No. 85.] 417 



bonnets exhibited, show great improvements in making and finishing 

 this description of goods," 



The judges on church bells say of those exhibited, " in fact, as to 

 quality, power, brilliancy of tone, and continuous vibrations, we do 

 not remember to have heard or seen bells of American manufacture 

 equal to them. We doubt whether better specimens can be found in 

 any country." 



The judges on fur and silk hats say, "they cannot but rejoice at 

 the growing improvement of this important branch of American 

 manufactures. The number of specimens exhibited was much larger 

 than usual, and most of them do the manufacturers much credit." 



The judges on book -binding say of some blank-books exhibited, 

 " they are, decidedly, the best and most beautiful specimens of Rus- 

 sia blank-book binding. The ruling is without exception the most 

 unique and beautiful we ever saw." 



The judges on hardware and cutlery say of some wood screws exhi- 

 bited, " they are equal, if not superior, to any screws made in England," 

 and of some bow-saws, " very superior, which John Bull cannot beat." 

 The judges on gold and steel pens say of one parcel exhibited, 

 " they are equal to any steel pens in the market," and of the gold 

 pens, that " they are of very superior make and finish." 



At the last Fair were presented, for the first time, some specimens 

 of smiths' anvils, which were examined by the judges on machinery, 

 &c., who reported, that "these specimens will compare with any 

 anvils made in any country, as it regards form and temper, and are 

 creditable to the maker." 



The judges on dentistry reported, that " having examined the im- 

 proved new style of mineral teeth, manufactured by Jas. Alcock, of 

 New-York, feel satisfied they merit much for their utility, beauty of 

 color and finish, and approach nearer to the natural teeth than any 

 ever before exhibited, or offered to the profession." 



At the same time that all the avenues and openings in and about 

 the buildings were crowded with visitors, a National Convention of 

 Farmers and Gardeners, Plowing and Spading Matches, and Cattle 

 Show, were moving on, under the guidance of the Institute, in other 

 places, and formed other centres which collected multitudes. 



On four difi'erent days, during the first week of the Fair, a Silk 

 Convention, and a National Convention of Farmers and Gardeners, 

 met at the Repository of the Institute, near the City-Hall. Reports 

 of both of these conventions are appended. The Silk Report is re- 

 plete with practical facts and experiments, given in the language of 

 the principal culturists in our country ; and if consulted by our young 

 undertakers, will be found an invaluable guide, and prevent many 

 discouraging sacrifices. 



The Farmers' and Gardeners' Convention was deeply impressed 

 with the influence of foreign legislation on American industry in all 

 the occupations, and especially in agriculture. Much of the report 

 is devoted to illustrate the ingenuity employed, and its success in de- 

 pressing the value of our surplus products, and in retarding the deve- 

 lopments of our resources, and arresting our otherwise rapid progress 

 [Senate, No. 85. j Bb 



