy that tends the picker, to
the presiding genius over a brick palace, with its thousands of spindles,
on one of our beautiful water-falls — all, even the female eyes which,
far away from their mountain homes, watch those busy spindles, are
now and can be made more instinct with new mind, and a new am-
bition for further excellence.
The laws usually secure to all of them some of the advantages'of
free schools and limited hours of labour ; and to him who tends the
loom or wields the sledge, no less than him who fills a learned profes-
sion, the doors of wealth and office and honour are flung open wider,
yearly. If true worth, then, be better encouraged in such men, and
their minds made more enlightened — as is the constant tendency of
the age, and of our American institutions — they will seize quicker on
all mechanical improvements, and bring continually more and more
intellect and science to their aid.
But in no department of business can greater advancement be made
hereafter than in this, by increased information as to the past. In
manufactures and the arts, much expense and many years of toil have
been wasted in making inventions of what already existed elsewhere.
Without more information as to the past, genius is constantly devising
valuable machines ; but, when applying ior a patent at the proper
office, or, having obtained one, when applying for protection to their
rights, in a legal tribunal, such persons find themselves forestalled by
some piior artist, and all their toil and expense thus wasted in vain —
as they would have been saved by examining more fully, beforehand,
cyclopoedias and works of art on the same subject. Thus, for instance,
in 1847, alone, five hundred and fifty-seven applications for patents
were rejected, and many of them for this reason. Usually the annual
rejections, since 1836, equal in number the grants ; and of the grants,
several are, yearly, proved in the courts of law not to be original, and,
therefore, become void. These vain labours and expenses could, by
this fuller examination previously, be better directed, and thus, beside
discovering earlier what of value has been already invented, would
invent other improvements, really new, and add much to the existing
stock and capital of the mechanical world.
4
No. 199.] 331
Another means of more progress in manufactures, especially in dyes,
in cookery and food, is to make chemistry still more tributary to the
arts, till, like the invention and more extended use of chloroform, in
medicine, is gradually introduced in more things — perhaps an entire
revolution.
It probably was chemistry, more than any other science, vrhich,
within a half century, has literally so extracted light from darkness,
as to make coal the great agent for illuminating our cities and various
private establishments with all the brilliance and steadiness of gas.
And it has been well remarked, that in less than another half cen-
tury like efforts of science may, from this step, by due care, take a still
higher flight in utility, and in glory to the inventor and the age, by
using electricity for a like purpose, and with all the harmlessness of
gas itself, and all the brightness of a noon-day sun.
Much improvement can be made in saving fuel in tire-placeS;
ranges and stoves, as has been already so wonderfully, since Frankliii
attempted his, and Count Rumford experimented in both fuel and
cooking, for domestic comfort and household economy. Indeed, re-
peated, cautious, severe experiments, like theirs — the experimentum
erucis of Lord Bacon — as to all noveltie.^, before they are adopted,
can be made a great instrument of safe progress, and, in this way, a
common error be escaped, of deeming every thing new an improve-
ment, when it should be only every thing new that is able to bear
well the test of trial. Observation and calm reasoning must accom-
pany all this ; and the benefits from them have seldom been more
strongly evinced than in substituting the hot for the cold blast, in the
manufacture of iron, saving from one third to one half the expense ;
and if like attention shall be made here to other improvements, and
especially the use of anthracite coal, in that business, we may, ere
long, with «ur vast mineral resources in both articles, make iron for
half a world.
Then, if not now, this dark metallic stone will be found to come
near the true philosopher's stone ; and if not turning all it touches into
gold, will be far more useful than gold itself.
332 [ Assembly
If we do not add to it, also, the manufacture of steel — permanently
and beautiful — I shall be much disappointed, from the fine specimens
exhibited to-day from New-Jersey.
Another great improvement in machinery, will be in the economy
of power to move it.
Judging from recent improvements in imparting motion to it, much
more can yet be accomplished, without relying greatly on gun-cotton
or gun-powder, or on air vacuums, but merely by increased attention
and science in using, in a more effective manner, our numerous and
beautiful water-falls, as well as reservoirs, and resorting oftencr to the
standing or stationary steam-engine. The water- fall, sustained by the
reservoir, exhibits in nature almost the beau ideal of that perpetual
motion so long sought in vain, in the world of mechanics.
The self-acting machines, that seem almost with mind and thought
to perform combined motions, and complicated functions, by one con-
tinued operation — such as that for turning lasts and gun-stocks ; that
for making pins j that wonderful one for making cards, without enu-
merating others which crowd your interesting Fair — are rapidly in-
creasing, and will ere long, form a new era in the arts. •
Again, the protection yielded by the constitution to inventions and
discoveries in the arts, will prove an additional encouragement, and
be much increased by more reforms in the patent system and patent
laws. A most opportune occasion has arrived, and been improved, to
place the whole in a more appropriate charge, as in that of the new
Interior Department, rather than of the State Department ; and the
change already made would be rendered still more effective. And
whenever real inventors shall be more fully secured, technical objec-
tions obviated by express legislation, and piracies on their hard earned
labours punished at less expense, and suitable protection given for
new and useful applications of old machinery, as well as for inven-
tions of what is new, an encouragement will at once be felt by inven-
tive talent which will soon add much to the treasures it has already
secured in this ingenious country. In any event, it can and will make
further advances. Notliing can chain its powers. It can wisely ex-
No. J 99.] 333
pand its energies more to help what i? mostj rather than least defi-
cient— to improve what is uiost, rather than least important — to ad-
vance what will be useful, rather than frivolous or trifling, and useful
to millions rather than a few. Genius thus employed, when not duly
protected by legislation, or rewarded by gain, can, and thanks to a
kind Providence, will often find its own great reward, in the conscious-
ness of its own noble efforts, and in that honest fame which cheers
onward many of the benefactors of the human race.
In truth, often new discoveries, instead of disheartening us as to
making more, should prove an encouragement, by being new steps to
mount higher, or by being only one stage in the growth or development
of the whole tree. After obtaining from fifteen to sixteen thousand patents
which have been issued here, American ingenuity is so little exhausted or
daunted by the difficulties it encounters, that yearly, near fifteen hun-
dred new applications are still made, and from two to five hundred,
granted. It must be gratifying to this Institute, that the Slate in
which it has long assembled, appears to have the lead in inventions,
taking out quite one-third of all the patents allowed annually ; and
that the remarkable proportion to this city, which is more immediately
influenced by its exhibitions, is near forty-five per cent of those granted
to the state, and fifteen per cent, of all those issued to the whole Union.
Commerce, last, though not least, opens likewise a wide field for
additional improvements.
By continuing to spread it over every portion of the globe accessi-
ble to sails or steam, we shall be likely to get more into the heart of
new governments, like the centre of Africa through the Niger, or like
many islands yet unexplored in distant oceans. We may thus disco-
ver new articles of trade, or of food and clothing, or new arts or new
markets ; or win the glory to indroduce literature, civilization and a
true religion where they had never before oast their cheering radiance.
The exploring expedition followed up ; the track of our whalemen
pushed with more care, as dangers multiply ; the survey of our thou-
sands of miles of coast completed : our ocean and lake borders furnished
with still better light houses, lights and reflectors ; more treaties formed,
binding nations more closely together for mutual trade ; in short, peace
334 [Assembly
more cultivated, so as to render all more friendly, and hence all more
prosperous : these will gradually ensure large advances. They will
make commerce actually what she has been called figuratively, " the
golden girdle of the globe."
We shall thus be able oftener to carry with us, and to more coun-
tries, not only our spinning frames and our looms, with their useful
products, but what has still greater charms for patriotism, our school
books and bibles, and free constitutions and equal laws, and to obtain
in return, it is hoped, some other, if not so great good. One of the
anticipated benefits from these causes will be the wider diffusion of
American principles. It is not that commerce ought to be used to
propagate political principles, unacceptable to other governments, by
whom it may be hospitably received : and thus, as once in China and
Japan, cause jealousies even of our holy religion, when accompanying
them, and terminate in the violent expulsion of both. But that one
of the inevitable consequences of all foreign commerce is to bring op-
posing opinions together, and to give, in the end, a mastery to the
best. Such, too, is the zeal of our people in behalf of their princi-
ples, civil and social, no less than political or religious, that wherever
the American stars float, whether over the Atlantic or Pacific, or
Mediterranean or Baltic, American opinions and American notions,
as well as American products, will become more and more known ;
and it surely cannot be regretted by ourselves, if, by increased com-
merce, and without fire or sword to propagate them, they should more
win their way to favour, create new tastes, and often revolutionize the
public mind, and gradually reform the governments, born in ages more
dark and unpromising.
What we have seen already in late years, shows how much Ameri-
can influence and character in commerce can be improved still further,
by increased temperance among seamen, increased attention to their
religious instruction, and increased education difl'used among them.
Respectability and integrity will be more firmly secured in our com-
mercial intercourse, by every advance in these j and as they beget
more confidence they will beget more business, and make our mercan-
tile marine, as well as navy, be regarded with favour in other hemis-
pheres, even under other planets-and stars to canopy them. This
No. 199.] 336
moral power, thus increased, will also yield greater protection to all
under the American flag ; and our own people will feel less inclined
to disregard a decree of one of our humblest courts, though reaching
Ihem in the farthest islands of the Pacific. Any of the crews of our
whalemen and sealers, if not of the " sea lions," fitted out by Cooper
and Deacon Huntington, must, by these causes, and increased care
and certainly in executing the laws, be made more and more sensible,
that he is as sure of redress for wrongs, or of punishment for crime,
on his return to New-Bedford or Stonington, as if a marshal was at
his elbow in Palmer's land, or a judge was holding his sittings in the
cabb of the whaler. Aided by all these ameliorating influences, this
invisible, but almost omnipotent power of the law, will, by commerce,
move on more steadily, and ere long will be felt in the darkness and
distance of remotest seas, almost as strongly as under our own eyes,
in the streets of this great metropolis.
Beside the progress in foreign commerce, tending so much to im-
prove and make a brotherhood of all people, what vast advances can,
by proper attention to the subject, be made in the internal commerce
of a nation which possesses the immense territory of ours, with rivers
running through fifteen to twenty degrees of latitude, and with inland
seas, covered by steam and sails, to accommodate millions on and
near their borders !
See not only the steamboat, thus penetrating wherever navigable
water flows, but the rail-road car, disturbing the slumbers of our
mountain ravines, and carrying its shrill whistle through almost every
village, to increase the blessings of commerce among all who repose
under the banner of cur hallowed Union.
I enter no debateable ground as to whose expense great internal
improvements should be made, under the restrictions belonging to our
political systems, nor whether much exists in such objections as I
once heard in the Senate, to removing a si>nd-bar at the mouth of the
Mississippi — the great Mediterranean Sea of some eight or ten sove-
reign states— -that " it had been placed there by God and Nature,
and hence should remain j" nor to what particular localities they
ought to be applied, except that they be those of national importance
336 [Assembly
to foreign trade, or to internal commerce among the states. But this
question will be one of diminished niagnilude hereafter, as the en-
terprise and capital of our people have at last attained such a giant
growth, that where a prospect of remuneration exists, whether with
or without public aid, mountains will be tunnelled or cloven down,
vallies filled, rivers bridged, sand-bars removed, and harbours exca-
' vated. Already have the iron rail and steam-horse pierced through the
spurs of the White Hills — though sustained only by private means —
overcome in like manner, the ridges of the Green Mountains, and are
fast approaching, nothing daunted, the Alleghanies — and seek a pas-
sage through the gorges of the Rocky Mountains, even to the Pacific
without fear or faint-heartedness, if but backed by grants of public
domain, which thus applied, under proper guards, are certainly in the
end, most likely to enrich the donor most. Our length of railroads,
already opened, exceed 6,500 miles, or those of Great Britain by
more than half of all hersj andsliould one be extended from the Father
of Waters to the mouth of the Columbia river, it will, at its gr£at
d6p6t on the Mississippi, as some have computed, be not over two
and a half days travel from any of our large cities, and not over
twenty-five from any such city on the globe ; thus promising to be-
come the great thoroughfare for much of the commerce of Asia to
both Europe and America.
But as this whole country cannot possess railroads to every farm-
house and work-shop, the common highway must be made oftener to
succeed the bridle path — the turnpike the highway — and, on moist
soils, the plank road the turnpike — the ferry the ford — tlie bridge the
ferry, — the light and scientific bridge, the clumsy logs of old — in or-
der to improve more the commercial intercourse among towns and
counties, even in the newest regions. Till these are accomplished,
we should no more remit exertion than we have to carry a bushel of
meal on a horse better than with a stone in one end of the bag, to
balance it in the other, or to use the draft of oxen by their shoulders
rather than their horns or tail.
Science is daily pouring over commerce, no less than manufactures,
and agriculture, more of the blessing from its beneficent discoveries,
and cannot but increase further the safety and size of it on the ocean,
No. 199.] 337
by the progress making in more accurate astronomy — in instruments
for distant observations, and in skill to calculate them — ift knowing
better the influences of magnetism, and other substances on the nee-
dle— in learning more carefully the causes and courses of winds,
storms, and currents, and in protecting vessels more fully from light-
ning and the havoc of infectious disease. Charts as well as surveys,
can be more improved, life-boats forced more generally into use, and
accidents in steamboats be more cautiously guarded against. The
vessel itself, already so perfect in beauty and strength, from rude
plank, tied together with hide thongs, as now near Bhering's Straits —
and from the unwieldly Chinese junk, but little better than a raft, and
little safer than the distended goat skin of the Euphrates, or the bul-
rushes of the Nile, or the birchen canoe of the Indian, can still more
be improved here by timbers better selected and seasoned- -by forms
better suited to ensure speed and strength, and by cordage and sails
better fitted to withstand the strongest gales. We must look also, to
the increased use of iron, in navigation, no less than all the arts, as
one sure means to attain greater strength, as well as economy — en-
couraged by what has been already effected in commerce by the iron
beam and knee — the iron pillar — the iron cable — the iron anchor — the
iron rail and iron locomotion. Every new article of much trade can
also, in time, be made to contribute largely to the prosperity of both
domestic and foreign commerce.
Thus, cotton and coal, and lead and gold, furnishing no freights
here a century ago, are becoming the most valuable, as well in the
coasting as the carrying trade ; and the first three are already here
mines of wealth to the commercial world, no less than to the arts.
By increased rapidity of communication, through means of new forms
to vessels — new routes or tracks — new knowledge of winds and cur-
rents— no less than by the new powers of steam and the magnetic
telegraph — speeding so marvelously the intercourse between inhabi-
tants of separate as well as the same countries — we shall yearly bring
the whole earth into a narrow compass — almost annihilating distance
— making nearer and better neighbors of most of mankind — and ena-
ble all to improve by all, with a rapidity scarcely yet dreamed of.
[Assembly, No. 199.] 22
338 [Assembly
Beside these special teachings, by the great school master, time, to
assist still further progress in each of the industrial interests we are
, anxious to promote, there is a general and striking lesson, inculcated
as to all equal/y, by their tendency, already shown, to advance each
other, when exercising co-operation and mutual encouragement.
Their harmony, their friendship, and assistance to each other, must,
therefore, be more promoted in future, as one of the surest guarantees
of further progress in all of them.
This will prore, also, one of the strongest means to elevate higher
the condition, and multiply the numbers and riches of the whole human
race. We have already seen, that by increased skill and improved
impleinents in agriculture, the means of food have become cheaper
and far more abundant, so that many more millions in manufactures
and commerce, no less than agriculture, are able to be sustained, and
all in a better manner. By like increased skill and machinery in
manufactures, aid is not only given to agriculture by superior tools,
but myriads more in all pursuits can be well clad, and at less expense.
From these improvements, combined with some others of a medical
character, the bills of mortality in several countries exhibit fewer deaths
in the same number yearly by near one fourth. And by like causes
commerce has contributed to like ends, and can do more hereafter for
agriculture and manufactures, by transporting for them at a much lower
rate, every thing bought and sold ; and thus, at the same time, can
maintain more widely the more frequent intercourse among the great
family of nations, which in all ages promotes so much the progress of
civilization and peace. Indeed, continued or further progress seems
imprinted deep on all these important branches of industry, as a part
of their natural destiny, and as strongly as are imprinted the footsteps
of Deity on earth, ocean, the heavens, on even the marvellous shell
and flower. Because every improvement, added to them, makes them
more powerful to advance still further ; imparts new strength or means,
and should animate rather than discourage fiiture efforts.
To conclude, in respect to the future encouragement of the whole
of the great branches of national wealth, it may be well to attend
more to increased beauty in all things connected with them. This
No. 199.] 339
can be made a means of attracting to all greater regard, and conse-
quently more attention to improve them.
It has been justly remarked, that " it was a deep and beautiful fancy
of the old painters, to crowd the back grounds of their pictures with
angels' heads and wings, and thus to surround their subjects with an
atmosphere of love and beauty."
If beauty be not the lever which moves the world, it is generally a
powerful loadstone to attract it. Thus the sailor is attached to his
craft, as to a beautiful woman, when smitten by her graceful masts and
queen-like movements ; and every American is justly proud of the su-
periority in appearance of our own ships, usually, over the darker and
clumsier vessels of Europe and Asia. So the mechanic exhibits, with
gratification, his polished tools, his beautiful buildings, and his elegant
fabrics of cotton and silk, rivalling for common use what once adorned
only royal forms. And the farmer, though brown with toil, enjoys,
and points gladly to his blooming orchards, his luxuriant gardens, en-
livened by the music of his bees and birds, and damasked with flowers
of every rainbow hue ; to his golden harvests, his smiling pastures, his
waving woodlands, his picturesque hills and dales, and silver brooks
or glassy lake, bordered by fleecy flocks, noble bulls and finely formed
horses, till the whole landscape brightens into one more enchanting
than ever Claude Lorrain's or Doughty's — for "who. can paint like
nature." And amidst this, and by this, he is animated with all the
ambition to improve further, which distinguishes the most aspiring artist
or poet.
There is a beauty, too, in hfe itself in all these pursuits, which
should still more be sought out and cultivated, and thus still more en-
dear them. For though the strong arm of the husbandmen may not
have idly buffetted the serf at Newport ; nor his lips have sipped in
luxury the sparkling fountains at Saratoga, yet he will, in time, learn
more, and more not to envy others thus employed, if left himself to
indulge in the healthier and richer enjoyments of the haying and har-
vesting of the north, (finding even labour a pleasure,) and in the ad-
miration of Nature's beauties and all her marvellous works around
him, and in the heartfelt welcome at home, by wife, children and
SCO [Assembly
friends, on his return at dewy eve ; and in the cool twilight, satisfac-
tion of reading news from all quarters of the globe, and gathering
from books useful knowledge, as well as sound morals, and in express-
ing thankfulness to Providence, under his own roof, his castle in our
free country, for his fortungite lot of liberty and independence, over
the slaves of despotism in less favoured lands.
"O fortunatus nimium, sua si bona norint agricokiS,*'
The mechanic and manufacturer, by cultivating a taste for like ha-
bits and reflections, must be able to participate more and more in
some of these enjoyments ; and will find all the nobility of their na-
ture more excited and gratified as becomes men, by taking an active
part in the agreeable business of self-government, in attending the
polls, and the debates of the stormy forum, and in helping as jurors,
to administer " the stern decrees of law," The children of com-
merce, likewise, though not without anxieties, find many beauties and
and pleasures strewed over their paths, as the sailor, however rough
or hardy, gazes at times on the sublimity of the deep blue ocean with
rapture, and, after the vicissitudes of calm and storm, hails a glimpse
of land with an exultation, which makes him forgetful of all past
danger. And the merchant, for whom he freights riches from every
clime, amidst some fluctuations in fortune, often enjoys a prosperity
which opens new avenues to happiness, in making munificent Tiona-
tions to public charities, in adding to his country public buildings of
architectural splendour, and in becommg inspired, like the Lorenzo
De Me<lici, to fill the marble palaces where is treasured his household
goods, with furniture still more chaste and classical, with books more
practical, and with richer paintings and statuary, even American Sta-
tuary, which may rival that of Phidias or Praxitiles. ,
By cultivating pleasures like these, and a love for all which is or
can be made beautiful in these pursuits, no doubt exists that the as-
pirations or excellence in them will become constantly stronger.
A single other suggestion, which belongs to the encouragement and
protection of all these kindred pursuits, and I have done. It is to
treat them all with increasing respect.
" L«t aot ambition mock their useful toil —
Th»ir homely Joya and destiny obxmre.**
No. 199.] 341
Labour must be more and more regarded as honourable in all.
Whether in the scorching field, or the work shop, or on the vessel's
deck, honest labour must be protected, its rights guarded, and as is
done by your association, its productions greeted with an encouraging
welcome.
In this way the march of all the great industrial pursuits among us
will be likely to*continue onward j and we shall enjoy the high satis-
faction of doing something, in our day and generation, to promote their
desirable progress.
ADDRESS
On the Progress aad Improvements of the Mechanic Arts, delivered
at Castle Garden, Oct. 9th, 1849.
By Rev. John Alburtis.
In pursuance of the plan adopted by (he Board of Managers of the
American Institute, for the encouragement of inventive genius and
practical talent, it has been deemed advisable during their annual ex-
hibitions, to call the attention of I hose who may be present to subjects
connected with the particular objects of the Association. On this
occasion, that which has been chosen for your consideration is the
Progress and the Improvements that have been made in the Mechanic
Arts. And than this we are fully persuaded there is none more inter-
esting in its nature, or of greater importance in its results — a branch
of which, in the days of His sojourning among men, the Great Master,
whom we reverence, made for a season, his regular and daily avoca-
tion. The Creator himself has set before mankind His own example
in planning and constructing the vast machinery of the natural world
— in becoming the Builder and Architect of the Universe — m making
'<the golden fretwork of the skies, and in wreathing bright garlands of
flowers, and in spreading a rich carpet of verdure to adorn and beau-
tify the earth. Exquisite taste, and consummate wisdom, and une-
qualled excellence are manifest in His works. And if we would attain
to the perfection of art, we should study in all our plans and under-
takings, to adhere as closely as possible to, and to copy Nature.
AV
Agriculture is an art, in the prosecution of which, we are necessarily
led to contemplate the method of the Divine procedure, and to regulate
our movements by the laws which are impressed upon the material
world. It is both a noble and delightful employment, worthy the ex-
No. 199.] 343
ercise of man's best faculties, and calculated to improve both his mind
and heart. It has been by many considered the most exalted and
praiseworthy of human pursuits. It must be remembered, however,
that Agriculture, like everything else, is dependent upon the Mechanic
for the very implements that are essential to its existence. Without the
Mechanic, we should never hear of the Farmer. If the earth were at
all cultivated, it would be with the rude tools of the semi-barbarian or
the savage, and as a science or an art, husbandry would be unknown.
To the Mechanic we are indebted from the very outset, for the beau-
tiful and variegated gardens and fields which captivate the eye, delight
the senses, and supply our wants. He constructs the neat and pleasant
cottage, the rich and elegant villa, and the magnificent and costly
mansion. He builds the Farmer's barns, he furnishes his house with
the necessary utensils ; he manufactures the different fabrics for which
he and his family find use ; and who, but mechanics, have founded
and established villages and cities, whose glittering spires look aloft
towards heaven, and whose spacious halls, and splendid edifices, and
gorgeous temples, are the wonder and admiration of the world 1 Who
but they have the intellect to design, and the perseverance and skill
to execute those monuments of art, which, for solidity, and grandeur,
and beauty, seem almost to rival the works of the Great Architect
himself? Who but a Mechanic can bring to his aid the different ele-
ments, and reduce them, in subjection to his will, to perform more, a
thousand times, than could be achived by human labor 1 Mechanics
make our steam engines, our mills and manufactories, our canals, our
railroads, our merchant vessels, and our telegraphs, and furnish us
with every necessary and useful implement, whether of peace or war.
It is through their instrumentality we enjoy the luxuries and comforts
of every distant clime, and, as a consequence of their industry, and
the result of their skill and labor, we can send even the winged
lightning to do our bidding, and execute our errands at will. " We
make our ministers flames of fire."
We know that it has been with some of the fashion, to undervalue
and look with indifference and even a sort of contempt upon the
working man and Mechanic. But if there be a profession requiring
a high order of intellect, an unusual degree of moral courage, and a
full proportion of muscular and physical strength, it is that of the Me-
344 [Assembly
clianic. If eny avocation demands the complete development of
all the powers which constitute and designate the Man, it is the Me-
chanic's. What is your fantastically dressed and gaily caparisoned
apology for a human being 3 with hands too delicate to come in con-
tact with any thing pertaining to the rough world, and limbs too nice-
ly strung to sustain his enervated frame, whose muscles, for Avant of
exercise, are without strength to perform the office for which they are
designed — whose brairns is as barren and unproductive as his life is
devoid of value or irttere?t— what is such a poor semblance of hu-
manity— and this only in outv,ard form — compared with the hardy,
industrious Mechanic, the pride and ornament of his race, and nature's
nobleman ? Your purse-proud, fashionable, vacant, almost idiot,
may, it is true, pass him by with neglect, or, it may be, sometimes
deign to bestow upon him a nod of recognition ; but in that unpre-
tending, humble son of toil, dwells a spirit which can wing its up-
ward flight amid regions of thought, and traverse at pleasure unex-
plored worlds, in search after knowledge 5 whilst the gaudy, giddy
trlfler must forever remain buzzing about his ephemeral, transient plea-
sures, incapable of raising his ideas above the objects that impress or
gratify his senses. It is exercise and energy, the employment and
constant use of the powers of the mind and body, that can alone pro-
duce their ample and full development, and for this end, the avoca-
tions of the thinking and working Mechanic are admirably adapted.
Persuaded, my friends, that you will agree with me in ihese con-
siderations of the high character and exalted rank of those who by
their efforts of mind, and practical application of the principles of
science, contribute beyond the rest of mankind, to swell the amount
of human happiness, you may be assured, that it is with no incon-
siderable degree, both of pride and pleasure, I shall dwell this even-
ing on a subject in which we, with them, are all most deeply inter-
ested. It might not be amiss here to confess the sense of my incom-
petency to perform this duty in any measure adequate to its great im-
portance ; but this would be only saying what it is usual for all to say
under similar circumstances, and which all may say in strict adhe-
rence with truth. For if there be any subject that will t:ix the hu-
man powers to their full extent, it is that of man's past doings, his
present operations, and his prospective ability, and all these naturallv
No. 199.] 345
belong to the Mechanic Arts. Since the day that he was dooraecl to
eat his bread by the sweat of his brow, he has been obliged to con-
trive arfd invent, and use every endeavor and artifice in order to pro-
cure the means of subsistence. In the earliest ages, or the antedela-
vian period, he enjoyed, we have reason to believe, much more of
nature's munificence and spontaneous productions than, since it be-
came necessary, for his great wickedness, to destroy the earth by a
flood. But even then he made advancement in the mechanical and
useful arts, and made tools and instruments for various purposes, and
evinced a considerable degree of genius and skill. After the re-
peopling of the world, in the most remote ages, rapid and astonishing
proficiency was made in the Arts and in Science. The Chinese, who
claim the highest antiquity, have been from time immemorial, an in-
genius people j and although their progressive improvement has been
by no means equal, for the last few centuries, to that of the nations
of Western Europe, yet, from the peculiar nature of their govern •
ment, and its internal regulation, they must at a very early period of
their histoi*y, have attained a degree of perfection in some of the
manufacturing arts which has never since been surpassed, if it has
even been equalled. Some descriptions of Chinese manufacture are
matters of universal admiration, and they must, from the very circum-
stances under which they are made, long, and it may be always, con-
tinue unequalled. Their china, an article of manufacture deriving its
name from them, is probably superior to that which is made in any
part of the world. And mitil very recently, their silk and cotton
fabrics took the lead not only among the great mass of purchasers,
but were eagerly sought after and bought at very exorbitant prices by
the higher and the most wealthy circles.
Besides the Chinese, the Jews very early reached to great perfec-
tion in the Arts. For magnificence and splendor, and elegance of
architecture and ornament, what building, since erected, has ever
equalled the Temple of Solomon ; and yet, exquisite and masterly as
was the workmanship manifest in its construction, it was performed
soon after their settlement in the land of Canaan.
If we approach the West, or rather the South, still further, we shall
find equal evidence of early and amazing progress in mechanism "
346 [Assembly
among the Egyptians. The pyramids erected before the memory of
man, or at a time unknown to the most ancient historian and annalist,
have remained monuments of persevering and gigantic effortj to call
forth the astonishment and admiration of every successive age. Nor
are these the only objects of wonder of what human art and energy have
effected, in that once celebrated, but now degraded, portion of the
world. Look, too, on what Greece and Rome accomplished in the
mechanical and useful arts, as well as those of Music and Sculpture
and Painting, to which the fastidious usages of Society have given a
different name seeking, of human efforts to elevate the ornamental
and pleasing, above those which are enduring and substantial, distin-
guishing them as the fine arts! Behold the ancient Temples, Capitols,
Statues, Obelisks of these once renowned and powerful Nations! See
emerging lately from the darkness and ruins in which they had been
buried for centuries, the wonders of art that have been taken from the
cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii. Go, wander through the streets
of those places of the resort and residence of the learned and luxurious
of a by-gone age, and you will find abundant and accumulated evidence
of the high degree of perfection, both of science and art, to which the
ancients had attained.
It is mortifying, indeed, after having commenced with so much ex-
cellence, the early history of man, and followed him through different
and widely distant portions of the world, for a long succession of
years, and the lapse of many generations, tracing at each step, as we
proceed, some indication of exalted genius, and progressive improve-
ment, that we should be called to view him afterwards sunken aad
degraded, and reduced to the lowest and most abject condition.
Europe, by the incursions of her hordes of Northern barbarians, be-
come, in Southern Italy and Greece, and throughout her whole extent,
the scene of moral and intellectual debasement. For centuries inter-
vening between the overturning and destruction of the ancient Roman
Empire, and the discovery of the art of Printing, and the more recent
inventions in Mechanics, she lay, in complete .subjection at the feet of
her savage conquerors, and of that system of feudal and ecclesiastical
tyranny, which was, through their instrumentality, introduced. Brute
force, muscular power and physical courage, took the place, and bore
absolute sway over cultivated taste, scientic attainments and strength
No. 199. j 347
of intellect. The man was degraded to the mere animal, and the
creature of sense exalted above the being possessed of reason. We
can hardly imagine a worse condition than that of Europe during the
dark ages ; nor could it be expected that the arts would flourish, or
retain their previous excellence at such a period. It is only wonder-
ful, that, from this state of affairs, a time should ever arrive, when
the mind of man, thus fettered and bound, should become emancipated
tind free, or that, from this gross and thick darkness and ignorance, it
should once more emerge into knowledge and light. That so humble
an instrument, too, should be employed in effecting this radical change
in his condition, so as to transform his very character and nature, is
scarcely less astonishing than the change itself.
To an obscure Mechanic of Germany, about whose name there is
even a question, are we indebted for the wonderful discovery of the
ait of Printing — an art which has done more to revolutionize mankind
— to raise the standard of excellence — to infuse a noble and laudable
ambition — to enrich the mind, and humanize the heart — to improve
the manners and regulate the opinions — and to ameliorate our indi-
vidual and social state than all others ; and in fact, one on which all
the rest are, in a measure, dependent for their introduction to general
use, and their progress toward completion. Since Piinting has been
known, the whole system of ethics, physics, both natural and moral
philosophy, chemistry, astronomy, as well as the application and com-
bination of the different principles of mechanics, have been improved
and advanced in a manner wholly unprecedented in any previous por-
tion of our history. The principles advanced by Lord Bacon — the
discoveries made by Sir Isaac Newton — the metaphysical opinions and
disquisitions of Locke, established a new era in the thinking and intel-
lectual world. The uncertainties of science which had before prevailed,
and which consisted in the most absurd dogmas, that were the subjects
of constant wrangling and debate, were abandoned, and facts were
substituted for arguments, and experiments actually made and that
\v('i f to be relied on, led to the formation of rules and opicions. The
man of science was thus enabled to proceed with confidence in the ap-
plication of his knowledge, and could reduce it without fear of failure,
to practice. Men could make use of what they had learned ; and their
efforts having been successful, they were incited to renewed and still
34S [ASSEBIBLT
greater exertion. It was in this manner that they found themselves
proceeding, step by step, in the way of important and the most valua-
ble discoveries. Their inventive f^icullies were called into exercise j
and wherever there was a work to be performed, it became a matter
of study and severe thought, in what manner, and by what means,
what power should be employed, and what instrument or machine
should be used to effect it most readily, and with the greatest economy
and jierfection.
Nature had provided man with limbs and muscles, as well as mind.
These were, in the first place, to be used to the best possible advan-
tage, and to produce the greatest effect. She had also placed here
and there, through various sections of the country, valuable water
falls, and these afforded a power the importance of which he could,
in a manner, estimate and appropriate. But there were other ele-
ments in the great store house of nature, which he now began to
think of turning to account, and converting to some practical and use-
ful purpose. Heat, applied to water, formed a power which he con-
ceived himself able to govern and control, and the result of this idea
was the invention of the steam engine, and its application more uni-
versally, and for a greater variety of objects, than any other which
had been employed. Heat also is a power, separate from its effect
upon water, which is made to subserve greatly the progress of the
useful arts. And allied to it, the very subtle element known by
various names, as magnetism, electricity, the magnetic and electric
fluid, which, in the great and wonderful economy of nature, are pro-
bably the same as both light and heat, is now evolved from the bodies
which contain it in the greatest abundance ; and being no longer suf-
fered to remain in its inert and latent state, is employed as an active
agent, and is sent forward to accomplish the most important results.
Man is no longer content to manage what is already made to his hand,
and created evidently for his use, but he pries into the hidden recesses
of nature, and brings forth her mysterious powers into light and ex-
• ercise. He is not confined to the simple control of the dull matters
of earth, but he travels through the regions of space, and takes hold
of "Jove's dread thunderbolts," and directs and wields the artillery
of Heaven. Truly may it be said, for it is proved by undeniable fact,
No. 199.] 349
that " God made man after his own likeness ; in the image of God
created Le man."
The present age and the present century is a period fruitful in the
most valuable inventions and improvements in the mechanical and
manufacturing arts. In no portion of history, of equal duration, haa
half, or even a tithe, of so much been done in these respects, as since
the spirit of independence has been abroad in the world, and the re-
liance of mankind on their own resources ; and we may add, since
the establishment of our own free government. The minds of men
are less restrained and more unshackled. They have not to contend
with the usurpations of tyrants, or the unjust exactions of those who
are placed in authority over them. In this land of liberal institutions,
it is not, therefore, so much a matter of wonder, that the best and
greatest discoveries have been made. We do not wish to arrogate,
on the score of intellect or natural abilit)-, any excellence or superi-
ority over others ; but certain it is, that we have more liberty, and it
is equally undeniable that we employ it more effectively, and have
made more valuable improvements and discoveries in the arts^ than
the subjects and citizens of other governments, even where they have
the advantage of greater facilities of acquiring knowledge, and much
better opportunities of arriving at the truth from longer experience.
Our young minds are untrammelled, and we roam in search of useful
information wherever it is our pleasure, and follow the natural bent
of our desires and inclinations. We love knowledge for its own sake,
and for its valuable results, and there is nothing in the nature of our
institutions to hinder or prevent its pursuit. And here I would re-
mark, so far as my own observation extends, and I have had some
opportunity, from my intercourse with them, of forming a judgment
in this respect, that the men of most thought and practical informa-
tion, with whom I am acquainted as a class, are our Mechanics. In
fact, I cannot well conceive how any individual can become a good
Mechanic without both knowledge and skill. He must have informa-
tion sufficient in the matter of his business, and he must have the
capacity to apply it, or adapt it to the objects for which it is wanted ;
and those in younger life especially should devote much of their time
to reading and reflection, as they will have plenty of opportunity to
make use of all they know, or shall learn. It is in this way alone
350 [Assembly
they can emulate the examples of those who have gone before them ;
nor can they otherwise expect to add to the stock of improvements
or inventions already made. The great object, indeed, to be de-
sired in the progress and advancement of the Mechanic Arts, is of it-
self sufficient to cause every individual of the profession to enlist his
best energies in its behalf. It is in affect, by the multiplication and
perfection of the various instruments and machines employed, so to
reduce in the event the amount of manual labor required for man's
comfort and sustenance, as to restore him, in a measure, to his primeval
condition. At first he was permitted to live on the spontaneous pro-
ductions of the earth, and these were abundant and satisfactory. And
if he should be enabled, by his discoveries and inventions, to approxi-
mate in any degree to that state once more, it will be one evidence
among others, that he is fulfilling the object of his mission in the
world.
It is a ftitile and idle objection urged by the untutored and ignor-
ant, that the introduction of machinery is attended with injury to
the working classes, diminishing their chances of employment, and
lessening the price of labor and the amount of wages. So far, in-
deed, as respects the precise manner in which they had been previous-
ly occupied, this is, doubtless to a great extent, true. There will be
no need of the same number of operatives in the way in which they
had before been engaged, when machinery is substituted to do a much
larger proportion of the same kind of work ; the services of one in-
dividual, with the aid that he shall in this manner receive, being ren-
dered equal to what had been done previously by many. But, then,
it must be borne in mind that machinery, by doing a much greater
quantity of work, lessens the price of the manufactured material ;
and in the same, and still greater ratio, increases the demand for its
use. Besides, the very construction of the machinery requires the
services of a great number of operatives, who had, it may be, until
then remained idle, and those who may for a season be thrown out
of employment, will be soon necessarily occupied in a different and
more profitable manner. In fact, it has been found that in every in-
.stance where machinery has been introduced, it has invariably increas-
ed the demand for operatives and has raised the price of labor ; so
No. 199.] 361
that its tendency is directlv the opposite to that which has been im-
agined.
Numerous facts might be stated in corroboration of this trutli. But,
to give only one instance, and one to which we have already alluded,
how great a revolution has been made in the world by the discovery
of the art of printing, and how many thousands are employed, and
what an amount of wages is paid, the consequence of this invention,
and the improvements that have been made in the use and manage-
ment of types, and in the publication of books. How many type-
founders, paper- makers, printers, book-binders, pressmen and others
are set to work, who, but for this discovery, would have been obliged
to. seek other employment ? And, who is able to compute the worth
of the steam engine, or of machinery which has been invented for
spinning wool or cotton, furnishing entire neighborhoods with profita-
ble and constant occupation, and the means of gaining subsistence
and even wealth. Nor,^ indeed, can a single article of manufacture
be named in which the introduction of machinery has not been found,
or will not prove of great and extensive benefit to both the manu-
facturer and the working classes. As regards the community at large,
it has the effect, by greatly cheapening the article of consumption,
and increasing the quantity or amount with which the market is sup-
plied, to furnish vast numbers, who had been able to procure scarcely
the necessaries of life, with many of its comforts, and even luxuries
and enjoyments. The poor man now, or what we are accustomed to
call poverty, is better fed, lodged and clothed, can wear a finer gar-
ment, live on more sumptuous fare, and recline or sleep on a more
luxurious couch and bed, than, a few centuries ago, could the wealthy
of the land, and even prmces and kings. Such habitations and furni-
ture, and means of comfort, as are now at command, were, until re-
cently, unknown ; and they are chiefly the results of inventions and
discoveries substituting the use and employment of machinery for
human labor.
But it needs not in this place to dwell upon a tnith, which we are
persuaded you already acknowledge, and are free to admit. Our du-
ty and pleasure are rather to exhort you to go on in the noble and
magnanimous course which you have so successfully begun. With
352 ' [Ass^BLT
knowledge and industry combined, a head to devise, and hands to
practice, and malerials in abundance and variety at command, what
cannot man accomplish 1 Many, my friends, are the inducements
held out to you, to persevere in the great and glorious cause in which
you are engaged. The wilderness which our fathers found, with here
and there a wandering and solitary savage as an inhabitant, has be-
come a fruitful and thickly peopled country. The axe of the wood-
man has laid low the trees of the forest, and the implements of the
farmer have subdued the stubborn soil, and caused the fields to wave
with golden harvests, and yield their burdens to the reaper. Our val-
leys and water courses, through the enterprise of our mechanics and
manufacturers, have become studded with flourishing and prosperous
villages, and our cities receive, by our canals and steamboats and
railroads, the varied productions of Nature and of Art. Richly laden
fleets bring the produce of other nations to our shores, and this once
wild, and rude and inhospitable land, has become the resort of the
learned and wise, the asylum of the persecuted and poor, the abode
of the gifted and free. And this wonderful, happy and glorious change
has been effected chiefly by the practice and cultivation of the me-
chanical, and agricultural and useful arts — the arts that insure a Na-
tion's prosperity and peace.
If you want the evidence of time well employed, of talents well
directed — if you would see what genius, skill and industry have
achieved throughout our land, let the exhibition here this night,
through the excellent arrangements of the Board of Managers of this
noble Institution, bear ample and conclusive testimony. Year after
year, since its organization by a few public spirited individuals, has
added to its successful operations, and each succeeding year, by their
judicious efforts, has increased the interest of the last. A more im-
posing spectacle than met our view on previous similar occasions, we
had thought scarcely possible ; but the variety and perfection of im-
plements and machinery now presented before the public for inspec-
tion, are truly matter of astonishment. From the most diminutive but
highly finished and glittering instrument, through every gradation, and
of every kind, of various form and size, up to the massive and pon-
derous engine, before whose powerful and perfect movement* we
No. 199.] 353
stand in silent wonder, we behold splendid proofs of American inge-
nuity and inventive skill.
There is no more gratifying and profitable sight, neither in city or
country, in gay saloon, or crowded hall, in scenes of mirth or pom-
pous pageantry, than can here be found within these walls. Where,
in years gone by, we planted instruments of war, to belch forth de-
struction in case of an enemy's attack, we now exhibit implements of
peace, and greet the friends of humanity with the voice of welcome.
And could our voice be heard in places far distant, we would still
speak of our country's greatness, and the high and elevated position
in society, and of the controlling influence in the councils of our Na-
tion, for which our mechanics and men of skill and genius are here-
after destined. It is now our privilege to tell you, working men, and
you who contribute by your productive labor, to the wealth and pros-
perity of our Government, that upon you its existence mainly de-
pends, and with you it must either rise or fall. And let me, in clo-
sing this address, conjure you by all that is sacred in your early re-
collections— by the deeds of noble daring and valor, and wisdom of
those from whose loins you have descended — by their toils and sacri-
fices, to leave you so rich a legacy — by every idea that is endearing
and delightful in the name of home and country — by the strong ties
of affection and of blood which bind your hearts to the loved and
kindred beings of earth — and, above all, by the more exalted consi-
deration of doing honestly, in the sight of God and man, your duty
• — employ dilligently and effectually the talents entrusted to your care.
[Assembly, No. 199. J 23
ADDRESS
On the Philosophy of Manufactures, delivered at Castle Garden,
, Oct. 1849.
By Thomas Antisell, M. D.
Ladies and Gentlemen: — It is not my intention, upon the present
occasion, to occupy you with the usual topics of a general address.
Such have generally for their aim, to prove the utility of manufactures
in a community, and their value in the economy of time, and of human
power. These points have been discussed in previous addresses, and
have been so well handled as to make it superfluous to add more: the
very existence of this Fair is in itself the best argument which could
be produced.
I prefer occupying your time by dwelling upon some of the varie-
ties of the exhibition, and to call your attention to any novelty of in-
vention or utility in application of the machinery and manufactures
around us, and give way to any reflections which arise naturally out
of the circumstances of manufactures.
The observer who is unaccustomed to behold machinery in motion,
feels confused at seeing in the machine room such an endless com-
bination of wheels, pulleys, cranks, piston-rods, and levers, and is led
to imagine that the study of mechanical powers is one above ordinary
conception, and requiring a comprehensive intellect. It is not so j out
of half a dozen mechanical powers, as they are termed, is the whole
display produced, by their varied apposition, much in the same way
as the varied results in Arithmetic are the effect of a varied disposition
of the integers.
No. 199.1 355
Of these powers the lever is the most prominent in utility, and was
probably the first and most ancient attempt to accomplish by a machine
what was before the work of the unaided hand. It is well defined to
be " a body capable of turning about a fixed axis and acted upon by
forces." The common application of this poAver as pump handles,
arms of machinery, &c., are familiar ; I shall only notice here the
adaptation of the bent lever to the purposes of weighing, as shown in
the platform scales in exhibition ; in it the long ann is the arm on which
the dish is hung, the short arm, bent, is concealed in a box and turns
an index needle which moves through a large arc where the weight
is read off. The advantage of the bent lever is this — that by its pres-
sure is communicated rapidly, and as rapidly removed, and in its appli-
cation to the balance, the least weight in the scale dish is immediately
read oflf on the index arc.
Wheels are only modified levers, and exert the power of straight
levers more advantageously, and in a continuous manner : thus the
occasional momentum of the oar propelling the boat is changed into
the more continuous action of the paddle. It is still a desideratum
in steam navigation to obtain a paddle wheel which shall expend all
its power most advantageously. In the ordinary paddle wheel, with
fixed float boards, the loss of power is very great, the float board as it
descends striking the water at an oblique angle and tending to raise
the boat out of the water rather than drive it onward j as it passes
through the water, it changes this oblique position for a vertical one,
and it is at this point only it is using its power effectively, for where
it commences to rise out of the water again, it is at another oblique
angle, lifting a body of water up before it, and tending to depress the
boat into the water. The float board which rises out of the water, has
the opposite efiect of the paddle which is entering the water, they
counteract each other, and hence much of the power of both is lost.
