Ko. 149.] 173 



1. The air of the lower cabins is discharged into those above. 



2. There is no adequate means for the entrance of air indepen- 

 dent of that designed for the -discharge of it. 



3. Air is admitted by windows opening upon the berths, to the 

 great danger of those who occupy them. 



4. Or it is admitted in large quantities, injurious to the health 

 of those exposed to it. 



The desideratum is to admit air through small apertures so as 

 to create no dangerous currents, and to provide for its exit 

 through independent escape flues, one or more for each deck, 

 and to have the lights under small tubes to carry of their smoke 

 and vitiated air. 



Your committee therefore, respectfully recommend that the 

 American Institute should encourage the improvement in better 

 ventilation of steam vessels, and for such purpose it is expedient 

 to offer a gold medal for the best plan of ventilation for steam 

 vessels with models or adequate drawings, and which shall be 

 found effective for the object and which shall be approved of 

 and adopted by the Institute. 



All which is respectfully submitted. 



ALEX. H. STEVENS, ^ 



JAMES TALLMADGE, y Ccmmiitee. 



J AS. REN WICK, 



American Institute^ \^th May, 1850. 



AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION. 



New-York, 35 City Hall Place, 

 December 6th, 1850. 



My De.^r Sir: — 



I have so often, in tlie appropriate time and place, expressed 

 my opinion in as strong terms as possible, of the necessity which 

 exists for the establishment of an institution for the encourage- 

 ment of practical agriculture 5^ and so much has been better 



