18 [Assembly 



The annual ploughing and spading matches were held at Harlem, 

 and attracted a crowd of spectators, who admired the right lines cut 

 by the ploughmen, and the light draft of the ploughs, as tested by ihe 

 dynamometer, showing that the recently improved ploughs perform 

 better work, with a third less power, than the old fashioned ones. 



The spading match was both novel and pleasing ; the neatness and 

 rapidity of the digging, showed how much can be done with that in- 

 valuable instrument of cultivation. 



These exhibitions were all cheered by the fine bands of music vo- 

 luntarily sent by Col. Bankhead, of the U. S. Army, and by Commo- 

 dore Jones, of the U. S. ship of the line North Carolina, who always 

 act promptly when any public service requires it. 



The managers were provided by the Harlem Rail Road Company, 

 gratuitously, with the means of transportation for all those engaged in 

 the management of the ploughing and spading matches. Another evi- 

 dence of the growing popularity of the Institute, was the promptness 

 with which the owners of the several Broadway lines of omnibusses 

 furnished the managers with free tickets during the exhibition. 



During the fair, the annual convention of farmers, gardeners, and 

 silk culturists was held and continued three days, at which represen- 

 tatives appeared from fifteen Slates. 



The proceedings of that convention being volumnious, have not 

 yet been received from the press. 



Before concluding this report, the managers beg leave respsetfuUy 

 to say, that the business and operations of the American Institute are 

 governed by a spirit which refl€cts great credit upon the patriotism of 

 those who are most active in its management, as well as upon the 

 society at large. All have the same objects in view, which are, im- 

 provement in those arts and sciences which tend to increase the inde- 

 pendence and the strength of our glorious republic. 



The routine of business, which embraces a vast amount of domes- 

 tic and foreign correspondence, is managed by a very few officers, at 

 exceedingly low compensations, and by the unpaid efforts of hundreds 

 of our fellow-citizens, who give their time and their talents to promote 

 the great objects of the association. The most distinguished men in 

 science, the most skillful in mechanics, and the most practical in 