In the little model of the propelling wheel, which is upon the table,
much of this objection is overcome. The float boards in it are move-
able, and have a tendency always to retain the perpendicular in their
revolution, thus entering the water with httle resistance, and rising
out of it without creating much back-water : this is accomplished by
the off side of the paddle wheel having an additional false side at-
tached to its inner surface, and into which the pins of the float board
356 f Assembly
enter, these pins are bent at right angles, and pass upwards into the
outer frame ; freedom of play is thus given them to assume the per-
pendicular. In this model, as in most float boards, the figure is that
of the parallelogram, this is not the most effective form. Mr. Rennie
has shown that the trapezoid figure is equally effective, and is the
basis of a patent which he has taken out in England for propelling
wheels.
There is a good application of the wheel and axle in the hoisting
platform, which may be seen on the bridge, and of which we have a
small model on the table. With that power, and the aid of a few
fixed pulleys, those tables may be made to rise successively out of
each other, and rising to a great height, serve to convey building ma-
terials to the upper platform of a building, saving the continual ascent
and descent of laborers on a ladder. There appears to be no other
limit to its power than the stability of the wooden frame work, and
the strength of the cord which plays over the pulleys. There are two
sets o,r platform tables which alternately rise and fall, but which may
be made to work singly by putting one cord out of gear. The pinion
of the axle is turned by a wheel : by the addition of another wheel
intervening, power would be exerted more advantageously, and with
rope an inch thick playing over the pulley, a weight of one thousand
pounds might be raised up. The saving to builders, by the use of
this machine, would be great, for human power is never exerted to
worse effect, than in carrying a weight up a height. Thus, if a man
going in a horizontal line be able to carry fifty pounds per eight hours
(one day) at three miles per hour, the same man can only carry six-
teen pounds per four hours at the rate of one and a half miles an hour,
the difference being as twelve and a half to one in favor of the hori-
zontal line. Tlus is no small saving which may be accomplished by
this machine ; it has also been suggested as a good fire escape-
The patent windlass exhibited, is a beautiful piece of mechanism;
the windlas,s is turned by a capstan, and these can be brought to bear
upon the anchor and the sails at the same time: the hollow axle and
the varied movements of the windlass itself must recommend it as a
machine which will economize the hands on ship-board very much,
No. 199.] ^7
allowing their sei'vice^'tb be applied more usefully in some other part
of the vessel.
The stahility of materials is perhaps better obtained by the putting
theni together in a proper ybrm rather than in choice of the material
itself. In all frame work the triangle is that form, and in the trussing
of briilges, we see examples of it, ais in the model before us of a bridge
over Buffalo creek, exhibited by the New-York Draw Bridge Com-
pany. It is a lattice bridge, having the trainway about one fourtli
the distance up from the bottom: The lattice is the only kind of
suspension bridge which can bear the impact of a railway train, and
much (though not all) of its stability is due to its triangular framing:
the railway floor is supported on cast iron arches, and the strain on
the sides taken off by cross girders.
' In the vertical gate, which is exhibited on the bridge, we have'
another instance of the triangle producing stability: the diagonal tie of
each gate comes to an angle below, and when the gate is closed, with
the ctots bar laid down as the bajse of the triangle, the strength of tb.e '
gjatf i^'iQiiia!iedi2.tcly Lncreasc'dL '
t
In thfi department of time piectt Mr. Giroud has signalized bioi.- ■
self by the invention of his new detached lever escapement, which he
has applied to clocks and watches: it has two points of repose, allows"
of backward movement, and is a decided improvement to time keepers. '
It has cost Mr. G. much time and great labor to perfect his invention, '
he having to make much of the machinery which is necessary for form-
ing'the escapement with mathematical precision of outline.
There are few countries in the world blessed by Providence with"
such enormous quantities of coal and iron as this. Yet from causes,
to which I shall bye and bye allude, the iron manufacture does not
play the important part it should. It is comparatively a new busi-
ness, being only of a fefw'years growth ; hence it is, that in the depart-
ment of fine cutlery, I cannot find any returns of export during last
year, at least not in that quantity which would constitute a national
item. Not only do we not export, but the import is very large ; for
in England three fourths of the whole manufacture is destined for the
358 [Assembly
export trade, and of that we take nearly one half, leaving little more
than one fourth for the rest of the world. We are at present the best
market the English have for fine cutlery, and not many years ago we
were wholly dependent. Grant Thornburn, in his '' Men and Manners
in Britain," mentions, " that in the year 1810, when the English Par-
liament was debating the policy of enforcbg its orders of council, and
thus making war on this country, one of the blustering fools in the
House said, ' that were it not for England, the men in America would
have to go with long beards.' "
In the manufacture of iron the ore is generally first calcined by
burning it in heaps with coal or charcoal, to free it from water and
carbonic acid, the loss of which is about thirty per cent, on the whole.
The calcined ore is then transferred to the smelting furnace, generally
forty or fifty feet high, and divided into four portions, which act some-
what differently on the ore. In the lowest is the hearth or crucible, and
near its bottom are the openings of the tuyeres or blowing holes for
air to keep alive the burning of the fuel. The fuel, whether coke,
charcoal, or anthracite, is carbon ; and the ore is oxide of iron or
iron and oxygen. The carbon of the fuel unites with the oxygen,
forming carbonic acid, which escapes ; the iron melts, collects below,
and is drawn off at intervals, and run into sand moulds : the casting,
from its resemblance to a sow with a litter of pigs, being called pig
metal. It is not yet, however, pure iron, for in melting it took in a
little carbon, which gave it the property of melting so readily : this
is cast iron.
In the smelting furnace, lime is always added for uniting with the
earthy and sandy matters of the ore, as it forms a glass which floats
on the surface of the melted metal, and is drawn off as slag.
In the conversion of cast iron into malleable or bar iron, it has to
undergo the processes of refining and puddling, by which it loses the
carbon which before it was imbued with, and which gave it the fusi-
ble property ; as it loses this carbon it becomes less fxisible, more
pasty, and ultimately tough, in which state it is passed into the rolling
mills, whence it comes out as bar iron.
No. 199. 359
By the use of the hot air blast, and the conversion of anthracite
into a flaming coal, by the application of the steam jet into the fur-
nace ; by the placing of dampers at the top of the furnace, and draw-
ing off the cone of flame and heated gases through horizontal pas-
sages to the refining and reverberatory chambers, thus economizing
fuel, and finally by conducting the heated gases arising from the pud-
dling furnace round the steam boilers which work the rollers, the
greatest economy of fuel, and the greatest amount of metal} have
been obtained.
By the selection of a pure ore of iron Mr. Salters has obtained, in
his foundry at Newark, fine bar iron, a sample of which is on the ta-
ble, without passing the ore into various chambers ; but has his fur-
nace so arranged, that entering at the top, in a pure and calcined con-
dition, the ore when it arrives at the bottom, having lost its oxygen,
and combined with the minute quantity of carbon, is fit at once for
passing on to the mill. The ore which is used in that foundry is the
magnetic oxide.
This ore is mixed with quartz, hornblende and fine siliceous grains,
to separate the oxide from these, the Electro-Magnetic Ore Separator
now exhibited, is well adapted. This apparatus is a cylinder round
which are inserted rows of soft iron projections, which when the in-
strument is in use, represent so many magnets, and attract the mag-
netic iron oxide upon surfaces, thus withdrawing the oxide from the
mineral impurities. The cylinder revolves, and the powdered ore is
carried on a frame to its under surface. A horse-shoe magnet sur-
rounded by a coil lies in its centre, and is in connection internally with
the soft iron projections, and externally with a galvanic battery, by
which the electric current is conveyed to the interior of the cylinder ;
by the alternate breaking and renewal of the current, the projections
become magnets, or lose their power ; they seize the oxide, carry it on
their surface part of a revolution, and when the contact is broken, the
oxide falls ofl" into a receiving vessel. The ore is thus rendered as
pure as can be for the smelting furnace.
The gas with which the machine room is lighted, is facturated by
Mr. Baxter, in a small room outside. He has adopted the plan of
360 [Assembly
obtaining gas, originally patented m England by Mr. White "which con-
sists in forming olefiant gas by dropping into the heated retort, resin
previously melted ; as it drops on the red hot iron it is immediately
gasified, and the products are passed into the hydraulic main j in a
second retort, also heated by the same furnace, are placed some char-
coal and iron turnings ; on these water is dropped, it is decomposed,
and the result is the formation of hydrogen and a little carbonic oxide ;
these are also delivered into the main where they mix with the olefiant
gas, both are carried to the gasometer, where they are mechanically
mixed, and driven into the supply pipes. After the separation of the
tarry products, this gas requires little father purification, and in this
respect has an advantage over coal gas.
Its chief recommendation is the capability of producing it so as to
light small buildings, hotels, factories, and single street blocks. It
may be inserted in any furnance employed for other purposes, and the
same furnace -which heats a house daily may at the same time produce
its gas.
The cost of production is very small. Forty pounds of resin and
fifteen pounds of w'ater will produce one thousand cubic feet of gas,
which gives a brilliant light, and of which five feet will go as far as
ten feet of the New-York Gas Company's gas. For one thousand
cubic feet the Company charge four dollars, (much too large a sum).
Resin is one quarter of a cent per pound, and calculating all expenses,
the same quantity could be manufactured, with profit, under fifty
cents. Mr. Baxter deserves credit for introducing this cheap and good
gas into this city. The gas with which this city is lighted, by both
Companies, is very bad, and very dear, and nothing but monopoly
could sustain it in its present condition. Next to good water, the most
essential necessity for a city, is good light, and cheap light.
In European cities, gas is manufactured from coal and sold at one
third the price which the New- York people pay for it. Manchester
pays only one dollar and a quarter ; Dublin, one dollar and a half ;
and London, 6ne dollar and three quarters, for what New-York City
pays four dollars ; and in the two last cities there is no neglect of
lighting street lamns at full moon season. There are several uses to
No. 199.] 361
■which gas is applicable, and is applied to When if is cjeap.' 'tnlsr^
hotels and eating houses meat is cooked by gas. And much of the
iron of fine cutlery in Sheffield is steeled by subjecting it to the gas
flam
I shall now pass from the objects exhibited, to some reflections
which arise out of this exhibition.
When we look back upon the history of the country, we find that
so long as it was a colony it prospered little in art and trade ; and
the date of the assertion of independence found the agriculture and
the manufactures in a very backward condition. From that time the
agricultural interest has progressed at a rate with which manufactures
have not all kept pace.
The first export of cotton to Liverpool took place in the year 1785,
when the Diana, of Charleston, landed one bag ; a vessel from this
port landed another, and that year there was a total of fourteen bags
exported in four vessels. In the year ending lise 30th of Juiie, ]848,
the value of the export was $61,995,294, and the qurj^tity expt'rted
ending the 1st of August, 1849 was of much greater value, being
2,227,844 bales.
The vastness of the cotton trade, and the suddenness of its growth,
naturally astonishes us. It is the agricultural wealth of the Southern
States. It would be well to recollect that it is England's manufactur-
ing wealth. We export nearly five-sixths of all we grow; in exact
numbers, in the year 1848,
The total cotton crop was 2,726,596 bales.
The export of 1S49, as above, 2,227,854 "
which with a small stock on hand, left 518,039 bales for
home consumption
England is the chief buyer of the raw cotton, and the chief manu-
facturer of cotton prints, and this country is at present dependent on
that island for the chief supply of cotton piece goods. The British
export of cotton goods of all kinds, in the six months ending June,
362 [Assembly
1849, was 596,370,322 yards, of which the greater quantity came to
this country.
There is, however, some comfort exhibited by the returns of the
last twenty years : from these it appears that the imports now of plain
calicoes are one-half what they were in 1830, and in printed calicoes
between one-half and one-third ; so that our cotton manufactures are
gradually increasing, and at the present time represent one-fifth the
value of all manufactured goods.
The exports of cotton manufacture are small, not having increased
of late years, standing nearly at the same figure as in 1829 ; so that
our increased supply has been for home consumption, an increasing
population demanding it.
The materials for iron manufacture are abundant in this country,
and there is sufficient skill and energy to develop it to any extent.
Yet iron manufacture is, like that of cotton, a small business as yet.
The first manufacture of bar iron in Pennsylvania, with anthracite,
was in 1845. It flourished amazingly for the first sixteen months,
but the tonnage has since gradually decreased every year, and at pre-
sent is a an all fraction of what it was.
The iron manufacture is a most important one, employing such a
vast number of hands. The Mount Savage works, in Maryland, em-
ployed forty thousand men when in full work. This and most other
furnaces are out of blast, owing to the importation of English iron,
at such low prices, that the home manufacturer cannot produce his
iron for the same price at which it is landed on the quay in any oceanic
city here. For want of other markets,. English iron has, within the
last few years, being coming down, and the ad valorem duty facili-
tates its admission. It is conceded by all manufacturers, that a spe-
cific duty replacing the ad valorem, would at once allow all the fur-
naces of the country to go into operation.
In the exhibition, the manufacture of fine cutlery, and that of cot-
ton goods, do not bear that proportion to the other articles exhibited)
No. 199.] 363
■which such important branches of trade should — let us consider the
reason :
In the case of cotton and iron manufactured goods we stand thus: —
We do not nearly supply, by home manufactures, what printed
cottons we want.
And we supply only a small part of the fine u-on and steel manu-
factures required.
A few mterestmg questions arise :
How can we remedy this ?
How can we produce enough 1
How can we compete with England 1
England has already the market.
A large capital invested.
A manufacturing population working at low wages j poor, and there-
fore always willing to work at reduced prices,
This country has to make its market, has small capital difRised.
A manufacturing population in easy circumstances, and working
for reasonable remuneration.
It is the concentration of capital, and the misery of the meGhanical
classes, which enables cheap goods to be produced in England.
Now, God forbid we should ever come to the same pitch of con-
centration of capital into a single hand, and an accompanying desti-
tution of the manufacturing workmen.
The ultimate good of manufactures to a country is the employment
and fair remuneration of all engaged, not the enrichment of one indi-
vidual ; and looking at it in this point of view, it would be more ad-
vantageous to us to raise and foster our manufactures by placing a
protective duty on imported manufactures, than that our social condi-
tion should descend to anything like the condition of Birmingham and
Manchester, of Sheffield or Swansea.
Those who oppose protective duties, do so on the ground of phi-
lanthropy, asserting, that such only benefit a few manufacturers, and
that it is an act of injustice to the_ community to deprive them of the
364 [Assemble
liberty of buying whei'e they like, and what they like, at the cheapest
price. But what is the cheap article 1 an article is not cheap be-
cause it can be bought with a small sum of money, but it is cheap
when the purchase of it costs the buyer but little sacrifice — when
he feels it less. Thus with the case of iron and cotton in view — is
printed cotton cheap at five cents a yard to the unemployed iron
worker 1 would not double the price' be cheaper to himi, the purchase
less easily felt, if he were in full work and good wages?'
The cry of free trade began in England, in the manufacturing dis-
tricts, in order to support their factories in full work, and because they
can produce at less expense, they therefore inferred, that it would be
for the benefit of the whole world if they were left to supply all the
civilized market with manufactured goods. Put into plain language,
the free trade cry may be expressed, as we might suppose an English
manufacturer to soliloquize, thus:
" We, English manufacturers, grew up since the middle of the
eighteenth century ; we have sunk an enormous capital, incur great
yearly expense, and en'ploy a Izige member of people ; we' art; cca-
staull) prcducicgj aad we hire long smxe gintted oai ctm bouit
market. European wars have been of great service to us, as it pre-
vented states being manufacturers, and made them buyers from us ;
those who would not buy from us we fought, and those who would,
we gave them money to keep at peace. From Europe we have passed
into Asia, and have built up a large empire in ludia, have sold to the
petty princes their own Cashmeres, and to the Ryots their own cottons,
they paying us for manufacture ; not content with this, we have fought
with the Chinaman, to make him take our goods. We have planted
colonies in Australia, Borneo, Cape of Good Hope, and Canada, in
order to create markets. We have kept the dissolving Republics of
South America together, that they might buy from us. We have
glutted every market ; we have over-produced, and are producing still,
and unless we find a more extended market, we, and with us, the
English nation, must go down. We address you, good easy people
of the United States, we hear that you are talking about protective
duties and home manufactures ; that you have learned that fifty per
cent, is the profit on cotton nianufacturey while it is only nine per cent.
$f^.. 399.] S6S
profit on its growth. Now we English manufacturers can produce
much cheaper than you, and why not let your people by the cheapest
articles. We buy raw cotton from you, and there is reciprocity ; we
develope your agriculture and you support our manufactures. That
is the right feeling which should exist, and the international philan-
tljropy worthy an enlightened age. Continue to do so — continue to
be satisfied with nine per cent, and leave us the fifty. If you do this
we shall flourish — if you do not we shall cease to exist as a manufac-
turing people ; and thousands of your people will be supported by cotton
and iron manufacture^ and the happiness and welfare of the Union
greatly augmented^
But whether protective duties be adopted, or free trade encouraged,
there is ope rnore method by which manufactures in this country may
be promoted and rendered stable. I mean by the adoption of an edu'
cation, having for its basis the mechanical and useful arts. Our mauu-
ikcturers ought to learn the theory of their occupation, and our ma-
chinists and inventors, ought to have a sound and thorough education
in the mechanical and piiysical sciences.
Loo^ at t|ie records of the patent oflace, and see how patents are
taken 0]nt for asserted improvements, which are no improvements at
ajl, What a. waste of labor, time, and money for what results in
nothing.
This has been a large exhibition, a greater number of articles exhi-
bited, a greater variety, and more novelty of design and finish in
execution, than has yet been presented to American inspection. So
far well — we ought to be proud of it — but do we recollect that after
all, these machines and these inventions, are the exceptions 1 The
failures are the greater number. One man has spent four years of
his life in making these improvements in a capstan — he has been suc-
cessful. Another spends six, another ten, and here are the re-
sults around us. But far more numerous are they who have spent
many years, and wasted away their existence, in the dreamy hope that
success was just at hand ; that their invention was complete — that
their machine was the paragon in saving time and power — and after
fruitless efforts, have sunk down through society into the grave, with
366 [Assembly
"wasted means and disappointed expectations. This country cannot
afford this misapplication. The inventive faculty is one which is very
"widely bestowed, and all that it requires for success is a knowledge
of what it works with and what it works on.
I cannot see why there should not be in this large city public free
schools of design, schools of art and manufacture. If it be ac-
knowledged to be a state obligation to educate the youth, let them be
educated in their life business — in that education which their country
will profit by.
In this country there is little opportimity for learning a trade or
art thoroughly. Apprenticeship eflfects this in Europe. Public edu-
cation should do it here. Every mining district of Germany has its
school of mines and manufactures.
In Paris there are several public institutions in which the most sci-
entific minds of the day are employed in orally instructing classes up-
on the present condition and recent improvements in the arts of dye-
ing, manufacture of paints and colors, of cotton prints, of porcelain
and glass. There is a central school of arts and trades, and a school
of mining and agriculture, with branch establishments, in the large
cities of France, all under the direction of the minister of the interior,
and admission to most, gratuitous — to the rest for a very moderate
sum.
Britain has now numerous schools of design. This country should
not be behind in the race. She should give in her public schools an
industrial education — an education for trade. Such a school ought
the free academy to be — and such a school, does a larg^ manufactu-
ring and a commercial city hke New-York absolutely require.
ADDRESS
On the Patent Laws, delivered at Castle Garden, Oct. 1849.
Bt George Giffobd Esq.
Mr. President, and Ladies and Gentlemen : — This is the
twenty-second great National Tournament of artistic skill and inven-
tive genius ; representatives from the shop, field and laboratory, have
again come forth and ralUed round the standard of the American In-
stitute ; the brilliant signals of laudable competition are again dis-
played to admiring multitudes, and the invincible champions in
mechanism are again in the field, in vindication of their country's
It is a glorious cause, and I congratulate the Institution under
whose auspices the noble enterprise proceeds, and still more, the
country, on the prospective results.
In the humble part which I shall take on this occasion, I shall
have the pleasure, in response to the invitation with which I have
been honored, of calling up for consideration the subject of the
Patent Laws.
In glancing over the present aspect of society, contrasting the pre-
sent with the past, and observing the results of each succeeding year,
the most striking feature arresting the attention is the successive
changes wrought by inventors. The most distinct and enduring marks
now left upon the broad ocean of time, as men and nations glide
perpetually on, are made by inventors. On looking back through
the vista of past years, monuments of their erection, numerous and
towering along the track of time, obscure other events and catch the
view as the most prominent and conspicuous objects by which to trace
the progress of society.
368 [Assembly
There was a time of centuries duration, when poets and warriors
marked and controlled the record of events, when the energies of
men were directed against each other, and their genius lost in con-
stant and protracted neighboring wars ; and when the progress of
society was little else than progress in conquest, dominion and chan-
ges in military power. But now a great change has been wrought ;
the policy of the world has become more utilitarian ; inventors have
extended intelligence and civilization, brought countries in a close
contact, mingled their inhabitants, assimilated their interests, and
made near and friendly neighbors of distant and hostile strangers.
Society will ferment, strife will arise, and wars will ensue, but it will
be but the emetic of intelligence removing the bilious incumbrance of
degrading oppression. By aid of inventive genius in supplying im-
plements of war, the hostiUty of nations is brought to a more speedy
termination, and great results attained, and progress made, at the ex-
pense of little blood. The tendency of the age now is, not to honor
victory as such, but barely victory associated with a righteous cause.
The most inveterate and enduring war now carried on, is that
waged by the allied forces of intelligence and inventive genius against
ignorance and the elements of nature.
Now inventive genius has seized the reins of society, and com-
mands its progress. What the condition of society now is, in all
practical operations, compared with what it was a century ago, is the
result of this contest. What the aspect of things will be a hundred
years hence, compared with what it now is, will be a result of suc-
cessive conquests in this struggle.
But what is the inventor's reward 1
The ancient military chieftain, whose valor characterised the age
in which he lived, was stimulated by the prospect of power, and cheer-
ed on by the trumpet tongues of poets and orators.
But what influence is to actuate this new commander of social pro-
gress, this new modeller of the manners and customs of nations, and
this new director of national destiny 1
No. 199.] 3G9
Far more endurance, forlUiuIc a nci cncrgj-, in scIf-iTenial, disappoint-
ment, poverty and dlscourageinent, is required in the inventor than in
the warrior ; and yet where is Iiis prospect ] What poets or orators
swell liis fame ? How have his energies been aroused, and his cour-
age sustained, anil his conquests secured and annually multiplied,
until the results have already become the controllir.g influence in the
condition and progress of society ?
No questions appertaining to the temporal interest and secular af-
fairs of man, can command the attention of the present age, of more
importance than these.
But they are answerable. The inventor^s stimulant has been the
system of policy adopted by civilized nations, of securing to the au-
thor of a new and useful thing, a personal, individual and substantial
interest in the thing produced, and by rendering this interest in exact
proportion to the utility and value of the production.
Laws granting letters patent, to protect new productions, have long
formed a branch of the jurisprudence of all civilized nations. Origi-
nating in England in the seventeenth century, their march has been
onward with that of intelligence, until they have become incorpora-
ted into the statutes of more than sixteen countries of Europe.
But as the policy of most foreign patent laws, as well as the terms
upon which the patents are issued, essentially difTer from those of the
United States, it may be well here to notice a few of their leading
features.
England grants patents to both first inventors, and importers of new
improvements not previously known within the realm. The applicant
must be in the kingdom, and the patent may or may not, at the elec-
tion of the applicant, include Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and the
colonies : if for England alone, the government fees are about $500,
but if all the olhers places of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland be included, such i(tcs will amount to about $1,500. la
case of no opposition, no examination as to novelty is made, prior to
TAssemblv, No. 199.1 2%
370 [Assembly
the giant. Infringers are liable for all (iamages, expenses and costs
to the patentee.
France grants patents without examination as to novelty, to either
foreigners or residents, but only to fu'st inventors, and for five, ten or
fifteen years, at the option of the applicant, for a government tax of
100 francs or $20 a year, payable annually, the first payment to be
made at the time of the application. The patent will be forfeited by
non-payment of the tax, or by allowing the invention to remain in-
active for two years, or by the patentee importing an article of foreign
manufacture, like that protected by the patent. Infringers are pun-
ished by forfeiture to the patentee, of all articles wrongfully made,
together with tools and machinery used in making them, and by a fine
of from 100 to 2,000 francs ; and for a repetition of infringement
imprisonment is added.
Belgium grant patents for five, ten and fifteen years, at the discre-
tion of the applicant, to either importers or inventors of new im-
provements, for from 150 to 750 florins, or from $65 to $260, accord-
ing to the duration and value of the patent. The patent may be for-
feited by omitting for two years to put the invention into active use,
or by the patentee patenting it in any other country.
Netherlands and the Dutch West Indies grant patents nearly on the
same terms and principles as'Belgium.
Austria grants patents without examination as to novelty, to resident
inventors or the assignees of foreign inventors, for from one to five
years, as may be preferred by the applicant, for a government fee,
payable at the time of the application, amounting to about $16 pei
annum for the term of the patent, and an additional annual tax of
about four or five dollars. The invention must be put into active u§e
within one year from the grant of the patent. Infringement is pun-
ished by injunction for the first offence, and forfeiture to the patentee
of the wrongfully made article, and a fine not exceeding 100 ducats,
for a repetition after injunction.
No. 199. j 371
Prussia grants patents for five, six and eight years, to residents only,
for either newly imported or newly invented improvements, and for
the benefit of either residents or foreigners, no examination as to
novelty precedes the grant. The government charge is from $2.50
to ^5 the gi-ant of the patent must be announced in the newspapers
in six weeks, and' six months is allowed to put the invention into ac-
tive use. Infringers are punished for the first offence by injunction
and payment of costs, and for a repetition of infringement, by for-
feiture to the patentee of the wrongfully made article, and liability in
an action for all damages sustained by the patentee.
Russia grants patents to any applicant, of importations, for from one
to six years, and of inventions, for three, five and ten years, at a gov-
ernment fee of about $25 a year for the former, and $50 a year for
the latter, no examination as to novelty is made prior to the grant.
Saxony grant patents only for neAV and original inventions, and only
to residents, but may be for a foreign invention, the inventor nomina-
ting the resident to whom the patent shall be issued. The term of
the patent is reserved to be fixed in each case by the government ;
the fee ranges from $5 to f 50 ; and the invention must be put into
active use within one year.
Bavaria grants patents, both of invention and importation, to any
applicant for from two to fifteen years, at a government fee amounting
to about $10 a year j and the invention patented must go into use in'
two years after the grant, or the patent will be forfeited.
Wurtemburg grants patents for foreign as well as home inventions,
for ten years at an annual tax, and may be for importation or inven-
tion; disuse of the article patented for two years forfeits the patent.
Infringement is punished by forfeiture of the article made without
right, and damages to the patentee ; no examination of the novelty
of the invention is made prior to the grant.
Sardinia grants patents to any applicant, and both of invention and
importation ; the term and tax to be fixed by the government in each
particular case. Proof has to be furnished to the government every
372 [Assembly
year, under penally of forfeiture, that (lie invcnllon or discovery is
kept in use,
Rome grants patents to cill/:cns or foreigners for new inventions
and for importalions new in llie Roman Stales, for from five to fifteen
years, for a lax of about $20 a year ; disuse of the patented article,
or non-payment of the tax, will forfeit the patent. No opposition can
be made to the patent, on the ground of the want of novelty in the
invention, after six months from the time of the grant. Infringement
is punishable by damages to the patentee, and forfeiture of the wrong-
fully made article, half to the patentee, and half to the public.
Portugal grants patents to inventors, including both foreign and na-
tive, from one to fifteen years, for about $5 a year. The thing pa-
tented must be put into use within half the time of the patent, and
also publicly exhibited twice a month, on previous notice, in the gov-
ernment journals, or the grant will be forfeited. Infringement is made
a crime, and declared to be, and is punishable as piracy.
Sweden grants patents of invention for 15 years, an:l of importation
for 5 years. No government fees are charged. The patentee, in
sixty days after the grant, must publish his specification three times,
at length, in the government paper, and no opposition can be made
to the patent unless made within six months after such publication ;
and in case opposition be made, the controversy is to be decided by
arbitration, without appeal. In case of conflicting applications for
patents, the first applicant in order of time has the preference. The
patent may be granted to either a resident or a foreigner ; but if to a
foreigner, he must within one year place it in the name of a resident
of the country. Proof must be furnished within two years from the
grant, that the invention has been put into active use. Infringement
is made penal by fine and forfeiture.
Spain grants patents both of invention and importation, for 5, 10 or
15 years, to any applicant, fo: about §15 a year. Disuse of the thing
patented for a year and a day, after the grant, will forfeit the patent.
Among conflicting applications, the first in order of time has the pre-
ference.
No. 199.] , 373
All these countries provlilc for repealing Invalul patents ; ami nearly
all of Ihem disallow pal<?nts for any invention which has been in any
manner published in a foreign country, — thus rcnilctittg it of great im-
portance to inventors who intend to apply for a foreign patent, to be
very cautious to not have their inventions fust published iu their own
country.
It will be observed from this brief notice of their reyipcclive codes,
that many of the countries of Europe grant patents for mere impor-
tations, that is, for anything new in the kingdom, without reference
to the rights of the inventor.
Their principal object being the introdaclicn of improvements and
new manufactures into their own dominions, they stek, not so much
justice to the author of the improvement, as wealth and prosperity to
the country. They seem content to secure the benefit of the new
article, by offering a premium for its introduction, however unjustly
it may have been taken from its originator : and what protection the
inventor receives, is barely incidental. The operation of such systems
is not to reward merit, but to oppress it j they hold out an inducement
to those with no merit of invention, to steal the rights of others.
To thus commission agents to prowl about the shops of other coun-
tries, and clandestinely seize new inventions as soon as produced, is
nothing less than national robbery, and ought to be regarded as a dis-
grace to any civilized country.
Such is not the character of our system, and while our federal con-
stitution stands in its present form, never can be. The framers of
that admirable instrument were incapable of a recognition of a principle
so illiberal and unjust. The noblp provision it contains,and onwhich
our patent laws are based, is in the following words:
*'• Congress shall have power to promote the progress of science and
useful arts by securing for limited times, to authors and inventors, the
exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries."
374 [Assembly
This was the commencement of the patent system in the United
States, and every la^Y must conform to it. It flings the door open to
inventors throughout the workl ; it stands with a broad and full re-
cognition of the rights of the author of the new production, and gives
only power to the legislature to protect them. The grand features
of its policy are justice to the inventor, combined with public benefit,
but does not, like most foreign countries, sacrifice the former to the
latter. ^
And although the policy of the patent system had its origin in Eng-
land, and lias thus extended over the most of Europe, yet like every
other feature of public policy, founded on intelligence, and involving
the elevation and dignity of man, the system of protecting the authors
of new and useful inventions, is destined to display its most gigantic
w'orks in our own happy land, and to the glory and honor of this re-
public.
There is no mystery in the prediction, and no vanity prompts its ut-
terance. The direct influence of this government, while dealing death
and extinguishment to everything founded on ignorance and degra-
ding servitude, imparts life, health, and the highest degree of progres-
sive prosperity to every enterprise and system which takes root in in-
telligence, and rides upon the march of mind. As the growing pro-
ducts of an improved plantation extract nourishment from the wild,
unwrought soil of the mountain and the glen, and yield in return, de-
licious and luxuriant fruits, so doth the Republic of America avail it-
self of all the useful fragments, even of monarchial policy, to ad-
vance and perfect its systems of enterprise for the elevation and good
of raan.
To any observer of the signs of the times, and the present state
of the world, it must be apparent beyond all doubt, that the United
States is destined to speedily become the great theatre for the future
display of inventive genius and the accomplishment of its most gi-
gantic feats.
No. 199.] 375
Enlightened mind is a prerequisite to exploring^ thought, and ex-
ploring thought is the instrument that penetrates the mysteries of na-
ture and brings forth her hidden treasures.
Astounding discoveries in science, and revolutionizing novelties in
mechanism, have, must, and will follow in train to mental culture,
and where it pervades, they will abound. But the United States of
America is the acknowledged home of general intelligence ; the rich
and the poor alike may partake of its blessings. It is accessible to
all, diffused through all classes, and American mind is saturated with
it. Intelligence is a marked characteristic of our people, a distin-
guishing peculiarity of our laborers; and its general diffiision is a leading
and proud feature of our government. It is the aliment on which re-
publics must feed and live ; and without it they can neither be sus-
tained nor would be worth sustaining.
As certain as the Republic of the United States will hold its on-
ward way through future years, so certain is it, that it will soon be
the grand laboratory of the world, and command the entire frontier
of the dominions of science. In short, the whole nation, by its sys-
tem of general education, is one grand school of tactical training,
preparing armies of adventurers for scientific explorations, and to finally
seize the most outward posts of discovery^ wrest them from all other
nations, and bear them triumphantly further and still further on
through ages to come.
The feelings of ennobling independence, engendered by the influ
ence of our government, and possessed by every American citizen,
impart self-respect, give self-reliance and confidence, and call into
vigorous exercise all the noble and productive natural .powers of
mind.
A general diffusion of education among all the people, without dis-
nction of rank or birth, co-operating with conscious freedom from
servitude, multiplies laborers in the field of scientific research, and
gives power, buoyancy, and elasticity of thought, whose flights infini-
ty alone can bound.
376 [Assembly
By the humble mcchnnlc cf tlie South, hirlh is given to a novelty
in mechnnism. immoita]iicin<^ to his nnmr, brcnusCj pcr(.ht'<l upon an
einuiencc near his lather's residence, Avas the disliict school-house.
From the rude cottage of the distant West, issues an invention to
astonish the refined of Atlantic cities, because the school-master had
been abroad in the land of its occupants.
Now, and to our country's fame and honor be it said, intelligence
stands at the wheel, commands the lathe, wields the hammer, guides
the saw, and follows the plough.
But notwithstanding the available and ennobling systems of gene-
ral education in the United Slates, so w^ell adapted to enligliten the
public mind and supply the exploring inventor with mental torches
to illuminate the obscure labyrinths of his researches ; notwithstanding
the tendency of the times is utilitarian, and so well calculated to re-
lease mind from the charmsof phantasy and direct its efforts to things
cf substance J notwithstanding that exalting sense of freedom and in-
dependence, a part of the birthright of American citizens, abiding
alike with poverty and affluence, and so well adapted to engender
self-respect and confidence, elicit original thought and prompt each
to strive for merit ; and notwithstanding the honors awarded to labor
in this country, and the high respectability and conceded merit of
American operatives, so well calculated to swell their ranks with ac-
cessions of enterprise from all classes — still, to consolidate the whole,
and bring all into active play, and render the influence effectual in
accomplishing the great end of developing new discoveries, and en-
riching the country by new inventions, something more is necessary.
It is not sufficient to store mind with knowledge, cultivate its func-
tions, strengthen its powers, and habituate it to rely on its own
resources, and thus pre/jare it for action, — motive must be had, — a
stimulant must be supplied.
The machinery of a manufactory may be put in perfect order — oil-
ed up and ready for successful operation — but still it will not go j
No. 199.1 ' 377
molivc power corrcspon-.lmg wllh the rcsis!ancc to be overcome, Is
imliqiensablc to s'art and keep it in operallon.
So, in like mnnncr, (o put into operation the menial Aicuhics, and
keep up the arduous and elaborate invpstigalions necessary to pierce
the n:ysteries of nature, an.i pry out great inventions, adequate motive
must be superadded to ability.
But again, according to the first law of nature, that of self-protec-
tion, and especially in this country, where each is cast upon his own
resources, and is the author of his own fortune, this motive or stimu-
lant, to prove eflectual in eliciting energetic action, must be of a char-
acter personal and beneficial to the party to be reached by its influ-
ence ; such as to promise the results of labor to the laborer, and ena-
ble him to anticipate with confidence the enjoyment of its fruits.
This is a principle so well established by experience, as to have
become a settled fact in political economy, applicable, in general, to
all the busy scenes of life.
But with what peculiar and unusual force does it apply to the en-
couragement ol inventron ? To arouse the inventive energies of a
nation and nerve the mind to the absorbing, emaciating mental scru-
tiny requisite to surmount the difficulties and discouragements en-
countered by the inventor, demands motive of the strongest and most
animating power. One which will call him from other pursuits, ap-
propriate his money in expensive experiments and his time to hard
study ; one which will cheer and animate him in solitary seclusion
from society and substantially from his own family ; one which will
sustain him amid disappointments and darkened prospects ; one
which will enable him to collect and recover his energies after the
prostration of his last hope, by an apparent failure in attaining his
long-sought result ; one which will induce self-denial of the ordinary
diversions of society, and year after year hold him steady to his pur-
pose, until the best of his life has been exhausted in devouring ab
straclion.
378 [Assembly
As a motive power to accomplish all this, and put: into operation all
the diversified inventive energies of a country, nothing can be better
adapteil than judicious and well ordered Patent Laws, The benefit
thereby promised, is to the inventor himself, and having the exclusive
right to his production for a limited time, is proportionate to its value
and in exact accordance with his merit.
The Patent Laws of the United States, like a large engine of mighty
power, geared to the national mind by belts of encouragement, with
Congress as the engineer, have carried and kept in operation, an
amount of well-prepared intellectual machinery, of which few can
form any conception, and which, alone, accounts for and has resulted
in the many valuable discoveries and inventions, destined to charac-
terize the nineteenth century, enhance the glory ofAmerican achieve-
ments, and remain as an enduring monument of the triumphant success
of Republican Government.
This engine connects with and communicates its power alike to shop,
factory, furnace, laboratory and the field, and is the grand practical
regulator of steam power, water powder, atmospheric power, muscular
power, and the power of lightning.
With what care and competency then should it be managed ? What
an amount of rcsponsibiUty devolves upon the engineer? But has it
been so managed '? Has Congress handled it as a matter of so great
importance? The response from every man familiar with the subject,
will be. No !
W^hatever may have been the cause, the fact is too apparent, that
the subject of the Patent Laws has not received that attention from
Congress, to which its great importance entitles it. The character and
contents of nearly the whole series of acts now constituting the Patent
Laws of this country, and particularly the act of 1836, both as to
frame-work and finish, bear evidence, of at least, hasty and inattentive
legislation.
No marks of the great minds which annually assemble at our capital,
no appearance of elaborate investigation, no trace of earnest effort by
able men, are apparent in those statutes. But drawn, as if by one
No. 199.] 379
unacquainted with what previously existed, or one under an anxiety
to hastily dispatch what appeared to him to be of little consequence,
the different acts are yoked together by their respective titles^, illy
adapted to each other, and in many respects, still less suitable to the
subject-matter to which they appertain, and left to be joined and con-
nected by the construction of com'ts at great expense to the public,
and to the ruin of inventors. Added to this manifest want of due at-
tention to what has been done, is the culpable neglect of doing more.
The experience of the past has indicated to every observant citizen,
acquainted with this subject, the necessity of further legislation to pro-
perly adjust and regulate the respective rights of the public and inven-
tors. And repeated petitions, prayers and supplications have gone
up to Congress for a series of years, and their wisdom has been ear-
nestly besought and relied upon, to remedy the evils ; still the only
response to all this, has been a few meagre enactments, inadequate to
supply even the particular deficiencies for which they were intended,
and leaving others still more grievous, entirely untouched. The sub-
ject has not been handled by Congress in a manner corresponding at
all wdth its importance, nor partaken of the distinguished wisdom of
that body, annually expended upon themes of less magnitude.
And it seems, that either there has been a want of sufficient ac-
quaintance with the subject-matter of the Patent Laws, and it has ap-
peared so abstruse and perplexing as to deter a grapple with it, or,
that its entire freedom from exciting party characteristics has clothed
it with a garb of passive indifference. Let there be no complaint
without cause. But is not a subj*ect-matter, annually opening new
mines of wealth and power to the country, in which the public, col-
lectively, and every individual directly or indirectly are interested,
and which involves the most sacred rights to private property, and
that of a peculiar and most difficult kind to regulate by law, of suffi-
cient importance to elicit the full attention and command the best wis-
dom of the Legislature of an enlightened people ? And has it re-
ceived this*?
V\ hen was the time, at which these laws were made the subject of
an open and full discussion by these distinguished representatives of
3S0 I Assembly
States and people ? When was the li:nc, at which this subject -was
analyzed and elucidated by the masteiing logic and profound reason-
ing of distinguished senators, so often brought tq bear upon questions
of international law and constitutional construction ? When was the
lime, at which was heard a discharge upon this subject, cf the great
tnlellectual peace-makers of the United Slates Senate chamber ?
When was the auspicious day, on which was encircled the inventor's
fame, by the glowing eloquence of American statesmen in Congress
assembled 1 When have reported speeches and discussions on this,
as on vastly less important subjects, emanated from the Capitol, and
inundated the country ? When was the time, that Congress and the
public were enlightened on the subject-matter of the Patent Laws,
as they are wont to be on other subjects of legislation, by elaborate
and lucid expositions from able members 1 Never : the annals of
congressional proceedings contain no traces of the kind. On the con-
trary, a few loose amendments, brief entries of petitions presented
and referred, reports submitted, and motions made and lost, indicate
about the extent to which this matter has been deemed worthy the
attention of Congress.
Congress has at all times approached it, and disponed of it, with a
slight consideration, due only to some limited sectional matter, and
of no general interest. They have refused it attention, as if it were
a law exclusively for the benefit of a particular class of individuals ;
they have withheld their action, as if it were to take from the public
and award to individuals ; they have treated it with a jealousy, as if
it were an encroachment upon public rights, and a special favor to in-
dividuals.
Why should this be 1 Is there anything in the nature of the case
to palliate the grievance of such neglect ? Is the subject destitute
of the elements of sound policy and unworthy of faithful and atten-
tive legislation ? No, far from it. Laws to encourage inventions
and to secure the benefit of the invention to its author for a limited
time, are founded in public policy most vnse^ justice most pwCj and
expediency most urgent. They embrace more fully than any other
branch of jurisprudence, all the ingredients of a high order of sound
and wise national policy. '
No. 199.J 2S1
Let us test this, by ana]3'sis.
First — From the dawn of civllizallon, laws have been enacted for
the protection of men in the enjoyment of their lands and herds, and
other tangible property, and no nation, above the untutered savage, is
regardless of this sacred right. To secure a citizen in the use of Ids
pnvate proj^ertyj is of itself, without reference to further public bene-
fit, deemed of sufficient moment to demand extensive legislation.
Second — Measures solely to promote public interest collectively, are
esteemed of themselves sufficient to justify even years of agitation
and entire political revolutions, to secure the desired legislation.
Third — JVational honor alone, is a matter of sufficient moment to
move governments and armies at vast expense.
Fourth — Encouragement to the cultivation and spread of science^ is
deemed for the highest interest of Republics, and worthy the best ef-
forts of the noblest statesmen.
But now let it be observed, that it is a peculiar characteristic of
the policy of well adapted Patent Laws, to combine all of these ad-
vantages together.
The demands of justice, in protection to private rights, an increase
of public wealth and convenience, maintenance and advancement of
national honor, and additional fortificatiuns of intelligence, are all
united in this policy, and attainable without price or public expendi-
ture.
Is not this sufficient then, to warrant a liberal exercise of the legis-
lative talent of the country, and to have these laws put into the best
possible order 1
I am aware, that any law for (he benefit only of a particular class,
in consequence of the contracted sphere of its operation, is properly
an object of more suspicion and less entitled to preference in elabor-
ate consideration, than a law for general benefit, operating uoon all
382 [ASSEMBLT
casses ; and I am also aware that through a misapprehension of their
nature, the Patent Laws are supposed by many, to be of that charac-
ter, and intended expressly to grant special favors to inventors.
This however is not only incorrect, but it is precisely the opposite
of the fact.
The policy of the Patent Laws of the United States, is not to ex-
tend any extraordinary right or benefit to inventors, but on the con-
trary, it is to secure justice to the inventor and bring benefit to the
public.
The inventor receives nothing from such laws except protection,
which is the common right of all subjects of organized government.
ti
When a man, by his own exertion and industry has devised a com-
bination of thoughts, not known before, which, when embodied in
wood or metal, are capable of producing important and valuable re-
sults, it is a secret which belongs to him and not to others, a thing
which he has and the public have not. If now he disclose it to the
public and receive a patent, he imparts a benefit and the pubUc re-
ceive it ; and he in return takes nothing extraordinary by receiving
the patent from the public ; it is barely extending to him, on his pay-
ing a bonus, what is extended to every other citizen without a bonus ;
the use of law to protect his rights. And yet, after the public have
thus speculated out of him, he is still charged with having a law for
his special benefit. This is truly ungrateful. He asks no special fa-
yor, but barely justice j and it is the policy of the Patent Law to
award him nothing but justice, and through that, to secure a great
public benefit.
Is it possible then for Congress to be better engaged than in taxing
their time and attention, and exercising their best talents in improv-
ing laws so just and so creditable to the nation 1 Days and weeks
are often spent among the members, in controverting points origina-
ting in mere pride of opinion, and the discussion of mere temporary
matters of no lasting importance. How much more is it worthy the
representatives of an enlightened and distinguished people, to employ
No. 199.] 383
their energies and display tlieir ability on a policy originating in in-
telligence, founded on science, progressive in importance, and destin-
ed to carry its blessings to every civilized land, and through all ages
to come 1
Bui let us now approach the subject with some more particularity,
with a view of determining to what extent this policy of the Patent
Laws has been carried out by Congress.
Acting upon the power given by the Constitution, they have under-
taken to provide that inventors, through the instrumentality of patents,
shall have the exclusive right to their inventions for 14 years. Pur-
suant to this, the first thing requisite after the inventor has completed
his invention, is to know whether he can receive a patent. If he can,
it is important to have it without delay ; and if he can not, it is
equally important for him to know it ; and in either case, it is of
equal importance to public interest to have the matter speedily dis-
posed of.
