PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 413 



one-horse truck, with a load of 3,000 pounds; the springs weighed 

 from 75 to 100 pounds, and think they could have carried 1,000 

 pounds more. They can be made by any blacksmith. Two bars 

 run from the axle to the body, one is attached to a slide to which 

 is connected a cylinder of rubber, placed horizontally under the 

 body; the slide moves, giving a spring up and down of three 

 inches, to one inch on the slide. The rubber is tapered; the more 

 it is tapered the easier is the spring. For the object claimed, it 

 seems admirably adapted. The cost is less by half of common 

 springs. For two-horse trucks the expense is not much greater. 



Secor's Hay Fork. 



Mr. Chas. L. Bellamy, Hempstead, L. L, sends to the clerk 

 one of Secor's Hay Forks. This is a new invention, made wholly 

 of steel, without joint, brace or wooden head; the tines form a 

 continuous circle, and it is claimed to have extra strength, and 

 will not settle or split. Some of the members suggested slight 

 improvements; all connnended its beautiful workmanship. 



Mr. W. P. Peck said this fork is objectionable in certain respects, 

 as it is difficult to trip it under certain circumstances. Unless the 

 tripping-cord is pulled nearly downward, the fork will not drop 

 its load. 



ViNELAND. 



The chairman read a letter from Mr. Stephen Sewell, Scar- 

 borough, Maine, inclosing an editorial from The Portland Tran- 

 script, giving many alleged facts regarding Vineland, the substance 

 of which are: That there is a secret history which, if told, would 

 startle people; that men with limited means have been induced to 

 buy land there, when all they were worth was swallowed up in a 

 barren soil; that it is impossible to raise a paying crop the first 

 year; that some of the settlers were reduced to such straits, that 

 they were glad to sell out for just money enough to get away; 

 and, finally, that a man with only moderate means, had better keep 

 away from Vineland. 



Dr. Peck. — People must expect hardships in a new country. 

 How often do we see people coming back from the fertile west, 

 too glad to get back. There are men in all places, who cannot 

 get a living from the soil, however fertile it may be. For years 

 Vineland has been pronounced a failure, and yet people get a 

 good living there, build nice houses, educate their children, and 

 enjoy refined society. There are many men in this city OAvning 



