462 [Assembly 



In the exhibition were specimens of every thing — enormous 

 cattle, horses of rarest beauty, sheep with the richest fleece, sows 

 that swei)t the ground with tlieir numerous teats. In all cases a 

 male and female of each kind of animds. They recalled the going 

 of animals out of the ark of Noah. Everything amimal, vegetable 

 and mineral w-as represented here. It was a magnificent exposi- 

 tion of the riches of the country — no Roman triumph ever equal- 

 led this, I remarked a singularity I had never seen or heard of 

 before. It was a lofty tower of scatTolding covered tastefully 

 with branches of pine and fir, among which appeared all sorts 

 of fruit, grain and vegetables — among them were enormous 

 melons, superb grapes, apples, pears, prunes, wiieat sheaves, 

 beets larger than any I ever saw\ In the city the commotion 

 was as great. In the orangery of the Ducal Palace was another 

 exhibition of products of industry, an immense collection, among 

 them multitudes of paintings, statues, models of fruits. Ml this 

 awakening in Germany is due to a twe7ity-five years peace ! The 

 task was noble, grand but difficult. Patriotism and generosity 

 have played a great part in all this. 



President Tallmadge called the attention of members to the 

 stated subject of discussion. " The Preservation of Fruits and 

 Vegetables in a fresh condition," 



Mr. Pell being requested by the president to speak on the sub- 

 ject, said : Vegetables are organized bodies, capable of convert- 

 ing and assimilating extraneous matters into other compounds, 

 and rendering them subservient to their development. In this 

 manner they increase their bulk, and likewike cast off' from 

 their bodies germs which form other vegetable bodies, pre- 

 cisely similar to the mother plants. They are likewise governed 

 by the laws of vitality, by which they are enabled to retain such 

 matters as enter into their structure; this matter is exactly the 

 same which forms animal structures. The resemblance between 

 vegetables and animals is so close that it almost impossible to 

 find out the distinctive difference between them. Like animals, 

 they are acted upon by the agencies of life, such as electricity, 

 light, heat, muisture, air. Sap ascends from the earth into the 

 tubes of vegetables, directly contrary to the laws of gravity, and 