But how have Congress met this first demand of the case ? It
seems to me that they have met it in the best possible manner to de-
feat the very object of the system. For a number of years the
amount of business in the patent office has so far exceeded the pro-
vision made to dispatch it, that the inventor, on applying for a patent,
has been compelled to wait for 5, 6, 8 and 9 months before being
able to procure an answer.
After appropriating years, and by expending all the means he had
in completing the invention, he must then wait, with no means of sup-
port for himself or family, and feed upon suspense for several months,
because government is short a hand or two in the patent office. Is
it the encouragement to inventors contemplated by the Constitution,
to keep his property unprotected by law for several months, because
the government have work for a few hands more than they have pro-
vided '? Shall he be deprived, on such paltry excuse, of the common
protection of law to his property, and then be told that this is his en-
couragement 1
381 [Assembly
Notlilng less than air.pic provision lo issue lo an Inventor a patent,
ns soon as l.e can show liia)r5elf entitled ihcrelo, is worthy of the in-
telligence of the age. Why should he be required lo crouch, in cor
roiling suspense, beneath the droppings of the patent office foi
months, before being allowed lo assert a legal title lo Lis rights'^
Standing on (nc porch of the patent office, afar off you may sec d
meagre, care-worn man, wending his way toward.j you. Unobscrvan'
of surrounding objects, and with eagerness and encouraged hope de-
picted upon his countenance, he advances with hasty step and enthu-
siastic air, until he passes the threshold of the building, he comes
with all the earnestness and anxiety of a messenger with momentous
tidings from a hostile camp. Who is he, where from, what has hap-
pened ? Is he the bearer of important dispatches ? Has he brought
intelligence of some mighty conquest ? Yes, even so. He comes
from our frontier army, stationed upon the boundary of human pro-
gress^ he has bcfn an old veterar^here, and hastens to announce a
victory won. He has at length forced nature's ramparts, and made a
rich conquest of her concealed treasures, and now brings with him the
booty lo enrich and embellish his country. Elated wi'.h hope, he
seeks the triumphant arch of the patent office, and anticipates the
warm reception and gratitude of his countrymen ; reaching it,
and speeding his way to the commissioner, he presents his credentials,
and impatiently waits a reply. But what now 1 Why, with cool
dignity he is told he may as well go home again — that the govern-
ment has no lime to attend to him then — that his papers will be filed,
and in the course of six months or a year, taken up and looked at.
Now, in the name of common sense, is this encouragement ? Is this
calculated to arouse the attention and nerve the energies of others to
go and do likewise ? In what school of philosophy must legislators
have been trained, to have brought forth such means to impart en-
couragement lo inventors? Through what mental optics have they
been able to discover, that disappoint7nent is e7icouroge7nentAh7L\.'injns'
tice and ingratitude multiplies benefactors, or, that withholding Ihe
protection of law to a particular kind of property, is an inducement
lo others lo invest their means, time and labor, in such property 1
No. 399.] 385
No transcendentalism can compete with so great absurdity.
Every application for a patent should be taken up for examination
as soon as made. Justice requires it, and the true policy of the sys-
tem requires it. Frequently the inventor, on the completion of his
invention, has nothing else left. Years of toil and his last means are
all invested in it. While others have been engaged in accumulating
houses and lands, to be held by them for life, and then descend to
their children, he has been laboring to produce an invention, to be
enjoyed by himself for the short term of 14 years, and then to pass to
the public for general good. He has no other means of support, and
must even seek pecuniary assistance from others to put the invention
into operation ; but he must first be able to show his legal title, and
he can get no assistance until he receives his patent. Had he spent
his time in raising wheat and bullocks to feed upon, legal title would
have attached to them as soon as produced ; but, because he has la-
bored in a way for greater public benefit, he must stand in abeyance,
and suffer the ruinous consequences of months of unnecessary delay.
But let us not leave this point with only lamentation and com-
plaint J a physician's sighs and tears over the suffering of his patient,
will neither remove nor mitigate the disease. A remedy is demand-
ed, and what shall it be 1
The immediate cause of this delay is the increase of business in the
patent office, and this is only the result of the successful operation of
the patent system.
A remedy is not difficult to find ; Congress has been chasing the
difficulty with the proper remedy in kind, for several years, but have
strangely managed to keep about the same distance behind it. When
two additional Examiners have been required, tliey have provided for
one, and when three have been required, they have provided for two,
thus keeping the supply just so far in the rear of the advancing de-
mand, as to perpetuate the grievance. The cause of the delay being
progressive, the remedy, to prove effectual, must be adapted to its
prospective demands.
1 Assembly, No. 199." 25
^^6 [Assembly
To properly provide for this, Congress must so inform itself of the
duties and details of the patent office as to fully understand and ap-
preciate them.
The whole system, both in theory and practical operation, is pro-
gressive, and principles applicable to it at one time, may not apply to
it at another. What it was, and what was necessary to govern it, is
not a sufficient criterion to determine what it is, and what is now ne-
cessary to regulate it. As well might an attempt be made to govern
a locomotive by principles applicable to an ox-cart, or the steamer by
the philosophy of the Venetian galley.
The duties of the Examiners are arduous and difficult, requiring
great integrity, competency, experience, and elaborate investigations.
Their labor constitutes the great work of the office, and the manner of
its performance will determine whether the present system will be a
curse or a blessing. Their reports are and must be virtual decisions,
and the country must rely upon them for results. The papers may
pass through the hands of the Commissioner, but the matters to be
determined can never pass through his mind ; the extent of the busi-
ness and the many nice and difficult questions to be determined, are
entirely beyond the capacity of one mind to encompass. A small er-
ror, wilful or inadvertent, on the part of an Examiner, may drive
away the meritorious inventor with no reward for his labor but injus-
tice, disappointment and sadness ; while, on the other hand, it may
crush and trample upon the vested rights of others.
The examiners' time should not be overtaxed. The nature of
their duties are inconsistent with such a course. Full opportunity
should be afforded them to confer with applicants, hear arguments
and explanations, and in difficult cases to consult at length with each
other, and not as a matter of courtesy, but as a part of their legiti-
mate business.
As it now is, aside from intolerable delay, the examining force of
the patent office is so pressed with accumulated bus'mess as to leave
no proper time for such purposes, and if an inventor by dint of effort
No. ]99.] 387
gams an interview at all, it must necessarily be so confused and hur-
ried as to be of little practical service.
The extent and importance of the present business of the patent
office demands an entirely new and different organization of the ex-
aminers' department. The duties which they perform are susceptible
of being divided into three classes :
1st. Examinations as to the form of the specification, drawings,
model, and other papers of the applicant.
2d. Searches and examinations of records, scientific publications,
models and other sources, for evidence on the subject of the applica-
tion. And
3d. Digesting, considering and disposing of the evidence after
foimd, including consultations, explanations, hearing parties, examina-
tion of evidence taken in interference cases, and other things of like
nature.
The labor of the first two of these divisions is of a nature which
requires no interruption, and of conseqwicnce, when mixed up with
that of the third division, the whole becomes confused and hurried,
and much time is lost.
To obviate all difficulty and secure order and dispatch, there should
be three sets of examiners : principal examiners, to take charge of
the third division ; vice-examiners, to take charge of the second di-
vision ; and assistant examiners, to take charge of the first division.
And, as far as practicable, the office of the examiners should be
made permanent, and they should succeed each other in rotation, from
assistant to principal.
Such an arrangement would secure qualifications adapted to duty,
and promote general order and dispatch of business. It would re-
lieve the first and second divisions from the confusion and interruption
of the matters belonging to the third, and enable the principals to at-
38S j Assembly
tend to things which are now necessarily neglected, to the great
grievance of applicants.
I have taken the trouble to ascertain, that four additional men, at
an expense of about four or five thousand dollars a year, would be
sufficient to carry out such an arrangement, obviate delay, and
meet present and prospective demands.
And why should not this be done ? Is the expense an objection 1
If so, it is well to know how this objection stands.
Since the patent law went into operation, which was in 1790, three
years after the signing of the Constitution, the money paid into the
patent office, chiefly by inventors, and passed to the treasury of the
United Stales, am.ounts to $758,505 .70. Of this sum, $434,0^6.87
has been expended in conducting the business of the patent office,
including the amounts paid for agricultiiral statistics ; leaving a baknce
of $324,468.83. Of this balance, Congress spent $108,000 in con-
structing a building, nominally for a patent office, but practically for
a variety of other purposes. The reiJiainder of this balance, being
$216,468.83, on the 1st day of January, 1849, remained in the trea-
sury of the United States, and which Congress is now engaged in
spending in putting up buildings for the general use of the Home
Department.
Now tell me, if you can, why inventors have been ridden with a
special tax for half a century, to accumulate funds to collect agricul-
tural statistics and erect buildings for the use of the country at large.
Why not tax every man, in like manner, for the use of law to protect
his property and his rights ? What high offence has the inventor
been guilty of, that he should be singled out and made a victim of
this special burden, to accumulate funds to be applied to the general
purposes of government? Not one dollar of this fund should be ap-
propriated to any other use until every necessary accommodation be
provided for issuing patents.
But again, if there were no other way of meeting the expenses, in-
ventors would gladly, on condition of having their applications exa-
No. 199.] 389
mined as soon as maae, with the otaer accommodations suggested,
pay still more than they now do, and sufficient to meet all additional
expense.
And finally, if the expense of proper provision for the patent bu-
reau could not be had from any other source, it is a matter of sufficient
public importance and general benefit to warrant its payment out of
the general funds of the government. But this is not at all necessary,
as proper attention to the subject would enable Congress to see wherein
justice as well as expediency requires, that the fees for certain services
in the patent office should be raised.
For instance, every re-issue of a patent, to induce the applicant to
get his claim right in the first instance, if nothing more, should be
charged, inslead of less, more than an original applicationj and every
improvement applied for on an invention already patented, as it re-
quires the same labor, should be charged the same fee as an original
application.
Another evil requiring the immediate attention of Congress, is the
present system of re-issuing letters patent.
The act of 1836, provides that in case of mistakes in the specifica-
tion of letters patent, such patent at any time during the term of four-
teen years, may be surrendered and a new patent issued ybr the same
vwention^ called a re-issue. The object, intended to be attained by
this provision, is undoubtedly a laudable one, but, from its loose and
indefinite wording, its practical operation is most unjust and oppres-
sive, tending to absolute legalized robbery, both upon individuals and
the public. Under the construction given to this provision, the prac-
tice of the patent office in granting re-issues, has been, not to limit the
extent of the claim of the new patent to the invention appearing in
the original patent, or to be inferred from the specification annexed
thereto, but to enlarge it on ex-parte evidence to any additional extent.
Superadd to this practice, the fact that the new patent so issued, is
to take effect, as to causes of action subsequently accruing, from the
date of the original patent, and is to be deemed evidence of the exis-
390 (Assembly
tence of the invention as far back as the date of such original, and
you have a combination of things, the joint operation of which is
truly alarming, opening a door for foul fraud and deception, and re-
sulting in the most glaring injustice and the most intolerable outrage
upon the rights of men and community, ever passively endured.
By it a patentee is enabled, by the use of an ex-parte affidavit of
any vile vagabond, to gather up in some old patent, for a useless skel-
eton of an invention, and appropriate to himself all the inventions
upon the subject-matter to which it belongs, which others have pro-
duced for the last thirteen or fourteen years, and this, too, with no
opportunity on their part to be heard in opposition. By it, and the
use of the same means, he is enabled to extend the bounds of his old
patent over all the new territory discovered by others subsequently to
the date of his original patent. By it, and the use of like means, he
is enabled to expand his old patent and swallow^ up, not only what
others have since invented and put into use, but even what they have
patented and sold long before he ever conceived or dreamed of the
existence of such a thing. By it, and the use of like means, he can
manufacture legal evidence to the effect, that he made a discovery or
an invention years before it was ever known or made at all. By it,
and the use of like means, he can wrest, from, other citizens, inventions
which they have made, which belong to th&m as first inventors, and
even, which they have patented and long had in public use.
Thus it is, that old relics of patents, by this system of re-issues, arc
converted into nets to surround and gather up for the benefit of their
owners, the rich fruits of others' skill, genius and labor.
Thus it is, that old patents, for inventions of no use or value, and
even not new, are set as traps to ensnare meritorious inventors and
harrass the public ; and thus it is, that old patents, for inventions long
ago abandoned by the patentee, as containing no novelty, are resus-
citated by fraud and corruption, and sprung upon the community in
the form of re-issues, to take from citizens their property and vested
rights. This is a growing evil, so great and important, that its re-
moval is worthy of the best attention of Congress, and its continuance
is a foul stain upon the character of our national intelligence.
No. 199.] 391
To correct it, the law should provide, 1st, that no patentee, on
surrendering his old patent and having it re-issued, should be allowed
to incorporate any invention into the claim of such re-issue, except
such as clearly appears in some form in the specification of his original
patent. 2d. That no re-issue letters patent should be allowed, after
tlie expiration of one year from the time of issuing such patent. The
only object of a re-issue should be to correct mistakes, and if the
matter be so neglected as not to find the mistake in one year, the
consequences belter fall upon those guilty of the neglect, than to be
rendered the means of destruction to the rights of those who have no
connection with, or power over it. Or, 3d. As a substitute for the
remedies suggested, no patent should be re-issued, except on notice to
such persons as may have filed a request therefor in the patent office,
in the nature of a caveat, and an opportunity afforded to hear objec-
tions to such re-issue.
Another feature of the law requiring correction, is that allowing a
party to apply for a patent on some old experiment which he may
have made and abandoned for years, and thereby to interfere with
other patents already out for the same thing. This practice is liable
to the same objection as that of granting re-issues, as now conducted,
and the same arguments apply to both.
This should be so altered that no patent should be granted unless
applied for within two years after the completion of the invention,
provided a patent had been issued to any other original inventor of
the same thing prior to such application.
Another deficiency in the present law, is the want of a provision
to repeal invalid patents. As the law now is, no patent can be re-
pealed j however invalid it may be, and by whatever fraudulent means
it may have been obtained, it must nevertheless stand for the fourteen
years as a terror and a nuisance to the public for the want of a pro-
vision of appeal. This is too absurd to require argument.
And the 17th section of the act ot 1839, under the construction
unavoidably put upon it by the Supreme Court of the United States,
in consequence of its loose wording, entirely misses its mark, and
392 [AsSEJrlBLT
like a gun with no breech-pin, discharges itself in the wrong direction,
endangering the sportsman more than the game.
It in effect, amounts to the absurdity of rendering the person, not
the inventor, but who shall have purchased or made a machine on the
plan of the invention, before application for the patent, a joint owner
^vith the patentee.
The provision, requiring interfering applicants to take testimony,
as to their respective rights, and leaving them with no power to com-
pel the attendance of witnesses, is equally preposterous.
I might detain you by pointing out many other defects in the patent
laws, as they now stand, but time admonishes me to come to a close,
which I shall do with an expression of a hope, that the members of
this great Institution will appreciate the importance of good patent
laws, to promote the noble objects for which they are associated, and
will give their influence in favor of their improvem«nt.
ADDRESS
On the Manufactures of the Southern States, delivered at Castle
Garden, Oct. 1849.
Bt James M. Ckane Esq.
Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen : — At the request of
those who have in charge this thriving and useful institution, I have con-
sented to appear here, this evening. I ttank I deceive not myself or
others, either, v;hen I say I take a strong and decided interest in all
that increases the weallh, independence and'true glory of the country.
It is our country, our whole country — however bounded, still our coun-
try— to be nourished, protected and defended by all our hearts and
minds. There is no land like unto it. It has reached nothing like
its zenith, yet it is a young giant of more power and strength than
any nation on the globe. ,
The progress which it nas made from the time of its discovery, has
no parallel in history. For nearly three hundred years it had to
struggle against a barbarous population at home — and an almost serai-
barbarous policy of the mother country. Our fathers in 1774, '5 and
'6, believing that so goodly a land as this ought not to be embarrassed
by oppressive legislation, flew to arms, and threw off all allegiance to
the mother land. All history shows they had just cause, and time
and investigation have sanctioned their acts. "Appealing to Divine
Providence for the rectitude of thek intentions," they pledged to each
other " their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honors," to accom-
plish their deliverance. Their labors were crowned with success, and
from that day to this, in which our eyes at this wonderful exhibition
behold so much of the skill, ingenuity, and enterprise of our people.
Our country has advanced with a progress and power unexampled in
the history of the world.
394 [Assembly
Among the chief causes which lead to that great event m our his-
tory, the revolution, was the restriction imposed, upon our commerce
and manufactures, by the British Government. It is her peculiar po-
licy yet with her colonies, as well as with our own and other nations.
It might not be amiss to allude to some few of these oppressive acts.
Tliat the colonies should not be permitted to manufacture even a hob-
nail, Avas not the mere idle remark of an English statesman, for as
early as 1699, Parliament declared that "no wool, yarn, or wool-
len manufactures of their American plantations, should be ship-
ped thence, or even ladened, in order to be transported to any place
whatever."
In 1719, Parliament resolved " that the creating manufactures in
the colonies, tended to lessen their dependence on Great Britain."
In 1737, Parliament directed the Board of Trade to inquire and re-
port " with respect to the laws made, manufactures set up, or trade
carried on detrimental to the trade, navigation, or manufactures of
Great Britain." The next year the board made their report. In it
they say — " New England, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island,
Pennsylvania, and in the county of Somerset, in Maryland, they had
fallen into the manufacture of woollen and linen cloth." Also "brown
Holland, for w^omen's wear, which lesseft the importation of calicoesP
Also " some linen and cotton for ordinary shirtings and shifts for the
French and Spaniards."
They had also " erected six forges (one of which w^as in South
Carolina,) and nineteen furnaces ;" — also "New-York and New- Jersey
manufactured great quantities of hats, of which the company of hatters
in London have complained." In 1732, an act passed Parliament
" to prevent the exportation of hats from the Colonies." By this act
no master could have more than two apprentices and who should serve
seven years. No negro could be taught a trade. The lading a horse
or cart for exporting hats or manufactured articles was a heavy penalty.
In 1750, Parliament prohibited the erection or continuance of any mill
or other engine for rolling or slitting iron, or any plating forge, or any
furnace for steel, under a penalty of two hundred pounds, and more-
over declared them a public nuisance, which the Governors of all the
Colonies were required to abate, within thirty days, under a penalty
No. 199.] 395
of five hundred pounds. Subsequently, Parliament prohibited
the exportation, to this country, of tools to make iron. These and
similar acts of oppression, that might be named, aroused the spirit of
liberty, which eventually burst forth in the Revolution, was complained
of in the Declaration of Independence, partially provided for in the
Confederation, and finally secured against in the Constitution ; and
these wonderful exhibitions before us are the fruits of that Constitution.
Great Britian made an earnest attempt to have in the treaty of 1783,
by which she acknowledged our final separation and independence, a
clause inserted, binding us not to engage in manufactures. In 1791,
she attempted, through her Board of Trade, to have the United States
bound by treaty not to raise the tariff on her manufactured goods.
At the close of the second war, in the year 1815, Lord Brougham
declared in the House of Commons, " that it was well worth while to
incur a loss upon the first exportation, in order by the glut to stifle in
the cradle these rising manufactures in the United States, which the
war had forced into existence. From and after the war up to 1828,
sufficient protection was given to manufacturing to enable us to prosper
very greatly. On account of this result, George Canning, when he
became Prime Minister, declared " that he would make the people of
America reduce their tariff' or dissolve their Union." A correspondence
was commenced, with leading men in this country, and which laid the
foundation of nullification in South Carolina. Nullification led to the
compromise, and the compromise to the almost total overthrow of our
manufactures. After which w^e find the Edinburgh Review thus dis-
coursing about us : —
" In the four quarters of the globe, who reads an American book ?
or goes tc an American play ? or looks at an American picture or
statue 1 What does the world yet owe to American physicians and
surgeons 1 What new substances have their chemists discovered, or
what old ones have they analyzed 1 What new constellations have
been discovered by the telescopes of Americans? What have they
done in mathematics 1 Who drinks out of American glasses ? or eats
from American plates 1 Or wears American coats or gowns'? or sleeps
in American blankets ? Who 7"
396 [Assembly
We may gather the policy of England towards her manufactures
from the following notice -which was issued from the Lord Chamber-
lain's office in 1842 : " Her Majesty's State Ball. — All persons invited
to^he ball at Buckingham Place, on the 12th of May, dre expected to
appear in dresses of British manufactures. Ladies not to wear
plumes or trains, gentlemen to appear in costumes, uniform, or full
court dress."
I am no eulogist of England as some are : no admirer of that
DO 7
sickly philanthropy which traverses the world to discover objects for
her sympathy whilst thousands are suffering at home for its support !
— no advocate for that protection which exhausts itself in preserving
wealth to the wealthy, and entailing poverty and misery on the poor
and wretched. But look at England as she is, with all her faults —
there is in her history and policy much to admire and much to imitate.
With a small territory scarcely as large as that of some of our states —
with no peculiarity or variety of soil or climate, producing an msuffi-
cient supply of the necessaries and but few of the luxuries of life,
and but a portion of the raw materials that sustains her arts — yet she
promptly meets the interest on her immense national debt ; disburses
for her annual expenses upwards of fifty millions of pounds sterling-
sustains an army of a hundred thousand men — a navy over five hun-
dred ships of war — the most extensive commercial marine in the world ;
gives laws to a hundred and sixty millions of subjects, and rules over
one sixth of the globe. It has been well said of her, that the " Sun
never sets upon her territories" — that her "military posts are dotted
round the entire globe ; and their morning drum-beat, following the
course of the sun, sends forth a continuous strain of the martail airs
of England."
Yet in comparison with her shuttle and loom, her machinery and
steam engine— all her martial array are but the "pride, pomp, and
circumstance of power." Those may overawe her own subjects —
overthrow the hordes of Asia, or battle against some prouder foe —
but these serve the products of her power throughout the inhabitable
world and paralyze the energies of mighty nations; and, if England
were blotted out of existence to-morrow, the historian could a thou-
sand years hence, write from the medals and devices of her manu-
No. 199.] 397
factures a more accurate account of her power and greatness, than
has ever been deciphered of the past from the imperishable monu-
ments of p-enius : for even these tell not a tale of civilization so im-
pressive, as the simple winding-sheet torn from the skeleton that it
has enshrouded for hundreds of years.
The secret of England's power and greatness is in the protection
of her own industry. From the days of her Edwards and her Henrys,
when she launched her first battle ship and imported sailors to man
it — when, to foster her o\vn manufactures, she excluded those of other
countries, and even made the exportation of raw materials felony, and
required the dead to be buried in woollen j unto the present time, she
has pursued the same policy of protection. It is inscribed upon the
sails of her ships ; stamped upon the products of her arts, and em-
blazoned upon every monument of her genius, enterprise and power.
Through all change of time, of sovereigns, of ministers, and of parties
—beneath this broad shield, England has stood armed against the
world. With her unchangeable position of buying nothing she could
produce, she has successfully competed with all competition.
Within the last half century, our country has sprang forth her ri-
val. In this contest she possesses peculiar advantages — a broad ex-
panse of territory in the heart of a new continent, laved by an ocean
on either side stretching out like a beautiful carpet, through every va-
riety of clime, and intersected with magnificent mountains, valleys,
rivers and lakes, with every peculiarity of soil, producing all the ne-
cessaries and most of the luxuries of life — sparkling all over with the
richest minerals, abounding in the elements of national wealth, with
immense facilities of internal and external communication, and teem-
ing with a population literally panting for the conflict. Let us sus-
tain them, that we may give happiness to the wretched, permanency
to our wealthy, character to our country — replenish the national trea-
sury, establish confidence, put in motion millions of machinery, give
employment to millions of citizens, cheer the husbandman with the
certainty of a market, whiten the ocean with canvass, speed the canal-
boat and car, and electrify this entire nation with new life and ener-
getic action.
398 [Assembly
But it was more particularly my purpose in addressing you, to give
some account of the progress of industry in the south. Although the
people of that genial and and beautiful portion of this union are not
so noted for their thrift and industry in the arts as this division of the
country, still they are progressing at this time very steadily and suc-
cessfully.
The State of Delaware has a larger capital invested in, and a great-
er number of manufactures for the territory and population, than any
State in the Union out of New England. In New Castle connty, es-
pecially on the Brandywine, cotton, woollen, and other manufactures,
are very numerous. The most of them too, are of a very large class.
But little is done in either Kent or Sussex, but agriculture is decided-
ly improving.
Maryland is pushing ahead with rapid strides in canals, railroads,
and manufactures. In these three great interests, with that of mining,
she has perhaps a capital of from forty-five to fifty millions of dollars.
Her great railroad to the Ohio runs through a vastly productive coal
and iron region. In the county of Allegany her coal and iron inter-
est is of great magnitude. A numerous population has gathered here
on this account. Several large rolling-mills and furnaces have been
erected. The coal and iron trade alone from this county must swell
the commerce and profits of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal to a very
extraordinary amount, when that great improvement shall be com-
pleted to Cumberland ; it is to be finished in all next year. Facto-
ries, mills and furnac«s are growing up in all the old and new towns
and settlements along the line of this railroad, both in Virginia and
Maryland. The coal mining interest is one of great productiveness
and magnitude both to this road and the State.
One of the best conducted manufacturmg towns in this country, is
Laurel, half-way between Washington and Baltimore. The people
for twenty miles around have been literally transformed. It is a very
flourishing valley. There is a very large manufacturing town, on the
plan of Lowell, commenced at a place called Weaverton, near Harper's
Ferry, on the banks of the Potomac. Several large mills, factories,
hotels, churches and stores have already been erected. Quite a con-
No. 199.] 399
siderable manufacturing settlement is established near Cumberland.
Rolling-millsj factories, forges, furnaces, with other branches of in-
dustry are springing into existence over the whole State. Agriculture
in Maryland within the last few years has undergone a decided im-
provement.
If Virginia, my own State, had commenced the same systems of
improvement thirty years ago, she has now in progress and in contem-
plation, she would now have a population of over three millions of
souls, Richmond, Petersburg and Portsmouth in the east, and Wheel-
ing, Wettsburgh, and Charleston in the west, are very considerable
manufacturing cities and towns. I find that Richmond, Lynchbury
and Alexandria are represented in this fair, in cotton and wollen goods,
and also tobacco. She has about sixty-five millions of dollars invested
in railroads, canals, with other modes of land and water transportation
and in mining and manufactures. When her present railroads now
in progress shall be completed, with those already existing, she will
have a chain of railway of about sixteen hundred miles, and all within
her own territory, giving her the greatest length of railroad of any
State in the Union. The Lynchburg and Tennessee railroad passes over
a region of country the most remarkable on the face of the earth.
The richness of its soil and the immensity of its minerals are amazing
to behold. The State Geologist in canvassing this part of Virginia
pronounced the State an " Empire within itself." Gypsum, iron,
lead, zinc, copper, bituminous, semi-bituminous, carmel, and anthracite
coal exists to an extent almost unlimited, and with this enumeration,
the story of its immense treasures hardly begins. The completion of
this road in connection with the Tennessee link, will establish an un
interrupted railway from the Chesapeake to the Mississippi at Memphis.
The aggregate length of her canals are now next to New- York.
Another road to the west is now fairly under \vay. It is completed
or under contract one hundred and forty miles west of Richmond.
The road is to strike the Ohio three hundred and fifty miles below the
Pennsylvania road , and two hundred and fifty miles below the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad. This great central road passes by her numerous min-
eral springs, and over a rich mineral and agricultm-al region. There
is a strong probability now that Virginia will reach the Ohio by rail-
400 [Assembly
road before any State in the Union. Ship building, mining and manu-
facturing are decidedly on the increase. Agriculture in tliis State is
rapidly improNing.
The flour produced from the Virginia wheat is the only flour which
will bear transportation on the Pacific. The wool grown in Virginia
brings the highest price in Lowell, Lawrence, and all other manufac-
turing markets, of any State in the Union. By the census of 1840,
the sheep of Virginia produced more wool per head, than any other
State. Tobacco manufactured from the Virginia plant is the only to-
bacco which will not deteriorate from age. These facts I desire to
publish and make known. So well satisfied are the wool growers
becoming of the truth that Virginia soil and climate are the best
adapted for sheep, that one of the largest wool growers of New-York,
and the largest from Pennsylvania have migrated to Virginia with
their flocks. I understand a colony of wool growers are now on their
way from this state to V irginia. The state is losing its black popu-
lation, but emigration from Europe, New England, New York, New
Jtersey and Pennsylvania are taking their places. Virginia at this time
presents a fine field for young and enterprising persons. The system
of common schools has been adopted in about one-third of the State
with success.
North Carolina until within a few years back seemed asleep — but
she is not so now. Recently she has started with decided vigor. She
has now a capital of twenty-four millions of dollars invested in rail-
roads, canals, with other modes of land and water transportation, and
in mining and manufactures. Her railroads when completed, with
those now in operation, will form a chain of over six hundred miles
in extent. The central railroad from Raleigh to Charlotte will bring
the rich minerals and agricultural products of the western part of the
State into market. Western North Carolina is a rich and picturesque
country. Her mineral wealth and water power are immense.
Fayetteville on the Cape Fear river, is a flourishing manufacturing
town. There are more persons engaged in, and directly or indirectly
depending on, manufacturing for a support in this town than any other
in the South. Wilmington, the chief city of this State, is quite a
JSo. 199. j 401
considerable commercial and manufacturing city. There are also
other towns and settlements in this state where manufacturing estab-
lishments are erected. North Carolina is capable from her position
and resources of becoming, as she will, a very flourishing manufac-
turing state. She has a most excellent system of common schools.
Ship building with the manufacture of naval stores are important in-
terests now in the state. Agriculture is slowly, but surely advancing.
Although South Carolina has been for the last twenty years battlmg
with the tariff, she*has made within the last three or four quite an im-
portant change in her domestic poHcy. She has now between twelve
and fifteen millions of dollars invested in railroads and other modes
of land and water communication, with manufactures. In the upper
part of the state there are several iron mills, foundries, nail and cotton
factories. Her cut nails, like her cotton goods, are sold in this market.
This is the case also with the Virginia and other Southern nails and
cotton goods. It is a remarkable fact that cotton yarns made in
Southern factories sell from one to three cents per pound at the Northj
over the yarns spun in Northern factories. The coach lace manufac-
turers' never use any other cotton yarns, as they are said to be a much
better article.
There is a flourishing manufacturing town on the plan of Lowell,
near Aiken, in the upper part of the State, called Grannettville. No
better conducted establishment exists in this country. I find some of
the goods of that place on exhibition here. Charleston too has her
cotton factories and iron establislunents. Indeed every thing bids
fair to make this one of the most decided tariff and manufacturing
States in the Union. Time and improvement is doing the v/ork.
Florida, incoasiderable as she is in population as yet, is progressing
slowly, but surely. She has a large school fund, and a most admira-
ble system of common schools. The State has about six milUonsof
dollars invested in railroads, "with other modes of water and land
transportation, and manufactures. Several cotton factories and ir©n
foundries have been established with great success. Her ship timber
and resources for naval stores are almost unlimited. Several railroad
charters were granted at the last session of the Legislature — one, the
[Assembly, No. 199.1 26
402 [Assembly
Atlantic Gulf Railroad from St. Mary's, Georgia, to Cedar Keys,
Florida, with the view of making a direct line, by the shortest route,
between the Cresent City of the South and the Empire City of the
North. There are also other railroads completed and in progress,
which are destined to aid greatly in developing the resources and
wealth of this young State.
Georgia is called the New England of the South. She has built
more railroads, with her own money, than any State in the Union, and
she has a larger chain of them than any other, save Massachusetts, the
greatest State for the population in the known world. Along the line
of her Great Western Railroad, now nearly completed from Savannah
to Chattanooga, near the Tennessee line, thriving towns have sudden-
ly grown up, where a few years since hardly an acre was occupied
by civilized man. The capital invested in her railroads, canals, with
other modes of land and water transportation, mining and manufac-
tures, is not far fiom fifty-five millions of dollars. She is at this time
advancing more rapid in manufactures, and especially cotton manu-
factures, than any State in the South or North.
There is hardly a county in the State where there is not a factory.
Columbus is destined to be a large manufacturing city. The city has
already made great progress, and her water power and other facilities
are capable of increasing this interest to almost any extent. Her
system of railroads, like those of Massachusetts, are penetrating into
every portion of the Commonwealth. Agriculture is also in a heal^
thy and prosperous condition. Emigration is rapidly tending to this
enterprising State.
Alabama, though comparatively a young State, has more manufac-
tures than any other State in the Union of her age. Prattville is a
flourishing manufacturing town. So is also Tuscaloosa, the former
capital of Alabama. She has a capital of at least twenty millions
of dollars invested in railroads, canals, and other means of transpor-
tation, with mining and manufactures. The Mobile and Ohio rail-
road, an enterprise of vast magnitude, is now under construction.
When this great work is completed, Mobile must become a flourish-
ing commercial and manufacturing city. There are other roads of
No. 199.] 403
less consequence and extent. Alabama partakes in a great degree of
the enterprise of Georgia.
Texas is rather too young to do much as yet in either railroads or
manufactures. Yet she has her cotton factory and iron foundry. I
find her represented here in machinery. Charters have been given
for making navigable a number of her rivers. Railroad charters have
been also granted with tolerable good prospect of success. Coal and
iron are found in great abundance in this State. Texas must become
eventually a manufacturing as well as an agricultural State.
Louisiana is a large sugar manufacturing State. The capital m
sugar, cotton factories, and iron foundries, with her railroads, and
other means of travel and transportation, is at least fifty millions of
dollars. The position of this State is such as to make her a flourish-
ing sugar and cotton manufacturing State.
Although the last census gave Mississippi fifty-three cotton factories,
the whole only producing about twenty thousand dollars worth, yet
she is now turning her attention in good earnest to this department of
industry. Her planters are taking up the subject. A manufacturing
town, like Lowell, has been commenced under good auspices. In
twenty years from this, Mississippi will be a flourishing manufacturing
State. About twenty millions of dollars are now invested in rail and
other roads and manufactures.
Missouri is destined to be one of the largest cotton, hemp, tobac-
co, and lead manufacturing states in the West and South-West. Her
mineral wealth is inexhaustible. A very considerable number of iron
mills, foundries, and hemp factories are already in existence. As yet
but little is done in cotton — but a good time is coming. About twelve
millions of dollars is invested in internal improvements, mining and
manufactures.
Arkansas has considerable mineral wealth, and will in some future
day become a thriving manufacturing State. As yet manufactures
" are few and far between."
404 [Assembly
Tennessee is naturally a great State. In Middle and East Tennessee
a very considerable amount of cotton and iron are manufactured. On
the Cumberland river there are a number of rolling miles, nail and
cotton factories, and iron foundries. East Tenessee, like South-West-
ern Virginia, is unlimited in her mineral v^ealth. When her great
chain of railroads, connecting her with Virginia and Georgia, shall be
completed, this part of her territory must fill up with an energetic and
thrifty population. Already many European and American citizens
have been established here. Memphis in West Tennessee, is becom-
ing quite a manufacturing city, and is now one of the most flourishing
towns in the state. Tennessee has about thirty milUons of dollars
invested in mining, manufactures, railroads, and other improvements.
The time must come, and that at no distant day, when she will be a
mighty and powerful State. Agriculture and all other branches of
industry are improving.
Kentucky is quite a manufacturing Stale. Her principal business,
however, is confined to iron, flax and hemp. Several cotton mills have
been erected, and a good many woollen factories. Louisville, Lexing-
ton, Covington and Marysville are doing a good deal of manufactur-
ing. The capital invested in railroads, canals, and other means of
water and land transportation, with mining and manufactures, is about
twenty-five millions of dollars. She has an excellent system of common
schools.
Time will not permit me to be more general in particularizmg the
. industrial pursuits of the states above enumerated. The half is not
told for the want of it. I hazard nothing in saying that within the
next twenty years the bulk of the cotton manufacturing interests will
be confined to the South. All the signs of the times are tending to
this end, and he who can estimate the magnitude of that interest, now
regulating the commerce and exchanges between this country and
Europe, and between the North and South, may also estimate what a
destiny awaits these States. They constitute the great hemp, tobacco,
sugar and cotton producing States — combining these interests with the
wonderful mineral wealth and water power they possess ; their future
march, though slow to wealth and oower must be tremendous.
No. 199.] 405
I know I have given you, ladies and gentlemen, a glowing account
of the resources of the South, but I have said nothing which time and
investigation will not corroborate. What I have said, however, has
been spoken in no spirit of unkindness to their great sisters of the
North and West. Far be it from me to alienate them. I know no
North, no South, no East, no West. The great Washington proclaimed
to the ears of our ancestors — ^" united we stand, divided we fall." It is
still true. We are freedom's great hope and the world's deliverance.
Now when the night and the tempest have closed around Europe,
and the 'brave have sunk down with their country's liberties, let us
look up to our Union, and the Great Charter which creates it as the
bulwark of our strength and independence. Let us nourish our coun-
try— develope her strength — enrich and beautify her borders. Let
us pull together. Let the young men remember what their fathers
have secured, through perils by day and perils by night, to transmit
to them as the best legacy they could confer, as the surest pledge of
their affection, that they might transmit it unimpaired to their succes-
sors. So feeling — so acting, we shall be ready to exclaim with tte
dybg Adams — " independence now and independence forever."
•s.*
ADDRESS
■Of the Hon. James Tallmadge, LI. D., at the close of tlie 22nd
Annual Fair.
On the evening of Thrusday, October 25th, the twenty-second fair
of the American Institute came to a close. The reading of the Award
^f Premiums having occupied the majority of the afternoon and a
portion of the evening of that day, the Closing Address was de-
iivered at 7^ P. M.
The President of the Institute, Gen. James Tallmadge, bemg at
'that hour introduced upon the stage, the vast assemblage in the spa-
cious area of Castle Garden was called to order — and the speaker
proceeded extemporaneously. The follovring is a summary of his
remarks :
FaiENDS AND Fellow Citizens : — We are glad to meet you here
this night, at this exhibition of the productions of Agricultursj and
the works of American mechanics and artisans. You have listened
to the award of premiums usually bestowed at the conckision of these
our annual fairs — and have witnessed the host of treasurers spread
out before you. We now invite your attention to the concluding
ceremonies of this occasion.
At this twenty-second annivpsary of the American Institute, we
wish at the outset of any remarks, to return our thanks to the citizens
of New-York and of this nation, who have during the last twenty-
two yeai-s nobly sustained all our efforts to encourage agriculture,
commerce, manufactures and the arts— of the extent and the beauty
of which you have this night before you so brilliant and abundant
■examples.
.No. 199. j ' 407
Let us briefly review the present condition of our country. Cast
your eyes abroad, to the other nations of the earth. Where do we
find, in them, causes or events from which we may learn wisdom, or
draw useful examples ? Great Britain has been about fifteen cen-
turies, and France perhaps ten, arriving at theil* present condition ;
while young America — not yet seventy years of age — has taken her
position in the front rank of nations ; and is holding competition with
those of the Old World most advanced in the civilized arts." Can it
be doubted, that, while our agriculture yields her annual product of
seven hundred million bushels of breadstuffs ; and with the genius
for industry and invention peculiar to our country — while a wide
field of promise lies open before us, — can it be doubted that we shall
continue to hold our place, eminent in the civilized world. We now
stand a sample republic — free and independent : — blessed with equal
rights 5 and in the full enjoyment of liberty, — regulated by law ; and
made secure by the principle of representation ; and guiding every
department of goverrmient under a respectful regard to public opinion
and to public happiness.
When we look around upon our country, we find that the arts are
established here, domestic happiness firmly pjanted, labor respected,
agriculture elevated, and our manufacturers exhibiting a variety of
fabrics which they are willing to bring in comparison with those of
any portion of the earth.
Look again at our peculiar institutions. Labor stands independent
and elevated, and is not reduced to the condition of either the sub-
ject, the serf, or the slave. Happiness is secured to every man; com-
merce is well supported; our manufactures prosperous, and our arti-
sans receiving the full value of their industrial occupations. [Applause.]
I know no page in history (continued the speaker) that can pro-
duce a parallel with the recent attitude of our country — at the same
time feeding an army abroad; sustaining a foreign war; carrying on
all our domestic institutions, and our great system of internal improve-
ments; affording bread stuffs to relieve Lreland in her famine; yet
without pledges or any new legislative burdens on the countr)-; taking
a loan at premium, and which now stands in market at thirteen per
cent above par! [Applause.]
408 [Assembly
The time was, when it was avowed in the British House of Parli-
ament, that " not even a hob-nail" should be made in America. The
time isj when our country is able to manufacture articles for domestic
supplies, and an increasing export, of an equal or higher grade than
any that can be brought in competition. The same spirit which was
thus avowed in the British Parliament has attended all our future pro-
gress; and it now offers us " Free Trade''* — by the late navigation
law of Great Britain. It offers the trade of her Island; less in size
than, several of our States, and especially the State of Georgia, and
in this offer it withholds a reciprocal commerce with all her colonial
institutions, spread in every quarter of the globe, and which consti-
tute the material part of her Empire. For such an offer, she gravely
calls it " Free Trade,'' and will claim to have access to this country.
to be admitted into the many thousand miles of its coasting trade,
with the right of free voyages even to California, and into the gold
diggings. It is a trap, if not to catch flies, at least like the artificial
fly used by boys to catch fish. She seems to fancy that our govern-
ment will be caught by the term " Free TradeP It is the hope of
my heart that our government will be wide. awake, and better under-
stand the great and growing interests of this nation. We have the
right and are able to demand a thorough Equality. In our youth,
we have borne our part in all the improvements of the age, and a full
share in the advancement of the civil institutions of the world.
The United States have a better carrying-trade, than all Europe
combined. When " Free Trade" is granted to the vessels, then
comes " the tug of war." The readiness of England for conflicting
duties and countervailing regulations will not be forgotten. When
our laws estabhshed a nursery for American Seamen, and gave a
Bounty on the Fisheries, to create a carrying-trade, how long was it
before duties were provided by England, prohibitory on Fish from a
foreign country, and duty free coming from a colony. These regu-
lations render it necessary for a British vessel only to touch on her
return voyage at a colony, and thence home, duty free. Tbus our
Bounty on the Fisheries was turned to a carrying-trade and nursery
for British seamen, and with contiguity to British ports, explains the
surplus of Foreign " Entries" and «' Clearances" appearing at the Port
of Boston.
No. 199.1 409
The value of the merchandise exported from Savannah in March,
lS49j is stated to be $1,224,115 :
Shipped in American vessels 67,226
" in Foreign vessels 1,156,889
$1,224,115
' The speaker said, the Timber Trade entered into this statement, the
remarkable feature of which he would not now attempt to explain.
The speaker said, if the encouragement of Domestic Industry by a
just Protection, must be withheld, and our laboring classess are to be
reduced to the condition to which centuries of oppression have reduc-
ed the laboring classes of Europe, he was ready to admit that " Free
Trade" was the appropriate means by which to accomplish such a re-
sult. To bring the productions of Europe, from its fifteen hours of
daily labor for a stinted supply of the necessaries of life, with the ab-
sence of all intellectual culture for himself and his children, into com-
petition with the productions of the ten hours' daily labor of this
country, with every abundance, and civil and religious rights, there
could be no uncertainty of the result in the open market of the world.
The ten hour man must be driven from the competition. Agricul-
ture, though a necessary, is not a profitable employment. The Arti-
zan is the source of national wealth, and his encouragement should
be a material object of national policy.
To the question that has sometimes been sneeringly asked : " What
has America done 1" — this occasion forbids a full reply ; while, how-
ever, it seems appropriate to say that.
It was our Fraijklin who called down the Lightning, and with his
rod, guided and directed its course in its mad career. It is our
Morse who has taught it to read and write — to overleap time and
space — and to deliver forthwith tidings of business to the remotest
parts of our land.
It was our Whitney who gave the cotton-gin to the country and
to the world. It has built up the agriculture of the South — given
value to its soil — and made us the second commercial nation of the
410 I Assembly
vrorld. It has, iii addition, by its freights and return proceeds, in-
creased one half the amount of our carrying- trade.
It was our Fulton who gave the world the Steam Engine applied
to Navigation. Without it, how slow, how sluggish, how lingering,
how tardy was our progress ! With it, what efficiency, what speed,
what promptitude and celerity of movement ! It has enable us to
accelerate our advances, and, with our skill and genius for inventions,
to overtake in Ihe race of competition the most advanced nations of
the world, in all the useful improvements.
It was Evans who gave us the high pressure Steam Engine, singu-
larly adapted to the navigation of rivers, and indispensable for the use
of our railroads and various manufactures. It was our Blanchard
who gave his country the Lathe to turn unequal surfaces, and produce
ready for use the gun-stock for the soldiers of our country, and which
is now engaged and applied to the use of the fine arts in copying in.
marble any statuary which may be desired, — as well as for the turn-
ing of the shoe-last.
We have not tune to add details. But in truth the time is not far
distant when it may better be asked : " What has America not done 1"
[The speaker here paused, while the Band struck up an enlivening
piece of music, j
On resuming. Gen. Tallmadge spoke of the recent remarkable
improvements in the Mechanic Arts, and labor-saving machinery. He
called attention to some specimens of cast steel made in this country,
under circumstances of great advancement in that particular depart-
ment. He said the bars exhibited were pure American manufacture.
It had been claimed that England alone could produce the highest
grade of cast steel to be used in cutlery, and that she held her advan-
tage by reason of peculiar clay or other materials used in the manu-
facture. It is a matter of national interest to us, and the Institute
believe the discovery complete, that the Black Lead of this country
makes the pots for the furnace to endure a heat adequate to the oc-
No. 199.] 411
casion — and that the power of manufacturing steel is now thoroughly
possessed by ourselves.
The speaker made particular reference to the cutlery, and tne spe-
cimens of cast steel on exhibition, manufactured at the Jersey City
Works. He considered them articles of the highest interest in a na-
tional point of view.
