AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



197 



a cup packing turned downward. It works with less friction, 

 and wears longer. It is very easy to repair. By loosening the 

 bolts on the upper flange the whole working part can be drawn 

 out, and one nut secures it together. It is very strong, the pis- 

 tons being well braced and formed in part by a cast sheath on the 

 outside of the plunger rod ; but its great glory is its combination 

 of air chambers which' cushion the stroke of the valves both 

 ways, surround the working cylinders protecting them from frost, 

 and furnishing a free supply of water to the pump with a dimin- 

 ished pipe- 



I have not time now to give a minute description of my hydrau- 

 lic ram, but will simply state that it is the only double acting 

 one, and that it dispenses with weighted or spring valves. Hav- 

 ing two waste valves the head of water must always be upon one 

 while the current is rushing upon the other, and so long as the 

 momentum of water gives power so long it must work notwith- 

 standing any variation of head or delivery. 



Were it not for the waste of water, I would propose them 

 instead of the steam fire engines, confident that I could beat 

 them. Respectfully, yours, 



J. D. WEST, 

 Of A. W. Gay & Co., 118 Maiden Lane. 



P. S, — By the way, I will mention that we are selling a two 

 inch cast iron pipe at twenty-five cents per foot, thinking it will 

 be useful information to many in connection with the subject of 

 investigation. It is moulded by machinery, and is put together 

 with screw couplings. It is a new and cheap article. 



Yours, J. D. W. 



The chairman, Judge Livingston, remarked that he had expe- 

 rienced such difiiculties in wheat that he quit it for a while for 

 rye. 



Mr, Stacey had left an acre of carrots in the ground all winter 

 under deep snow, and they were not injured. And under like 

 eireumstanees potatoes have kept sound all winter. 



Mr. Meigs did not think it proper to recommend the leaving 

 potatoes or carrots in the ground all winter, as a rule. Adj. 



H. MEIGS, Secretary. 



May 20, 1856. 

 Present — Messrs. Adrian Bergen of Gowanus, Long Island, 

 Philips of Easton, Penn., Messrs. Porter, Van Wyck, Bridgeman, 

 [Am. Inst.] . 14: 



