234 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



is made to boil, then a suitable portion of the potato grain is 

 thrown in, and in five minutes there is a dish of mashed potato 

 ready for eating. The value of this potato grain is about ten 

 cents a pound. It will keep as long as it is kept dry. The 

 Club was pleased with it. 



The same subject ordered continued, viz : " The most profit- 

 able crop for a farmer, locality considered;" and "the most 

 profitable succession of crops." 



Adjourned. 



H. MEIGS, Secretary. 



May 19, 1857. 



Present — Messrs. Professor Nash, of Vermont, Adrian Bergen, of 

 Long Island, Dr. Smith, Solon Robinson, Mr. Coates, of Philadel- 

 phia, Mr, Masa B. Southworth, of Canada, Mr. Starbuck, Mr. Sta- 

 cey, Dr. Wellington, Mr. Doughty, of Jersey, Mr. Waterman, Wm. 

 Lawton, of New Rochelle, Mr. Vail and others — nearly forty mem- 

 bers, although a very severe north east gale, with torrents of rain 

 prevailed all day, with occasional flakes of snow. 



William Lawton was chosen chairman. Henry Meigs, Sec'y. 



William B. Coates of Philadelphia, exhibited a fine model of 

 his patent corn stalk cutter. The machine with one man and one 

 horse, cuts down eight acres of corn stalks in one day. As it cuts, 

 it gathers a reasonable number together for one bundle, drops 

 them, and so repeats. The cutters are heavy and unlikely to fail, 

 easily sharpened — said to be capital for cutting down sugar cane. 



The members examined it and were pleased with it. 



Mr. Secretary Leonard explained tlie action of the patent Car 

 Coupler of Mr. Price, of Ohio. When a locomotive or a leading 

 car run off the rails, the following cars are uncoupled from it 

 instantly, but cannot possibly uncouple while upon the rails. 

 The plan is simple and appears effective. 



Mr. Waterman, who is well acquainted with railroad running 

 stock, and is a civil engineer, objected to it, as not providing for 

 the case of rear cars running off the rails, being switched off, and 

 moreover, that it has been found necessary, besides the usual coup- 