The value of cast steel imported into the United States per annum,
iS not less than three millions of dollars. The works referred to, turn
out about one ton per day, or the one-sixtieth part of a supply. The
immediate cause of this success, is to be found in the fortunate expe-
riment of using black lead melting pots with anthracite coal, (cast
steel being made in England with clay pots and coke for fuel.) He
held up to view a sample black-lead pot, now in use here.
The American Institute, continued the speaker, has heretofore en-
couraged a number of meritorious indi\iduals for improvements in
the manufacture of iron and steel. The handsome beginning now
exhibited, gives confidence to the hope, that within five years, dLftUl
supply of the very indispensable article of steel will be produced in
our own c^ntry.
Premiums bad been offered some time since by the Institute, to en-
courage, not only improvements in the iron manufacture, but espe-
cially in the use of anthracite coal and a new formation of the foun-
dry. The speaker had the pleasure to announce that this object had
been accomplished, and that good bar iron could be made directly
from the ore, solely by the use of anthracite fuel; which he consider-
ed another great point gained — quite as important as that of a few
years since, in the manufacture of pig iron with that fuel.
He then pointed to several bars of wrought iron on exhibition,
stated that they were made by the new process, direct from the ore,
and eminently worthy of attention. He made particular reference
to the good effects of this improved mode of manufacture, in super-
ceding the various heatings and blasts, and greatly increased expense
412 [ASSEMBL"S
hitherto used, with the ability of bringing the product into market at
greatly reduced rates.
He then showed a roll of remaricaoiy nne ana beautiful wire, made
at the works of Mr. Peter Cooper, of Trenton, from blooms pud-
dled with anthracite coal, expressly for railroad iron, and remarkable
for the toughness of its material and strength of its size. The speaker
continued that he was instructed to say, that railroad iron was made
at the same factory, claimed to be of a superior quality, intrinsically
worth from fifteen to twenty dollars per ton more than the ordmary
English railroad bar; a circumstance which he considered ought to
attract attention throughout the country.
The orders and recipts of Railroad bars from England in the year
1849, are believed to amount to Fifteen Millions of Dollars — a sum
exceeding the amount of BreadstufFs shipped to England in the year
of the Faminein Ireland,— showing the greatimportance of any improve-
ment in the manufacture of Iron in our own country.
The speaker then referred to the improved machine for Planing
Iron, then on exhibition — alleged to cause an annual saving of two
millions of dollars, on the article of Files alone, which before were
necessarily used for smoothing the surfaces, which this planing-machine
claims to be ready to aecomplish.
He pointed to the Iron- tub Casting, at the entrance of the Garden,
made at the " Novelty Works," for the Paper business. It is said to
be one of the largest castings of the kind in this country ; and, (Gen.
T. added,) without giving the details, he was authorized to say that
the very modern improvements in the process of Paper making were
such, by means of labor-saving machinery, that we may now produce
a line of twenty-four miles of ordimary newspaper width in one day,
where formerly the corresponding labor would only produce an extent
of one mile.*
* We have been furnished with the followiiig gtatement, relative to the processes
and results of the Paper Manufacture, under the old and the new systems of opera-
tioa:
Formerly, the process was slow and laborious. Each sheet was made separatelji^
No. 199.] 413
The speaker then reterrea to the Sewing Machine on exhibition,
by which the needle was successfully made to work by the applica-
tion of steam power, and demonstrated that it could sew a seam with
extraordinary speed over manual labor.
He also called attention to the improvement of the Pin-making
machine. It had before stood as a wonder of the age, (he said,) in
being able to make and head complete at the rate of two hundred
per minute. It now hastens its work, and will produce Pins perfectly
made and complete, at the rate of six hundred per minute.
He said, it was Porter, of Pennsylvania, who gave to his country
new and improved machinery in the manufacture of Slate for roofs
— but more especially for our Common Schools. Where an experienced
man could before polish and frame te*n or twelve slates in a day,
he can now with this new labor-saving machinery, complete for mar-
ket, ten or twelve dozen per day. The cost of slates is now about
as many cents as it was shillings before, with a great hindrance to
importations. The improvement is one of the material pillars of the
and four and a half reams of newspaper, of the size of twenty by thirty inohes, was
technically termed "a day's ti-orfc;" and required the constant labor of three men, witli
the occasional assistance of two more. These four and a half reams contained two
th»usaHd one hundred and sixty sheets, which, if placed close together in a line,
would measure five thousaad four hundred feet— a little more than one mile.
By the introduction of machinery, this part of the process of Paper-making has
keen entirely changed. The paper is now run off in one continuous sheet, and, on
•ur best machines, at the rate of forty-five feet per minute. Some of the machines
in use being of the width of eighty-four inches, the attention of two men and four
girls is required to form Paper of the size before mentioned, twenty by thirty inches.
Such a machine — working the same amount of time as the old fashioned variety,
(twelve hours) — will make thirty-two thousand four hundred feet of paper eighty
inches wide !
But this is not all. When the three men with their assistants, under the old plan,
had finished their day's work and made their one mile, of paper, it was wet, and it
became necessary to dry it upon poles. If the weather proved favorable, this might
be done, taken down andfinished in^^re days — ten times longar than tlie time occu-
pied in making it. Now, when the two men and four girls have in twelve hours
made their twenty-four miles of paper, it is dry,and when cut into sheets, is ready for
the printer; and this without regard to the weather, be it rain or shine.
Thus it is evident that formerly it took ten times as long to prepare tlie paper for
market, after it was moulded into sheets, as was now required to convert it from
the pulp — and that the labor of five persons in one day produced for the market only
the one-twenty -fourth part now obtained by the use of labor-saving machinery.
414 ■ [AsSEMBLlf
common scnool system — of the wide dissemination of that Education
which is the glory of our nation j — the blight of despotism j and the
bane of monarchy.
The speaker next pointed to the productions of agriculture of a
mammoth charactei, then on exhibition, — specifying several of them,
aisd among others, a cheese from Oliio of some seventeen hundred
pounds weight. Passing rapidly over this ground,
He then held up and called particular attention to a specimen of
the fine shawls manufactured at the Bay State mills, in Massachusetts
— where the progress of this work is such that the Company give con-
stant employment to one thousand laborers ; and produce at their
mills a thousand of these shawls per day. The speaker passed a
well-merited eulogium upon the extent and character of this com-
paratively new branch of American manufactures.
The premium piece of broadcloth was then exhibited, from among
other pieces of great excellence and merit — made from American
wool, and remarkable for its fineness and the delicacy of its manufac-
ture.
The next subject was one of pecuUar interest : a specimen of
American Linen, made from American flax. This linen was of very
fine and superior quality, and obtained as a premium " The Tall-
raadge Gold Medal," which it well deserved.
Gen. T. then asked the spectators, at their leisure, to continue their
examination in detail — the occasion forbidding him further to specify,
than to make a very brief allusion to " Dodge's Cop-Spinner" — be-
lieved to be a new and decided improvement in the spinning of cotton,
it was intended, he said, and was fully able to spin both warps and
fillings with equal accuracy. The importance of the improvement, he
continued, might be judged by the fact, that this machine was capable
of running one-third faster, (doing equal work,) than the ordinary
Cop-Spinner, — a gain sufficiently large to revolutionize this pursuit.
The spindles of this machine make with ease ten thousand turns per
minute, throwing forty feet of thread in the same time.
No. 199.] 415
Gen. T. sairl be had st-en an extract from a Delaware pnper, stating,
" That a Delaware farmer had taken one yard of cotton cloth, manu-
factured with sizing, called " Ohio exira sheeting" and weiglied it.
The weight was four ounces. He then carefully extracted the starch
from it by washing, and on drying and weighing the cloth again, he
found it had lost 184 grains. Taking this fact as a basis, it establishes
statistics, important to the wheat and cotton crops of the United States.
The cotton crop of the United States in 1848 was over two and a
half millions of bales. Allowing the bales to average four hundred
pounds each, and the whole crop to be manufactured like the yarn
above specified, it would require for sizing, two millions and a half
barrels of flour, or over twelve million bushels of wheat. It was his
impression that something like one half the cotton crop is manufac-
tured with sizing. It is said that mor^ barrels of flour are used in a
year for the sizing of cotton manufactures at Lowell than were usually
exported in a year to Great Britain before the recent famine. It is
also said, fiftee,! million yards of calico are annually manufactured in
this country, which alone would require over tw'o hundred thousand
barrels of flour for sizing <i.\. the rate found in the yard above mention-
ed. These calculations, necessarily loose and imperfect, still show in
a striking light, the benefit farmers will derive from^the estabhshment
and encouragement of home manufactures. In these calculations no
account is taken of the large amount of wheat, corn, and other agri-
cultural productions, required for the support of the manufacturers
themselves. If the farmer is desirous for the employment of his labor,
and of a sure and profitable market for his produce, let him earnestly
and efficiently encourage the manufactures of the country.
The present consumption of Cotton in the United States is estimated
at 500,000 bales per annum, which is more than the entire Crop in
1824. This does not include a vast quantity, which goes up the
Mississippi, Ohio, and also out from the Tennesee and Cumberland
rivers, for the supply of the mills in Indiana, Ohio, Western Virginia,
and Pennsylvania. There are said to be icpwards of two hundred and
ffty Cotton mills to the south of Mason and JDixori's line: in these
points and sources of consumption, it is believed 150,000 bales are
used, making a total, not less than 650,000 bales worked up, at home.
416 [Assembly
The quantity of Cotton goods made in the United States is estimated
at 720,000,000 of yards, of which about 80,000,000 are exported,
leaving 640,000,000 for home consumption.
That the improvements introduced in Machinery has a tendency to
lessen the price of Manufactures,* is a truth too evident to need de-
monstration ; but it by no means follows, that they lessen the demand
for useful labor. The number of laborers employed is really increased,
by the useful improvements and inventions introduced in the Arts.
We find the following, which is copied from a recent French work, on
Political Economy, by Mr. Joseph Granner : —
" In many cases, machines, far from supplanting human labor have
multiplied it. In fact every abridgement of labor, by reducing the
cost of production, carries the manufactured article to the door of a
greater number of consumers ; and experience proves the consumers
multiply in a gTeater degree than the price decreases, especially when
the method of manufacture improves the commodity.* The diminu-
tion of the price by a fourth has been known to double the consump-
tion. We will only cite two examples — printing and cotton spinning.
Although the steam press enables one man to do the work of two hun-
dred, the multiplication of books, the arts which are connected with
them, 'such as the casting of type, the fabrication of paper, tlie pro-
fessions of author, corrector, binder, etc., employ a thousand times as
many persons as formerly were occupied in them ; and what a differ-
ence in form and price betw^een the manuscripts of early times and
the books of the present ! When we observe the perfection of the
machinery for spinning cotton, and the admirable rapidity with which
the bobbins are covered with thread, we may fancy that the greater
number of persons formerly employed in spinning have been thrown
out of work; yet precisely the reverse has happened. Before the in-
vention of machinery, only 5200 female spinners at the wheel, and
2700 weavers, altogether 7900 persons, were employed in England ;
whilst in 1787, ten .years later, 150,000 spinners, and 247,000 wea-
vers, or 397,000 persons were reckoned."
In this age of Invention and Patent Rights, it will be curious to
look at the Ancient Law of Patents in England, and mark the school^
No. 199.] 417
from which certain of our modern statesmen obtained reasons for the
violence of their opposition to Internal Improvements, and the en-
couragement of Domestic Industry.
Sir Edward Coke, in his learned disquisition on the Law of Patents,
lays down these two doctrines : First, he says, " a patent is not gran-
table, for an invention that is not generlaly convenient. ^^ He cites as
an illustration of the rule, a solemn decision, of which he highly ap-
proves, in the case of an invention, by means of which a material for
bonnets and caps might be thickened in a fulling-mill, in greater num-
bers in one day, than by the labor of four score men. On the validi-
ty of this patent coming in question, the court determined it was void.,
on account of its " inconvenience-^'' by " making workmen idle.''''
The other doctrine laid down by Sir E. Coke, is, " that no patent
can be good, which is for an addition to an old manufacture." And
for this, a grave decision is cited, in which the Court said, " that it
was much easier to add than to invent, for adding was only putting a
new button on an old coat."
3d pt. Institutes— 5 vol., p. 184 — Title, "Against Monopolists."
In the same spirit of liberality.^ a prosecution for Treason was had
in the Reign of Edward IV., when a man named William Walters,
who kept the Crown Tavei-n in Cheapside, was hanged, drawn and
quartered, for saying to his little boy, to keep him quiet, " that he
would one day, make him Heir to the Crown."
The speaker said, — how well, from such extracts, may we learn at
this day, the blessings of our age and country. May we not hope that
the violence of opposition will cease, against the countervailing mea-
sures and a just protection, against foreign encroachments.
After a few other remarks, upon this and kindred subjects, the
speaker brought his observations to a close. He said he would finally
avail himself of this opportunity to remark, that he had received "gi-a-
tifying information from gentlemen of the South, and from sources
which he deemed reliable, that the South had entered into manufac-
tures. Georgia already had her forty-five cotton factories; South
lAssembly, No. 199.1 27
418 [AssEaiBLT
Carolina her forty-five; Virginia forty; North Carolina thirty-five; and
Alabama twenty. He felt that this circumstance was one of great
national interest. The South also had several furnaces, and had
begun the manufacture of iron.
The South had also entered into the railroad system. These events
seemed, he said, of much importance. They secured the advance in
wealth and the prosperity of the South. By this new U7non in pur-
suit, and the noble object of the employment of domestic industry,
there is produced a unity of interest which calls for corresponding
legislation. It begat a common interest and promised to abolish the
odious distinctions of North and South in our country. Cemented
together by the bonds of union, of country, of feeling and of interest,
it secured the great result of the preservation of the perpetual Union
of that common country, to which we all stand pledged. A union
thus consummated and actuated with one heart, may be ready to
stand, and to secure its preservation against a hostile world. With
the undaunted spirit and the strong arms of such men in the field, and
with our future Jacksons, our Scotts, and our Taylors to lead, we
need not fear but that success and victory will ever fall to our lot.
A living hero has recently given " Buena Vista" as a watchword for
us, and as a caution to the future foes of our coimtry.
Gen. Tallmadge here concluded, amid the loud and continued
plaudits of the assemblage, by whom his remarks were listened to,
throughout, with great decorum and attention.
The president stated that he was authorized to say, that the gross
receipts for entrances at the present exhibition, have amounted to
$18,675. This sum is held to provide for the expenses and the pre
miums awarded, which are as follows*
50 gold medals.
238 silver medals.
61 silver cups.
430 diplomas.
152 volumes of agricultural works.
$108 and 24 certificates, (aprentices' premiums.)
$110 and 6 bronze medals, (Van Schaick premiums.)
No. 199.] 419
1 gold medal, (Tallmadge premium.)
$25 cash premium.
So closed the twenty-second anniversary of the American Institute
of the city of New- York — an occasion of profit and of pleasure both
to the owners and to the spectators of its wealth of American pro-
ducts.
Donation of Books from Alexander Vattemare, Esq.
American Institute,
mw-Yorky Dec. 27, 1849
Alexandre Vattemare, Esq,
Sir — The American Institute gratefully acknowledge the receipt,
through your hands, of a valuable and highly esteemed collection of
liierary and scientific works, consisting of one hundred and twenty
five volumns.
The books, you inform us, are presentations from various munici-
palities, and from literary, scientific, philosophical and industrial as-
sociations of France. To each of them we desire to tender through
you, the sincere thanks of the American Institute. And in return for
this kindness and attention, we desire also to transmit through your
agency, a set of the transactions of our institute to the following in-
stitutions and associations of France :
Tp tjie City of Paris.
City of Nantes.
City of Marseilles.
City of Rouen.
City of Bordeaux.
City of Wetz.
Academy of Science, Paris.
Agricultural Society of France, Paris.
National Academy of Rouen.
National Assembly.
Horticultural Society of France.
Minister of Agriculture and Commerce.
Museum of Natural History of France.
Society for the encouragement of National Industry.
And to place in your possession six sets of the same to be disposed
of in France as you may desire.
I have the honor to be very respectfully yours, &c.,
Adoni&am Chanblgb, Suv. Agmt.
422 [ASSEMBI.T
Catalogue of Books received from Alexander Vattemare^ Esq.
Memoires d' Agriculture, d'Economiej Rurale et Domestique — Me-
moires of the Royal Society of Agriculture of France. 1814
to 1846. Presented by the Society.
Maison Rustique du XIX® Siecle 5 tomes, — Farm house of the nine-
teenth century. Presented by the minister of commerce and
agriculture.
Bulletin de la Societe d'Encouragement pour I'Industrie Nationale —
Bulletin of the Society for the Encouragement of National
Industry. 1843, '44, '45, '46. Presented by the Society.
Conseils General de 1' Agriculture des Manufactures et du Commerce
— General Councils of Agriculture, Manufactures and Com-
merce. 1841, '42, '45 and '46.
Gasparin's Cours d' Agriculture 3 tomes — Gasparin's Course of Agri-
culture, 3 vols.
Schwerz' Culture des Plantes a grains Farineux — Schwerz' Culture
of Plants and Farinaceous Grains. By Baron Schauenburg.
Schwerz' Culture des Plantes Fourrag^res — Schwerz' Culture of,
Forage Plants. By Baron Schauenburg.
Agriculture Francais, 5 tomes — Agriculture of France. By the Inspec-
tors of Agriculture.
Stud Book Francais, 3 tomes — Stud Book of France, or Register of
Horses of Pure Blood raised or imported into France.
Physiologie de la Terre — Physiology of the Earth.
De la Fabrication du Fromage. Par Dr. Gera de Conegleano — The
Manufacture of Cheese. By Dr. Gera de Conegliano.
Colonisation et Agriculture de L'Algerie — Colonization and Agricul-
ture of Algiers. By L. Moll. 1845. 2d vol.
Manuel Popularie D' Agriculture — Popular Manual of Agriculture,
1844.
Manuel D' Agriculture. Par I. Martinelli, 1846 — Manual of Agricul-
ture. By J. Martine ii, 1846.
Tableaux de Population, dc Cultures, de Commerce, et de Navigation —
Tables of Population, Cultivation, Commerce and Navigation
of the French Colonies, 1839 to 1842.
No. 199.] 423
Preservalif D'Agromanie Empirique ou Lettres Agricoles — Preserva-
tion from Farm Mania.
Statistique des Routes Royales de France 1824 — Statistics of the
Royal Roads of France.
Receueil de Documents Statistiques, 1 tome 1837 — Collection of Sta-
tistical Documents.
Etudes de Gites Mineraux, 1836 — Treatise on Mineral Beds.
Documents Relatif aux Canaux, 1840 — Documents Relative to Canals.
Rapport au Roi des Canaux — Report to the King on Canals.
Experiences sur les Roues Hydrauliques par A, Morin — Experiments
on Hydraulic Wheels by A. Morin.
Experiences sur les Tirage des Voitures Faites en 1836 et '38 — Ex-
periments on the Draft of Carriages by Aellorrie.
L'Allemagne: Agricole, Industrielle et Politique, 1842 — Germany :
Agricultural, Industrial and Political. By Emile Jacquemin.
Traite Complet de L'Eleve' du Cheval par E. Houel — Complete Trea-
tise on the Horse or Veterinary Student's Assistant.
Schwerz' Preceptes d'Agriculture Pratique — Schwerz' Precepts of
Practical Agriculture.
Rapport fait an Jury Central de I'Exposition des Produitsde I'lndus-
trie Francais sur les objeits relatifs a la Metallurgie, par A. M.
Horon de Villefosse — Report made to the central committee
of the Exposition of the Industrial Products of France relative
to Metallurgy.
Manuel Elementaire du Cultivateur Alsacie, 1842 — Elementary
Manual of the Alsattian Cultivator. By I. L. Stoltz, 1842.
L'Agriculture Raiisonee ou Manuel complet et Special du Cultivateur
dans les Deux Sevres et Department de I'Ouest, par Picard —
The Cultivator's Complete Manual.
Culture des Muriers et I'Education des vers a soie — Cultivation of the
Mulberry Tree and the raising of Silk Worms.
Traite sur la maladie de Poitrine du Gros Betail, par O. M. Delafond
— Treatise on pulmonary diseases of cattle.
Exposition des Produits de I'Industrie Francais en 1844 — Catalogue
of the exhibition of the Industrial products of France in 1844
vols 1, 2 and 3.
424 [ASSESIBLT
Annales des Haras et de Agriculture — Treatise on the Stud Horse
and Agriculture.
Gommentaire sur Les Lois Rurales Francais — Commentary on the
Rural Laws of France.
Monographic de la Porame de Terre, par J. Bonjean — Monography
of the Potato, including a general history of its diseases.
Notes Eccnomiques sur I'Administration des Richesses et la Statistique
Agiicole de la France, par C. E. Royer — Economical Notes
on the management of Wealth and the Agricultural Statistics
of France.
La Normandie Agricole, Journal d'Agriculture Pratique, d'Economie
Rurale et d'Horticulture — Journal of Practical Agriculture,
Rural Economy and Horticulture of Normandy.
Dela Race Bavine Courte Corne Ameliore, diteRace de Durham, en
Angleterre and Etats Unis D'Amerique et en France, par M.
G. Lefebvre, St. Marie. — The Short Horned Durham race,
ameliorated in England, United States of America, and in
France.
Vacherie National du Pin, par Gustave Le Conteulx. — The National
establishment of cows, at Pin.
Concours D'Animaux de Boncherie a Poissey, Lyon et Bordeaux,
dupins la foundation du Concours de Poissy en 1844, jusqu
'a jour. — Competition of Animals for slaughter at Poissy, Ly-
ons and Bordeaux, from the foundation at Poissy in 1844, to
this day.
Manuel deL'Eleveur de Bites a Comes par F. Villeroy. — Farmer's
Library, a manuel for breeders of horned cattle.
Agriculture Francaise, par M. M. Le Inspecteurs de Agriculture-
French Agriculture, by the Inspectors of Agriculture.
Dialogues Populaires sur le Droit Rural, par P. Jacques de Valserres.
— Popular Dialogues on Rural Laws.
Cours D'Horticulture, par A. Poiteau. — Course of Horticulture,
Assemblee Nationale Legislative Rapport, par M. Casimer Perier. —
National Legislative Assembly Report.
Traite de la Culture du Murier,par J. Charrel. — Treatise on the Cul-
ture of the Mulberry.
Traite Complet de Vinification, par H. Machara.— Complete Treatise
on Vini&cation, (wine making.)
No. 199.] 425
Guide des Proprietairs de Biens Sonmis au Metayage, par Le Cte. de
Gasparin. — A Guide to Owners in reference to pjoperty to let.
Etudes Hippologiques, par Eug. Gayot. — Studies of the Horse.
Cours D'Agriculture Theorique et Pratique a I'usage des plus simples
Cultivateurs; Suivi d'une. Notice sur les Chanlages de la
Mayenne, par Eraile Jamet. — Agricultural Course, Theoretical
and Practical for the use of common farmers. Notice of the
practice of using lime on seeds and land of la Mayenne.
Le Petit ou Elements de Botanique et de Goologie Agricoles, par N.
C. Seringe. — The Little Agriculturist or Element of Botany
and Agricultural Geology.
Rappart General sur les questions relatives a la Domestication et a
Naturalization des Animaux utiles, par M. Isidore GeolTray,
Sainte Hilaire. — General Report on the questions relating to
the Domestication and Naturalization of useful animals.
Historie de la Maladie des Porames de Terre en 1845, par M. J. De-
caisne. — History of the Potato Malady in 1845.
Traite des Magnaneries, par J. Charrel. — Treatise on Cocooneries.
De la Culture du Murier, par M. M. P. Boyer and G. De Labaume.
— Culture of the Mulberry.
Petit Traite de Comtabilite Agricole en Partie Simple, par Edmond
de Granges de Ransy. — Small Treatise on Farming Account-
ability.
Traite des Amendments et des Engrais, par P. Joigneaux — Treatise
on Amendment of Soils and on Manure.
AMERICAN INSTITUTE,
February 13th, 1850.
(Translation from the French documents lately received from Paris.)
Report upon the Foreign Publications addressed to the JYatioiial
Central Society of Horticulture of Paris.
Bt Mr. Parisot de Cassel.
Mimber 36. The vineyard years from A. D. 1200 to A. D. 1701.
being the result of researches in every record and chronicle on the
subject. The author regrets that he is unable to find the accounts of
all the years ; hopes that other persons may be able to supply the de-
ficiency.
This laborious author has left but very few blanks to fill. From
1700 to 1850 tBere are abundant records of weather crops, &c.
The course of the seasons and their attendant eflfects on vegetation,
are very interesting. They lead us to a knowledge of those limited
changes of season on our globe for a great length of time, and en-
able us rationally to behold as long a future^ &c., &c. They are
valuable for reference — and somewhat like astronomical observations
— may correct history occasionally.
H. MEIGS,
Sec^y of the Farmers' Club.
February 13, 1850.
Year.
1200, Wine abundant, but of middling quality.
1201, do do
1202, Little wine, but good.
1203 to 1210 Results not known.
1218
1217
1226
1227
1236
1237
1238
1251
1252
1253
1204
1255
1256
125S
1259
1278
1279
1280
J281
1283
1284
1287
1288
1589
428 [Assembly
Winter excessively severe, no ■mne.
to 1225, Results not known.
Wine abundant and bad.
to 1233, Results unknown.
Wine abundant, middling.
Wine very abundant.
to 1250, Results unknown.
Wine, great abundance.
Not known.
Grapes abundant.
Not known. *
Wet year, sour wine. Grapes and other fruits very dear.
and 1257, Unknown.
Wine abundant and bad.
to 1277 Unknown.
The vines suffered much from frost, they were frozen from 16th
to 17th of May.
A productive year, wine good but little of it.
Very little wine and bad, deep snow on i7th of June — a fa-
mine.
and 1282, Unknown.
Severe cold 13th of May, all the vines suffered.
to 1286, Unknown. *
Little wine.
Unknown.
Wine and fruits scarce, winter mild, little snow, strawberries
in February. The vine flowered in April. In the beginning
of May, deep snow followed by severe cold, every vegeta-
ble perished.
1290, Wine abundant.
1291, Unknown.
1292, But little wine.
1293, and '94, Unknown.
1295, Wine abundant and good.
1296, Unknown.
1297, Grapes plenty, wine middling.
1298, to 1301, Unknown.
1302 Winfe mm
No. 199.] 429
1303 Wine exquisite, summer very hot and dry and little other fruit.
1304 Wine little and middling.
1305 Severe winter every thing frozen.
3306 to 1300 unknown.
1311 Few grapes, winter cold, suniinfer wet ; all rotted on the vines
1312 to 1313 unknown.
1314 No grapes, the heat and draught were such that the vineyards
seemed to be burned up ; 13 weeks without rain, a famme
and then a pestilence followed.
1315 Very little wine.
1316 Crop insignificant, winter very severe.
1317 Provisions very dear, vines and fruit trees were suJBbcated under
the extraordinary depth of snow.
1318 Wine abundant and excellent, fruits good.
1319 Wine sour.
1320 Wine sour, a wet, year grain rotted on the stalk, grain was very
dear, and for 7 years after.
1321 Wine only passable.
1322 Unknown.
1323 A rigorous winter.
1324 A rigorous winter.
1325 Grapes plenty but sour, summer wet, deep snows.
1326 Wine sufficiently plenty. '
1327 Wine bad.
1328 Abundance of wine of very superior quality, mild winter, fruit
trees flowered in January, the crops of grain were gathered
about Pentecost whitsimday, near the last of May, and the
vintage 15 days after abundant.
1329, to 1332 unknown.
1333, Excellent wine at good prices.
1334, Grapes abundant.
1335, The latter season very wet, the grapes failed.
1336, to 1337 unknown.
1338, A scarcity of wine. In midsummer the grasshoppers came
from the East and devastated every thing in their course.
Hungary, Austria, Suabia and Bavaria suffered most.
1339, A hot summer.
1340, and 1341 unknown.
1342
1343
1344
1345
1346
1347
1348
1349
1357
1358
1362
1363
1365
1366
1367
1368
1370
1371
1372
1373
1382
1383
1384
1385
1386
1387
1383
1391
1392
1393
1394
1395
1398
1399
1400
430 [Assembly
Very stormy, deep snuw.
Absence of wine, the heat in summer insupportable, the drought
killed every thing.
Unknown.
A marked abundance of fruit
Unknown.
Wine abundant.
r
An earthquake felt in all Germany and Italy, on the 27th of
January,
to 1356, unknown.
Few grapes, soiu: wine and a sterile year,
to 1361, unknown.
Excellent wine, summer warm and dry, followed by a very
long winter so that many cattle died for want of food,
and 1364, unknown.
General abundance.
Wine abundant.
Wine bad.
and 1369, unknown.
Stormy and hail.
Unknown.
No grapes,
to 1381, unknown.
Wet, wine sour, good crops of grain.
Good crops of wine and fruits.
Much wine and good.
Little wine but good.
Abundant and of the best quality.
Abundant and of the best quality.
to 1390, unknown.
Wine bad, fruits good.
All destroyed by frosts.
Unknown.
Wine of extraordinary fine quality, a year of abundance.
to 1397, unknown.
Wine plenty, but middling quality.
Wine plenty, but middling quality.
and 1401, unknown.
No. 199.] 431
1402, Severe frosts in May.
1403, to 1406, unknown.
1407, A rigorous winter.
1408, The most rigorous winter in the memory of man. In Germany
the forest trees were burst by frost.
1409, and 1401, unknown.
1411, Grapes plenty, wine middling.
1412, Wine good.
1413, Wine good.
1414, Great abundance of wine and spirits.
1415, and 1416, unknown.
1417, Wine sour.
1418, Wine sour.
1419, Wine sour.
1420, Wine and grain sufficient, winter mild ; trees budded in March,
the vine flowered in April ; the vintage occurred about
Pentecost, about the last of May, and the autumn began
about the end of August.
1421, Success in wine, fruits and grain, the fine markets of this year
became for a long time proverbial.
1422, Satisfactory year.
1425, Very good wine but little of it, the vines suffered from cold.
1124, and 1426, Abundant crops, the last year winter mild, trees
showed their buds in December.
1427, Grapes plently — wines bad.
1428, Good wines.
1429, Sour wines, little grain, severe winter; cold spring, wet summer
vines froze.
1430, Wines and grain destroyed by frost; wine and fruits sour and dear.
1431, Wine sufficiently abundant.
1432, Wine and fruits excellent and abundant.
1433, The vines frozen on the 18th January ; summer very rainy ;
wine scarce ; grain sufficient.
1434, Wine middling, heavy frost 12th of May.
1435, Wine excellent, middling crops of grain.
1436, No wine.
432 [Assembly
1437, Little wine, but of a very superior quality. The vines sufFured
during the vigorous winter and spring — an abundance of
fruits.
1438, to '40, Unknown.
1441 No wine at all, much snow which remained 14 weeks. A
frightful hurricane on the 2d of July — much hail j many of
the hail stones weighed more than a pound each.
1442, Rich in good wine.
1443, Few grapes and bad — little grain — very cold winter ; much
snow which lay till the end of April ; a wet summer.
1444, Good wine.
1445, Wine abundant but middling in quality — fruit rich.
1446, Little wine but good. A spring frost destroyed the fruits.
1447, Sour wine — cold made ravages in the vineyards and fields.
1448, Wine abundant and exquisite — year generally good.
1449, The same.
1450, Unknown.
1451, Abundance of wine.
1452, Unknown.
1453, Sterility, sour wine — poor crop of fruit.
1454, Much grapes but sour ; wet summer.
1455, Rainy year ; sterile ; little fruits ; wine not potable.
1456, Wet and cold.
1457, Wine plenty enough, but of middling quality. Torrents of
rain in summer and followed by severe drought.
1458, Little wine and middling quality, abundant grain. A wet
summer.
1459, Cold and sterile — little wine and sour — vines frozen in the
1460
1461
1462
1463
1464
1465
1466
1467
sprmg.
The same.
Wine superior and in sufficient abundance. A frost in Jtme.
Wine middling. Heavy frost in the summer.
Little wine and middling ; cold wet year.
Little wine but good, satisfactory crop of grain.
Great fertility — wine good and abundant. The vines flowered
in May.
Sour wine, bad grain ; late season, rigorous winter.
Superior and abundant wine and a remarkable crop of grain.
No. 199.] 433
1468, Wine and grain middling ; late season, rigorous winter
1469, Few grapes, sour ; flowered late. Crops failed.
1470, Much wine of the first quality, grain abundant.
1471, Little wine, good ; grain abundant.
1472, Wine and grain came well.
1473, Little wine but of a quality truly extraordinary ; very hot
summer ; winter of extraordinary rigour. Rich crops of
grain.
Little wine but good ; frosts in spring. Grain satisfactory.
General abimdance.
A good year,, much wine and that good.
Little wine and middling ; grain crops did not succeed.
Fertile in wine, fruits and grain.
Little wine but good.
Little wine, excellent ; grain in abundance.
Little wine, sour ; cold and wet year.
Fertile year ; wine good and abundant.
Same — but heat extraordinary.
Much wine, good. A year of abundance.
Little wine and sour, A sterile year.
Little wine but good.
Little wine middUng quahty, late ripening.
Much grapes, sour wine ; rainy cold year.
Wet summer. Bad crops.
Wine and grain poor. Abundant snow in May; very heavy
rains and frosts in summer.
Wine and grain bad; \vinter very vigorous. The rivers frozen
for 10 weeks.
Little wine and bad.
Long summer; good wine. Vines frozen in winter.
Great abundance.
Good wine; rough winter; fertile year.
Wine excellent, although many vineyards suffered from frost;
favorable summer.
Remarkable fertility, although the vines suffered a little at the
time of flowering, but the grapes did very Well.
Wine sour; grain scarce; year rainy and unfavorable.
Good wine and plenty of it; great fertility.
fAssembly, No, 199.] 2^
434 [Assembly
1500, Little wine but goodj abundance of grain.
1501, The same.
1502, Wine and grain, moderate quantities.
1503, Abundant and good winej very hot summer; general abun-
dance.
1504, The like.
1505, Little wine, good; a fertile year.
1506, The like.
1507, Much grape, bad wine.
1508, Wine abundant and superior; little grain.
1509, Wine plenty and excellent. *
1510, The like.
1511, Little wine and bad, grain deficient; a wet and sterile year.
1512, Sour wine, little grain, white frosts and hail.
1533, Little wine but good, grain succeeded; heavy white frosts in
spring.
1514, Wine and fruits succeeded well ; great abundance of every
thing.
1515, Grapes abundant, wine sour, grain plenty enough; a cold and
wet year.
1516, Little wine but good; heavy frosts in spring.
1517, Little wine and bad; sterility.
1518, Few grapes, wine excellent; favorable summer.
1519, Great fertility.
1520, Little wine, sour; middling crops of grain; cold and wet sum-
mers, vines suffered from frost.
1521, Abundance of wines, fruits and grain.
1522, Little wine but excellent ; rigorous spring ; late season ; but
notwithstanding favourable.
1523, Great fertility.
1524, Little wine and bad ; cold summer; heavy frost about Pentecost.
1525, Little wine, but excellent ; frost in May. Good crop of grain.
3526, A sterile year; cold spring.
1527, Wine very bad ; heavy frosts in spring and Autumn.
1528, Wine enough of middling quality ; grain did well.
1529, Wine very sour ; the summer wet and cold.
1530, Few grapes; wine good and spring cold.
1531, Grapes plenty ; wine middling; grain plenty.
No. 199.] 435
I, Great general sterility.
5, The like.
I:, Little wine but good ; a rainy year.
), Fertile ; wine remarkably good and abundant.
), Fertility still more remarkable ; great heat.
J J Little wine ; potable ; vines suffered during the time of their
flowering from too much humidity.
), Sour wine ; grain failed ; a cold wet year.
), Abundant of wine of middling quality ; a rich crop of grain.
), Wine remarkable for growth ; much grain ; summer of extra-
ordmary heat. Drought felt here and there.
Lj Not much wine but good ; heavy spring frosts ; a good crop of
grain.
5, A late season ; sour grapes ; vintage in November.
J, Few grapes ; wine good ; good grain season, but the vines suf-
fered during the flowering.
t, Bad wine ; grain did well.
), Abundance of wine and good too ; rich crop of grain. A hot
summer.
)j Wine in great quantity and excellent ; grain in abundance. A
very fertile year.
r, Extraordinary fertility, wine good and plenty.
5, A middling year, wine sour.
), Bad Vv'ine, abundant grain, severe droughts.
), Wine, fruits and grain did M'ell.
L, Great abundance, huil in May,
}, Abundance, dry spring.
I, W^ine middling, vines and trees suffered from frost, summer fa-
vorable, autumn rigorous.
t, Little wine and bad, middling year.
i, The like.
>, Wine good and plenty, hot summer, great fertility.
J J Bad wine, late flowering, rainy summer.
5, Wine good and abundant, hot summer, very fertile year.
), Sour wine, grain scarce, late and rainy year.
), Plenty of grapes, some wine, Uttle grain j rainy year, winter
excessively cold,
1561, Bad wine and little grain.
436 [Assembly
1562j Little wine, but good. On the 3cl of August the heavy frost
destroyed all the gi'ain.
1563j Sour grapes, want of grain ; wet summer, very cold winter.
1564, Wine failed ; winter very cold and of long duration.
1565, Little wine and bad ; the winter long, vines frozen.
1566, Plenty of grapes, wine bad, wet summer, grain did very well.
1567, Very hot summer, wine plenty and good.
1568, Grapes failed, spring cold, only a middling crop of grain.
1569, Little wine and bad; winter very rigorous. Heavy white frosts
in spring and autumn.
1570, Grapes did not ripen ; a wet and sterile year.
1571 J do and a rigorous winter.
1572, Little wine, but remarkable in quality. Hea^'y frosts in May
and April, and a hot summer.
1573, Little wine and bad; frost in spring, summer hot enough.
1574, Few grapes, wine middling.
1575, Grapes plenty, wine very good; spring cold, summer favorable.
1576, Few grapes, but very good wine.
1577, Little wine and sour; the flowering suffered from great rains.
1578, Not much wine, but very good.
1579, Grapes plenty, wine bad ; spring beautiful, heavy rains in Au-
gust and in September.
1580, Grapes did not succeed, a wet year, but grain did well.
1581, Little wine and bad, a mild winter and a humid summer.
1582, Grapes plenty, but wine sour.
1583, A year of abundance.
1584, Abundant wine of middling quality; great fertility in other
respects.
1585, Grapes abundant, wine bad; favorable spring, followed by »
rainy summer.
1586, Bad wines, rigorous winter and a rainy summer.
1587, The like.
158S, Little wine, middling quality; rigorous winter, cold spring
1589, The like.
1590, Few grapes, wine of extraordinary fine quality; cold winter,
very hot summer, early vintage.
1591, Little wine and bad, a sterile year.
1592, Little wine, middling quality; heavy frost near the end of May
No. 199.] 437
Few grapes, very good wine ; mild winter, white frosts in the
spring.
Little wine, bad; very cold winter, wet year, w^hite frosts ia
the spring and autumn.
Grapes plenty, w'ine bad; late and rainy year.
Not much wine but excellent; a year of abundance.
Grapes failed; severe hail storms in July, August and Septem^
ber very rainy.
Plenty of grapes but the wine bad; micck snow in simvmer ;
torrents of rain, cold and humid autumn, vintage late.
Wine extraordinary in quantity and quality; the spring was
early and warm; the vines flowered before Pentecost, the
latter end of March.
Wine middling; wnnter and spring rigorous.
No Mine; spring cold and summer wet.
Little wine and middling; frosts in spring and hail in summer.
Wine good and abundant; spring cold.
Wine plenty but bad, great crops of grain; spring late and
wet.
Wine plenty and of superior quality; early vintage. General
abundance.
Few grapes; sterile year; very cold winter, trees were frozen.
Rainy summer, cold autumn.
Little wine but good, fruits excellent; heavy frosts in May and
June.
Grapes failed; winter cold, summer wet.
The like.
Extraordinary vintage and very early.
Abundance of grapes, wine bad; summer wet, autumn cold.
Few grapes, wine good; much hail.
Plenty of grapes, wine sour; winter mild, much hail in May.
Little wine and bad; long winter, heavy snows; crops gener-
ally bad ; late season and cold and rainy.
Little wine, but of the first quality ; a favorable year.
Much the same, but with great heat; vintage about the middle
of September.
Grapes in great quantity, wine sour; frost began in September.
Grapes enough, wine but middling ; a fertile year.
438 [Assembly
1619, Few grapes, wine very good j heavy frosts in spring; rich crops
of grain. Winter very cold,
1620, Little wine^ middling quality ; stormy year.
1621, Few grapes and badj hard frosts in June. Winter of extra-
ordinary rigor.
1622, The like.
1623, The like. Rainy summer, considerable hail.
1624, Little wine but excellent; a stormy summer.
1625, Abundance of grapes; wane of middling quality ; great inunda-
tions in May and part of June. Extraordinary heat in July.
1626, Few grapes, wine sour ; hard frost in spring and a wet summer.
1627, The like; crops generally failed; late spring; frost in May ;
frequent storms and hail in summer.
162S, Few grapes and sour.
1629, Good wine in abundance ; warm summer ; early vintage and
harvest ; winter rigorous.
1630, The like.
1631, The like. A year of extraordinary fertility.
1632, Few grapes ; bad wine ; rainy summer ; cold Autumn.
1633, The like.
1634, Abundance of wine of the first quality. An early and very
rich year.
1636, Little wine and bad. The flowering suffered from the rain.
1636, Excellent wine and plenty enough,
1637, Little wine but good.
1638, Little wine but good ; spring and Autumn cold.
1639, Grapes plenty ; wine sour ; spring late ; smnmer wet. The
cold began in September.
1641, Wine scarce and bad.
1642, Little wine but good. Heavy rains during the flowering.
1643, Little wine, middling quality ; mild winter ; frost in spring and
Autumn.
1644, Few grapes, wine good ; very cold winter, also the spring.
1645, Wine excellent and abundant ; a fertile year.
1646, Little wine but good ; rigorous winter ; cold spring.
1647, Wine good and abundant ; plenty of fruits and grain.
No. 199.] ' 439
1648, Few grapes ; wine sour ; the rains injured the flowering of the
vines ; almost no summer ; a very severe storm on the 11th
of June ; considerable hail.
1649, Wine scarce j sour ; an unfavourable year ; but grain enough \
January extraordinarily mild ; white frost in May and heavy
hail in summer.
1650, Little wine but good.
1651, Wine enough but middling ; heavy snows j late spring; favoura-
ble summer j a wet Autumn.
1652, Wine abundant and good ; a fertile year, a good early vintage,
1653, The wine extraordinary for quality and quantity. The crop
generally good.
1654, The like.
1655, Wine of extraordinary quality ; early' season, vintage about
the middle of September.
1656, Abundance of grapes, wine but middling ; January rigorous,
spring fine, June rainy; but a general 'abundance.
1657, Grapes plenty, wine bad ; a wet cold year. The grapes rot-
ed on the vines.
1658, Wine scarce, sour ; winter severe, spring wet and cold.
1659, Wine plenty enough, quality middling. The summer wet,
hail, very cold weather.
1660, Great abundance of wine and very good ; a hot summer and
a very cold winter.
1661, Wine plenty, middling quality ; abundance of grain.
1662, Very few grapes aid sour.
1663, Little wine and bad.
1664, Plenty of grapes and bad wine.
1665, Wine plenty, middling quality ; winter mild, summer ramy.
1666, Wine enough and very good ; extraordinary heat.
1667, Little wine, quality middling ; summer hot ; fertility.
1668, Wine plenty, but of middling quality ; winter severe, sum-
mer wet.
1669, Wine abundant and excellent ; a very hot and dry summer.
1670, do but a very long winter.
1671, Wine enough, but of middling quality.
1672, Plenty of sour grapes; cold and wet summer.
1673, Same as 1671.
440 [Assembly
1674, Few grapes, the wines exquisite j dry weather.
1675, Wine scarce and sour j season late.
1676, Plenty of good wine 3 foggy spring, rery warm summer.
1677, Wine plenty and sour.
] 678, Wine abundant and good ; a fertile year.
1679, Grapes plenty and sour wine.
1680, Wine abundant and good j early autumn.
1681, Few grapes, but good wine.
1682, Grapes in abundance and sour, began to rot about the end of
August.
1683, Much wine and good.
1684, Wine plenty enough ; portable. The winter in England was
the most severe in the memory of man.
1685, Wine scarce and sour.
1686, Grapes few, but the wine good.
1687, Plenty of middling wine,
1688, Wine abundant and good.
1689, Little wine, excellent ; severe winter, early and fertile year.
1690, Much middling wine ; very stormy summer.
1691, Little wine and good.
1692, do and sour ; a sterile year.
1693, Little wine, good ; a very cold spring.
1694, Wine enough of a middling quality j a wet summer,
1695, The like.
1696, Wine scarce and middling.
1697, Wine enough, but a wet summer and a cold autumn.
1698, The like.
1699, Little wine and good ; spring late and wet, great heat in Au-
gust.
1700, Little wine ; siunmer very hot.
Translated February 1850, by H. Meigs, Secretary of the Farmers'
Club of the American Institute.
i
i
FARMERS' CLUB.
REPORTS OF MEETINGS.
May 15, 1S49.
Samuel Allen, in the chair. Henry Meigs, Secretary.
Mr. Meigs — said that the subject for the day was of very great im-
portance: The best mode of raising seeds, preserving and planting.
