386 [Assembly 



these forces are again eliminated in light and heat, by the reunion 

 of the elements of those substances. It is a very significant fact, 

 that no artificial process has yet succeeded in combining the ele- 

 ments of one organic atom. All modifications that we make of 

 vegetable substances are steps towards their destruction. All 

 animals live, in some way or otlier, by destroying what the rays 

 of the sun have constructed. All steam engines run by virtue of 

 the same process, and we scarcely lack the evidence of the iden- 

 tity of light, heat and electricity, that we may address the sun, 

 literally, as " Eye and Soul of the Great World." Philosophy is 

 verging on the Persian theology. So do the minds of men find 

 themselves habited in the garments of their ancestors. The capa- 

 city of the human Intellect is, after all rules, the fashion of 

 thought. 



Forgive me, sir, for having wandered so far from the matter of 

 ice, but in the fields of nature there are so many cross paths, that 

 we find, that a great many places, which by the public highway 

 are far apart, are really, if we go "cross lots," in close proximity. 



Amos Gore, of Bloomfield, Jersey. — As the air must be per- 

 fectly close in the double sides, &c., of an ice-house, the boards 

 ought to be put together tongued and grooved. 



Mr. Eobinson wished the subjects to be settled now, before 

 members begin to separate. He moved " The best manner of 

 constructing farm buildings. Is there any necessity for tenons 

 and mortices in small frames ? " 



Also, " The want of economy in warming our dwellings." Bj 

 Judge Livingston, to continue the subject of " The uses of lime 

 and salt in manure." 



These three questions were unanimously adopted. 



Mr. Paul Stillman presented some apples for trial, called vul- 

 garly, Rappertrats, a corruption of the name of Robert Yates, 

 given to the tree, which is now two hundred years old. Ruggles 

 has them in his nursery at Schenectady. 



This apple is of a good medium size, deep orange color, tender, 

 and of pleasant sweetish flavor, in good keepiug, and good when 

 cooked. 



