AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 359 



The wine presented was received from the largest growers of 

 the fruit, Messrs Geo. Seymour & Co., of South Norwalk, Conn. 

 Yours, respectfully, 



DREW & TRENCH, 

 85 Barclay street. 



Prof. Mapes commented on the importance of hot beds, stating 

 its great value to himself, and to others who would avail them- 

 selves of this means of great advantage to income. 



Mr. Meigs — As in the course of nature seeds of many plants 

 are scattered on snow, would it be well to try grain in that 

 way ? Some think it would do well by absorbing the ammonia at 

 the surface of the soil when the snow melts in spring, and when 

 the ground becomes dry enough to harrow the seed in. 



Amos Gore, of Jersey — I have found clover do well sowed on 

 snow. 



Adrian Bergen, of Gowanus — All farmers should improve win- 

 ter by cultivating their minds — reading what's best. 



Messrs Olcott & Vail exhibited mdlasses from their Chinese 

 sugar cane — sorgho sucre. 



Professor Mapes — Suitable pressers will be wanted for this new 

 sugar cane. As to wine, our Newark cider is superior to most of 

 it. It will not become vinegar unless diluted with water ! 

 Toggle joint presses are good for apples. 



Can we invent a mowing machine which will cut off all the 

 heads of weeds before they ripen their seeds ? 



I recomm 'nd it to this Club to have conversational meetings — 

 as we once had. 



Questions for next meeting, by Prof. Mapes, " Making and 

 treatment of hot beds," and by Mr. A. Bergen, " Fence posts." 



The Club then adjourned. 



H. MEIGS, Secretary. 



February 17, 1857. 

 Present — Mr, Van Epps, Daniel C. Robinson, Stacey, Judd, 

 Wm. Leigh, Pafidee, Henry A. Dyer, Secretary of the Connecticut 

 State Agricultural Society, Waring, Solon Robinson, Bixby, Mar- 

 tin E. Thompson, John W. Chambers, Adrian Bergen of Gowanus, 