We are apt to be too negligent in this matter, forgetting that the like
rules which produce the best blood, and every good quality in our
domestic animals, are to be observed in the vegetable kingdom. No
part of animated nature more distinctly announces origin, care or
quality, than the vegetable kingdom. The same plant, under differ-
ent treatment from its seed to its ultimate development, can be made
(as in dwarf trees) three inches high or one hundred feet high. The
Chinese dwarf tree artist was full of enthusiasm in viewing the dwarf
tree, and foreseeing that at one hundred years of age, it would but
be zfew inches high. In size, but more in quantity, and yet more in
quality, by careful selection of seed, can man grow delicious wheat
easily to fifty bushels per acre, or by want of knowledge or care be
condemned to reap a scattered crop of poor wheat of less than ten
bushels per acre. And, according to the late experiment tried most
faithfully in an experimental garden near Paris, the wheat crop de-
pends most seriously upon the depth at which the seed is planted < It
was decided, past all doubt, that about two inches was the right depth
for best and largest yield ; so that we are able to assert positively
that if all the seed on an acre is placed at that depth, the greatest pos-
sible yield is to be had. Select perfect seeds from the most perfect
plants in continual succession, and we attain the highest value of crops.
It is also in the infancy of a plant that its ultimate value is to be es-
tabhshed. It is a law of both vegetable and animal life. We are
442 [Assembly
too apt to overlook this, and trust to the constant ell'ort of animals
* d vegetables to do their best ; but perpetual experience returns upon
the fact, that as is the infancy — strong or vreak — so is the maturity.
an
us
President Taixmadge presented to the club seeds of water melon
grown here from seeds obtained from melons grown at Smyrna, and he
remarked that these melons were large, round, very solid, red cores,
and exceedingly fine. They were distributed among the members.
The President said that he was delighted to have the subject of seeds
under discussion here, and wished that the institute would collect and
publish a carefully condensed set of instructions on the whole subject,
.for practical use. We find that plans are, as a general rule, confined
to certain positions, as relates not only to climate, but to valley and
mountain — to zones, and to all those influential causes connected with
their nature. Botanists are performing the great work of investiga-
tion on their part. We are already acquainted with many of the di-
versities in vegetable growth on our globe. We are told that not
only do these diversities exist in the various parts of our northern he-
misphere, but also that very marked differences are found between
the plants of our hemisphere and those of the southern, and that the
small fruits flourish in this — they do not in the southern • and it is
said by some observers, that the diseases of our hemisphere very rare-
ly prevail in the other ; tlrat in tropical regions trees incline to deep
penetration of the soil by means of large roots, in order to be able to
sustain the severe heats and droughts, and that a general difference of
habit in plants is found between the two hemispheres. Our own po-
sition is peculiarly happy, receiving, as it does, the fruits and products
of every country. Salmon from the cool waters of the n©rth meet
in our markets the green peas of the Southern states, and together,
grace our festive board early in the season, and ours follow in suc-
cession. We are bound to learn and to teach wisdom on the subject
of these blessings of the vegetable kingdom. The depth at which
seed should be placed is very important, and it is also necessary to be
careful in the transplanting of trees, so that they be not too deeply in
the earth, nor yet too shallow. Either error ruins the tree or the vine
— the effects of too deep or too shallow planting are loss of time and
money. The soil, too, must be carefully considered. Avoid a cold,
,wet clay and a porous sandy soil ; we must make the soil what it
No. 199.] 443
ought to be before we plant, or we had as well not plant at all. Un-
doubtedly, therefore, we want the aid of a sound chemical examina-
tion, in many cases, before we undertake to establish orchards or an-
nual crops of vegetables. A life is wasted in vain expectations of ve-
getable wealth from a soil not having the chemical components re-
quired by our trees, plants, and fruits.
Mr. Meigs reminded the club that in a close clay soil — one of tlie
best amendments — one of necessity was sand, as much or more than
manure, even seashore sand.
Mr. Holmes, said that the latter probably contained shelly matter
like snail.
Mr. Meigs. — The sand makes the soil porous. That a singular
result was found on the farm of Mr. Maxwell, at Nyack, on our
Hudson river. In order to have clean hard walks in the garden, the
former proprietor covered them with disintegrated sand stone, (called
at the quarry Kellis,) and that instead of a fine freestone path, free of
weeds, he had a growth of white clover as thick as the hair on a
man's head.
Judge Van Wyck said that similar results were had from clay and
snail soils.
Mr. Ross remarked that clay was very favorable to the growth of
white clover, and that lime was favorable to that of the red top.
The Chairman. — I cleared a field of two hundred acres of forest
in Erie county, and white clover sprung up all over it ; and last year
I saw on the banks of the Delaware a field which the owner, finding
to be barren, let the fresh river water upon it, and kept it on for five
years ; he then, at low tide, run it off, and when it was dry enouorh to
work, he found from one to three feet of deposit upon it. He sowed
timothy grass on it, which covered about two-thirds of it, while on the
rest of it there came a rich spontaneous growth of green grass, not
known in that quarter. Where did those seeds come from ?
444 [AssoiBLY
Judge Van Wyck. — When plaster of Paris was first put upon our
fields, the white clover went out, and the red top clover was planted
in its place. Clover is apt to run out in three years — sometimes will
continue seven years. Timothy and its kindred grasses sometimes
lasts fifteen years on rich lands, managed with great care. Blue grass
would be a great acquisition to our farms.
Chairman. — We now get that seed direct from Kentucky, and~
much of it is now sold to our farmers.
Judge Van Wyck. — Blue grass is very fattening to cattle in sum-
mer, and in winter serves them as fodder lying on the ground in
Kentucky, its native locality.
Chairman. — It is mostly valuable for lawns and pastures.
Mr. Meigs read from the Journal of Agriculture^ and the transac-
tions of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland of March
1849, the following :
The plant by Schlelden — " What does man live upon ?" He says
that at one of the larger lunatic asylums, he found a patient crouching
down by the S'tove, w^atching with close attention a saucepan, the
contents of which he was carefully stirring. At the noise of my en-
trance, he whispered — "Hush, hush ! don't disturb my little pigs —
they will be ready directly. You see here I have black puddings,
pig's bones and bristles, in the saucepan — everything that is necessary ;
we only want the vital warmth, and the young pig will be ready
made again." In answer to the question what does man live upon,
our author quotes largely from Liebig, who certainly was the first to
point out that bodies of precisely similar chemical composition exist-
ed both in the animal and vegetable world, and which are most pro-
bably transferred from one to another unaltered.* The whole of the
substances used by man for food may be dinded into two groups —
first, those containing nitrogen ; second, those without nitrogen. The
first are called the materials for nutrition, the second Liebig has very
properly named materials for respiration. These are found combin-
•Rafl^esque said very much the same thing in 1815 at Palermo.— [H. Meigs.
ISo. 199.] 445
ed in the cereals and in milk. The first exists in the largest degree
in animal flesh, and the latter in gum, sugar, starch, spirits, wine, beer,
and lastly, the various kinds of fat. But perhaps the most singular
facts connected with the question — " What does man live upon ?"
are bearing upon tea and coffee, which are now amongst the necessa-
ries of civilized life, as the Paraguay tea is to the South American.
In all these substances chemistry has discovered precisely the same
substance. And finally chemistry has brought to light the fact, that
all those substances used by man as food are compounds of the four
simple substances — oxygen, carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen. In the
second lecture on this subject, Schleiden alludes to the opinion thus
broached by Liebig, that the vegetable world lives upon the carbon,
ammonia, am' water of the atmosphere ; and very properly asks — if
this be th: case, of what use is manure 1 Liebig's idea was, that it
was to supply the mineral part of the plant alone, and that the farmer
would get as much benefit if he' burnt manure heaps, and strewed the
land with the ashes. With this view he sought to revolutionize our
whole agricultural system, by the recommendation of a mineral manure
he has discovered, for the preparation of which he has taken out a
patent in England, and sold it to Messrs. Muspratt & Co. His aim
is to furnish to every soil and plant a proper compost of those mineral
substances which the plant requires and the soil is deficient in, and in
such a peculiar state of combination, that the substances shall be so-
luble enough to be taken up by the plants, and yet not so readily
soluble that the rain can wash away any considerable quantity.
Every farmer who has tried Liebig's manure is aware of its failure ;
and we think that this this has been principally caused by his want of
attention to the difference of climate between Germany and England.
In the clear sunshine of the former it may be possible to dispense
with ammonia in the manure, but certainly not in England or Scotland.
We regret extremely that Liebig should have so publicly pledged
himself to certain views, as we have no doubt but that his failure has
damaged the cause of scientific agriculture, and thrown it back by se-
veral years.
446 [Assembly
Mr. Meigs read from the same work the list of premiums offered
by the Highland Society for the year 1849, and subsequent years.
These seem worth attention :
Deep tillage. — For approved report thereon — gold medal or ten
sovereigns.
Liquid Manure. — Do. do.
Manures. — Fifty sovereigns j the report to be lodged by 1st No-
vember, 1849.
Trifolium Hybridum, or Alsiche clover. — Report on — gold medal,
ten sovereigns.
Clovers and gi'asses for two or three year's pasture. — Gold medal,
or ten sovereigns ; report to be lodged by 1st Nov. 1850.
Comparative productiveness, &c. of different varieties of the Ce
real Grains. — the gold medal, or five sovereigns ; by 1st Nov. 1849.
Improved "Varieties of Agricultural Plants. — Gold medal, or ten
sovereigns ; by 1st Nov. 1849.
Flax. — Twenty sovereigns ; report by 1st Nov. 1849.
Comparative value of different Plants as Food. — Several premiums
of gold medal and five sovereigns.
Vegetable productions of India, China, America, &c. — For appro-
ved report on the hardy and useful herbaceous plants, including grains
and grasses of China, the islands of the Eastern Archipelago ; the
Himalaya country ; the Falkland Islands and South Sea Islands j Ca-
lifornia ; the high North Western Districts of America — gold medal,
or ten sovereigns; by 1st Nov. 1849.
Tussac Grass. — The gold medal ; by 1st Nov. 1849.
Feeding of Stock. — Twenty sovereigns ; by 1st Nov. 1849.
Use of the Spade. — Premium one pound five shillings and under.
The whole list of premiums in every department of farming indus-
try occupies some forty pages.
Judge Van Wyck. — Some of Liebig's theories have been tried in
experimental farms, and been found to be wrong. They now rely in
Europe, in a great measure, on the manure of the barn yard ; nor is
No. 199.] 447
there any room for doubt as to the safety of that reliance. Liebig's
" fertilizer," has been found good on good soil, but not so on the poor
soil. We cannot afford here to use much imported manure. We
ought to go thoroughly into the subject of seeds, for it is one of very
great importance.
Chairman. — A friend of mine has planted Italian wheat for three
years; he sowed in fields where there was no danger of its mix-
ing with other grain ; he selected the largest seeds from the largest
heads, and obtained thus a better and more productive crop. The like
care was taken by Baden as to Indian corn with great success.
Mr. Meigs. — I raised corn from Baden's seed, and the stalks were,
many»of them, 15 to 16 feet high, and bore on the average six ears
each. One gave 13 very imperfect ears.
John W. M'Intyre presented seeds of the Spanish winter water me-
lon, grown in New Jersey.
Corn from the South-west part of Indiana, of the finest gourd seed
kind, was presented.
Mr. Wells, of Brooklyn, remarked that an insect called rose bug
had of late years appeared in many places in very large numbers, de-
stroying grapes and other fruits. He proposes that the means of ar-
resting this evil be made the subject of consideration at the next club,
as this destroying little bug appears in June.
Adopted unanimously ; and it was desired by the club that full no-
tice be given of the alarming evil to be feared from the insect this
summer and in future.
The club adjourned.
H. MEIGS, Secretary.
448 [Assembly
September 4, 1849.
R. T. UnderhilLj of Croton Point, in the chair. Henry Meigs,
Secretary.
The secretary read the following translation by him, from the recent
numbers of the Annales De La Societe Centrale De France, Paris.
Historical JVotice of the Litchi of China and its Culture, by Morn.
Br eon.
The Euphoria Litchi is originally from China, and is one of the
large forest trees of that Empire. It belong to the family of Sapin-
dacese. It produces hardly any fruit, and those are about the size of
pigeon's eggs. The seed is surrounded by a little white pulp not
much esteemed. But the Chinese gardeners have, by means of graft-
ing by approach, and especially by Marcottes, [Layers,] and by good
culture, succeeded in quadrupling the size of the fruit, in producing
dwarf trees extremely small, and in obtaining from it one of the best
and most esteemed fruits in the world. It is now cultivated by the
Chinese in their smallest gardens ; and those who have no gardens,
plant it in boxes, and obtain an abundance of fruit.
The Litchi was introduced into the Isle of France in 1770, by the
estimable Mr. Poivre, then superintendant of the Isles of France and
Bourbon. Mr. Cere, the Botanical Gardener of the Isle of France,
multiplied those trees. Their fruit became as highly esteemed by the
colonists as in China. The Litchi, grown from the Marcotte (Layer,)
has a very fine pyramidal form, grows to about twenty or twenty five
feet high, many of them much taller, whose fruit becomes thus infe-
rior. The fruit of the Litchi is spherical in form, covered with a
leathery bark, and is full of tubercles. When ripe, it is of a scarlet
red, and as large as a large nut. Under the skin is a white pulp,
which has the taste and odor of the ^luscat Raisin, of the Peach and
of the Strawberry, within this pulp is a common sized nut, globular in
form, and smooth exterior. Some of these fruits have abortive nuts,
and are more esteemed than the rest for tlieir superior taste. They
grow in bunches like grapes, and each branch has commonly on it fifty
fruits ; but sometimes one and even two hundred.
m. 199.J 449
The appearance of the Litchi, with its bunches of scarlet fruit and
its fine green foliage, is beautiful indeed. The trees from the Mar-
cottes [Layers,] at from one to two feet high, produce the fruit in four
months after the Marcotting — many of the Litchis from seed, large
trees of sixty years of age, give no fruit.
Decemher ISih, 1849.
Dr. Underbill of Croton Point, in the chair. Henry Meigs, Sec'y.
The Secretary read the following translations from the xjublications
recently received by the Institute from France.
Two crops of Cauliflowers from tJie same stems, — Cut the Cauli-
flowers so as to leave a portion of the flower at the bottom ; cover
the cut part with dry sand and presently the flower which has been
left will develope a new cauliflower — an entire new head!
Disa Grandifora of Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope. — Mr.
Bunbury of London examined the plain constituting that table. The
general level is well known as very remarkable, but it presents some
inequalities, and among them some swamps in which the Disa is found.
He says of it : "In my opinion it is one of the most magnificent fow
ers in creation "
The table is a narrow band about two miles long, abrupt on all
sides stretching from south-east to north-west. The table is nearly
3700 feet above the level of the sea.
Revue Horticole, September, 1849.
Loiseleur Deslongchamps, recently deceased, furnished for the Re-
vue lately, the following interesting remarks on gigantic grape vines.
I saw on the farm of a man near my country seat a few years ago,
a grape vine which covered the branches of ten or twelve large Prune
trees. In good years this vine yields one hundred gallons of good
fAasembly, No. 199.]
450 [Assembly
wine. At St. Cloudj in the garden of Mr. Morel de Vindc, two leagues
from Paris, I saw a trellis of black grapes presenting a front of sur-
face of 1500 metres.
In the Royal Park at Fontainebleauj there is an old magnificent
grape vine of the same kind as the one at Hampton Court. This
vine dates from the time of Francis First.
There is a remarkable vine at No. 15 Marais Street, Paris, planted
by Racine the celebrated dramatic poet, some .160 years ago. In good
seasons this bears 1200 bunches.
The grape vine at Hampton Court was there in the time of George
the Third. It bears in favourable years four thousand bunches of
grapes. One day when actors at Drury Lane Theatre had pleased
George 3rd, one of them asked from the King a few dozen bunches
of those grapes. The King said they might have a hundred dozen
bunches if his gardener could find so many on the vine. The gardener
upon this, told his majesty that he could cut off the hundred do-
zen bunches, and as many more besides, without stripping the vine
of all its fruit. D'Arlincourt says, that vine is one hundred and ten
feet long, and bears usually twelve hundred pounds of grapes, and in
1842 bore fifteen hundred pounds of them.
There are many grape vines in Europe as large as a man's body,
and reaching to the tops of trees, and good bearers. The vines of a
similar size in North America generally do not yield fruit.
Revue Horticole, Paris.
Aubergine [Solarium Melongena). — This annual plant, now so ex-
tensively grown in our southern provinces, has been cultivated but a
few years in Auvergne. It begins to spread in the vegetable gardens,
and it has a just right to do so, for its abundant product, which con-
tinues from July to the frosts of the fall. And it may be preserved if
under shelter till January. The Aubergine must be sowed in a hot
bed in February, March or April, as you desire fruit more or less early.
The plants are at a proper time set out in open air in some warm ex-
posure, in a very rich light soil or humus; must be often and copiously
J
No. 399.J 451
watered, and it will give fruit in proportion to the heat, the manure and
the watering you give it. It much resembles in its growth and culti-
vation the Tomato. The fruit for table should be picked before it is
quite ripe. Plants for seed should be left, and seeds taken only from
the finest largest fmits. The seed degenerates soon, and ought to be
renewed from the south of France.
A few years ago there was introduced here from Cliina, a variety
of it bearing white fruit, smaller than the violet colored, but preferable
for the delicacy of its taste and flesh.
Annales De La Soeiete Centrale D'HorticuUure De Fiance.
De Candolle. — Author of Flore Francaise — 5 volumes Octavo^ 3d
Edition in 1805. Of Vegetable Physiology in 3 volumes Octavo^ in
1832. — Pyramus de Candolle was born in Geneva, came to France
while young, soon made himself remarkable as an able Botanist. He
was aided in his studies by the deserved friendship of Baron Delessert.
After many important publications on the subject of vegetables, and
after having filled for many years the place of Professor of Botany at
Montpellier, he returned to Geneva, where he remained a Professor of
Botany, until his death in December, 1841.
INIons. Pyramus de Candolle held for many years, the sceptre of
descriptive and historical botany. From Geneva, he dictated laws
which were received as so many oracles, by the majority of European
Botanists. According to the doctrine of de Candolle, Botany had
hitherto remained a useless science to the human race. Those learned
men who had cultivated that science, had occupied themselves only
with those differences which exist between plants, in augmenting the
number of their genera and species, and not at all with their applica-
tion to the wants of men. Their science was absolutely sterile, unless
to Society, and common sense was astonished always at beholding so
many grave and learned Botanists, who never considered at all the
advantages which plants offered to human support, to the arts, to in-
dustry or to commerce. Mons. de Candolle deserved well of all
sensible men by his division of the Science of Vegetable into organic
Botany, descriptive, and applied to some use !
452 [Assembly
Algeria. — JVotes on the products of the Central JVursery of Algeria
which were exhibited at the J^ational Fair in Parisj June and Jvly^
1849.
Oleaginous seeds. — Algeria is able to supply oil to the "whole north-
ern surface of our hemisphere. Beside the olive which grows spon-
taneously and which forms one of the principal riches of the country,
there are many oleaginous plants, yery rich in oil.
The Oriental or Indian Sesame,vfhich yields per J/ec^are when pro-
perly irrigated, about 4,000 pounds weight of oil. The Arachido^
the Cacahuetes of the Spaniards, which yields, when properly irrigated,
6,000 pounds weight of oil, &c., &c.
Graminacea- Grasses — An order of Endogenous plants, grow by ad-
ditions to the inside of their stems. Corn and grain of all sorts,
bamboo, sugar cane, reeds, &c. Two valuable works on grasses
should be consulted. The Agrostographia by Kunth, and Sinclair's
Hortus Graminaceee on pasture grasses.
Lindley, the highest botanical authority, in his Vegetable Kingdom,
makes the Graminaceae, contain two hundred and ninety-one genera,
with three thousand eight hundred species.
It is remarkable that the native country bf wheat, oats, barley, and
rye, should be unknown. This had led some persons to think that
all our cereal plants are artificial productions, accidentally obtained
but retaining their habits which have become fixed in the course of
ages.
The cuticle of these plants contains a large proportion of Silex.
Masses of it are found melted in burnt heaps of straw or other
grasses. In the joints of some grasses there is found a perfect silicious
deposite, especially in a jungle grass. Wheat straw may be melted
by a blow pipe into a colorless glass. Barley straw melts into a topaz
colored glass. In the joints of bamboo, a singular deposite of silex
is formed, called in India Tabashea, in which there are also a little
lime and vegetable matter. Sulphur also exists in corabmation with
No, 199.] 4531
different bases in wheat, barley, rye, oats, Indian corn, millet and
nee.
Raspail, (the modern French revolutionist,) in his memoir on the
structure of grasses, hazards a theory that the 'midrib of the bracts
of grasses is an axis of development in cohesion with the bracts, and
that when it separates as in Phleum, Bromus, or Coniphorus, it is
attempting to revert to the functions of ulterior development for
which it is more especially destined.
Dr. Underbill remarked, in reference to extensive grape-vines, that
the natural tendency of great growth of the vine was to lessen the
value of the wine, the greater supply of sap dilutes the juices too
much to produce the best wine.
Our regular subjects are now in order (viz.) The grasses, hay,
wheat and its culture.
Judge Van Wyck. — A carpet of grass protects and enriches the soil.
In the northern section of country the most extensive use is made of
timothy and clover, the red top and the white, the latter being indi-
genous. The grasses require a rich soil as well as the grains. Most
farmers suppose that the grasses will grow continually without culture,
but they cannot expect a proper supply to feed their stock, unless
they maintain the soil in as good condition as they must to produce
grain. The best mode of planting timothy and clover, is to plant the
first in the fall of the year, and the clover in spring. Clover has this
superiority over other grasses, that cattle cannot eat so much of it but
that its roots and many of its leaves remain for the fertilizing of the
land Hay ought to be made of clover and grasses when they are in
flower; the rich juices are then diffused throughout the p]ants,before they
ascend to form the seeds. After the the seeds are ripe, the plants are ren-
dered inferior for making hay. Farmers however are beginning to
cut them earlier than they have formerly done. Some let timothy
develope its flowers more fully, and begin to fall. But on this point
there is a diversity of opinion as in some others, in regard to hay
making.
454 [Assembly
Mr. Townsend, of Astoria • I never let my clover or grass lay long
exposed to the heat of the sun, and I make good hay. I do not believe
that clover enriches land by a long succession of crops. No, I turn
in green clover with the plow, and always find my wheat and my
garden vegetables thrive after it. I harrow my wheat well, and I
think this helps to destroy the fly. One day my horses ran away
with my harrow across a wheat field, I supposed they had done
mischief, but when the crop grew up, the road the horses had made
over the field was the finest growth on it, I prefer to cut timothy on
the day the blow drops off. I cut and cure it as soon as possible. I
find that blue grass does well on strong soil, gives a great burthen,
never wants replenishing, never wears oat. It is our natural blue
grass, perhaps not exactly like the Kentucky sort. I began many
years ago to manure my farm on Long Island. I paid freely for barn
and stable manure. After a while I found out that by taking off the
peat or muck from the surface of my meadows, underneath it a smooth,
fine earth which I put on my land, and have continually made it better
and better. Most farms contain their own materials for manure. I
let my hogs tfample the manure well.
Judge Van Wyck. — I have read a passage in the Genesee Farmer,
stating absolutely, that it was best not to cut till the seeds of the
grasses were ripe, perbilps excepting clover, and all other late cutting,
and especially timothy ; that the weight of hay is increased by it and
the land left in better condition after the crop, and the young grass
growing up sooner and richer for it. This is contrary to reason, for
when the seeds ripen, soil is proportionally impoverished, and the
stems dry when cut, must delay the circulating of the sap and the
starting of the young grass.
Mr. Pell, of Pelham. — ^My plan for the past fire years, with regard to
cutting grass for hay, has been to commence cutting down clover when
about two-thirds of the tops have turned brown, and timothy when
the bloom begins to fall, and only cut so much in the morning as may
be taken in before night. It is then salted with about one bushel of
fine salt to the ton ; the effect of the salt is to draw out the mois-
ture which goes off by evaporation, and the pores take in the salt, the
hay thus becomes cured with all its chemical ingredients, as well as
No. 199.] 455
colormg matter, and is much relished by stock. The grass will only
ta,ke up a certain portion of the saltj the balance over and above the
requisite quantity finds its way undissolved to the bottom of the stack
or barn. Consequently it matters little how much salt you use. By
the old plan, or in other words, that usually adopted by farmers, the
hay is cut in the morning, raked into wind-rows in the afternoon, cock-
ed the next day, in which state it may remain one week before an op-
portunity occurs to take it in; and I have frequently known farmers
to leave it out two weeks. Another error committed by many farm-
ers, is sparse sowing ; the usual quantity of timothy and clover sown
is so small, that it frequently requires two years to litter and cover
the field, and not unfrequently never covers, as the weeds are allow-
ed an opportunity of spreading, and taking possession of the fi^ld.
If they were to sow half a bushel of timothy seed and one bushel of
clover, the cost would be but $5.45 per acre, the ground would be
covered with valuable seeds, weeds would not be apt to grow, and
the yield the second year, would be 2^ tons, worth |25. Wheat is
usually cut too late in the season.
Edward L, Teomans- — The legitimate^ function of the vegetable is
to construct, while that of the animal is to destroy. The grand ques-
tion is, how we can obtain the best and greatest quantity. Inflores-
cence commences combustion, and increased heat of two or three de-
grees is at that period sensible in the plant. In a great field of wheat,
how great is the combustion 7 I think that this state of the plant in-
dicates the right time for cutting.
Dr. Underbill. — Lucerne is a beautiful crop when well managed;
it should be in drills wide enough for the man to pass. It may be
cut four times a year, and if not cut, it grows too large in the stem.
Judge Van Wyck. — ^The Mediterranean wheat, has been consider-
bly raised among us. It is found to make a dark colored flour ; it
IS sweet, and is remarked to grow whiter every year, grows well and
net injured by insects.
Mr. Townsend. — I have lately sowed four bushels of it.
45b [Assembly
Lyman Root, of Ohio, exhibited before the club a small machine
for paring, coring and slicing* apples. This little machine which can
be worked by a child, was invented by Julius Weed of Paynesville,
Lake county, Ohio, and its price is five dollars.
General Chandler called the attention of the club to an invitation
to the public, from Mr. Devoe, to examine a cow and her calf now
ready for slaughter.
Major Handcock presented the following extract from an Irish
newspaper — the "Cork Reporter:"
The Forbes Potato. — Most of the inhabitants of this country — par-
ticularly those of the county Cork — will not fail to remember the visit
of Captain Forbes, in the "Jamestown," OT.the cause of his visit.
Captain Forbes, during his sojourn in this country, presented a few
American Potatoes to Major Beamish — which the gallant Major had
planted in his garden — and to which, in commemoration of Cap-
tain Forbes' visit, he gave the name of the "Forbes pptato." In the
autumn of 1847, Major Beamish made a present of three of the po-
tatoes in question, to Captain Thomas, of Cosheen, who planted them
in his garden. In 1848, he had thirty-six potatoes large and small.
Those Captain Thomas planted again in February, 1849 — whole — ani
from them, in this month, October, 1849, he had 43 lbs ; the three po-
tatoes in two years, having yielded a great produce both in number,
size and weight. They are of two distinct kinds — the long reds —
and round purples, and quite sound and free from disease, as will be
perceived by samples which may be seen at this office. It will be a
singular coincidence, remarks a correspondent, if, in the order of Pro-
vidence, the \isit of Captain Forbes in the Jamestown " should be the
means of restoring the poor man's food," by the introduction a second
time to this country of the potato from America.
Subject adopted for next meeting. Manures, and economy in their
preservation.
Adjourned.
- _ H. MEIGS, Stcratarjf,
No. 199.] '" ' 457
February 5th, 1850.
Present thirty members. Professors Johnston of England, and
Antisell of Ireland, attended the meeting.
Judge RoBT. S. Livingston in the chair. Henry Meigs, Sec'y.
The Secretary read his translations from the books presented to
the Institute by Mons. Alexandre Vattemare, and the Revue Scien-
tifique, Paris, as follows :
From the Revue Scientifique, Paris.
Analysis of the Excrements of Cows.
When inunerated the constituents are,
Silex 62.54
Potash 2.91
Soda 0.98
Marine Salt 0.23
Phosphate of iron 8 . 93
Lime 5.71
Magnesia 11.47
Phosphoric acid 4.76
Sulphuric acid 1 . 77
99.30
ExcremeTit of Hogs.
Sikx 13.19
Potash 3.60
Soda 3.44
Marine salt 0.14
Phosphate of iron 3 . 98
Lime 18 . 15
Magnesia 5 .45
Phosphoric acid 7 . 52
Sulphuric acid 2 . 64
94.64
With traces of manganese and carbonic acid.
458 [Assembly
Excrement of Sheep.
Silex 50.11
Potash 5.32
Soda 3.28
Marine salt 0 . 14
Phosphate of iron 3 . 98
Lime 18.15
Magnesia 5 . 45
Phosphoric acid 7 .52
Sulphuric acid 2.69
99.64
And traces of manganese and carbonic acid.
Excrement of Horses.
Silex 62.40
Potash 11.30
oda 1.98
Marine salt 0.03
Phosphate of iron 2 . 73
Lime 4 . 63
Oxyde of manganese 2,13
Phosphoric acid 8 . 93
Sulphuric acid 1 . 83
99.80
Of the ashes of Excrement of
Cows. Hogs. Sheep. Horses-.
Parts soluble in water 5 . 84 9 . 65 17 .29 3.16
Parts soluble in Hydro-
chloric acid 32.21 18.70 34.54 22.59
Parts in soluble in do. 61.95 71.65 48.17 74.25
La Normandie Agricole, 1848.
Statistics of Agricultural Wealth. — In order better to appreciate the
Agricultural wealth of France, and the progress which it has made in
our days, we have searched among the ancient State papers and
writings of economists, &c., and we have gained the following esti-
mates, (viz.)
Epoch.
Population.
Value of Products.
1700,
19,600,000
1,500,000,000
1760,
21,000,000
1,555,750,000
1788,
24,000,000
1,034,333,000
1814,
30,000,000
3,356,971,000
1840,
43;540,000 •
6,022,169,000
No. 199.] 459
per Inhabitant.
77
73
85
118
224
Now with the domestic animals, 7,502,905,000 224
A comparison of these five epochs leads us to a knov.^leclge of the
fact that the gross amount of our annual revenue from our Agriculture
is now double that during the Empire, and that in only one generation
it has tripled the revenue given by the whole territory of France under
Louis XVIj before the benefits of the revolution, and finally that it is
quadruple that of the Agricultural production of the age of Louis XIV.
There is not in history another example of such an Agricultural })ro-
gress and the acquisition of such great wealth, the fruit of labour, in-
telligence and public liberty.
Royal Studs in 1848. — The number of Stallions of pure blood now
in these studs is 322. They are divided among the several establish-
ments. Twelve stalUons are in the pin stud, viz. B^ranger, Bolero,
Eylau, Friedland, Governor, The Juggler, Oak Stick, Pole Cat, Prince
Caradoe, Royal Oak, Sylvio and Tipple Cider.
Ten stallions are at St. Lo, viz. Adolphus, Comminges, Don
Quixotte, Great Wond*^r (Croesus) Jocko, Marengo, Paul de Kock,
Richard Y Snail, and Ulysses.
Among the 322 stallions are ten newly brought from England by
Mr. De Laplace. The Stud Journal says, that these are rich and
precious, and that the English saw with regret that some of these were
taken away from th^m.
These horses have cost 52,800 francs, or about 10,000 francs each.
Sting cost more than the rest, viz. 15000 francs.
The number of horses imported in one year is 28000.
460 [Assembly
Consumption of Animals in Paris in 1847. — Oxen 82^19, Cows
24,900, Calves 503,113, Sheep 239, Goats. The abattoirs of Paris,
(slaughter houses) furnished 121,000,000 pounds of meat, — 7,500,000
pounds of tallow. Besides the meat from the abattoirs, there were
brought into Paris about 12,000,000 pounds of meat. So that Paris
•with 1,000,000 of people, consumed on an average about 136 pounds
of meat per soul.
The pork is used by the lower classes chiefly, and the amount in
1847 was about 11,000,000 pounds.
Russia has founded studs in the greater portion of her departments,
On the same plan as those of France. The St. Petersburgh Journal
says, that the number of mares fecundated by the Government stallions
in three years amounts to 74,244 ; more stallions are called for every
where. Many associations have been formed by individuals, and the
whole number of studs of the government and of indi^aduals is now
2,144.
Mr. Carter. — The regular subject for the day, is the propriety of
providing suitable lands on which poor immigrants can be employed
until they can provide for themselves farms on our cheap lands in the
interior. I also include the poor already among us. In hopes that
some society would undertake such a plan, I have proposed this dis-
cussion. A farm being provided, then an office in this city, where
all the names of such persons shall be registered, and when deemed
proper, tickets given them for the farnv The poor immigrants are too
apt to commence here by begging, their spirits are soon broken so
that they become unable to reach the country or to labor like men.
The State is interested in this matter, and should prepare the way for
the beneficial introduction into our country of the great stream of
immigration which is yearly swelling in amount.'
Mr. Fleet — deemed it to be a subject of high importance as well
for the present population as for that which is flowing in.
Professor Antisell. — I sketched a plan about a year ago, which
appeared in a newspaper called The J^ation; it is as follows :
No. 190.] 461
Establish an Emigrants Home, available to all classes of laborers,
who on arrival can go to work as farmers, tailors, shoemakers, &c.j
and let their children be put to school ; the general management might
be left to a limited number of city residents who could see the insti-
tution carried out properly. The various sections of the American
Institute now forming, might materially aid by its cooperation by
holding public meetings, and brining this subject prominently before
the country ; such an office here, would be applied to by immigrants
on their arrival, and they could be provided with tickets or orders to
convey them by nearest routes to the institution, where they can find
the work best suited to them within doors or out on the farm. Such
an asylum, managed with economy and carried out with the necessary
spirit, would form the brightest ornament among the benevolent in-
stitutions of the State of New- York.
Mr. Carter. — This State has large tracts of land, not equal to the
richest certainly, but lands now covered with thick forests — lands
where industry can make an excellent home. Fifty thousand acres
of it have been recently offered for sale at ten cents an acre by the
Land Commissioners of our State, at Albany. This land is in Her-
kimer county, and one half of it is tillable land.
Judge Van Wyck remarked that the rich lands belonging to the
Union presented greater attractions to the settler, the number of im-
migrants is already very great. This subject has drawn the attention
of the mayor, who has stated the case in strong and just points of
view.
Chairman. — It would be best to appoint a committee to examine
this subject and report to our next meeting.
Mr. Carter. — I purposed to make that motion and now make it. —
a committee of three.
Judge Van Wyck. — Of five. — carried.
Chairman, appointed Messrs. Carter, Fleet, Antisell, Van Wyck,
and Lewis G, Morris.
462 [ASSEMBLI
Mr. Morris. — My time -will be too much occupied to enable me to
do my duty, and I must therefore decline.
The chairman, then substituted Mr. Elliot.
Mr Meigs observed, that the lands in our immediate vicinity to a
great amount, required all the hard work which could be found for a
long time to come. The removal of boulders, breaking them up and
forming durable fences, at the same time thus making the land arable;
such work can be done by able bodied men who do not understand
farming or any mechanic art.
Mr. Pike had employed immigrants on his farm, paid high wages,
afforded every comfort, but he found it a losing business; they must
have too high wages and httle work ; he had give double and even
treble wages in vain. As to the stone i^alls spoken of by our secre-
tary, they don't last so very long, for I have already built some of
mine twice.
Mr. Fleet. — I too have employed immigrants on my farm, forty
miles in the interior, on the bank of the Hudson. They were not
fond of work, left me and walked the 40 miles to our city, where I
have found them lounging about the intelligence offices.
Judge Van Wyck, thought that land owners who wanted laborers,
woidd find them readily when they desired, in this great mart. The
complaint against bad workmen, made by Mr. Pike, has a great deal
of truth in it. I have however employed some of them on my farm
in New Jersey, and I do not desire to have any better.
Lewis G. Morris. — I do not believe that our sterile lands would
pay under the plan proposed. The best way is, probably to put our
farmers in the way of easily obtaining the laborers he wants.
W. Bowman. — Plans of the sort proposed will be proclaimed in
newspapers to the old world and new temptations to immigration
held out. Let it alone, they will come fast enough on their own
plans. You need not open the door and hold it open.
I
No. 199.] 463
M. Meigs. — I have held the door open for fifty years. I learned
early the policy of that wise king of Persia who declared that his
wealth, power and glory did not consist in lands or property but in
men.
Judge Van Wyck. — No doubt, we shall have plenty of people
coming in among us, and we owe it to ourselves as well as to
them to render it as agreeable and profitable as possible to both par-
ties.
Mr. L. G. Morris. — I propose as subject for next meeting, " Sub-
soiling, deep ploughing and under draining." Adopted.
Adj. to 3d Tuesday of February, at noon.
M. MEIGS, Sec>y.
January 15th, 1850.
R. L. Pell of Pelham, in the chair. Henry Meigs, Sec'y.
The Secretary read the following translations made by him, from
the Normandie Agricole, one of the valuable works presented to the
Institute by Mons. Alexandre Vattemare :
An old military veterinary surgeon of our army, Mons. Mariot, has
taken great pains in the poultry line. He has ascertained the value
of it to France. It as follows :
The 86 departments of the Republic produce although by negligent
treatment, 5,715,200,000 eggs, valued at 133 millions of francs. That
France can just as easily have 150 millions of poultry, as the 50 mil-
lions she now has.
The eggs now cost upwards of 25 millions of dollars ; so that with
reasonable care, the farmer of France can as easy as let it alone
have three time as much — 75 millions of dollars a year for their eggs.
Mons. GeofFroy St. Hilaire remarked, that immense regions of the
globe have not furnished yet any domestic animals to France. It is
impossible that there should not be some kind valuable to us for their
flesh, skins, hair and labor. It may be affirmed that we are (as it
were) only at the commencement of our discoveries in this respect .
• 464 [Assembly
The regions inhabited by the Lama, the Vicugna, the Tapir, the
Hoccos, the Kangaroo, the Phascolome, the Cassoars, hold in reserve
for us a rich future.
In addition to these remarks of Mons. Hilaire, we observe lately the
importation and acclimation of some foreign animals. A iiind of
stag from Bengal called the Axis is actually naturalized in Belgium.
The Zoological Society of Antwerp has obtained quite a large num-
ber of the product of them which have been very well brought. The
Axis is recommended not only by its grace and beauty of its robe of
a brown chestnut colour spotted with white, but by its being excellent
game, equal if not superior to the deer or the roe buck.
The Queen of England has received from the East Indies a fowl
called the Ostrich fowl. It is said to be the largest of the feathered
races on our barn yards ; is easily raised, and that the Queen has al-
ready presented many pairs of them to large farmers for multiplica-
tion, so that they are beginning to spread over the kingdom. Their
eggs are very large, of a brown colour and many of them.
La Nprmandie Agricole, 1848. .
It is a mistake to believe that much is yet to be discovered in ag-
riculture. Good practice is to be found in many districts, but there
is a great want of knowledge of this in a great part of our territory,
of best plants, best races of animals and of agricultural implements.
The extensive publication of good treatises, brief written, in plain
and simple terms, the creation of a system of agricultiual instruc-
tion, whose practice shall confirm theory, and lastly the foundation in
each department of a conservatory or museum of agriculture^ would
hasten the day so much desired, when agriculture will be styled a
science, an art, and a lucrative and honorable profession. Let us ex-
plain what we understand by a conservatory of agriculture.
Paris possesses numerous libraries, museums of sculpture, painting,
antiquities, natural history. A conservatory of arts and trades, in
which are united all the wonderful productions of industry and me-
chanics. Each branch of human knowledge has some sort of a pan-
No. 199.] 465
theon, where are exhibited to the admiration of the public the pro-
ducts of genius and labor. But where are the conservatories for that
greatest of all arts, agriculture 1
On the excessive fattening of cattle. — At this time, it is the fattest
animal which is most esteemed and pays the best. The butchers
doubtless push on this exaggerated fattening of the ox. The compe-
tition now is for it, for the premiums are all given for animals most
perfectly fatted. It is not possible to produce this excessive fat by
any amount of feeding on pastures or hay. They give to the ox the
food of the man besides ; they feed him with buckwheat and the
other grains. Mr. Cornet's fat ox which obtained all the honors of
fat Tuesday^ came from the richest pastures of Normandy, and per-
haps of all France. However he had cost a great many bags of grain,
of which wheat often formed a part. No ! the best feed of the finest
meadows in the open air, cannot fatten the ox to that degree requir-
ed by the butchers and the competitors. To attain the desired fat,
they shut up the ox in a stable and give him a different feed from
that which is natural to him, the grain raised for man. How, then,
shall agriculture make such efforts with difficulty to feed the people,
while great quantities of grain are expended to raise some fat ? I do
not know where this luxury of the table of our animals is to stop.
Chocolate is a food most completely suited to fatten cattle, far more
so than grain. I have no doubt that the breeders, competitors in fat
cattle, will soon have their chocolate manufactories, in order to fatten
their animals excessively. In fact, to feed cattle on the food of man,
is to reverse the laws which ought to govern both the agriculture and
the public economy of any people who wish their own extension and
preservation.
To obtain from the natural meadow, in the shortest time po'ssible,
tne largest amount of the most nutricious meat, is on^of finest prob
lems which social economy can study.
Why shut the animal in a stable deprived of light and open air,
and so produce in him the disease called obesity— fat 1 Compare the
flesh of poultry brought up in a free condition, with that of those
I Assembly, No. 199. | 30
466 [Assembly
caged in the dark and artificially fed. Compare the flesh of the hare
or rabbit brought up in darkness and sloth with that of the wild one,
who feeds on vegetables and flowers of a thousand perfumes. I do
not ask you what the diflference between them is — for every body
knows.
The Guenon System. — After the application of it to the discovery of
the milking properties of cows, a series of experiments has been made
for the first time in the stud of Pin, which are interesting j we mean
those made upon hofses, stallions and colts. These experiments had
a two fold object:
1st. To determine whether the indications observed in horned cattle,
existed also in other animals, which might confirm the truth of the
new theory.
2d. To decide thereby, what mares would secrete the most milk,
an^ therefore make the best nurses.
As to stallions, Guenon, declared that the following stallions should
be distmguished in the following order, viz.
Half Blood, Imperieux of Poitevin, 1st order.
do Oscar of Limousin, 2d do
do Doyen of Courbehne, 3d do
do Voltaire, do 1st do
Quarter Blood, Dcbardeur, do 2d do
Pure Blood, Eylau, do 2d do
do Berenger, dp 2d do .
The experiments made upon mares, being susceptible of contradic-
tion, excited a much more lively mterest. Six mares of pure blood
were examined jyy Guenon, who classed them as follows : Walebona,
Lisi^re, 2d order.
This marc is a small milker, so that Gu6non's judgement is just.
Out of the observations made by Guenon, upon thirteen mares, onlj
two false indications were given, and it ought to be observed that in
Ko. 199.J 467
one-half of the cases, Gu6non's mistake is attributable to the embon-
point of the animals. These results have excited a lively interest in
all those who have watched the experiments. In the stud of Pompa-
dour, like experiments have been made upon the mares by amateurs,
*vho have studied the Guenon system, and the results have been equally
favorable. The importance of this system cannot be exaggerated,
since it enables us to decide the future character of the animals.
Etherization des Ah eilles — Chlorcfcrm for Bees! — When a discovery
is really useful, it is apt very soon to be applied to uses and purposes
■which at first were not dreamed of. At first chloroform was only
used for suffering humanity j soon however trials were made as to its
utility for aninials, and it is now under consideration whether it shall
be used in the Abattoirs (slaughter houses) in order to spare the suffer-
ings of animals. But here is a novel application of it. It is well
known, that in order to get the honey out of a hive, it is necessary
to guard against the stings of the bees. Some smoke them, others de-
stroy the insects, barbarous modes of reaching their stores of honey ^
savage enough who cuts down the trees and kills the bees.
Mons. Thiernesse, a professor in the veterinary school at BrussellSj
has tried the effect of chloroform upon hives of bees with entire suc-
cess. By means of a very simple apparatus consisting of a hollow
glass ball with two tubes, one in the vessel containing the chlorofomt
the other in the hive, so that the requisite quantity of chloroform is
blown by the mouth through the tube into the hive, Mons. Thiernesse
in one minute set every bee in the hive fast asleep. On examination
of the hive he found the whole swarm on the floor benumbed, and
not a bee m the combs. He took the honey out at his leisure, and
then put the hive in its place. Next day all the bees were as lively
and busy as ever. The experiment has also been successfully tried
in the vicinity of Paris.
TTie Artorize. — The potato has undergone such serious damage, as
to render its crop so uncertain, that the discovery of a new farinaceous
plant is precious to mankind j and such a discovery has been made —
the premium is due to France. The discoverer is a Norman.
468 [Assembly
Mr. Lamare Picquot, of Bayeux, already honorably known as a dis-
tinguished naturalist collector, during his travels in 1846 he met
with a tribe of Indians, by whom he was at first well received. He
found that these savages had in use for their winter hunting, a kind of
root on which they chiefly subsisted ; this root is pulled up and eaten
without any preparation whatever. Mr. Picquot began to collect these
roots and the seeds of the plants. On his return to Paris he asked for
a committee to examine these tubers and seeds. The minister invited
the central society of agriculture to take up the question. The soci-
ety appointed Messrs. x\dam Brongniart, Gasparin and Payen members
also of the academy of sciences. The great caution observed by Mr.
Picquot in concealing this discovery excited some prejudices against
him. The country which produces them is situated in the same lati-
tude as parts of France. Mons. Brongniart declares that this Ameri-
can'plant is altogether unknown in Europe, and the chemical analysis
rigidly made by Mons. Payen demonstrates its composition to be •
Bark and woody fibre, 28 . 32
Fibred and woody centre, 4 .47
Alimentary farinaceous matter, 67.21.
