288 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



March 24, 1862. 

 Mr. Edward Doughty, of New Jersey, in the chair. 



EXPERIMENTAL FARM AND SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AND HORTICUL- 

 TURE FOR PATRIOT ORPHANS. 



"Dr. Holton called the attention of the Farmers' Club to the 

 initiatory measures taken immediately after the bombardment of 

 Fort Sumter, for establishing an Institute of Reward. 



The Institute embraces several objects ; primarily, the col- 

 lecting of statistics of orphanage, and particularly of orphanage 

 in relation to patriotic deeds, and the founding of Orphans' 

 Homes which will afford ample educational advantages and train- 

 ing for the ordinary business of life. Such provisions being 

 regarded not in the light of almsgiving, but as tokens of appre- 

 ciation of the patriotic devotion and services whereby these chil- 

 dren have been deprived of their natural protectors. 



With one of these Homes, it is proposed to connect an experi- 

 mental farm and school, under the patronage of State or General 

 Government, in which those patriotic orphans, whose talents and 

 attainments give promise of eminence in any art, science or call- 

 ing, may receive " Prize Positions" or scholarships. 



These objects and plans having been presented at a former 

 session, and now being reduced to form and detail, an invitation 

 is extended to the members of the Farmers' Club, and others 

 sympathizing in these objects, to examine the same after the 

 adjournment of the public exercises, during any portion of the 

 hours from two to four o'clock on Monday of each week, and to 

 co-operate in completing the system and plan for the organiza- 

 tion and conduct of the proposed experimental farm. 



Mr. Robinson moved that a committee of three be appointed 

 ■ to take into consideration the subject, and report to the Club ; 

 which motion was carried, and Messrs. William Lawton, Henry 

 O'Reilly and Charles A. Seely, were appointed said committee. 



RUSSET APPLES. 



Mr. Carpenter presented to the Club, several golden Russet 

 apples. These apples, he stated, are now in a fit state for use, 

 especially for cooking purposes. 



A discussion followed in relation to the value of Russet apples, 

 in which Mr, Robinson, Mr. Pardee and Mr. Lawton took part. 



Mr. Louis Koch, a German gentleman, formerly of this city, 

 but now a resident of the Republic of Mexico, was introduced to 



