AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 361 



WHEAT FROM THE BATTLE FIELD OF WATERLOO. 



Mr. President : While the nations of Europe are meditating human 

 slaughter, the genius of America is developing the arts of peace. Visiting 

 Belgium a year ago last July, I made the two hours' coach route S. W. 

 from Brussels to the battle field of Waterloo, and ascended the central 

 earth-mound elevated by the victors, "one hundred and fifty feet, and crowned 

 by the bronze colossal lion, turned France- ward in a threatening posture. 

 With the maps and drawings, and the vivid descriptions of our guide, 

 who had himself been a participator in the events of 18th June, 1815, we 

 surveyed the fields of carnage and blood. 



The present occupants of the land enriched by human flesh and bone, 

 urged their sale of balls, bayonets, bullets, and various fragments of guns 

 and other reliques of the implements of war, and of bones, which continue 

 to be found at every turning of the soil. 



I preferred rather to bring samples of the products of the arts of peace — 

 the bountiful fruits of earth, graciously given by Him who causeth seed 

 time and harvest while the earth remaineth ; who maketh his sun to rise on 

 the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the ju.st and on the unjust. 

 Accept, Mr. President, this wheat from Waterloo. 



Mr. Meigs was happy to announce that Poland has just founded her Jirst 

 agricultural society. 



Mr. Law ton adverted to the value of marl. 



Dr. Holton had listened, at Berlin, with the greatest pleasure and 

 instruction, to the admirable lectures of the justly celebrated Elwenberg, 

 to large classes, having movable microscopes enough to enable every scho- 

 lar to view the subjects of the learned Professor's discourse. The Doctor 

 had visited the battle ground of Waterloo, and the mound there, raised in 

 commemoration of that great fight which has fertilized the ground for ivheat, 

 of which he gave samples to the Club. 



Solon Robinson called the attention of members to the great importance 

 of the American Institute's next cattle show, which, instead of being, as 

 heretofore, too limited and merely secondary at its annual fair, ought to be 

 a distinct exhibition at which all the neighboring States will assist, by 

 reason of the great accessibility of New York, and the great advantages of 

 our great metropolis, for the reception and entertainment of visitors from 

 everywhere. 



President Renwick saw that matter in the same light, and had no doubt 

 • the Institute would so order it as to render the next cattle show eminent 

 for its greatness. 



Mr. Atwater, of Springfield.— The United States Agricultural Society 

 hold their cattle show this year in the West. The American Institute has 

 a clear field in all the East, for such a cattle show as never was held here 

 before. Springfield will do her best to supply the show of horses with best 

 and largest contributions. All New England will join in the effort to 

 create a memorable Eastern Show of Live Stock, which fears no competi- 

 tion with the world. 