Wheat when ground yields 77 per cent.
Potato hardly gives 33 per cent ; not half as much as this root
Tyread of the savages.
Mr. Picquot calls this root Artorize, from the Greek words artos^
bread, and riza, root. The tubers are about the size of ordinary hen's
eggs. The stems and leaves grow about as high and large as Lucerncj
the flowers are papilionaceus, (butterfly like,) and the seed is of a
pearly color. It ought to be sown in drills about four inches apart.
January 1850.
La Korniandie Agricoh^ 1848. — This periodical, which merits dis-
tinction for tlie accuracy of its statements, is one of those given to the
Institute by Alexandre Vattemare.
On the subject of railch cows, the following appears in the pam
pblet.
No, 199.J 469
It is recollected that last year Mons. Guenon, whose name is nowwell
known in the Agricultural world, by invitation from the Minist^ of
Agriculture, visited various sections of France, in order to make ex-
periments on the subject of h;s met'i)!. These experiments have
taken place in the presence of committees in each section visited, under
the inspection of one of the Inspectors of Agriculture.
A committee was afterwards appointed to examine the statements
made. The committee was composed of Messrs. Gerard, Daillyp
Barbier, Lefevre Ste Marie, Rendu et Lefour. The points which
they had to fix are these.
Is the principle on which the Guenon system rests, true? Are the
consequences deduced from it, exact ? Is the classification which he
has adopted, good?
Tlie experiments were made upon 714 animals, of which 132 were
bulls, 352 cows, 240 young females, which had not yet given milk>
These animals were of the Mancelle, Norman, Durham, Swiss, Charol-
laise and others. The administration has published the report of the
committee, and the conclusion of it is as follows :
As to the principle which forms the Gu6non system, the committee
thinks it is true, and recognizes the relation betwen the figure called
escutcheon, and the secretion of milk. As to the consequences to be
derived from it, such as the rigorous appreciation of the quantity, and
quality of the milk or the duration of lactation, (giving milk,) accord-
ing to a graduated classification, the committee think that would be
gomg too far, and that if the classification of Mons. Guenon is to be
preserved, we must (in order to give it a chance of going into general
use,) see that it be rendered perfect by a radical simplification. The
committee think they ought to express the wish that the studies on the
714 animals designated by Monr. Guenon in his experiments, should
be continued with care, as well in the establishments of the State as
among individuals, and that the results should be made public. This
•ouTBe is interesting as relates to the future. The committee think
that the book of Mons. Guenon, ought to be made over again, and that
before that is done Mons. Guenon, should be sent into the agricultural
470 fAssE:>U5i.v
establishments and those of veterinary instrucUon, that he may teach
the principles of his method, and study out the application of it and
th« means for new observations. It is very important to know, if
practicable, by examining the yoimg animak, whether or not they
should be saved for the dairy.
General table of the value of agricultural products of France^ in
common years.
Gross revenue from cultivation, francs, 5,092,116,220
Pasture, 646,794,905
Woods, forests, nurseries, &c., 283,258,235
Total of vegetable product, 6,022,169,450
GrTOSS revenue from domestic animals, 767,251,000
do slaughtered, 698,484,000
Total revenue from animals, 1,465,735,000
Gross revenue from bees in wax and honey, ....... 15,000,000
Total animal product, 1,480,735,000
Total vegetable and animal, 7,502,904,450
In order to understand better the agricultural wealth of France, and
its progress in our days, we look into the statistics of the principal
epoclis of the last two hundred years, and we arrive at the following
estimates :
Epoch,
Population,
1700,
19,600,000
1760,
21,000,000
178S,
24,000,000
1813,
30,000,000
1840,
33,540,000
Product,
Francs, per soul.
1,500,000,000
77
1,525,750,000
73
2,034,333,000
85
3,356,974,000
118
6,022,169,000
180
7,502,905,000
224
With the domestic animals,
On examination of these epochs we find that the gross annual
revenue, from our agriculture is now double that which accruwl during
No. 199.] 471
the Empire, and that in hardly one generation, we have tripled the
revenue which all the territory of France yielded under Louis
XVI, before the benefits of the revolution, and lastly that it is quad-
ruple that of the day of Louis XIV. Such is the fruit of industry, of
intelligence and of the happy effects of public liberty.
The apple trees of Jformandy, in 1848, June. — Our apple trees,
"which presented so' rich an appearance only a month ago, do not
keep their promise ; we are assured that the cider fruit is a general
failure, not much complaint is made about it because the cellars are
full of the abundant crop of 1847. and the apple trees require repose
after it.
Horses. — The English horse and the Arab horse, are equally useful
in the work of amehorating the race, but the Arab horse ought to be
especially employed in the south of France.
Pulverized Manures. — We are informed that the society for the en-
couragement of agriculture in Paris, has given to the general manure
company, the large gold medal of 3000 francs, $600, for the course
they have taken in converting excrement by disinfection into manure.
Judge Van Wyck. — Cattle can hardly be fatted on pasture or hay,
jnless of the very finest quality. The mectt so foimcu I.i aiiJoacicJIy
most delicious and wholesome, the result of rich natural feed, of pure
open air and good water. It requires as rich soil, careful manage-
ment, selection of finest and purest seeds, freedom from foul seeds and
careful feeding too. Our grain does not need more of all this care-
ful management. And cattle should not be allowed to pasture, until
the grasses are sufficiently strong to bear the tread of animals j nor
should too many of them be put on a field at one time ;. over stocking
is especially to be avoided. By inattention to these points, the farmer,
his land and his cattle are ultimately all losers. When rich crops of grass
are raised and not fed too close, much of it falls and decays, and cattle
drop their dungj the land becomes enriched. Our farmers have
certainly improved in this matter^ but are yet far from perfection, r.
472 [AssEivnaLY
Mr. Carter. — It is an error to allow different animals to feed on the
same field ; they select various plants in some respects, and cut too
close ; cattle leave often tufts of grass irregularly on the field ; these
should be mown down. Never put too many cattle in one field.
Solomon distinguished the cattle of his time as being some from the
field and some from the stall. It is a general mle thai three cattle
can be fed by cutting for them, and but two on pasture. The practice
of bleeding cattle continues ; butchers bleed calves about once a week.
Poor people in Europe are very fond of this blood ; as food they deem
it a luxury. It is not true that the cattle are bled for that purpose,
but to improve their condition.
Mr. Bowman. — I dusted a measured acre on my farm with fine
charcoal made of maple wood. A severe drought occured. I found
that the grass on that acre flourished, the grass on the adjoining fields
was burned up. I supposed that the charcoal attracted moisture, con-
densed the ammonia, preserving it for the use of the grass. Next year
I ploughed that acre well, and there being some Canada thistles on it,
I sowed a bushel of ground salt broad cast, and most of the thistles
were killed by it. I then put in barley, first dusting the ground again
with fine charcoal ; after that I sowed on it timothy^ and had fine crops
of both of them, the timothy giving me nearly three tons to the acre.
I would cover a field six inches deep with straw and burn it, then
plough well. Many prairie farmers have cattle fatted on the native
grass, when it springs fresh after the burning of the former crop ; the
beef of those cattle is particularly fine, juicy, delicious, ike fat is vever
tailovyy. There is none of that strong oily taste so often found in beef
fat. I do not like mutton ; but in Wisconsin, where the sheep feed on
the p^irie grass, I ate mutton every day for a long time, it was so
swe^i. The lower stems of the grass, some of it being charred by the
fire and the grass chiefly burned to ashes, attract ammonia, fix it, and
then supply it to the young grass. The beef of the Virginia wild fed
cattle is sweet.
Mr. Carter. — I am pleased with the remarks of Mr. Bowman, on
the prairie grass. Cattle do not like that grass when it is grown up tall,
bat they love it when it is kept down. When the tall grass is made into
No. 199.] 473
hay, then the cattle like it and thrive upon it. I have seen hogs well
. fatted by feeding and rooting in the prairies, where also they root up
our native wild potatoes and eat them.
Mr. Pell. — I like what Mr. Bowman has said about charcoal. I
have tried the experiment of growing grain in pure charcoal, and suc-
ceeded. I have put forty bushels of charcoal upon an acre. A spot
where the wagon, which had brought the charcoal, had stood, proved
remarkably fertile. I measured the clean wheat from that spot, and
found it had yielded at the rate of seventy-eight bushels to the acre.
I harvested it while the grain was yet so soft that with my finger and
thumb I could readily press out of the grain the gluten. That crop
brought me an extra price ; it was the finest wheat to be seen any
where in my neighborhood. I have used charcoal very largely upon
my land. It has the property of attracting oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen
and ammonia, and keep it to supply plants. I have tried salt on the
Canada thistle root where the tops had been cut off, and it readily
destroyed the whole.
W. Bowman. — I plough deep and often, first with my plough down
to the beam, then with my sub-soil plough until I have a depth of
eighteen inches^ and I cross plough to the same depth. I got forty-
five bushels of wheat off an acre, and the grain weighed sixty-four
and a half pounds to the bushel. I used some lime, and some ashes,
some saw diist of bones and charcoal dust in the making of my com-
post. Charcoal put on the barn floor to mix with the dung and
urine, very soon di-y rots the floor ; oak is too hard for the floor ; hem-
lock is best for cattle and horses.
Mr. Bowman. — On my farm in Monroe County, I have ploughed
a field of muck, deep ; sowed one hundred bushels of quick lime on it
per acre, one bushel of fine salt ; 1 harrowed and cross-harrowed it eight
times; I then put in potatoes, carrots and parsnips. That field gave
me four hundred and fifty bushels of potatoes the acre. Eight hun-
dred bushels of the largest carrots I ever saw, the acre. The salt
saved me much trouble from we^ds.
474 [Assembly
I observed once a large pik of tan in my neighborhood, and asked
what the owner would take for it ; he said he would be much obliged
to me if I would take it away. I did so ; there were about 150 wagon
loads of it ; I mixed lime and ashes with it, worked at it, and in three
months I had a heap of excellent manure. I found it very good for
fruit trees.
Judge Van Wyck. — There was abundance of carbon, the great agent
in vegetable growth, trees, plants, &c., the very articles is derived
from them, and charcoal proves both the quantity and the quality, and
necessity of it in the vegetable structure. When wood is burned to
ashes we then obtain an alkali so important to neutralize acids, and also
that indispensible element pot ash. Muck requires considerable time
to subdue it to a useful condition for plants. In all farm operations,
our farmers will have the cheapest way.
When bone earth (phosphate of lime) is exhausted in a soil, the
defect is immediately known by the failure in the milk and butter and
cheese, which are generally sold off the farm from cows feeding
there. This matter has been proved by examinations, made by proper
chemists ; and when the absent phosphate was added to the soil in the
required quantity, it was found that the grass, milk, butter and cheese
were restored to their fine qualities, &c.
This experiment has been fully tried in dairy establishments in the
vicinity of London.
Mr. Bowman. — A well made manure bed will kill all weed seeds ;
a matter ©f great consequence to farmers. Why would a man cart
weeds upon his landT Kill them in the manure heap as well as in the
field.
Mr. Carter desires the club to take up the subject of providing
convenient farms,, where immigrants who are poor, can be furnished
with employment until they csm go forth ajid buy themselves farms.
Adopted. The Club adjourned.
No. 199.J 476
Feb. I9th, 1850.
Robert L. Livingston, Esq. in the Chair. ■ Henb.y Meigs, Secy.
Mr. Meigs read the following translation made by him from the
recent works received from Europe, some by the hands of Mr. Vat-
temare, viz :
From La Normandie Agricole, 1848.
Coal employed as an ame7idm€nt or stimidant to soil. — We knovr
that carbon plays a very strong part in the composition of vegeta-
bles. We know also that the earth furnishes that element only in
feeble portions, excessively feeble, to plants, which are obliged to
derive the principal portion of the necessary carbon from the air.
Some time ago it was a subject of inquiry, whether we could not
furnish plants with the carbon necessary to facilitate their vegetation.
In consequence of some experiments which the editors of the Ency-
copledia believed to be their duty to recommend, they advised the
use of coal, which had been long abandoned. These experiments
have lately been renewed and we are assured, that the use of sul-
phurous coal, above all, will be favorable to agriculture.
We recommend therefor the trial of the dust of coal, the large
amount of which, if useful, will aid much our farmers crops.
From La Normandie Agricole.
Great Britain cultivates (as a medium amount) 3,400,000 awes
of potatoes, which amount in Aveight to about 50,600,000 tons, food
equivalent to about 35,700,000 quarters (8 bushels each) nearly 286
millions of bushels.
The Secretary read the following :
We feel highly pleased with the daily growth of knowledge in the
great profession of agriculture, and the respect which it begins to re-
ceive from the greatest men of the dav.
We like the following from Lord Brougham, spoken recently by
him at the Cumberland and Westmoreland Anniversary Agricultural
entertainment at Penrith :
476 [ASSEMBL"J
He gave a toast "Success to the Cumberland and Westmorland
Agricultural Society."' As to the corn law question, I am sick of
the very name of corn. He had never asserted, as many foolish and
thoughtless people, in the giddiness of the moment, had done, that
repealing the corn laws would make the loaf larger or price smaller j
and if I had said it, the e^'idence would have been against me every
hour since. Some agitators said that it would lower the wages of the
working class. Oh, then said the people, if it would lower wages,
God forbid the repeal of the corn laws. But it will cheapen bread,
said the agitators 7 We are not sure of that, said the people. Noth-
ing more was said on lowering wages, and no more public meetings
were held, except hy ticket.
The great object of this meeting is the improvement of the green
earth. I must be permitted to say that this improvement, which was
every man's interest — the interest of the landlord, of the tenant farmer,
of his workmen, and of all the people, whether connected with land
or not, as consumers, ought to be strenuously, actively and unremit-
tingly pursued. I hardly know wheat from barley myself, and with
.wheat and rye I might be taken in. In short I know almost as little
about agriculture as the Legislature does ; it was utterly impossible to
know any less ; for they had passed a law — it is a model act ; it
imposes various penalties for over driving cattle. They did not know
an ox or cow to be cattle, and in the interpretation clause, which they
passed very carefully, they said, putting forth all the knowledge they
had, "^ cattle shall he taken to mean horses.'''' Not very like to be over
driven. " Goats," do. " Mules" hardly ever seen. " Swine" not
to be driven. They might as well drive the Legislature ; the only way
to drive them is to pull them back.
And a farmer ought to keep regular and accurate books, as much
so as a manufacturer or merchant, otherwise he never could tell exact-
ly what state he was in.. My agricultural friends must not start back
from pen and ink, but must adopt a good system of accounts
The noble Lord sat down amidst loud cheers.
No. 199.] 477
Translated from the Revue Horticole, Paris, 1849. By 11. Meigs.
Progress of Horticulture in southei-n Australia. — Some of our
readers may doubtless remember that we have, for some time past,
entertained them with the singular production of that region, which
seem to form an exception to all other countries by its unique pro-
ducts. Not only are the plants, animals and all brute creation, diflfer-
ent from those of other parts of the globe, but the climate also — all
form anomalies in the midst of creation. It has hitherto belonged to
the English, and in all probability it will be their part to people this
new world, bring it into cultivation, cover it with flourishing towTis
and cities, where will be displayed all the most refined civilization of
Europe, a glorious* part which England alone knows how-to play, one
which ought to secure in the approaching future to her bold and in-
dustrious children, the preponderance in numbers over all the race of
men on the globe. The day will come when the people of British
origin will form a girdle about the globe, interrupted only by the
ocean. We foresee when the epoch is coming in which the immense
solitudes of North America, will be covered with villages and cities,
whose people will speak the English language. In less than one
century probably the Cape Colony will in succession invade and
occupy the whole extra tropical part of southern Africa, and who knows
that the languge of old England will be prevailing, (in less time) in
the Australian continent, in Tasmania, New Zealand, and some of the
great islands of Polynesia. We freemen are playing a very different
part. Now ought we to feel humble in our national self-love, when
we see that rival people pacific^^lly invading the globe, while we
revolutionise a little by internal political commotions, but never colonise?
And of late years we perpetually debate about the keeping of
Algeria, make a flood of pamphlets on that topic.
The British Colony Adelaide, is situated upon the southern shore of
Australia, in about 35° of south latitude and 136° east longitude, in
a climate like that of the south of Europe, as well as the northern
edge of Algeria. For, in the southern hemisphere we find, in like
latitudes, somewhat less heat than in the north, and where the western
portions generally enjoy a milder temperature than in the eastern.
478 [Assembly
lliis enables us to comprehend why tiie vegetables cultivated in
the south of Europe, can be acclimated on the southern shores of
New Holland, a fact already confirmed by experience. Many of the
industrious emigrants 'who form that new colony, seeing the advan-
tages for horticulture there, zealously went into that business with
all their money and all their devotion.
They have already made vast gardens in this country of their adop-
tion, filled with a multitude of plants from all the countries of the
world, and particularly from Europe all the plants used for food and
other uses. ,
The first gardener of this colony is Mr. Stevenson, who went to
work to clear off many acres for a garden of acclimation, which in
the course of the last five or six years, would rival those established
by the government of France and England, at vast expense, in their
colonies. Now there is not a fruit or a vegetable cultivated in
Europe from the fig, olive and orange down to our most common
vegetables, which are not in Stevenson's garden at Adelaide. But
the peculiar mildness of the climate has enabled him to add a great
number of vegetables unknown to our gardens, such as bananas,
guavas, pine apples and other tropical plants. Stevenson has been
especially careful to have tliere, not only all tliose raised in the
botanical garden at Sidney, but hundreds of others from the most cele-
brated vineyards. This example is not lost, other colonists have fol-
lowed it ; Messrs. Slack and Davis have also obtained remarkable re-
sults. The garden of Mr. Slack is about 20 miles from Adelaide on
the road to Mount Barker. Its situation is marvellously adapted to
the apple^ that favorite of England, for which a grand orcliard is re-
served.
Cherries, gooseberries, red and spotted, and strawberries flourish
there. But the glory of his establishments is his extensive vineyard,
which has the honour of having first furnished wine to the people, a
wine equal to those of the Rhine itself. Nevertheless Mr. Slack,
also makes beer, the English liquor ; his hops grow better than the
English.
No. 199.] 479
ITie garden of Mi, Davis, five miJes from Adelaide, was commenced
in 1840, it contains (he largest ©rchard in the colony, viz : 15 acres,
entirely planted with fruit trees. Here are the peach, nectarine, apricot,
cherry, all kinds of prunes, figs, apples, pears ; all the trees are growing
with remarkable vigour. The vineyard of 3^ acres is divided into 3
parts I one to furnish grapes for the table, one raisins, the other wine.
Davis' garden supplies the greater part of the markets of Adelaide.
Besides these gardens there are a great many other smaller. The
fruits are very superior in* size and quality to any gathered in England.
The peaches 8 to 10 inches in circumference, weighing 6 to 8 ounces,
and the flesh exquisite. The apricots and prunes, above all the green
Queen Cla-ude^ are remarkable for their excellence and beauty.
Melons grow large and fine in quality ; the mulbeTry tree does well ;
mushrooms, highly esteemed for their quality, are found by hundreds of
bushels around A^delaide, orange, lemons and limes.
Uevue Horticole, Paris, December 1849.
Tke gigantic water IMy at Chatsworth^ England. — The first public
anoTincement of the discovery of this extraordinary aquatic lily of
South America, was made in 1832 by Doctor Poeppig, who in his re-
lation of his journies in Chili and Peru, mentions it as growing in tfae
Agaripes, large branches of the river Amazon. Before this time, other
botanists had discovered it ; Hcenke, Bonpland and Mr. Ale d'Or-
bigny. The latter sent to the musuem of Natural History of Paris,
in 1828, dried specimens of its leaves and flowers.
In 1837, Sir Robert Schomburgck discovered the same plant in the
river Barbice, in English Guiana, where he (under the patronage of
the government of Great Britain) for the London Geographical society.
He gathered specimens and made drawings of it, and it was from
these that the first complete description and figure of this wonderful
plant were made.
In 1846, Mr. Bridges raised it from seed in the royal garden of
Kero. The plant now at Chatsworth, arrived there on the 3d of
August, 1847. After great care of it, the first flower bud showed
itself on the 1st of November and opened on the 8th. These buds
were about one foot above the surface of the water, and they began
480 j ASSEAIBLIJ
to open m the evening when the flower was pure white, and about a
foot in diameter. Next day, towards evening, it began to assume a
beautiful red color in its centre, and during the night it was complete-
ly expanded. Its numerous external petals were bent up and rested
on the water. On the evening of the third day it perished ; while
in bloom the flower exhaled a peculiar and agreeable perfume, resem-
bling ripe fruits. The leaves (the largest of them) measured about
thirteen feet in circumference. The leaf and stem were so strong
that a small child was very well supported upon one of them for some
time.
Waskingtoii' s Agriculture^ and his projected Board of Agriculture. —
•In his letter of February 20, 1786, in relation to a Board of Agricul-
ture for the United States, he says, " Doubts having arisen from pe-
culiar calls on the Treasury of this country, for money (occasioned
by the expenses of our wars with the Indians, the redemption of our
captives at Algiers, obtaining peace with the Regency of Morocco, to-
gether with other demands, in addition to the ordinary expenses of
government,) that funds could wuth difiiculty be provided to answer
them without imposing additional taxes, a measurse wished to be
avoided. I was restrained after consulting one or two influential
members of the Legislature, from introducing your plan for a contri-
bution ; and under these circumstances, I avoided communicating the
^' Extracts from the minutes of the proceeding of the Board of Ag-
riculture, respecting Elkington's mode of draining, &c,," except to one
eentleman in whom I had entire confidence, and who I knew was
always disposed to promote measures of utility.
" These being the grounds of my proceedings, I shall hope, although
your expectations have been disappointed, you will receive this as an
evidence of my candor.
"Agreeably to your desire, I have put ' Outlines of the 15th chap-
ter of the proposed general report from the Board of Agriculture, on
the subject of manures,' into the hands of one of the most judicious
farmers within my reach ; and when his observations thereon are
received, they shall be transmitted to you. I wish my own en-
gagements would allow me to attend more than I do to these agree-
No. 199.] 4S1
able and useful pursuits ; but having been absent from what I consider
my proper home (except on short occasional visits) for more than
seven years, and having entered into my sixty-fifth year, a period that
requires tranquility and ease, I have come to the conclusion to lease
my Mount Vernon estate, except the mansion house farm, and a gra-
zing one tliree miles off, which I shall retain in my own occupation,
for amusement, whilst life and health is dispensed to me."
He writes on the 1st of March, 1797, " Having resigned the chair
of Government to Mr, Jno. Adams, last Friday, the day on which I
completed my second four year's administration, I am sorry to add,
that nothing final in Congress has been decided respecting the insti-
tution of a National Board of Agriculture, recommended by me at
the opening of the session. But this did not, I beUeve, proceed from
any disinclination to the measure, but from their limited session, and
a pressure of what they conceived more important business. I think
it highly probable that next session will bring this matter to ma-
turity."
A southern writer, some years ago, said that it cannot have escaped
the observation of the intelligent reader, that it has now become
quite old fashioned for our Presidents to make in their messages, any
specific recommendations in relation to the farming interests. How-
ever, as fashions come and go, and those of a by-gone age are often
revived and enjoy again their hour of popularity and transient glory,
we may yet hope that some future President of the United States,
may tread in the footsteps of Washington, and arouse the nation to
the mighty consequences wdiich await the final triumph of Jlmerican
agriculture !
Dr. Antisell remarked that Adelaide is situated far out of the track
of commerce ; the soil of the country in the interior is bad j the lia-
tire plants peculiar.
Chairman. — Our regular subject is now in order.
Judge Van Wyck, from the special committee on the subject of
providing agricultural labor for immigrants, made a partial report.
[Assembly, No. 199.] 31
4S2 I Assembly
Mr. Carter, from that com mitte, observed that the committee judged
that the subject is one of more importance than they had, at first, sup-
posed, and one of great interest to our country. Among other things
it is believed that one emigrant office had made $400,000 in one year.
Dr. Antisell. — The subject requires much consideration. The
eommittee will report at the next meeting.
Mr. Pike stated some of his experience in reference to the employ-
ment of immigrants on his farm, shewing that it was of small value to
him.
Mr. Carter. — Some of our charitable institutions not only maintain,
bnt make a great many paupers.
Russell Comstock was requested to answer some questions as to his
discovery of a valuable secret in agriculture, relative to which a bill
is now before our Legislature, contemplating some compensation to
him on his divulging that secret. The certificated of many intelhgent
and honorable citizens attest its importance.
R. L. Pell asked Mr. Comstock several questions, to which Mr.
Comstock replied : I believe that my mode of growing fruit trees will
prevent extraordinary decay of them. That it will cause peach trees
to yield their fruit in the third year from the planting the pit ; apple
in four to seven years ; pears in the seventh year. The trees are
admired for their thrifty, healthy growth, and they will live longer
than those treated in the common way j that they are not liable to
disease ; never grow so bushy as others do ; have no suckers ;
require little, if any prunning. Plum trees clean, healthy growth ;
hear in the seventh year ; high manuring does not hurt them. I have
grown potatoes, in one season^ from the seed ball, to the size of two
to three inches in diameter ; and I can grow potatoes to the amount
of one thousand hushels on one acre.
Chairman. — Our regular subject is in order — deep ploughing,
FxA-Boiling and under draining.
■'•--.i,f.<4 fo-
- .: ... ^tv^. "
J^o: 199.] 483
Judge Van Wyck. — These interesting topics, although so often the
subject of discussions, are Tcry far from being well understood,
generally. A vast proportion of our fanners still continue to plough
no deeper than from three to five inches in depth ; they impoverish
their lands, nor can they keep so shallojv a surface rich. The
mineral aliments of plants, which have gone down deeper, must be
brought up again by deep ploughing, and the sub-soil be mixed with
the surface soil. Plough deep first with the common plough, then
deeper still with the sub-soil plough. This operation produces the
effects, in some degree, of under draining. I repeat what I have be-
fore observed in regard to draining in our country, that it is as yet
required but in a small number of places, and it requires capital to
drain on the extensive scale.
Mr. Carter described the common method of ploughing the prairies
of the west. The first operation is like paving, it turns over the sur-
face to the depth of one or two inches, after that they plough several
incbes deep. They then git rid of the native grass.
Chairman. — The law is, I believe, imi versa! that wherever there is
much clear sunshine, there we ought to plough deep. That the
gaseous parts of all manures do certainly rise to the surface, whether
by capillary attraction or by the power of positive and negative elec-
tricity or otherwise. They rise in loose soils from the depth of many
feet J those elements which dissolve, enter into the composition of
plants ; if it does not dissolve, it is not manure. Forest soils are
usually not more than one foot deep. If manures should descend in
the earth our wells would be destroyed ; water is most pure in loose
soils. The notion that manures leached downward is a thousand years
old. The sub-soil, which is usually of a lighter complexion than the
surface soil, alter being ploughed up soon acquires a dark colour.
Deep ploughing enables the roots of plants to penetrate deep ; when
a rich meadow is covered by deep filling in of earth, that earth soon
becomes rich. As to draining, I think it is preposterous to talk of
draining in this country as they are obliged to do in England. The
evaporation of a day here is equal to that of a week there.
484 [Assembly
Dr. Antisell observed, that in general, the cost of draining in Eng-
land, is frojn eighteen to twenty dollars an acre.
Mr. Carter. — Potatoes do well planted on the surface with manure
over them. Top dressings are very useful.
Dr. Antisell. — Potatoes are planted in Ireland, much in the manner
last mentioned.
Mr. Elliott. — We have termed this subsoiiing, skeleton ploughing,
going to the depth of fifteen inches, but covering successive furrows
the subsoil with the soil. Hogg's garden is trenched about three feet
deep, his trees are always vigorous, never sutfer from drought. I have
drained here in damps lands, at the foot of side hills, and in what I
consider to be the cheapest v ay, that is, trenches with stones of various
sizes in them, enough of them, of about one inch in diameter, to make
the crevices so small that the mice cannot get in and do the mischief
to the drain, which otherwise they will do. I have used a spade of
peculiar form for making trenches, it is somewhat concave and tending
to a point • it lifts out of the trench all that it cuts without spilling
portions of the earth, which crumbled are more troublesome to get out.
Dr. Peck, of Jamaica, Long Island. — I have a piece of wet land on
the island, worth nothing without draining. I drained a part of it
about four rods wide, and five rods long. I made trenches in it three
feet wide and about fifteen inches deep. I filled these with the pure
siliceous sand, throwing over that the wet earth taken out in making
these trenches, smoothing all, I formed a rich and valuable spot ol
it, which was worse than useless 'before. '
Subject-adopted for next meeting, Transplanting Fruit Trees.
Club adjourned to first Tuesday, of March 1850.
H. MEIGS, Secretary.
No. 199. J 485
March 5th, 1850.
Judge Robert Swift Livingston in the chair. Henry Meigs,
Secretary.
Mr. Meigs read the following translations, made by him, from the
Parisian works recently received by the Institute. Remarking first,
that Paris collects from all the world, and therefore is an emporium
of art and science exceedingly convenient and useful to the general
diffusion of knowledge.
Extracts from Revue Horticole of December, 1849.
Preparation of plants for an Herbarium, to preserve ahnost unalter-
ed the colour of the leaves and flowers. — By the common methods the
trouble is considerable and the colour lost. As I gather plants, I
arrange them in leaves of brown paper, which absorb the moisture
from dew or rain. They suffer here no change in twenty-four hours.
On the next day I arrange them m very dry paper, and then place
them in an apparatus of my own invention, in which they dry perfect-
ly in twenty-four to thirty hours, and the brilliant colours of leaves
and flowers are preserved. My plan is founded on the fact that the
water which is in the composition of the plant, slowly volatilizes un-
der ordinary circumstances. I then thought of raising the tempera-
ture and at the same time diminishing the atmospheric pressure. For
this purpose I made a cylindrical copper vase about twenty inches
deep by twenty four inches diameter ; this holds conveniently my paper
packet with the plants. This vase is then heated by slacking lime
placed around the empty part of it ; I then use my air pump and ex-
haust the air within ; I pump at intervals for two or three hours j I
then let the vase alone for 24 to 30 hours. At that time I find my
plants perfectly dry with their colour in all.
Revue Horticole, Paris, November, 1849.
PLANTS OF INDIA AND CHINA.
Translation by the Secretary of the Farmer's Club, of the American Institute.
Discoveries of J. Ballon Hooker, of new garden plants in the Hima-
laya Momitains. — Our readers have doubtless not forgotten, that about
four years ago, an English collector of plants, Mr. Fortrune, was com-
486 [Assembly
missioned by the Horticultural Society of London, to travel through
China, in order to collect ornamental garden plants. The expectations
of all the gardening world, were not disappointed for the adventurous
excursions of that traveller have procured for Europe, a considerable
number of very interesting plants, some of which, have already become
generally cultivated.
We also published recently an account of one of those fine flower-
ing plants, the Weigdia Rosea, now growing abundantly .in the Van
Houtte garden, at Ghent.
But the success of Mr. Fortune, is now greatly eclipsed by that
of another traveller Mr. i. Dalton Hooker, who before his voyage to
Borneo, which was his principal object, had the idea of making ex-
cursions through India, and especially through the immense Himalayan
chain, so little explored hitherto by Europeans. We do not know
yet what discoveries are reserved for him in Borneo, but we are already
sure that those which has he made in the mountains of India, are suffi-
cient to secure the glory and the fortune of any collector. They will cer-
tainly constitute an epoch in the calendar of Horticulture. If space
would permit, we would gladly go into details of a journey so rich in
observations of all kinds, peculiarly in ornamental plants, but we are
compelled to restrain ourselves to a small number of pages, for we can
merely glean among the discoveries of our traveller.
On leaving Calcutta, he shaped his course directly to the north, and
only stopped at Darjeeling, a town situated on the crest of the sub-
Himalayan chain, of Sikkim, which is on an elevation of about 6000
to 7000 feet above the ocean level. Here the climate is very like
that of middle Europe, the result of its elevation and its latitude 27°
north. In fact the medium temperature of the year is withjn a trifle
the same as that of Paris, but the winter is rather milder ; occasionally
snow falls abundantly. Dr. Campbell found the snow deep, three years
out of five. We have said Darjeeling is situated on the sub-Hima-
laya chain, but we must not confound it with Himalaya, properly so
called, which is situated a little farther north. The heights which
surround Darjeeling, those colossal mountains showing all their gran-
deur— nothing can convey to others the sensations of the traveller,
No. 199. J 487
who views those masses so far, more gigantic than our Alps, or the
And^s, which bow their lofty heads before the Himalaya, of which
one summit the Kinchin Jujiga, is twenty eig/it thousand and 7wie hun-
dred feet above the ocean levely or five miles and an half nearly. It
has no rival on the globe. It is difficult to imagine the variety, and
the power of the vegetation which covers the foot of the sub-Himalayan
mountains, and all along their flanks and rising upwards, insensibly
losing their tropical character to assume the features more and more of
European plants. All along the road Mr. Hooker, made an ample
gathering, a noble harvest, but his most precious discoveries were
made at the summit of the sub-Himalayan chain, that of the Rhodo-
dendrons, or Rose Trees^ which for their size and beauty of their flowers,
leave far behind any thing we ever saw of that remarkable kind.
Four species of these splendid plants grow spontaneously around
Darjeeling. They are called the Dalhousy, Campbell, and the
Argenteum, (silva,) and the Arboreum,(tree); and these are associated
with Belanophova, (Parasitic plants), with Laurels and with Magnolias.
A little farther west, on the frontier of Nepaul, these same species are
again found in much greater numbers, and mixed with other species,
such as Rhododendron barbatam, or bearded rose tree, and the Falcowi
rose tree. We are now obliged to leave Hooker and his perilous adven-
turers through rich unexplored regions, that we may have room to give
our readers some idea of those singular Rhododendrons, which he has
succeeded in getting home to England, alive and well. The word
singular, which we have used to characterize them, is not loo strong,
for they are^ in most respects, markedly distinct from all before known,
both on account of their mode of vegetation and their extraordinary
dimensions. In fact some of them are Epiphytes ; that is, grown on
trees, burying their roots in the crevices of the bark, and among the
mosses on the tree; pretty much like the Orchidea. Such is peculiar-
ly the case with the Rose tree Dalhousy, a magnificent shrub of from
six to eight feet in length, with slender branches interlacing adjacent
plants, and these branches terminating in a bouquet of bell formed
flowers, each of which is nearly four inches wide, by four in
depth. These vast coralla at first are pure white, but as they grow
older become spotted with orange colored spots, which increase their
brilliant effect : and not the smallest ornament of this shrub is its leaf
488 [Assembly
over four inches long, of a bright green on top, and below Kaarked
with brownish spots ; these leaves form a collar all around the bouquet,
which is formed on the end of each branch. One would believe, from
the' Epiphytic growth of this plant, that it must be difficult, if not im-
possible, to cultivate it. But this is an error, for as Lindley remarks,
rationally, that the Epiphysis^ (Parasitic), manner of its growth,
reduces the matter to mere drainage ; and that as it grows at the
elevation of 2000 metres, where ground is at times covered with snow,
it will flourish in open air, in our temperate latitudes, &c.
Immediately after the Rose tree Dalhousy, we place the Silva one,
which, although it flowers are about one third smaller, has leaves often
nearly a foot long by 4 inches wide. Its bouquets, formed of numer-
ous corolla combined, of a snow white, attain the size, nearly, of a
man's hand.
By its habitat (home) at 2000 metres high, we suppose that it will
do as well in France as the orange does.
The Falconer rose-tree (R. Falconeri) presents another order of
beauty. This does not shine by enormous development of its flow-
ers, but by its tree like dimensions, by its figure, and also by its foli-
age, which surpasses in grandeur the preceding species. Figure to
yourself a group of stems rising erect, or some of them bending, to
the height of from twenty-two to twenty-six feet, with proportional
sizes, some branches forming a sort of head crowned at top with up-
right large leaves of a leathery character, like those of the Magnolia
macrophylla, (large-leaved magnolia,) all this is terminated with a
spherical bouquet of flowers, close together, of almost a pure white;
thi^ we have some idea of this majestic species. It is useless to say
that this is not a parasite like the Dalhousy.
But what shall we say of the bearded rose-tree, (R. barbatum,)
which launches off its branches at the height of forty to fifty feet
high, with their tufts of green foliage which ero^vn voluminous bou-
quets of red flowers.
No. 199.] 489
More will be heard from our interesting traveller. By the last
mail from India, we learn that in July last, be was encamped still in
the mountains of Sikkim, which were then covered with an admirable
vegetation ; the rain was incessant, provisions scarce and dear in
consequence of the difficulty of communication with inhabited places,
all the bridges had been carried away by torrents, and the road to
Darjeeling cut off at many points by the waters, so that Darjeeling
could only be reached by a long circuitous journey. In spite of all
this, Mr. Hooker was in excellent health, and he was increasing his
collection every day. He has already collected thirty new species of
the Rhododendrons J many of which, he says, are still more beautiful
than any now known to botanists or gardeners. These plants never
flower except in the rainy season, and then the mountains are almost
inaccessible to travellers. These mountains seem to be the head-
quarters of the Rhododendrons of all Asia. Besides these. Hooker
has found a magnificent rose of a brilliant scarlet color, and as large
as a man's hand. The next pa(?ket will bring an immense number of
remarkable plants.
By the same mail we have received news from Mr. Fortune, that
the British East India Company has sent him to China to procure all
the varieties of the tea plant. That he has purchased largely of the
plants which the company intend to place in cultivation in the North
Western provinces, in order to make tea on a great scale.
Extracts from Revue Horticole.
Manure for Grape Vines. — Mr. Persoz has recently given some
valuable instruction in the manuring of grapes vines. He finds on ex-
periment, that some of the elements grow the wood of the vine surely
and perfectly, while others grow the grapes.
He places a compost of pulverized bones, clippings of skins, leather,
shoemakers and tanners scraps, horn, old shoes, blood and a portion of
gypsum (plaster of Paris), upon each square metre, (some ten square
feet) of the trench, in which the vines are planted. This composition
is to grow the wood of the vine. When that is well grown, he then
supplies at the roots the salts of potash, in order to make the vines
bear grapes. He spreads on the surface of the trench, at a distance
490 [Assembly
from the root of the vine of about three or four inches puts about five
pounds of the mixture of these salts, on about ten square feet about
the root. Of these salts he takes ten pounds of silicate of pot ash,
and one pound of the double phosphate of potash and lime. This
composition supplies the vine for a long time with the portion of
potash required by it. It is a good plan, he says, to put every year
about the roots, some grape marc, that is the residue of grapes after
the wine has been pressed out.
Sonne vines are always rich in wood and poor in fruit. We may
yet by proper manures, make such vines bear plenty of good fruit. In
the application of the fertilizers, care is necessary as to the quantity
of the dose ; for too much of the good thing is hurtful to the vines.
We desire to estabhsh the scientific rule — practice must carry it out.
Dr. Antisell, in reference to the application of bone manure, re-
commended the liquor of bones, so called, which is produced by dis-
solving bones in sulphuric acid, one part with two parts of water.
Dr. Antisell, from the special committee on the employment of
immigrants, made a partial verbal report, and said that the governors
of the alms-house had recommended a separate institution for the
management of this important business. A grand jury has also done
the same thing. It is stated on authority, that one hundred thousand
pe^-sons in this city, receive more or less from the public charity ;
that the alms-house only relieved sixty thousand persons. The com-
mittee will probably be ready with a full report at the next meeting
of the club.
Mr. Elliot. — Yes ! in 1847, it appears from the report of the
then commissioner of the alms-house, that one hundred thousand
persons received relief from that institution alone. The future
demands energetic operations. The flood of immigration, vast as it
is, is but beginning.
Mr. Carter. — It appears that between the^ 1st of January, and the
lOth of March, 1848, out door relief was furnished by the alms-
house, to fifty- six thousand eight hundred and forty-eight persons.
No. 199.] 491
Chairman. — The regular subject of the day is now in order, '•Hrcnis-
planting trees. ^'
Dr. Underhillj of Croton Point. — The man that grows a tree, is in
my opinion, more important than the man who cuts it down ; and 1
foresee that in the future increased wisdom of men, they will re-
establish the forests, and provide that great proportion of foliage so
necessary to health, knowing that impure air is rendered pure by the
vegetable power operating by means of foliage. Benefactors of the
human race will set out proper trees in barren places, and restore the
departed fertility and beauty. We already find a scarcity of the
most important timber, the white oak is among them Some public
benefactor should now commence growing that noble tree ; another
should plant and cherish our locust, especially, and no tree rewards
the careful planter more ; it flourishes on our sandy lands, and when
once a forest of them is established, they continue to grow from the
roots, and will, I may safely say, go on to do so for a thousand years;
tliere is scarcely any tree like it in this particular.
Plant acorns too.
Chairman. — ^Yes, sir, and Chestnuts, for that tree, like the locast,
is reproduced as well as that from the stump, as well as seed.
Dr. Underbill. — True, but its timber does not equal that of locust
in value. For proper transplanting of trees, the hole where the tree
is to stand, must be large enough to receive the greatest quantity of
roots that can be taken up, and spread out fairly in the hole, vege-
table mould should be put in it, plenty, so that the roots may be im-
bedded in it, then cover over with clay. Thus the tree will bear
drought and cold well. The clay covering will prevent the ascend-
ing elements of fertility below from passing off too rapidly.
For the establishment of an orchard plough very deep, and put the
vegetable mould as deep as possible ; set the trees so far apart and
trim them so that the sun may reach all parts of them ; be careful to
set the tree, in reference to the sun, as it grew, for the sunny side
always has a quicker and fuller growth than the other, so that the heat
492 [Assembly
of the tree is out of its centre. If the position is reversed, the tree is
apt to grow crooked, and the bark to become diseased — I find it so in
the pippin apple trees. Set out natural stock -to engraft on ; they are
hardy. By following this plan I have had fruit from them in six or
seven years less time. Take the stocks when of about two inches in
diameter, graft on the limbs which are as thick as a thumb, and such
stocks and grafts are less subject to any disease.
By the common method of merely digging a hole through the top
soil down to the sub-soil, especially Avhere that is (as is very exten-
sively the fact) hardpan, you may pray for the goodly growth of the
trees so treated, but your prayer for thrift will be in vain. I can tell
which way the last heavy gale has blown, by the leaning of trees so
planted. Place a tree near the dividing line between a poor and a
rich field, and you will find its roots running away to the rich one, its
branches growing over that way, its fruit growing on that side, and
when it blows down it will be to the rich land. Plough deep for an
orchard, then the roots will enlarge; go deep, and there will be more
of those smaller roots so important for the supply of the tree.
I shall never ceas€ to cry aloud in behalf of a far more extensive
use of good ripe fruit, for human health in high vigour, depends upon
a free use of fruit, which dilutes the blood, purifies the rebellious liver j
and gives spirit to the system ; all the wealth of India and California,
cannot pay the man who has a bad liver. I am sensible that I am
digressing from the subject before the club ; but so deeply am I im-
pressed with the importance of this matter of fruit, I cannot omit any
occasion to increase the motives, for universal care in production of
fine fruit, to giv.e fine health to man. Fever is warded off by proper
use of fruit. It is powerfully anti-septic ; and if you will grow fine
fruit, you will find that if you should not have customers enough to
buy it, at least you will become an excellent ciisiomer to yourself !
The same deep ploughing which I recommended for planting
orchards, I also recommend for a plantation of strawberries ; for they
will, if they can, send down their roots two feet, and the vines will
yield abundantly more fruit, especially in dry seasons.
No. 199.] 493
As to manure for grape vines ; compost manure in Avliich sods are
put J the refuse mortar of old houses ; the whole heap saturated with
the urine of the stables ; some bone ; some phosphate of soda ; leaves
of trees especially of the vines themselves. Trees will thrive with
the same treatment. There is such a thing as over manuring ; w'e
should be careful of that, for trees growing in our rich soil, grow too
rank ; their pores are too large and full of fluid, they hardly bear frost
which bursts them. I have tried a section of wood so grown, when
it was dry, and I could blow out a candle, by blowing through the
pores of it.
Mr. Meigs observed, that when we select a spot for our dwelling,
barns, &c., it rarely happens that the right kind of trees are found
growing in the desirable positions ; so that we commonly behold a new
habitation surrounded with young saplings just set out, giving the mel-
ancholy prospect of the old age, or the death of the owner, before the
trees have reached half their proper size. By proper methods, that
owner could have commenced the transplanting of such trees as he
chose at the same time he did building the house. He would place
them, some near his dwelling, some at the Ham, &c. Human life is
too short to grow large trees.
Judge Van Wyck. — Exact methods for transplanting the various
kinds of trees, ought to be generally understood. I have observed
that some persons cut off too much of the top and root ; thereby
cutting off its means of growth and life ; many leaves are absolutely
required upon a tree, in order to elaborate the sap which nourishes it.
The sap ascends from the earth through the roots to the tree, thence
upwards until it reaches the leaves, there it is elaborated for the use
of the tree, then descends to the roots. In Europe, they have safely
transplanted trees of forty feet high, by three or four feet in circum-
ference to places bare of trees, thus beautifying the before naked surface
forthwith. They mutilate the top and roots as little as possible.
Dr. Underbill. — We proportion the cutting off the tops to that of
the roots.
