60 



MECHANICS. 



and fifty trees, which give one thousand pounds of 

 sugar, or about four pounds to a tree, which, however, 

 does not appear to be always the case with those en- 

 gaged in the business; for many farmers on the Ohio 

 assure us they do not obtain but about two pounds. 



Trees which grow in low and moist places give 

 more sap, but less charged with the saccharine princi- 

 ple than those situated on hills or slopes. They draw 

 proportionally more from those situated in the midst of 

 fields, or the length of inclosures from habitations. It 

 is remarked, also, that when the districts where they 

 annually make sugar are deprived of other kinds of 

 trees, they obtain more favorable results even from un- 

 thrifty sugar-maples. 



MECHANICS. 



It is a subject of regret that the true principles of 

 mechanism are not more generally taught in our coun- 

 try. Our people are as ingenious as any on the face of 

 the globe ; and, if they could or would profit by the 

 labors of each other, they might advance farther and 

 faster towards their objects than when each sets up for 

 himself. We would not fetter genius ; we would have 

 each think for himself ; but there is no necessity that 

 each should build up a system from the foundation, and 

 derive no benefit from those who have gone before him. 

 He may build on their foundations, but, if he feels too 

 independent of the pioneers of science to be instructed 

 by their success or by their failures, he will be likely 

 to make little advance in any branch of knowledge be- 

 yond those who started from the same goal. We are 

 led to these reflections on witnessing the multitude and 

 variety of machines contrived to effect the same object 



