132 [Assembly 



the view of advancement, of tracing effects to causes, has some 

 practical method, I beg leave to offer the plan pursued by me 

 in preparing ground devoted to the cultivation of garden pro- 

 ducts. 



As soon as the ground is cleared in autumn, I spread over it 

 barn-yard manure, selecting that which is well rotted and free as 

 possible from seeds, incorporating it with the soil by deep spad- 

 ing. In spring it is again broken up, and a coating of wood ashes 

 and charcoal applied, winch is thoroughly mixed with the soil, 

 pulverizing it at the same operation. 



The bam-yard manure is employed to furnish humus, the ashes 

 to supply potash, which enters largely into the composition of 

 most garden products; the charcoal to supply free carbon, which 

 in connection with the carbonate of potash furnished by the ashes 

 is freely taken up by the plants, and I have observed this course 

 of manuring to be attended with excellent results. 

 Very respectfully, 



JACOB P. GIRAUD, Jr. 

 Bergen, JV. /., Dec. 26, 1850. 



THE MAIHINERY AT THE LATE FAIR. 



BY A. CHANDLER. 



The machine room was an object of great attraction. The man- 

 agers replaced their old boiler, which had become somewhat de- 

 fective, and inadequate to supply the power required, with three 

 new cylinder boilers, set on the plan of D. Griflfin, which furnish- 

 ed an abundant supply of steam, at a cost for fuel 30 per cent 

 less than the old one. The room was enlarged by adding 25 feet 

 to its length. The shafting and counter shafting was also ex- 

 tended and put in complete order; the whole at a cost to the In- 

 stitute of near $3,000. Notwithstanding these arrangements, af- 

 fording adequate power and shafting in a room 25 by 180 feet, it 

 was not sufficient to accommodate the machines that were offer- 

 ed for exhibition requiring to be put in operation. And it is a 

 fact creditable to the ingenuity of our people, that the greater 



