No. 108.J 103 



gation to afford every facility to agriculturists, in order to induce 

 them to bring forward the best specimens of their stock, inasmuch 

 as the State has generously awarded us the sum of $950 annually for 

 the promotion of this important object. 



The plowing exhibition, although highly creditable, did not at- 

 tract the attention which it merited. This was owing to the fact, 

 that the ground selected was too retired and out of the way, it being 

 upon Long-Island, about five miles from Brooklyn. Few persons, 

 comparatively speaking, were willing to give the^ time necessarily 

 required to go so far. On a former occasion, w^hen the plowing ex- 

 hibition was held near the populous town of Newark, in New- 

 Jersey, it was estimated that four thousand persons assembled to wit- 

 ness it, among whom were the Governor of the State, common 

 council of Newark, and many of the most distinguished gentlemen 

 of the county. The Managers would recommend, that in future, 

 the ground selected for this exhibition be near this city, in some ad- 

 joining populous town. 



The horticultural department deserves the especial attention and 

 encouragement of the Institute. At the two last fairs the room ap- 

 propriated to this exhibition, was constantly crowded and attracted 

 as much, if not more attention, than any other. The display of 

 fruits, flowers, vegetables, and other garden products, as well as 

 those of the field and the dairy, were justly admired and praised by 

 all the visitors. It may be well to state, that a quantity of seeds 

 have been presented to the Institute, for distribution among the 

 members, upon condition that they will exhibit some of the products 

 at the next fair. 



When it was suggested to attempt an exhibition of Colt's sub-ma- 

 rine battery, an application was made to the Secretary of the Navy, 

 in the hope, that as an appropriation had been made by Cono-ress, 

 for such experiments, he would have furnished a vessel for the pur- 

 pose, or at least have afforded some aid in procuring one, but t'he 

 request was denied. It was then thought, that the experiment might 

 still be made without expense to the Institute, by connecting with 

 the blowing up of a vessel, a trial of Francis' life boat, and other 

 life preserving contrivances. Morses' magnetic telegraph, boat races, 

 &c.; the whole to form a grand aquatic gala. As such a display 

 could not fail to excite public attention, and as the cost was estimat- 

 ed not to exceed $300, an arrangement was made with the pro- 

 prietors of Castle Garden, who entered into a contract to give us the 

 use of the garden for that day, and one-half of the receipts for ad- 

 mission. The success of the undertaking, the gratification it af- 

 forded the many thousands of spectators, and the very flattering no- 

 tices which were taken of it, as connected with the Institute by the 

 public pressj are too well known to require comment. The Mana- 

 gers have great pleasure in stating, that they have not been disap- 



