8 [Assembly 



of men, than any similar association within our knowledge. It was 

 the pioneer in the great movement of association for disseminating 

 useful information, and practically illustrating the productions of 

 agriculture, manufactures, and the handicraft of the mechanic. Con- 

 nected, as they intimately are and must be, with the every day w^ants 

 of our citizens, it seems to have been demanded. The energies of 

 the mechanic and manufacturer were feeble at the commencement of 

 our operations, compared with the spirit and enterprise which now 

 animate them. Contact with rivals, in every department, has accele- 

 rated the progress of improvement, so that now, their productions 

 stand second to none. 







Agriculture has received its full share of our labor in endeavors to 

 promote its advancement. Years of toil, before the legislative enact- 

 ment of 1841, will attest the sincerity of our devotion to that interest, 

 , The geological survey of the State originated in a petition from the 

 American Institute for that object ; and for a succession of years the 

 Institute has been petitioning for aid from the Legislature to establish 

 an agricultural school with an experimental farm attached. We re- 

 joice that the Legislature has at length moved in the matter. Al- 

 though the American Institute has been omitted in the measures thus 

 far taken, it has no complaint to make, no fault to find ; satisfied to 

 the full, if the end is attained and the object faithfully accomplished, 

 no matter under whose auspices the work may be done. 



The disbursements of the Institute in sustaining its operations for 

 the last eight consecutive years, have been over $12,000 per annum ; 

 making a total sum of $96,352.73. Our vouchers show that nearly 

 one-third of this sum, or $30,000, is chargeable to the department of 

 agriculture. The balance to manufactures and the mechanic arts. 

 Such has been its disbursements in defraying all its expenses. The 

 State, under the law of 1841, has refunded $7,600. For which, on 

 behalf of the Institute, we tender our most sincere thanks, and solicit 

 a continuance of this bounty ; confident in the assurance that it will 

 be faithfully, and we trust beneficially, applied. 



The succeeding pages will bring to the knowledge of our fellow 

 citizens, a somewhat detailed statement of our operations during the 