494 [Assembly
Mr. Carter. — It will not answer well to transplant trees frora^a
dense forest to an open spot, when you would have those forest trees
succeed. You should transplant numbers, and place them in close
neighborhood for some time, and afterwards separate them from each
other. I have transplanted several hundred trees, some of which were
thirty feet high, successfully. I made the holes to receive them seve-
ral months before hand ; I prepared pulverized manures and vegeta-
ble mould; I dug trenches around the trees to be transplanted; I had
ropes fastened some fifteen feet high from the ground to the body of
the tree; this rope was drawn upon by oxen, who pulled the tree
down upon the wagon axeltrees, ready to receive it; hauled it to its
hole; set it up by hands and poles ; laid all the roots out smooth and
straight, then imbedded them perfectly in the prepared soil and manures.
It is better to do all this in the fall than in the spring.
Mr. Meigs exhibited to the Club, Stuart's drawing of a full grown
tree being transported on a wagon.
Mr. Fleet remarked that it might be important to leave the limbs
as near as possibie^to the roots, to keep up a more intimate and active
connection with the roots and leaves. Tall trees, with the limbs at
the top, will not grow as well.
Chairman. — I transolanted an Elm tree of about four inches in di-
ameter, thirty years ago. I left all its top on; I transplanted with a
ball of frozen earth about its roots. That tree is now a handsome
one, and is about one foot in diameter.
Mr. Carter. — Some fruit trees carefully transplanted, will bear fruit
the same year. I have seen the Apple tree do it. In our western
country and in Canada, it is common now-a-days to select a fine group
of young Sugar Maple trees, and then to cut down all the forest trees
about them, so as to give the group the necessary air and sun. After
one year these are transplanted to the required spot. Some of these
trees tecome what are termed sugar bushes. Owners of trees hire
them out to sugar makers at so much a tree. The makers bore a hole
in a tree with a three-quarter inch auger, on the south side. The sap
of the hickory tree is sometimes used to make molasses ; it does not
No. 19S.J 495
make isugar, nor is it as plenty as that of the maple. They never
plug up the liole; the air soon dries and heals it. I have seen an old
Apple tree safely taken "out of the line of a road, with a good deal
of its top cut off, bear some fruit the -following year. Currant and
Gooseberry bushes can easily with care, be transplanted, and bear as
much fruit that year, as in any other. It is not good to transplant
after the sap begins to move,
Dr. Underliili. — And we must observe that the sap moves in diffe-
rent trees and plants, at different times.
Mr, Elliott. — In New Jersey a friend of mine, tired of the poor
growth of his gooseberries, and the mildew on them, attributed the
evil to the great heats of our summers, and by way of protection put
salt hay all around his bushes, and had good fruit always afterwards.
Dr. Underbill. — The hay no doubt checked the rapid evaporation.
Mr. Carter. — I was plagued with the mildew, and tried the follow-
ing remedy, viz: I dug holes about two feet distance from the goose-
berry roots ; filled them with manure and covered once with earth j
I had no more mildew there.
I cover currant bushes with straw in the fall, and pick currants in
good condition during winter while the snow is deep about the bushes,
I think the fruit would be good through the winter.
Mr. Elliot. — Perhaps the holes you dug operated as so many drains
to your gooseberry bushes.
Mr. Carter. — Mildew would be a good subject for the Club to dis-
cuss.
Dr. Underbill. — Certainly. I propose it. " Mildew on plants and
fruits, and the remedy. ^^
496 [Assembly
Mr. Meigs. — 1 have often noticed that persons hired to transplant .
trees cut them up as much as possible, to selve themselves trouble in
transplanting.
The Club then adjourned.
H. MEIGS, Sec'y.-
March 19//^, 1850.
Judge Robert Swift Livingston in the chair. Henry Meigs,
Secretary.
The Secretary read tlie following papers and translations :
Annales de la Societe Centrale il'HorticuUare, Paris, 1849.
PINE APPLE.
Extracts from the Report of the Committee charged to visit the
Pine Apple culture of M. Gontier, at Montrouge :
M. Gontier has conquered all the difficulties of climate, and has
produced pine apples of the richest character. This fruit belongs to
the botanical order of the Bromileacea, which flourishes in the tropical
regions of Asia and America. They were first introduced into Europe
by a Frenchman, residing in Leyden,who brought them from Surinam.
We do not know in what year, but we know that the first pine apples
obtained in France were served up to Louis XV, in 1733. The culti-
vation of them languished up to the time of the revolution in 1789,
when it completely ceased. It did not begin again until about 1825.
We may now say that it has attained a high degree of perfection.
Pine apples are produced by setting out the crown of them , and also from
the suckers at the foot of the leaves. M. Gontier finds that a strong
crown is better than a little sucker. The larger the crowns or the
suckers, the better the new growth of the pines.
The- whole process is described, and its success is such, that M.
Gontier produces pines of the weight of ten pounds. The average
times of their growth, from the crowTis and suckers to perfection, is
about two y tars.
No. 199.] 497
He has pines from Cayenne, both the thorny and without thorns.
The Prcvideur, the Mont Serrat, the Count of Paris, the Jamaica
Violet and the Enville, all of which are distinguished for the vigor of
their vegetation, and the size and beauty of their fruit, and the sweet
odour with which they perfume his conservatories.
The following letter was read from Mr. Hector Gilzam, of Flat-
bush, in relation to the cultivation of Madder :
Flathush, Long Island, March \^th, 1860.
To the American Institute at New-York.
In accordance with my duty, I send some madder seed of my rais-
ing, and also some of the unpulverised madder raised by me on Long
Island, and a description of the method of raising it in the United
States of North America, which can be done with great profit, close
to the Atlantic, and to the gulf of Mexico.
Madder seed must be planted in New-York and New-Jersey, in the
month of April ; and in the States of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia,
North and South Carolina, in March; and in Georgia, Alabama,
Mississippi and Louisiana in February ; and in Florida in January.
Ridges must be made in the field, and the madder seed planted on the
tops of them. These ridges must be one foot a part ; each seed
planted one inch from another, and as the plant grows to a foot long,
we pull up as many as will leave the rest two inches a part ; they must
be kept clear of weeds. Save the seed as it ripens for planting next
year, and pull up the roots which are the mother plants. When these
are transplanted they throw out sprouts a foot long, then take three
fourths of them from the mother plant, set them out in flat beds, two
feet broad ; these sprouts will furnish the pure madder, this will come
to maturity in fifteen to sixteen months, and will yield from two thou-
sand to three thousand pounds per acre, of the best kind. All the
expense of the raising ; such as the land rent, interest, labour of all
sorts will not be more than four cents a pound. In some of the States
mentioned, but two to three and a half cents.
The secretary read a letter written to him by Lieutenant James H.
Rowan of the U. S. Navy, dated Spezzia Bay, on board the U. S.
[Assembly, No. 199. j 32
498 [ASSKMBLY
ship Constitution, and n box of seeds from Egypt. The seed of the
black seed cotton, sesame, flax seed, beans from Upper Egypt,
Lentils.
On motion, ordered, That the thanks of the club be presented to
Lieutenant Rowan, for this valuable present.
A paper signed T. B., chemist was read, viz.
JVew-Yorkj March 6th, 1860.
To the Farmers Club.
Perceiving in one of the daily papers the proceedings of the last
meeting, relating to agriculture ; permit me to give my theory and
experience in grape culture. I manure with a compost of animal
charcoal, obtained in any quantity from the factories, of prussiate of
potash, who are glad to get rid of it. I place this a few inches under
ground near the vine roots, and let it remain for two weeks, if the
weathea is fine. If the atmosphere has been to dry, I place a handful
of chloride of calcium, (muriate of lime,) on the surface of the ground
around each root, which by absorbing moisture supphesthe vine with
water and nutrition. Chloride of calcium exposed to air, deliquesces
(melts,) readily, and is soluble in little water ; when mixed with fresh
fallen snow, it produces a cold of forty degrees below Zero.
I coincide with Dr. Underbill in his theory of the growth of plants.
Where soil is too moist, a mixture of alum, clay, calcined bones,
plaster of Paris, and sulphate of ammonia, in equal parts, will be
found very useful. The theory of the above is, that the clay ab-
sorbs the surrounding moisture, and forms with the plaster, a crust
almost impervious to water, while the ammonia and bones nourish the
plant.
Dr. Antisell. — The red color in madder is due to the presence of
lime in the soil, without which it fails.
A report on the subject of agricultural employment for the nume-
rous immigrants arriving here, was presented, and on motion referred
back to the committee to be disposed of in some other way, than
No. 199.J ' 499
adoption by the Institute; it being remarked by the President, Gene-
ral Tallmadge, that the Institute cannot in any manner interfere in the
action of the constituted authorities of our State or cities.
President Talhnadge was much pleased with the present of seeds
from Lieutenant Rowan, and reccommended a like course to all our
enterprising men, who visit every land. And also special attention
to the grapes of the Pacific coast, California, Chili, &c., that those
vines of which we hear praise, and being American, will doubtless
flourish here, may be brought here speedily for trial.
Subject for next meeting. Grafting, Inoculating, Madder, Mildew,
Seeds and Planting, and the Grapes of California, and Norton's Seed-
ling Grape.
•
The Club then adjourned to this day week.
H. MEIGS, Sec'y.
March 26, 1850.
Judge Robert S. Livingston in the chair. Henry Meigs, Sec'y.
wu
The Secretary read the following translation made by him from
Cicero's (" rfe Senectute''') Essay on Old Age.
I am fond of retracing to the beginning the noble science of agri-
culture, and take great pleasure in the fact that from the beginning
the best and wisest of men have always been devoted admirers of it.
AV
Among otliers I love the ideas of Cicero, and I present here some
extracts from his " de Smectute^^ (Essay upon Old Age,) which I
translate as follows :
Delights of Jlgriculture. — "I come now to the delights (volup
tates) of farmers, with which I am incredibly charmed ; and these
are not at all impeded by old age, and seem to me to be in the most
close connection with the wisdom of life. The soil, always ready
500 [ASSEMBL\
to receive our government, always able to give us back all things
with usury ! How can I give an idea of the pleasure which 1 enjoy
in the planting, growing, and fruit of the grape-vine. I cannot satiate
myself with these delicious matters. What admiration have I in be-
holding the growth of the most minute speeds — of cuttings, grafts,
roots, transplants, layers, &.c. How beautiful the way in which the
grape vine manages to lift and sustain itself from the ground by put-
ting its fingers (tendrils) to clasp hold of the limbs of trees, climbing
and looking like a serpent — and how we use the steel to prune away
its useless shoots.
" How I admire the deep and thorough digging of the soil, the
pulverizing of it to render it fit for plants. Irrigation, too, where
that is required — and what can I say too much in favor of perfect and
thorough manuring. I have written fully on this subject in my book
on rural affairs. It appears singular to me, that the learned Hesiod
said nothing about this book on agriculture. But Homer, who I think
was some ages before him, speaks of manuring as well as cultivating
the soil. The grain, the grass, the vines, the gardens, the apple or-
chards, the pasture of the cattle, even the flowers which supply the
bees with honey, all need proper manuring. As we grow old we be-
come loquacious. I do not pretend to be free of that fault, but I talk
of that which has continued wnth me to old age, agriculture.
" What noble men have passed their lives to great age upon small
yet beautiful farms, made and preserved by their own skill and per-
sonal labor. Remember Marcus Curius, to whom the Samnites
brought as a bribe a large weight of gold, which he refused, (repu-
diated,) telling them that he considered that there was nothing im-
portant in having much money ones-self, — that he preferred com-
manding those who ha J it.
" My opinion is, that agriculture is wholesome for the whole human
race — for the great pleasure of it, for the abundance and variety of
food produced by it, and for its intimate relation with the worship of
God.
No. 199.| 501
"A good and industrious farmer has his barns full of grain, his
wine-cellar full of delicious wine, his olive oil, his dairy ; his whole
farm is full of riches — it abounds in cattle, pigs, goats and kids, sheep
and lambs, poultry of all kinds, full of milk and cheese and honey,
bacon and ham, and also' wild game. Amid his green fields he has
noble shade trees under which to recline in very hot weather, and
clear streams of water for bathing. He has arms for defence also in
his house 5 he plays ball, he swims, he runs foot races, has first-rate
horses, and when he is too old for such sports, he enjoys those of the
young."
Mildew. — Mr. Meigs read extracts from several writers on the sub-
ect of mildew. These agree that what is generally called mildew,
is owing to excess of moisture and want of ventilation. That a hot
sun after a heavy rain, is apt to produce it ; that covewng the earth
under the gooseberry bush with hay or straw, (some say salt hay,)
prevents a mildew. That when wheat is struck by mildew it is call-
ed blight or rust. This is most fatal when it appears at the time the
grain is forming in the ear. If it appears at an earlier period, the
product of the plant will be lessened, yet with fair circumstances af
terwards, there may be good grain and a middling crop ; and mildew
is apt to be followed by insects, to whom some have attributed the
disease. Mildew is unknown in dry weather. The London Horticul-
tural Annual of 1847, recommends dusting mildewed plants with
flour of sulphur.
Miller says that in England the east wind is dry, which stops the
pores of the plants and prevents perspiration, whereby the juices of
the plant are concreted upon the surface of the leaves. It is natural-
ly very tough and viscous, and by the heat of the sun becomes more
BO. The young ears of wheat daubed over with it cannot^obtain their
proper growth. In the morning before sunrise, let men stretching
cords between them, drag over the wheat ears to dislodge the dew, &c.
Sagar says that the naked feet of farmers are made sore by the
dcrid property of mildew, and that when swallowed it attacks the
titomach, produces pimples on the tongue, loss of appetite, desiccation
502 [Assembly
of the aliments in the stomach, cough and Dyspnea or difficult respi-
ration,
In the first volume of the Transactions of the New-York Society
for the promotion of Agriculture, Arts and Manufactures, 1801, Mr,
L'Hommedieu stated that a fine piece of wheat being lodged by
heavy rains, and perceived soon after to be infected with mildew, was
cut about three weeks before the usual time of cutting, although in a
perfectly green state — it lay spread abroad upon the stubble until it
was dry enough to prevent its caking in the sheaf. The grain was
found to be of a fine color, small — bul the heaviest wheat grown on
that farm that season, and the sti;iw was remarkably bright, not a
speck upon it.
Young, in his Annals, says, when the wheat stem is seen to have a
very particular cast of color of bluish green, it is surely affected.
Mr. Elliott. — I have given much attention to mildew in my "agricul-
tural labors. When the wheat is attacked early it suffers no great
harm, but if struck when the ear is formed, and that too just under
the ear, it becomes highly injurious. I then cut it as early as I could.
Mildew appears to me like sap exuding from the plant — that sap
which would otherwise enter the grain. I have sometimes lost a third
of my wheat by it, and it seems to strike where the land was richest
and best tilled. I have by bad weather been driven into February to
sow my wheat-*-of that crop I could not find one good head on many
acres, and what we left for gleaners was left by them. When wheat
is mildewed, cut it early. I know of no other remedy. The greenest
wheat I ever saw cut in my life, produced very fine grain and heavier
than other wheat.
Judge Vcfn Wyck. — Mildew is an ancient disease, — it is mentioned
in the Old Testament. The Romans complained much of it by the
name of Rubigo (rust.) England is much troubled with it, owing to
her moist climate. It appears to be more destructive on calcareous
than on other soils— not troublesome in dry summer weather. Marshall
recommends common salt. Sir John Sinclair and Sir Humphrey Davy
recommend sprinkling the plant with solution of salt. Mildew is not
No. 199.] 503
so bad on the sea coast as in the interior, and this is taken to be proof
that salt air is unfavorable to it. The average annual loss of wheat in
England by this disease is estimated as great as from five to seven
bushels an acre. A certain preventive would be worth millions of
pounds sterling a year. Heavy fog, stillness — muggy weather ^ (if we
may use so common a term) favor the production of mildew. Some
consider the disease as a cause preventing the sap from reaching the
grain, often spoiling the straw ; some believe it to be a fungus, which
draws away the proper nourishment of the grain.
Dr. Underbill. — There are several diseases, generally carelessly call-
ed Mildew, or Blight, or Rust — very different from each other. What
the absolute cause is, is difficult as yet to decide. Where there is in
plants unusually large quantities of sap, it is not properly digested,
often gorges the sap vessels, and occasionally bursts them ; this is a
cause of mildew. Sudden rains often give a sort of plethora to plants,
and cause much ill-prepared sap. In such cases the interior of the
gooseberry swells, and often bursts the skin, which when mildewed, is
hide-hound. For the gooseberfy when attacked is generally about two-
thirds grown only.
I have sometimes found fruit to burst without the mildew being
upon it. Some say that mildew is like the missleto — a parasite. It
is an effect of hot sun on very damp soil. I have put clay on the loose
and porous soil of my Croton Vineyard, in order to cause heavy rains
in some measure to run off. Having been troubled with mildew, I
discovered that my tall close forests surrounding my vineyard, and
the tight fences, and the close hedges, all prevented a free and proper
circulation of air. 1 have altered all that. I have opened the forest,
taken down the fences, and opened ray hedges by trimming them
several feet from the ground. Beforo this ventilating system, by
which I have let in even the heavy blasts of air which I had formerly
shut out, I have already saved hundreds and thousands of pounds of
grapes.
One said, make a hole near a bush, and there will be no mildew.
Now that hole receives the water drained from the soil about the '
bark. It is a drain. The fogs and mists of England are favorable
504 [AssoiBL^x
to mildew. Where is such moisture we find slugs plenty as well as
mildew. Grapes are sometimes, in heavy rains after great heat,
apt to burst. The Isabella and Catawba grapes are attacked in dif-
ferent manner, not by mildew — that is of a light grey color, and fruit
by it is made hide bound.
Mr. Elliott approved of the method of placing salt hay around
gooseberry bushes, and that deep ploughing and good tilling were
good preventives of mildew.
President Tallmadge accorded with the opinion given by Dr.
Underbill relative to mildew. We never see mildew where the soil is
poor. Rich soil with heat and moisture, produces it. My impression
is, that the prevention of mildew is caused by covering the surface
\nth any dry straw, whether salt or not. The , covering checks the
escape of effluvia from the soil, and giving also a perfectly free venti-
lation. When the grape vine ascends tall frees, its grapes are never
mildewed, so that it seems that this disease attacks only near the sur-
face of the land. We find but little lamd entirely porus to a consi-
derable depth ; usually we find within the depth of a foot or so, pri-
mitive earth, clay, gravel, &c. which is sufficiently close to prevent
the rain water from filtering through it rapidly. When the sub-soil
happens to be a stiff clay, then the soil is saturated by rains, and re-
tains the wet long — very often to the serious damage of crops. A
like result is perceived where plants are put into vessels without holes
in the bottom, to allow water freely to pass. . Such is now the fashion
of our flower pots. All these matters point directly to the usefulness
of under-draining in all cases where there happens not to be a loose
subsoil.
Chairman, I shall be pleased to hear you on the subject of the
grape vine.
THE VINE.
President Tallmadge. Being called upon to speak of the Vine, I
comply cheerfully, and shall first confine myself to those of America.
The very costly experiments made by Americans on naturalizing here
tlie grapes of the old world have all proved to be total failures, and
No. 199.] 50^
v;e are constrained to rely upon that native stock, which on our At-
lantic border has already, thanks to a few patriotic citizens, been made
to appear as luxuries in our markets, and is already in market by
thousands (Longworth's) of bottles of valuable wine. And it has
been the result of industry in the establishment of Vineyards of these
Natives, and by enlightened management of them. The Isabella and
the Catawba are already established in public favor, and are spread-
ing their vines with redoubling speed through our land. So' that we
are in so short a time advanced to an epoch in American grapes,
which must in another shorter period, fill our land with these deli
cious and healthful fruits, and cause the banishment of those dange
rous distillations which so unhappily are made to take the place of
cheerful, healthful wines,
I am gratified to learn, that on the Pacific Coasts of the Americas,
are found growing native grapes, said to be of fine quality, which it
is our duty and pleasure to cause to be brought to our Atlantic Coasts,
imrranted [as American) to succeed, and be acclimated, where no
European can. The Institute has made arrangements to procure
them.
Our forests bear many grapes, but few of value. Some give bunches
containing four or five grapes, each as large as an ounce ball, but of
indifferent character now, as fruit for our tables, whatever art may at
at a future day, make of them. California may yet give us grapes
worth more by far, than all her gold. I will mention, however, one
of our Atlantic grapes which merits our attention ; it is called the Blandj
and resembles the Catawba. We are looking to Valparaiso for some
grapes, reported to be very fine. The President proceeded to speak
of the frigid, temperate and torrid zones, and the difficulty of causing
the vegetation of one to flourish in the open air of the others. The
evergreens of the torrid zone, so peculiar that they need no rest, urged
on by the climate to constant foilage, flower and fruit.
How different from the vegetation of the other zones, which cannot
live without an annual sleep in winter.
506 [Assembly
But art can be used in our zone to produce great amounts of delight-
ful fruit of various climates, and at a reasonable expense. I beg
leave to describe a vinery which, at our summer residence on the
Hudson, we have constructed without artificial heat — which yields
some bunches of foreign grapes upwards of two feet long, and weigh-
ing six pounds a bunch. This Institute has granted a premium for
them. This conservatory is built of a frame work, curved on the
summit, covered entirely with strong glass. It stands north and south,
and so that it receives the rays of the sun all day. This conservatory
is supported by rows of posts, which form so many supports for the
vines. At the bottom of the edifice, all around it, arc boards or planks
on hinges, which can be raised at pleasure, to admit air along the sur-
face of the soil ; no wall at the foundation to prevent the vines from
running out of the conservatory into the adjacent land ; on the top
of the building, similar boards or planks capable of being opened at
will to suffer air to escape. This becomes often necessary on account
of our own hot sunshine. We have found the interior as cool or
rather more cool than the open air; so great is the ventilation resulting
from the arrangement just named. We have found the growth of
vines outside to be from three to four feet in length — same sort inside
grew ten, fifteen and even seventeen feet in a year. In the second
year, the outside vine grew from five to ten feet from the one bud left
near the ground, and covered with earth during winter, while those
inside grew to from t wenty-five to thirty feet. This glass edifice makes,
in truth, summer of from six to seven months long, which enables us
to raise our foreign grapes to perfection, while such is the character
of our climate, frost often leaves us a summer of only three months.
In the second year the vines set some fruit j we let only one bunch
grow, in order by thut to ascertain the variety of the fruit. In the
third year we find twenty to thirty bunches set, of which we permit a
half a dozen only to mature. In the fourth year we let it double or
treble that amount — still we take away some. Vegetation requires
the auxiliaries of science as well as industry. Italy, so famed for her
grapes, would lose the premiums at our fruit conventions, for New-
Bedford, Boston, New- York, and many other conservatories, can take
them away.
No. 199.] 507
Speaking of science applied to vegetation, I wish to be understood
as specially indicating the utmost importance of so compounding soil
of such elements as are known to be necessary, some for the growth
of the wood, and others, that of the fruit, and which chemistry by
analysis will direct. When we have made our Uttle vintage, we then
give free ventilation, so that our vines may, during the winter, take
their necessary repose.
We have been told that England has produced bunches of grapes
weighing thirty pounds. If so, it would require two men to carry
one on a pole between them as did the bunches of Canaan. But a
bunch two feet long and of six to seven pounds weight would soon
weary the arm extended, necessarily, to carry it clear of the
ground. A dead horse was buried in the out border, sixteen feet
from a vine, and we found the roots to reach it in the second year.
Our grape house is eighty feet in length, and we never use artificial
heat in it j the sun upon the glass will keep the temperature within
ten to twenty degrees of Fahrenheit higher than that outside, and
which is regulated by ventilators. We have in it eighteen varieties
of grapes.
It is our belief that this modern improvement in the vinery, as
distinguished from the greenhouse, is coming into use, and will pro-
duce grapes at a cost so small as to bring the fruit into common use.
This plan of distributing perfect seeds and grafts I like, and shall
order some from our place next week.
Subject for next meeting — grafting, inoculating, seeds and planting.
The club adjourned to this day week.
H. Meigs, Sec'y.
Farmers' Club, April 2nd, 1850.
Judge Robert S. Livingston, in the chair. Henry Meigs Sec'y.
The Secretary communicated the following articles : One, relative
to the growth of clover in and near the tropics. He observed how
striking the absence of green pasture in those latitudes, to a northern
508 [Assembly
man ; how poorly cattle and other stock are fed compared with those
of the north. Great efforts have long ago been made to make clover
grow there in vain ; it will not bear the severe heat,&c. About three
years ago, Governor Brown, of Florida, received from the Patent office
some clover seeds from Chili. He planted them, but had no expecta-
tion of success, notwithstanding he is most agreeably disappointed, for
this Chili clover sustains the severities of the climate and flourishes ;
he justly considers this to be a means of adding greatly to the wealth
of Florida.
The Secretary reminded the club of the very singular difference
of climate production, vegetable and animal, between the northern and
southern hemispheres. That it is strangely observed that plants flow-
er in open air, when the temperature by Fahrenheit is several de-
grees below 32° the freezing point ; strange forms of animals are
found in Australia. That it is observed that some diseases of the
northern hemisphere never appear in the southern ; that it has been
observed by our learned friends, Redfield and others, that gales pro-
ceed in opposite motions in the respective hemispheres, circling from
south, northerly in our hemisphere, and from north, southerly in the
southern half.
Thus it appears that a southern clover will flourish in the northern
tropics, while our northern clover will not.
The secretary read an article from the Paris Agriculture, relation to
crop of sesame in Algeria. It states that an acre well cultivated, will
yield eighteen hundred pounds of the grain ; which yields nine hun-
dred pounds of oil. That it is destined soon to supply all nothem
Europe with oil.
President Tallmadge, intimated some months ago, that observations
upon the subject of diseases in the two hemispheres, inclined him to
suppose, there were diseases in each not capable of propagation in the
other. That cholera had not yet crossed the equatorial hne, from
north to south.
No. 199.J 509 ^
Mr. Meigs added, we have a treatise on Asiatic cholera in our
library, which contains maps, showing the course taken by cholera,
and it what periods of time, and with what speed from place to place,
around the earth nearly, all in tlie northern hemisphere. Now we
have not heard of a solitary case of Asiatic cholera, in any spot south
of the equator. So far then the opinion of the President seems just.
m
Mr. Elliott inquired if there was a clover known by the name of
tree clover?
Judge Van Wyck supposed that some very tall clover may have
been so denominated.
Mr. Meigs. — It is probably an error formed from the botanical aame,
trifolium ; in French trefles, trefoil, three leaved ; the term ire may
have led to the mistake.
Dr. Underbill, of Croton Point. — I have remarked in my orchards
the singular fact, that while the earth was frozen, and the apples fallen
on it frozen, the apples on my trees were untouched. This may be
due to the power of the roots, (reaching deep below the surface,) of
deriving caloric from beneath and supplying enough to the tree, its
fruit &c., to countervail the frost in the surrounding air, and on the
surface of the ground ; the observations of modern times show that
temperature rises, as we descend from the surface of the earth.
Mr. Brown. — Frotn Magellan northerly the animal and vegetable
kingdoms exhibit a greater analogy to tropliical life, than any in the
Northern Hemisphere. Darwin, the naturalist, attached to the great
Survey of Fitzroy and Beechey, found the South American Lion, the
Puma, as far south as latitude 47°, and the Palms flourishing in 45^
on an elevated Platean (or level) extending north to Paraguay. Dar-
win says that this immense platean is what is geologically called an
Upheaval. It shows diluvial action ; the ancient Ocean shores are dis-
tinctly observed about its bases j rivers have cut their deep passes
through it. These facts are important, and the scientific deductions
to be made from them. This plateau is connected with the great
chain of Andes. In all this region of plateau vegetation is scarce and
510 [AsSEaiBLY
very peculiar, so much so that it seems to partake of the character
of the plants found in coal formations ; for instance, there is among
others, the Tree Fern so often found in coal formations.
Dr. Underhill. — An opinion prevailed for a great length of time,
that clover would not thrive as a fixed crop in Virginia. But late
experience has established it as an excellent one for that quarter of
our country.
Mr. Bowman. — On my farm in Virginia I have flourishing clover
fields.
Judge Livingston. -I have often sowed the red clover in October
successfully.
Dr. Underhill. — I sow it with oats, oats first, early, well harrowed
in, then over that, clover well brushed over. I am always successful.
I sow from the first to the twentieth of April.
Judge Van Wyck. — Sometimes timothy seed is sown successfully
upon the surface of the snow.
Dr. Underhill. — For a crop of hay, I prefer to sow timothy alone,
and late in the season.
Mr.Bowman. — I have done well with it, sowing it, on the 29th of
May.
Mr. Elliott. — I never sow clover and timothy together ; my method
of broad cast is to proceed with it so as to return upon my track,
covering about six feet wide, quite evenly . I have found the crop very
uniform.
The Chairman asked Dr. Underhill to exhibit grafting and budd-
ing to the club-
Dr. Underbill, took a few of the thousands of grafts, brcught to the
club by him from Croton Point, and performed the operations of cleft,
No. 199 J 511
whip, inarching, &c. For cleft grafting, use a saw to cut off the part
of the stock to be grafted, then cut the section smooth with a very
sharp knife ; take a chisel ground on both sides so that its edge is in the
middle of the blade, use a mallet to drive it the suitable distance for
a proper split. Do this on one side of the centre or pith, never through
that. Have a graft cut smooth to a wedge ; with a smaller chisel open
the cleft and insert the wedge, bringing as much of the bark of the
graft as you can in close contact with the bark of the stock. Graft
upon a stock not larger than my wrist, and on smaller. When your
grafts are properly set in, take the compost of bees wax, tallow and
rosin, which are united in such proportion that they may be made
plaster, by the warmth of the hand, hut not so as to melt and run in
hot weather ; apply sufficient of this, all about the stock and foot of
the graft, to cover up perfectly the cut parts. The Dr. proceeded to
describe the whip grafting, by approach and inarching. He then pro-
ceeded to state the mode of budding practised by him ; he described
the condition of the sap of fruit trees, in the months of August and
September ; that at this season of the year, it has acquired its richest
condition, is more viscid, and is about to undergo the change to woody
fibre, to form another ring of wood. At this time I bud my stocks,
prefering to insert the bud, in the north or east side of the stock ; I
make a transverse cut with a very sharp knife through the bark, then
from the middle of that cut, I make one down the stock, long enough
to admit the bud ; these cuts then resemble letter T. I use a very
keen knife to cut a bud off its branch, cutting a little wood with it.
I take the little piece of wood out of the bud very carefully, because
it is counted with what I call the chit, in which alone vitality exists,
for if the chit be wounded at all, the bud becomes utterly worthless.
Having the bud all prepared, I lift up very cautiously the bark on the
sides of the T, and do not disturb the sap. This operation is done with
the handle of the knife, which is made of bone or ivory, and shaped
proper to raise the bark. Bud after rain, for then the bark is more
easily raised to that purpose ; I then insert the bud. I then cut off'
the upper end of the bark of the back of the bud, exactly on the line
of the top of the T. This allows the remainder to fall into contact with
the sap, and so form an even surface of the barks of both the stock
and the bud ; I then use bass to confine it passing the ligature obliquely
above and below the bud, never on it, a few times around, and then
512 [Assembly
tie it, If the bud proves to be of good growth, cut the bass ligature
oflF, in Marck following always. Then in June cut off the stock just
above the bud, with a sharp knife and in the direction from the north
or west, on the opposite side of the bud, sloping downward southerly.
This cause rain to fall off this slope from the bud if sloped towards
the bud the water injures it.
Mr. Meigs, had an opportunity on one occasion to see the maUce of
a villain, disappointed because he had barked his neighbours apple trees
in August. Those trees seem to prove that, (such is often seen,)
Divine Providence caused the fruit, to be even better than it would
have been, without the barking, and a beautiful smooth new bark was
found.
Dr. Underbill remarked that now budding is preferred to grafting
in all small stocks. The disappointment felt by those who buy in our
market, trees said to have been budded ; but which prove after some
years, never to have been, is very severe. It often happens that the
nursery men do not know that their uubudded stock are taken to the
market by their men ; but it is so! And is an injury not only to the
unfortunate buyer to the lionest masters who never bring a false tree
to our market.
The Secretary- read from some of our best authortties, extracts re-
lative to grafting.
" Grafting has been known and practised from the most remote an-
tiquity— naturalists have not agreed as to the origin of it. Theophras-
tus said that a bird which had swallowed a fruit whole, left the pit in
the cavity of a tree where it was rotten, then being watered by rain
it grew and so became a tree of a different kind from the stock." —
" Pliny says that a farmer wishing to make a palisade in his farm
matted the bottoms of his palisade with the trunks of ivy in order to
make it stronger and last longer. The effect was that the stakes of
the palisade became engrafted with the trunks of the ivy and pro-
duced large trees, and that this caused ailention to grafting."
No. 199.J 513
" Many have talked of changing the species of fruits by grafting
on another of the same class ; but there is but little hope of that by
ever so many repeated graftings. Almonds and peaches may by
many changes in the graftings and by interrations of the stones of
the peaches, and of the shells of the almonds, and by terribrations of
the stem and root here and there, alter their nature so much as to
cause the coat or pulp of the almond to approach the character of the
peach, and the peach may have its kernel enlarged to a kind of al-.
mond." " Du Hamel tried fully all the experiments for graftino*
trees on others of a different genus — ^they all failed. Peach grafted
on plum does well and lives longer than in its native state."
Subject for discussion, grafting, budding, seeds and planting.
Grafts and cuttings were then distributed, of which Dr. Underhill
supplied some thousands from Croton Point ; some also from Mr.
Pike of New Jersey ; some by Mr. Pell of Pelham ; seeds also from
Ro.swell L, Colt of Paterson ; also from Egypt, sent by Lieut. Row-
an of our navy, and some from Dr. Magovran of China
The Club adjourned.
H. MEIGS, Secretary.
April % 1850.
Hon. Robert Swift LrviNGSxoN in the Chair. Henry Meigs^
Sec'y.
The Secretary read the following translation made by hiiu from
recent volumes received from Paris, (viz :)
Dahlia.
The Dahlia, to which unhappily nature has refused to give the sligh-
test perfume, is notwithstanding at this time, next to the rose, the
I Assembly, No. 199. | 33
511 [AsSEMBL'i
richest and most important ornament of our gardens, and tliis pre-em-
mence is owing entirely and completely to Horticulture. The Dahlia
now sought for by amateurs is not precisely (as is well known) the
work of nature. In fact, in the year 1789, when it was carried from
Mexico, its native land, to Spain, and placed in the Botanical garden
of Madrid, the flower had neither the roundness of or the richness of
color which are now so much admired. It presented only two rows
of petals in its circumference, and had in its centre a multitude of lit-
tle yellow flowers of no brilliancy. In this condition the dahlia at-
tracted very little attention, but now, thanks to the perseverance of
man, this plant is at present actually placed in the first rank in our
collections.
But that change, we must acknowledge, has been produced very
slowly J during the year after its introduction into Europe, the dahlia
presented no sensible modification, its colors had but little variety.
Only three were known, and they served M. Cavanillesto establish its
species, the rose, the purple and the scarlet, which remained confined
to the garden of Madrid until 1802. At that period a French physi-
cian of the name of Thibaud, carried to Paris a single one of each
kind, and placed it in the Museum, where M. Thouin put them into
pots, and these under glass. Here, as in Madrid, the dahUa was con-
sidered to be more important as an eatable root, than as a flower,
much less a conquest for Floriculture. But they multiplied it within
the narrow domain of the Museum, in hope, as Thouin says, to see it
flourish in open air, so that it might be employed as a middle flower
in the borders of large parteres. So far the administration of the
museum had filled its mission. It had propagated it and had indicat-
ed the mode of its culture.
A few years later it came into the hands of the flower gardeners,
and after it had been proved to be of no use as a root to eat, they be-
gan to improve it as a flower. In I8l0 some new and important
varieties were obtained, the primitive colors began to change foi
others, the gardeners now had lilac, pale rose, saffron and yellowish,
derived from the three primitive tints. These changes began to attract
the serious attention of some gardeners, and about the year 1818, they
obtained by means of its seed, the first varieties of double flowers*
No. 199.] 515
This encouraged them and from that moment, the dahlia took posses-
sion of the domain of Flora ; but notwithstanding this, it is but -within
fifteen years that (thanks to the gardeners of England) the dahlia has
attained that degree of perfection which at this time makes it the
first flower of our Autumn gardens. England which had kept until
lately the monopoly of it, and had the distinguished privilege of fur-
nishing our Amateurs with some to grow beside their dwarf dahlias,
begun to see her trade in dahlias diminish. Now, after persevering
efforts, our French gardeners have placed them in the front rank.
The wishes expressed by Andre Thouin, are realized upon the soil
of France; the dahlia forms now the ornament of the little garden of
our smallest country cottages. But if Cavanilles, Thibaud and Thouin
have jnst claim to tiie gratitude of Amateurs for having enriched hor-
ticulture with the first types of ^this precious vegetable, it is but just
also to share it with Chereau, Guenot, Leroy, Lorain, Miellez, Mil-
cent, Soutif, Voisenou, &c., who have endowed the garden with so
many admirable varieties of it, among which will appear in our flower
markets, eahlia of white pointed with rose, white with lilac centrcj
deep white with border of carmine, white with border of pale rose,
white pointed with violet, white bordered with purple violet, scarlet
of great brilliance bordered with white, reddish violet pointed with
pure white, white bordered with deep carmine, &c. &c. &c. These
will appear this spring in the Parisian markets.
Letter from Professor Mapes.
J^eioark, March 31st, 1850.
General Chandler. — Dear Sir -, As you are probably preparing
your premium list at the Institute, let me beg of you not to forget
the sub-soil plough ; those now in general use are not well construct-
ed, and a premium should be offered to induce improvement. This
instrument as now made has its wing raised too high at the rear of
the plow, and the amount of force necessary to draw it is thus use-
lessly increased.
516 [ASSEMBL-X
The best now made have the wing 4 inches high at the rear, and
often 6 inches.
Here you liave a vertical cross-cut section of the surface furrow,*,
and the sub-soil plough cut; the dotted line represents the probable line
of disturbance of soil by the wing of the sub-soil plough, and a mo-
ment's reflection will convince you, that if the wing be as high as even
4 inches at the rear, that the amount of soil lifted this 4 inches, du-
ring every foot of the onward motion of the plough, will be 60 lbs.,
and thus in passing the length of a single furrow of 100 feet, 50,000
lbs. of earth must be raised 4 inches high, and of course at the ex-
pense of the team. The object gained by sub-soiling can be as well
attained by raising the wing two inches instead of four, and peimitting
the wing to pass in a straight line to the point ; thus by having a
sharper wedge, a clayey or hard pan sub-soil could be readily disin-
tegrated, while the lifting of two inehes instead of 4 would costless
than one third the power, the inclined plane. over which the disturbed
soil passes being easier in addition to lifting the soil a much less dis-
tance. I speak feelingly on this subject, having been compelled to
use four large pairs of Devonshire cattle to run my sub-soil plow.
You will receive by Day's Express, a bundle of Pear Scions of
the finest kind and in prime order; the trees from which they were ta-
ken, cane from France four years since and fruited last year ; you
will recognise among them the choicest known kinds, and if the Far-
mers' Club will distribute them I shall feel obliged.
Since I last saw you, I have been busily engaged in the good cause
inNew Jersey; for the last six months have delivered four or five lec-
tures each week on agriculture, and our farmers throughout the State
are waking up. More than 1000 sub-soil plows are now used by those
who never saw them until last year, and in many districts the crops
have been doubled inconsequence.
I have a list of more than fifty farmers who have raised from 90 to
124 bushels of shelled corn per acre, during the last year, by adop
• The cut intended here wag not received in season for in!<ertion.
No. 199.] 517
ting the improved methods proposed in my lectures of 1848. One
friend near Princeton raised 57 bushels of wheat on an acre.
Some accurate experimenters have found that by thoroughly cook-
ing corn, they have realized $1 per bushel for it, in pork at five cents
per lb. Pork may be grown at less than 4 cents by using cooked feed.
By reference to the letter of Mr. Jas. Campbell, (Working Farmer,
Vol. 2. No. 2) you will see that cooked food should be used for cattle,
and a portion of root crops with it.
Many new Marl deposits have been discovered in New-Jersey
within the last two years, and the farms in their neighborhoods have
improved past all account.
The great salt meadows of New-Jersey are also being brought Into
requisition ; these meadows are deposits of organic matters washed
down from the highlands during all time ; by decomposing this muck
with Chloride of Lime and Carbonate of Soda, (made by decompos
ing common salt with Caustic Lime) it passes readily into fermenta
tion, and is rendered proper food for plants. These meadows may be
considered as composed of " organic matter not in a state of decay,''
and they only require proper treatment, and then to be carried back
to the highlands where they came from, to render every hill top in
New- Jersey as fertile as the bottom lands of the south west.
I have used 3000 loads of this material, and last year raised 24,000
heads of late Bergen cabbages on two acres, and indeed all my crops
were equally prolific.
Do induce the Farmer's Club to occupy more time with discussing
the merits of modern improvements, and less in repeating those of the
ancients. Old wine is good, but old style agricultural rules are only
to be f.olerated when they happen to resemble those of later dates.
Root CTops require attention at this time ; small fruit culture should
also receive encouragement ; Ibe consumption of small fruits are in-
creasing, and the least diminution m price doubles the consumption.
There are more Strawberries eaten in Cincinnati than in New- York,
518 [Assembly
and they are raised in that vicinity at half the cost of those grown
here, simply because their culture is better understood.
The superior kinds of Raspberries (Fastolfs and others,) are daily
becoming favorites, and many nurserymen in back counties, are
selling the plants at $25 per hundred, while those of other fine kinds
are selling at $4. Mr. Paterson of Newark, sold of fruit and plants,
last year at the rate of $1400 per acre. Who would raise hay or corn
withm a few miles of New-York with such an example before them %
Yours truly,
JAS. J. ivTAPES.
Judge Livingston said he had been very successful in planting the
•cuttings of the grape, by deferring the cutting of the scions till about
the first of May, or until the buds have swollen considerably, and in-
deed, until the extreme bud on tlie vine is opening into leaf. The
cuttings should have four buds on tliem. They should be planted in
rich ground, well wrought with the spade at least a foot deep, the
scions about 9 or 7 inches deep, or the top bud above ground, and the
next just below the surface, in rows east and west, and sheltered from
the midday sun by a board 10 or 12 inches wide. They will require
watering at least once a week in July and August if the season be very
dry. The loss will not exceed twenty per cent. I prune in the fall
as soon as the leaves have fallen.
Mr. Elliott wished to know if the European grapes would stand
the winter of this climate without protection.
Judge Livingston said he has had them do well one hundred miles
North of this. In this city they are not protected. The best protec-
tion is to bury them 2 or 3 inches.
Mr. Meigs said he set out 100 cutlinors, in a trench of two feet deep
of prepared soil, a leaning to the north at an angle of 45 degrees.
The sap circulates easier, not one failed. Dr. Underbill says he loses
70 per cent. Mr. Meigs adverted to Gen. Tallmadge's interesting
No. 199. J 519
remarks in relation to the growing grapes in glass houses, published in
the Artizan on the 6th inst. Many valuable grafts were distribu-
ted from Gen. Tallmadge, Dr. Underhill and Prof. Mapes ; also Virga-
lieu Pears, from seed inoculating with the bud from the nursery of C. H.
Davisj Cayuga Bridge, now for sale by H. C. Perry, 272, 9th st.
Mr. Meiors. — Chili Clover introduced into Florida — Sesame. Gover-
nor Brown, of Florida, about three years ago received some clover
seed from Chili through the Patent Office, which he planted with much
doubtjfor all former experiments to raise clover there had failed. The
Chili Clovea has flourished in all the trying changes of the climate, and
appears to be especially adapted to the region of Florida. This is a
most valuable addition to the wealth of that State, for it supplies what
was much needed, a nutritious grass for stock.
Sesame is cultivated in Algeria. Its oil is destined to supply the
whole Northern surface of our hemisphere. Of all the oleaginous
plants, this is the best. Properly watered, one acre gives about seven-
teen or eighteen hundred pounds weight of seed. It yields fifty per
cent, of oil. In Marseilles they mix it with olive oil.
Gen. Chandler. — The Institute has received some valuable seeds
from Egypt, sent to the Secretary of the Farmers Club by Lieut. James H.
Rowan, of the United States ; which have been nearly all distributed.
The President of the Uaited States, having received some of them,
viz., cotton seed, replied as follows :
Washington, Jpnl 2, 1850.
Adonibam Chandler, Esq.
Sup. Agent American Institute,
Dear Sir. — I have duly received your favor of the 27th ult., and
the cotton seed from upper Egypt, for which I am greatly indebted.
I hope that I may have an opportunity of giving it a trial this season,
but the continued high water of the Mississippi renders it doubtful.
520 I Assembly
With many thanks for your kind attention, I remain your friend
and servant.
Z. TAYLOR.
Judge Van Wyck remarked that the history of the Dahlia reminds
us of the great improvement made by intelligent cultivation in other
vegetables and plants. The modem Dahlia is now called King, while
the Rose is styled Queen of flowers. We ought to persevere in our
efforts to improve all useful and agreeable plants.
Rev. Mr. Elliott. — I prune grape vines in November. J set out the
cuttings as soon as cut.
Chairman. — I have taken cuttings with young leaves on in May,
and succeeded well in growing them. I generally lose some 25 per
cent of those I set out, I put them about six or seven inches deep.
Two buds down, one just under the surface and but one out.
Mr. Elliott. — I set them in sixteen inches and incline them about
thirty degrees. Will European grape vines stand the winter here t
Chairman. — They live at my country seat 100 miles up the Hud-
son River. To carry them safe through the winter, I cover them three
fOr four inches with earth, (laying them down of course.)
Mr. Meigs. — I made a deep trench according to the plan recom-
mended by Columella eighteen hundred years ago. Bones, ashes,
ripe manure, all well mixed by stirring. I set cuttings leaning 45
degrees to the north, (the trench being north and south.) I hardly
lost one of them.
