32 [Assembly 



derided; but an awakening spirit has gone forth, and examples of 

 bountilul crops, cultivated under the direction of science, united with 

 experience, have staggered the most incredulous. 



The condition of the Linen Manufactures of our country; what 

 has caused them to languish, and the practicability of their success, 

 forms another subject of inquiry. 



To the Silk Culturists, who will compose an important part of this 

 Convention, we shall look for the causes which seem, in some mea- 

 sure, to have temporarily retarded the rapid progress of silk, con- 

 trary to the high hopes heretofore so almost universally entertained. 

 The Institute has always believed, that with experience and a proper 

 application of skill and industry, fostered in its infancy by wise pro- 

 tecting laws, it cannot fail of becoming one of the great staples of 

 the country. 



Silk Culturists are desired to continue their answers to questions 

 submitted at former Conventions by letter, if they cannot attend, that 

 the public may have the benefit of any new facts or important ex- 

 periments of the last year. 



Facts are wanted in relation to the Potato Disease, to enable the 

 Institute to answer inquiries made by the Royal Central Society of 

 Agriculture of France, and other societies, whose indefatigable in- 

 vestigations are still directed to the causes and the remedy of this 

 appalling disease. 



Almost one-fifth of a century has elapsed since these anniversa- 

 ries commenced, embracing seasons of peaceful, happy, national pro- 

 gress, as well as of disastrous commercial revulsions, deranging in- 

 dustry, and paralyzing individual enterprise to a fearful extent. Still 

 the American Institute, in these vicissitudes, has moved steadily on 

 in its prosperous career, with increasing popularity and power. At 

 the most appalling crisis, an annunciation of another celebration has 

 rallied more than one hundred thousand of our fellow citizens, be- 

 cause the principles and objects were believed to be truly American, 

 and in harmony with our country's welfare. 



The magnificent display last autumn, at Castle Garden, the ope- 

 rations and extended correspondence since, have deeply impressed 

 the public mind, and made the institution better and further known, 

 and enlisted in its favor a greater power of patriotism and philan- 

 thropy than ever. In view of greatly enlarged advantagi s, the 

 Managers invite corresponding exertions from the enterprising, the 