Judge Van Wyck. — We had an opportunity last fall to taste the
grapes from the cold vinery of Gen. Tallmadge, and we found them
of the first and largest growth, and of delicious taste.
Meigs. — Some men of my age think it hardly worth their while to
plant vines and trees. I beg to quote an Oriental tale, as an apology
for us old men in our zeal for agriculture generally.
No. 199.] 521
A Sultan of Persia attended by his vizier, guards, purse bearer, &c.
saw a very old man setting out a young fruit tree. He saluted him
and asked his age, the old man replied four years. An attendant
checked him for speaking thus to the Sultan. But he observed, my
long life had been passed in the ordinary idle way of man. It is
only four years since 1 began to plant for others, as others have be-
fore planted for me, and I account all ray past years as nought ex-
cept the four. Good, said the Sultan, and the purse bearer, as was
customary when the Sultan spoke approbation, immediately handed a
purse of a thousand pieces to the old man, who remarked, other men's
trees require many years to yield fruit, while mine produce it as soon
as planted. Bravo, said the Sultan, and ordered him another purse of
a thousand pieces. And sire said the old man, other men's trees give
but one crop of fruit in a year, while mine give me two. Bravo, said
the Sultan : Adieu, if I stay here your worth and wit will hurt ray treasury.
Grafts, cuttings and seeds were distributed.
Subject for next meeting, seeds and planting, grafts, cuttings &c.
The Club adjourned.
H. MEIGS, Secretary,
April 16th, i860
Judge Van Wyck in the Chair ; Henry Meigs, Secretary.
The secretary read the following extract made by him from the
voyage of Juan D'Ulloa.
The King of Spain commissioned Don George Juan and Don
Antonio D'Ulloa, in 1735, to visit and examine South America.
They examined the famous beds of guano, used by the Peruvians as
manure.
They say that " many persons supposed it to be a natural earth,
for on boring into it they found it the same at the bottom as at
522 [Assembly
the surface ; but our travellers say that guano is the Indian name for
dung in general, that it is the dung of sea birds which abound here in
a very extraordinary manner. These birds after spending the day in
catching their food in the sea, repair to the islands near the coast, to
rest during the night j and their number being so great as entirely to
^over the ground, they leave a proportionable quantity of excrement
or dung. This is dried by the heat of the sun into a crust, and is
daily increasing so that although great quantities are taken away, it is
never exhausted. This guano is used by the natives to manure their
maize, (Indian Corn.) A little of it is put near each stem and imme-
diately watered, and the same watering as often as necessary ; it is
found greatly to fertilize the ground. It is also used in fields of some other
grain, but never with wheat or barley. Vast quantities are yearly used
in the agriculture of the country.
"The fish consumed by the guanoes, {^ls ihe fishing birds are called)
are anchovies, the shoals of which ore beyond all comparison. Many
of these birds arc called alcairaces ; they are a kind of gull,
THE GRAPES
" The grapes at Lima are of various kinds ; and among them one
called the Italian, is very large and delicious. The vines extend
ihemselves on the surface of the ground, which is very well adapted
.o support them, it being stoney or full of sand. These vines are
pruned and watered at proper times, and they thrive remarkably with-
out any other care. No other culture is bestowed upon those designed
for wine, but none of the grapes near Lima are used for wine ; the
demand for them for the table being loo large."
The Secretary observed in reference to planting seeds, that a very
fair and careful experiment on plantii;g wheat was made near Paris a
few years ago, which led distinctly to the depth of about one inches and
a half for best and greatest crop. That he had for a great many years
planted corn about half an inch deep with great advantage to the crop.
That he had often observed that deep planted corn comes up often
yellow and remains unfolded for some days, while that planted very
shallow comes up green and unfolds leaves broader than the other,
and stretching them almost horizontally over the surface. That some
No. 199.] 523
of our modern farmers seem to think that deep tillage is a modern in-
vention ; that is as great an error as many others as to the practice of
olden times. We do not yet even succeed in architecture in many
important points, as well as the Greeks did in the days of Pericles ',
we built for the accommodation of our Congress a Hall for each House,
Senate and Representatives, in the form of the Odeon of Pericles in-
stead of the Forum. We are endeavouring to imitate their statuary.
We have commenced permanent roads like those of old ; the Appian,
Flaminian, &c. We have just began to transmit intelligence by rail-
roads, about as rapidly as it was transmitted in Assyria, in Greece and in
Rome. The select horses ran at full speed, a few miles each, the
news was handed to another rider ready mounted, who went off at
full speed, so that the express moved on an average nearly thirty
miles an hour ; on its arrival at Rome a person employed for that pur-
pose read with a loud voice, great numbers were ready to write down
the news, they then hastened to the various sections of the city and
read with loud voices to the crowds assembled at these neios places.
Thus no time was lost in setting up types, so that all Rome got the
news in half the time we now get it by rail-roads, through the
printed Extra. The Electro Telegraph is ours, the old folks knew
nothing of that.
As to the deep and thorough tillage, the French Agricultural Soci-
ety felt great surprise about four years ago, when a French translation
was made from the excellent work on agriculture by an Italian named
Torello, written three hundred years ago. The doctrines of this book
are not now surpassed.
Mr. Pike. — He advised (I think) too much ploughing, that would
cause the fertilizing gasses to escape from the soil. They rise and are
carried away. •
Judge Van Wyck approves shallow planting especially for Indian
Corn.
Dr. Underbill. — I plant corn from two inches to two inches and
a half. Wheat about two to three.
524 [Assembly
Mr. Pike. — I put wheat in as near three inches deep as I can.
Dr. Antisell. — The island of Ichaboe, on the western coast of
Africa, was cleared of the deep deposits of guano, and in the very
short tirae which has elapsed since, a new deposit of the depth of
about eighteen inches has been made.
The Secretary stated that a few months ago, the Institute sent by
Mr. Uzziah Wenman to Prussia, a copy of its transactions as publish-
ed by the State. He delivered them to the Royal agricultural society
at Berlin, They were received with much satisfaction, and that
society returned to the Institute fifteen volumes of their transactions,
and ask for free and full interchange.
Mr. Bpwman — I ploughed my land in Virginia about eight inches.
Much of the land thereabout was badly cultivated. A harrow was used
to drag down the last year's corn stalks, then with a shovel-nose
plough cut a shallow furrow, some three inches deep, in which the
corn was planted. The crop from an acre so cultivated, the yield
was about two barrels of corn, (about ten bushels.) I have seen
three bushels of wheat the yield of an acre, yet that soil had plenty
of potash in it.
Mr. Meigs. — Mr. Madison after he left the Presidential chair, be-
came president of an agricultural society. There he deUvered some
very able remarks on agriculture. Among other things, that the
natural depth of soil all oyer level parts of the globe never cultivated,
does not exceed one foot as a general rule. The soil will not in the
lapse of ages increase, altho covered with vegetable and animal life
from creation. Malthus in his work on population, calculated that in
♦he year 1000, the population of Great Britain was about one million,
and that in the ordinary way of increase there have been born since
so many human beings that there would be five or six thousand bodies
for every square yard of the land.
A like calculation in reference to the other animals and the trees
&c., will be convincing as to the doctrine of Mr. Madison, that the
alaaighty gives us one foot of soil, which is as deep as we can con-
No. 199.] 525
veniently till it, and that tills one foot is the laboratory in which all
vegetable and animal life are wrought out.
Grafts, Cuttings and seeds were distributed.
Dr. Underbill, proposed as subjects for next meeting grafts, cut-
tings, seeds and planting.
The Club adjourned.
H. MEIGS, Secretary.
AprU 23d, 1850.
Hon. Robert Swift Livingston in the Chair. Henry Meigs,
Secretary.
Mr. Meigs. — Early 'planting of Potatoes. — The experience of seve-
ral past.years, has proved that the early planting of this most valuable
vegetable, is most free from the evils which have of late beset it.
And besides that ; the mode of planting has become of great ira
portance. Mr. Williams of the State of Maine, has demonstrated by
results of unquestionable truth, that when the hut ends and seed ends
of the potatoes are cut off and planted, the produce is as 40 for the
hut ends, as 60 for the seed ends ; and from the middle, cut in two
parts, as 160 ; thus showing the superiority of the centre to be 60 per-
cent in quantity.
We have often adverted, (in this club) to the great utility of birds
as destroyers of insects, injurious to vegetation. Any observer of the
habits of many birds, will testifiy to the great destruction of the insect
enemies of our gardens and fields by birds. We therefore hail with
great pleasure the recent passage of a law, by our good neighbour the
State of New-Jersey, imposing a fine of five dollars on any person who
sh&W M[\, [off his oum place ;) the night or musquito hawk, chimney
swallow, martin or swift, woodpecker, whippoorwill, cuckoo, king
526 [Assembly
bird or bee martin, clape orhighholcj cat bird, wren, blue bird, meadow
lark, brown thresher, dove, fire bird or summer red bird, hanging bird,
ground robin or chewink, bobUnk or rice bird, robin, snow or chipping
bird, sparrow, Carolina lit, warbler, black bird, blue jay, and small
owl. Or destroying the eggs of any of the birds aforesaid.
Such an act as this would grace any state, and if carried out by
honest and firm government vould enoble any empire.
Birds constitute almost entirely our police against insects injurious
to vegetation, and when permitted to multiply, they will be in force
about equal to the mischievous power of the countless hosts of insects,
for one wren will destroy in a day more than ten men can do. Jer-
sey protects the birds, and the birds of Jersey in a few years will ex-
cite the astonishment of mankind by their numbers, song, utility and
beauty ; now and then some birds will take a taste of our fruit, but
for one cherry pecked by a robin we are freed from ten thousand
noxious insects. The Legislature of Jersey might have included
even bats along with the night hawk, for they sally out after sunset
and sweep the air of insects which fly by night.
This is no light subject, for man has suffered famine and pestilence
in all probability, little less from insect legions than from war. The
Hessian fly is more to be feared than a hundred thousand armed men from
Hesse Cassel, and perhaps after all our vain research after the cause
of the potato disease, we may ultimately discover it to be owing to
some very minute inseet which the bat swallows by thousands at
night or birds by day. The huge whale is known to subsist on the
minute animals whose ceniillions abound in ocean, and his daily oc-
cupation is to take them into his capacious jaws and strain them
through his whalebone sieve.
Famine has followed the trail of insects often in the history of
men, and pestilence has been found to follow in the rear. Let our
beautiful birds then abound! Let us teach them not to fear us.
Dr. Underbill, moved that the thanks of this club be tendered to
the Legislature of the State of New-Jersey, for the passage of the law,
No. 199.] 527
» protecting the birds wliich protect us from the ravages of intsect ; and
the club entertains the hope that all our States may follou*. And that
the secretary communicate a copy of this resolution, to the Legislature
of that State.
Unanimously adopted.
Dr. Underbill. — I wish that the crow had been included in the ad-
mirable law we have just read. The moral courage required is not
less than the wisdom, to pass such a law. If all men were aware of
the incalculable benefits which we obtain from the^birds, no one would
touch an egg, or harm the useful creature. The crow does more good
when he follows the farmers plough, and swallows immense numbers
of the grey, the black and the white grubs, which do a hundred times
more harm to the crops, than the crows do to the seed. Besides it is
so easy to prevent this useful bird from picking up your seed corn.
Carry a white cotton line around the field, supported on poles about
ten or twelve feet high, and crows will not go inside for a long time j
but if he should, you may hang here and there bits of bright tin to the
line, these turning about and casting reflections, make crows
utterly avoid the interior. The good done by destruction of these
grubs which are the larva of insects, is double, for both as larva and
insects they are enemies of our crops. Further we should soak the
seeds over night in a solution of salt petre, made by dissolving one
ounce of it in one quart of hot water, when you can bear your hand
in it, then put in the grain and stir it well. Next day pour off the
water and roll it in plaster of Paris, or wood ashes, so that every grain
gets a coat. Soak the Indian corn in the same way, and next day
stir it in a solution of a wine glass full of tar in a quart of hot water j
when the water is cooled so that you can bear a hand in it. This we
call glazing the corn ; then roll it in plaster or ashes as above.
Dr. Elliot. — Unless this glazing be very thin there may be diffi-
culty in the growth of the corn.
Dr. Underbill. — Some of the small birds, one of the woodpecker
can even scrape off from the haves of the trees with their bills, the
aphis of eggs of insects deposited with a glutinous mass to make them
stick. The Southern States protect the turkey buzzard by a fine of
528 [Assembly
tm dollars for /cilling it. Our little cat bird is a great destroyer of
caterpillars; it will hardly touch any thing else for her own eating or
for her young. There is a sort of fascination in our wild cherry tree
for butterflies. For the deposit of their eggs, no tree of the forest is so
much covered with the nests of catterpillars as this. I cut them
down. The wren feeds on a variety of insects, helps the bees much,
by eating the moths so detested by the bees. The wren busies itself
among the bees, all of whom are pleased with its company. Our
king bird has been supposed to eat bees, and one of his names is
Bee Martin, but that is a great mistake, he watches the bees as they
pass him, never touches one of them, but the instant he sees a drone
he snaps him up. The bees themselves kill off drones when the sup-
ply of honey is a little short.
The Chairman. — That is so.
Dr. Underbill. — Within seven years past we have had ah invasion,
from the aphis by millions on millions. They almost destroyed all the
leaves in some of our orchards. This occurred after our woodpeckers
had almost disappeared from among us; it was then came the myriads
of aphis. Our heedless sportsmen had destroyed or frightened our
birds; sure am I that they would not have fired upon the birds if they
had known their value. Lately some woodpeckers have appeared,
among them, the little one which scrapes off the eggs as before ob-
served. The legislature of New Jersey deserves the greatest praise
for its moral courage in facing the prejudice of those who do not
know the immense utility of the birds protected by this new law. I
wish that th^ prohibition may be extended to the owners of the farms
also. Some of these protected birds are among the sweetest songsters
of the grove, some of them pour out like the boblink, a deluge of
melodious notes. This boblink, is the reed bird of Carolina, the
ortolan., &c. We must follow the noble lead of Jersey in this matter.
All governments should do so. Encourage the study of entomology
f in.<?ects] and that of birds in reference tQ them. The members of this
club can do much good by careful attention to the habits of insects,
and giving at the meetings faithful statements of what they have dis-
covered . If any man shall find out how to protect his own crops, he
will be far ahead of others, for we lose three quarters of our cherries
No. 199J 529
by the larva put into them by some insect ; pears also and nearly all
the plums except the winter gage, especially below the highlands of
the Hudson.
Chairman. — But it has now nearly reached the lakes*!
Dr. Underbill. — When we have a good crop of plums, it is when wc
have had an uncommonly cold spring. Among the plums the damson
(^damascene, or plums of Damascus,) has not escaped. The admirable
effect of pure ripe fruit, on the human constitution, induces me to urge
the importance of caring for it in all its perfection. No fruit attacked
by insects is proper to eat. Professor Agassis, remarked to us that
our insects have peculiarities different from those of Europe ; and he
intended to study them ; there is no doubt but that he will attend to it.
Hugh Wardle,of Staten Island, presented a sample of Arnotto manu-
factured by him at his works on Staten Island, together with the fol-
lowing statement : The colouring of cheese is more important than
most persons are aware of It ripens the cheese, prevents in a great
measure the formation of air cells by neutralizing acid, the cheese
commands a higher price and is ready for exportation at least one
month sooner. To use it in colouring the cheese, pour a half pint
of boiling water upon three quarters of an ounce of the Arnotto, or the
weight of two cent piece for every hundred pounds weight of cheese,
strain the solution through linen, ^nd mix it with the milk, before the
rennet is put in.
Mr. Wardle will prepare a statement in writing of his whole pro-
cess, for the Institute.
Dr. Elliott. — The greatest care is requisite ; the curd is first very
tenderly pressed &c., by the hand, and but little whey is then taken
away from it. It is after this broken up again ^vith increased pressure
by the hand, and soon until the last handling ; then the curd is heavily
pressed by hand.
Judge Van Wyck. — I view the communication of Mr. Wardle, as
highly important. The butter and cheese of our country, is of very
(Assembly, No. 199. | 34
■ )'M) jAs.iL.MIiLY
great value, employinp; now a lar^e iiuinbtr of our fannt-rs who make
enormous amounts for export, as well as home consumption; at a very
small expense to themselves ; Ihe difficulty has been and is yet, to make
a good article. It seems now by Mr. Wardle's statement, and by the
experience of many that good management, gives double value to our
cheese. The importance of pure arnotto to our dairies is great : adulter-
ation is so easy.
As to the injurious insects, common salt is one remedy as far as it
can be applied, and it is also one for mildew. In England Dr.
Cartvvright applied a solution at the rate of 8 or 10 ounces of salt, in
one gallon of water on a wheat field in stripes, and all the stripes
sprinkled wilh'it proved entirely free from mildew, and the other
stripes not salted, all lost by it.
Mr. Meigs, Arnotto as described by Lindley, in his great work,
the Vegetable Kingdom, is of his 110th order called Flacourtiacea —
Bixads. Almost all of them inhabit the hottest part of the East and
West Indies and Africa ; two or three at the Cape of Good Hope,
one or two in Zealand. The Bixa Orellana contains angular seeds,
covered with an orange red waxen pulp or pellicle ; this is the Ar-
notto. It is separated from the seeds by washing. It is chiefly used
in the preparation of chocolate, was reckoned an antidote to the
poison of the maniot or janipha manihot.
Subject for next meeting — Insects, seeds, planting, grape vine,
Starr's exhibition of minute insects by his solar microscope. Adj.
H. MEIGS, Sec'y.
On reading Ihe recent law of New Jersey for the protection of that
class of birds which protect our vegetation from the ravages of cer-
tain insects, and after discussion had thereon :
On motion of Richard T. Underbill, M. D.-of Croton Point,
No. 199. J 531
Resolved' wnanimousli/, That the thanks ef this club be tendered
to the Honorable Legislature of New Jersey for the law passed by it,
for the protection of that class of birds which protect us from the
ravages of insects in our crops, and the club entertains the hope that
all our states will follow this intelligent and noble example.
Resolved, That the secretary transmit a copy of this resolution to
the Legislature of New Jersey.
A true copy from the minutes.
. Farmers^ Club, April 30th, 1850.
Judge Van Wyck in the Chair. Mr. Henry Meigs Secretary.
Mr. Meigs observed that there are now ascertained about 300 spe-
cies of Curculio. All this race are Coleopters, that is, have shelly co-
vers for their wings. Their larva are very small oblong soft worms,
with six legs, which are scaly, and its head also is. Larva signifies
mask, owing to the purpose it serves of masking the perfect insect.
This larva penetrates grain and wheat ; in wheat it obtains the name
of weevil. One siiiall species enters the elm leaf and eats a habita-
tion in it on one side, which turns yellow ; this dwelling swells a lit-
tle, and is termed a bladder. At the next stage this curculio pierces
the bladder and jumps out of it ; its hind legs and thighs are adapted
to active leaping.
Lieuwenhoek observed the Aphides carefully, and found that a sin-
gle pair, male and female, beginning on .the first day of June, ha^ in
tliree months seven hundred thousand descendants.
The Greeks called the insect Entonia — meaning cut in twoj the
Latins called it Inseciuni, meaning the same thing, the thorax or
breast being almost divided from the abdomen or belly. Naturalists
have attributed to Solomon, the gr«at King of the Jews, the first writ-
ings on the subject of insects, and lament the loss of those writings.
From Solomon to Agassiz, this subject has been deemed of great im-
532 [ Assemble
portance and it has occupied about three hundred distinguished wri-
ters, including Aristotle, &c.
Swamraerdam gives to insects an equal if not superior dignity to
the large animals. He says, " while we dissect with care the latter,
we are filled with wonder at the elegant disposition of their parts, and
to what a height is our astonishment raised when we discover all these
parts arranged in the least insect in the same regular manner. Not-
withstanding the smallness of ants, nothing hinders us from preferring
them to the largest animals, if we consider either their unwearied dili-
gence, their wonderful powers, or their inimitable propensity to labor.
Their amazing love to their young is still more unparalleled among
the largest animals — they not only carry them to places where they
can get food, but if by accident they are killed and cut to pieces, the
parents will carry the pieces away in their arms. Who can show such
examples among the larger animals, which are dignified with the title
of perfect !
Barbut thought that the antennae of insects were their organs of hear-
ing— however this may be doubted by entomologists, it is evident that
they enjoy the faculty of smelling, allhough the seat of the organ is
not agreed upon. The celebrated Latreille believes that it is in the
antennae. Most insects have two eyes, the gyrmus has 4, scorpion
6, spider 8, and scolopendra three. Insects have no eyebrows, the
external tunic resembles water crystals. Lieuwenhoek fonnd 800
such glasses in the eyes of a common fly ; Pugett found in that of a
butterfly 18,323 such lenses. Their organs of breathing, called ^pira-
cula^ are curiously situated on each side of each segment of the ab-
domen. There are no hermaphrodites among them. There is a
very great singularity in the mode of propagation of the Aphis. A
female when once impregnated continues to have young ones as long
as to the fifth or sixth generation, and then is impregnated again ; the
male insects, like hawks, are smaller than the females. The Coccus
and the Oniscus no sooner bring forth their young than these children
fall upon their mothers and eat them up. The Sphex kills the cater-
pillar of a moth, buries it in the eartj;i, and there deposits her eggs in it.
No. 199.] 533
The Larva at length becomes a Pupa, so called because the perfect
insect is found wrapped up like an infant in swaddling clothes. This
state was formerly called chrysalis and aurelia, because in some of
the Pupa it had gilding on it, which is the meaning of both chrysalis
and aurelia. Swammerdam made out distinctly the whole perfect
znsect so wrapped up as not to be sensible to common observation.
The larva are very voracious, and are generally larger than the per-
fect insect. The third and last state is termed Imago, — image. The
creature is now perfect ; is now capable of propagating its species.
Mr. Pike remarked that the rose bugs show so great a preference
for wild grape vines over our cultivated sorts, that where the wild
vines are placed among the civilized ones, the rose bugs attach them-
selves to the wild ones altogether. The cherry tree is a favorite of
this bug which is generated in it, and not in holes in the earth as Dr.
Underbill has supposed. My object in introducing the wild vines on
ray plan was to form an arbour of them j not in regard for its fruit.
Judge Van Wyck. — My Isabella grape vines have been sometimes
infested with the rose bug. I tried to smoke them with sulphur but
it seemed to have no effect on them, I also tried other disagreeable
smokes in vain. The rose bug goes into the ■ germ of the grape
blossom and ruins the fruit. I finally resorted to broad tin psns and
brushed off quarts of the bugs into them. Agassis recommended this
course or something like it, to be pursued in whole districts at once
against insects generally, and by the certain death of some to dimin-
ish their numbers.
Mr. Pike. — I tried to kill insects by pouring strong brine about the
roots of fruit trees. 1 killed some of the trees by it.
Judge Van Wyck. — Common Salt is useful when applied in moderate
quantities; it is very good for the growth of grapes and some other
plants.
Mr. Pike. — The hardy scaly shells of many of the bugs prevents
their being destroyed by strong applications.
534 [AssEMB)ii'
Judge Van Wyck. — Those vines which bad been somewhat thinned
of fruit by the bugs, produced in consequence of that much finer
fruit,
Mr. Pike. — I like for a dressing for grapes a compound of twenty
parts of charcoal, pulverized, to one part of common salt ; charcoal
seemed tp protect fruit trees from insects.
Judge Van Wyck — I agree with Dr. Underbill that the rose bugs
come out of holes in the earth ; naturalists mention many insects
which do so. Our 14 or 17 years locusts are well known to do so,
and I have seen them in ihe vciy ;ict of coinino- ont.
Mr. Pike. — Spreail pulverised glass about the roots of trees and the
bugs can neither get in or out. 1 gather my knowledge by constant
-observation on my own farm.
Same subjects, seeds and planting, insects and the grape vine, to
be continued.
The Club adjourned to the next regular meeting on the 7th of May.
H. MEIGS, Sec'y.
., . . . .- SILK WORM FED ON USAGE ORANGE.
JYev)-Yorlc, April 30th, 1850.
Hon. Henry Meigs— Dear Sir. — During the great rage for the
Morus Multicaulis and silk worms, I purchased a quantity of the eggs
of that worm. They came out when spring lettuce was in perfection,
so I fed them on it for about two weeks, or till they were sufficient!)
large, and strong to eat coarse food. I then divided them into two
equal parcels — one of which I fed on Morus Multicaulis leaves, the
other on the young and dehcate leaves of the Osage Orange, Madura
Aurantiaca, renewing regularly the supply twice a day with each
parcel. I soon discovered the latter grew much faster, and were by
far more healthy than the former, although each were in the same room,
had the same light and air, and as much food as necessary.
No. 199.] 535
When Uic time arrived for them to spin, I made white paper bags,
of conical shape, put them in, and secured them against the wall.
Much to my surprise and gratification, I found, Nvhen I took them
down, all, without a single exception, that had eaten of the Osage
Orange leaf had spun perfectly white cocoons, the silk of which was
as strong, if not stronger than the other half, which had spun yellow.
I do not recollect ever having seen a statement of worms spinning
perfectly white silk, and believe no one has tried the leaf of the osage
orange as food for them.
I remain, &c.,
GEO. S. RIGGS.
of Baltimore.
Farmers' Club, May 21st, 1850.
Hon. RoBKHT Swift Livingston in the chair. Henry Meigs, Scc'y .
Mr. Meigs read the following papers, prepared by him, to illustrate
the relative importance of Agricultural wealth and the precious metals :
Gold from South America in old times. — The Spanish writers of
authority concur in the statements, official and of estimate, as to tl?e
amount of gold and silver obtained by Spain from America, from the
year of discovery, 1492, down to the year 1780, i. e. two hundred
and eighty-eight years. By the official account, that which paid duty
to the King was^re thousand S'ix hundred and sixty millions of dollars;
and that there must be added to this vast sum at least as much more,
introduced without knowledge of the King, or rather unofficially, or
in the whole, about twelve thousand millions of dollars.
If we should receive from California three millions of dollars a
week, or more than four hundred thousand dollars a day, for eighty
years, i. e. from this time to the year 1930, we shall then have re-
ceived the same amount which Spain did. We have free hands to get
the gold ; Spain destroyed thirty millions of men by the labour in the
mines.
, 536 I AssKMBL-y
By u report to the British Parliament in 1845, it appears that the
value of the .Agriculture alone of that little spot, in one year, was
three thousand millions of dollars ; and taking out four winter inOnths,
then we have in eight months, from that God blessed national workj
JlgricuUure, as'much value as Spain derived in 72 years from the
gold and silver, and the destruction of some seven millions of men.
About the year IbOO a new era commenced, that which bore the
art of printing, the discovery of America, and of many portions of the
Old World also, and re-discovery of those magnificent arts of antiquity,
most of which we cannot equal, and seldom succeed even in copying.
Spain is believed to have been almost mortally wounded by those
streams of gold ; it is yet doubtful if she ever recovers from it. But
those nations who got all this gold from her, have been steadily ad-
vancing in wealth, population and power ; so that poor Spain seems to
have suffered all the punislunent, while her neighbors have benefitted
by it.
INSECTS.
H. Meigs.— At the last meeting of the club, I spoke of the three
stages of insect life, from the larvae to imago. Of the latter which
is the perfect creature and capable of reproducing its race, I propose
to say a few words. In the first place, let us consider the dress in
which the creature is seen as an imago. Great numbers of the Coleop-
tera, (shelly covered wings) appear on close examination, and the more
highly magnified by microscope power, the more gorgeous does their
armour appear. All the splendour which can be furnished by coats of
burnished steel, copper, brass, gold or ivory or ebony or cobalt or
ultramarine blue, or that glorious changable colour of green and gold,
appear on this colepter race. As to the butterfly, all acknowledge the
royal splendor of its robes ; but those who have not seen it in high
magnified condition, do not know how surpassingly glorious it is, when
compared with man, or any robe he ever wore
Even the poor blue bottle fly, presents a dress of burnished cobalt
of inimitable beauty. There is little doubt that all the precious min-
erals are elaborated to provide these insect knights with then: imperial
armour ; nor is it to be denied, that diamond is used in the equipment
of many of them.
No. 199.J 637
The exquisite keenness of sight in them is certain, from the fact
that a cloud of the smallest flies dancing in the beams of the sun,
darting past each other in swift career, never hurt one another. The
ground beneath their airy field sport has been often examined, in or-
der to find some one killed or wounded or some leg or wing. No
such evidence of even accident has ever been found.
The dragon fly is found in one of the ages preceeding the genera]
order of animals as now existing. He was in company wifh the
Megalosaurus, Ichthyosaurus, Plesiosaurus, the bird like bats, &c. , a
list of only 17 animals and vegetables as restored by Coneybeare.
The dragon fly moves with great speed, and at the top of it, in-
stantaneously by a clash of his wings, changes his course so sudden
and so perfect in this reversed action, that as far as the most close
observation can ascertain the fact, the dragon fly after the clash of his
wings, does not proceed an inch further in the direction he had at the
inst-ant of the clash of his wings.
The bee is believed to keep such an eye upon his hive, that at any
moment, at the distance of several miles, it can commence its return
to the hive by running his well known aerial rail track so straight that
it has all the character of a mathematical right line, that is, the short-
est distance between two points. A right line is properly styled a
bee line tlierefore.
The study of insects is but commenced, after all that has been
done. For protection to our crops against our insect enemies, many
a vain effort has been made ; but great as is their power, we may, by
careful study and some universal practice, conducted at some period
of the insects stages, attain the mastery of them. That is, for all
farmers and gardeners, in any district or county, at some agreed time
when the enemy is most easily assailed, to exert every means for their
simultaneous dcstructiom.
The birds of Africa being so^ vastly numerous, that the grain is pre-
served by them from the insects, are found to be under the necesaty
of consuming rather too much of the grain whidi they thus protect
538 [Assembly
from insects ; and consequentlyj the fanner there is obHged to have
persons constantly employed in scaring away the birds.
Subject to be continued.
H. MEIGS, Sec'y.
INSECTS.
Hessian Fly. — Lieuwenhoek observed that the reproduction of this
insect was so rapid that a male and female commencing on the first
of June, would produce in three months, descendants to the number
of seven hundred thousand.
CURCULIO A COLEOPTER.
About three hundred species have been observed whose principal
marke of distinction is color. Their transformations are singular,
their larvae are soft oblong worms, furnished with six scaly legs and
scaly head ; while very small they get into grains of wheat or other
grain and make their dwellings there, so in some other seeds, some in
the insides of plants. A small species gets inside of the leaf of the
elm and eats that inside. The leaves of the elm sometimes appear
yellow and apparently dead towards one of the edges, while the rest
of the leaf is green ; the dead part resembles a small bladder in which
the worm inhabits until its transformation, when it pierces its bladder
and comes out a small, active, leaping curculio, for which purpose its
liind legs are well adapted.
The Coleopters are all insects which a sheath for their wings-
Coleos meaning sheath, called also a mile, ;x weevil, &.c.
Revue Horticole — .Toijrn.il D'liorticuUurc.
Pratique, Paris Sept. 1848.
Translation by Henry Meigs.
Charged by the central committee of agriculture of the Cote d'Or,
to examine and report on the culture of the grape vine, without any
supports or props, as practised by the Abbe Cornesse, at Champagne
No. 199.] 539
sur Vingeaiine, I visited the vineyard of Ihat honorable pastor three
times, and be gave rae the following information to which I have
added some observations of my own.
In this plantation the medium distance between the vines, is a,s
near as possible, twenty inches, so that a spot of four ares (100 square
metres) in good cultivation gives 1500 vines ; some such spotshave
1200, and others nearly 2000. The rowsare twenty inches apart. No
manure is added after setting them out. The weeds are pulled out by
hand, and the rows are hoed. In pruning in the month of March, he
leaves from two to five shoots on each vine.
GRAIN — GRAJWINACEA GRASSES.
Nothing relative to this tribe can be uninteresting to man, when we
consider its vasj importance to him. The following geographical dis-
tribution of grasses by Sc/wuw is useful, (viz :) " This family is very
numerous : Persoon's synopsis contains 812 species^ being one twenty
sixth part of all the plants enumerated in it. In the system of Rcemer
and Schultes there are 1800, and if that work was perfected, it would
probably contain 40,000, of which the grasses would form a twenty
second part. It is more than probably however, that in future exami-
nations, it will be found that the number of grasses will be increased
in a greater proportion than the other phanerogamic plants. Among
the grasses there are both lard and water, but no marine plants.
They occur in every soil in society with others, and entirely alone,
the latter to such a degree as to occupy entirely, consitlerablc ilistricts.
Land is not favorable to this race, but even here and there are species
peculiar to it. This family has no limits other than that of the whole
vegetable kingdom ; seme grow under the equator, and the Agrostis
Algida, is one t)f the few plants found on Spitzbergen, The difference
between tropical grasses, and those out of the tropics, is their greater
growth ; some of them assume ahnosl the appearance of trees ; some
species of bambusa are from fifty to sixty feet high. The compact
green turf of the fields and meadows of the temperate zone, is entirely
absent from the torrid zone. Tiie distribution of the cultivated grasses,
is one of the most interesting of all subjects, and is not determined
merely by climate, but depends on the civilization, industry and trafic
of the people.
540 I Assembly
In Siberia, grain grows as far north as the sixtieth degree of lati-
tude, but in Kamschatka it does not grow even as far as 51°. But, in
the continent of North America, in the Russian district in latitude 57°,
rye and barley reach maturity. In Lapland, groin is matured as far
as latitude 70° north ; beyond that some potatoes grow. The grains
which reach farthest north in Europe, are barley and oats, and form
the chief vegetable food of the inhabitants of the northern parts of
Sweden, Norway, Denmark and all the borders of the Baltic, north
of Germany and south of Siberia ; in the latter another very nutritious
grain, the buckwheat, is very frequently cultivated. Rye is the next
grain which associated with barley and oats, is the prevailing grain
in a great part of the northern temperate zone, viz: in the southerly
parts of Sweden, Norway and Denmark. To these grains there fol-
lows a zone in Europe and western Asia, where rye disappears and
wheat ahnost exclusively furnishes the bread ; then. comes the grape-
vine, then the rice. Rice is next, and flourishes in and near the torrid
zone ; maize predominates in America whence it came ; rice in Asia,
its original seat and both of them in Africa. Our principal grasses
grow to about three or four feet in height, in Europe ; but on the banks
of the Amazon the Panicum spectabile reaches six to seven feet high.
Of wheat there are fourteen species, and this most precious gift of
our creator is one of the few plants which cannot be hybridized.
H. MEIGS.
Insects. — At the last meeting of the club, I spoke of the three stages
of insect life, from the larva to imago. Of the latter, which is the
perfect creature and capable of rc-producing its race, I propose to
say a few words. In the first place, let us consider the class in which
the creature is seen as imago. A great })roportion of the coleoptera
(shelly covered wings) appear on close examination, as especially un-
der a high magnifying power, to be clothed with armour of gorgeous
splendor — all that can be furnished by coats of burnished steel, cop-
per, brass, gold, ivory, or ebony, or cobalt or ultramarine blue, or that
glorious changeable color of green and gold. As to the butterfly, all
acknowledge the imperial richness of its robes, but those who have
No. 199.J 541
not examined them with high inicroscopic po\A'er, donot know how
surpassingly glorious it is when compared with the miserably coarse
appearance of the robes of ladies or monarchs ; even the poor blue
bottle fly presents a coat of burnished cobalt of inimitable beauty.
There is little doubt that all the precious minerals are elaborated to
provide these insect knights with their royal armour, nor is it to be de-
nied that even diamond is used in the ornament of some of thein.
For the protection of these splendid creatures, they are provided
with prodigious activity and a keenness of eye-sight, of which we
have no conception even with all our best optical instruments to aid
our vision. Take the idea of Archiinides, that of employing great
number of mirrors to reflect the sun's rays from all of them and con-
centrate them in one focus, so as to set fire to the enemy's ships, then
conceive of the sight of a dragon fly.
Dr. Underbill, of Croton Point, remarked that about seven years
ago, he noticed a small bug, about one twelfth to one slxteeeth of an
inch long, of a blue black color, resembling that of some specimens
of Anthracite coal. It attacked the buds of grape vines, and devour-
ed the germs, and probably left its larvae there. I have not seen many
since until this spring. It attacks such vines as are near or lying on
the ground, seldom those which are trelled up.
As to planting seeds, I find great benefit in the following treatment
of corn before planting : I put one ounce of saltpetre in a quart of hot
water, and in the solution the seed, and leave it in overnight. On the
next day I put the seed (after draining it dry) into a solution, made by
one gill of Tar in a quart of hot water, for half an hour well slired up.
Take it out, and all of them will have a thin coat of tar; I then ro!l the
seed in pulverized plaster of Paris.
Mr. Pitts, of Brooklyn, said that notwithstanding this operation, the
chip monk squirrel will dig them up, but will not eat them.
Mr. Dederer, of Blauveltville, Rockland county, said that he had
used the tar on seed with good effect
542 [Assembly
Dr. Underbill observed that tbe soaking in the solution of saltpetre
stimulated the vegetation. As to planting potatoes, he said that if a
potato be cut into three parts, and the middle section only be plant-
ed, the crop will be much better in growth, and will be one-third
more ; that the fewer shoots sent up by the middle section favor the
crop much. . I hope that our farmers will try this plan fully.
. Judge Van Wyck. — As to the methods of planting potatoes and
seeds, there is still much contradictory opinion held by our farmers.
Judge of New- York, said that according to his experience,
it was bad farming to plant small potatoes.
Judge Van Wyck. — The vast power of insects to injure our crops
is owing much to their numbers, but yet more to their minuteness,
and I may say, to their weakness. On that account we cannot grasp
ihera as we can larger enemies more sensible to our sight and touchy
and moreover their changes of form are so remarkably great, that we
do not know them in their several mutations unless we are very careful
indeed in cur observations. They perplex us greatly in our endea-
vours to find them out. The caterpillar race attacks root, leaf and
fruit. In the grub form they destroy often our Indian corn crops.
A distinguished entomologist (Dr. Harris, an American,) considers
this caterpillar race as fully destructive, if not more so, than any of
the insect tribes. He styles some of them subterranean, (working
under ground,) others superterranean, (working above ground.)
Among these are the grub, the cut worm, and wire worm ; they are
the agrolidean race. The grub cuts off roots, it attacks our Indian
corn in June and July. The cut worms come to the surface and there
cuts off plants. The wire worm does so to. Those excellent authors
Kirby and Spence, of England, throw great light on the subject of
insects. When land has been left for some time in turf, then ploughed
and corn planted, the subterranean caterpillars sometimes cut it to
pieces. A valuable and curious experiment has been tried in Eng-
land : From a field where these caterpillars abounded, sixty-three
bushels of the mould were taken up and sifted, and out of that quan-
tity twenty-three bushels of the caterpillars were found. The crop
of grain which had been on that field was entirely destroyed. Some-
No. 199.] • 5-13
times in meadows, they cut off all the roots, so that the upper
part of the turf may be rolled up like a carpet. Dr. Harris advises
the soaking of seed in a solution of copperas, the grub then will not
touch it. It has been found that sowing a small quantity of common
sah in a field, or lime, or unleached ashes, or plaster of Paris, is good
to destroy insects. I have seen wheat sprinkled with lime dust saved
from the Hessian fly, while the adjoining half of the field was nearly
wholly destroyed by that fly. These applications also defend our
crops in a measure from the birds, and make them more hungry after
insects.
Dr. Underbill. — The best plan, as to sod, is to plough it deep in the
fall, so as to expose the insects to frost for that destroys them ; an<i
this method should always be pursued ; millions of the insects are thus
killed in one month. But if you omit the ploughing until spring, you
will have them all alive. When I was a schoolboy I recollect, that
on one occasion, I helped to roll up the sods cut off by worms, in
great masses. The destroyer in that case is the black or large white
grub, so called. The farmers that season were obliged to plough
up their corn fields and to plant all over the second time, on account
of the black grub, and they ate up that second growth. They then
ploughed again and sowed buckwheat.
Mr. Pitts. — Wc fmd that grub in cultivated fields, not in new •
lands.
Dr. Underhill. — That is true.
Judge Van Wyck. — Insects do not like lime or salt. They will
not climb a tree washed with lime.
Dr. Underhill. — Sprinkle lime or ashes on melons and cucumbers
"jarly in the morning, while the dew is on them. I have lately visit-
ed the fine farm of Mr. Manice, of Long Island. He has a piece of
land surrounded by a high fence ; it is about 200 feet long by 150
wide. Here are his plum trees, and the whole surface is paved with
bricks. The trees are about twelve feet apart. The result of this
has been, that instead of the constant loss of the crop he has as many
544 [ Assembly
plums matured as the trees can well bear ; for the curcuUo now at-
tacks so few of them, that those destroyed are a real benefit to the
rest. He is convinced that his high fence is ineffectual ; that the
pavement is the protection. It has been found that where the plum
tree hang partly over water, that side bears fine fruit, while the rest
hanging over land is ruined. So much for the sagacity of the cur-
culio, which does not permit him foolishly to drop his child into water
and drown it.
Mr. Meigs, has noticed the fine fruit of Damson, growing in midst
of stone pavement.
Dr. Underbill. — Some seemingly insignificant fact, which has
escaped the observation of men for all passed ages, once brought to
light and put into general use, may add millions to our wealth. For
protection to one of our finest fruits, the plumbs, the pavement may
be found a cheap means. Planting so as to spread over a pond, or
stream of water is a protection.
Mr. Dederer. — Turn up rich land in December, and we have seen
it white with the white grubs, it looks as if it was sprinkled with lime.
Tarring the trunks of trees has been much tried, but the surface of
the tar soon becomes so glazed, that the caterpillars easily crawl over it.
Dr. Underbill. — The canker worm ascends the tree. A small
gutter encircling the trunk and filled with oil stops them.
Subjects for next meeting, insects, seeds, planting, grape vine
The Club then adjourned.
H. MEIGS, Secretary.
INDEX.
Page.
Addresses at the 22nd Annual Fair, ; 305
Henry Meigs, " Opening," 305
Levi Woodbury, " Anniversary," 313
John Alburtis, " Progress of the Mechanic Arts," .... 342
Thomas Antise]), "Philosophy of Manufactures,"... 354
George Gifibrd, " Patent Laws," . . . .* - 365
James M. Crane, "Manufactures of the Southern States," 393
James Tallmadge, " Closing," 406
Advantages of Muck in Agriculture, 1 17
Agricultural wealth of France, 458
Alburtis' Address on the Progress of the Mechanic Arts, 342
Alderney Cattle, 116
Alpaccas of Bolivia, 128
American Institute, Officers and Trustees, 3
Analysis of the Excrement of Cows, 457
Hogs, 457
Horses, 458
Sheep, 458
Antisell's Address on the Philosophy of Manufactures, 354
Appleton on the Alpaccas of Bolivia, 128
Barrilla— letter from Chas. Henry Hall, 107
Bay State Shawls, 168
Books presented to the Library of the Institute by Mons. Alex.
Vattemare, ; 421
Buck Bonaparte, 1 14
Butter, 109, 110, 151
prices of, 1782 to 1832, 153
Chandeliers, Lamps and Gas Fixtures, 17U
Colts' communication in relation to Alderney Cattle, 116
{Assembly, No. 199. | 35
446 I ASSEMI5LY
Congress of Fruit Growers, 1S9
Crane's Address on the Manufactures of the Southern States,.. 393
Cultivation of Rye, H2
Tea in South Carolina, 134
Dodge's Improved Cop Spinning and Winding Machine, 173
Dorking Fowls, Ill
Dick's Antifriction Power, 175
Edges' Instantaneous Illuminator, 173
Endicott Pear Tree, (the) 123
Entries of Stock at the Cattle Show, 14
Farmers' Club, Reports of Meetings, 441
Financial Condition of the Institute, 10
Flax, ' 160
France, Agricultural wealth of, 458
Fruit Growers' Convention, Proceedings of, 189
GifFord's Address on the Patent Laws, 365
Grasses of the United States, 136
Gigantic Water Lily, 479
Gutta Percha, 165
Helmes' Method of making Butter, 109
Horticultural Report, 22d Fair, 87
Indian Corn, 113
Imports of Linen, 1830 to 1848, 159
Jesup's Method of making Butter, 110
Lands of Long Island, ... 181
Litchi of China and its Culture, 448
Longworth on the Manufacture of the Sparkling Catawaba
Wine, 157
Madder, 171
Manure for Grape Vines, 489
Meigs' Address, — Opening of the Fair, 305
Meriam on Temperature, 299
Merino Prize Sheep, 115
New Garden Plants in the Himalaya Mountains, 485
Officers and Trustees of the American Institute, 3
Bell on the Advantages of Muck in Agricuhure, 117
•Premiums awarded at the 23d Annual Fair, 1849, 21
No. 199.J 447
Production of Barilla, 107
Receipts and expenditures of the Institute, ]0
22d Fair, 16
Reports of Committees, 79
the Agricultural Committee, 79
Managers of the 22d Fair, 13
Superintendent of the Horticultural Department,. ... 87
Trustees of the Institute, 7
on Browne & Lombard's Saleratus Manufactory, . . . 105
Plowing and Spading, ,80
Testing of Plows, •. . . 84
Townsend's Field of Corn, 101
Sharpe's statements in relation to Indian Corn, ] 13
Shawls, 168
Silk, 169
Sparkling Catawba Wine, 154
Steel, 162
Stuyvesant Pear Tree, 172
Tallmadge's closing Address, 406
Tea in South Carolina, 134
Van Wy ck on the Grasses of the United States, ] 36
Vineyard years 1200 to 1700,. . '. 427
Wine, 154
Woodbury's Anniversary Address, 313
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